[sdiy] Reed Switch and Magnet Keyboard

[Scott Stites]

Hi Ray, Jim, List,

The reed switch idea actually hasn't gotten implemented.  IIRC, it was at the
time Harry gave the excellent tip about the 800 mA Power One's at MPJA, I saw
they had little round button magnets and reed switches, and I was mulling it
over.  I got sidetracked and never ordered any.  The reed switches are there, but
the little round magnets don't seem to be there any more (though there are some
smaller rectangular 'catch' type magnets for 30 cents apiece there that might
work):

http://www.mpja.com/

I'm sure I've seen the little round magnets at surplus houses as well.  

I recall having a bit of concern that adjacent magnets might trigger adjacent
switches, also.  In the time since, though, I either dreamed I read or actually
read of at least one commercial design that used reed switches for a musical
keyboard.  

Anyone on the list having more information on this subject, please let us know!

Cheers,
Scott



On Wed, 10 Dec 2003 09:40:59 -0500, "Tim Johnson" wrote:

> 
> Hi Ray,
> I like the idea. Where can I get the switches.
> (I scrapped a LOT of defective optical pickups when I worked at SONY and 
> have 5mmx5mmx2mm  magnets but no switches.
> 
> Jim
> 
> >From: "Ray Wilson" <raywilson at comcast.net>
> >To: "Scott Stites" <scottnoanh at peoplepc.com>
> >CC: "Synth-Diy" <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
> >Subject: [sdiy] Reed Switch and Magnet Keyboard
> >Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 06:11:17 -0700
> >
> >Hi Scott (and list)
> >
> >You mentioned that you had made a keyboard using reed switches and magnets.
> >I want to outfit a set of piano keys in this manner and am interested to
> >know how you kept adjacent key switches from being activated together. I
> >have a source for some nice inexpensive reed switches and magnets of 
> >various
> >sizes and would appreciate your suggestions (and anyone elses who wants to
> >chime in).
> >
> >Thanks
> >
> 
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