Student Practice Clavier

We are proud to present our the Chime Master Carillon Baton keyboard. Having such an instrument at home, students can practice the rudiments of carillon playing and acquire proficiency. Established carillonneurs can learn new music at home and maintain their proficiency. The many carillonneurs who have relocated to a distance from carillon towers may perform with confidence when the opportunity arises.

Standard Geometry

This keyboard conforms to the WCF-2006 (World Carillon Federation) keyboard specifications for the manual baton key geometry and the pedal radiation and concavity.

Standard Output

The keyboard's MIDI output can be connected to the MIDI input of a keyboard synthesizer to play available voices on that instrument. If you use a personal computer to compose and arrange music, a USB adapter is available to connect the practice keyboard to that system to utilize its available instruments. It is also compatible with the Chime Master Millennium electronic carillon system and our bell automation products.

Dynamics

The MIDI velocity data is transmitted with the note played to provide musical variations according to the dynamic touch of the performer. This value is derived from the speed of the key as it reaches the lowest limits of its travel. Depending on the sound source and voice used, this will vary the volume of the note and perhaps other characteristics of its timbre.

The keys feature a smooth light to medium weighted action for hours of comfortable practice.

Pedals

The 20 concave and radiating pedals are provided with velocity sensors to provide parallel output for the first octave and a half of manual keys. There is no mechanical linkage between the manual and pedals.

Materials

The attractive framework for the keyboard is extruded aluminum, the keys and pedals are made of advanced polymer materials. No wood is used in the design. The diatonic keys are white and the semitones are black. The front grilles of the manual and pedal-board are black. Modern CNC machining technology keeps the component parts cost within budget. All major parts are currently being fabricated in the United States.

Options

The optional plastic skins are available to aesthetically conceal the inner workings of the keyboard action and keep out dirt. The front panels come with the basic kit because they are a functional component of the action. The top mounted optical sensing switches are not affected by normal room illumination, so the top skin is not needed unless operation is desired in direct sunlight. The optional panel for the top is not intended to support heavy objects other than lightweight lamps and decorative items. Design drawings will be provided so that you can make these panels from any material for the aesthetics and functionality you want.

We plan to offer a fully adjustable (crank style) bench with matching aluminum structure. Other options will include a bell sound system for practicing with authentic carillon bells voicing. It will feature convenient transposition and bell voice selection switches, a volume control and headphone jack that mutes the speaker.

Assembly

The kit has been designed to be easily assembled with ordinary tools, available at home improvement centers including Allen wrenches, pliers, hammer, sandpaper and a tubing cutter. Some heavy lifting is required by two individuals. Assembly drawings are supplied with DVD Videos to demonstrate assembly and setup techniques.