The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

My AN1x ribbon controller stopped responding, so I opened the case to check the ribbon & its board. There was nothing visibly wrong, so I wiped off the ribbon with a clean cloth. This included lifting the first layer of film and wiping in between the first and second layers. I (obviously!) don't know how ribbon controllers physically work, so that may have been a really stupid move.

It was fine when I first put it back together, but now it will occasionally trigger as if it's being pressed when it isn't. I.e., if a patch uses the ribbon to open the filter (or change pitch), the filter will open (or the pitch will change) randomly *unless* I touch the ribbon. Somtimes touching the ribbon will make the problem stop; other times, the problem returns within a few seconds.

I *think* there is something physically wrong with the ribbon itself. Dust that I missed? Something I broke when I attempted to clean it? The apparently-glitchy part is to the left of center of the ribbon. I could open it up and wipe it again, but first:

1. Does anyone have a trick for fixing the ribbon?

2. If #1 fails, has anyone tried to get a new ribbon from Yamaha, and succeeded in self-installing it?

3. If #1 and #2 fail, does anyone know a good repair shop in the Seattle area for this type of problem?

Van

PS: AN1x has insidiously become indispensible for gigging, so I have two. The problem is with the studio/backup unit, but I need to fix it eventually in case the gig unit goes down. Maybe I should get a third one, just in case... ;-)