Keyboard - Revision history

Lucius Chiaraviglio: /* Multiple keyboards in a single instrument */ Ergonomics are partly dependent upon composition style

2026-09-13T19:49:53Z

Multiple keyboards in a single instrument: Ergonomics are partly dependent upon composition style

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:49, 13 September 2026
Line 22:		Line 22:

	=== Multiple keyboards in a single instrument ===		=== Multiple keyboards in a single instrument ===
	Related to the above, a very small number of quarter-tone ([[24edo]]) pianos have been built which combine two keyboards (with the bottom one repeated at the top) in a single instrument. This arrangement works well enough for other keyboard instruments such as harpsichords and organs having multiple manuals to get different tonal quality and volume, but yields rather poor ergonomics for playing chords that span the keyboards~~; it~~ also makes instruments that either sacrifice power or are very large and heavy. Here are a couple of videos of these instruments being tested/played experimentally:		Related to the above, a very small number of quarter-tone ([[24edo]]) pianos have been built which combine two keyboards (with the bottom one repeated at the top) in a single instrument. This arrangement works well enough for other keyboard instruments such as harpsichords and organs having multiple manuals to get different tonal quality and volume, but yields rather poor ergonomics for playing chords that span the keyboards. That said, some quarter-tone styles of composition mainly alternate between the two circles of fifths and only rarely play notes from both at the same time, and for such styles the ergonomic problem would be greatly mitigated. It also makes instruments that either sacrifice power or are very large and heavy. Here are a couple of videos of these instruments being tested/played experimentally:

	; Quarter-tone grand piano, Czech Museum of Music (this piano is essentially two stacked grand pianos, and as such is massive, in order to avoid sacrificing strings per note)		; Quarter-tone grand piano, Czech Museum of Music (this piano is essentially two stacked grand pianos, and as such is massive, in order to avoid sacrificing strings per note)

Lucius Chiaraviglio: /* Multiple keyboards in a single instrument */ Fix section heading

2026-09-13T19:43:43Z

Multiple keyboards in a single instrument: Fix section heading

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:43, 13 September 2026
Line 21:		Line 21:
	* [http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/tuning/message/74155 12 note octave scales piano tuning instructions for 41edo]{{dead link}}		* [http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/tuning/message/74155 12 note octave scales piano tuning instructions for 41edo]{{dead link}}

	== Multiple keyboards in a single instrument ==		=== Multiple keyboards in a single instrument ===
	Related to the above, a very small number of quarter-tone ([[24edo]]) pianos have been built which combine two keyboards (with the bottom one repeated at the top) in a single instrument. This arrangement works well enough for other keyboard instruments such as harpsichords and organs having multiple manuals to get different tonal quality and volume, but yields rather poor ergonomics for playing chords that span the keyboards; it also makes instruments that either sacrifice power or are very large and heavy. Here are a couple of videos of these instruments being tested/played experimentally:		Related to the above, a very small number of quarter-tone ([[24edo]]) pianos have been built which combine two keyboards (with the bottom one repeated at the top) in a single instrument. This arrangement works well enough for other keyboard instruments such as harpsichords and organs having multiple manuals to get different tonal quality and volume, but yields rather poor ergonomics for playing chords that span the keyboards; it also makes instruments that either sacrifice power or are very large and heavy. Here are a couple of videos of these instruments being tested/played experimentally:

Lucius Chiaraviglio: Add live links to performances of ''Arc-en-Ciel'' (1956) by Ivan Wyschnegradsky and ''Limited approximations'' (2010) by Georg Friedrich Haas; add multiple keyboards in a single instrument; fix some other things

2026-09-13T19:42:50Z

Add live links to performances of ''Arc-en-Ciel'' (1956) by Ivan Wyschnegradsky and ''Limited approximations'' (2010) by Georg Friedrich Haas; add multiple keyboards in a single instrument; fix some other things

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:42, 13 September 2026
Line 7:		Line 7:
	== Strategies for more than 12 tones per octave ==		== Strategies for more than 12 tones per octave ==
	=== Multiple keyboards ===		=== Multiple keyboards ===
	One solution is to use several keyboards whose keys are slightly detuned against each other. This solution was namely used by several classical composers in the 20th century, including [[Alois Hába]], [[Charles Ives]] and [[Ivan Wyschnegradsky]], usually with a [[12edo]] tuning on each keyboard, but with different reference pitches. [[24edo]] can be achieved by tuning two keyboards a quarter tone apart from each other, [[36edo]] by tuning three keyboards separated by sixth tones, and so on.		One solution is to use several keyboards whose keys are slightly detuned against each other. This solution was namely used by several classical composers in the 20th century, including [[Alois Hába]], [[Charles Ives]], and [[Ivan Wyschnegradsky]], usually with a [[12edo]] tuning on each keyboard, but with different reference pitches. [[24edo]] can be achieved by tuning two keyboards a quarter tone apart from each other, [[36edo]] by tuning three keyboards separated by sixth tones, and so on.

	Of course, each keyboard's tuning does not have to be 12edo, but choosing a 12-tone octave-repeating scale has its advantages. The keyboard layout keeps the familiar property that 12 key steps span one octave, and the pitches typically need only minor retuning. This is not unimportant for acoustical instruments, where we usually have physical limits to the amount a pitch can be retuned. For this reason, this approach is widely used, especially in the field of contemporary classical music. As for synthesizers, a compatibility list for various models can be found at [http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com Microtonal Synthesis].		Of course, each keyboard's tuning does not have to be 12edo, but choosing a 12-tone octave-repeating scale has its advantages. The keyboard layout keeps the familiar property that 12 key steps span one octave, and the pitches typically need only minor retuning. This is not unimportant for acoustical instruments, where we usually have physical limits to the amount a pitch can be retuned. For this reason, this approach is widely used, especially in the field of contemporary classical music. As for synthesizers, a compatibility list for various models can be found at [http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com Microtonal Synthesis].

	The main disadvantage of this solution is, of course, that you need several keyboards. In the case of acoustic pianos, this means in practice that the maximal number of pitches per octave you can obtain is limited – to the number of pianos you can put on the stage ~~together…~~ [http://www.allmusic.com/composition/arc-en-ciel-for-6-grand-pianos-in-12-tone-tuning-mc0002707751 ''Arc-en-ciel''] by [[Ivan Wyschnegradsky]], for example, a piece in [[72edo]], is written for six (!) pianos, and [~~http~~://www.~~universaledition~~.com/~~Georg-Friedrich-Haas/komponisten-und-werke/komponist/278/werk/13386~~ ''Limited approximations'']~~{{dead link}}~~ by [[Georg Friedrich Haas]], in 72edo as well, needs the same number of pianos and moreover a whole ~~orchestra…~~		The main disadvantage of this solution is, of course, that you need several keyboards. In the case of acoustic pianos, this means in practice that the maximal number of pitches per octave you can obtain is limited – to the number of pianos you can put on the stage together. [http://www.allmusic.com/composition/arc-en-ciel-for-6-grand-pianos-in-12-tone-tuning-mc0002707751 ''Arc-en-ciel''] (listen [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCcJHCkYQ6U here]) (1956) by [[Ivan Wyschnegradsky]], for example, a piece in [[72edo]], is written for six (!) pianos, and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L2vLH2KgSU ''Limited approximations''] (2010) by [[Georg Friedrich Haas]], in 72edo as well, needs the same number of pianos and moreover a whole orchestra. (The latter link is a score video, but due to the sheer number of parts, is very small and verging impossible to read even at 1440p/HD.)

	Electronic keyboards sometimes have the possibility to play in "split" mode, i.e. the upper and the lower half of the keyboard can send to different midi channels. Some keyboards offer up to 4 split areas. In this case, you need only one keyboard – but you still have the disadvantage of having to jump between the areas.		Electronic keyboards sometimes have the possibility to play in "split" mode, i.e. the upper and the lower half of the keyboard can send to different midi channels. Some keyboards offer up to 4 split areas. In this case, you need only one keyboard – but you still have the disadvantage of having to jump between the areas.
Line 20:		Line 20:
	* [[24edo#instruments\|12 note octave scales piano tuning instructions for 24edo]]		* [[24edo#instruments\|12 note octave scales piano tuning instructions for 24edo]]
	* [http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/tuning/message/74155 12 note octave scales piano tuning instructions for 41edo]{{dead link}}		* [http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/tuning/message/74155 12 note octave scales piano tuning instructions for 41edo]{{dead link}}

			== Multiple keyboards in a single instrument ==
			Related to the above, a very small number of quarter-tone ([[24edo]]) pianos have been built which combine two keyboards (with the bottom one repeated at the top) in a single instrument. This arrangement works well enough for other keyboard instruments such as harpsichords and organs having multiple manuals to get different tonal quality and volume, but yields rather poor ergonomics for playing chords that span the keyboards; it also makes instruments that either sacrifice power or are very large and heavy. Here are a couple of videos of these instruments being tested/played experimentally:

			; Quarter-tone grand piano, Czech Museum of Music (this piano is essentially two stacked grand pianos, and as such is massive, in order to avoid sacrificing strings per note)
			* [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ieqi54XE2lI Demonstration short video by Nahre Sol] (2024)

			; Quarter-tone upright piano, Academy of Music in Prague (Czech Republic) (this piano apparently sacrificed number of strings per note in order to be able to fit into a reasonable amount of space)
			* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdP4epQIUrU Demonstration video by Steve Cohn] (2011)

	=== Full keyboard retuning ===		=== Full keyboard retuning ===
Line 28:		Line 37:
	A possible "full keyboard scales" piano tuning for [[22edo]], mapping two keyboard octaves to one acoustic octave, is described in [http://lumma.org/tuning/erlich/erlich-decatonic.pdf Paul Erlich's paper on 22edo], on page 11.		A possible "full keyboard scales" piano tuning for [[22edo]], mapping two keyboard octaves to one acoustic octave, is described in [http://lumma.org/tuning/erlich/erlich-decatonic.pdf Paul Erlich's paper on 22edo], on page 11.

	In the case of acoustic instruments such as pianos, tuning full keyboard scales may even require major changes in construction. It has been done, however, to build instruments such as [[96edo#History\|96edo]] ~~pianos~~.		In the case of acoustic instruments such as pianos, tuning full keyboard scales may even require major changes in construction. It has been done, however, to build instruments such as the "metamorphoser pianos" made by {{W\|Julián Carrillo}} in tunings up to [[96edo#History\|96edo]].

	=== Modulation wheel ===		=== Modulation wheel ===
Line 40:		Line 49:
	Some instruments allows their tuning to be changed "on the fly", allowing access to more than 12 notes, although not all at once. The main advantage is that the keyboard layout keeps the familiar property that 12 key steps span one octave. The main disadvantages is that certain melodies will be unplayable, such as a rapid passage using more than 12 notes.		Some instruments allows their tuning to be changed "on the fly", allowing access to more than 12 notes, although not all at once. The main advantage is that the keyboard layout keeps the familiar property that 12 key steps span one octave. The main disadvantages is that certain melodies will be unplayable, such as a rapid passage using more than 12 notes.

	For example, the Turkish kanun is a diatonic instrument like a hammer dulcimer, but plucked, not struck. Each set of strings has a set of mandals, a tiny lever which when flipped changes the length of the string and microtonally changes the pitch. It's analogous to the sharpening levers on the ~~celtic~~ harp, but there are ~~mote~~ than one lever per string, and they sharpen considerably less than a semitone.		For example, the Turkish kanun is a diatonic instrument like a hammer dulcimer, but plucked, not struck. Each set of strings has a set of mandals, a tiny lever which when flipped changes the length of the string and microtonally changes the pitch. It's analogous to the sharpening levers on the Celtic harp, but there are more than one lever per string, and they sharpen considerably less than a semitone.

	The easiest way to experiment with dynamic tunings is with midi keyboards and software. [http://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/ Scala] and [http://www.nonoctave.com/tuning/LilMissScaleOven/ Lil' Miss Scale Oven] have limited dynamic tuning ability. [http://www.tallkite.com/alt-tuner.html Alt-tuner] allows retuning of individual notes (choosing among various ratios or among various EDO degrees), modulating to different keys (either by a specific interval, or to a specific note, or to the current bass note), and switching to completely different tunings. All this can be done via keyswitches, foot pedals, the mod wheel, or any control that generates a midi signal. These midi signals can come from any midi device, such as a 2nd keyboard, or even the computer's QWERTY keyboard. Technique-wise, using keyswitches would be similar to using mandals or sharpening levers, and using footpedals would be similar to using the classical harp's pedals.		The easiest way to experiment with dynamic tunings is with midi keyboards and software. [http://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/ Scala] and [http://www.nonoctave.com/tuning/LilMissScaleOven/ Lil' Miss Scale Oven] have limited dynamic tuning ability. [http://www.tallkite.com/alt-tuner.html Alt-tuner] allows retuning of individual notes (choosing among various ratios or among various EDO degrees), modulating to different keys (either by a specific interval, or to a specific note, or to the current bass note), and switching to completely different tunings. All this can be done via keyswitches, foot pedals, the mod wheel, or any control that generates a midi signal. These midi signals can come from any midi device, such as a 2nd keyboard, or even the computer's QWERTY keyboard. Technique-wise, using keyswitches would be similar to using mandals or sharpening levers, and using footpedals would be similar to using the classical harp's pedals.
Line 97:		Line 106:
	''See also this giant [https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=594460 List of MPE Hardware Controllers (www.kvraudio.com/forum)]''.		''See also this giant [https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=594460 List of MPE Hardware Controllers (www.kvraudio.com/forum)]''.

	=== ~~Generalized~~ keyboards ===		=== Specific keyboards (offering isomorphic layout except as noted) ===
	{\| class="wikitable sortable center-4"		{\| class="wikitable sortable center-4"
	\|-		\|-
Line 123:		Line 132:
	\| [https://richiegreene.com/instruments/ Cimbalo Cromatico]		\| [https://richiegreene.com/instruments/ Cimbalo Cromatico]
	\| Richie Greene		\| Richie Greene
	\| Split-key Halberstadt (two layouts, 17-tone and 19-tone)		\| Split-key Halberstadt (non-isomorphic; two layouts, 17-tone and 19-tone)
	\| 32		\| 32
	\| In production		\| In production

FloraC: Improve intro; style

2026-09-02T16:40:23Z

Improve intro; style

Show changes

Lucius Chiaraviglio: /* Multiple keyboards */ Attempted to fix ''Limited Approximations'' link, but it's dead; found candidate replacement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L2vLH2KgSU but did not have time to validate it

2026-09-02T08:35:17Z

Multiple keyboards: Attempted to fix ''Limited Approximations'' link, but it's dead; found candidate replacement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L2vLH2KgSU but did not have time to validate it

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:35, 2 September 2026
Line 11:		Line 11:
	Of course, each keyboard's tuning does not have to be 12edo, but choosing a 12-tone octave-repeating scale has its advantages. The keyboard layout keeps the familiar property that 12 key steps span one octave, and the pitches typically need only minor retuning. This is not unimportant for acoustical instruments, where we usually have physical limits to the amount a pitch can be retuned. For this reason, this approach is widely used, especially in the field of contemporary classical music. As for synthesizers, a compatibility list for various models can be found at [http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com Microtonal Synthesis].		Of course, each keyboard's tuning does not have to be 12edo, but choosing a 12-tone octave-repeating scale has its advantages. The keyboard layout keeps the familiar property that 12 key steps span one octave, and the pitches typically need only minor retuning. This is not unimportant for acoustical instruments, where we usually have physical limits to the amount a pitch can be retuned. For this reason, this approach is widely used, especially in the field of contemporary classical music. As for synthesizers, a compatibility list for various models can be found at [http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com Microtonal Synthesis].

	The main disadvantage of this solution is, of course, that you need several keyboards. In the case of acoustic pianos, this means in practice that the maximal number of pitches per octave you can obtain is limited - to the number of pianos you can put on the stage together... [http://www.allmusic.com/composition/arc-en-ciel-for-6-grand-pianos-in-12-tone-tuning-mc0002707751 ''Arc-en-ciel''] by [[Ivan Wyschnegradsky]], for example, a piece in [[72edo]], is written for six (!) pianos, and [http://www.universaledition.com/Georg-Friedrich-Haas/komponisten-und-werke/komponist/278/werk/13386 "Limited approximations" by [[Georg Friedrich Haas]], in 72edo as well, needs the same number of pianos and moreover a whole orchestra...		The main disadvantage of this solution is, of course, that you need several keyboards. In the case of acoustic pianos, this means in practice that the maximal number of pitches per octave you can obtain is limited - to the number of pianos you can put on the stage together... [http://www.allmusic.com/composition/arc-en-ciel-for-6-grand-pianos-in-12-tone-tuning-mc0002707751 ''Arc-en-ciel''] by [[Ivan Wyschnegradsky]], for example, a piece in [[72edo]], is written for six (!) pianos, and [http://www.universaledition.com/Georg-Friedrich-Haas/komponisten-und-werke/komponist/278/werk/13386 ''Limited approximations'']{{dead link}} by [[Georg Friedrich Haas]], in 72edo as well, needs the same number of pianos and moreover a whole orchestra...

	Electronic keyboards sometimes have the possibility to play in "split" mode, i.e. the upper and the lower half of the keyboard can send to different midi channels. Some keyboards offer up to 4 split areas. In this case, you need only one keyboard - but you still have the disadvantage of having to jump between the areas.		Electronic keyboards sometimes have the possibility to play in "split" mode, i.e. the upper and the lower half of the keyboard can send to different midi channels. Some keyboards offer up to 4 split areas. In this case, you need only one keyboard - but you still have the disadvantage of having to jump between the areas.

FloraC: + link

2026-09-02T06:23:11Z

+ link

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:23, 2 September 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~Pianos~~, harpsichords and organs are suited for microtonal music insofar as the strings/pipes can, within limits, be tuned to anything desired. The probability that tuning issues arise with these instruments is even slightly higher than average since there is often "old" music (baroque and older, from the pre-well-tempered age) being played on them.		[[Piano]]s, harpsichords and organs are suited for microtonal music insofar as the strings/pipes can, within limits, be tuned to anything desired. The probability that tuning issues arise with these instruments is even slightly higher than average since there is often "old" music (baroque and older, from the pre-well-tempered age) being played on them.

	For electronic instruments (synthesizers), there is, in theory, absolute freedom for the pitches anyway — not in practice, though. But nowadays, many synthesizers have a built-in retuning functionality.		For electronic instruments (synthesizers), there is, in theory, absolute freedom for the pitches anyway — not in practice, though. But nowadays, many synthesizers have a built-in retuning functionality.

Tristanbay: /* Generalized keyboards */Added link to my Xen Wiki profile page

2026-08-30T00:18:57Z

Generalized keyboards: Added link to my Xen Wiki profile page

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:18, 30 August 2026
Line 115:		Line 115:
	\|-		\|-
	\|[https://deltarational.com/product/ts41-midi-keyboard/ TS41]		\|[https://deltarational.com/product/ts41-midi-keyboard/ TS41]
	\|Delta Rational/Tristan Bay		\|Delta Rational/[[User:Tristanbay\|Tristan Bay]]
	\|Bosanquet		\|Bosanquet
	\|126		\|126

Tristanbay: /* Generalized keyboards */updated TS41 entry (link now goes to online store, entry now includes name of my company)

2026-08-30T00:17:09Z

Generalized keyboards: updated TS41 entry (link now goes to online store, entry now includes name of my company)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:17, 30 August 2026
Line 114:		Line 114:
	\| $4,250 USD		\| $4,250 USD
	\|-		\|-
	\|[https://~~tristanbay~~.com/~~gear~~/ts41-midi-keyboard/ TS41]		\|[https://deltarational.com/product/ts41-midi-keyboard/ TS41]
	\|Tristan Bay		\|Delta Rational/Tristan Bay
	\|Bosanquet		\|Bosanquet
	\|126		\|126

FranklyFlawless: Broadly updated list of alternative keyboards.

2026-01-27T03:08:02Z

Broadly updated list of alternative keyboards.

Show changes

Tristanbay: /* Generalized keyboards */ Updated monome grid model details

2026-01-05T03:22:57Z

Generalized keyboards: Updated monome grid model details

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:22, 5 January 2026
Line 143:		Line 143:
	\| €299		\| €299
	\|-		\|-
	\| [http://monome.org/ monome grid]		\| [http://monome.org/ monome grid zero]
	\| monome		\| monome
	\| ~~Square~~ tiling, mapping by coordinates (no default mapping)		\| 16 by 16 square tiling, mapping by coordinates (no default mapping)
	\| ~~128 (formerly 64, 128 or~~ 256)		\| 256
	\| In production		\| In production
	\| $~~600~~		\| $1500
			\|-
			\| [http://monome.org/ monome grid one]
			\| monome
			\| 16 by 8 square tiling, mapping by coordinates (no default mapping)
			\| 128
			\| In production
			\| $800
	\|-		\|-
	\| [http://verticalkeyboards.com/keyboardoptions/microtonalkeyboards/index.html Vertical keyboard (Elaine Walker)]		\| [http://verticalkeyboards.com/keyboardoptions/microtonalkeyboards/index.html Vertical keyboard (Elaine Walker)]