MOTM

In a message dated 6/19/00 9:53:41 PM, jwbarlow@... writes:

<< It's always seemed 
to me that the difficult part of building a ribbon was the resistive element  
>>

Back in ancient PAIA days (1974?), they had a very crude keyboard that was 
made of plastic buttons and spring wire over a conductive plastic strip.  
Does anyone have any idea where you can buy a conductive plastic strip like 
that?

Ivan

In a message dated 00-06-19 21:53:40 EDT, you write:

<<  It's always seemed 
 to me that the difficult part of building a ribbon was the resistive element 
 -- this eliminates that part.
 
 Any thoughts? >>


john,
what about the old idea of using magnetic tape ? has anyone tried that lately 
?
best,
dave v.

In a message dated 00-06-19 23:06:57 EDT, you write:

<< 
 Back in ancient PAIA days (1974?), they had a very crude keyboard that was 
 made of plastic buttons and spring wire over a conductive plastic strip.  
 Does anyone have any idea where you can buy a conductive plastic strip like 
 that?
  >>



ivan,
i had one of these.... my first real synth. ( as opposed to electro-junk. ) 
think i paid something like $150 for the set of kits.
maybe john s. could suggest a source of the plastic ?
best,
dave

In a message dated 6/19/2000 8:16:23 PM, davevosh@... writes:

>what about the old idea of using magnetic tape ? has anyone tried that
>lately 
>?

I've seen references to this (most recently from Grant Richter on diy) but 
I've tried on a couple of different occasions to measure the resistance of a 
strip of magnetic tape (two or three different brands) and always found it to 
be "infinite." Have you had any luck with tape? 

I have had luck getting a reading across a strip of black trash can liner 
material (Gene Stopp's idea). It seems to flimsy to make a real ribbon 
controller with it.

An idea I had several months ago (I may have already posted it) was to use 
that thin "high resistance" insulated wire (like that used in guitar PUs), 
and wrap it around a stick to roll your own wire wound resistor. Carefully 
sand the top of the insulation off to allow contact with a spring loaded 
conductive strip.

JB

In a message dated 00-06-20 00:10:13 EDT, you write:

<< 
 An idea I had several months ago (I may have already posted it) was to use 
 that thin "high resistance" insulated wire (like that used in guitar PUs), 
 and wrap it around a stick to roll your own wire wound resistor. Carefully 
 sand the top of the insulation off to allow contact with a spring loaded 
 conductive strip.
  >>


john,
no, i`ve never tried the magnetic tape idea but have seen it referenced 
several places. apparently, it does work. never heard the one about trash can 
liners - do you mean plain old large, green plastic trash bags ?
the wound rod idea sounds like it could have possibilities......would sort of 
end up like a trautonium controller if i understand what i`ve read about 
them. in fact, if you haven`t checked it out, there is a lengthy article with 
some interesting diagrams about trautoniums on doepfers website.  well worth 
a look.
best,
dave v.