Where to buy keyboard Manuals ?

An enquiry - are there any twin manuals on the market which are a near simulation to the actual pipe organ Great / Swell ? I'm finding that the electronic organ touch and feel is not very satisfactory - it would be nice to have something that conveys the pipe organ touch. Does anybody know of a manufacturer without being too expensive ?

Thanks,
John Dean (UK)

... manuals on the market which are a near simulation to the actual pipe organ Great / Swell ....

Check out MIDI Keyboards on

http://midiorgan.com/midistuff

You might have a look at www.hoffrichter-kirchenorgel.de (English section). There is a new product line.

You might have a look at www.hoffrichter-kirchenorgel.de (English section). There is a new product line.

If you don't mind wainting for monthe (I've sent my order with a 50% acount mid june 2004 and am still waiting for delivery........................) :!: :(

You could try asking Renatus http://www.renatus.co.uk about Fatar tracker-touch plastic key keyboards. However they believe that Hauptwerk is a joke and no PC could ever have enough "generator sources" to simulate an organ effectively.

Other mainstream sources - even ones which stock Fatar studio keyboards, were not able to get hold of specialised "OEM" models or even knew of them.

Best wishes and good luck

Neil

If you don't mind wainting for monthe (I've sent my order with a 50% acount mid june 2004 and am still waiting for delivery........................) :!: :(

Yes, I wrote them 4 e-mail messages starting from 1 month ago and had NO ANSWER.

Anyway I think we can open a discussion about how to transform a normal (plastic too) kebyoard in order that it feels like a real organ keyboard. "Plastic too" because once the action is realistic, it's not so important form the playter's point of view whether the keyboard is plastic, wooden or golden...

First step should be removing the springs (if springs are there) and then using something else to simulate tracker action or at least a more realistic feeling (in another post Neil suggested lead weights and magnets).

And then also the contacts to MIDIfy the keyboard must be done.

Ok, so let's start creating!

Hello,

have a look at the web site of UHT (Ulrich Hermann Tastaturbau, Erfurt), who provides high quality (wooden) organ keyboards with adjustable electromagnetical pressure point (patented), perhaps worldwide actually the best system for this application. Not quite cheap, but excellent organ touch!

http://www.uht-tastaturen.de/english.htm

OrganART will be present at the Frankfurt music fair together with UHT wooden keyboard systems (6. - 9. April)
So if you have time to come to Frankfurt, you'll welcome at the stand 5.0-C04

Hello,

have a look at the web site of UHT (Ulrich Hermann Tastaturbau, Erfurt), who provides high quality (wooden) organ keyboards with adjustable electromagnetical pressure point (patented), perhaps worldwide actually the best system for this application. Not quite cheap, but excellent organ touch!

I don't have a pricelist for these stunning keyboards, but reading between the lines of what others have told me, I would assume £1500+ per keyboard. Renatus are the UK distributor for UHT but when I approached them, they were distinctly unwilling to sell to a private individual whom they "have neither the time nor facilities to support." They also wouldn't provide pricing information without knowing exactly what I wanted.

I would at some point like to replace my wooden-core keyboards with better items (I need to replace all the felt bumpers) but I think the cost of the UHT items would be prohibitive.

I can dream!

Best wishes//Neil

Hello,

have a look at the web site of UHT (Ulrich Hermann Tastaturbau, Erfurt), who provides high quality (wooden) organ keyboards with adjustable electromagnetical pressure point (patented), perhaps worldwide actually the best system for this application. Not quite cheap, but excellent organ touch!

http://www.uht-tastaturen.de/english.htm

OrganART will be present at the Frankfurt music fair together with UHT wooden keyboard systems (6. - 9. April)
So if you have time to come to Frankfurt, you'll welcome at the stand 5.0-C04

Thanks for the invitation, it's not impossible for me to come there, it should be a great idea.

Anyway I already contacted UHT (some days ago) and I'm waiting for an answer.

Is it possible that you tell me (at least in private message) which can be the cost for a standard (so non custom specs) set of 1 2 3 and 4 manuals?

Is there a web link to the Frankfurt music fair?

Thanks.

Thanks for replies. I'm sure these keyboards are very good, but much too expensive. Haptwerk is, after all, a low cost solution ( and very good).

Seems like Ron Coates (http://www.classicorgans.ukf.net) has single keyboards going for about 200 GBP each (not shown on website) - I've not tried one out but he says that they give a much firmer touch than the normal electronic 'loose' feel.

John Dean, UK

Having a look at the prices of the keyboards of www.hoffrichter-kirchenorgel.de it seems that it's possible to have a nice keyboard for quite a low price.

They just show the total cost of their manual blocks (and the extra money to pay to have a wooden keyboard) but probably buying the keyboard only the final cost will be around 500 euros.

Anduins, please check private message!

The Frankfurt music fair (world biggest music exhibition) site is

http://musik.messefrankfurt.com/frankfu ... esuch.html

The UHT/OrganART stand you'll find in Hall 5.0 C04
Everybody is welcome to test manuals and play organs.

What about the new masterkeyboard from Doepfer?
http://www.doepfer.de/D3.htm