Support and discussion for all of Akai’s modern standalone MPCs including the MPC X / X SE, MPC Live 1, 2 & 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Key 37/61.
By OrionG Thu Sep 15, 2022 5:31 am
Im like 99.7% sure the encoder for the main knob on the mpc is a Wurth Elektronik potentiometer. Akai usually uses bourns or alps so it was hard to pick out at first but after a couple wrong purchases, as far as i can tell this is the correct one, at least for the mpc live 1:
Wurth Elektronik 482020514001

Found here on mouser:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/710-482020514001

Kinda silly mpcstuff makes you buy the whole pcb for 66$ for a 4$ part

If yours is loose you can usually tighten it because of how it’s designed which can be a pain in the rear. If yall need pics hollr.
By soeren Joestel Fri Mar 03, 2023 1:07 pm
Hello, I have replaced the encoder with the potentiometer from Würth. Works so far. Unfortunately, however, the counting direction is now exactly opposite. It must be a (A leads B) encoder. This seems to be a (B leads A) encoder. This means that the direction of rotation is opposite. Has anyone else replaced this encoder?
By jamos Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:03 pm
Sorry to hear it didn't work. But thanks for taking those arrows for us. Please post your pictures on this thread! My encoder is starting to wobble, and I know I will need to replace it soon.

Hey mpc-tutor, any possibility of making this a sticky thread? The information will be immensely helpful to everyone at some point.
By soeren Joestel Tue Mar 07, 2023 10:14 am
Thanks for the answer. I have attached a picture of the old encoder and the new one. The axis is slightly different but fits great. The knob is also tight. Maybe the connections A and B could be swapped so that the impulses are evaluated differently. It is a Wurth encoder with the number 482020514001, but I have now ordered two alternatives and check before installation whether the direction of rotation matches. In the one picture are both encoders with test wiring next to each other. Left the old and right the new.
Image

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a8hWlw ... share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gIq8ea ... share_link
By Mmpc Mon Sep 25, 2023 2:25 pm
Hello. Did you ever locate a good replacement encoder for the live 1? Mine no longer clicks when pushed. Thanks.
By dromede Sat Apr 12, 2025 10:52 pm
I've tried these:
https://www.musikhaus-korn.de/en/numark ... r/pd/18004

Which also seem to actually be Wurth encoders mentioned in the original post.

And indeed, the direction was wrong, as was noted by soeren Joestel.
I just swapped the channels with thin wire and it works as intended now.
So i can confirm that these encoders are actually good replacement candidates.

it is also worth noting that the side mounting pins on these are about 1mm wider than the original encoder, so these have to be filed down by about 1mm to fit the mounting holes.

I've also replaced the 4 q-link encoders with these:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006 ... 6368aD303q

These should be identical to the original ones and they work great.