ELKA MK88

[fatbenelton]

Hi is anybody familiar with the MK88 Master keyboard? (I seem to recall the Elf recently got hold of a MK55?)

I'm having problems seeing if the Poly Aftertouch is working....I've got my head around the panel and set the appropriate curve, set it to touch poly and on but using Midi Monitor on my Mac I can't see aftertouch at all.....I can see note on/off, pitch and mod wheel and info from the three fader's but no aftertouch at all incl channel. The keyboard itself is pretty tidy condition and as everything else seems to work I think I am perhaps not setting it correctly.

On the other hand perhaps the aftertouch sensor may be broken but unsure it it uses a single 'bar' across all keys or sensors on each key? If the former then that is prob the issue but if the latter it could be a setting as it would be unlikely every key is broken.

Appreciate this isn't a general query but hopefully somebody may have an Elka! Also, looking for a factory reset if there is one?

Cheers in hope!

[The Elf]

It can't use a single bar across all keys, or it couldn't generate poly AT.

The model I bought was the MK76 - and what a lovely keyboard it truly is.

I have no trouble switching on poly or channel AT. Have you downloaded the manual and checked all your settings? It's not obvious how to work with these things at first sight, but once the penny drops it's fairly straightforward.

I could walk you through the settings, but not just at the moment.

[fatbenelton]

Thanks Elf - yes, got the manual. I think I’m doing it right but will continue looking through. I doubt every single sensor is broken so pretty sure I’m doing something wrong!! I’ll report back....

[muzines]

Also, make sure you're not filtering out poly AT in your interface or DAW etc...

[fatbenelton]

Good point - - going straight into Midi Monitor with poly AT 'ticked' but using an Emagic MT4. I assume it passes all info but perhaps not? It lights up showing MIDI info but not for aftertouch so it looks like nothing coming out of the MK.

[fatbenelton]

Right still stumped...using midi monitor and MT4 but ruled out any filtering etc by testing it with my TS10 - poly aftertouch showing up fine.

With the MK88 I'm setting up a new split across the entire keyboard ( as per the manual) and setting up the aftertouch as part of that split. Nothing showing on poly or channel aftertouch. I still find it hard to beieve all the sensors are dead but struggling to see what else it could be?? Any thoughts before I send it off for repair??

Mr Elf, as part of your consultancy offering, do you ever go as far as Liverpool??

[The Elf]

I do... but it will have to be a couple of weeks as I'm rehearsals right now.

This week I will drag the MK76 into the studio and remind myself how it works!

[fatbenelton]

Cheers!

[Ghaetion]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum. I'll be upfront and say I'm a drummer, not a keyboardist or sound engineer. I have an Elka Mk88II that I've been holding on to for over a decade. I've tried on and off to get it to generate sound and failed. It's in very good shape. One key needs repair. I have used a usb A connector to connect it to my laptop. It reads it but I cannot get it to function using Reaper or Audacity. It's likely I'm too ignorant about setting up something like this to say the master keyboard doesn't work. I would appreciate more than anyone could know, help with setting up this master control keyboard so it functions proper. I'll even offer to pay for the assistance. I'm desperate to get it working at this point. Thanks to anyone willing to help.

Cheers,
Jason

[fatbenelton]

Hi there
Mine is gathering dust somewhere waiting to go to the repair man...sometime.

Anyway, when you say connected by USB is this a 5 pin din midi to USB lead??

[The Elf]

Whatever you do, guys, don't consign them to landfill.

I'm happy to try to get a working machine out of two - and either put it to good use, or get it to someone who will!

[Ghaetion]

Yes, I use that 5 pin connector to go from the Elka to my laptop. From feedback I've gotten from others I've talked to about it, there needs to be some kind of tinkering with specific settings. My eyes started rolling to the back of my head at that point so details on that are lost. The keyboard lights up on the display and all other functions appear to work.

Here's a basic question, does a master control keyboard require specific software or can it connect to any daw and with as long as the daw recognizes it?

[muzines]

Here's a basic question, does a master control keyboard require specific software or can it connect to any daw and with as long as the daw recognizes it?

As soon as you connect it via a MIDI interface to your computer, then any application which can receive MIDI data will do.

In your given DAW of Reaper, create an instrument track, load a software instrument plugin, and play notes on your keyboard, and the plugin should respond accordingly.

If it doesn't, or you're stuck doing this, post back and we'll walk you through it, and see if we can't get it working for you.

(Don't use Audacity, it knows nothing about MIDI or instruments, being an audio editor only.)

[The Elf]

Just remembered this thread! Did you ever get your MKs working, guys? My MK76 is now permanently plumbed into my studio, so I can offer speedier advice.

[The Elf]

Hey, Ben!

[fatbenelton]

Hey Elf
I didn't! It's under the sofa waiting for me to take it somewhere! I'm pretty sure I got the OS and button matrix thing sorted in my head so I've ruled out operator error. As there is no AT at all anywhere it's prob just a ribbon cable which has disconnected the kb or something.

I really should open it up and look but was going to drop it off at Andy Horrell at EMIS on the way past sometime. He's retiring but will do repairs PT.....I hope!

[Vanx]

Hello guys sorry for hijacking this thread!

I also got a fabulous MK88, I’ve tried to replace it with every master/synth controller on the planet but no one got a keybed like the Elka.. only an M-Audio Code61 got near but it has some flaws and it isn’t reliable.

I’ve tried to replace it because mine unit is smelling really strange, like acid/sharp smell and it fills my home studio even when it is powered off, I already spent 60€ to refresh its keys mechanisms, but the technician said nothing about this issue.

Is yours the same? I’ve read about bad old capacitors and this fumes could be really toxic, I would like to just save and use its keybed !

[hammyhavoc]

Hello guys sorry for hijacking this thread!

I also got a fabulous MK88, I’ve tried to replace it with every master/synth controller on the planet but no one got a keybed like the Elka.. only an M-Audio Code61 got near but it has some flaws and it isn’t reliable.

I’ve tried to replace it because mine unit is smelling really strange, like acid/sharp smell and it fills my home studio even when it is powered off, I already spent 60€ to refresh its keys mechanisms, but the technician said nothing about this issue.

Is yours the same? I’ve read about bad old capacitors and this fumes could be really toxic, I would like to just save and use its keybed !

Ever have any joy with this?

[Vanx]

The smell is still there.. I opened it up and the wood seems the culprit, maybe it absorbed some product like switch cleaner in the past..

I managed to dismantle and clean all the buttons and now everything is working.

The only bugging thing is the noise it emits… I found that a small metal shield (like a cube) placed on the PCB is emitting rf noises and resonating at a very high frequency (still audible), I’ve tried everything and the only thing was fastening it with a plastic fastener and this seemed to help a bit.

No perfection, but still the best Keybed on the market

[The Elf]

Finally got my MK76 display fixed, but no backlight. By now I no longer need it, so eBay here I come...

[zooolar]

Ho. I just found one of these. But the aftertuch seems dead. It only gives basic midi signal. Midi voew says velocity.

Mah I ask what you cleaned ? I read that thw rubber steip dries and you may meed to chnge part pf the rubber strip. The I need to program it….

[majesticrevolt]

I've been shopping for a new keyboard/controller and found one of these used I might pick up. Wanted to ask here is there's anything specific I should be aware of or look out for with this model. The keys feel amazing!

[The Elf]

Just check that all the keys work, that aftertouch is even across the keys, and that you can navigate around the interface.

If I saw an MK88 at a reasonable price (I got my MK76 for 50 pounds) I'd buy it - nice keyboard.