NS3 Keyboard Assembly
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: 25 Jan 2015, 01:27
- 10
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 3
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 2 times
NS3 Keyboard Assembly
Hi,
I bought a whole replacement keyboard assembly for the SW73 a while back. Turns out I don't need it but it was a non-returnable part.
I was wondering about repurposing it into an upper manual for an organ as a MIDI controller. Is this even possible? Would obviously be a giant undertaking and would need to house it in something and find out how to read and transmit to MIDI data via the given connector. Which might be specific to Nord and not possible. Has anyone had any experience in trying something like this? Thanks
I bought a whole replacement keyboard assembly for the SW73 a while back. Turns out I don't need it but it was a non-returnable part.
I was wondering about repurposing it into an upper manual for an organ as a MIDI controller. Is this even possible? Would obviously be a giant undertaking and would need to house it in something and find out how to read and transmit to MIDI data via the given connector. Which might be specific to Nord and not possible. Has anyone had any experience in trying something like this? Thanks
- maxpiano
- Patch Creator
- Posts: 7060
- Joined: 27 Jun 2011, 13:29
- 14
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
- Location: Italy
- Has thanked: 537 times
- Been thanked: 2476 times
Re: NS3 Keyboard Assembly
Doepfer provides the MKE electronics which is designed for DYI MIDI projects based on Fatar keyboards, see it here https://doepfer.de/MKE.htm
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: 25 Jan 2015, 01:27
- 10
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 3
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: NS3 Keyboard Assembly
A representative at Doepfer told me that the MKE will only work with Fatar keyboards up to 61 key versions. So unfortunately this idea seems to have hit a dead end.
I will try and sell this assembly on ebay or gut it for parts. Feel free to message me if interested in it. It's a full set of keys, springs, and contact strips. Thanks
I will try and sell this assembly on ebay or gut it for parts. Feel free to message me if interested in it. It's a full set of keys, springs, and contact strips. Thanks
- Schorsch
- Moderator
- Posts: 2597
- Joined: 15 May 2018, 23:34
- 7
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
- Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3
- Location: Germany - NRW
- Has thanked: 1476 times
- Been thanked: 940 times
Re: NS3 Keyboard Assembly
Well, you don't have to add a 73 key midi keyboard to the Nord. If you want to use it as a second manual just for organ you should be fine with 61 keys which is the standard on organs?
Regards Schorsch
Check this https://chris55.github.io/ns3-program-viewer/ awesome tool to visualize NS2/3 programs and re-create them on the other instrument!
Gear: NS3C, Uhl X4V-1, 2-manual HX3.4 organ made by Tastendoktor, SL88 Studio
Check this https://chris55.github.io/ns3-program-viewer/ awesome tool to visualize NS2/3 programs and re-create them on the other instrument!
Gear: NS3C, Uhl X4V-1, 2-manual HX3.4 organ made by Tastendoktor, SL88 Studio
- maxpiano
- Patch Creator
- Posts: 7060
- Joined: 27 Jun 2011, 13:29
- 14
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
- Location: Italy
- Has thanked: 537 times
- Been thanked: 2476 times
Re: NS3 Keyboard Assembly
Yes but the OP has bought a 73 keys FATAR TP8O spare part and then found he didn't need it, so he wanted to reuse that one as a DYI master keyboard, but Doepfer kit is limited to 61 so he decided it is better to resell it instead (to a Nord owner that needs it or to a spare parts side like Syntaur)
Last edited by maxpiano on 17 Jan 2025, 11:15, edited 1 time in total.
- Schorsch
- Moderator
- Posts: 2597
- Joined: 15 May 2018, 23:34
- 7
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
- Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3
- Location: Germany - NRW
- Has thanked: 1476 times
- Been thanked: 940 times
Re: NS3 Keyboard Assembly
Ah yes, I did not notice that - thanks Max!
However, it might be worth asking Doepfer if it will work in general with the MKE with just the lowest octave not being scanned - don't know
However, it might be worth asking Doepfer if it will work in general with the MKE with just the lowest octave not being scanned - don't know
Regards Schorsch
Check this https://chris55.github.io/ns3-program-viewer/ awesome tool to visualize NS2/3 programs and re-create them on the other instrument!
Gear: NS3C, Uhl X4V-1, 2-manual HX3.4 organ made by Tastendoktor, SL88 Studio
Check this https://chris55.github.io/ns3-program-viewer/ awesome tool to visualize NS2/3 programs and re-create them on the other instrument!
Gear: NS3C, Uhl X4V-1, 2-manual HX3.4 organ made by Tastendoktor, SL88 Studio
- maxpiano
- Patch Creator
- Posts: 7060
- Joined: 27 Jun 2011, 13:29
- 14
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
- Location: Italy
- Has thanked: 537 times
- Been thanked: 2476 times
Re: NS3 Keyboard Assembly
That's a very valid point, I guess he asked already but why not. Even if probably reselling and getting a ready-made commercial master is easier (if just GSi would release they announced new DK61 waterfall master...)

-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: 25 Jan 2015, 01:27
- 10
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 3
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: NS3 Keyboard Assembly
Yes they seemed to specifically say it would not work. Here is my message and reply