PAIA Velocity Touch Interface

via this auction

"PAIA Veloci -Touch circuit board. This kit is no longer avaialble from PAIA and can be used to add velocity capability to older synths that did not have this feature. What is included is the bare pc board and a copy of the complete assembly and user manual that came with it."

"QUESTION: There is an input for a piezo element that detects keyboard pressure; Is the piezo included with the PCB, in this auction? I'm wondering because it seems like this circuit would require an unusual sized peizo-- one that would fit under the entire length of the keyboard, right?

ANSWER: There is an input for a single piezo sensor - I will include one with the board. The sensor must be mounted in such a way as to sense the impact from all of the keys - instructions are in the manual regarding the installation. It is up to you to determine if the keyboard you wish to install this in will work with this board - I believe all of the PAIA keyboards were able to work with this interface since they had some type of bar that all the keys came to rest on when they were depressed and the sensor could then be installed under this bar and pick up the velocity from any key pressed as well as the total after touch pressure (the hardest key pressed would dictate the after touch voltage, - in other words, not polyphonic after touch but a single value for all keys.) The velocity voltage from the pcb is also determined by the key pressed the hardest - there is only one voltage output for velocity. The tech support people at PAIA should be able to offer further help on the use of this product. Thanks." via brian c

QUESTION: How does this device work? Does it connect to a keyboard? Is it for Midi data or control voltages? I'm very interested and curious about it.. Thanks.

ANSWER: The Manual for this device (official name is Veloci-Touch Controller) is labelled 8786/4786 (which I think are the product numbers) since there was a rack mount and also a stand alone desktop version of this product. It has a single piezo sensor that is installed under the keys of a synth keyboard in such a way as to pick up the initial impact of any key when first pressed and also the continuous pressure (aftertouch) once any key is down. The manual is dated 1982. I don't know how long this was in production but it is no longer made now. The circuit has a piezo input, gate input and a pressure (voltage) out, velocity (voltage) out and there are four pots on the circuit as well. It was made for keyboards that do not have velocity or aftertouch capability. It has control voltage outputs only (no MIDI) so it is made for use this with a keyboard that has control voltage inputs. It does not operate on the MIDI data coming from the keyboard, it is an entirely analog circuit. I'd suggest contacting PAIA for more info on this as well."