Frontier Design Alphatrack not working on OS 10.12.3 / Logic 10.3.1

Hi Folks,

since I had to update to OS Sierra to get Logic 10.3.1 my Alphatrack is not responding,

I tried to manually restore the elements from a time machine backup, but this doesn't work at all. Alphatrack appears in the setup menu, but since it's not even recognized in the AudioMidi setup, nothing works. I erased the Logic preferences, .... nothing not even the Alphatrack manager recognizes the hardware..

any help ???????

I don't want to be pessimistic, but Frontier support seems belating (latest drivers update available are dating from 2010...). Have you tried communicating with them?

Probably not relevant but might be useful anyway.

try this,

this helps  

 

http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=60691

My Alphatrack works on LPX 10.3.1 in El Capitan.  I'm using the Synclavier drivers.

 

Just updated to 10.3.2 now its messed up, but the Tranzport is still ok.

 

Hoping someone has a copy of 10.3.1 I can revert to -- backup accidentally trashed.  (grrr)

Ok -- BOTH Tranzport and Alphatrack are working on 10.3.2.  Turbofoda - why did you have to go sierra?  10.3.2 works just fine on El Cap.

Hi I have alpha track running on Sierra and here is what to do (found all info on web): Alphatrack on Sierra

 

UPDATE: woohoo - got it working with Logic 10.3.1 and OSX 10.11.x thanks to a generous user on another forum. Copied & edited the pertinent bits here:

 

Disable SIP by restarting your Mac, holding down Command + R to boot from the Restore volume. When booted, go the the Utilities menu up at the top and choose Terminal. Type in the following:

 

csrutil disable; reboot

 

Your Mac will reboot itself and SIP will be off.

 

Download the following archive: http://motunation.com/files/AlphaTrack_OSX10.11.1_Installation.zip

 

This archive when expanded should be self explanatory. It has all the necessary files for AlphaTrack and shows where to copy them. It also contains what you'll need including an app called Kext Utility. (See: http://mac.softpedia.com/get/System-Utilities/Kext-Utility.shtml

 

You can't just copy the actual .kext file. Use the Kext Utility app to install the kext file so that the system will load it properly. Launch Kext Utility and drag the file, FrontierDesignAlphaTrack.kext onto its window and it will install. Wait till it is finished and then quit the app. On reboot, the AlphaTrack should work.

 

Keep in mind, this is dependent on also having the 64-bit compatible control surface bundle for Logic:

 

https://www.frontierdesign.com/download/plugin/AlphaTrack/AlphaTrack_Logic_1.3.zipm - see their documentation about where to put that bundle.

 

This worked for me. However, given the litigious nature of society these days, I must warn you to backup first and I can take no responsibility if it doesn't work right for you, etc. - do this at your own risk.

Thanks a million for sharing this @Roofe and for giving step-by-step instrcutions and the download links too.!! It worked exactly as described for me. I was a litle nervous about using Terminal but the instructions are very clear and it was easy.

 

I had given up on using the Alphatrack, found no solution anyhere until now. Great to have a real fader again, no more mouse mixing!

 

If you would like to name a charity of your choice I'd be glad to make a donation. Thanks again and if you ever come to Cologne in Germany I'd like to at least buy you a beer!!

 

Gratefully

 

RR

 

..so sweet to have that litle "clunk" again as the fader moves into position when opening a song 3> LOL

Anybody using it on osx 10.12?!

Didn't check -placed a bid on ebay :\

Thanks a million for sharing this @Roofe and for giving step-by-step instrcutions and the download links too.!! It worked exactly as described for me. I was a litle nervous about using Terminal but the instructions are very clear and it was easy.

 

I had given up on using the Alphatrack, found no solution anyhere until now. Great to have a real fader again, no more mouse mixing!

 

If you would like to name a charity of your choice I'd be glad to make a donation. Thanks again and if you ever come to Cologne in Germany I'd like to at least buy you a beer!!

 

Gratefully

 

RR

 

..so sweet to have that litle "clunk" again as the fader moves into position when opening a song 3> LOL

 

Heheeee, thanks a lot I'm glad to help!

Hey all, this worked perfectly for me too on OS 10.13.2. Don't skip the csrutil bit (like I tried to), that bit's important The Alphatrack lives on!

Grrr... mine's dead again. I went through the whole process and it was working - then rebooted today, and dead again

Try to unplug the usb cable and see whats happen. Sometimes it lost connection...

Thanks Roofe. That worked yesterday, but not today. Even bypassed the USB hub and went straight to the tower.

And you have put the midi file in Logic X package and all. Try to put a Mackie logic Control before Alphatrack in control surface setup to.

Thanks - tried that. Nothin.

 

And you have put the midi file in Logic X package and all. Try to put a Mackie logic Control before Alphatrack in control surface setup to.

And now it works again - seemingly randomly. No explanation.

Hmmm, that´s strange but hope it lasts a while anyway.

Update - just updated to Sierra to allow LPX 10.4 -- Had to repeat the process, but Alphatrack is back again I wonder if I didn't have to shell out for those Synclavier Alphatrack updates.

The Synclavier updates work. Just get those. The developer that did those updates used to work at Frontier and he basically updated both the Alphatrack and Tranzport drivers for MOTU digital performer 64bit control surface compatibility at the request of various users at motunation that contacted him somehow. While he was at it he also rebuilt signed versions of the basic Tranzport and AlphaTrack drivers. So the installer, which was kind of designed for DP, also updates stuff that helps Logic users

Yup. I know they work — I bought them and was using them. But just now, after the update, I used the stuff from the link above. I didn’t look closely - I wonder if that was just a copy of the synclav driver.

not sure what you downloaded from motunation. Since you were using the kext utility its possible that Synclavier only needed to build a "signed" version of the alphatrack driver and you're going around that by using kext tool to install an unsigned version of it. Which is all fine... But the the one from synclavier is signed and just works.

The Tranzport has worked perfectly from day one. Alphatrack seems to be happy now in Sierra and LPX 10.4.1

Just forked over $35 for the Synclavier drivers and unfortunately they do nothing for Logic Pro X 10.4.1 on High Sierra 10.13.4 . . . I get a notice that the software is not compatible with the OS, contact the developer, etc. and then it does not show up in Logic at all as an option under Control Surfaces/Setup. Bummed . . .

That is a bummer. I'm still on Sierra. You should ask for your $ back, or ask if there'll be an update for H.S.

Those drivers are for digital performer, but include stuff that should enable logIc too. I don’t know why it won’t run on high Sierra but that is why you don’t see it, it’s not installing anything. You can inspect the package to find out what it does and probably do it manually

Very Important -- is the Alphatrack.bundle file in the MIDI Device Plug-ins folder? (LPX /Contents/Plugins/MIDI Device Plug-ins)

Hi All

 

I've been lurking on this thread for ages seeing if anyone had a fix for my issue with Alphatrack not working on Logic Pro X 10.4.1 on Sierra.

 

I bought the synclavier drivers which worked for me on 10.3.x fine. When I updated to 10.4.0 the alphatrack stopped working but I managed to get it working again and didn't think more of it.

 

I have been trying for ages to get it working after the update to 10.4.1 broke it again and wanted to share what worked for me yesterday!!!

 

I used the synclavier installer as normal, copied the AlphaTrack.bundle as described by markalex49 above. Alphatrack wouldn't show up in control surfaces, not even in italics.

I could just about install it in HUI mode so figured the driver was working.

 

The issue was that after copying the AlphaTrack.bundle into the LPX /Contents/Plugins/MIDI Device Plug-ins folder it had incorrect permissions.

The fix is to Ctrl-click or right click on the LPX /Contents/Plugins/MIDI Device Plug-ins folder, Get Info on the folder, click on the gear icon and choose Apply to enclosed items. This will set the owner and group for the AlphaTrack.bundle to system and admin.

 

Alphatrack then appeared in the control surfaces list (not in italics) and was instantly recognised again by logic when plugged back in

 

I hope this helps someone else out there like me who loves the Alphatrack functionality and form factor!

 

Regards

 

Jim

Thanks for the update!

My two cents. Would love to resurrect my AlphaTrack so I found this great thread! Bought the Synclavier drivers. Installed, nothing works. Saw Jim's post above today and got a glimpse of hope but nope! Nothing. Actually, there is no "AlphaTrack.bundle into the LPX /Contents/Plugins/MIDI Device Plug-ins" folder. And when I try to scan for the device and it does not find it Logic has a list of devices to be added manually and the AlphaTrack is not even available (Tranzport is, however!). Anyways, this whole thing has been such a bummer!!!

That is a bummer. I'm still on Sierra. You should ask for your $ back, or ask if there'll be an update for H.S.

 

Indeed I did. And Cameron was simply great about it and issued the refund immediately!! No plans for any sort of an update though (or doing a Logic driver. SO bummed about this whole thing. I'll gladly rebuy the drivers if this thing works again!!!