Roland System 1 Keyboard Failing Key Repair / Mod Tutorial - Works again!

[@hubertisk7069]

Hey every one, please read how I fixed three dead keys b4 going for a sort of a tape to increase a key pressure on a key connector which is not a good idea I recon (with all due respect to the Author). After taking off the keys I gently lifted a grey connecting rubber tape, then using a swab and methylated spirit (perhaps Isopropyl alcohol will also work) I gently but DECENTLY rubbed off residue from two black dots underneath, particularly corresponding to faulty connectors. I also cleaned up 4 patches on the panel. It's crucial to clean up properly otherwise you will be considering the tape as I did after the first loose cleansing attempt. Good luck!

[@skulkband]

Thanks man that encouraged me opening mine. I did the same last night, but actually lifted the rubber contacts bed, it is easy to put them back. Underneath you should be able to apply some "contact paint" not sure about the technical name. I didn't have the paint so instead I just put a tiny piece of sticky pad on that little circle on top of the rubber contact to give the extra push! Worked perfectly.

[@objectiveobserver2792]

Gotta love how people describe their gear they want to trade/sell

[@sean6948]

i had the same issue and the sticky pad works but just want to point out I only used a very small bit of it so it only touches the top connector on the rubber, if it touches both you get double sounds when pressing the key, plus the keys aren't hard on the press they feel exactly the same. Cheers for the vid though it was a massive help

[@RealNonsonic]

Thank you, I may try and do it again sometime. It’s ok though, I don’t get any double sounds or at least I don’t think so :)

[@tommy.countach]

thanks, i tried this fix yesterday, but for one key i get double triggers, now i know how to fix it :)

[@DamianoPistoia]

Really well done. This repair can be useful for so many people. The correct name of this product series is Aira. Regards✌🏻

[@RealNonsonic]

Thank you! I am completely new to synths but felt I could give it a try. I am not sure how I pronounced the name but I may have said it similar to one of my nieces. Almost the same name - Aira vs Ariya :)

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

That’s not true. The correct name is System1. Aira is the line of products it belongs to

[@stereodelay6601]

I had the exact same issue on the low C. I opened the synth to clean it and it fixed it temporarily. The problem kept coming back… I probably opened the unit 5 or more times. I finally fix the issue permanently by adding a few layers of tape behind the faulty key at the point it touches the rubber. I hope it helps someone!

[@Death_By_Media]

There was probably some dirt , dust , skin etc underneath the rubber trigger strip which you can pull off and clean under as well . This is basically the Edirol PCR M1 key bed which sometimes had the same issues . Chosen probably as much for it’s aesthetics with the whole flat , blocky design of the AIRA range as well as budget because the design team had to dig that one out of the 2007 vault lol

[@6581punk]

Yep. There's two contacts and the synth uses the difference in timing between the two to judge velocity. The either start not sounding or sound at full velocity depending on which contact is dirty.

[@saltlake71]

@@6581punk iijp

[@habemusfyah]

Hi, do you think it would be possible to disconnect the keys and left controller section and transform it into a module? I really dislike the lower part but the higher part is really good!

[@Cosmosolarok]

i have the same problem, good video, i thing now i try to fix it

[@JeffyG]

Well done! Roland System 1 was supposed to be nostalgic but it flopped. It was $599 new in 2014 and there are a few used for sale asking $400. Only a select buyer would be interested, as you can download a much better virtual synth like ‘Vital’ for free. Similarly, you can buy a new midi controller for $120. Still, physical hardware always attracts some attention even if it had a negative reputation. Sometimes an unpopular synth retains value by being 1 of so few ever sold. Not sure what your original trade was, but you could sell it as working and put $400 in your pocket 😁

[@aliasghar907]

how much did the minor repair cost?

[@RealNonsonic]

I think the pack of double sided tape was $2 :). So $2

[@johnp3541]

I tried everything and it is still the same, and Roland has no spare parts for me to buy them myself, they make me send it to the technician and the cost is very high for the repair, also practically all the potentiometers fail they go crazy...the quality of this synth is the worst I have ever seen in my life..... 500€ down the drain

[@subresistance000]

FIX WITH TAPE DO NOT WORK WELL!!! You get double keys and it will make it worse over time!!! There is a much better way to fix it!! Buy conductiv paint and, take a q-tip and careful add some paint on the black dots on the underside of the rubberpads. let it dry well. Clean the conductiv pads on the PCB with a q-tip and alcohol. There are 2 rubber arrow like nips on the end of each side of the rubberpads.. they are hard to get back in without special tool, just cut the arrows to get it back in easy, it will stay in place anyway.. this work much better than the tape-fix, i try both, with conductiv paint it works much better, like new!!!