Z2 Crossfader problem fix. So Happy, like new, wih photos and step by step :)

So so happy.

As an experienced and qualified electronics tech, i've worked on stuff much more complicated than the Z2. As I have been fed up with the lack of service help and responses from NI, and the amount of peeps having the same issues...I have been for a long time on the verge of going over to Serato / Rane.

Im a scratch DJ so love to work on routines and put the faders through their paces. As my warranty is out of date, and im looking at new mixers, I thought 'what have I to lose?' after about 3seconds thinkin, NADA was the answer. I opened up my Z2 and got to work on what turned out to be a very easy clean / maintenance of the Xfader, which resulted in a 'like new' feel. Below is a step by step with photos. I am not responsible for the outcome of anyone elses mixer after this. It worked for me. Hope it does for you

Step 1:
Cancel that online order of the new Ino-Fader if u dont really need it, then open up the Z2 (guides available online) to where you can see the top fader mount srews. See Pic 1

Step 2:
Lift the fader out, disconnect the cable plug, remove the fader and place on a clean, free from crap surface that is easy to work on. See Pic 2

Step 3:
Carefully bend out the black feet that are keeping the circuit board attached to the fader black frame. Bend out just enough to lift open the fader, do not break off the one attached with solder. If this does happen, dont stress, just re solder after the clean. Be careful not to lose the tiny spring mounted to the fader rail end. Now lift out the slider rail and admire all the **** that has caused it not to work. See Pic 3

Step 4:
Carefully clean, wipe down all of the dust and dirt that has built up and stuck to the fader rail and contact lubricant. Once clean and free, take some very VERY fine glass/sand/abrasive paper and clean the electrical contacts on the base of the fader rail and moving block. You can see in this pic how much dirt was on it and that this was causing the audio to leak through when the fader is closed. The rubber rings on each end of the fader rail were covered in dirt, which also resulted in a 3mm-5mm very bad cut off point. Clean out the fader housing when done and lightly oil the areas that are moving parts. Bare in mind, only a tiny bit is needed for smooth function. Here u can see all the dirt removed. See Pic 4 and 5

Step 5:
Once cleaned, take care and attention to really make sure the flat base of the moving fader part is clean and free. Once this has been done, reassemble what you have undone, and calibrated the fader using the options inside the Traktor preferences menu.

Look how clean this is, and now no sound leaks through
See Pic 6 and 7
Its good enough for my scratching techniques, so I assume its good enough for general mixing. It feels like new again. I will stick with it and see how long it stays this way before considering a change to Serato / Rane. I hope it works for you.

I used oil, ear buds, a small cross head screw driver and very fine abrasive paper. Time taken was about 15-20mins.
Please not I hold no responsibility for you end result, also please disconnect power from mixer while doing this.

Let me know how u do

 

@Electric~shaQ first off thank you. Not many people take the time out to do things like this. One thing is very apparent from your post is that the Mini Innofader needs an easier way to clean it.

 

THX for sharing this, solved my problem with one channel fader!

 

thanks men solved my problem with crossfader

 

No problem, all and anything to help. NI service and help is so so bad. Thanks again

 

Cool, happy it worked whether temporary or longer

 

This is a great Tutorial , We need more guides like this , Thanks so much as NI are terrible ( Like Reloop , ) at giving support ,

 

Goldini, wich problem you had with the linefader? maybe lik this: let me know, please

 

Electric~shaQ Thanks for the how-to write up! My crossfader wasn't accurately tracking anymore. It was just unusable. I used your post to clean my crossfader and now it's all G. My fader base/contact area was dirty! And corroded too. So cleaning it and lightly sanding it to remove the corrosion did the trick.

Yes NI's support is disappointing. My mixer is out of warranty and all they offered was the URL to Innofader's website to buy replacements. At least create an official guide on how to service the faders (of course with the obligatory, try at your own risk disclaimers, etc.). I have a much older Pioneer DJM-707 that still works fine, so you would think that a quality company like NI with a great product like the Z2 would last longer than it did. Good thing your how-to brought my mixer back to life.

daemarq My line faders are mildly exhibiting the same behavior as in that video. I plan on cleaning them like I did my crossfader, and I am confident that it will resolve the issue.

 

Thanks a bunch for this. I was dreading this undertaking but you made it sound easy, which it really is. One thing bothered me: that one solder point. I couldn't close the fader casing after cleaning without breaking it, I'm afraid. Any thought on why it's there?

 

That was an awesome contribution.

Hey NI, that's really a good idea.

 

hi
first of all a great thanks for you tutorial and job ,you did pretty well !!

so it's makes a long time since i wanna to make my upfaders more soft for scratch tricks so i decide today to try to open them
i make 2 mistakes (and now i don't want to turn on my kontrol z2 till i don't have some answers and lose perhaps lose my mixer)

1) when you say :
"Be careful not to lose the tiny spring mounted to the fader rail end."
directly it jump out when i open my upfader ...what is this piece for exactly ? cbeause i keep it but did i need to fix it inevitably ??

2) when you write :
"do not break off the one attached with solder. If this does happen, dont stress, just re solder after the clean." of course i break it ^^ the black feet has you say is connected to the printed circuit board under (for calibrate the upfader with traktor ?) or just to maintain the black feeet and the printed circuit under ??
for this mistake i'm not too worried i'll re sold it tommorow


all apologies for my so bad english dude ^^

i hope you will answer me.
peace Talkin' Fingaz tha turntablist

 

Just fixed mine as I was reading the post my faders started acting up so I followed the steps and they are fixed Make sure the tabs ARE TIGHT or else they will be dragging in the traktor program.

 

Is there a video of that procedure available and any long term experience afterwards?