Azoteq (www.azoteq.com/) is an IP-rich fabless semiconductor design house that pioneered multi-sensor technology on a single chip. It enables novel sensing applications to high-volume consumer goods. Azoteq sensor solutions are perfectly suited for integration in musical instruments.
AmeNote is the exclusive representative for Azoteq Full Motion Key Positional Sensors in the music industry.
Azoteq Intelligent Full Motion Key Positional Sensor Module
- High-Resolution Key Motion Data Output on SPI
- Replaces traditional switch based key sensors
- Poly Aftertouch via the same sensor
- Replaces existing sensor module without modification to the key action
Output: Key Position and Derived Data
- Accurate Position Sampling, with clean, linear output
- High Accuracy Velocity – measured through the whole key stroke
- Poly Aftertouch available from the same sensor, no added cost
- Programmable threshold triggered events
- Programmable Look Up Tables (LUTs) to transform position and derived data
Proven Technology
- Azoteq Inductive Sensors are based on mature sensing platform developed for the Gaming Kayboard market.
Sensor Solutions
Traditional Key Action
Keyboards in digital pianos and synthesizers typically have two switches under each key to measure key velocity and sometimes a pressure sensor. Poly Aftertouch requires that an an aditional pressure sensor be added for each key.
The velocity of the musician’s touch is measured when the key moves down. The key first hits the S1 switch, then it hits the S2 switch. A processor measures the time between these two events to determine the key velocity for musical dynamics.
Some keyboards also add a pressure sensor (PR), used to capture “aftertouch”. This is most often a single sensor shared by all keys across the keyboard. Sometimes, each key has its own pressure sensor for more expressive “poly-aftertouch”, adding more complexity and cost.
Azoteq Positional Key Sensor
Using inductive sensing technology from Azoteq, a single key position sensor replaces traditional switches and pressure sensors, providing velocity sensing and positional awareness through the whole down and up strokes as well as Poly Aftertouch.
A single sensor is able to measure velocity through the whole range of motion, to more accurately capture the musician’s musical expression.
The property to trigger a Note is programmable. For example, tracking key velocity through the whole range to better emulate the hammer momentum of an acoustic piano action. Use low-placed trigger points for synthesizer control. Use high-placed trigger points for an organ keyboard. Or combine all 3 at the same time.
The key positional sensor also replaces per-key pressure sensors for poly-aftertouch with no added components or cost.
Unlike traditional switches, the inductive sensor is a no-contact mechanism, with no physical contact between mechanical parts and electronics. Therefore, nothing to wear out and dust cannot impair functionality.
Key Positional Sensor Evaluation Kit
A two-octave keyboard sensor evaluation kit is available.
- SPI Output provides direct access to key position and derived data output
- USB Output provides several MIDI output modes for immediate evaluation and testing
The Azoteq Key Position Sensor Evaluation Kit can also be used as an accessory to the AmeNote ProtoZOA as a full motion key position input device for MIDI 1.0 and 2.0 prototyping and development. Contact AmeNote for more details.
Integration Support and Supply
Azoteq can provide technical and engineering integration support, with additional support from AmeNote. Contact us for more information.
Developer Kit: Azoteq AKMB With AmeNote ProtoZOA
The Azoteq AKMB is a stand-alone convenient Evaluation Kit. Connecting the AKMB to an AmeNote ProtoZOA results in a Developer Kit with source code libraries which can be studied as examples and/or customized for use in your own implementations.
The ProtoZOA provides firmware running on a Raspberry Pico for:
- Multiple modes of operation for interpreting Azoteq sensor data to output MIDI 1.0 and/or MIDI 2.0
- Configurable per-note properties for Expressive Synthesizer control
- Multi-range Velocity Sensing to Accurately express the complexities of a Piano key action
- Connection by class compliant USB MIDI 1.0 and USB MIDI 2.0
- Connection by MIDI Association standard Network MIDI 1.0/2.0
- MIDI 1.0, MIDI-CI, Piano Profile, MPE, MIDI 2.0 Protocol, UMP Endpoint Discovery, and more.
Source code for all functions provided under a no-charge, permissive license when used with Azoteq Intelligent Full Motion Key Positional Sensor modules.
