How to Repair a Korg Triton Extreme Workstation Keyboard Key That Does Not Play
The Korg Triton Extreme is a now-discontinued synthesizer and work station. It was first introduced to the market in 2005. The Triton Extreme has 61 keys. Behind the keys is a key contact, which strikes the electronic contact board when the key is played. The key contact is supported by a key return spring, which pushes the key back to its original position once you've played it. If this is damaged or worn out, the action of the key is compromised. This can cause partial or complete failure to produce a note, depending on how inhibited the key contact is.
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Things You'll Need
- Electrical tape
- Crosshead screwdriver
- Plastic cloth
- Plastic-safe contact cleaner
- Replacement key return spring
Instructions
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Restore the factory settings. Enter the onscreen menu and select "Global mode" by pressing "P0." Select "Basic setup," then "System preferences." Uncheck the box next to "Memory protect." Check "Save all" to back up your saved sounds. Press the "OK" key, then hold "Menu" and "Exit" together to complete the restore. Apart from your backed-up sounds, this process returns all other settings to their factory state. If a software problem was causing a key or keys to malfunction, this will fix it.
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Make a note of faulty keys. Once you've unplugged your workstation, you won't be able to test the keys so it's smart to keep a reference of which ones don't work.
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Turn the keyboard over and unscrew the base panel screws with a crosshead screwdriver. Place the brass screws in a safe place. Remove the keyboard base.
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Tape the plastic cables attached to the circuit board to the inside of the chassis to keep them out of the way.
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Inspect the circuit board for signs of damage. If you spot any loose-fitting board-mount components such as resistors or processor chips, gently push them into their turret.
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Unscrew the key assembly. Unplug the plastic clips attaching the wire bundles to the key assembly. Remove the key assembly and place it on your work bench.
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Clean the keyboard assembly. Spray a small amount of plastic-safe contact cleaner onto your cloth and buff the moving parts of the key assembly. Dirt and dust can form between the key contact and the contact board, preventing the contact board from receiving sufficient impact to trigger the sound.
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Replace the key-return spring. Modern synthesizers are typically fitted with a bubble contact, which is more durable. Older synths have a spring under each key. The Korg Triton Extreme is fitted with a key-return spring assembly. It is made from a pliable material that approximates the movement of a spring, but fits under all keys. This component controls the motion of the key. In its natural position, the spring is relaxed. When you push the key, the spring is compressed. When you release the key, the spring returns it to the normal level. Remove the key-return spring section from the slot in the keyboard assembly and fit the replacement in its place.
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Tips & Warnings
Put each screw back in the hole it came from. This makes reassembly much easier.
Always unplug the mains power supply before opening up your keyboard workstation.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit keyboard image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com
