[Freecom Musicpal Software
Kody Coste
FREECOM SUPPORT:
Please be aware that if your drive is still in warranty, you can get the drive repaired by a normal RMA.
If you want to repair your Pal on your own, you will do so on your own risk.
We can not provide any support for this kind of repairs. - therefore if it is in guarantee then contact freecom
This guide only will show you how to replace the plastic knob in the existing rotary controller housing without any soldering. If the whole rotary encoder does not work it will be a case of taking it apart and re soldering a new controller on to the circuit board. Also if you bugger it up following this its not my fault as this is just a guide of how we managed to fix my musicpal. Therefore I am not liable for damage to your musicpal or you being a butter fingers or if your Musicpal blows up or you hurt yourself, aliens come out of the sky etc. Its your own fault. - right thats the disclaimer dealt with Lets Begin.
Gently using the tweezers insert them into the hole and press down if you hear a faint click then you know the rotary encoder still works and its the black knob that needs replacing, if you don't then its a total re soldering job.
Switch Channel only takes orders over the phone and is in the USA but they post internationally. I'm in the UK and they arrived really quickly. They accept visa and mastercard. However I advise you to buy more them what you need just encase you damage one or two in the mending process.
Now this is the tricky part. You will need another set of hands for this. As the actual control knob is in the black housing and needs to be removed. But due to its design, it is held in place by a pair of clips.
The trick is to get some one to hold the control knob (not the housing) put your finger nails between the housing and the control knob gap and pull down on it, while someone pushes on the clips with a very small screw driver until you hear a pop.
This is a one handed example (as I had to take the photo) but two people are needed as a bit of force is required. - Be careful not to damage the clips as you need them to hold the control knob into the radio.
What happens with the musicpal is that one of the pins breaks off and then the knob falls out, however leaving the rotary controller fully working. So therefore its just a case of replacing the actual knob - therefore no soldering is required.