From ljabaa@yahoo.com Thu Aug 15 12:03:07 2013
Subject:Re: Fatar waterfall keys (Was: sk1 keys)

Thanks Bruce.
Leo


________________________________
From: Bruce Wahler
To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2013 1:23 PM
Subject: Re: [CWSG] Fatar waterfall keys (Was: sk1 keys)


 

The *second* version of the digital CX-3 used a Korg-specific version of
the Fatar TP/80. I don't have full details on what was different; it
might have been strictly the ivory-colored keys (vs. white), or there
might have been more to it. On paper, Fatar only offers one waterfall
keybed; if one is a large MI manufacturer willing to buy thousands of
keybeds, though, I suspect that some small modifications can be
accommodated. Bear in mind that 'simple' changes like white keys to
black or ivory may turn out to be difficult, because changing the color
of plastic essentially involves adding impurities, which may affect the
strength/texture/etc.

My understanding is that Korg wanted the TP/80 for the whole CX/BX line,
and actually spent a bit of time working with Fatar on the design. But
for whatever reasons, the TP/80 wasn't ready in time for the launch of
the CX-3, so Korg settled for a modified 'diving-board' design with
skirts that gave the physical impression of a piano keyboard with thick
'lips.' The Nord Electro was a few months later, and so it looked like
Clavia drove the waterfall keybed, not Korg. By the time the BX-3 came
out, the waterfall keybeds were readily available, and Korg also decided
to add this feature to a new update of the CX-3.

________
As far as modifying the keybed, that's a difficult thing to do. Fatar
does not offer spring or counterweight 'upgrade kits,' so one would have
to determine the desired springs/weights by experimentation, then
cannibalize another keyboard to get the pieces. (There may be other
sources of key springs, too.) As a general rule, the parts of one Fatar
keybed are interchangeable with another keybed, but there are subtle
differences that might affect the fit and finish. Like many things in
life, a keyboard is more complicated that in looks: just some plastic
parts, springs, and plates, hooked up to a membrane switch panel, right?
But the design a) has to be manufactured in the thousands with little or
no variations; b) should last for years under a wide range of
environments and playing styles; and c) has to hit a certain price
point, while being profitable to the manufacturer.

Regards,

-BW

Bruce Wahler
Ashby Solutions.com™
mailto:bw%40ashbysolutions.com
http://music.ashbysolutions.com/
877.55.ASHBY (877.552.7429)