Top tip.
I was considering buying replacement encoders for my MK1 A4 as I have at least five that are very aged now.
Christian at Elektron support suggested I consider a replacement PCB which effectively means complete new set of buttons and encoders too. All for 117GBP.
Will breathe new life into my A4 and will extend it’s life considerably.
It’s definitely an option to consider if you have loose/wobbly encoders.
Jamie
Awesome, yeah I plan to do mine sometimes this year… I’ve had my A4 just for a year (mk1)
The encoders were close to perfect. They are fucked now, I don’t go to crazy but I push and turn constantly.
Jesus I love them lol but wow yeah I imagine people get them much worse
They really should have been better made mine isn’t that old at all from factory
It’d be handy to see what is available and price when considering replacing buttons / con on all the devices.
Eg rytm screen , a4 case , digitakt pcb
I’d be very tempted to go for pcb replacement if 5 encoders were already dodgy.
I’ll be turning mine with cotton wool from now on 
Yes
Encoders are 3 pounds each.
I thought if five are loose then I’d might as well change the lot. And some of my buttons are intermittent too.
The soldering job on that lot would have been a right job for an amateur. Really pleased to hear they stock replacement PCBs.
I’d urge A4 users to think about it as they will surely be discontinued soon. I paid 600 for my A4 on ebay so I feel like I’m protected now for a few yrs barring an unlucky incident
My apologies if this sounds rude, but I don’t see the point to create more waste (an entire pcb with all the components) if the encoders can be easily replaced.
It’s like changing a car because the tyres are consumed.
Encoders are available on Mouser.
And no, I’m not a climate activist.
Well, they could do it both ways. Swap a new PCB in, replace the encoders on the PCB that was removed, keep that newly refurbed PCB in the box for the next time in however many years that the encoders start to wear out.
Thanks to let us know that.
When you said 117GBP, does it mean Elektron send the PCB or you must send your A4 and pay the shipping ?
They are sending me the PCB.
You can send your A4 to them but you’re looking at shipping and their repair charges (which are actually reasonable) on top of the 117GBP. Final cost probably closer to £200.
I don’t think changing the PCB is too tricky. There are videos which show the general process on youtube. Some people may feel differently about that.
If you just need encoders (A4MK1,MD,RMK1) just google these.
BOURNS PEC16-4020F-S0024
These are the right ones which i use for replacement on all my Machines since years.
They cost you around 1,50€ each…
No problem. I don’t think it’s rude.
I don’t think they made the PCB for me. They are already made but no doubt they won’t have infinite supplies.
I don’t think it’s wasteful as it will be extending the life of my A4 emoving the need to buy a new synth.
I have several loose encoders and the cost of having this fixed will be very similar to just replacing the PCB.
Fact is if there are 5 loose encoders now then there will be more problems in another 12 months for a heavily used piece of kit.
It makes perfect sense to replace the PCB to me.
Cheers for the link- so how much of a pain/risk is it to solder in new encoders? I’ve seen a YouTube video of something making a bit of a hash of it and got scared, despite my average soldering ability.
Yes, order the PCB seems to be the chipest solution. Thanks for this precision.
I never open my A4, but I think there is just a card and few connections, I should succeed.
Not much problematic as there is quite some space to work on the pcb. Maybe try to practice on some broken Walkman or other ancient elektronic equipment and then do the encoder repair?
I`m not a professional tech but it never was a problem to me.
I replaced the main encoder on my Octatrack as it was shot but within a few weeks, the others, which had been working fine, started showing signs of mortality. I guess it might be an age thing more than a use thing.
It reminded me that I prefer synths with knobs to those with encoders. Knobs last much longer in my experience.
I believe the guy that raised the green problem is perfectly right in a way. The problem is that we should only produce parts that could last a lot and avoid total and non-necessary replacements. Newspapers presented to us that media artefact called Greta Thunberg but the real green mind is in the way we produce and replace.
Yes, anything can be done.
My question is another one: it is needed?
Probably I did not explain myself very well.
My thought wasn’t about you, it was to be understood in a broad sense.
This modern, disposable electronics habit (see smartphones) of changing things even if they are not fully functional it is something that I don’t get.
It’s not about environment, it’s about lazyness.
I can understand if we are talking about small components that cannot be handled even with surgical tweezers, but with snap-in, through hole components, from my point of view is a non-sense.
I can even understand business side logics, where you spend less in entire replacing (machine made parts) than specific component replacing (man work hours for manual single part replacement).
But honestly I would pay a little more in order to not produce more than what is needed.
Refurbish would be a great thing, if the end user knows that the piece is refurbished and if will know that the new piece have a price and the refurbished another one.
Of course I could be a bit biased due to be an hardcore DIYer. 
Exactly.
Yes there are 2 PCBs and this is the upper one. It looks fairly simple to swap out. I feel much more confident doing this than soldering new encoders on. Good luck