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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!oliveb!hplabs!well!djg
From: djg@well.UUCP (David Julian Gray)
Newsgroups: net.music.synth
Subject: Re: keyboards & MIDI
Message-ID: <205@well.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 30-Sep-85 02:13:49 EDT
Article-I.D.: well.205
Posted: Mon Sep 30 02:13:49 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 2-Oct-85 05:27:37 EDT
References: <1163@vax1.fluke.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Whole Earth Lectronic Link, Sausalito, CA
Lines: 34
Summary: Access to "raw" keyboards and cheap MIDI controllers

In article <1163@vax1.fluke.UUCP>, kelpie@fluke.UUCP (Tony Garland) writes:
>     o  Where can one obtain  a "raw" keyboard? To be specific, is it possibl
>        to purchase a keyboard mechanism mechanically complete which I
>        could design around to provide velocity sensing with say 3 to 5 octav
es?
As refered to in article 187 good raw keyboards are available from
PAIA Electronics, Inc.
1020 Wilshire Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK  73116
(800) 654-8657

PAIA is an excellent source for products and information for
(what I like to call:) small systems computer music.  They publish
a down home, yet techie, journal called "Electronic Musician".
The keyboards they sell are top quality units by the Pratt-Reed
Co. - an industry standard for such items.  The keyboards are
available completely "raw" or in various kits or as complete units
all the way up to a five octave programable MIDI controller - much
flexibility for the savvy user/builder.  Seems just what you're after.
OR:  Hot tip:
VERY "RAW" keyboards may be had from
Computer Products and Peripherals Unlimited
Box 204 
Newton, NH  03858
(617) 372-8637
four octaves for $39.00 (but keys and their switches on a frame is all 
you get -  good deal!  PAIA's circuit board for their MIDI controller is
$19.95 - an EPROM burner and some 1/4" teak and you're in business.)

As for the worth of such an endeavor in the face of proprietary
VLSI chips in the commercial products ... SURE!!!!
No-one has yet released a product with *expressive* control over the
envelope in REAL-TIME. (Digital synth at least).
That is sorely missing.