Adding Midi To Fender Rhodes

[RJB_Sound]

Hey fellow Rhodes enthusiasts,

I have a 1973 73-key Fender Rhodes and wanted to implement MIDI. I understand QRS offers a MIDI setup. However, its a little out of my budget. I've referenced other manufacturers, including old Midi-9 (now QRS) and Gulbransen units. However, any used units I've found (there's not a lot) are all 88-key designed MIDI setups.

So, my idea is to deconstruct a used StudioLogic SL73 73-key MIDI controller, use the Fatar MIDI contact sensor strip, and put the StudioLogic "brain" in a seperate box which can sit on the Rhodes or on a stand. Do y'all think this might work? Please let me know. Thanks, everyone!

- Ryan / RJB_Sound

[sean]

You mean you will mount the contact strip and the key contact board under that, and somehow have the Rhodes action press down on the contact strip bubbles?  So you will also be adding the guts of the fatar that turns these key contacts into MIDI messages.

You might be able to stuff it in there between the balance rail and the front pins.  You would have to mount it close to the balance rail, so that it will be under the black keys.

But will it still feel like a Rhodes?  Will it still throw the hammers up to the tines while triggering the physically interfering MIDI mush buttons?  Dunno.  Will you be able to adjust the setup so that the MIDI velocity is anything close to what you expect?  Maybe.

Will you somehow save money?  No.  No way.  Will it be fun?  Yes.  Will you look like a rock star if you pull it off, and it works?  Yes, absolutely.

Get some test parts here:  https://syntaur.com/keyboard.php?keyboard=Studiologic%2FFatar_SL-161

Good luck,

Sean

[RJB_Sound]

Hey Sean,

Thanks for all the info! Yes, my plan is ultimately to use the contact strip under the Rhodes. If the Rhodes keybed is fairly level and the contact strip is appropriately placed, I think I can pull it off! I currently have a StudioLogic SL88 88-key controller that I've reverse engineered a bit. From what I've seen, I'll probably need to make a few fancy cables to stretch from the connections of the contact strip to the StudioLogic module, which will sit in a transportable/mobile box.

Let me know if anyone has any other suggestions!

- Ryan / RJB_Sound