Techsmechs Vintage Synth
X - Keyboard kits for other synths
X - Keyboard kits for other synths
Couldn't load pickup availability
As we get a lot of requests for keyboard kits for other synths, I thought it might be a good idea to collect some information right here on the web page.
Basically, developing a kit requires you to have access to the synth to get measurements and perform testing. The kits we offer are for synths we own. It is impossible for us to develop a kit without having the synth in the workshop.
The Fatar keybed we use in our kits is a "digital" keybed, it's is basically a bunch of switches, which are scanned by a CPU in the synth, detecting which keys are down. The CPU then generates the needed CV(s) if it is an analog synth. This type of keybed is used in almost all polysynths from the 70s to now.
Many of the classic vintage mono synths use a different approach: the keybed is analog, each key has a resistor directly affecting the CV that goes to the VCO pitch control. Synths with this solution can not easily be modded to use a Fatar. To make that work you would have to add something with a CPU.. there are solutions out there for "Fatar to MIDI" and "MIDI to CV" etc so with some DIY work you could probably do it, but then there is the matter of physical space (does the Fatar even fit?) and mounting inside the synth. Not a trivial project.
Here is the current status/info on bunch of synths:
Sequential
Prophet-5 - the Fatar does not physically fit. It's a few mm too wide. A new "wheel box" would have to be made as part of that project
Prophet-10 - as above I suspect, but twice as hard :)
Prophet VS - it can be done, but we don't have one
Prophet-600 - we have a keyboard kit!
Pro-One - we have a keyboard kit!
Roland
Jupiter-8: the Fatar does not physically fit. It's a few mm too wide. The bit between the top c and the edge would have to be remade. I do know people have done it.
Jupiter-6 - no info
Jupiter-4, SH series, RS-505, VP-330 etc - has a very different physical appearance of the keys so probably a big no
Juno-6/60/106, JX3P, JX8P - no info
JD-800 - Fatar does not physically fit and the plastic enclosure makes it pretty much impossible to DIY a solution. Better find some other Roland synth using the same keybed.
Oberheim
Matrix 6/12 - no info
OB-1 - no info. Uses analog keybed.
OB-Xa/8 - we have a keyboard kit!
OB-X - we are working on a keyboard kit!
KORG
Polysix - we are looking into this but it's a VERY tight fit, at least when you have a KIWI board like I do.. The Fatar needs some bits taken out of it.. The keyboard connector is also unobtanium and weird so.. this is a tough project.
MonoPoly - I have one so maybe one day I'll have a look :)
Poly-61 - no info
Moog
MiniMoog Model D (vintage) - I've heard that a Fatar at least fits physically. It can be done. Uses analog keybed.
The Source - no info
MemoryMoog - we have a keyboard kit!
ARP
Axxe/Odyssey - no info. Uses analog keybed.
Quadra - no info