Re: Numeric Keypad to Music Keyboard modification (?)

[Wayne Stewart <waynes@intergate.ca>]

Simon Williams wrote:
> 
> I just got my hands on a numeric keypad for the //e noticed that it
> doesn't seem to contain any electronics... just a bunch of switches
> basically.
> 
> Now this has me excited because:
> 
> a) I've got a hankering to build a single-octave piano style keyboard
> input     device so I can play my //e like a synthesizer (humour me,
> please), and
> 
> b) My knowledge of electronics is practically non-existent
> 
> My questions are:
> 
> 1) If I wired together a bunch of keyboard switches copying the
> circuit from the keypad's PC board will it function the same way?

Yes
 
> 2) If yes, can I use any type of switch or would they have to come
> from an Apple keyboard?

Anything that closes a circuit will work. You could even use knife 
switches, thogh your typing speed would likely decrease a mite :-)

 
> 3) Where can I get the connectors that will mate with the 'numeric
> keypad' input on the //e's motherboard?

I don't know but it shouldn't be too hard to find someting that'll 
work
 
If You happen to have an EPROM Burner you can change what each of 
those keys outputs. I rewired a IIgs keyboard to work with a IIe
and didn't like the clear key working like the esc key so I changed 
it to a Control-X, which is what that key on a IIgs does.