| MATRIXED KEYBOARDS TYPE (FATAR or equivalent) | The major interest of FATAR keyboards is their integrated design with ultra-low manufacturing cost. They have a circuit board under the keys (plastic) with contact up and down. Matrixed with direct outputs on 2 x 8 pin connectors. They sell at about of 200 $. The principle is the same for all FATAR keyboards, even high-end. Of course these carbon contacts with plastic caps are not eternal. The proof is that one can find plastic strips with capsules and spare contacts. This replacement is also very delicate. Some are sensitive to dust, but can always be repaired. It is impossible to predict concretely the duration. And what, after 20 or 30 years, about the replacement of plastic strips ! When smartly refurbished, they provide a remarkable look and feel. MY ADVICE : Purchase TP6/LP the cheapest FATAR keyboards. (about 200$ now) Other models havec exactly the same contact quality. My KI6x8x8_MIDI_USB boards or KI8x8x8_MIDI_USB boards can drive up to 6 matrixed keyboards or pedalboards directly. |
| CONTACT KEYBOARDS | Very reliable by principle, very easy to troubleshoot, but more expensive. The contacts can oxidize over time, causing untimely rebounds, and therefore "Note Off" and "Note On" parasites. One can find used on old electronic organs. My KI7_MIDI_USB boards can drive up to 7 keyboards/pedals directly. |
| HALL SENSOR KEYBOARDS | The "keyboard Rolls-Royce" : No wear, no physical contact that can be damaged in time and / or in humid or corrosive atmospheres. No rebont possible, due to their very straightforward principle. Higher cost due to the highly variable price of sensors and magnets. But it is easy to retrieve bare keyboards in used electronic organs or organbuilders. My HALL KIH32 cards fit them directly. Several examples are visible here : http://pascal.leray.free.fr/web_org/HALL_KIH32_4_KEYBOARDS/8xKIH32_for_HALL_sensors_for_4_KEYBOARDS.jpg |
