KOMPLETE KONTROL / MASCHINE Error: "*Product* could not be loaded, as it may not support Apple Silicon or VST2 to VST3 migration."

Symptom

When trying to load a VST plug-in after updating to KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.8 / MASCHINE 2.16 on an Apple Silicon / M1 series computer, you receive the following error message:

Loading Issue
*Product* could not be loaded, as it may not support Apple Silicon or VST2 to VST3 migration.

M_KK_ErrorMessage.png

Causes

Only VST plug-ins that are available in VST3 format and natively compatible with Apple Silicon / M1 processors can be used with KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.8 / MASCHINE 2.16 (and higher).

Please see the 2 chapters below for more details on these requirements:

1. End of VST2 Support on Apple Silicon / M1 Series Computers

On Apple Silicon / M1 series processors, KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.8 / MASCHINE 2.16 (and higher) have dropped VST2 plug-in support.

This means that VST2 plug-ins will no longer load in KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.8 / MASCHINE 2.16 (and higher) on Apple Silicon / M1 series systems.

2. NI Products Native Compatibility with Apple Silicon

While some NI VST products are already available in VST3 format, only the ones updated to full native compatibility with Apple Silicon will load in KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.8 / MASCHINE 2.16 (and higher).

Please see this article for a list of NI Products and their current status regarding native compatibility with Apple Silicon computers.

Important: Apple Intel processors are not affected. The latest versions of KOMPLETE KONTROL and MASCHINE 2 will continue to support VST2 plug-ins on Apple Intel Systems.

Solution

Launch KOMPLETE KONTROL / MASCHINE 2 in Rosetta Mode

Apple silicon-based computers include a feature called Rosetta. This allows Intel-based apps to run on Apple silicon processors. Follow these steps to launch KOMPLETE KONTROL or MASCHINE in Rosetta mode.

Important note: Apply these steps to your DAW if using KOMPLETE KONTROL / MASCHINE as a plug-in. See this article for instructions.

  1. Make sure KOMPLETE KONTROL / MASCHINE and all audio / MIDI software are closed.
  2. In Finder, go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Native Instruments and locate the Komplete Kontrol or Maschine 2 folder.
  3. Right-click the app icon and select Get Info from the menu.
  4. Tick the box: Open using Rosetta:
    Rosetta.png

Now KOMPLETE KONTROL / MASCHINE will open in Rosetta compatibility mode. All current NI products will open as expected. This also applies to 3rd-party plug-ins that are only available in VST2 format and / or aren't compatible with Apple Silicon / M1 processors.