R3 tempo potentiometer (aka knob) won't hold constant value

thedvs01 · Post by **thedvs01** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 11:12 pm

My tempo pot won't hold a constant value.

For instance, If I set it to 100 it will flicker back and forth between 99, 100, 101, back and forth and so on. Quite annoying

This is my second unit, the first R3 was doing the same thing so I exchanged it for a new one. Now the new one is doing the same thing.

If I twist the hell out of the knob back and forth to the extremes sometimes I can get the problem to stop temporarily, but it always comes back.

I love the R3 but am a bit disappointed in the build quality.

Anyone else have this problem?

I've notified Korg twice, but they seem to be ignoring me.

acertainpoint · Post by **acertainpoint** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 12:15 pm

it could be the knob itself...

on my radias... the presets would skip back and forth when I turned my knob, so i took in the shop.

they gave me a new knob and it hasnt acted up yet.

you should deff get that checked out.

thedvs01 · Post by **thedvs01** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:07 pm

Thing is I bought it from Sweetwater -- I don't even know where I would take it in to be checked out

acertainpoint · Post by **acertainpoint** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:09 pm

all you need to do is call Korg or go to their site.. there should be a korg dealer around your area somewhere.

for instance.. I live in louisville Ky. and there is only two stores here that deal korg products and repair them.. I just took it to them because it was under warrenty.

go to korgs website and get their number.. have a chat with them.. they can help you out.

Argus · Post by **Argus** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:52 pm

I have/had the same problem, it would keep flickering between the value I wanted and +/- 1 BPM. but somehow it's been occurring less lately, or not at all anymore. honestly, I don't know why. so I don't really know what to tell you except to wait it out.

good luck. maybe Korg can tell you more.

thedvs01 · Post by **thedvs01** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:39 pm

I've had two R3's that both had the same problem

and with you having the same problem makes me think it's a manufacturing defect

Korg has ignored 3 e-mails

hoveneverslackin · Post by **hoveneverslackin** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 7:04 am

I just bought my R3 today. noticed the same thing as i was noodling on it all night. My tempo always shifts by -1 or +1. and you can actually hear it changing when you have a delay on. theres a "Watery" tempo changing effect. SO ANNOYING. this is bumming me out

I didnt install the software yet, but this will affect recording and syncing am i right?

tschubiza · Post by **tschubiza** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 11:20 am

Hello every one,

I have R3 for a month now, and I also noticed the changing of the tempo value. My guess is that it has a manufacturing problem, i mean probably most of the units has it. Simply, in my opinion, korg didn't put the right kind of knob for the task. Maybe a knob with higher resolution (or something) would fix the problem or bigger step value in tempo changing but then it would lose the point of being there.
This however, isn't a big problem. If you use software to make your programs you can put the value you want, and then when you play it later just keep the tempo knob off that value and it will not change it. But if you want to change it during play then you have a problem.
I guess it would affect recording also, but i never tried it. I use my sequencer value for the tempo. I'm not even shue that R3 has sync posibilites.

thedvs01 · Post by **thedvs01** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:08 pm

hoveneverslackin wrote:I just bought my R3 today. noticed the same thing as i was noodling on it all night. My tempo always shifts by -1 or +1. and you can actually hear it changing when you have a delay on. theres a "Watery" tempo changing effect. SO ANNOYING. this is bumming me out

I didnt install the software yet, but this will affect recording and syncing am i right?

yes it will affect recording and syncing. it's actually a pretty major problem in my opinion

tschubiza wrote:Hello every one,

I have R3 for a month now, and I also noticed the changing of the tempo value. My guess is that it has a manufacturing problem, i mean probably most of the units has it. Simply, in my opinion, korg didn't put the right kind of knob for the task. Maybe a knob with higher resolution (or something) would fix the problem or bigger step value in tempo changing but then it would lose the point of being there.
This however, isn't a big problem. If you use software to make your programs you can put the value you want, and then when you play it later just keep the tempo knob off that value and it will not change it. But if you want to change it during play then you have a problem.
I guess it would affect recording also, but i never tried it. I use my sequencer value for the tempo. I'm not even shue that R3 has sync posibilites.

it does have sync possibilities, and the tempo fluctuations cause problems

--

Korg support has repeatedly ignored my e-mails about the problem (which I have experienced on two different units)

I'm disappointed that the problem is so widespread, and in the way that Korg is not taking care of it.

Could it be possible that the problem is not actually with the knob/pot, but with an unstable internal clock?

meatballfulton · Post by **meatballfulton** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 12:44 pm

The pot is being constantly scanned by a processor inside the R3, if there is any dirt on the pot contact this can cause minor voltage fluctuations which are read as knob movements. My 20+ year old Roland TR-505 does this too, but the tempo is rock solid when MIDI synched.

I'm confused with the reports that there is still fluctuation when MIDI synched. In this mode the pot setting should be totally ignored...this is the case with my Radias, my Motif, my TR-505 and all other MIDI-clocked gear I have ever owned.

thedvs01 · Post by **thedvs01** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:56 pm

meatballfulton wrote:The pot is being constantly scanned by a processor inside the R3, if there is any dirt on the pot contact this can cause minor voltage fluctuations which are read as knob movements. My 20+ year old Roland TR-505 does this too, but the tempo is rock solid when MIDI synched.

I'm confused with the reports that there is still fluctuation when MIDI synched. In this mode the pot setting should be totally ignored...this is the case with my Radias, my Motif, my TR-505 and all other MIDI-clocked gear I have ever owned.

No you're correct about that, but only if you sync the R3 as slave. If you were to make it master (which I believe you can) it would cause problems.

Playing non-synced also causes problems.

Either way, it's acceptable on a 20+ year old TR-505, not on a brand new R3.

Aequitas123 · Post by **Aequitas123** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:10 pm

I had this happen for the first time today. It only happens when i'm syncing the midi tempo to Ableton. Otherwise it stays exactly where its supposed to be.

Try that.

gothbin · Post by **gothbin** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:10 pm

Don't have the problem at all. Can it be a production range with defective materials? Hope the best for you guys and girlz that Korg will replace or repair your units

mesoboy · Post by **mesoboy** » Thu May 05, 2011 10:11 pm

Hi all - did any of you manage to solve this problem? I've just noticed the fluctuating tempo this evening. Is it worth getting some pot cleaner or would it be easier just slaving it to an external MIDI clock?

Rosen Sound · Post by **Rosen Sound** » Thu May 05, 2011 10:39 pm

see if the R3 has catch mode rather then jump mode. this will temprarily solve the issue.
leave the knob on a empo you would never have it at (all the way down maybe) and the synth wont change the value till it hovrs the knob posititon.
my radias has a jumping amp EG attack knob, and now the pan knob....

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R3 tempo potentiometer (aka knob) won't hold constant value

R3 tempo potentiometer (aka knob) won't hold constant value

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