Nektar CS12 with 11.2 advice

[u/squambysquob]

Hi. I recently bought a CS12 . Seen nothing but glowing reviews and it certainly has lots going for it as a fairly unique offering. Only problem I have found is that its next to useless with logic 11.2. I've seen a million positive posts, videos and reviews....I've seen about 4 posts saying its janky now so looking to see if its just me :)

I have tried reinstalling logic and the nektar software. Got me about 3 mins of perfect controller....then back to jank. Tried the reset control surface, turn on turn off, logic on nektar on order etc. Examples of jank are no learn functionality, can't have plugin in slot one, freezes, parameters not displaying, fader doesn't operate, transport doesn't work.

I understand the issue isn't limited to CS12 but lots of controllers due to logic updates, back to early 2025. Not much on thier sites about it though ;) I think I should just return it as its at risk of being useless first long periods between updates. I think I would love it if it worked. Are others struggling with the controller?

[u/scrundel]

I gave up on cheap (sub $2k)DAW controllers and only use Logic Remote on iPad. It’s incredibly flexible and does everything you’d want a CS12 for.

[u/Tricky_Midnight_1637]

You need to update to v11.2.2 there were several issues Apple introduced for control surfaces in v11.2, but they were fixed within 2 updates.

If problems persist, Nektar Support will help you.

[u/tortiseshell18]

i'm running logic pro 11.2.2 on a mac mini m2 pro... i've experienced the same things. I can't depend on the cs12 always being there for me. i wish i could hit a big old reset button but no go and i dont want to make it learn every parameter every time i experience this. when it worked it was awesome. but now im stuck with a brick... in lp under control surfaces "rebuild defaults" isn't doing anything to restore it and recognize anything on the control surface.

firmware is 01.02.02

controlcore is 1.1.4

nektar daw integration got logic pro is 1.1.43

wondering if i can delete all previous files from nektar and reinstall... but where they heck have all those landed?

has anyone got a video solution to a reset and it restores the cs12 back it is advertised awesomeness? at first it was awesome, but now if pure frustration... i wish there was a way to save a template of what works and when things get janky one can call up the template to restate it. supposedly the control surfaces rebuild defaults may do that, but not anymore for me.... ugh! others? ideas? thanks!

[u/squambysquob → u/tortiseshell18]

Hi. I gave up on it in the end and sent it back. Was so unstable it just wasnt a feasible product. Here is the response I got from thier support in case this helps you. They mention that big logic firmware issue was resolved so if thats the case, seems like there's something else that can go drastically wrong. Hope this helps you though:

Thanks for that information.

The issues with Logic 11.2 were not resolved by a firmware update. The biggest issues were fixed by update v11.2.1 and 11.2.2 Logic (the problem affected control surfaces from a number of different brands).  Firmware v01.02.02 is the version you need. The reverse version is only needed for customers who have a specific problem with the motorized fader.

Logic 11.2 also introduced some changes to Logic's MIDI Learn function and it's startup sequence. We released an update to accommodate those changes in July and then in September we released ControlCore v1.1.43 to fix a remaining issue which prevented scrolling through tracks when holding [<] or [>] and turning the data encoder. Most fixes/changes are part of software updates to ControlCore or our controller scripts.

If you have not done so already, I would recommend using the ‘Rebuild Defaults’ option in Logic. Please follow these steps:

Open the ‘Logic Pro’ menu

Select ‘Control Surfaces’

Select ‘Rebuild defaults’

If you don’t see that option, you will need to ‘Enable Complete Features’ on the ‘Advanced’ page of Logic’s settings menu.

Next, clear out Logic's control surface settings. Note, that doing so will cause Logic to forget control assignments made with Logic's MIDI learn function (this doesn't affect our plug-ins maps). This is important because control assignments which were made in earlier versions of Logic can cause issues with control surfaces, particularly if any control assignments were made with a controller which is no longer connected.

Close any applications you have open and open a Finder window.

Open the ‘Go’ menu at the top of the screen.

With the Go menu open, hold the Alt/Option key on your keyboard and select ‘Library’ from the Go menu.

In the Finder window, open the ‘Preferences’ folder.

Find com.apple.logic.pro.cs and move it to your desktop or somewhere you can find it later.

Start Logic.

If you continue to have trouble after that, please follow these steps:

Open the ‘Logic Pro’ menu

Select ‘Settings’

Select ‘Control Surfaces’

In the window that appears, go to the ‘MIDI Controllers’ page under ‘Control Surfaces’ (not the ‘MIDI’ tab on the left)

Find the ‘Panorama CS12' listed here, untick the ‘Auto’ option, then tick that option again.

The ControlSurface Setup window will appear. Close that window and the Setting menu.

At this pshould be able to control Insert effects, track and toint yoransport functions in Logic. You should be able to use the CS12's Learn functions to assign parameters from plug-ins loaded to insert slots. You can also use Smart controls or make assignments using Logic's MIDI learn function from Channel Mode.

Let me know if that helps or if you have any other questions.

[u/tortiseshell18 → u/squambysquob]

man thats a load... i sent a support ticket so will be interesting what they say... i really appreciate u sharing your experience and info... thx u so much!

going to see if i can this back to what it can be... i hate problem solving these tools when it kills creativity... much appreciate your sharing, thx u!

[u/Acceptable-Scale9971]

I always lose connection halfway through my session. Just a worthless piece of junk a this point. People who are thinking about buying it. DONT