Is this the problem with the 1k pads?

I just got a used mpc 1k, and you really have to pound on the pads to get them to register. I already changed the pad settings to be as sensative as possible, but you still have to hit the pads with your knuckles. Is this one of the problems with the mpc 1k pads, or is this normal? (Oh, and I'm reading the maual.)

Hey wudsida, I'm in the same boat as you: I bought s second-hand MPC1K and two weeks later two of the pads started losing sensitivity to the point of having to bang them hard. No, it's not normal and yes, this is the so-called problem with the pads on the 1K model.

The cheapest solution is to open it up (follow monophonic's pictures here http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php ... &start=120) and glue them back in position using contact cement or testers model glue. This is the exact answer I got from the Canadian Akai Service Center. They said silicone glue is too flexible, in case you're wondering, and they didn't recommend aluminum foil.

Going up in prices you can purchase new pads (8 bucks a pop and a bit of soldering) and then you have Antonym's permanent pad fix (not sure about the price, I think it was more than $50 I believe.)

I hope this helps.

s

Thanks sorinp! What kind of glue did you use exactly and where did you get it? Also, if you dont use aluminum foil, what do you use?

You might want to check the "fix your dead pads" sticky message at the top of this forum.

Boy did I step in it this time... I just got my mp 1k and all of the pads need to be fixed. I see now why everyone is selling thiers. I deffinately need to buy the fixit kit.

If you're 1k is new you might not have the problem, especially if its all the pas acting the same. When I first got my 1k you had to bang the pads really hard, but they wear in after a while. They are just a bit 'stiff' to begin with.

i guess the one you got was pretty beat up

a friend of mine got a used 1k, and the pads registered just fine

wudsiba wrote:Thanks sorinp! What kind of glue did you use exactly and where did you get it? Also, if you dont use aluminum foil, what do you use?

Hey. I just fixed my two pads and I am waiting for the glue to dry... I cannot wait to turn it back on and try it out. I really hope all is good or Ima gonna be lookin like a fool!

In the meantime I can tell you that I used Lepage water-based contact cement (100% solvent free). This one is a bit milky at first but turns clear once it is dry (20 min. or so) and then you're ready to bond. Coat both surfaces obviously. The tech told me to put dabs of glue in the four corners, *not* the whole thing, because you still want some kind of flexibility. Apparently those black squares are the same type of material used in calculators. Learn something new everyday!

It was really easy man. It is not a big deal, trust me. At first I was like <Jesus, I just bought this thing and already it is f$#@&in up on me!> and that was even before I consulted this website and found out about the pad problems... So you can imagine for a few days I kicked myself hard for buying it but as soon as I opened the machine up and looked at the problem, I realized it is really easy to fix and it should not make you feel bad about the MPC1K cuz it is one awesome beat-making machine!

I will let you know in a few minutes how the two pads sound. Hopefully I haven't made an a$$ of myself.

And I apologize for putting this thread here, I think I did it wrong because I initially wanted to continue the thread that deals with fixing your pads... sorry again...

s

The contact cement did the job perfectly and my two pads are alive again. I seriously recommend this method if your pads are suffering from loss of sensitivity. I'm still buying a few new pads (I feel safe having extra parts) but this is a great fix that should last a while.

g'night