Hello Thomas,
Six years ago I designed a set of IR-Optical Switch P C Boards, and today they are still playing as perfect as the day I finished adjusting them. "I am utilizing Pairs of them on my Pedals", the first of each of them, is for Keying, and the second ones are paralleled through 32 Silicon Diodes, then connected through an NPN transistor, that triggers the Sustain Pedal of My Steinway grand Sample set !
This is very effective except when Heeling and Toeing
, or Pedaling with two feet !
(That I don't do !!!!!)
Both my Keyboards are utilizing a different design of them, as I was able to find Optos, that are narrow enough to mount two of them under each of my Keys,at different
I use these for Second touch now, with hope in the future that I can use them for Touch control of my Steinway Grand Sample Set, that Has 24 levels of touch control, by Midi !
These devices are Perfection, for Keying an Organ, you can actually feel the positivity when playing the organ !
BTW, I installed hundreds of Mag.-Reeds years ago, and I did get them to perform well, after Months of experimentation. I wound up using a 90 degree twisted steel shield at the back of each key to prevent interaction !
I would never use the glass encapsulated reeds, ever again ! The plastic encapsulated ones seem to be a bit easier device to work with.
Some have utilized Hall effect switches, but they are only capable of switching minuscule currents, so they usually require Op-Amps (or Comparitors) to provide usable switching output, and can provide for Touch control, with dual op-amps for each key !
For simplicity and Reliability, I don't think anyone can go wrong with utilizing "IR-Op-Switches !
Mel,
RSVP, TheOrganDoc@Yah--.com, if you would like any further info. best wishes.
organtechnology wrote:I was just told today that the lever switches are supposed to go in the middle of the pedal board where the travel is less.
With all the trouble I have had with the adjustment of Microswitches™ and magnetic reed switch/magnets, I now think optical is the way to go Nick has some nice designs and printed circuit boards all ready to go too.
Later,
Thomas