Chopping a weighted action to fun size

[ca.88fingers]

Since most stages I play are cramped, I am trying to go vertical rather than horizontal for my boards. I'm a good enough player and programmer to abandon 88 keys, 76 keys too.

There are very very few 61 key weighted boards - Roland RD-64, I think Korg has a Grandstage 61 (?). ANd few boards that have a decent weighted feel, along with portability and midi functionality. My stoopid idea is to chop an old decent-feeling weighted board to 5 octaves. I believe it can be done.

I found a reddit somewhere where a guy chopped a Nord to 5 octaves and it worked.

I'm wondering if anyone else has done this? My plan is to find an action I like (not a huge fan of the RD-64 action - I'll go in that direction if all else fails) and do surgery on the board to get it down to 5 octaves, hopefully with pitch+mod wheels/lever.

Would love to hear others' experiences!

 

[Biggles]

Why not buy an M Audio Oxygen Pro 61 controller and use it with a laptop or iPad?

The keyboard is semi weighted but has a heavy action, it also has aftertouch.

 

[ca.88fingers]

Thanks for the input! I can't say for certain that I've tried that specific model, but I have tried out MAudio Oxygen series. I will search one out and give it a shot. As I mentioned, the Roland RD-64 has a fully weighted keyboard, but the feel is still not there. It may be my last resort!
Besides, doesn't it sound like a *fun* adventure to chop a keyboard... hehe

I should run down what I have considered: I have played np11/30, A70, A30 (currently my main go-to for piano-ish gigs), A800 pro, p45 p85 p115 p125 (although the p121 might work), StudioLogis SLs, novation, NI SLs, ep7, RD300, MKB300, Arturias, Alesis, Casios , many others.

Doesn't need to have 5pin MIDI, I can use a small CME interface if necessary.

I might try it on a cheap <$150 CAD casio or something. I know the way some manufacturers set up their PCBs, this won't be possible. Other manufactures split theirs by octaves. I ?think? it might work to leave some of the keyboard and scanner unconnected, if there's no issue with the keyboard's operating system. If that works, remove the octaves you don't want, cut down the chassis and case, tape it back together with gaffer tape (he he) and good-to-go.

 

[Biggles]

There is a big difference in the keybed feel between the Oxygen and Oxygen Pro models.

 

[Scradley1960]

I hated the RD64. Used it once and sold it.

 

[Pete The Greek]

I would look at the Numa XPiano73 (I own one). It is only 2-3" wider than some 61-key keyboards (I use a 61-key bag for mine for gigging), and narrower than the other hammer action 73-key options. A lot of 61-key controllers have lots of "stuff" to the left of the keybed (e.g. pitch bend and modwheel, or their Roland equivalents).

Examples:
Korg Keystage 61 is 38.54" wide
Roland A800 Pro (61 keys) is 39.5" wide
Numa XPiano73 is 41.4" wide
Nord Electro 6HP is 42.3" wide
Yamaha CP73 is 42.75" wide
Yamaha P121 is 43.86" wide

An extra octave plus hammer action for just 2-3" additional inches in width is a good trade-off for me.

 

[Stampanator]

Yamaha ck 61 or reface series cp?

 

[Pete The Greek]

The CK61 is definitely one of the narrower 61-key boards (just under 36"), because the pitch bend and mod wheels are not to the left of the keybed, so it meets the "narrow" requirement. But it is not a WEIGHTED keybed (OP specified that they were looking for a weighted keybed). AFAIK, nobody currently makes a weighted keybed that isn't 73 (rare), or 76 (rare), or 88 (common) keys.