I’ve got an idea for a musical input device I want to build that needs to be able to capture multiple simultaneous finger taps at 10 discrete positions along a 12" strip, with millisecond resolution, including force/velocity at each location. Think of it as simulating a 10-key piano.
I had originally imagined doing this with 10 short-distance proximity detectors, but while researching those, I came across info about pressure strips. Some of them appear to include position information, but I’m not seeing any that would report multiple simultaneous taps. And now I’m realizing that there are probably even more ways to do this that I haven’t considered.
I haven’t selected a specific MCU yet, as I think finding the right sensor(s) will be the limiting factor. But given the need for up to 10 discrete pressure events along a line, and assuming 5V logic, what kind of sensors would you suggest?
Jefficus:
I’ve got an idea for a musical input device I want to build that needs to be able to capture multiple simultaneous finger taps at 10 discrete positions along a 12" strip, with millisecond resolution, including force/velocity at each location. Think of it as simulating a 10-key piano.
That sounds exactly like a description of a single octave keyboard controller.
I think you’ll agree that your description is far more detailed than ‘parallel vibrating strings’ and does actually describe an electronic musical keyboard controller. In fact, if I didn’t know better, it almost reads like a Jeopardy! or Taboo!/Forbidden Words/Forehead app challenge, except the quiz writers wouldn’t use the word piano since it would be too easy.
In what ways is your proposed piano simulator different from commercial keyboard controller?
