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Question About MODX Cleaning - Screen in Particular

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Bassam
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Hello,

May I get an advice from someone on how to best clean the MODX Screen?

I live in a dusty place! Lots of construction around. The MODX is very close below the ceiling vent. I travel a lot, so dust accumulates, although I keep the MODX covered with a keyboard cover. So cleaning is really very important here!

According to the Manual:

Clean only with dry cloth

When cleaning the instrument, use a soft and dry/slightly
damp cloth. Do not use paint thinners, solvents, alcohol,
cleaning fluids, or chemical-impregnated wiping cloths.

I do not fear cleaning the panel/keyboard with a damp cloth or a bit of compressed air (electric, not cans), but I do fear putting any humidity on the non-glass material of the screen. Suggestions?

 
Posted : 18/03/2022 7:35 pm
Bassam
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks Bill for the quick reply!

First, STOP using compressed air. It will either blow particles into the instrument through any small crevices that may exist or blow it into the air where it will eventually settle down somewhere.

Good point! Thanks! I do take care when using compressed air especially after I blew a cable once in my PC tower lol! I had to use compressed air when I first got the MODX because it was a floor model, and was pretty dusty in the store (I didn't want to buy it first, but there was none in stock and new order don't ship until May!). I will take the advice and stop using compressed air.

Next I suggest you always have an anti-static strip connected to your instrument and to ground. Metal and plastic are highly susceptible to static electricity and static electricity attracts dust.

Never heard of those! I just did a google search but didn't get how I would use it with the keyboard. Can you please share a photo or link?

I clean the screen the same way, and with the same materials, I clean my glasses. Soft lens cleaning sheets and lens cleaning fluid. My local Yamaha service center said that is a safe way to do it.

Any idea if water is fine? i.e. slightly damp cloth as the manual is suggesting?

 
Posted : 18/03/2022 8:04 pm
Bassam
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

First - let's make sure there is no misunderstanding. Static electricity on a keyboard is NOT a major problem but, in dirty environments, can result in larger than normal accumulations of dust on them.

The most common need for antistatic devices is when working on electronics - such as working inside the case of your computer. If static electricity has built up on YOU (e.g. walking/shuffling across a carpet) and you so much as touch the CPU or a memory chip you can destroy the chip when the static electricity discharges/jumps from you to the chip.

The 'solution' is to always be grounded - just as if you had a wire connecting you to the ground.

For a keyboard it means to make sure the case of the keyboard is grounded. You can either run a ground wire or use a grounding strip.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antistatic_device

Let me repeat - for keyboards such strips are generally unnecessary. But if you notice that your keyboard is collecting a large amount of dust (particularly noticeable on the rubber/plastic knobs) then you might want to consider using a strip.

Now I totally get the point! I wasn't aware that such devices exist! But I am aware of the the static issue near electronics. I am used to "manually" discharge myself using a grounded metal (basically anything) before working with electronics, even before using them (PC, keyboard, phone, anything), especially in winter, and especially after taking off my coat. Just to share something about this issue, not so long ago, I returned home, was adjusting the heater temp, and my body discharged into the thermostat, and its screen went black for few seconds... Since then I do take extra care before touching any other device. But yeah, I do not think I'll need such a device when playing the MODX.

To add, my MODX do not attract dust electrically, but the appartment do have flying dust here and there, so cleaning only is needed.

If water gets far enough where it makes contact with any electronic components that is where the trouble begins.

A 'slightly damp' and, importantly, 'dust free' cloth can be used safely.

Got it! Also extra cautious in this regard, fo me slightly damp = slightly wet my hands, slightly dry them, then transfer this dampness to the cloth I'm using. It is just the screen that I fear to break even with slight dampness.

Lint free cloth

I guess that's what I need for the screen. As I said, I keep my keyboard covered, so won't be a crazy amount to clean if I do it regurarly. I will check a PC/Music store before calling Yamaha (I'm not that picky lol).

Thanks again Bill for the help.

 
Posted : 19/03/2022 3:10 am
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