Nord User Forum

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

Doepfer provides the MKE electronics which is designed for DYI MIDI projects based on Fatar keyboards, see it here https://doepfer.de/MKE.htm

Thanks for the info! Sounds interesting

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

The extra kybd assy goes to a NS3 C73?

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?

Schorsch wrote: ↑17 Jan 2025, 10:28 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?

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)

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

Schorsch wrote: ↑17 Jan 2025, 11:10 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

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...)

Yes they seemed to specifically say it would not work. Here is my message and reply