Juno DS61 Favourite button not responding as well

[Wackienne]

Hi, everyone.

In the last couple of days I find I'm needing a lot more pressure for the "8" button in the Favourite group to register a change. I've set up a ton of Favourites, and I can usually hit the buttons quite lightly on the fly during a song, but this one really bit me a couple of times during practice yesterday. (At one point it seemed as if Herb Alpert had shown up for a solo in the middle of Don’t Let the Sun Catch you Crying. Pretty funny, but it wouldn't be if it had been a performance!)

I use the Favourite buttons constantly but not this one, so it's not as if I'm wearing it out. I can work around it, but I hate to think they're starting to pack it in. Has anyone else encountered this with their Juno or any other keyboard?

Thanks,
Judy

 

[happyrat1]

I use my Juno almost daily but I usually use the Jog Wheel to select from my Performance Favorites.

Regardless of what you are thinking about not using the button too much, it sounds like the button is simply wearing out.

My DS88 is about 3-1/2 years old now.

Gary

 

[Wackienne]

I use my Juno almost daily but I usually use the Jog Wheel to select from my Performance Favorites.

Regardless of what you are thinking about not using the button too much, it sounds like the button is simply wearing out.

My DS88 is about 3-1/2 years old now.

Gary

Well, shoot -- I've had mine for four years and I hate to think it's wearing out -- it's perfect for what I do. But I haven't encountered that idea before, about using the jog wheel. If you've got a minute, would you mind explaining it? For instance, in Don't Let the Sun Catch You crying, I have a user favourite set up with a split keyboard: English horn on the bottom and strings on the top. I've got that saved under 6-8. The one I switch to at the end of the verse is split French horn & strings, which is under 6-9. So I can jump back and forth by hitting the 9 or the 8. This is just one example, but I do this a lot, and quite a few of them are very quick changes. I have to be able to just stab a button in a hurry. How would that work with a jog wheel? Doesn't a nudge on it just take you to the next one in whatever instrument group you're in?

Like I said, just if you have a minute.
Judy

 

[happyrat1]

Well the thing is I don't perform professionally so I don't need a setlist.

I just have my favorite performances stored sequentially in the user bank and can access my favorites at my leisure.

As for the performance switches? You might be able to replace the control circuit board assembly for that bank of switches for not too much money.

Mechanical parts DO wear out with constant use and if the Juno has a major flaw, it's the fact that it's just so playable and enjoyable

Gary

PS: I'll look around to see if I can locate the part.

 

[Wackienne]

Well the thing is I don't perform professionally so I don't need a setlist.

I just have my favorite performances stored sequentially in the user bank and can access my favorites at my leisure.

As for the performance switches? You might be able to replace the control circuit board assembly for that bank of switches for not too much money.

Mechanical parts DO wear out with constant use and if the Juno has a major flaw, it's the fact that it's just so playable and enjoyable

Gary

PS: I'll look around to see if I can locate the part.

Well, ain't that the truth -- this keyboard is absolutely playable and enjoyable. And it's so light that I can schlep it around on my back!

I have to admit, I went a bit pale at "replace the control circuit board assembly for that bank of switches", since I know less than nothing about that kind of thing. But thanks for your suggestion, and the offer to hunt down the part. I think I'll just work around it for now and pay close attention to see if any others start to behave the same way.

Thanks for being such a fantastic contributor to this forum! I can hardly ever answer anyone's questions, but I sure appreciate the people like you who do.

Judy

 

[delaware dave]

Well, ain't that the truth -- this keyboard is absolutely playable and enjoyable. And it's so light that I can schlep it around on my back!

I have to admit, I went a bit pale at "replace the control circuit board assembly for that bank of switches", since I know less than nothing about that kind of thing. But thanks for your suggestion, and the offer to hunt down the part. I think I'll just work around it for now and pay close attention to see if any others start to behave the same way.

Thanks for being such a fantastic contributor to this forum! I can hardly ever answer anyone's questions, but I sure appreciate the people like you who do.

Judy

Those buttons are cheap and they will wear out. Suggestion, take it to a tech and have him switch out that button with a compatible button you don't really use all that much. This way you've transferred the problem to a function that you don't use and now have a fairly new button on a function you use alot.

 

[happyrat1]

Here's a supply of new buttons.

Roland Juno-DS88 Repair Parts and Accessories

Parts, specs, and pictures for the Roland Juno-DS88.

www.syntaur.com

Yes, all that needs to be done is disassemble the unit and replace the faulty button, or all them if you suspect it may happen again soon.

No need to play duck duck goose with the existing buttons.

And thanks for the kudos. We all try as best we can here to answer almost every question.

Gary

 

[Wackienne]

Here's a supply of new buttons.

Roland Juno-DS88 Repair Parts and Accessories

Parts, specs, and pictures for the Roland Juno-DS88.

www.syntaur.com

Yes, all that needs to be done is disassemble the unit and replace the faulty button, or all them if you suspect it may happen again soon.

No need to play duck duck goose with the existing buttons.

And thanks for the kudos. We all try as best we can here to answer almost every question.

Gary

Thanks! I may be back when the time comes to hunt down the part. You haven't heard the last of me, I'm sure!
Take care, and have a great weekend.
Judy

 

[happyrat1]

Actually after pondering the design, you don't need to buy any actual buttons. You only need to replace the failing micro-switches underneath the defective button(s).

It's listed in the first link I posted, very cheap, and WILL require some solder work.

A decent tech should be able to do the job for anywhere between $150 and $250 USD tops!!!

It all depends on where you live and the local cost of living.

It's a simple solder job. No diagnostics required so he should be able to give you a flat rate up front.

Gary

 

[Wackienne]

Actually after pondering the design, you don't need to buy any actual buttons. You only need to replace the failing micro-switches underneath the defective button(s).

It's listed in the first link I posted, very cheap, and WILL require some solder work.

A decent tech should be able to do the job for anywhere between $150 and $250 USD tops!!!

It all depends on where you live and the local cost of living.

It's a simple solder job. No diagnostics required so he should be able to give you a flat rate up front.

Gary

 

[Wackienne]

Interesting! I live not far outside Vancouver, so I'm sure Long & McQuade would be able to help me. Thanks again!
Judy

 

[happyrat1]

For sure Long and McQuade can provide a tech who can do the work.

If he's at all experienced he shouldn't quote you more than an hour or two to do the job.

Haggle accordingly

Good luck!

Gary

 

[Wackienne]

Thanks!

 

[anotherscott]

Yes, most likely you need to replace the tact switch, $1.95, if you or a friend are handy with a soldering iron (2 connections) and can figure out how to open the case and put it back together again. You might want to pick up the button (with LED) for $4.95 as well, just in case the button itself broke, but the tact switch is the more likely culprit.

If you bring it to a service center, they should be able to do it for their minimum one hour charge plus cost of parts (which will be more than buying them yourself, but still won't be expensive).

 

[Wackienne]

Thanks for the suggestion, @anotherscott! I’ve temporarily filed all these replies away. As an interim (lazy) solution I’ve changed my song settings so that I only use that button for three songs, and in my notes for those songs, I have very technical musical terms like “SMASH THE 8 BUTTON”. But I know that one day the problem will happen again with another one and I’ll need a more proper solution, so it will be great to have all these solutions at hand. A shout-out to @delaware dave and @happyrat1 for their help too.

 

[Oogie Wa Wa]

I saw this, and saw that it was a bit old, but you might not have done anything yet. Maybe this will get your switch back instead of using a kluge.

Being a contact switch on the circuit board, from what the other posters have said, you could possibly squirt a little contact cleaner around the button, which may free up the contacts. Or even just pull the cover only off, if that's possible, and hose it down at the actual little button. Just a thought. Make sure you get the kind that is meant for on plastic parts. Obviously if it's the type with the contact inside a little "bubble" it won't get in there.

Here's a Google search results for "plastic safe contact cleaner". I've used the WD40 "Specialist" and the DeOxIt products with good results on bass guitar and amp jacks, pots and switches.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pla...Xtm2oFHffSAX4Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1366&bih=626

 

[Wackienne]

I saw this, and saw that it was a bit old, but you might not have done anything yet. Maybe this will get your switch back instead of using a kluge.

Being a contact switch on the circuit board, from what the other posters have said, you could possibly squirt a little contact cleaner around the button, which may free up the contacts. Or even just pull the cover only off, if that's possible, and hose it down at the actual little button. Just a thought. Make sure you get the kind that is meant for on plastic parts. Obviously if it's the type with the contact inside a little "bubble" it won't get in there.

Here's a Google search results for "plastic safe contact cleaner". I've used the WD40 "Specialist" and the DeOxIt products with good results on bass guitar and amp jacks, pots and switches.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pla...Xtm2oFHffSAX4Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1366&bih=626

Thanks so much for the suggestion! At the moment I'm kind of living with it (being one to take the path of least resistance) but I've printed and saved these suggestions for if/when it gets worse.

I appreciate your taking the time to help out!
Cheers,
Judy

P.S. Love your quote about theory and practice!