Second-hand pedalboards fitted with
contacts, which are connected to a small electronic unit, that produces midi
signals on any one channel (channel to be specified by the user). This enables the pedalboard to be plugged in
to any standard keyboard (most keyboards manufactured in the last ten years or
so have midi inputs) and play a sound from that keyboard. The unit can normally be programmed to select
any sound of your choice for the pedalboard, on switch on. You can then manually select a different sound
to play on the keyboard.
Alternatively they can be used with a
computer via a suitable midi interface.
This enables them to be used with Hauptwerk, Prog Organ and other
virtual organ programs.
By fashioning a suitable stand and bench, a
single manual organ can be made in this way for very low cost. Price is around £350 depending on the quality
of the pedalboard. If benches are
available, these are £50 to £100. New
keyboard stands with a solid wood top, adjustable in height and wide enough to
straddle the pedalboard cost £150.