Installing midi capability on a Mark I 73 key Rhodes

[leon-]

There was a thread on this, but it hadn't been updated in around 3 years...
Would welcome any advice on this. I have a Mark I 73 key model, and if I can get it to output midi, it would be a godsend.
Obviously I can't tell you what to post - but any emotional posts about how im destroying a beautiful instrument etc. will be treated accordingly. I'm looking for clear and dispassionate views on the issues involved (how difficult it is to install, how accurate is the midi etc.).
It does not seem like a cheap option at all, so I'd welcome any responses from those who actually did the midi upgrade.
thanks
Leon.

[David Aubke]

It seems as though there may be two fundamentally different ways to do such a thing. Either sensing key movement or tine movement.

If you were to go the tine route, perhaps this article would be of help inspiring a very homemade solution.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end-theory/626587-diy-hexaphonic-pickup-guitar-synth.html

Or is there a ready-to-install solution for a Rhodes already in existence?

[Ben Bove]

I have a suitcase 88 retrofitted with the new MIDI 9 technology, which is an optical sensor strip underneath the keys.  It works very well, does take some installation skill and calibration but with the help of Ken Rich, it's a reliable and well functioning MIDI Rhodes.

Price-wise reflects that it's a quality product, that's my recommendation for the best system.

http://www.midi9.com/

[leon-]

Thanks for your responses guys - in particular Bjammerz - how difficult would you say on a scale of 1-10 is it to install. I mean I've installed the miracle mod and a preamp so Im not quite a beginner - but wouldn't say i was an expert in Rhodes stuff.
One thing that concerns me is that i've read you should have the back-check mod  but Im not sure this is available anymore...does yours have this ?

[Ben Bove]

I would say it's probably a 7-8 on a 10 scale to make it work perfectly.

Mine doesn't have the back-check at this point, I see why they suggest to have it but I haven't noticed too many false-triggering notes.

The key is to make sure the strip is installed at the right point in the piano, left to right and where up/down between the pins.  I believe I remember them having a guide with photos.  Also there is a sustain pedal trigger to position.  Lastly is thinking on how to mount the MIDI and power jacks on the back, we chose to cut a small piece of the case out and install a plate with custom drilled holes.

You just have to play around with the software and get the MIDI set up correctly, which has a small learning curve but can be done.

[leon-]

thanks for that.

*thinks some more*

[Cormac Long]

Some videos showing a MIDI fit in action on a Mark V and then a sped up reinsertion of the keys.. but you see where the sensor rail was installed.. a little north of the guide pins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RqrK_3uhyU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYNlrgADRVg

[Peter Hayes]

I installed several of the Midi9 units in Rhodes years ago. I though that they had discontinued the Rhodes product and don't see any mention of it on their site.

[hoggernick]

I talked with MIDI9 in late 2011. They were definitely selling their kits for Rhodes at that time. They have modules that will allow you to retrofit a 73 or 88 key Rhodes. They sent a 73-key kit to Vintage Vibe for installation into my VV EP. It works just as I hoped, sustain pedal works fine too.

[Ben Bove]

Yes my MIDI9 kit was installed beginning of 2012.

[dlux]

I have a studio logic midi controller that sits untouched in my garage. I wonder if I could take the key contact strips ( and all the other parts ) and put them in my Rhodes mk1 88. Any thoughts ?

[pianotuner steveo]

It may be possible, but the distance between contacts needs to line up and also it could possibly affect your key dip which would affect your touch.....

[Chris Carroll]

If anyone wants Midi in their piano Vintage Vibe will be glad to retro fit midi for them- It does not affect key dip or after touch.

[leon-]

Yes my MIDI9 kit was installed beginning of 2012.

Looking at this - but the price is considerable...

[kenrichsoundservices]

Yeah, these Optical MIDI units are not cheap. But once you've used MIDI in this application, with the feel and vibration of a physical piano under your fingers compared with the sterile feel of a standard controller, you'll understand why people still spend the money to install these in their Rhodes/Wurly, etc...

We are contracted by QRS Music/MIDI9 to do these installations in vintage keyboards, and we've put a lot of time, thought and research into how the unit can be installed seamlessly into vintage pianos, maintaining the piano's classic look while also making sure the MIDI system is reliable in a touring environment. It's one thing making a MIDI installation stable in the studio, but providing stability in a touring rig that's getting moved around a lot is much more difficult.

With the Rhodes installations, the most common so far, the MIDI controls and ports are installed in the cheek blocks. We're now manufacturing custom cheek blocks, enabling your piano to be returned to it's original form at a later date if you desire (maybe to move the MIDI to a new piano and sell the other, for example).

We've MIDI'd Rhodes 88's, Rhodes 73's, Wurlitzer 200/200A's, Hammond organs, and are now considering installing it on our own Pianet N. It's pretty exciting!

Get in contact and I'll give you more information about pricing and the process.

Best Regards,

Ken
Ken Rich Sound Services

[leon-]

Hey Ken

Thanks for the response. Will be in touch.

Leon

[pianotuner steveo]

I said it can POSSIBLY affect the key dip and after touch.....I was talking about people attempting this for the first time, not about people who do this for a living.

The poster apparantly wants to do this project himself.