Hi everyone,
I edited this post because I want to save you time, and I wanted to make it easier to read. English is not my first language, and I wrote it soon after giving up with the problem, so I poured too much emotion into it. Here’s a clearer version.
Yesterday, I traded my Push 2 plus cash for an Analog Rytm mk1. As a drummer, I’ve always dreamed of this machine. Even though I have a Syntakt, I have a special feeling for the Rytm mk1.
Before bringing it home, I tested it at the seller’s place—the pads worked, though not very responsive, which is a known issue. The unit was a little neglected, super dusty, with some tiny drops of some spills here and there, but nothing serioius. The seller said the pads were cleaned before, but I opened it up and cleaned it myself because I just love to have it dust-free and clean, especially if it wasn’t clean.
I do this kind of cleaning almost every time I buy used gear—I’ve cleaned my Push 2s several times, Analog Four mk1, Digitone mk1, other midi keyboards, and never had issues.
I’m not an electrician or technician, but I know how to safely open, clean, and reassemble devices. I learned from my dad how to handle this safely since childhood.
After cleaning and putting it back together, when I turned it on, Pad 12 was lit instead of Pad 1, like it was stuck pressed. I thought maybe I had overtightened screws, and even though I was sure I didn’t, I checked it, and it was good.
A few times after restarting AR, Pad 7 lights up instead, but the pads don’t respond at all. Lights are on, but no response to touch—it feels like the pads are disconnected.
For cleaning, I used alcohol patches; cleaned the board, “golden” contact zones, at first, I didn’t clean the carbon sheet, later I did it with alcohol patches gently - might remove some layer perhaps…
The power was unplugged, and no chemicals or spills of any kind happened during my initial opening. The latest OS was installed. I cleaned the carbon film and tried testing with and without pads, but nothing worked. I even tried adding graphite to the back side of the pads lol (removed it later).
Has anyone had this happen, or have any ideas what it could be? I reached out to Elektron support and will update here when I hear back.
But hey… What if someone makes the same mistake as I? You have to know.