Getting the biggest bang: where do we go from here.

Time to extend ...

We are  getting to the point where features like sustain pedals, octave and key-shift controls, and perhaps a thumb-controlled modulation are needed.  The best way to get this is by integrating the new keyboards into the PC and its other equipment to provide these needed functions. 

So, as long planned, I'm working on a program to integrate the Axis/jammer keyboards and the other parts - Korg keyboard, mouse / touch-pad etc into a single instrument.  It's called Keyboard Integrator, and is being written in Max/MSP.

Jammer Integrator - "full jammer" example

 

Would you be willing to help? I'll need help: designing, writing, and testing the software.

Ken

Jammer integrator

 

The distant future: things we'd like to improve on the Axis-49 keyboard

For me, the Axis-converted-into-a-jammer is "good enough" - not perfect, but with the modifications we have made, it is a quite decent core.

But, eventually, I would like to have more precise control over the piano-forte (the velocity), less noisy keys, and a wider keyboard than at present.

We should be able to increase the piano-forte, the control over expressiveness, by increasing the key depression (thus doubling the distance the keys travel), by having a 1mm sheet of plastic cut by laser, with 19mm-wide holes so that each key has a 1mm-deep hole to drop into.

The key-noise could be fixed by replacing the plastic shaft that the keys have (it's a bit tapered because the plastic formation process requires this) with a metal shaft.

More keys I can't do anything about for now - one of the cheapest options would be to license C-Thru's design and modify it. This would be very expensive. Alternatively, we could ask the makers of the Opal sonome if they could make a set of jammer keyboards - they have hand-made, piano-quality keys.   

But the above points would address quibbles. Right now, it is time to learn, learn and learn some more the instrument, just as one would buy an in-expensive, but listenable piano to pound on, but plan to buy a Yamaha ten years later. Hence I am trying out different ways to learn a keyboard. (And, dear reader, talking notes so that you don't have to experiment.) 

 

Comments

[MusicScienceGuy]

I've finally gotten to the point where I feel confident doing simple demos - if only of scales, arpeggios, and other demo-of=principle exercises. I've bought Adobe Elements 8, and am puzzling out how to produce a reasonable demo, with captions etc.  Stay tuned.

[MusicScienceGuy]

[this is good] Thanks for the tips - I don't often get a chance to check out lots of software, and to find the perfect tool to do the job. I visualize the tool I want, look for it, and when I find a tool that is "good enough", stop. This is a reasonably efficient way to use my time.

With the table-driven KeyBoard Integrator, with change-able tables, I think that it will be reasonably easy for anyone to configure any alternate keyboard as one wishes. That is my hope.
Ken.

[MusicLearner]

Hi

My guess is that you want one single piece of software as your Integrator.

I guess it depends on how well the overall system is integrated

If you don't mind using yet another software most of the things you want are there already.

Referring to your Integrator diagram...

Midi Keyboard A "Left" - done - with MAX/MSP or PureData patch

Midi Keyboard B "Right" - done - with MAX/MSP or PureData patch

PC Keyboard - done - via Virtual Midi Controller from SoundCo then to a patch

Mouse - could be done via Virtual Midi Controller
    I never tested that function

Joystick - could be done via Virtual Midi Controller
    I tested this one but find the joystick I got limiting so I never use it

Midi Keyboards - done - I tested a Yamaha keyboard through the patch

At the moment, I am using 2 instances of PureData each with its own version of the
mapping software. It would be nice to have one piece of software that all the above are connected to.

I have spent some time trying to integrate all the pieces. The most like candidate is to
produce a VST with multiple virtual devices that can be enabled and
disabled. But that is not my short term aim.

I already have
* Octave shift
* Key change
* Channel change

Next things on the list are
* Sustain
* Sustain on/off
* Midi Panic
* One button chord (?)
* Style File


-- MusicLearner

[MusicScienceGuy]

Thank you - I really need feedback to create a decent product.

As well, I'm hoping Eric (MusicLearner) will see if Integrator can be coded in PD, a related but free version.

Ken.

[John M.]

[this is good] I'm sending in my keyboards this week to be updated so I should have them ready pretty soon, and boy am I excited =) I'd love to be a part of testing your new software if you need any feedback.