Faulty Octatrack = Buttons double trigger

SonWu · 2022-12-01T07:55:36.620Z

I just received a used Ocatrack mk2 and I have noticed that a lot of the buttons seem to be double triggering when pressed lightly.

I owned an OT mk2 before, but it never happened…on this unit I immediately noticed something was off.

Does anybody have experience with this?

graverubber · 2022-12-01T08:07:17.165Z

Does this happen without any midi connection?

SonWu · 2022-12-01T08:14:06.789Z

No MIDI connection. The sequencer is not even running.
I noticed it immediately when switching tracks, the source menu (or whatever it’s called) came up. Same with naming things, letters were enter twice quite often.

natehorn · 2022-12-01T08:19:47.344Z

Hm. First thing do a full software reset, fresh project etc. and check the debug mode for any issues - worth asking the seller about it too, see what they say.

Out of interest was this immediately after receiving it? Like cold out of the box? Freshly delivered?

sezare56 · 2022-12-01T08:22:07.400Z

SonWu:

a lot of the buttons seem to be double triggering when pressed lightly.

Would you make a short video, and list concerned buttons ?

SonWu · 2022-12-01T08:24:21.503Z

yes. fresh out the box…although it’s been running for an hour and still happens.

@sezare56 video is on the way

natehorn · 2022-12-01T08:26:21.244Z

SonWu:

yes. fresh out the box…although it’s been running for an hour and still happens.

@sezare56 is an octatrack wizard so I’ll try to avoid adding too much chaos to the thread.

I asked as if it’s an issue with the switches, and you’re seeing it on multiple switches, then I might guess a conductivity issue, i.e. moisture. Which could be due to condensation. I could be leading you down a dark alley here though so take with a grinder’s worth of sea salt.

Edit: There’s likely to be ribbon connectors for the top panel that has all the controls on it, could be a connection issue there maybe too.

But I’d want to rule out software weirdness first that’s probably more likely.

sezare56 · 2022-12-01T08:32:23.859Z

I’m not specialised in MKII hardware issues.

@SonWu would give a list of concerned buttons ?

natehorn:

There’s likely to be ribbon connectors for the top panel that has all the controls on it, could be a connection issue there maybe too

Yes, I also thought about this…

SonWu · 2022-12-01T08:40:06.526Z

https://youtube.com/shorts/6MDfjbeHRz8

https://youtube.com/shorts/U7rLrZflSDA

Thanks for the help so far!

As you can see, here it happens with the FUNC as well as the BANK button. But I have noticed it on the TRACK buttons and the PROJECT button and TRIGS as well.

edit: both faulty presses are at the end of the videos. The FUNC buttons seems to be most consistently faulty.

RustyRoses · 2022-12-01T09:26:58.080Z

Mechanical keys can suffer from chatter if there is dust interfering with the switches.

I’d suggest either removing the front panel or popping out the affected keys and the ones either side, and blowing it all out with some air. A fine brush can be used between puffs too to help.

It’s the easiest first fix attempt, but if thr unit needs new switches, it won’t have any effect

natehorn · 2022-12-01T09:33:57.696Z

RustyRoses:

Mechanical keys can suffer from chatter if there is dust interfering with the switches.

Could have happened if some dust moved around in the unit during shipping too - more likely than moisture I suspect, I like this theory.

As it was being sold it might have had a lot of dust on it before being packed up and a bunch ended up in the unit.

SonWu · 2022-12-01T09:40:31.169Z

I don’t think the unit got too dirty…people here in JP are pretty careful and clean.

Condensation however makes more sense.

I’ve had quite a few Elektrons by now…even just got a Syntakt as well. None of them had this happen.

I’ll test it out more closely and will have to make up my mind until tomorrow.
Then see if it’s going back to the seller, I guess.

RustyRoses · 2022-12-01T10:10:02.956Z

If its condensation causing oxidisation within the switch, then that would require new switches.

SonWu · 2022-12-01T12:51:47.309Z

Luckily the seller is happy for me to return it…

Now this makes me curious, if I should get an mk1…
I know I like how their buttons feel, although I am not a fan of the encoders.
But I guess that’s a whole other topic.

However there are two mk1’s on sale here…

1 with texture, 1 without.

@sezare56 or anyone who has tried them, do you prefer the textured finish or smooth?

sezare56 · 2022-12-01T12:56:59.314Z

SonWu:

textured

Better faceplate paint job quality but older…check buttons, screen, crossfader…

SonWu · 2022-12-01T12:58:45.274Z

thanks!

garfield · 2023-09-26T16:27:20.591Z

this has been happening to mine a lot lately. To be fair I’ve had and used it pretty frequently for the past 4ish years. I live in a dusty and environment and also it’s been around a fair amount of smoke and parties and shows. what’s the best way to go about this? deoxit or compressed air? Or just pop the keys off and blow ?