Hi everyone
I am having issues with my octatrack
The encoders aren’t tracking properly
Specifically the level knob and 2 others are making their parameters skip like crazy instead of turning smoothly.
Any one have ideas on how to clean them or fix the issue?
Also the knobs and cross fader are getting sticky and dirty, will an alcohol wipe sort that out?
Thanks a lot
what OS are you using?
I recommend a reset on the flash memory and the OT and load the new OS
Also, you can adjust the knob resolution somewhere
Sorry if I can’t be of more use, but REMEMBER, if you PRESS+TWIST the encoder skips values so that you can run faster to a high value without turning those knobs a million times to get into a high value.
How are they skipping? like up and down when you turn UP “TUNRT” or just skips into the direction where you are heading?
I highly recommend not to use alcohol, I don’t wash them, I just pass a regular cloth and that’s it. But they don’t get sticky, unless you are talking about the caps.
The caps I put them in a small cup and fill them with dishwasher and brush them softly
Hey thanks for the answer
Yeah they skip up and down in a non linear way I guess, both when pressed in or not!
Ok I will look into resetting the OT and upgrading the OS but it is only happening with 3 of the knobs so I don’t know if that will do anything
And yes the caps of the encoders and the fader are what is sticky, like to the touch, I will try dish soap, thanks!
it could be the encoders are getting older or perhaps they worn out a little bit with use …how old is your OT?
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Mine are getting old as well, I feel it…
@VDB if you ever change them, please document it (with photos of the soldering and all)
I had a couple encoders go bad (jittery/unstable) as well as a few push buttons (the casings came open). If you are DIY savvy you can order replacements from an Elektron service shop, otherwise you’ll probably have to send it in for repair.
You can clean the knobs & fader cap with soap & water. Just pull them off and let them soak a little, the grime should come off easily unless it’s tar from smoke.
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Ok thanks
I wrote a service ticket to elektron and am waiting for a reply!
I am currently mixing a ep’s worth of tracks so can definitely make due without the octatrack for a bit if I need to send it in.
Is support in Sweden? Or is there one in North America?
There was/is a service centre in California that can perform some but maybe not all repairs.
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How about trying Deoxit or similar spray? I’ve used some alternative (don’t remember the name anymore), it was specifically meant for cleaning potentiometers and I was able to make the encoder on my old SuperNova behaving fine again. Don’t blame me if you hurt your OT. You just need to apply a little bit into the area where the encoder ‘axis’ enters it’s body and then twist the knob properly.
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What’s the longevity of the application. Is it cleaning or cleaning and protecting ? Prophet needs some
I can’t tell if it is protecting but the cleaning effect of it (or whatever it does) lasted at least one year until I sold the SuperNova. Encoder was running mechanically much smoother, like oiled gear 
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No need to send it to Sweden.I had a button issue and I’ve just ordered a replacement part that cost me 10€.I gave it to a friend who knew about soldering and that was it.
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Thanks
Getting them to send me some as well!
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hey, cool, so I support the notion of documenting this. I’m not fond to open my synths myself, but if it happens in the future and I happen to be able to fix it myself it will be lovely .
I’ve take apart my mpc several times no problem but nothing I did involved soddering so I am thinking of getting a tech of some sort to do this job!
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Another thing, when I lower the level knob only the left side goes down, both visually one side of the level bar stays up in the screen, and in the headphones, any ideas why? Is this also an encoder problem?
This sounds like you have Studio Mode enabled (see manual pg36).
Holding CUE and using level knob will adjust the right side of the bar (the cue level).
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Oh ok thanks
So now I don’t see any benefits to studio mode if all the tracks go into both outs as opposed to choosing what outputs to send them to. So far it seems the octatrack isn’t as good for studio use as an mpc, for tracking out stuff etc.
Still lots of learning!