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Need some help modding a MIDI controller

(6 posts)

  1. Ornox

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    Cowardly Dog

    I previously said how I was interested in buy a keytar with a "rock" vibe to it instead of a synthpop one. And then you all indicated that such a thing doesn't exist and we spoke little of it after that.

    Anyway, I'm still eager to achieve that sort of thing, so my next crazy plan is to have my little two octave MIDI controller converted into a keytar that suits my intended style.

    I'm looking to have the main features of the MIDI controller taken out of its plastic encasing and then housed in a wooden body, possibly with a Hammond organ sort of vibe, and then a guitar or bass neck attached to the top of it give it the keytar feel. All of this lefthanded naturally.

    The little problem with this is that I don't have the slightest clue about how to do any of this sort of thing. I don't know what sort of peices I'd need, what sort of proffesional I'd have to talk to, or what sort of money I'd have to pay.

    You all seem to know this, that or the other about making things work for you, does anyone have any info on this type of jazz?

    just to refresh your memories, i want a mix of this http://www.terragalleria.com/images/us-ca/usca30630.jpeg and this http://www.citilink.com/~steveby/bolan.jpg

    Posted 1 year ago #
  2. YADE

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    Member

    well for the MIDI Part I would use a MIDAir by M-Audio...this makes your "Keytar" running free....then remove the potentionmeters used as controllers....and use your neck as potentiometer replacement...if your neck does conduct then you could use even classical guitar strings as resistance divider....so you probably would not even have to weld and change too much...

    Posted 1 year ago #
  3. Ornox

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    Cowardly Dog

    that's a cool idea about the MIDair, but its not a priority. if guitar players can deal with leads then so can I (I'm also poor, more to the point).

    I dont quite understand the idea of the potentionmeters. Are you saying hook them ups so that they react to pressure on the fret board? or tuning knobs? If so, really cool ideas, thanks!

    I'm still struggling with the basics though...

    Posted 1 year ago #
  4. YADE

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    Member

    yeah that's what I meant...you weld several plates into the neck and with the string pressed on the plate it generates the resistance you need to work with the potentiometer....so you got n (usually 6 or 4 :-)) Poti's which you can program as controllers :-)

    and for the rest I mean this is not too much of a problem....just build first the lower guitar part, then put the keyboard in it and close it by taking a big OHP foil, and a pen, laying it over your embedded keyboard and then draw the spare parts....then either scan it in and use a CNC to make the body or take a wood and project the spares to it and use a jigsaw to make the holes...and off you go

    ah and for the cost...I would say 1000-1500$ for the body and additionally the keyboard and the tweaks at around 500$...

    depending on the material you want it....or where you wanna use it...

    Posted 1 year ago #
  5. Ornox

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    Cowardly Dog

    thanks bro!

    i'll start scronging around for parts by the side of the road, and see if I can get it for under $100!

    (that's only half a joke)

    Posted 1 year ago #
  6. dogmeat

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    Member

    here is a forum in serbian, a guy transformed his midair into an aesthetic glitter black metal abomination, go through pictures, might give you some ideas :)
    http://www.rumski.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26738&highlight=keytar

    Posted 1 year ago #

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