From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Thu Nov 10 13:53:13 2005
Subject:Re: keystation pro88 destruction

Hi Josh,

Basically, because a) each keybed manufacturer has trade secrets involved in the weight, spring tension, etc. that they guard; and b) the keybed manufacturers seem to have enough business that they aren't interested in harvesting new avenues.

I tried to contact one keybed manufacturer (who shall remain nameless) two years ago because I had an idea to manufacture a musical product which would need a keyboard. They wouldn't even return my emails until an engineer friend of mine who lives in that country stepped in to talk to them. Even after that, they provided minimal technical information, no samples, and terrible pricing and delivery. And this was a business-to-business request, not a single user!

It's not a very easy road to go down ...

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions™ http://consult.ashbysolutions.com
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com

At 03:44 PM 11/10/2005 -0600, you wrote:
>Bruce,
>
>Thanks for taking the time to chime in. I was hoping you would read my post.
>
>I know this is wandering close to the OT line, but in looking at people's
>dual and single manual DIY controller projects (both now and in the past),
>I've always been struck at how difficult it is to find information on
>keybeds. I don't expect them to be cheap for the individual to buy, but most
>suppliers that make items to be used in manufacturing will _at_least_
>provide some sort of breadboard kit, developer kit, or the like, for a
>"introductory price." Circuit board makers come to mind as a type of
>industry that does this. Yet, for some reason, I can find absolutely *no*
>information on keybeds. Any idea why this is?
>
>Josh
>