Topic: Fatar TP40WOOD DIY?

Everybody seems to love the keyboard on the Numa Nero, but the number of reported problems with the electronics is kind of off putting, to say the least.

Suppose you could have The Nero keyboard without all the problematic electronics?

Poking around the web, I find that the Midi-Store has the  Fatar TP40Wood Keybed Assembly for $529.
They also have mainboards for the SL990's for $185. I'm guessing that that mainboard would work with the TP40Wood. An even better solution would be the mainboard for Doepfer's PK88. No buttons at all, sends only on midi channel 1, and has USB power and connections for two pedals and supports half pedaling.

I wouldn't be surprised if the TP40Wood could be used as a drop in replacement for the TP40GH in my SL990. Don't know how I'd explain it to the missus....8-(

Re: Fatar TP40WOOD DIY?

Tinknocker wrote:

Don't know how I'd explain it to the missus....8-(

Tell her that some mice ate the other one!

Seriously, how about buying the TP40WOOD and fitting a PNOscan Optical Sensor Strip as I intend to do eventually. This will provide all necessary midi to PianoTeq without the glitchy Fatar/Doepfer electronics (see here what I mean: http://www.proaudioe.com/pages/nord-tec...beds.php). The PNOscan strip is the most accutate and reliable strip available, and as an owner of PianoTeq, a 20% discount is avaiable.

The TP40WOOD truly is a beautiful feeling keybed, and yes, Fatar's best. All that lets the NUMA Nero down is the elcectronics as you know.

Regards,

Chris

Last edited by sigasa (11-07-2011 08:59)

Re: Fatar TP40WOOD DIY?

sigasa wrote:
Tinknocker wrote:

Don't know how I'd explain it to the missus....8-(

Tell her that some mice ate the other one!

Seriously, how about buying the TP40WOOD and fitting a PNOscan Optical Sensor Strip as I intend to do eventually. This will provide all necessary midi to PianoTeq without the glitchy Fatar/Doepfer electronics (see here what I mean: http://www.proaudioe.com/pages/nord-tec...beds.php). The PNOscan strip is the most accutate and reliable strip available, and as an owner of PianoTeq, a 20% discount is avaiable.

The TP40WOOD truly is a beautiful feeling keybed, and yes, Fatar's best. All that lets the NUMA Nero down is the elcectronics as you know.

Regards,

Chris

I don't know that PNOscan is doable with Fatar keybed. It is designed specifically for acoustic piano mechanism. Looking at the Fatar diagrams it just doesn't seem like it would work. PNOscan is about $1300, the sensor strips for Fatar are $155. I'm also not certain that the optical sensors would produce any real benefit. Having no physical contact, they should last longer, but would be more susceptible to dirt.

Any mainboard calibrated to the same sensor strip as the Fatar would probably work. I don't have any glitch problems with my SL-990xp. Bear in mind that I do not use any of the controls, other than the on/off switch. I even disconnected the mod/pitch wheels when I lacquered the case. I have no velocity issues at all, perhaps because the xp model does not have any velocity controls: can't mess up what you don't have.

The keybed, sl990-xp mainboard, and sensor strips come out to $869. I paid $50 more for my xp than the strips and board cost.  It is a _very_ nice looking board since I refinished it in black lacquer. Since I don't use any of the controls I had considered removing or grinding down the buttons and filling in the well for the wheels with Bondo and making it even purtier. If I were to replace the keybed with the TP40wood, I'd definitely go that way.

Re: Fatar TP40WOOD DIY?

Have a look at the website of doepfer.de. They sell different kinds of Fatar keybeds as DIY. As far as I know they are also selling the right interface kit to connect the keyboard with midi or usb. These interface kits are doepfer-brand so very solid ;-)

With regards,
Herman

Last edited by HermanVanAartsen (11-07-2011 20:05)

Re: Fatar TP40WOOD DIY?

HermanVanAartsen wrote:

Have a look at the website of doepfer.de. They sell different kinds of Fatar keybeds as DIY. As far as I know they are also selling the right interface kit to connect the keyboard with midi or usb. These interface kits are doepfer-brand so very solid ;-)

With regards,
Herman

Herman,

I thought Fatar got their electronics from Doepfer?

Re: Fatar TP40WOOD DIY?

HermanVanAartsen wrote:

Have a look at the website of doepfer.de. They sell different kinds of Fatar keybeds as DIY. As far as I know they are also selling the right interface kit to connect the keyboard with midi or usb. These interface kits are doepfer-brand so very solid ;-)

With regards,
Herman

Lots of synth-type keybeds and boards, but not the piano types. Bummer.

Re: Fatar TP40WOOD DIY?

Well the extra keybed pricelist is somewhat hidden:

http://www.doepfer.de/Preisliste_Tastaturen.pdf

;-)

However no extra support. To be sure you should inquire whether their electronics support all the enlisted fatar keybeds.

@Chris: as far as i know studiologic uses its own "solid" electronics

Last edited by HermanVanAartsen (12-07-2011 18:47)