Taiko controller issues

Deca · 01-12-2009, 12:56 PM

well a friend of mine was kind enough to give me his taiko controller, but when it arrived i noticed that it doesn't really work.

I have to hit it very hard for it to register anywhere, and even then it isn't reliable. It's the 2nd version, from Taiko Drum Master. Is there anything I can do to get it working again? :/

nolan · 01-12-2009, 11:37 PM

well, luckily its the 2nd gen controller! just open it up and adjust the sensors and test it out again! 2nd gen controllers are much easier to fix than the later versions =)

*MechaGai* · 01-13-2009, 08:29 AM

Yep. Just open it and see if the center sensors are clean and kinda flat. Also check to see if the corner sensors are peeling or moving out of allignment. Just use Gorilla Glue and you'll be set.

Deca · 01-13-2009, 02:00 PM

Anything I need to be aware of when I'm opening it up? I was afraid to force the screws holding the drum head to the sensors since it looked like the might actually be glued in place or something.

*MechaGai* · 01-15-2009, 09:08 AM

Just know that when you take it apart, you're only unscrewing the back part of the drum. The sensors are also attached to the bottom part via conduct ribbons, so be sure to open it clamshell style from the top of the drum.

The sensors are under the rubber face, and that is just attached to the other part by rubber pegs, which are a part of the drum face itself. Just pull out holding the peg, and it should come off. To replace the pegs, just stretch it a bit over the hole, and it should snap on back. Also know that the rubber face doesn't come completely off at the bottom unless you screw the pcb off, but that isn't necessary if you're just fixing and cleaning the sensors themselves.

It's KINDA tricky, but that's really all you need to know. Go slow, take your time, and everything should be fine with the controller. If it still doesn't work, then that just means that the contact mesh for the face of the drum is REALLY beaten into, so barring stretching the mesh somehow, it's useless.

Deca · 01-15-2009, 10:22 PM

Alright, I'll grab it next time I'm by my parents place and have another go at it. I'm assuming it'll be pretty obvious what's wrong once I get it open.

Thankyou very much for your help!

Deca · 01-20-2009, 10:48 PM

Well, I got it opened up and took a look at the sensors...and nothing seemed to be wrong with them at all. Everything is flat and secure and clean, but i still have to hit it ridiculously hard for even a 25% chance of it registering :/

Guessing this means it's a problem with the head and I'm just out of luck