Modding a Kontrol49? anyone?

[Monosylabik]

I've been playing around with the idea of modding my Kontrol49.

My main gripe with it is the clicky encoders. They just feel far too fragile and am wondering if there's any way to replace them with new non-clicky ones. I'm also thinking of replacing the knob and fader caps, but that should be easy, and maybe in the future do something more in depth.

Has anyone done some mods to one? Can the encoders change be done, and if so, what kind of new encoders would I need? Also, some other cool ideas would be appreciated a lot. That spare space to the right seems oh so appealing.

[dphouse84]

I have a microKontrol I've been thinking of modding myself. 
I couldnt agree with you more about the pans on the Kontrollers.  They feel cheap and very "clicky" as you said.  I am in the process of returning my Kontroller because the pots stopped working shortly after purchase.  This seems to be a regular occurrance with these devices.  I was pondering switching out the pans for a better knob.  I do like the quality of the faders though.  I am up for contributing to this project.  I eventually would like to chain this with my padkontrol.  (seen some sick videos of peole doing this)

- michael

[Kipp]

  When I first saw the CME Bitstrem I was all excited and was ready to order one, but then I discovered that my Novation X Station could handle most of Ableton's tasks. The X Station has a built-in 300 voice synthesizer, so it lends itself well to the mix. We can set the X Station to play an arppegiating pattern in sync with Ableton. There are nine sliders on the X Station and several assignable knobs and buttons as well. Plus its modulation/pitch bend controller or joystick works great for Ableton's built-in effects. I was picking a "scene" or line of clips and activating them with the X Station as well, until I figured out how to rig up a Logitech 3D PC gamers' joystick to cherry-pick your way through the 144 some odd clips on screen. So we literally "drive around" through the clips and when we stop on the ones we want to activate, we just pull the trigger and it starts right on the next "one" count. Brilliant! For a little bit of show value I purchased a set of four Percussa Audio Cubes from Bert in Belgium. He has no U.S. vendor for the cubes - YET. They are pretty cool devices and the kids asked a thousand questions about the things too.
  I've seen guys convert older querty style computer keyboards into Ableton controllers too. CME has recently come out with a couple of new keyboard controllers with little joysticks on them, but no faders! These new Korg controllers look kind of cool (except for the keyboard controller).