Keys down on the A6!!!

The Silent Coup · Joined: Jun 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: UK

Hello all. New poster here. Weve had an A6 since about 2002, and had HOURS, days worth even, of fun with it. Love em.

However, all this fun and usage has come at a cost, as two keys are not working. It is probably a contact issue, as they can be heard crackling and straining when the keys are pressed down hard, but this is not the way to do things. I cant remember if they work through MIDI.

The synth has, admittedley, been used in a smokey environment all these years and this wont have helped matters.

We have tried to squirt some contact cleaner into the gaps but to no success. We even took the beast apart (dangerous, but we were ultra carefull), and saw that there is a circuit board underneath the keys which can be unscrewed, but didnt venture any further.

So, any suggestions? Dont really fancy sending her away to be fixed, but is there any other option?

gr8ape · Joined: Jun 24, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: montreal

look up local synth technicians and repair shops
search like '' *your state* synthesizer repair '' in google see waht you get...

Shreddie · Joined: May 12, 2009 Posts: 96 Location: UK

I spotted that you're in the UK, head over to the Sound on sound forums. Do a search for synth repair services, I'm sure there's some threads in the 'vintage gear' section which will help.

sunny pedaal · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:14 am Post subject:

weren't the keyboard made by fatar?
often it's a question of the rubbercontacts underneath being broken , any synth technician should be able to have a proper look at it. often they simply replace the whole strip or parts of it. not too costly , not difficult however experience in it helps as you have to be secure be by removing the old stripparts

The Silent Coup · Joined: Jun 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: UK

yeah, thats it. we know where the problem lies, and could possibly have an investigation into it ourselves (perhaps it only needs some cleaning, or a peice of grit/dirt is blocking them), but the risk of taking it all apart again is too great.

Shreddie · Joined: May 12, 2009 Posts: 96 Location: UK

rufuss sewell · Joined: Sep 27, 2006 Posts: 36 Location: Austin

I just fixed a key today. It was super easy. Follow the instructions here: (although he forgot the screw between "alesis" and "A6" on the back.)

http://electro-music.com/forum/post-140696.html

Now that it's open make sure to remove the screws holding the keybed. Make sure that it's secured so that it doesn't fall when unscrewed.

Lift up the keybed making sure to be gentle with the two ribbon cables and the small aftertouch cable on the left.

There are two boards on the bottom of the keybed. Depending on which keys are dead you may only need to remove one of them. Remove all of the silver screws and the board will easily slide off of the keybed.

There are several rubber connectors. I just gently pulled the rubber off and wiped the contact clean. After replacing the rubber the key worked great!

I'm definitely no electrician, but this was an easy job. I did it on my bed with lots of pillows around for support.