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Having 'rescued' the bass pedals from an old organ, I wish to use them as add-ons to my keyboards, when the bassist can't make it.What is a simple way to connect them so that they work through the keyboard, or sound module? I guess MIDI may be the way to go, but any advice from anyone who has successfully achieved this would be good.

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    Should be a fun project. If you can, please post a pic when you complete it. I was thinking that while you're installing midi-compatible sensors, why not add some more so pedal actions also, say, run a LED display? – Carl Witthoft Dec 16 '13 at 13:36
  • You mean like a mini (midi) Blackpool illuminations? No-one would see them, though. – Tim Apr 18 '15 at 17:42
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Far less expensive is a $45 MIDI-CPU. If your pedalboard already has switches, great. Otherwise buy reed switches, diodes, and magnets from digikey or jameco. The forums for the MIDI-CPU explain every step and snag of rebuilding your own pedalboard, from soldering on up. (I'm just a satisfied customer.)

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  • Finally got round to it almost a year later! The CPU pcb works well, certainly with one of my keyboards. Total cost around £50 !! Not complaining at that !! – Tim Dec 11 '14 at 8:56
  • No apology needed, Tim. I finished my pedalboard almost a year ago, but the console's still under construction. The only thing slower to restore than organs is wooden sailboats. – Camille Goudeseune Dec 11 '14 at 16:25
  • All I need now is to make it work with my Roland FP2, which has GM sounds - MIDId, it'll only make a piano sound. – Tim Dec 11 '14 at 17:03
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I haven't done this, but there are kits from organ-building companies that enable you to install a sensor under each footpedal, all of which are connected to a MIDI interface.

After a Google search, I found a link to this product at Classical MIDI Works in Canada.

There are also several companies that sell complete, stand-alone MIDI bass pedal controller units that range from one octave to two-and-a-half octaves. Roland, Nord, Keith McMillen, and Hammond are four of them.

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  • @Wheat-thanks for the info. The 1st is over expensive, and since I already have the pedals, I'm looking for a project. (Recycling at its best!) – Tim Dec 17 '13 at 8:40
  • I think the first link I sent you to (costing US $550) IS the route to the least expensive project. Good luck. – user1044 Dec 17 '13 at 15:28

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