Korg Electribe EMX-1
This is already the third instrument of this kind in my workshop, and similarly to the first one, it required replacement of the 3 conductive rubber keypads forming the device’s keyboard. These are typical silicone rubber parts known for example from remote controls, where the contact is made by a deposited graphite layer which degrades over time.
Unfortunately, the repair methods known to me for this kind of damage using Chinese-made graphite lacquer, reputable graphite adhesive (e.g. Kontakt Chemie 33), or conductive graphite silicone stickers, also made in China, are not durable and cannot be relied upon. The only permanent repair method is replacement, which in this case was quite expensive, as the 3 rubber keypads together with shipping from the USA from Syntaur cost $160. Unfortunately, this is the only supplier of these parts and thus a monopolist. Another issue was that the lower keypad had already been poorly repaired, and in its case there was no possibility even of another, temporary repair.
