We had several responses to our recent Tech Tip on Continuous Controller problems (TTOTD 9/8/98). A few readers felt that we jumped to (what did turn out to be the correct) conclusion too quickly. This was actually due to the fact that a component of the original question was removed in editing. Nevertheless some of the comments and tips we received were relevant and could be useful.
“It could also be that one (or more) of the springs which re-center the pitch-bend controller is (are) stretched, damaged, and/or otherwise not functioning? All the Cramolin in the world wouldn’t fix a problem such as that.”
“The problem may also result from some purely mechanical source. A relatively consistent mispositioning of the pitch wheel is likely due to some mechanical misalignment (perhaps the pot has rotated slightly, the spring returns are screwed up, damage to the mechanism).
I’d ask if the wheel is always -13 cents if the wheel is released both from the top and the bottom of travel. If the offset changes depending on the release direction of the wheel, the problem is probably pot drag [Ed. – for which Blue Shower is a good remedy]. If the offset is the same regardless of release direction, the problem is much less likely to be the pot.”