Keyboard Mechanical Design

[Charlie T]

Duncan,

My initial reaction would be that you probably could, but I doubt that it
would be cost effective.  If you mean building it as a MIDI controller and
NOT worrying about controlling CV modules, be aware that you can pick up a
used MIDI keyboard for under $100 almost anywhere (some with velocity
sensitivity, almost all with a wheel or joystick or pedal inputs).  And
you'll also be adding a sound source to your system.

Re the feasibility of the design, I should defer.  There are many, many
more qualified members of this mailing list (I'm not an engineer, but a
musician) that can probably give you a more accurate answer.

Charlie T
Really Live Music
charliet at flash.net
Visit our web site   http://www.flash.net/~charliet

----------
> From: DuncanK at kochind.com
> To: charliet at flash.net; synth-diy at horus.sara.nl
> Subject: Re: Keyboard Mechanical Design
> Date: Monday, August 25, 1997 4:10 PM
> 
> Okay - different question, related topic...
> 
> I have an old Paia digital keyboard (the kind with the DB-25
> connector)...  Is there an easy way to yank out the old CMOS circuitry,
> and build something quick and easy to turn the thing into a cheap and
> simple MIDI controller?
>  ----------
> From: Charlie T
> To: Mike Nichols; synth-diy at horus.sara.nl
> Subject: Re: Keyboard Mechanical Design
> Date: Monday, August 25, 1997 3:31PM
> 
> Mike,
> 
> You might consider buying a MIDI keyboard (you can get a used low-end
> one
> for next to nothing, or pop some money, and get one with velocity &
> aftertouch sensitivity, modulation controls, etc.) and either design or
> buy
> a MIDI - to - CV converter.  PAiA, among others, offers a kit for MIDI -
> to
>  - CV.
> 
> I'm building my own system, and doing it this way because:
> 
> 1.  I already own MIDI keyboards
> 2.  CV keyboards, in my experience, don't offer the options MIDI
> keyboards
> do
> 3.  By using a MIDI  / CV converter, you can also use your modules with
> alternate MIDI controllers, MIDI hardware/software, etc.  For instance,
> my
> modules will be controllable by ANY of my MIDI keyboards, my computer
> running music software, MIDI drum pads, and my Zendrum (alternate MIDI
> controller).
> 
> I feel that this a much more versatile design than locking yourself into
> one keyboard.  I'm sure you will get many different opinions about this
> approach, but there's my two cents worth!!
> 
> Best of luck,
> Charlie T
> Really Live Music
> charliet at flash.net
> Visit our web site   http://www.flash.net/~charliet
> 
>  ----------
> > From: Mike Nichols <mrn8395 at unix.tamu.edu>
> > To: synth-diy at horus.sara.nl
> > Subject: Keyboard Mechanical Design
> > Date: Monday, August 25, 1997 2:04 AM
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I am a musician/EE graduate interested in developing my own
> synthesizer
> > equipment.  I've been reading up on analog and digital synthesis, and
> I
> > have no problem envisioning the electronic aspect of building my own
> > keyboard, but I'm at a loss as to what to do about the physical
> keyboard
> > (i.e., the keys) itself.  Can you buy a mechanical keyboard, like you
> can
> > with computer keyboards or touch tone telephone keypads?  If so, who
> > would carry these?  If not, then how do people generally build them
> (what
> 
> > kind of switches should be used, what mechanical parts are necessary,
> what
> > materials should be used, etc...)
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > Mike Nichols
> > mrn8395 at unix.tamu.edu
> >