There are a couple of issues with the first shipment of AirFX. I’d like to take a moment to explain them and tell you what we have done so far, and what we plan to do for future production runs.
There are two situations in which AirFX can become "locked up": a failed encoder and static electricity. It is very easy to know which is the cause. If the unit does not recover after a "power cycle" (unplugging and re-plugging the power cord), it is likely to be a failed encoder. If a unit resumes normal activity after a power cycle, the failure was caused by a static discharge by the user. This last part is very important. AirFX is not causing the static discharge. Static is built up in the person reaching out and touching the unit. If a dealer says, "Hey this thing shocked me", please correct him or her.The same unit in a different location or with a different person may not exhibit this at all.
Now, what are we (Alesis) doing about it??
- Encoder
This month’s (November’s) shipment will have encoder knobs with an improved fit over the first shipment’s. Unfortunately, the first batch was a little small, so in some cases, the insertion force needed in assembly to put the knob on the encoder shaft exceeded the maximum force the encoder was able to withstand, which resulted in potential failure.
- Static Electricity
One of the members of Tech Support said he hated closing the store when he worked at a dealer because every one of the keyboards he turned off "shocked" him. Although we cannot change nature and physics, we can change the way AirFX responds to them! November’s shipment will have improved insulation under the emitters so that the microprocessor is better isolated from the static charge. We will test this change before they go out the door. Further, our Engineering Department is working on ways to further reduce the effects of ESD (Electrostatic Discharge), such as improving the isolation from the microprocessor and the audio outputs.

If you have any questions about this at all, please do not hesitate to call me at 310-255-3482 or email me at mnicoletti@alesis.com