Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site well.UUCP 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.