[sdiy] Synth Keybards and Number of Keys

[Edward King]

> Perhaps I can summarise the responses so far:
>
> 1) Cost. 88 note wooden piano keyboards aren't cheap. Neither are two 61
> note waterfall organ keyboards.

Commercially you may be right, but since this is a DIY list I think its fair
to point out that 88 Note custom wooden keyboards are much, much cheaper to
design and build than custom plastic ones and custom built wooden keyboards
are even cheaper to design and build than commercially available 61 note
ones.


>
> 2) Technology. If you're playing a monosynth, why do you need room for two
> hands? Even with a 5 or 8 note polysynth, 5 octaves is enough space to
> thoroughly run out of notes. With increasing polyphony, larger keyboards
> have returned (Clavia C1 combo organ, for example)
>
> 3) Demand. Who wants to lug a piano to the gig? My Fatar 88 note weighted
> master keyboard requires a forklift truck to move it. Many people
> appreciate a lighter instrument, even with a longer keyboard (Clavia
> Electro 73).
>

I think there is demand for 88 key machines (enough are sold to support
that), but I really think that the manufacturers could make life a little
easier on those of us who DO think they're worth the hassle. Of course, Im
as guilty as them, having just built something which will take a forklift to
transport...and Im still suffering a sprained wrist from lifting it by the
way.....

As regards who wants to take a piano to a gig...I do. And a fair number of
other people still do. Fact is, its better to have it and not use it than to
need it and not have it. I guess it just comes down to what your set, your
sound and your style are....oh, and whether or not you have a beaten up old
bedford van hanging around somewhere!

There just is no "one size fits all" because as long as there are people who
want to hammer out "bat out of hell" on a stage piano (the korg sp500 is
amazingly tough!) there will be a need for 88 key machines and sprained
wrists and hired vans and bad backs etc from transporting them and less
studio space etc etc....

>
>
>
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