I got an idea

[some_dj]

hey there im needing some help i got an old MIDI keyboard that i want to mod and add arcade buttons 25 lol

but i took the old MIDI keyboard apart and i found the circut bored to have black spots were the keys would hit and make the connection. so the question is what do a solder the buttons to???

P.S. its just a generic MIDI keyboard any help would be amazing

[extraclassic]

Take a picture of both sides of the circuit board then it will be easier to help you.

[some_dj]

These are photos of my keyboard circut board right under the Black and White keys

[Rob]

Is that m-audio? I'm looking to do the same to mine in future.
Basically there are 4pads on the PCB, and 2 plungers underneath the keys to make connection. I think that's because of touch sensitivity.

[some_dj]

so how do we go about adding arcade buttons to my keyboard???

[Rob]

[] [] - trigger 1
[] [] - trigger 2
L R

My theory is that the velocity is calculated by the delay between trigger 1 and trigger 2.
So I think if you bridge the connection between both 'L' pads and also bridge both 'R' pads. It would convert the single connection 'L'-'R' to a full velocity switch.

To get to the metal to solder onto I think we need to file the board to expose it.

This is all theory and I don't really know what I'm doing, apart from building up post count.

[Rob]

Edit: I see you already filed down to the contacts on the far left 4 pads?
What did you use?

[some_dj]

I showed the idea to a friend and he told me to expose the copper on the board so that I have a better connection but I still don't know what I'm doing

[Rob]

Well you're a step further than me. I'm doing a basic numeric keypad mod first to teach myself the basics like soldering and stuff, but always with a goal of ripping my keyboard apart later.

[some_dj]

Still don't know how to wire up the buttons so if any has an idea let me know