BUTTON PROBLEM! PLEASE HELP!!!

Hi All,

Been using JJOS1 for a few years no problem till last week when i loaded a sequence then load a program. i use the arrow key to move down then it won't let me know move back up???

The buttons don't seem stuck or any problems with it.

The Window button stays on constantly and the rest seems fine. Anyone had the same problems?

I have tried loading both with CF & HD same problem??

I have a gig this week and need to sort it asap.

Oh i recently did an update too so where to from here ummm??? Appreciate your time.

Peace.

Its the tact switch that is under your button that is soldered onto curcuit board.
im not gonna search for you, just search forum for tact switch, and that will point you in the right direction.
Are you in Australia? cos you know you call yourself koalaman. I could point you to some people to service it, if you cant solder electronics. PM me if ya want

hey bliprock, cheers for the speedy reply yep based in Melbourne, u think its a solder issue? u had this problem before? Is it a major job/cost?? let me know asap. cheers again.

They just break (the switches under the button), i replaced 7 or so since i got the mpc back in 2005 (used already). The first few switches i got from akai japan through a local dealer, took ages and cost 3€ per switch, now i´ve found similar parts for 0.25€ a piece and got bunch for future repairs. They are a bit lower so i cut some bridge bars and glued them on the switch. The buttons feels much firmer and i hope they will hold longer as there´s no more sideway motion stressing the switch.
The soldering is relative easy but i had a friend to do it for my so far as i really didnt want to screw up the machine with a messy job.

Btw the search here didn´t help me much (or i gave up too early), the part description from the service manual is SW TACT SKHHAM004A. Since we didn´t find it under this name we measured the dimensions of the original switch and just got something similar, this: http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/700324/KURZHUBTAST (actuallly 0.22€)

the other day i was looking at a child's toy that i took apart
it's this flashy-led thing. the trigger is a sudden vibration or impact, which causes the leds to flash.
the mechanism that allows the trigger to function is a spring that connects the battery to the leds/resistor. when the object is shaken, the spring wobbles from side to side, making contact with a lead that runs to the leds, which then light up.

the problem with buttons and tact switches from a DIY perspective is that they break and have delicate moving parts (the metal disc in the tact switch + the plastic button itself).

in my future work i think i will bypass tact switches altogether. it's difficult to think of a good way to trigger them anyway, because it's stupid to buy/manufacture a pcb just to hold the plastic buttons like the MPC does. plus, all that pressure is going directly to the PCB (stupid) which may lead to problems down the road.

so - idea - a spring above a conductive plate. hit the spring with your finger, make contact against the plate, and boom, simple DIY tact switch that absolutely will not break. some call it ghetto, i call it robust and affordable.

Sounds good, won´t implement that on my mpc

Good to see you back, nym!

yeah im in brisvegas, drive up and i will solder it for ya ... it will only take 2 days to drive here fix it in an hour or so, then 2 day drive back.

Look I gotta do another switch myself (left cursor) but my usual electronic parts store does not have better quailty ones than the usual ones, so i have to go to this other place to get ones that are rated for a million opertions. I will let you guys know how much. but not more than a few bucks. I bought a few of the normal switches and have spares but i rekon they are not mission critical. so hence im getting different ones that can hack it

ha drive up yeah right ha! What is the best and easiest way to get this fixed pronto?

If i take off the cover will i see the problem there then get a friend to solder on the spot?

I just want this done simple & easy as i have little time to spare unfortunately.

Would it also be best once the cover is taken off to check all the other buttons in case of future problems like this?

Your help is appreciated. Thx

hey, called Jaycar who stock tactile switches size 6x6mm by 6mm tall 4 legs, i heard 5mm tall is preferable for MPC? but they're not available and don't have time to order o/s.

Is this a simple case of removing MPC cover desolder old switch and replace new one?

Would it also be worth me replacing the rest of em so i don't have the same problem in the future?

Thx again for reading.

back again:) i picked up some tactile switch - i bought x2 sizes

1) 6x6mm by x6mm 4 legs
2) 6x6mm by x3.5mm 4 legs.

Which one should i use? and is there some sort of video link available on how to replace it? just so i dont break my MPC!

Cheers again.

yeah use 3.5mm ones. Jaycar was the one I was saying that even though it is right switch, its not really anygood, so you will have to go through this all over again in the future. It is alot of work to do all switches, so do not do this, just replace the one not working. Also there is a few things you need to know before taking off curcuit board, like how to properly remove ribbon, other wise fatal inoperable damage. So yeah search round for how to do it, there is you tube videos and get some one who can actually solder electronics, and you should be able to fix it.

ok cool, will do appreciate it!

In future would it be ideal to get better tact switches and replace em all? The last thing u want is a stuff up before a show. Cheers again

I've tried to do a comprehensive thread about this subject

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=140732

I'm hoping others will add further info so it'd end up being a definitive guide.
When you get it sorted post up your tips, experiences and any youtube or net resources you find there.

Also, If you could add to this pet thread
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=142009
that would be fantastic.
Cheers

koalaman wrote:ok cool, will do appreciate it!

In future would it be ideal to get better tact switches and replace em all? The last thing u want is a stuff up before a show. Cheers again

Thats what mission critical means, it does not fail when you need it most. So yeah check out that other thread above LZ Roberts dropped.