Hello
I have an idea I am ready to implement, but I won't go ahead until I know whether it's feasible. I would appreciate some comments regarding whether it might work.
The idea is to hook up LPT1 to the keyboard matrix of a non-MIDI musical keyboard. Now, each key on the musical keyboard works by making a connection when the key is pressed. The sound chip works out which key(s) is being pressed, by determining which of 6 data lines is set or not-set (i.e. 1 or 0). The player of the instrument holds down a key for however long, and a sound of the appropriate pitch is generated until the key is released.
I intend to simply wire in a connection to LPT1, to the 6 data lines directly, i.e. without relays/reed switches, and then remotely operate the keyboard by writing a program that sends a bitstream to whichever data line I want. I imagine that given it's a 6-volt unit, then sending fast 5-volt pulses directly into the data line for x length of time should close the circuit in the same way as pressing a key.
What do you think? Is this mad or might it work?
Thanks
I have an idea I am ready to implement, but I won't go ahead until I know whether it's feasible. I would appreciate some comments regarding whether it might work.
The idea is to hook up LPT1 to the keyboard matrix of a non-MIDI musical keyboard. Now, each key on the musical keyboard works by making a connection when the key is pressed. The sound chip works out which key(s) is being pressed, by determining which of 6 data lines is set or not-set (i.e. 1 or 0). The player of the instrument holds down a key for however long, and a sound of the appropriate pitch is generated until the key is released.
I intend to simply wire in a connection to LPT1, to the 6 data lines directly, i.e. without relays/reed switches, and then remotely operate the keyboard by writing a program that sends a bitstream to whichever data line I want. I imagine that given it's a 6-volt unit, then sending fast 5-volt pulses directly into the data line for x length of time should close the circuit in the same way as pressing a key.
What do you think? Is this mad or might it work?
Thanks