[sdiy] Alphasyntauri midi

[Brian Willoughby]

According to alphaSyntauri.com, the Alpha Syntauri consists of a) Apple II+ or //e with floppy, b) Mountain Computer Music System, c) Alpha Syntauri Keyboard Interface Card.

The question is whether the interface card expects to scan a typical keyboard switch matrix, or if there's some intelligence in the keyboard itself. I'm going to assume (since I haven't found schematics) that the intelligence is on the ASKIC.

You have a couple of choices:

A) Replace the keyboard with a nicer one, and rewire a connector to plug in to the ASKIC.

B) Develop a custom PCB that takes MIDI input and is programmed to close the switches on the switch matrix to fool the ASKIC into thinking you're playing the local keyboard manually.


As for software emulation on another computer, I wonder how much of the Alpha Syntauri analog circuitry affects the sound. If it's not too complex, I'm sure the analog section can be emulated, too.

Brian


On Oct 12, 2021, at 07:56, Peter Pearson wrote:
> I think it depends which of the 2 keyboard versions you have.  At least one of them was a Pratt Read keybed.  If yours is, you could consider rebushing it, cleaning the key contacts, and seeing how happy you are with it.  If not, maybe keep an eye out on the auction sites and try to purchase a replacement for your current one.
> 
> I don't think there's much of anything going on in the alpha syntauri keyboard itself (basically a lot of switches and a cable to the computer), so it doesn't really make much sense to try to send MIDI to the keyboard.  It would probably make more sense to throw out the keyboard and create a new custom interface card to put MIDI straight into the computer.  That's a different kettle of fish.  Someone on here that's better at computers than me would have more insight into how to do it.  Seems like a lot of effort for a debatable amount of reward.
> 
> On Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 4:05 AM francesco mulassano via Synth-diy <synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
>> Mike, he told me that the syntauri keyboard is not the best
>> i think he would control the synthauri with external midi key or equipment 
>> 
>> Il giorno mar 12 ott 2021 alle ore 01:12 Mike Bryant <mbryant at futurehorizons.com> ha scritto:
>> Is he trying to use the keyboard to drive other MIDI instruments, or other MIDI keyboards to drive the Apple II ?
>> 
>> 
>> From: francesco mulassano via Synth-diy
>> Sent: 11 October 2021 23:47
>> 
>> Do any of you have experience adding midi to an alpha syntauri? (I've never had one but today a friend asked me to put midi on the keyboard... Or maybe it would be better to create an interface to connect any midi keyboard?)