I have the same problem. In my case, I managed to alleviate the clanky keys by adjusting the slightly overhanging foam strip so that it aligns properly with where the affected keys bottom out on a small notch. I also had no aftertouch reading on my lowest C and I was able to get a consistent reading relative to the other keys after doing this.
Furthermore, I noticed there is synthetic grease applied to the mechanism, which I can only assume helps to soften the “clack” from the keys when pressed. It is therefore possible that not enough grease is applied on some of the keys.
Tbh I am not entirely satisfied, as at the moment the feel of the keybed is not as consistent as I think it probably should be on the first few keys.
I will reach out to support, but would be interested to know what others have experienced too.
Got my kit today and installed it. Not difficult to install, but a bit hard to align and get all the screws in straight. I have noticed two things and wondering if this is by design, or an issue with my installation. First, when I hit the keys hard, they hit the bottom of the case. It’s not something that will happen much, but I can see it wearing down the key. Second, and this may have been an installation problem, there’s a small space between the black keys and the case. Everything works and lines up properly, but the back of the black keys is not flush with the case. Is that how it is for everyone else, or should I try to re-install it?
Is there a way to make the aftertouch less sensitive, or to trick the auto-calibration to make it less sensitive? I’ve only been playing the new keys for a couple hours, but so far the aftertouch feels too sensitive for me. I’m having to turn it off on a lot of patches just to play.
@pierce every destination that aftertouch is mapped to can be reduced in sensitivity by reducing its modulation depth.
All of the patches up until now were designed with the earlier keybed, so may need some tweaking to feel right with the new keys.
It is better to have a sensitive mechanism, such that subtle expression can happen, and to turn down the depth of modulation in the patch, rather than vice versa. This way you have great control over all depths and sensitivity.
Generally, the new keybed is more sensitive, so it’s necessary to reduce modulation depths where you find it triggers a little too easily
OK thanks doing this helps some. But if I have to turn down the aftertouch depth, isn’t the overall effect of the aftertouch going to be less? Can I still get the maximum depth using the new keys with less depth, or am I stuck not being able to fully implement the effect unless I want it to be triggered on pretty soft key hits?
@niko sensitivity is inversely proportional to the maximum pressure applied to each key. Pressing harder and reaching higher pressures reduces the sensitivity of that key. A power cycle resets this to the default state until played again.
This is necessary as the sensing elements under each key have different characteristics. It’s desirable to be able to have good light touch sensitivity and always be able to reach maximum pressure.
@pierce we have set the starting sensitivity as high, roughly twice nominal to make sure maximum value can be achieved with most people’s finger pressure. When a key is pressed harder, it will be less sensitive the next time it is pressed.
The initial sensitivity is probably quite conservatively assuming a wider than reality tolerance of finger pressure between players and we could tweak this.
To reduce sensitivity suggest to reduce the modulation depth, but yes like you say this will reduce the overall mod depth at maximum pressure.
Many (read myself) like the “biting point” of aftertouch at quite low pressure. This allows for subtle expression with light pressure if depths are set modestly.
This doesn’t suit all players and I am looking at this all the time and getting feedback. We want it to suit most people’s playing styles most of the time, the bigger dataset the better.
Thanks again, maybe I can adjust. It almost feels like the aftertouch is acting like velocity. The harder I hit a key, the more AT response I get on the initial hit. Even at ~60-70% AT depth, when I’m playing moderately fast or hard (nothing crazy) it often triggers some aftertouch when I don’t want. So far, the auto-sensitivity adjustment doesn’t seem to do enough. It hasn’t adjusted so that I can play normal without too often triggering aftertouch on a regular strike. I can turn the depth down and use things like LFO2 delay which makes it act less like velocity for fast playing, but that reduces the functionality, and even then it’s often too much.
I do really like the new keys otherwise and have done some really cool things already with the poly AT. The S6 is my favorite synth by far. Maybe I just was used to the way it plays which I really liked. It’s still day 2 of me having this so I’ll continue to play around. I’m hoping it’s just an adjustment period, but right now even though poly AT adds a lot, I’m feeling like I’ll probably have to take these keys out.
Before I do that, is there any chance there’ll be a firmware update allowing users to adjust the initial sensitivity or trigger point?
I am not sure what you mean exactly, but there are 2 x screws which go into the grey bottom plate to secure the top panel. The newly supplied screws secure the keybed to the bottom of the case. In any case I would always refer to the manual or contact support if you are not sure what to do.
Btw I managed to fix my “clanky” keys by carefully removing the affected keys (lowest C, C#, D), applying some synthetic grease, and reinserting them. Now they are the same as the rest of the keybed, and all is nice.
That was my first impression as well from 2 weeks ago: “The aftertouch is way easier to trigger which combined with the shorter key travel is not that great. I’d say that the force required to hit top velocity to for example open the filter will also trigger the aftertouch.”
I think you really nailed the point that the AT starts. After playing with the new keyboard for a week, I’ve gotten used to the feel, and it feels natural now. And I would love to have some factory patches that take advantage of the new AT
Fedex actually sent me a letter today claiming 100€ in taxes and VAT, like you said. I‘m glad I didn’t think about that before I purchased the keyboard. It’s over 530€ now in total when you buy from Germany
My keys will come on mondy , so my will come with UPS, so i will recive a bill later too. Hope it will not be more than 100€ but if you also in DE i think i will have to pay the same. thanks for the info
Is it possible to send aftertouch out via MIDI with the new keyboard? Previously the mono AT keyboard sent it out without any settings… now I’m not sure how to re-enable it.
@Sugar the old keys can be packed away in the ST49 box. They are then excellent spares for Super 6, (+ I think Prophet 6 and OB-6, Nord Lead and others but not completely sure). There might be a market on eBay for them, I would buy a spare keybed if I didn’t have a few lying around already!
