In this video from a few years ago, Synthesizer Keith (Keith Robert Murray) takes a look at a variety of ways to fix scratchy pots & faders on synths and other electronic music gear.
The issue of what to do with scratchy pots and faders is a recurring topic of debate in synth forums, with some advocating for the quick fix of spraying a little Caig’s Deoxit D5 into the problematic part and others arguing that the only real solution is to take the component apart and give it a thorough cleaning.
The video demonstrates that there’s a bit of truth to both. And, while Murray recommends replacing the part as the most reliable solution, he demonstrates that combining two cleaning techniques comes close.
Check it out and share your thoughts in the comments!
Here is the list of topics to avoid discussing in polite company if you want to avoid a lot of trouble:
1. Politics
2. Religion
3. The best way to refurbish sliders on high end audio gear.
You forgot BEHRINGER. Deoxit is good.
I have a scratchy volume pot on my Deepmind 12 … does that mean I have to stand in the naughty corner 😉
(and yes, Deoxit is fantastic!!!)
I was at a workshop and one of the pros suggested a good fix for scratchy pots was simply to turn the knob back and forth for a while until the dust breaks free and the scratching stops. Maybe not the best method, but it works in a pinch.
If, on the other hand, the wiper has worn its way through the track, which is very common in old pots, then no amount of solvent is going to help.
Nevertheless. A good and informative vid.