[sdiy] Matrix keyboard idea

[harry]

Sounds cool.  So the idea is to have MIDI in (the sequence) then reveal
notes using switches for each key on the keyboard. The tricky part is in the
middle...

The easy way for (someone ELSE) to do this is via software. Write a program that

reads the switches, compares the midi sequence, and converts it back to midi.

My take (I'm hardware..) would be to co Midi to CV convert, then build a special

quantizer, with an extra "bit" that would be a controllable GATE output.  So
lets
say 64 notes come in (thats 6 bits)...  You convert the same 6 bit number that
corresponds to note, into a 1 of 64 output decoder, and 64 switches. You enable
the
gate to the synth via switches that are closed.  You could control two synths
this way with a second bank of switches...

I'd have to give lots of thought to the matrix deal, I don't think it would help
much.
The hardware would get very complex to control all the switches. Maybe no
benefit.

H^) harry

steve jones wrote:

> Hi,
> On Scott Rider's page:
>
> http://www.mcs.com/~syzygy/webdoc/mpx61.html
>
> he describes his design (from 1985) for providing MIDI in for any MATRIX
> keyboard. Has anyone worked on this idea since then?
>
> (A bit of background before I put my foot in it: I have little knowhow or
> equipment for electronics - let alone micro-electronics - my subscription to
> this list is to keep up to date with the custom made PCBs and kits available
> out there and the options for modifying the synths I have.)
>
> About five years ago (before I found this design) I was looking at matrix
> based keyboards - ie. the "cheap 'n' nasty" end of 80's analogue - Jen, Siel
> etc, usually with 3 octave keyboards, trying to think of an alternative to
> sampling them or using a midi retrofit - which often involved replacing the
> DCO(?). I wanted to sequence with them via MIDI and concluded that although
> a huge 'hand' of MIDI controlled pistons or solenoids would look superb
> hovering over the keys and banging away at my basslines, a better solution
> would be to electronically close the switches beneath the keyboard - (little
> spring touches rail).
>
> This train of thought brought up a few interesting and, correct me please,
> previously un-realised possibilities for live hands-on sequencing / sequence
> manipulation. Consider this: if each note
> on the synth is 'keyed' individually by a switch or relay (whatever) then
> this gives the possibility to switch off individual notes and stop them
> responding to the sequencers output. I pictured toggle switches, one for
> each key; A preprogrammed complex sequence could then be revealed one note
> at a time for that Minimalist development thing / trance acid techno thing
> (whatever) - the key element being *live hands-on control and performance*.
> I have always preferred an 'organic' jamming approach, instead of making
> decisions in advance - surely this enjoyment is key to the knobs and faders
> world of analogue or we'd all be using presets.
>
> To take this further: if this was doubled up (3x 4x...?) for a second matrix
> synth, ie. they fed from the same sequence but had their own sets of toggle
> switches, the 2 synths could *interact* - think of the possibilities for
> portamento, release, doubling, octave splitting, polyphony etc. ALL ON THE
> FLY. Set a looped midi sequence going - monophonic or polyphonic - and you'd
> have development and metamorphosis at your fingertips. Perhaps start with a
> random sequence and then home in on the interesting bits. Not only would you
> have control of the synthesis and the sequencer, but also how the synth
> listened to the sequencer. Yes, thats right, MORE switches! I'll stop there.
>
> Any help to make something like this would be welcome. These ideas could be
> the basis for a 'new' type of instrument if the reality lives up to my
> imagination: The Switched Matrix Seq-O-Tweaker. Yeah well us newbies gotta
> dream....
>
> Regards,
> Steve Jones,
> Manchester, UK.
>
> Q: How do you make a statue of a dinosaur?
> A: You start with a big lump of rock and chip away all the bits that don't
> look like a dinosaur.
> _________________________________________________________________
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