Squeaky key

Brute PolyBrute
#1

Hi everyone,

I have a squeaky key on my PolyBrute 12. It is only a single key (middle E), and it squeaks depending on the velocity. If I press the key slowly or really fast then there is no squeak. But during a „normal“ key press it squeaks.

Is this something that might go away after some time? As it is only a single key, I don‘t want to send the whole unit back to the dealer for a repair. Any other options?

Best regards,
Stephan

#2

I had a similae issue with my first PB6. It took a while to get it repaired - ended up in a new PB6, in my case…

see this old post of mine: Old Forum

I hope the best you do not need to go the hard way as I did.

#3

Referring to the thread you mentioned, it seems that your problem had something to do with voice calibration. The “squeaking” of my key is “just” a hardware issue of the keyboard. It squeaks even if the Polybrute is turned off. If there was no a warranty, I would just open the unit and apply some grease.

Best regards,
Stephan

#4

Maybe put your ear to it, locate the source of the noise more precisely. Then I would apply a little WD40 to the spot. This shouldn’t damage anything.

#5

I am not really sure if it is a good idea to spray some lubricant inside the keyboard concerning the warranty :wink:

Anyhow: I have slightly pressed the area above the squeaking key … and suddenly the squeaking has stopped completely. The key is now as silent as all other keys.

Hopefully, the current state will persist.

Best regards,
Stephan

#6

I would spray it, of course not too much. Of course it is better to send the synthesizer back because disassembling it is out of the question due to the warranty. That is obvious. However, if you do not want to take the instrument to a service center, I have no other ideas. I hope that your magic touch has cured the patient.

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#7

Could it be a very small piece of polystyrene ?

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#8

I have several squeaky keys on my Polybrute. I also have some on my Keylab mkII. It doesn’t affect playing at all. It just makes an annoying noise. almost like a spring is rubbing against something internally.

I’m not sure how keen I’d be on randomly squirting any lube into the keyboard, but I would like to find a way to correct the problem without having to ship it anywhere. Most of the shops in my area won’t work on anything they didn’t sell.

My Polybrute is out of warranty, so I may have to have a look inside at some point.

#9

Could it be a very small piece of polystyrene ?

It could be … who knows. Luckily, the squeakiness has been gone since a few days, so I simply hope for the best.

#10

VERY good point!

#11

one of my first midi keyboards developed a key squeak. it was a known issue for Alesis and YouTube showed how to disassemble the unit and where and what oil to use on the springs that make it weighted.

the side of warranty I guess it depends on what country you are in. I know that in most of the EU you can’t stop user serviceability of a unit so right to repair rules can be dependant on where you live.

my Alesis squeaked on and off and I eventually gave up on it. id message support and get their solution as they might have an actual service document that covers what to do.

#12

Having the same issue - 4 squeaky keys on my Polybrute 12. Very frustrating considering the cost of this synth. Hopefully Arturia support has a solution for me.

#13

My squeaky key has returned, too. With two additional keys as companions. So, currently three squeaky keys and counting.

I haven‘t contacted support yet because I guess that their proposal is to send the PolyBrute in for repair. But for now, the squeaking is nothing that drives me to send the synth in - which would typically last a few weeks. And the synth is pristine aside from the squeaking, and I don‘t want to risk that.

So, I am quite interested in the outcome of your support request.

#14

I tried to capture the squeaky keys on video: Squeaky Keys. Currently, it’s the middle E, middle G and the C above.

#15

Oh wow - that’s a whole cluster. Mine are more spread out across the keyboard, with the worst being the upper middle D. I’ll let you know what their solution is. I’d prefer to not have to send it back, especially if this is something that might come back again.

1 Like
#16

I reported the issue to the Arturia support team. Unfortunately, according to the answer, there is no way to fix the issue without sending the synth back to Arturia for repair. So, I let them know that I am not going to send it in because of this problem as this would require quite some time for shipping and repair. And it seems that the issue is still “unstable”: Since a few days, an additional key is squeaking. So there is quite some chance that any repair will only fix the issue temporarily :confused:

@domtak Did you get any solution proposal from the support?

After all, this is really a strange issue. None of my past and current synths over the last three decades have ever had a squeaking key. And now, the PolyBrute continuously shows an increasing number of squeaky keys.