Replacement Pro One Keyboard

[Drayon]

Any further updates to the Fatar key bed install?

[grantb3]

Originally Posted by Drayon

Any further updates to the Fatar key bed install?

It went great! I love it. Sorry, I have not had time to post more pics. Most technicians should be able to do this retrofit no problem.

[grantb3]

Originally Posted by grantb3

I updated my progress on another forum thread (not sure which one though). I was able to replace my keybed with the deopfer/fatar one. Please see my blog post about it.

NEW Keyboard for SCI Pro One! | Music Technologies Group Blog

However I have not had the time to update the instructions or photos of it. It took me a couple of hours to sort out the wiring from the doepfer/fatar connector to the SCI Pro One connector, but it works great now.

I finally updated this with a drawing.

[Drayon]

Thanks for the follow up on this grantb3. This is something I need to consider to bring my Pro-One back to life. I have a very early serial numbered unit with the J-Wire, and it's the most awful keyboard. My Pro-One is in pretty poor internal condition. It hums and there are stuck notes (audible) when turning on the machine. It's like a the arpeggiator is is stuck on but I know it is the keys.

I'm in two minds as to whether I should replace the keyboard, and upgrade it with the fantastic CPU+MIDI option, or find another Pro-One in better condition and the upgrade that with the CPU+MIDI option.

I have a Prophet VS as well which needs help, it hums loudly when I turn it on, it doesn't make any audio and after a minute it heats up a burning smell emanates from it. I'm not brave enough to leave it on any longer.

[dougt]

If you have the j-wire keyboard you have the good keyboard, much better than the later membrane one... Have you ever cleaned the j-wires and made sure they are all still lined up straight? Ever replace the rubber bushings? The poor keyboard is over 30 years old, you can't expect it to go that long without some maintenance...

[Drayon]

Originally Posted by dougt

If you have the j-wire keyboard you have the good keyboard, much better than the later membrane one... Have you ever cleaned the j-wires and made sure they are all still lined up straight? Ever replace the rubber bushings? The poor keyboard is over 30 years old, you can't expect it to go that long without some maintenance...

Hi dougt, I have replaced the bushings with the Universal Keyboard upgrade for Pro One from Virtual Music - Sequential Circuits Zone

It took many hours, was very difficult and messy and I didn't achieve what i'd hoped for. It wasn't particularly much of on upgrade and it didn't really fix the problems. My Pro One hasn't been used since doing the upgrade as it was packed away in storage for 5 years until I opened it up a few months ago. I can't see anything visibly unusual with the keyboard and for this I can't see where or which keys are stuck on because the keys are not depressed.

[grantb3]

There is a mod for the hum. I haven't had a problem so I didn't do mine yet, but it's also one of the early J-wire versions (the one with the transformer mounted to the PCB).

My old keyboard was a frustrating mess too. The new one works great. You (or I) could probably sell the old keyboard and it would pay for the new one. The guys with membranes are the worst off of all, yet I don't see many people jumping for a new Fatar keybed. I'm very happy with mine. It took a while to sort out the wiring though, and you need to remember to order the cable with the keybed, else you are in for real fun.

I think all the Pro One's sound a note when you turn them on. All the one's I've seen do anyway. Maybe just the oldest ones? I dunno ... if the rest of the Pro One sound generation is good, you might be best to stick with that. If you get one with a dead OSC or something, then you're really in for it.

[amosandy]

Grant, I've ordered the keyboard and a 20 pin connection. COuld you help me with what cable to order as well. Just didn't see anything on the website to order!!! Thanks

[amosandy]

Yes, I just bought one from Keyparts in England. Got it 2 days early too. Dying to hook it up to my Pro One. Pat

[amosandy]

Sorry to bother you on that last email!!! Got the keyframe, got the cable, got the connector..just need to mount it and wire the 20 pin to the 16 pin using your schematic. Hope to be done in a couple of day. Thanks for your previous help.