I have a Korg Microkorg XL. The volume control is not fully functioning. It won't get really quiet or really loud.

If you - like me - own a microKorg XL with similar periodical symptoms as described above and you perhaps wonder why the volumen potmeter should need cleaning or even replacement, then read on: ;-)

In my case, the microKorg XL was only a few weeks olld when I first had the problem; ie. wear&tear and dust would never be a problem.... yet.

The problem manisted itself as:

- Noisy, hissing sound through the headphones during power-up.

- Noisy and "fluffy" sound through the headphones when playing the keyboard.

- The headphone output volume did NOT respond to adjusting the Volumen knob.

The latter is the reason that the problem here could NEVER be the Volumen potmeter itself.

You know it probably yourself on old radios etc., where the scratching sound of a dusty, dirty and weared-out potmeter gives all types of volume when turned; however, typically classied by the fact that at \'0\', the sound is actually (almost) off, and at \'full\', the sound is usually LOUD.

No, here we deal with some other issue...

During my +30 years of experience from developing high-end telecom equipment, I frequently have had to deal with an issue called "Dry Switching".

Basically, Dry Switching covers the mechanical phenomenon, where the two halves of an ALMOST CURRENTLESS SIGNAL contact - eg. in a relay, switch or in a connector - actually tend to lose their electrical contact due to eg. lacking pressure force, oxidation combined with mechanical shocks etc..

For systems operating with higher voltages and currents, this problem is much less appearing, since the voltage will tend to "clean" the contact surfaces by simply "jumping-over-and through" oxidation etc..

In professional equipment, the Dry Switching issue is normally addressed by ensuring enough pressure force under all circumstances and all through the equipment\'s life time, and by using the right materials for the contacts - eg. gold or platinum.

Unfortunately, the microKorg XL cannot be regarded as a professional equipment, but rather a commercial, perhaps semi-pro one...

So - although you as a user - professional or amateur - bear the risc of potentially getting some severe Audio problems in the middle of a live gig, this is unfortunately a part of using these types of low-cost instruments... live.

I have seen it for my self...

Within the microKorg XL, the assembly quality is generally good, but connectors for the harnesses conneting the various PCBs are only standard types...

Soooo.... that was a lot of technical stuff... ;-)

Now we\'re getting real:

I solved (I guess - 7-9-13) my noise problem by:

- Dismounting the microKorg XL bottom plate (yes... all 18 screws have to go ;-) ).

- Dismounting the PCB holding the PCB with the 0.25" sound jacks etc. (only 4 screws this time).

- Carefully unplugging and re-plugging all cable connectors (take care if you also do this for the fragile, shielded MIC cable).

You have now "wiped" the connector contacts... a cheap way of making a cleaning for the contacts.

Partly re-assemble the miroKorg XL with a couple of screws and test it with Headphones etc..

If you don\'t get any bettering here, you\'re probably stuck with a real electronic problem, and you have to get the keyboard properly repaired.

Thanks!

Jesper. DK.

Same problem,
I tried spraying it with an electronic cleaner inside out, it's no use.

The solution that worked for me was taking out the Left PL line and reconnecting a couple of times. =]

this action works will work perfecting until the next time you unplug the PL.

The volume control must be have dirt in it. When you move it do you hear rustling noise. A quick spray of WD40 spray into the control will solve the problem.