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PX-201M Replacement Pedal Unit/Workaround

Hi all, I've got a (pretty old!) SX-PX-201M technics clavinova which has had intermittent problems with solely the sustain pedal. Once pressed, the pedal sometimes cuts out and stops sustaining the notes. Recently its gotten quite bad that 7 times out …

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PX-201M Replacement Pedal Unit/Workaround

andyroe

andyroe
United Kingdom

Total Posts: 1
Joined: April 26, 2017

Hi all,

I've got a (pretty old!) SX-PX-201M technics clavinova which has had intermittent problems with solely the sustain pedal. Once pressed, the pedal sometimes cuts out and stops sustaining the notes. Recently its gotten quite bad that 7 times out of 10 the pedal doesn't work. Now I can see MIDI input coming from the piano when I press the pedal and MIDI input when I release it. When the sustain cuts out there is no MIDI signal so I'm assuming a connection is weak and something is just ceasing from connecting.

Frustratingly these technics seem to have unique pedal systems which makes a workaround difficult. Is there a spare pedal unit I can buy? Are there spare components I can get? I'm happy to do a bit of soldering if need be. Also, is there any possible workaround? I see that there is a "THRU" midi input (/output?) socket on the back of the piano. Is it possible to get a pedal and send the CC through here which then would come back out the piano into my computer?

Anyway any help would be much appreciated! I'm going to have a look and see if I can find the problem when I get home tonight.

Cheers!

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Posted on April 26, 2017 at 11:37 AM
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1 Reply

davetutt

davetutt
United Kingdom

Total Posts: 166
Joined: January 12, 2015

Re: PX-201M Replacement Pedal Unit/Workaround

Hi Andy

I tend to dismantle the pedal units and fix them directly. As you can understand there are absolutely no sources of new Technics parts and whatever you might find on EBay are likely to be much the same sort of problem fest as the ones you already have. There is always the issue of the cable which is also a problem. I have done a couple of complete work-arounds where I fit a new cable and remove the mini din style plug on the end of the cable and replace it with something more in line with practical repairs. I fit a locking round power connector, usually an 8 pin, which is somewhat easier to deal with both at the cable connector end and the changes necessary inside the instrument. I don't remember exactly what is in the pedal unit of your model but if it is like others in the range it is likely that the rubber of the contact arrangement has perished. Since these usually have a closed resistance of around 300 ohms it is reasonable to either replace the contact with something like the tact switches used on all manner of electronic equipment or alternatively clean the existing contacts with servisol (a quick wipe with a few drips on a tissue will do it) and try again. If it still has issues then you will find that some electrically conductive paint on the rubber side of the contacts and ensure it is 100% dry before reassembly.

You can do all sorts of magical things with MIDI, but the issue is that is becomes no longer a functioning part of the instrument and it is so much easier to deal with the mechanical electronic issues at source.

Let me know how you get on. Happy to help if I can

Regards

Dave Tutt

Posted on May 1, 2017 at 10:15 PM