Aries Archive [sdiy] how to build a cv keyboard

[Scott Stites]

Hi Cynthia,

> Aries used to manufacture a fine 5-octave keyboard with 
> analog Control Voltage circuitry known as the AR-313 
> Keyboard Interface.
> 
> The design is similar to the later generation on ARP 2600 
> keyboards due to the fact that the design is Duophonic, 
> meaning that it will actually play two voices instead of just one 
> (monophonic).   For the record a full keyboard such as a 
> traditional acoustic piano - is known as "Polyphonic" because 
> all keys can be played, (well at least eight or ten finger's worth 
> is generally considered Polyphonic anyway)!
> John Loffink is very kind to host an Aries Circuit Archive at

Thanks for that information!  I'll have to see if I can grab the parts for this -
it may make a better keyboard for my big deluxe keyboard that I plan to build
after this little keyboard I've built.  Duophonic!  I've drooled over the
synthesizers.com controller for a while - I like the duophonic as well as the
split keyboard capability.
> 
> Some of us would rather use the analog cicuitry found in the 
> Aries type - true Control Voltage  keyboards, than the newer  
> midi to control voltage converters mainly available today.  The 
> way the keyboards feel and play are completely different.

I've heard this observation before.  Having never played a MIDI keyboard, I don't
really know what it means.  What is different between the two?  My keyboard has
low-note priority, for instance - is it related to note priority?
 
> 
> If I could have my cake and eat it too, I'd love to have one of  the 
> newer acoustic piano emulating actions with actual weighted 
> (wooden) keys - attached to true analog CV circuitry... But that 
> is not likely to ever happen!  

I just may have my cake and eat it too!  The keyboard manual that I have was
purchased here:

http://home.eol.ca/%7Ejeffry/satkbd.htm

It's a really nice keyboard, but it's just that - a raw keyboard, so it's going
to take a lot of work (cabinet, contacts, circuitry).  That's why I've taken the
intermediate step of building the little 37 note keyboard.  The nice thing is, I
can make it a weighted keyboard rather than using springs.  Along with the notes
on the keyboard, it was mentioned that I could use fishing weights on the back of
each key to weight them.  It only cost $40.00 - but......shipping from Canada was
$68 (gasp).

You always seem to have just the answer I'm looking for......

Thanks,
Scott

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