I’ve been having some trouble with my beloved Octatrack. A few buttons have stopped working completely:
Function
Record / Play / Stop
Pattern and Bank
And the Record buttons (yes, again)
It all started about 2 years ago when the Stop button stopped responding — but I was still able to work around it. A few months ago, the Function button started acting weird, but again, I kept going. Now, it’s reached a point where multiple buttons just don’t respond at all.
I’ve already tried cleaning everything with isopropyl alcohol, no luck. I’m suspecting maybe a flat cable issue? But I couldn’t find any schematics to confirm.
I’ve got some basic electronics and soldering skills, and I’d really like to try fixing it myself if I can. I’m in Brazil, so sending it out or replacing the whole board gets super expensive with shipping and taxes.
If anyone’s been through something similar or has any advice (or docs, schematics, anything!), I’d be super grateful!
Sorry for this very short reply (a bit short on time right now), just wanted to say that this is a common problem and that replacement parts are readily available.
I read through the thread and found some really useful info there. I just checked continuity with a multimeter on all the buttons that aren’t working — and the continuity is perfect. The buttons themselves are clean and working fine, which makes me think this could be a more “central” issue affecting them all at once.
My first suspect is the flat cable, but I’d like to be more certain before desoldering anything, since that could potentially make things worse. That’s why having a schematic or further information about how those buttons works (in a schematic way) would really help with the troubleshooting.
You might well have continuity across the buttons, but if the diodes between them are fried, they won’t work…
Follow the circuit and test everything to do with buttons.
Unfortunately elektron no longer supply UI boards. This was the cheapest and most efficient way of repairing UI board problems. No need to send your OT away. Just order a new board and it arrives in the mail. Easy install.
Also… have you rasied a ticket with Elektron support?
Yesterday I tested all the flat cables and they seem to be working fine, so the issue is probably with one of the ICs — I’m trying to identify it now.
I’m also trying to follow the circuit, but my electronics knowledge is very basic, so it’s a bit tricky.
Yes, I opened a ticket yesterday, and I’ll probably have to order a new board. The only downside is the amount of taxes and shipping costs I’ll have to deal with here in Brazil — but that’s fine, it’s part of the game.
