spinning my encoder wheels and not getting anywhere...

[salatspinatra]

Encoders 1, 2, 3, and 6 on my microKontrol are giving me grief. The best way I can describe the experienceis that it is not unlike spinning one's wheels and not getting anywhere, or swimming against the tide. If the value reads 127 and I spin counterclockwise to decrease the value, the numbers will respond to my turning, then reset somewhere near 127 again, not specifically, but maybe 125 or 110, and like a sheppards tone that is in a continual state of decending in pitch, I never actually get a number lower than 99 unless I'm spinning for a long time. take my hand off the dial to re-spin it, and it practically starts at the same value as the last time I started spinning it.

I welcome any emails with suggestions in fixing this.

salatspinatra@mac.com

I'm opening the thing up myself, and if anyone has any suggestions for getting inside the microKontrol and what to look for, like "here's how you take off the tempo dial first. now look for such and such connection" I would greatly appreciate it.

The problem seems to be worse on some channels than others, and it does improve in its symtoms marginally.

I look forward to your response. and again feel free to contact me by email.

Best,

James

[N9Research]

Hi,

I'm having the same problem with my brand new Microknotrol, straight out of the box - Encoder 1 will work fine when turning up and down at low speed, every notch registers, but turn it quickly and the level will either not move, move to a random value, or even go in the opposite direction!

Obviously a hardware fault, I'll be swapping it for a new one ASAP. Anyone else got faulty encoders?

[salatspinatra]

I've opened the thing up since posting this, and unfortunately they made it extreemely hard to clean knobs, check the contacts etc. The side panel screws are simply bumpers. the allen wrench screws on the top are simple asthetics. Opening the bottom up only reveals the bottom of the circuit board with a lot of crossed wires. I'd have to be a fool or a very good electrician to pull the circuit board out to get to the top side.
I love the ruggedized feel of the microkontrol and the miniature keys (believe it or not) but with it failing, I wonder if I won't look elsewhere. I've been fudging the proper assignments to the thing. It's just slightly restrictive to the controls I'd really like.

What's korg's return policy?

[jerrythek]

Sorry to hear of these problem - they're not common from my experinece.

Swapping for a new unit if you've just purchased is certainly the best first step. Talk to your dealer.

Korg doesn't have the return policy directly - the dealer does - they're our authorized sales agent. So again, talk to them.

I'll forward this issue to Korg Inc. for their attention as well, and will spot check a few newer stock units just to be sure.

Again - I don't think this is an "across the boards" issue and hope that you would stick with us and get another unit.

regards,

Jerry

[jerrythek]

Checking further with my support people, we've seen a few units with a loose ribbon cable after a lot of wear and tear, not new. So if you've got it open try to press on most of the ribbon connectors to ensure they're fully connected. See if that helps.

Regards,

Jerry

[salatspinatra]

unfortunately checking the ribbon connections didn't do anything to fix the problem. at least from access through the bottom of the board. to clarify, no this is not a new kit. it's a couple years old and yet it has remained in my studio and has no more than 110 hours on it.
what do I do now?

[salatspinatra]

Fixed it. I really dug in this time. Opened everything up. Fortunately for the rest of you, I can tell you there's not much to be looking for on the top of the circuit board. The encoders and sliders are soldered on, and there are few loose parts. Your advice was right on, it was just a matter of unpluging ALL of the connectors. They all seemed fine to begin with, but doing so fixed the problem.

Thanks Again to All Your Contributions,

Jim

[jerrythek]

Glad to hear it's resolved.

Regards,

Jerry

[bigspazz]

hi, I just discovered that i have the same problem with one of my rotary faders and Ive had my microkontrol less than a month.
just found someone on another forum who has the same problem as well so perhaps this is a widespread problem with the microkontrols design.
gutted.
derren

[salatspinatra]

and I must confess, it is back to not working again. Even after opening everything up. Meantime, the price of the microKontrol has not dropped a penny in 3 years, and competing technology has caught up.

[dphouse84]

I am having the same problem too. Actually I have had it for the entire time that I've owne my unit. This is extremely frustrating. I'd given up on the knobs a while back and only use the sliders and pads, but I bought this unit to use all it's functions. I own the legacy collection that this unit is made to work with.
Should I just send this unit back to Korg, and if so what is the turn around time to get this or a new unit back?
I filled out my warranty online so I have a two year factory warranty, so I am covered.

Any one from Korg have any feedback.


thank you

[nycker]

Have the same problem with 3 of 8 knobs on my KONTROL49. Have it connected via USB to laptop with Win XP, assign all of them without problem but when i'm turning left with these 3, the value still skipping back to the right. Successfully upgraded with new firmware but still the same behaviour.
Coul'd anybody help with this?
Thanks in advice to help

[dphouse84]

I'm sorry to hear that. Seems like Korg buys cheap pans for their equipment lines. I recently took a plunge and purchased a Korg Zero4;
I am actually returning it tonight after work (thank god for the try before you buy clause where i purchase my gear.
I will probably never buy Korg products again.

THE MAIN REASON BEING IS KORG IS STINKIER THAN SULFER OR A ROTTEN EGG FART WITH SERVICE.

I should have learned my lessong rom the mocrokontrol, but i fiured if it was goo enough for sasha i would be more than happy with it.
pretty lights, but poor functionality.

BTW for sale: korg padkontrol

[nycker]

Finally i found the solution. The problem is definitely encoders hw construction caused. The best way how to fix this still stays to replace with new one but my KONTROL49 in out of waranty so i decide to fix it myself.

You should be patient as you have to remove sliders and encoders holds first and then remove cca 60 screws until you get main board. Then you should have such experience with soldering as each encoder is soldered to mainboard with two pins that holds cover for open it.

When open it i saw the problem. The vaseline from the top od encoder pass through into encoders pot with contacts so only thing you have to do is to clean contacts with strong alcohol. After clean it and put everything back encoder starts working normally as new.

If anybody interested, just contact me. I could provide more detailed steps incl. pics or paste it directly here.

Cheers

[dphouse84]

ifnally, some light at the end of the tunnel.
i am ready to take my korg apart, again,(sigh)
i do have all the necessary equipment though.
pics and any extra details would be much appreciated.
i am happy to be the guinea pig to work on the microkontrol


unfortunately the zero went back today