M-Audio Keystation Pro-88 Repair Part 1 of 2

[@Alex_Martz]

Great video, I got a Keystation 88 given to me for free because this guy said it was "broken" as some keys registered full velocity (127), also the white keys were all yellowish, so I decided to clean it and found that the issue with the full 100% velocity was because someone before did some repairs and put some of the contacts bubble pad strips UPSIDE DOWN!, when I tested it I knew it was something strange that the keys at full velocity were all in groups of octaves, not single random notes, so I disassembled it all and found some strips of pads upside down meaning that the higher longer part was on the top position and they should be on the bottom one, these 2 contacts per key have slightly different sizes and one rises more so when you press one key the circuit will sense how fast one is triggered in relationship to the other contact, that's why when you press a key hard both contacts are registered almost at the same time and when you play soft the 2 contacts have a much larger time triggered in between them, so problem fixed!, also, the yellow color on the white keys can be easily removed by applying "oxygenated cream 40 volume" that can be easily obtained with any hairdresser, just apply the cream and leave it under sunlight for a day and they'll be all white as new, hope someone finds my comment useful!

[@orionnebula7167]

wow man ur comment just saved me a life. i got the same problem yesterday disassembling Oxy88 and have only thoughts why it works so stupid,

[@Alex_Martz]

@@orionnebula7167 Glad it helped you!

[@johningram2153]

Well the first video I found featured my exact problem. All that's different is the exact key. Mine is the B-flat below middle C. It just started happening yesterday, though I will also say that I've been hearing something for many months now, which sounds like a mis-triggering of one of the keys in that area. I thought it was one of the white keys, actually, but I'm not sure. Because it happens about once per session and I can't recreate it on demand. Anyway, your idea about switching out those sections is also a really good one. I wish this beast wasn't such a pain to move around and to get into. It's been good to me for over 15 years now, but I'll never get one this heavy and awkward again. Given how central this defect is, I guess I'm going to have to dig into it and see if I can fix it. Thanks for your video.

[@dgerdi]

Great Video, thank you a lot for this. On my 88es it's the C3. You don't want to miss that one :). Now with your help, I am maybe able to fix it myself. Great tipp to change these orange things from a less important area. Thank you again.

[@DRakomol]

had this problem with a PSR E413 you gave me the idea to open it and see whats inside and i found out that theres more dust in there than in my whole town lol i wiped the whole orange thing (mine was grey) and underneath it where the green thing is and now it works perfectly. took me less time than watching the video XD thank you very very much!

[@pahrfsrw]

Thank you very much, sir! I managed to fix three broken notes right in the middle of my M-Audio Prokeys 88. They had become very annoying.

[@PimpinBassie2]

The pads you're pressing are called bubble contacts. They replaced contact springs, used in earlier keyboards.

[@JasonHoningford]

Good to know. I recently bought the new 61 version. The only issue so far is that it's a little noisey (the spring rubbing no doubt). For the price these are good space saving keyboards if all you need is a controller.

[@critta63]

My Pro-88 had the identical problem (even the same middle D key). Im trying speaker glue in the hole first. If that doesnt work, I'll do the same and swap with a high register key pad. Thanks for posting!

[@morrielouden1]

Yes, but how do you detach the rubber keypad from the circuit board? Does it just pull off?

[@flujotech]

Had a similar problem with a PCR-80. After cleaning didn't work (actually messed up more keys - total repair noob here) I got in contact with Roland/Edirol and got some replacement pads. It was as good as new after that.

[@NickD680]

Same problem with my TG-8826 keyboard. Ii swapped it with a lower key and they both work again! You don't need to remove so many keys either, just enough to cut the orange strip into a single group. Maybe this is a standard key mechanism used by several manufacturers?

[@juschu85]

I had exactly the same problem with my M-Audio Keystation 49. This thing always poped up again. So I put a little drop of glue into the hole from the top and it stayed in place.

[@morrielouden1]

I'm repairing my Hammer 88 that has a similar problem. You said, the rubber pad (trigger pad) pulls off rather easily? I don't understand how they are attached. Visually it has the four tiny holes on the corners of each trigger pad. How do you detach the rubber from the circuit board underneath? I'm afraid to just pull on them for fear of damaging them...???

[@lilianarivera3130]

Hi! Excellent video, I have a doubt about the same controller. Do you know the Ω values of the rotary potentiometers?

[@txdap]

Pretty smart swapping out those pads!!

[@gavincurtis]

@firehandszarb The black disk part is actually a conductive carbon rubber pad. Repair is simple as cleaning with rubbing alcohol and will work like new again. Staying stuck down is a molding defect or a softdrink spill getting underneath the pad.

[@KaushikMahadevan]

Thank you so much, I ended fixing my broken pad with some CA glue

[@gavincurtis]

Almost everything new with a keyboard, keypad or other tactile interface uses these "black round disks" as a switch. If the button feels rubbery, then it most likely has a black round disk underneath. It's not a magnet. It is silicone rubber filled with conductive black carbon granules. Same carbon granules that made carbon microphones work in the vacuum tube era. Magic of that little pad? Harder you press, lower the resistance as the carbon granules are crowded together!

[@beenmicrophone5817]

The Dollar Guy very very cool! did not know that, but are you saying this can be used for aftertouch? as far as this keyboard is concerned, there is no aftertouch

[@SuperToFue]

Use a toothpick and apply rubber cement above/in/below the seem. you can even reinforce by adding more within the depression above the contact button (top-down pov)..

[@gavincurtis]

Conductive carbon impregneted silicone rubber! Yamaha CS-80 used this concept for its aftertouch technology late 70's. Worked great most of the time. Your TV remote controls, almost all musical keyboards, and video game systems use this technology today. Stuck button aside, to repair non-responsive buttons you clean them with denatured alcochol. Wal-Mart has 70-90% rubbing alcohol for 2 dollars. Use a Q tip and clean every black pad. All silicone buttons will return to new!!!!!

[@danielel9191]

Hi there, I am having a problem with my M-Audio 88 hammer also. It all of a sudden stop triggering a section of the keyboard from about d# 2 for 6 notes up. I took it apart and tried cleaning the rubbers and swaping them with the section that works but it did not change anything so I am wondering if it's the electronic parts under that are not working. Do you have any ideas to shoot ? Thanks again for this video.

[@moradkaveh]

Thanks. Tour video helped me to fix my keyboard.

[@timschoenherr]

Thanks for this video - great work. The contact strips for the Keystation are out of stock at Syntaur. Any thoughts on other contact strips that will work? Oxygen, for example? The design looks the same.

[@lilianarivera3130]

I think the 'contact strip' is the same of the Korg X5D, Korg Triton Le and Korg TR. I've seen and they look equal. And they are easy to find like Korg spare parts.

[@clavitechmusic]

Not the same as KORG. The parts are made by a company in China called Ringway . They have the very best spare parts delivery and they manufacture a top quality key action, used by at least 10 brand names. Why don't you just order the parts you need from the American agent.

[@OwingMoneySucks]

No problem! Glad to be of help.

[@gavincurtis]

Fill the backside of the cavity with silicone rubber to support the failed rubber disk support . After it cures, It will work like new forever as it keeps its relative position. Sorry I am talking too much here. But nice keyboards go to landfills because of otherwise easy repairs as seen here.

[@ECOwav]

I see that you have dismantled this keyboard before, I'm thinking about doing the same to find out if there was any way I could dampen the sound of the keys as they are quite loud. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[@tatem333]

Thanks for doing this John, im just about to tear into mine right now!

[@1976Pianoman]

Where does one buy those rubber strips? They look identical to Roland's rubber.

[@philtc]

thank you very much for your video i solve the problem with hot glue it seems to work for now

[@GeorgeP40]

Hi. Do you have a site I can order replacement parts for my Pro-88. Everyone I call says the same things: what kind of keyboard is that? Thanks

[@JoeStoddard]

My m-audio has an issue whereas it changes pitch on it's own. Do you think I could simply disconnect the pitch modulator?

[@isaacswan]

I was able to find parts for a similar m-audio keyboard and use those. Now i have a bunch of signal noise somewhere going on... i think it's about time for this thing to bite the dust.

[@firehandszarb]

couldnt you fix the offending pad with some silicone glue or something (to hold the magnet in place?)

[@dbetanc]

I just fixed this problem by just inserting a small paper ball in the rubber socket. This way the little ball prevents the rubber to get stuck-up.

[@redbeethoven]

Donde consigo los cojines y la piezas que sujetan las teclas?

[@Sanomisisnorbac]

Great video, so helpful. Could you pleas show how to remove a key? I can't do that, please! help me

[@UrsulaC9]

Having a hard time getting the keys out im pushing the screwdriver trough the hole but i dont want to break anything, how much violence do you have to put in? :)

[@javierdeljeur]

You can get this bubble contact strips from Syntaur. They cost about 5 dollars.

[@mrajczyk]

why didn't you use the A0 key? I have the same keyboard and like it I use the faders with Cubase's mixer, and its easy to work with. It had problems -the key noise (springs) and some other problems I can't remember, but right before the warranty expired (thanks be to Allah) they replaced it free.Every once in awhile a note sounds ten times louder than wanted-I seem to remember the older one did that too. Any thoughts on that? Could you replace the springs with plastic or rubber coated ones

[@Mooncalf2012]

Midi-Store . com and Doeppfer . de are good sources for the rubber strips. I have seen some on eBay as well. This is a Fatar made keyboard, and there are multiple sources for these contact strips, sometimes grey in color.

[@Klaudiosable]

I just bought the 49 keystudio on Kijiji, I plug it, Garageband detects it, I can edit the volume with the analog but no sound comes out, It's most likely a hardware problem, So how can I repair it ? Open it up and then what ?

[@Aziz108]

Hi, please give me an advice, where can i get this keyboard fader's plastic handle? I've lost one..(( Have printed it on 3D printer, but it is all white in colour, which is not eyecandy at all. May be someone has dead keyboard and can sell me one?

[@RememberToLove]

hello, I have two Casio keyboards wk-1800 & wk 1630. Both have the same issue, 8 keys in the upper register only play once. They only play if the touch sensitivity is turned off, but they only play once and then will not play again until the keyboard is turned off & on. On the screen, it shows that they these notes are still being played/ sustained, that is why you can not play them again. I have already opened up the keyboard, vacuumed up all dust & debris in and around keys & wiped down the circuit board. I have also tried switching the pads from other working keys to see if the pads need to be replaced, but unfortunately the problem still exists. I haven't been able to find someone who can fix the keyboard on the island where I live. If you can give me any direction toward fixing the problem, I would most appreciate it. thanks & kind regards.

[@givemeoats]

sometimes the rubber/contact strip gets worn out and becomes very loose to the point of losing touch sensitivity.

[@DRakomol]

to anyone who has this problem:!!! it might be just dust! try cleaning it then see if it worked. if not..THEN get new pieces/take it to a professional.

[@ministergraham]

Hi my pro 88 usb connection broke. I tried to solder another one. do you know where I can get the whole chip from? Do I need the AC adapter or should it turn on with the usb alone?

[@arretx]

Patrick, the USB power from your computer should be enough. If you're using a USB splitter, you might need its supplemental power supply, but the keyboard has never had a power source plugged into it.

[@omrialgazi]

You helped me a lot ! thank you!!

[@massivofan1498]

I tried them and they don't have them for the Keystation Pro 88.

[@Fun-cy1il]

These M-Audio keyboards are wrought with major issues, why are they so highly rated? Everyone seems to be taking these velocity issues in stride, meanwhile it's driving me up the wall

[@donatomarangelo9794]

Hi, I can't seem to open the keyboard, I removed all the screws but it does not open how can I do??? Gelo me Tks

[@GeorgeP40]

Anyone replace keys on this keyboard yet? Where did you get the keys? Thanks

[@firehandszarb]

@firehandszarb btw I found this video watch?v=gJarAWE-Uyo. I own an keystation pro myself. although its a cheapie there are not that many keyboards out there that would work for me as well as the keystation pro. If my keybed gets too bad, I hope to replace it with a fatar tp/40 as it seems that m-auidio has the better electronics (easy to program and can send a wide variety of CCs and other messages, set up splits and layers etc) while fatar has the best keybed.

[@lucianolizana446]

so... is just springs? it doesnt have a hammer action!?

[@mikelewis1166]

has hammer action. nice feel too.

[@kyoutojun]

Hi..Can I know how to remove my m-audio 61es keys??

[@wurlitzercvp2074]

Does anybody have a solution for a keystation pro 88 that is triggering the wrong midi notes whenever a key is pressed? I know this is not the right place to post this question but if somebody can provide me either an answer or place to post a question I would be greatly appreciative of where to go with an issue like this

[@kodiak6936]

Use rubber cement or silicone caulk or even sum car gasket sealer.

[@ExisteDiosInc]

Mitchell Blevins hello. Would you mind elaborating on how to apply.. I'm about to tackle this project and any orientation on the method you are suggesting would really help me! Thanks

[@Mooncalf2012]

In a pinch, super glue works too.

[@fshome]

Does anybody have problems, not with the orange bubble contacts, but with the contacts on the green circuit board, with which the bubble contacts make contact. I have one key that doesn't sound. I have verified that the orange bubble contacts are okay, because I have switch the block of bubble contacts with another section. I have cleaned the circuit board contacts a number of times but to no avail.

[@iam0jordan0JE0edmund]

Please help me,i dont know how to remove the keys.I am using a flat head scew driver but i dont want to damage it.Please help! :(

[@JuLew1031]

Bad choice, you probably would have gotten away with some permetex or rubber sealent

[@faelangelo9504]

hey bro.. how i remove the keys. i dont konw how i do. help me pls

[@philtc]

+Faell Gamer 0:55

[@Sanomisisnorbac]

+philtc HOW!!! we need a video ;)

[@adambrown217]

Oh cool I can go to sleep now.

[@bordinator]

Hi everyone! I have an M-Audio Keystation 88es, my pitch bend moves up/down by itself automatically. (If there's a solution to this already, please redirect me to it, I'd be very, very thankful!) a pc program (transMIDIfier) showed that it shifts (almost as if its vibrating) up & down without me touching it whatsoever. A temporary solution I found was to slid/stuck a thin piece of paper to keep the wheel very slightly raised. It modified the sound (of course) slightly and I don't want to need to do this every time. (I am new to asking for help in youtube, I am so sorry if I am breaking any unwritten rules) Thank you all so very, very much for those who can help!

[@morrielouden1]

I've had the exact same problem with both my hammer 88's. Did you ever find a fix? I ended up just disconnecting my pitch wheel from the circuit board.. this is an on going problem that M-Audio has and they are not addressing the problem...

[@OwingMoneySucks]

Hmm....a flibbertyjibbet? No idea.

[@UccideteviColGas]

what is the name of orange plastic..??