Replacement aluminium knobs for Elektron

Jimbo · 2022-10-28T21:59:36.470Z

Hi all

I’ve been searching for a while for decent replacement aluminium knobs for OT, ARmk2, A4mk2, DT - I know they all use the same size knob and pot shafts (appreciating the volume knobs have a different shaft to the encoder knobs), so any after market knobs that fit one unit should fit them all.

I did order Chroma Caps from
DJ Techtools, but they don’t fit too well and sit quite high due to the d shaft hole not being deep enough. I also don’t like the rubber on these products.

I’ve seen many aluminium knobs online, but just can’t tell if they will fit Elektron units well. The best ones I’ve seen so far are these: alluminium knob for Elektron Digitone, Digitakt, Octatrack, A4, RYTM

Only problem is they never seem to have many (or any) in stock.

Does anyone know if these are available elsewhere or perhaps if they know an aluminium knob design that will fit as well as the xpowerdesign units look in the photos?

Are there any successful replacement stories amongst you all and if so where did you get them?

Cheers!

frekvencia · 2022-10-29T09:38:05.938Z

I would try an electronic parts store.

There are a few big ones that do international shipping: Mouser, DigiKey.

In the EU there is TME.

There is probably something local to your area too.

I wouod also try to find stores that sell parts for guitar pedals and look there.

warpigs330 · 2022-10-29T11:04:09.444Z

If they are d shaft knobs the shaft size should be standardized. For US based check out small bear electronics. For UK look at Thonk.

Jimbo · 2022-10-30T17:24:31.718Z

Thanks

Jimbo · 2022-10-30T17:24:43.041Z

Cheers!

natehorn · 2022-10-30T17:47:35.900Z

Gear that won't go sticky! Other Gear

So they’re either a 6mm or 9mm D shaft pot - be helpful if someone could confirm. If they’re 6mm then Thonk have some Bastl style knobs that could work well BASTL Style Aluminium Knobs – Thonk – DIY Synthesizer Kits & Components [image]

obscurerobot · 2022-10-30T17:48:30.411Z

Check the DIY forum on Modwiggler - minimum quantity knob order is usually in the hundreds or thousands of pieces, so group buys are how you get cool knobs.

natehorn · 2022-10-30T17:49:50.402Z

obscurerobot:

minimum quantity knob order is usually in the hundreds or thousands of pieces

You can buy replacement knobs on ebay/reverb and many other places in small quantities - that’s probably more a cost saving exercise.

obscurerobot · 2022-10-30T17:54:13.256Z

natehorn:

that’s probably more a cost saving exercise.

In my experience it was the opposite: you can get the cheapest and most popular knobs in small quantity from ebay, etc. The Modwiggler buys are/were usually more expensive, higher quality and more unique knobs.

natehorn · 2022-10-30T18:07:10.062Z

I guess maybe if you’re importing something quite specialist - I know folks that enjoy trawling the electronics markets for unique parts, but what I mean is that you can basically buy any knob you want in low quantities if you’re happy to pay a couple of quid a piece, the people that are selling them are buying them by the hundreds/thousands like the group buys.

Stick ‘d shaft knob’ in ebay and the world’s your oyster! There is a lot of junk though too.

I’d recommend Thonk, they carry most of the knobs used by the major Eurorack folks and many of the synth people. Some are clones (as they’re proprietary) but many are the same part number.

generalkustard · 2022-10-30T18:11:20.243Z

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-knobs/?pn=2
lots here

Jimbo · 2022-10-30T18:14:05.495Z

Thanks all. I’ve ordered a few Bastl style knobs from Thonk just to see if they fit well with my Elektron and Squarp kit. Fingers crossed.

Will feed back with my findings

Jimbo · 2022-10-30T18:16:44.790Z

Had a look on here - there’s so many to look through! Will try here if the Bastl style knobs don’t fit well. Thanks

garf · 2022-10-31T09:39:50.661Z

aliexpress.

10 stücke 13mm * 16mm Aluminium DAC CD Verstärker Potentiometer Volumen Knopf...

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

These are around the same size as the orig knobs. Not found any D shaft alu knobs closer in size than these but I haven’t used them so it’d be a bit of a gamble. I did buy some grey plastic replacements for my AK from AliExpress though, and they’re good enough for me.

generalkustard:

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-knobs/?pn=2
lots here

Most of those are splined shaft. No use on Elektrons.

Jimbo · 2022-10-31T10:17:23.439Z

Thanks, they look to have a good choice on Ali Express!
re: RS Parts, I realised this also - not many D-shaft options.