Old 08-09-2019, 10:19 AM   #1
Pashkuli
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Default Pashkuli Keyboard

Hello.
Not new to the Reaper forum (and Reaper), although not active that much.
I am a Design Engineer by trade (as probably no one of you know).
Recently (well actually quite long ago as an idea) I managed to complete my MIDI keyboard prototype, called Pashkuli Keyboard.

My work on this keyboard is based on the work of Theophilè Dreschke from more than a century ago and the work of Paul von Jankò. The concept generally is based on the idea of a isomorphic layout and uniform keyboards. The most contemporary products based on that concept are the Daskin (USA) and Chromatone (Japan) keyboards.

I believe my design is a step ahead into the concept of uniform keyboards. Please, see the attached photos for more visual representation. I will start shooting short videos about how it feels to play this keyboard.
As a disclaimer I must admit, that I have never played keyboard instruments in my life (only drums, guitars... and whistling).


















Here the pinky and the thumb fingers span an octave (renova) interval.
The hand is calm and fingers sit comfortably on the keys, no stretch.










One finger can trigger any two adjacent keys as prime or second intervals. The slight slope is beneficial for the effortless move.



















Please, let me read your thoughts. Videos are coming soon on YouTube (Pashkuli Keyboard) and Instagram (pashkuli.keyboard), so please, stay tuned if you like it! Thanks!

Pashkuli Keyboard on Youtube

Pashkuli Keyboard on Instagram

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Old 08-09-2019, 10:26 PM   #2
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Is the key layout compatible with that of traditional knob accordion / bandoneon ?

What do you do about velocity ?

-Michael
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Old 08-10-2019, 12:38 AM   #3
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There are four types of accordions (of which I know):
bayan, bandoneon, kravtsov and the standard one. Of course, there are much more (Types of Accordions)

None of these has anything to do with my design (Pashkuli), although by its keys design, kravtsov is somehow very close. The note layout though is completely different. My keyboard is suitable for accordion implementation as well though.
Velocity and aftertouch are available (I have used a heavily modified KORG hardware). MIDI functionality is fully implemented.
I was hoping to implement OSC as well, but my knowledge is not strong enough in that field unfortunately.

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Old 08-10-2019, 07:59 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adXok View Post
I was hoping to implement OSC as well, but my knowledge is not strong enough in that field unfortunately.
Do you have Ethernet ? This is what mostly is used to carry OSC.
In fact OSC only defines a frame for information you define as you like, so not much knowledge necessary there.

-Michael
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Old 08-11-2019, 12:59 AM   #5
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Yes, I am somehow aware of OSC but this keyboard doesn't have Ethernet.
The prototype above uses old hardware from the late 90's, I believe.
It is filly functional in terms of velocity curves, aftertouch, pitch and mod transform, MIDI functionality, etc.
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Old 08-18-2019, 06:55 AM   #6
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i feel like biting into those keys !!! hehe
amazing design
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Old 08-19-2019, 05:56 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zookthespook View Post
i feel like biting into those keys !!! hehe
amazing design
True! You should have seen the first prototype - pinkish-magenta keys - The candy keyboard.
Now it is the Marshmallow Keyboard.
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Old 08-26-2019, 01:54 AM   #8
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Lil' teaser (not synced video)

I was aware videos take a lot of time to edit but, man... this is insane - 1 hour of edits for 10-15 min. final video. Anyway.

*** note that I tried to present the relative dimensions and sizes between the keyboards as accurate as possible... both having 88 keys each. Smooth as a silky milky.



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Old 09-08-2019, 06:18 PM   #9
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Decided to make a small (tiny) demo. Had no idea about that composer Schumann and why he had to damage his fingers. Pity...
Please, click on the image below to open the video link.



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Old 12-05-2019, 12:23 PM   #10
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In the KVR forum there was a quite boring (to me at least) debate regarding what Pitch Bend is and why many keyboardists have no idea about this technique (please do not confuse it with Pitch Bend MIDI message).

A company called Expressive E recently announced a Osmose keyboard controller, which uses EaganMatrix (Haken Continuum) synth engine and possibly Haken integrated hardware, showing some adjacent Pitch Bend possibilities, but I am not entirely convinced up to this point.

Their product Osmose will be available around summer 2020, so we will have to explore it after six months.

Until then, please, if you would like to get the general idea behind the misconception, I made a short video with my keyboard:

~ Pashkuli keyboard ~

Please, click on the image below to open the video link.

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Old 12-05-2019, 02:12 PM   #11
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Are you using 3D printers for printing the keys? Or just bought something fitting?
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Old 12-05-2019, 02:40 PM   #12
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3D printing for prototyping - yes. Not cheap at all. Combined SLS and SLM methods. Glue has not been used at all. Keytops are changeable, removable (if you'd like a coloured or symbol etched, etc.).
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Old 05-15-2020, 10:57 AM   #13
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Just made some re-design on the "standard" piano keyboard, I've been procrastinating for 15 years...








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Old 05-15-2020, 03:01 PM   #14
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Beautiful !
But playable ?

-Michael
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Old 05-16-2020, 11:00 AM   #15
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Playable. Why not!?
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Old 06-16-2020, 01:50 PM   #16
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Old 11-04-2020, 10:58 AM   #17
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A small MIDI-keyboard on its way! Finally.


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Old 11-10-2020, 06:15 AM   #18
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What are the benefits of the curved keys?
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Old 01-08-2021, 03:31 AM   #19
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Waiting for some of the parts, so here is another one of the re-design of the "standard" piano\synth keyboard.

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Old 01-08-2021, 03:46 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carbon View Post
What are the benefits of the curved keys?
Hi, carbon
I apologise for not seeing your question on time (it's been three months!)

Well, the curved keys:
  1. are more comfortable
  2. allow you to play faster\less energy
  3. easy transition between the keys themselves
  4. thus easier transposition of chords, phrases
  5. allow you to play tremolo repeats by sweeping\flickering your fingertips
  6. chromatic slides (true chromatic) in two main zones all across
  7. can slide from white to black key even at the front (bump rounded corners of the white keys)
  8. can press two adjacent keys (intervals) with one fingertip\knuckle


And not gonna lie... it looks damn cool!

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Old 01-16-2021, 04:16 AM   #21
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Old 01-16-2021, 01:35 PM   #22
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Getting tired to be forced to d/l these huge pictures

-Michael
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Old 01-16-2021, 02:49 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mschnell View Post
Getting tired to be forced to d/l these huge pictures

-Michael
Fair enough. I compressed quite a lot this next one from today (557 Kb):



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Old 01-26-2021, 03:31 PM   #24
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I think, I managed to create e repository for the 'PMN project' on Github here:


Though I am not sure how the actual project will get running on that platform. I think, I created a project but it gives me only an empty window, with which purpose I am not familiar and do not know what to write or how to invite a developer to see it, initiate its first code, etc.

Any help will be appreciated!

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Old 01-27-2021, 07:00 AM   #25
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The "standard" and PMN (Pashkuli Music Notation) systems. Shown are the first 7 bars from Chopin's "Fantaisie-Impromptu". Enjoy the comparison!

The proposed notation PMN (Plain Music Notation) is all about:
· simplicity (you need only a pencil and paper)
· extreme accuracy (composer intention) in both staff and chord names (letters + numbers)
· tachyonic speed of mnemonic readability and learning (symbolic)
· it spares vertical and horizontal space (at least 80% of the time) = less paper, less turning of pages
· it is intended towards 12-TET but can be modified to other systems as well
and more...



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Old 09-16-2021, 08:50 AM   #26
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Here is some recent photos.
No more updates for now, only those photos of the final prototypes.
They have been tested already by a few keyboard players, so it is about time...







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Old 01-26-2022, 08:13 AM   #27
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Because I have designed PMN (Plain Music Notation) a few "challenges" have been given to me to visualise them in PMN.




more clean engraving:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

another "challenge"




Wish Reaper could give us custom icons for MIDI events\notes (.svg or .png would be fine) as visualised above.
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Old 02-13-2022, 07:15 AM   #28
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I did some small chord comparison. As you can see I have chosen the easier case of "standard" C "natural" major (Ionian), which is B4·7·II (B Ionian) in PMN.
Once the 7 "natural" and so called diatonic symbols get recognised\memorised, then spotting inversions, intervals (chromatic thirds and fourths in PMN), is as easy as writing and reading text.
Shown are two ways of emphasizing the root note (most useful in chord inversions):


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