Discovered new PEK flaw

The other day I was making a nice pad on my PEK and discovered an unfortunate flaw: you can't pan individual oscillators. Why is this a flaw? It diminishes the capability of mixing the analog & digital oscillators if you want to maintain a stereo sound.

I had the analog oscillators in a nice lush detuned-stereo spread, and set up oscillator 4 to FM oscillator 3. But since the output was fully panned L-R, FM'd oscillator 3 was stuck over on the left. I ended up having to output it in mono and use a delay plugin to make the sound stereo.

This joins my other major gripe about it, the fact that you can't use the sequencer to modulate anything without it also triggering notes.

But I still like it anyway.

And while I'm complaining, I might as well mention that the frequency cutoff encoder is going wonky. Do encoders get dirty like pots? The value kind of jumps up and down when I try to adjust it.

It sounds like your encoder has a bit of oxidation. there's a product called Deoxit that works to treat them. it's a solvent that restores the conductivity of the encoder. i'm waiting for some to arrive in the mail as we speak.

supposedly when treated they should work like new again.

I discovered that about the FM, too. It had me going around in circles when I was trying to pick apart one of the factory presets... "where is that tone coming from...???" I think there was something similarly wonky about the ring mod, too, but I don't recall exactly now.

I just used Deoxit on my MEK. Everything is smooth as butter. I wish I'd done this sooner, but I'm curious how long it will take until they become oxidized again. Also, I wouldn't really consider that a flaw. Sounds more like a "I wish it had...."

Ok, maybe it's time for me to use some too. Where did you guys buy yours (deoxit)?

I think I'm going to email Dave tomorrow and ask for some deoxit. It's free from them right? Do they give you a big enough amount to deoxidize all the encoders?

They do not provide it free (at least not when I ordered it). It is not very expensive for a bottle that will easily cover several cleanings. I have some, but have not gotten around to popping open the PEK and doing the cleaning.