Nord Lead A1 Keybed

[moped2000]

Hey moped2000, these are my thoughts on this:
I would *not* buy a new keybed unless I have it first hand from somebody who has actually done it.
If you read this thread again carefully, it is obvious that there is a dose of well intentioned speculation but it does not seem that actually has been done. There are no photos either, which I think it is essential to make up one's mind if the transplant would look and function fine or whether it looks like done by Boris Karloff.
If you succeed, of course then let us know how it worked out!

[Spider]

if the transplant would look and function fine or whether it looks like done by Boris Karloff.

Hahaha! Well I once saw an ad for a used Lead 2X which had been upgraded with a TP9, so it surely can be done, at least by a skilled technician who knows VERY well what he's doing. It definitely looked like a Frankensynth anyway, with the bigger keys overhanging the chassis

For reference, this is a photo of my Lead Anniversary (same TP/7 action, only in reverse colors) next to a Lead 3 (TP/9). The size difference is quite obvious.

_20180701_111242.JPG (1.37 MiB) Viewed 3315 times

[Duplobaustein]

The TP7 and TP9 are different: different size, electronics, everything. Surely they could be exchanged, but changing also the connections, probably a daughter board...definitely not just a matter of drilling a few holes. And the new keys will hang outside the chassis, being longer.

Afaik that's not correct.

[Mr_-G-]

Which part is not correct? The photo above is very suggestive of a difference in key size.

[moped2000]

Hey, I found the technical drawing of a TP/9s on Doepfer's homepage (unfortunatley not for the TP/7, but I can measure it by myself). The width of the keyboard is 68,3cm, exactly the same as the TP/7 in my A1. The keys are indeed longer - measured from the yellow line (from where the keys are visible) they are 0.6cm longer and thus slightly overhang. But maybe you can also install the keyboard 2mm further back (if the holes have to be re-drilled anyway) - then they hardly overhang the case.

There is still the question of whether the height fits and the depth of the keys when played. For this I would have to remove the keyboard again, unfortunately I don't have time right now. And of course the main question, whether the connection is compatible! On Doepfer's homepage there is also a diagram showing the pin assignment, but without the same document for the TP/7 tthere is no comparison. I will try to contact Doepfer maybe they can provide me also information on the TP/7 although they don't sell it...

[Spider]

The TP7 and TP9 are different: different size, electronics, everything. Surely they could be exchanged, but changing also the connections, probably a daughter board...definitely not just a matter of drilling a few holes. And the new keys will hang outside the chassis, being longer.

Afaik that's not correct.

Sorry, I never disassembled mine so I'm not speaking first-hand, I was reporting what I read on this ad I was mentioning, from somebody who had done the modification, but I'm not sure of the details. Conversely, the size difference is absolutely real (I can do detailed measurements tonight, if needed), and the TP9 keys will definitely hang outside of the LA1's chassis (as they did on this L2X of the dude who did the mod).

[orcoaffamato]

Here you can find the TP/7 technical drawing: http://www.doepfer.de/service/25TP7_drawing.pdf

[Duplobaustein]

The TP7 and TP9 are different: different size, electronics, everything. Surely they could be exchanged, but changing also the connections, probably a daughter board...definitely not just a matter of drilling a few holes. And the new keys will hang outside the chassis, being longer.

Afaik that's not correct.

Sorry, I never disassembled mine so I'm not speaking first-hand, I was reporting what I read on this ad I was mentioning, from somebody who had done the modification, but I'm not sure of the details. Conversely, the size difference is absolutely real (I can do detailed measurements tonight, if needed), and the TP9 keys will definitely hang outside of the LA1's chassis (as they did on this L2X of the dude who did the mod).

I meant the connector. This should be the same and compatible.

[moped2000]

If this is true, a mod would actually be possible without any problems, except that the keys stick out 4-6mm further (I have compared the technical drawings). I'll try my luck again with a Novation SL49 MkII and report then!

[Spider]

I measured the keys in my Lead Anniversary and Lead 3.
Width is exactly the same, while the TP/9 keys are exactly 1 cm longer, both blacks and whites: 9 and 14 cms respectively, against 8 and 13 in the TP/7.