The Blackmagic Design Spares - ATEM Panel - Knob Set is a complete replacement kit for the rotary "soft knobs" located on the System Control (LCD) section of the ATEM 1 M/E, 2 M/E, and 4 M/E Advanced Panels.
These knobs are the primary tactile interface for navigating menus, adjusting chroma key parameters, and fine-tuning DVE positions. Because they are frequently used and rely on a friction-fit design, they can eventually wear out or become lost during transit.
What’s Included in the Set
A standard set typically includes the various types of knobs found on the panel surface:
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Menu Navigation Knobs: The larger, weighted knobs used to scroll through high-level menu pages.
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Parameter Knobs: The smaller row of 3 or 4 knobs located directly under the LCD screen for adjusting specific values.
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Internal Friction Sleeves: The internal plastic structure designed to grip the metal D-shaft of the electronic encoder.
When to Replace the Knob Set
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"Slippage": You turn the plastic knob, but the metal shaft underneath doesn't move, or the knob feels like it is "spinning" without resistance.
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Worn Texture: The rubberized or textured grip has become "sticky" (common with older plastics) or has smoothed out, making precision adjustments difficult during a live show.
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Cosmetic Damage: The indicator lines are worn off, or the knobs are scuffed, which can look unprofessional in a high-end control room or mobile unit.
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Missing Parts: Knobs that have "popped off" and been lost while the panel was in a flight case or being moved between studios.
Installation Guide
Repair Level: 1 (Very Simple).
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Removal: The knobs are friction-fit. To remove an old knob, pull it straight up and away from the panel.
Caution: Do not use metal pliers or screwdrivers to pry the knob, as you will scratch the aluminum faceplate. If a knob is stubborn, loop a piece of string or a shoelace under the base and pull up evenly.
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Alignment: Look at the metal shaft on the panel; it is a "D-shaft" (flat on one side). Align the flat part of the internal hole in the new knob with the flat side of the shaft.
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Seating: Press the knob down firmly until it sits at the same height as the others. Ensure there is a small gap (about 1mm) between the bottom of the knob and the panel surface so it doesn't rub.
Diagnostic: Knob vs. Encoder
It is important to determine if you need the plastic knob set or the internal electronic encoder:
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Replace the Knob if: The plastic is cracked, slipping, or missing, but turning the shaft with your fingers still changes the values on the screen.
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Replace the Encoder/PCB if: The knob is physically fine, but the values on the screen "jump" (e.g., you turn right and the value goes down) or do not change at all.
Pro-Tip: Cleaning "Sticky" Knobs
If your knobs have developed a "sticky" or "tacky" feeling (a common breakdown of soft-touch coatings over time), you can often restore them without buying a new set. Rub the knobs with a cloth dampened with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. This will remove the degraded coating, leaving the smooth hard plastic underneath.
Are you replacing these because they are physically missing, or is the menu on your screen not responding correctly when you turn them?
