See a close up view of the control panel

Operating Modes
There are 4 modes which determine how the keyboard operates:

Single Voice Mode
Creates a pitch control voltage, gate, velocity control voltage, and a trigger pulse. The keyboard acts monophonically - only one key can be pressed at a time. The most recent key takes priority. The pitch control voltage is normally used to control oscillators or filters. The gate signal is normally used to trigger envelope generators. The velocity control voltage can be used to control an amplifier, filter or other module. The trigger pulse can be used to trigger sequencers or envelope generators.

Dual Voice Mode
Creates 2 pitch control voltages and 2 gate signals. In this mode 2 keys can be pressed at a time to create 2 sets of signals.

Split Keyboard at Octave 1
In this mode the keyboard is split at the first octave creating 2 keyboards. Each section of the keyboard will generate it's own pitch control voltage and gate signal. Useful when you need to control 2 separate voices at the same time.

Split Keyboard at Octave 2
In this mode the keyboard is split at the second octave creating 2 keyboards. Each section of the keyboard will generate it's own pitch control voltage and gate signal. Useful when you need to control 2 separate voices at the same time.

Specifications
Physical Size:  41" wide, 3.75" tall, 9.5" deep.
Pitch Output: 0-5V, 1V/Octave response (12bit D/A)
Velocity Output: 0-5V.
Gate Output: 0-5V, active high.
Trigger Output: 0-5V, 10ms, active high.
MIDI Channel #: 1
Power:  12VDC@200ma, Center Positive, 2.5mm, External wall transformer (110VAC input).
User must supply transformer or converter for 220VAC operation.

Performance
Tracking Accuracy
The following tracking accuracy chart was taken from a QKB15S Keyboard Controller taken right off the production line. No special calibration, parts, procedures, or modifications were used.

Test Equipment Used (with recent calibration):
   HP 3455a 6.5 Digit Voltmeter

QKB15S Tracking Accuracy
Desired	Actual	% Error
0V	0V	0
1V	0.9995V	-0.05
2V	1.9998V	-0.01
3V	3.0012V	+0.03
4V	4.0027V	+0.07
5V	5.0008V	+0.02

Price
$450.00 US.

Shipping Information
18 pounds. 12" x 12" x 48"

"I own quite a few MIDI keyboards but, I prefer to use my dot com keyboard with my modular. I like the action of the keys and it looks so awesome with my 2-44 space cabinets! I love the old style synthesizers. - BJ "

Usage and Patch Tips

Basics
Start with a simple patch to familiarize yourself with the keyboard. Select mode one on the keyboard. Patch CV #1 (control voltage #1) to an oscillator's 1V/Octave jack. Patch a waveform from the oscillator to an amplifier signal input. Now patch Gate #1 from the keyboard to the gate input on an envelope generator and patch it's output to the control input on the amplifier. When you press a key, a gate signal will trigger the envelope generator which will turn on your amplifier. At the same time the pitch control voltage for the key you pressed will tell the oscillator which pitch to create. When you let up on the key, the gate signal will go away and the envelope generator will release according to the release control. The pitch control voltage will stay at the voltage of the last key pressed.

Routing signals to multiple modules
Normally you route the pitch signal from the keyboard to more than one oscillator, the filter, and possibly other modules. The best way to do this is to use a Q124 Multiple Module. Using the top section of the Q124 allows the pitch signal to go to 7 other modules. That leaves the bottom section of the Q124 to route the gate signals which usually go to envelope generators and sequencers.

Portamento
Portamento is the gradual gliding between notes. This is sometimes called slew-limiting. This function is provided by the Q105 Slew Limiter. Simply route your keyboard pitch signal into the Q105 and send the output to wherever you want. A jack is provided for pedal control of portamento.

Using the velocity signal
In mode one a velocity signal is generated. This signal is 0 to 5 volts depending on the speed at which you press a key. You can use the velocity signal to control almost any parameter in your system such as oscillator frequency, filter resonance, or amplitude.

When an oscillator is used to modulate a filter, another oscillator (vibrato), or an amplifier (tremolo), you can have the speed of this modulation controlled by velocity. Simply take the velocity signal and route it to the linear frequency connector on the oscillator and adjust the amount. The faster you press keys the faster the modulation will be.

Control amplitude with velocity by routing the output of an envelope generator to an amplifier which is controlled by the velocity signal. Now your envelope size depends on velocity. Take this new envelope signal and control your final output amplifier.

Syncing an oscillator to the keyboard
When using an oscillator at a low frequency for modulation you can synchronize it to each keypress by routing the gate signal to the hard sync input on the oscillator. Each time a key is pressed, the oscillator will be reset.

Gates and Triggers
Gate signals stay on as long as a key is pressed. In mode one there is also a trigger signal produced. Unlike gate signals, triggers are a very short pulse. Triggers are mainly for compatibility with other equipment. Trigger signals can be used to trigger an envelope generator but there will be no sustain level, and they can be used to start sequencers. Normally you will only need gate signals.

Using keyboard splits
Modes 3 and 4 basically gives you 2 monophonic keyboards. These 2 separate sets of signals (pitch and gate) can be routed to 2 separate patches - possibly one for bass and one for lead. But you can also use one of the sections of the keyboard to control some module's parameter. For example, use the left section of the keyboard to control the filter frequency, and the right section to control the pitch. This gives you precise control not possible with a pitch bend wheel.

Using MIDI and the keyboard at the same time
Yes, the keyboard can accept MIDI signals and also respond to your keypresses. This could be used to ad-lib on top of an automated sequence. But remember that the keyboard is monophonic. Also, the keyboard can be used to control both your synthesizer and send MIDI messages to another instrument at the same time. The keyboard is polyphonic (8 notes maximum) when sending out MIDI messages. You can also use the pitch bend wheel of another MIDI controller to pitch bend the control voltage from the keyboard at the same time you're playing.

Controlling keyboard power
There is not a power switch for the keyboard but you can control the power by using the 'switched output' of a Q102 Power Interface Module. When you turn power off to your synthesizer system, power will be turned off of the keyboard too. You'll need a cable with an IEC male connector on one end and a regular outlet on the other.

Patching problems
The keyboard's outputs are designed to drive many inputs but it is possible to draw too much current. When this happens you'll notice that the keyboard does not produce the correct voltages and your oscillator's will not produce the right tones. This can also happen if you accidentally connect one of the outputs to another output. Shorting or overloading one of the control voltage outputs will affect both.

Creating Legato keyboard response
You can create Legato response from your keyboard by running the Gate signal through the Q105 slew limiter. The Q105 is used to slow down the gate signal and cover up the very fast ones between close keystrokes. See this article by Brad Frohock.

Price
$75.00 US.

6-pin male circular DIN plug on one end, and a 2.5mm DC power plug on the other. 36" long.

Price
$18.00 US.