Solving the ROLI Songmaker Kit and Blocks Power Issue
We recently acquired a Songmaker Kit, and decided to integrate it into the studio. We have also noticed that the power on the Songmaker kit pieces (Keyboard, Lightpad M, and Loop Block) all had less than 10% battery power. Included are the blocks, a case, and 2 USB C to USB Type A cables.
The Keyboard charges with a USB C to USB A cable, and we connected it to a 5V/2.4A charger. It started to charge happily…Took over 4 hours to charge to 100%. The Lightpad and the Loop Blocks need to be connected, and the USB C to USB A cable is connected on the Lightpad to charge both. We also used a 5V/2.4A charger (separate from the one used on the Keyboard) to charge the Lightpad and Loop Blocks.
However, the Lightpad and Loop Blocks’ battery looked like they are charging in the Dashboard app, but it kept dropping in power from 3% down to 0%. Of course, we tested the charger used on the Lightpad onto the Keyboard, and it kept charging. So we know it is not the charger. We know it wasn’t the cable, because the Dashboard app showed that it was attempting to charge. But it wasn’t. We looked at documentation on the ROLI site to no luck in resolving this issue. We opened a support case with ROLI. They responded the next day, but we solved it before they replied. Great customer support, ROLI!
We scoured the web and many people seems to be having issues with power (charging) and ROLI Blocks in general. So we investigated further. We did the following:
- Make sure that the power is turned off on the Lightpad and Loop Blocks.
- Make sure that the cable is in fact connected correctly and showing that it is attempting to charge.
- Switched to different power cables and power charger blocks (5V/2.4A) and ended up with the same issue.
Was it the Lightpad and Loop Blocks that were at fault? The answer was no. Here is what we found out.
You need 3A to charge both the Lightpad and Loop Blocks simultaneously!
How do we get a USB C to USB A cable to connect to a charger that can support 5V/3A?
There was no real solution to that. So we decided to try something interesting. The Lightpad and the Keyboard both has a USB C jack to connect to the computer and to power chargers. Why not try a USB C to USB C cable to a USB C charger that supports 5V/3A to charge the two units together? Alas, the units charge flawlessly in about 4-5 hours.
SOLUTION: To solve this problem, go pick up a USB C charger (5V/3A) and a USB C to USB C cable, or use a MacBookPro (recent) with USB C charger and charge your Lightpad and Loop blocks. Nintendo USB C charger worked too.
We hope this will be of help to avoid frustrations when you pickup a ROLI Songmaker Kit or Blocks.
Cheers!