Crossfader issue

miketheman · 2014-01-25T13:53:19.000Z

[quote="“TJT” date=“2014-01-24 19:14:13"”]
In the past week I’ve had an issue pop up with my crossfader.
When I move it to the far right position it jumps to the ‘middle’ setting.
That is, moving from left to right, everything interpolates correctly and smoothly until the fader touches the right ‘wall’ and the setting jumps to middle.
I can see this happening in the display…the fader is full right but the display shows the center.
Again, this is happening only at the very last possible range of motion (I can feel a slight ‘click’ or bump as it does this.
Has anyone else had this happen?
It’s like something has shifted under the case or something and going to the full right position is jumping to a default of the middle setting of two given scenes.

While it can be annoying, I am finding that at times it’s kind of cool to be able to make that jump to the exact middle value instantly.
Other times it’s a pain because I can’t ‘throw’ the fader to the right and expect that scene to the right to engage totally.

To be clear, I am VERY gentle with my OT and I have in no way induced this problem by misuse of the fader.

I have the option of sending it back for free and getting a replacement but I’m not sure yet if I will (unless this problem is indicative of further problems down the line).

Any thoughts Elektronauts?

[/quote]

If you have had your OT for a while with no fader issues until now, it’s most likely dust that just messes the position reading. Try find some air filled spraycan to blow it away (make sure it’s for electronics, always good to have and they often have an small tubing so you’re able aim/angle the airstream). Put fader to one end, put the can with tubing at the other end slightly angled towards the fader and give an short gentle press. Repeat with fader at other end. If the gap/bump feel also haven’t been there until now. That could also be some dust/hair/whatever that have got onto the “bars” (don’t know if that’s the correct term in english), which the fader is sliding on. You could try blow that away, but it might have wrapped itself around the bar so it may not be that easy. If it doesn’t work, there’s no problem exchanging the fader. Contact support in that case.

TJT · 2014-01-25T17:09:52.000Z

Thanks everyone!

FWIW my OT doesn’t have the dust skirt.

I’ll try the condensed air and report back.

TJT · 2014-01-26T19:06:09.000Z

Thanks for your help everyone!

Blowing the dust out fixed it.

FWIW I do have the dust skirt (I didn’t have the OT in front of me before).

Thanks again.

avantronica · 2014-01-27T11:17:41.000Z

""TJT"":

Thanks for your help everyone!

Blowing the dust out fixed it.

FWIW I do have the dust skirt (I didn’t have the OT in front of me before).

Thanks again.

That’s good to know for the future, it’s an optical fader so i guess it makes some sense !

miketheman · 2014-01-27T14:05:46.000Z

acidhouseforall · 2014-12-18T09:24:35.000Z

" When I move it to the far right position it jumps to the ‘middle’ setting."

I’m a bit late to the party but hey… maybe this could help someone:

photo_1.JPG1536×2048 974 KB

I had the same problem and this has nothing to do with dust (unless you have a lot - and I mean a lot- of dust). Just turn the screw on the right side until the optical track gets properly aligned.

This must be a known issue with those faders since these offset screws can be adjusted without any tool on other models (see the xfader of the behringer DDM4000 http://www.behringer.com/eN/products/x1.aspx ).

If you do it like me while the unit is on (so you can check that the position is ok) be extra careful not to damage it.

acidhouseforall · 2014-12-18T09:53:09.000Z

If that’s not enough, replacement fader here: http://atelier.tkrworks.net/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=24

lucas · 2014-12-25T03:24:29.000Z

Hey mate I had this same problem and you need a new cross fader, contact electron. It’s really easy to replace yourself too

acidhouseforall · 2015-01-16T13:40:16.000Z

Update: Turns out that the offset screw trick does not last. I finally replaced the crossfader with kind support from elektron. I hope this one will last.

CountingToes · 2016-01-30T00:05:56.000Z

I recently had the same problem, used compressed air and contact cleaner, but that made it worse. So i took the lid off, detached the fader, and unclipped the chipboard from the top part of the crossfader. Attached to the top part is a small glass plate with some black markings on it. I cleaned the glass both sides with a cotton bud, reassembled the unit and everything now works good as new. Its a really easy fix, don’t be put off by opening the machine.

MichalHo · 2016-11-21T13:13:18.424Z

+1 for cleaning the marker plate.

My fader was jumping sporadically when near the leftmost position, but wiping the plate clean with a soft cloth fixed it. Dust accumulation over six years was the culprit, i presume.

I recommend unscrewing the two xfader screws while OT is closed (and to screw it back in before re-closing the lid), removing all connecting jumper cables carefully when taking the lid off and replacing them just as carefully when closing it. Access to the marker plate within the xfader mounting and reassembling it is a bit finicky but fairly easy: no tools required except for steady hands.

Zeush · 2017-10-23T13:50:51.101Z

Two weeks ago got the same problem like @MichalHo had, then cleaned the glass plate. The crossfader started working but soon ran into that rightmost-center pointer problem described by the OP. So I had to disassemble my Octa again, followed the routine offered by @acidhouseforall, drowing the two small screws up twice on crossfader module itself. Still works fine.

Zeush · 2018-04-28T15:46:40.655Z

Argh. The problem is back. Seems like no chance to fix it independently.
Writing to Elektron…

acidhouseforall · 2018-04-29T12:12:02.687Z

yeah, this fix doesn’t last long. Get a replacement fader from Elektron.

Claid · 2021-12-24T14:47:02.812Z

Resurrecting a thread!

My Octatrack MK1 crossfader has stopped working. I have taken it apart, cleaned the glass piece, tinkered with the screws, nothing.

I’m happy to purchase and install a replacement, just wondering if the MK2 crossfader would be compatible with a MK1? I prefer the feel but don’t expect they are compatible.

I’m sure this has been asked before but I used the search bar and couldn’t find anything, sorry!

PekeDorty · 2021-12-24T14:49:28.960Z

open a support ticket with Elektron is my suggestion

ViolentMeals · 2022-07-06T01:16:08.288Z

Arise, Crossfader Issue Thread!

I was wondering if anybody has a recommendation for a cleaner/lube for the crossfader to really make that thing fly… its got loose action, sure… but im looking for more.
a friend recommended Caig products, and im wondering if anyone has experience with this. Ive heard that the wrong product can fuck things up, so i thought id ask here first…

Microtribe · 2022-07-06T01:43:15.681Z

Absolutley do not try to lube up the cross fader bars. It will fuck up the readings of the optical sensors .

Take the cross fader out, youll see a little grub screw just next to the fader shaft. Its magnetic.
Unscrew it, take it off. Thats as loose as you’ll ever want it.

If you want a tighter fader, tighten up the magnetic grub screw.

ViolentMeals · 2022-07-06T02:11:09.154Z

Thanks. I had a feeling that products for “normal” crossfaders could fuck stuff up. Much appreciated

Microtribe · 2022-07-06T02:24:15.133Z

Yeah, linear potentiometers, cross faders and optical cross faders all very different things.

The OT optical cross fader has 2 metal bars, the red material is some kind of special dry lube plastic. Never spray or dab anything onto the bars, you’ll gunk it up. And never spray anything near those optical sensors (the shiny things.)

Just take the magnet out.