Korg Forums

Swoord · Joined: 01 May 2009 Posts: 2

I have a Kontrol 49, about 2 years old now, it has sat in my studio with hardly any use on it. I started it up one day, and every 8th key does not respond, everything else works great. I tried it in Ableton, Reason, Fruity Loops, Logic......and more, it's not a software issue as far as i can tell. Has anyone heard of this, or have any idea whats wrong?

Every 8th Key starting 1 key in from the left
1-X-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-X-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-X...............

the X's being the dead keys, Does anyone know where to get the wiring diagram or info on the diodes?

noratronika · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

I got dead keys too, after I updated. Did you update? I am a bit f6cked off about it as I just sold my Axiom as I am scaling down my kit. Now I got no control omg oO(just breath) ohm ohm

[url]http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=309921#309921[/url]

bert-of-kosmic · Joined: 08 Apr 2011 Posts: 5

I have the same issue with a 2nd hand KORG kontrol 49. every 8th key doesnt respond starting at the 7th key from the left.

I have opened up the Korg, cleaned it, reseated the cables and even checked the keystrip.

Is there anyone who could help with this ? any help greatly appreciated.

Regards
Bert

X-Trade · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 9:35 am Post subject:

Normally this is a problem with the ribbon cable from the keyboard scanning matrix to the main board. Most of the time reseating firmly it has solved the issue.

If you still have a problem then maybe there is a problem with the diode matrix itself.
_________________
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro

bert-of-kosmic · Joined: 08 Apr 2011 Posts: 5

I also experience a repatative dead key problem with my 49 around each 7th key. I am also update to 1.06 and i have managed a few times to get the keys working after a shutdown. So it seems a software issue.

Anyone know how to downgrade from 1.06 downwards or factory reset ?

Rgds bert

X-Trade · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 4:40 pm Post subject:

I have read about this being triggered by a software/firmware update in the past. It seems that the firmware update may have increased the unit's responsiveness to this particular issue. So it isn't strictly a software problem as such, its just that the newer software is more sensitive to a slightly loose connection. Don't ask me why or how though Rolling Eyes

Anyway, if it doesn't work for you by reseating the ribbon cable, well, that'd be the first time I'd heard of it not working.
_________________
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro

bert-of-kosmic · Joined: 08 Apr 2011 Posts: 5

Thx for your reply. I have opened up the korg, disconnected and reconnected all cables, removed and inspected the keybedstrip with the rubber actuators and it didnt solve the probem.

Today i reid firmwre update and afterwards the keys played all correctly untill i touched the most left non responding key. That triggered the whole series again not responding, every 8th key. Bothers me.

Is there any kind of factory reset button/knob combination for this korg 49?

Bert

wx · Joined: 02 Oct 2011 Posts: 4

Has anyone come up with a solution or fix for this? My Kontrol49 has been my goto controller for years & now, using with Logic 9, & just this week (when I've got a heavy project schedule) every 8th key, starting with the first G from the left, is not working.

I've opened the unit, reseeded all the cables firmly & checked the circuit boards over closely to find that nothing is out of place.

There have not been any software changes made on my computer & my keyboard has been on ver. 1.06 since they rolled that out a few years back. To this point I have had ZERO issues with this controller & would prefer to stay with this unit vs the alternatives available on the market currently.

Does Korg have an official response to this? Has anyone figured it out?

Esotera · Joined: 15 Oct 2011 Posts: 2

I've got exactly the same problem on my Kontrol 49. Every 8th key from F# upwards.

It's clearly a widespread problem. A search reveals plenty of similar cases. And far more likely to be a software issue if you ask me.

I tried to get in contact with Korg last year and they denied ever having heard of the problem and said i'd have to get it opened up by a specialist (and pay for the privilege)

If anyone has any idea of a fix, please let us know!

X-Trade · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:36 am Post subject:

The fix is to get it fixed! if you want it working and simple re-seating of the cables doesn't work then it is beyond simple user-capable repair! take it to someone who knows something about electronics and can test the continuity of the various tracks and cables for the keyboard's diode matrix.

Sorry but not everything can be fixed for free, particularly if you don't have the electronics know-how.
_________________
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro

wx · Joined: 02 Oct 2011 Posts: 4

X-Trade · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 4:16 pm Post subject:

I've already told you what I know from what other people have posted. My point is that you can't expect to even make the repair unless you are profecient at electronics - and if you were, then you wouldn't have to ask about it.

It is almost certainly a hardware problem at the base level and not a software problem. The dead keys occurring in a specific pattern across the keyboard is a clear indication of some electronic issue (including possibility of badly connected ribbon cable) between the chip that drives keyboard scanning, and the keyboard's diode matrix itself.
You'd have to get a meter out and test these tracks and connections to diagnose where the fault is.

The reason I mention the ribbon cable is because for a reasonable number of cases, this has been the fix. The connection can come loose in transport or from physical shock because it is only a mechanical contact connection. I've had the same issue on a network switch actually (where it's ribbon cables came lose in transit).
Not saying that this is the only answer but it is the easiest for any person to fix. Beyond that you'll need to know what you're doing with an electronic meter and possibly a soldering iron, hence the need to take it to a specialist.
I know of at least one person who said they traced tracks and found one that was damaged. They bridged it with a piece of wire. Doesn't mean that the same would hold true for yours though - you actually have to go looking to see what is damaged.

I admit my previous post was a little blunt, but my point is that there is a reason why you pay engineers to fix something - because they have the knowledge and tools to find out what the problem is and fix it. Working in IT and having worked on both computer and musical hardware repairs, I know that you can't possibly have seen or know of the symptoms and fix for every possible problem - half of the job and where the real skill is, is in finding what is wrong in the first place.

My point is that you can't expect someone to give you the answer when they haven't physically checked out your instance of a hardware problem.
_________________
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro

Esotera · Joined: 15 Oct 2011 Posts: 2

I've taken the back off and re-seated the ribbons to no effect.

As wx said, it would be nice to hear from someone who has actually solved this problem through Korg repair or not. The issue is so widespread (every other Kontrol49 post on this forum relates to this exact problem) that it's clearly a design fault or dodgy component that keeps failing in all of these cases.

The seemingly random occurrence of it made me think it's a software issue. One day it just happened. No movement, no updates, no spillages... There are examples of people who have updated the firmware and suddenly started experiencing it.

I am not about to spend £100 getting this thing repaired by Korg. My faith in the product (and its support) has long since evaporated. But it would be nice know what exactly what the problem is.

So has anyone actually had the issue diagnosed? (not anecdotal conjecture please X-Trade)

X-Trade · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:27 pm Post subject:

I do apologise that I don't own a K49. It is a great product. Doesn't mean that I can't help and this kind of problem is prolific in other instruments too.

My point still stands - I understand quite well how the scanning matrix in modern MIDI keyboards work and I'm telling you that this is a hardware issue based on this knowledge. I've taken apart and repaired keyboards and even researched, designed, and built one.

I also read almost every post on this forum and have for quite a while. I'm only trying to help - knowing that many posts like these do not get a reply at all.

I'm sorry if you can't take my advice seriously. If you have contacted Korg and refused repair from them, then that is up to you.
I do hope that someone posts with the answer that you are looking for.

I have nothing more to say.
_________________
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro

wx · Joined: 02 Oct 2011 Posts: 4