[sdiy] Synth Keybards and Number of Keys

[Tim Parkhurst]

On 1 Mar 2007 00:43:43 -0500, R. D. Davis <rdd at rddavis.org> wrote:
snip

> with.  Given that synths could use far more keys, to divide the keys
> up into regions of different sounds, and, or, a truly usable range of
> frequencies, on two or three levels of keyboards (manuals?), plus
> pedals, why do 88-key keyboards, seem to be somewhat of a rarity, and
> organ-style keyboards almost unheard of?


One word: cost.

Also, remember that (especially in the early mono-synth only days)
synths were often relegated to secondary duty. The primary instrument
would be a piano or something similar, while the synth was used for
leads or bass or maybe just sound effects. Something like a Mini was a
bunch of money back in the day (still is, actually), and so using a
short keyboard also helped keep prices down. Although synths have gone
far beyond their origins, a lot of those early 'traditions' still
stick with us.

Okay, so that's a lot more than one word. Never said I could count. ;-)


Tim (still sticking with us) Servo
-- 
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein