Unplugging DJM 900 NXS2 crashes 2016 Macbook Pro

Same with the DJM-750 MK1 on a 2016 MacBook Pro. I didn't know what caused it until you mentioned the audio interface still being selected, and it looks like that's it. I tested with OBS, Rekordbox and Traktor, and if you unplug the DJM while any of those programs are running, the Touch Bar consistently crashes. It doesn't happen when the DJM is selected as the sound input/output device for macOS though. It also doesn't happen with my Traktor Audio 10.

Actually in my case it happens whenever there is a program open using audio. So it crashes even with iTunes open and Rekordbox closed. This is a widespread issue. Just take a look over here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/822722507863937/permalink/1218058124997038/

https://fr.audiofanzine.com/logiciel-dj/pioneer/rekordbox/forums/t.657322,macbook-pro-15-touchbar-freezes-avec-rekordbox-et-djm-850.html

And this is a documentation of the issue:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zEklwCH0BM

The point is that it is really difficult to pinpoint the cause. I do not know if it is a problem caused by Apple or a problem with PioneerDJ's driver. As I said it does not happen with my Apogee audio interface.

2016 and 2017 MBPs are both affected. Some say that it happened less with 2017s in case you used certain USB cable, but I am not sure of it and can not verify these rumors.

Nevertheless I am convinced that it is not an acceptable solution having to change audio routing before disconnecting. When I unplug my Apogee the audio simply goes through the internal one and that is how it is supposed to be working.

Sorry to hear about this guys, I'll pass it along to our product engineers.

It should certainly allow you to disconnect audio devices while the application is in use.

Is it only the touch bar which is freezing? What about the stability of the applications open at the time, or the OS itself?

Hello Pulse, thanks for getting in contact. I tried to include some links to resources which describe the problem, but I can try to summarise the problem.

When my DJM 900 NXS2 (and apparently all DJM mixer) is connected to my 15" 2016 Macbook Pro (reports for 2017 report the same problem) is connected through USB-B - USB-A (various cable and combinations of adapters have been verified) and I route audio to the audio interface of the mixer through Rekordbox, iTunes, etc, and the cable is disconnected the Touchbar becomes black.

It is enough for the DJM to be selected. There is no need to play any music. When the cable is disconnected the Touchbar freezes, just like in the video I linked for you.

This means no Esc key. I think not even touchID. The Applications stay open. It is possible to select the internal audio and music plays trough it. When reconnecting the DJM it does not appear in the audio input menu.

Only a restart helps to get the computer back to normal, but usually the restart hangs with a black screen + cursor visible and the computer has to be forced to shut down by pressing the power button for several seconds.

I encountered this problem the day I received my MBP in 2016. Even a new logic board did not solve the problem. I hope you can help us. There are a lot of people with this problem as our facebook group shows.

Thanks for the clarifications -- I'll see what the engineers have to say!

If we can help with more input, just let us know. As I said it is not clear to me if it is a problem with PioneerDJ's DJM drivers or with Apple TB3/USB-C or Touchbar firmware or a combination of both.

We hope you can solve this, since this is a really annoying bug. When someone switches DJM on stage and forgets to disconnect the mixer he used before first, his computer freezes and he has to restart.

No doubt. If the engineers have any other questions, I'll be sure to ask! Thanks.

Hello, 

I alse have exactly the same problem, I came from a  2016 15' macbook pro, Apple changed completly my topcase (touchbar / keyboard) and my motherboard, and problem were still here : the touchbar suddently shutdown, Safari is freezing, and I can't shutdown my computer. If I replug my DJM it is no recognizided and I have to restart (by long press touch ID) the mac...

Later, Apple changed my macbook with a 2017 version (after months of "fight" and several repairs), the problem is still here for me but only with my 'Aukey' type C adaptator. With my Hootec Hub usb C, no problem. I don't tested with a type C <-> type A cable directly. 

Sometimes I think about sell my macbook for a 2015 version, but it's just aberrant to get here

My topic (in french but youtube video for more details) : https://forums.pioneerdj.com/hc/fr/requests/52587?page=1

I searched for months people who have the same problem, suddenly i'm not crazy anymore ;) 

Guys, forgive my english please, I just hope I am understandable :)

I have a 2017 15" Macbook pro with Touch Bar...I have the same crashing problem with Pioneer mixers - I own both the 900 Nexus 2 and also an S9.

I have noticed on the new Rane SEVENTY-TWO, I do NOT have this problem. I am free to plug and unplug the mixer at will without having to reboot. Maybe a driver upgrade could fix this issue. I am not having any USB issues with any other devices or not having any other issues with any apps that I am aware of. I am running High Sierra 10.13.4. 

I am also paranoid that I may a tiny power surge could cause me to reboot my computer during a live performance. So this has not been a fun experience with that dark cloud looming. Hopefully this issue is fixed soon.

Thanks for the additional comments -- we've got the DJM team looking into this!

Any updates? It’s almost timed to start testing on Mac OS Mojave at this point. This should have been addressed long ago. Please advise.

"This should have been addressed long ago."

The incident was reported May 11th, and 4 days later I was able to report back that the engineers had been able to replicate it and were working on a solution.

Given that Mojave won't be available to the public until September or October, and we never start testing for compatibility until after the initial public release, we will not provide support for anyone beta-testing the Mojave OS, nor can we guarantee our products (hardware and software) will perform as expected or intended, so we advise against upgrading until we have had a chance to verify our products.

That said, we hope to have more information available on this issue soon - but no, nothing for Mojave until it's in our hands.

And almost 30 days later...no report back. How long should we expect to keep waiting? 60, 90, 120 days? Tell us what is reasonable.

That's fine if you want to deconstruct my statement into different parts. That removes the context from my original statement. 

This has been a problem with me and other users ever since the Touch Bar Mac hit the streets. I have had this laptop for just under a year now. Just one example...there haven't been any Pioneer Firmware updates for the DJM S9 for Mac OS since Sept 2017. Maybe an update could fix the issue. That's all we're hoping for.

In reference to "This should have been addressed long ago" - I have seen this problem reported other places, not just here. Several people with this same hardware combo are experiencing this problem all over the place, not just the ones that have chimed in on this post.

This post was not about Mojave or May 11th...just pointing out that that timeline is quickly approaching for anyone in the market for a NEW Touch Bar MacBook.I already have a developer copy of Mojave, so realistically a public beta is only 30-60 days away...so that is not too far in the future. 

I understand Pioneer has a difficult job, but I spend thousands of $$ with Pioneer every year and would expect better from a $2000 mixer and $3000 laptop running DVS...when I don't have the same problem with a $75 controller. 

LOL Maybe this is all Apple's fault - but the users out here are trying to figure it out, too.

I'm not trying be a pain in the ass...we just want this fixed.

THANK YOU in advance.

@Lockstar > It's a new issue to us -- as I noted above, only having been reported here on May 11th. And it's not isolated to rekordbox, as @SEJU points out. Finding the cause of the issue, creating a solution that doesn't break more things, testing it, then deploying it takes more time than what you clearly feel is reasonable. 

I understand your frustration but I'm sorry, I don't have any other information or a timeline for a fix release. We thank you for your patience.

Another follow-up for users still on this topic...

What was thought to be the same crash as described turned out to be a different issue, and the engineers would like to gather updated information on whether or not you're still experiencing this problem (as there have been several OS updates).

If you are, please provide:

- model identifier of your computer
- version of the OS installed
- Pioneer DJ hardware used with this issue (as it's not just the DJM-900NXS2)
- firmware and driver version for that hardware
- how it was connected (whether via USB-C-to-USB-B cable, or USB-C hub > USB-A-to-USB-B cable)
- if the crash happens every time when disconnecting the hardware
- if you had the driver / hardware in-use when it was disconnected
- if the software using the driver / hardware was still open when it was disconnected
- if you disconnected the USB or simply powered-off the hardware

Thanks again for your patience while we try to find the cause of this issue.

Nice to hear from you. Yes unplugging the mixer while playing audio does still crash the Touch-Bar on my Macbook Pro each and every time, requiring a hard reset, because normal reset does not work!!!

- model identifier of your computer: MacBookPro13,3 (2016 15")
- version of the OS installed: 10.14.2 (18C54)
- Pioneer DJ hardware used with this issue: DJM-900NXS2
- firmware for that hardware: 2.05
- utility version running on the computer: 2.0.2
- driver version running on the computer: 2.0.1
- Framework version running on the computer: 2.0.0
- connected through: Belkin USB-C-to-USB-B cable (in order to minimise possible points of failure)
- if the crash happens every time when disconnecting the hardware: no (only when playing audio though the DJM 900NXS2)
- if you had the driver / hardware in-use when it was disconnected: yes (was playing audio in order to replicate the issue)
- if the software using the driver / hardware was still open when it was disconnected: yes (as above)
- if you disconnected the USB or simply powered-off the hardware: disconnected the USB from the computer.

I hope this helps. I guess I already wrote it: my Apogee Duet does not have this problem as far as I can remember.

If it may help: I am currently near Milan. I recently saw a PioneerDj facility in the outskirts. In case someone would like to take a look there. I would be happy to come, although since this is my dev system I cannot leave it.

The only way not to crash the computer with the DJM900NXS2 is to stop playing audio, switch audio interface and disconnect the mixer.

@SEJU > Thanks, appreciate the detail, I'll pass that along for review.

When disconnecting:

- audio is switched to the internal speaker on the Macbook Pro

- Touch Bar crashes (black)

- led of the usb port flashes on the mixer

- Macbook does not recognise Mixer when attempting to reconnect

- Hard reset required

Yes for my part same problem still present. 

Here some details about your requests : 

- model identifier of your computer : MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017) 
- version of the OS installed : version 10.14.2 (18C54)
- Pioneer DJ hardware used with this issue (as it's not just the DJM-900NXS2) : DJM850
- firmware and driver version for that hardware : Firmware 1.10 & driver 1.1.0
- how it was connected (whether via USB-C-to-USB-B cable, or USB-C hub > USB-A-to-USB-B cable) : Through simple AUKEY adapter (crash) or via Hootoo Hub (no problem anymore) 
- if the crash happens every time when disconnecting the hardware : Yes with simple adapter, apparently no with Hootoo usb C HUB
- if you had the driver / hardware in-use when it was disconnected : YES, when playing audio via DJM
- if the software using the driver / hardware was still open when it was disconnected : YES (can be only iTunes or system sound notification) 
- if you disconnected the USB or simply powered-off the hardware : Disconnected. But as far as i can remember the problem appear sometimes without touch the USB cable. No problem by powering-off the DJM

Exactly the same problem that SEJU 

Very nice to see that the problem is not forgotten

Sorry if my english is not very good, I think you will understand me anyway

Thanks, I've passed the info along and hope to hear back soon.

Our engineers are unable to replicate this issue, but have asked you to try the following and see if the problem persists:

1.Uninstall the DJM driver.
2 Execute PRM reset: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063
3.Install the DJM driver

Please let me know if this resolves the issue for any of you.

Thanks for the update, but unfortunatly i think your advice won't work (I will give it a try anyway)

Last year, Apple reset totally my macbook many times (so PRM Reset and driver fresh install), and finally replace it (from a 2016 touchbar to a 2017) and the problem is still present.

If your engineers aren't able to replicate this issue, in which configurations tests has made ? Cable, adaptor, macbook's year (2016, 2017, 2018 ?)

Thanks

Hello thanks for the update. Unfortunately it did not solve the problem.

1. Uninstalled the driver

2. Executed twice PRM reset

3. Install the driver

4. Launch rekordbox, play music

5. Unplug Mixer from left frontal thunderbolt plug

> crash

6. Hard reset

7. Launch iTunes, play music

8. Unplug Mixer from left rear thunderbolt plug

> crash.

This problem exists since I bought it. Apple had to exchange the logicboard since a key was non functional (juhu!!!). That means I had to wipe the SSD twice and restore from timemachine. Still the same problem although it is practically a new machine.

I need to figure out if this is a driver problem or a problem with the laptop, since I will be on warranty for a couple more months...

Again, in case you have a system engineer based in Milan, Berlin or in between I will be happy to join them on my next trip!

Our engineers are having trouble replicating this issue - can you guys please tell me if you're using an Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter, or if a 3rd party unit, what brand / model?

I use either

1) a Belkin USB2 cable and an Apple usb-a to usb-c adapter. Same result with the PioneerDJ provided USB cable + Apple usb-a to usb-c adapter.

- the Belkin has this design http://www.compuagora.com.cy/shop/en/data-cable/20102-cable-usb2-a-b-180m-black-m-m-4040849718694.html

- MJ1M2ZM/A USB-C TO USB ADAPTER

2) a Belkin USB-B to USB-c cable (the white one from Apple’s website)

- HHSS2ZM/B BELKIN TYPE-C TO USB B 2.0

Music has to play and the cable has to be detached from the computer, than the computer crashes.

When no audio plays I can for instance turn the DJM900NXS2 off and the computer does not crash, but when music plays through the cable and I detach it from the computer it crashes.

I have a MacBook Pro 15 2016

There is a discussion over at rme’s forum: https://www.forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=24982

Which touches different problems and also the disconnect problem. Maybe this input might help your engineers.

On the other side I can use my Apogee Duet with the same cable that crash my computer with the DJM and everything works. When I play music through the Apogee and disconnect it from the computer the audio is routed through the internal speakers and when reconnecting the Apogee it switches back to the external audio interface.

Thanks for the feedback so far -- our engineers would also like to know if anyone is using a MacBook Pro with the following model identifiers:

• Macbook Pro 13,2
• Macbook Pro 13,3
• Macbook Pro 14,2
• Macbook Pro 14,3

I have a 14,3 laptop and still have this issue. Thanks.