Organ Pedalboard Keyboard

DIY - how to create own low budget version

This page is dedicated to anyone who want to create your own organ pedalboard keyboard

First question - why not to buy ? Answer is simple - cost ! 70 % cheaper then store price !

but of course exist other, more important reason - satisfaction ! ;)

If you play at home and as amateur - both of above reasons should be enough to do it !

So go to work !

The basic design assumptions/criteria:

- full-size 32-key keyboard

- cheap materials but working properly without any further issues

- smart dimensions but comfortable to use – legs should have range for full keys and when pressing one key should not touch the adjacent keys.

The basic material is wood - so I bought pine or fir wood - slats 6 cm high and 2 cm thick for the keys, which gave the key sufficient stiffness. I assumed the length of about 60 cm, so this 2m long slat is enough for 3 keys.

The black keys are the same length and thickness, but the slats are lower 3.5 cm high plus black inserts.

Then visual and useful rounding of the keys

I used a manual milling machine and a rounded cutter

Now looks better ;)

Next step is to create special undercuts at both ends which visually looks better but also required – what will be seen later.

Now keys are ready for assembly

The element that will connect the keys to the frame are steel flat bars, 15 cm long and 2 mm thick fixed with screws. This element works also as a hinge for the keys and as a preliminary spring element

The black key – wood glue plus 2 long screws

Varnishing: transparent wood varnish and black stain

Frame

MIDI Signal - How to make a signal from keys

- first way – by using mechanical contactor where key pushing the contactor lever

- second way (my) – contactless by reed switch – I used cylindrical shape cause of simple installation – only require drilling tight hole or use glue.

The switching part with wires is in the frame while magnet part in key.

Pushing the key down – we will have connection – what could be verify by simple LED circuit

See movie

For stable work of keys - aluminium tubes plus felt strips

The last raw of holes were for springs but it was too hard to push the key therefore I put the springs in the middle of the keys.

Springs which I used it was compression spring.

To remove knocking of the keys when pushing and returning – I used felt strips

View from the bottom

But how it works ?

– how its possible that wood make a sound ;)

Here is a heart of the circuit – which convert signal from the connectors to MIDI

You could buy it in Poland - karolrogala@o2.pl

https://www.olx.pl/d/oferta/uklad-midi-do-klawiatura-nozna-midi-dla-hauptwek-pedal-organy-CID751-IDy33k1.html

https://allegro.pl/oferta/midi-do-klawiatura-nozna-pedal-pedalowa-organy-12063082354

There is instruction how to connect this – it is not an easy and you need to be patient and motivated to finish this – like brazing more then 80 wires but I confirm that works! ;)

To connect our keyboard to computer we need MIDI-USB wire/converter like on the picture and use program like free GrandOrgue or buy Hauptwerk.

I recommend this wire and not recommend the cheaper converter which lost the signal

I recommend installing the MIDI socket on the housing and socket for the 12V DC plus LED which blinking when pushing the key what informing about proper work of the keyboard