Blackmagic Design Spares - ATEM 1M/E Panel - Button Medium

The Blackmagic Design Spares – ATEM 1 M/E Panel – Button Medium refers to the specific size of clear, square button caps used primarily for the Input/Source selection rows and the large Cut/Auto transition buttons on the ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel.

These are the most high-traffic components on any control surface, designed to be hammered repeatedly during fast-paced live switching.

Key Features

• Tactile Precision: Designed to fit onto NKK-style high-performance switches that provide the "click" feedback professional Technical Directors rely on.

• Three-Piece Assembly: The "Medium" button typically consists of:

  1. The Clear Lens Cap: The outer protective plastic.

  2. The Film Label: The translucent insert with text (e.g., "CAM 1").

  3. The White Diffuser: Ensures the LED light is even and doesn't show a "hot spot" in the center.

• Dimensions: These are roughly 15mm x 15mm, distinguishing them from the smaller function buttons (12mm) and the extra-wide fader buttons.

When to Replace the Medium Button Caps

• Surface Friction: The "grip" on the top of the button has worn smooth or become "tacky," making it harder for your finger to stay centered during a rapid-fire sequence.

• Retainer Failure: The internal plastic "legs" that snap the cap onto the switch have become brittle and snapped, causing the button to fly off during a transition.

• Discoloration: Years of Red/Green LED heat have "baked" the plastic, giving it a yellow or brown tint that makes the label hard to read.

• Physical Cracks: The lens cap has developed "spider-web" cracks from excessive force or accidental impact during load-in/out.

Installation Guide

Repair Level: 1 (Very Simple).

1. Vertical Removal: Use a dedicated plastic NKK cap puller (or very carefully use your fingernails). Pull the button straight up. Do not tilt or pry from the side, as this can bend the metal shaft of the internal switch.

2. Label Transfer: If your new spare is blank, use tweezers to move the film label and the white diffuser from the old cap to the new one. Ensure the label is oriented correctly (it’s easy to put them in upside down!).

3. Seating: Align the cross-shaped post on the bottom of the cap with the switch plunger. Press down until it clicks.

4. Alignment Check: After seating, tap the button a few times. If it feels "crunchy" or slow to return, the cap might be rubbing against the aluminum faceplate. Re-seat it to center it.

Diagnostic: Cap vs. Module

• Replace the Cap if: The plastic is broken or ugly, but the button still triggers a "Cut" on the screen every time you press it.

• Replace the 10-Input Module if: The cap is perfect, but you have to press the button multiple times—or hit it extra hard—to get the switcher to respond.

Pro-Tip: Customizing Your Panel

Since the Medium buttons use removable lenses, you aren't limited to the factory labels. Many professional studios use Laser Transparency Film to print custom labels (e.g., "DRONE 1," "SLO-MO," or "ZOOM"). If you do this, make sure to use the white diffuser plate behind your custom film, or the LED light will be blindingly bright and uneven.

Are you looking for the blank replacement caps, or do you need a specific set of pre-printed labels (like 1–10) to go with them?