OLED display for Elektron Mk1 Analog devices (Four, Heat, Keys, Rytm)

I currently have stock, so let me know in PM/email, which color you want and give me your details:

  1. full legal name,
  2. shipping address,
  3. email,
  4. phone.

(detailed purchase info here: Ordering of Elektron Analog Mk1 OLED upgrade kit | xrdelectro)

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So yes, finally! An update - I have stock - the new batch is here and ready to be shipped.

To anyone still wanting an OLED display module, now is the time - while I have stock.
I think I have messaged everyone, who showed interest.
Let me know if I have missed you or it’s a new interest.

Cheers,
Zigmars

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Oh man, looks like I found this thread right on time!

You’re a legend Zigmars.

I have to admit I skipped from about post 60 down to the end here, so I might be missing some details, but this will work for both the A4 and AR? And are there still colour choices for the screen?

Edit: never mind - actually read your link. All info there.

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Yes, it will work for both A4 (mk1) and AR (mk1) - the display is the same.
And all of the color choices are currently available.

Great board upgrade and easy replacement if you have a good desoldering iron.

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Dang, wish I could justify the cost to upgrade both my A4 and AR Mk1’s.
Til then I shall squint harder to read between the faded lines…

Question tho… Is there not a concern with OLED screen image burn in? The Mk 1’s have no auto screen off feature, right?

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This is a concern, but that’s why this design allows for replacing the OLED panel itself (sliding it out and disconnecting a single ribbon cable) once the soldering of the PCB is done. The OLED panels are stock parts which can be ordered from various places in various colors, much more cheaply as well. There is also a brightness trim pot and brightness adjustment dip switches under the screen to reduce brightness and (presumably) lengthen the life of the screen.

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Finally got around to installing mine, I had the screens since last Feb but never found the time.

I installed the A4 first with yellow screen. The Yihua 929 makes desoldering a breeze, probably 10 minutes to remove the solder.
Soldering the ground pin I found difficult due to the location making it awkward to reach.

Here you can see a comparison between a Digitone. Note the screen protectors are still on both screens so they are a bit matte.

I would say the Digitone looks paler in comparison to the more saturated and bright replacement on the A4. I thought maybe I could lessen the intensity on the A4 for a fairer comparison, but adjusting the contrast trimmer on the PCB made no difference.

The following week I attempted the Rytm, whole process for getting the screen off went a lot faster with experience. I pinched the retainers on the top to remove the desoldered screen more easily, leaving the retainers attached to main pcb.

However for whatever reason, I had a really frustrating time soldering the ground pin on the Rytm. I couldn’t get a good joint between pad and pin. I tried soldering and desoldering several times, eventually I gave up and asked someone more experienced to try but even they had difficulty.

The resultant joint still looks bad and I think it’s causing an issue with switching on the Rytm. Sometimes when I switch it on it the screen doesn’t come on. I have to power it off and on quickly to get the screen to come on. I will have to revisit re-soldering the ground pin again.

The white OLED is shown against a Digitakt. The replacement seems more saturated/creamy than the Elektron equivalent. The Digitakt seems more blueish.

I saw there were some stuck pixels on the bottom row so I decided to try other colours, which turned out fine.

My absolute favourite at the moment is orange, this display has a mirror like reflective background unlike the others which have a black screen. When it is off you could mistake it for an LCD.

However when it is on it is a different story, with its reflections it has an almost 3d-like appearance. The reflected light gives a more warm and inviting ambiance.

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I’ve got two Analog Keys with one LCD beginning signs of decline and this is looking more and more interesting. So I’d be wanting to get 2 of these. But I have a fear of taking a project on like this. With many of these already been done, are there videos and equipment requirements? Specifically the desoldering & soldering, step by step prep? Are there shops that do this kind of work? Local folks to north shore of Boston, MA USA? I want my Analog Keys to live forever, this feels like it could extend their life for sure.

It’s a great upgrade, but it’s fairly involved :wink: there are loads of tips and experiences in this thread. @infekted posted an excellent video detailing their process with the A4 Mk1 not very long ago:

And I posted a very long writeup with quite a few photos of my process with the Analog Keys:

The AK is much more time consuming to disassemble. There are a whole lot of fasteners to remove before you can get to the display module.

If you can find someone to do the work, I think that would be ideal, and I feel like you could certainly find someone to do it. Maybe you can search for electronics repair, or someone else might have a contact in that area :slightly_smiling_face:

I hope you’re able to do it. I have the same impulse you did, I want my Analog Keys to live forever. It feels better to use and future proofed now :grin:

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Thank you! Both of these were great, great resources I missed earlier! The video also provides some suggestions on tools. After watching/reading, I’m even more petrified to do it myself so will look for a local shop/expert and get these so I at least have them ready. It’s the soldering/desoldering that scares me. I’ve replaced iPhone screens and have done plenty assembly/disassembly, but I get nervous with a soldering iron and feel like you probably need to have the feel for heat/timing, handling.

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Yup, I thought I was going to get this and install until I saw the video :scream:

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