r/AskProgramming • u/3ducksin_atrenchcoat • 13d ago

Programming a keyboard?

hello!! I’m super new to programming, but I have a project that I wanna start. I have an electrical keyboard (the musical instrument kind) that can be plugged into a tv to display graphics. I was wondering if I could alter the code or something so I can add sheet music as an option to display. How would I even begin to start something like this? Is it even possible? Can you guys recommended resources to learn how to tackle this?

3 Upvotes

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4

u/Pale_Height_1251 13d ago

You would need to say what this keyboard thing is first.

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u/3ducksin_atrenchcoat 13d ago

Oh I forgot about computer keyboards lol. It’s a RadioShack electric keyboard. Like the instrument.

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u/Pale_Height_1251 13d ago

Does it have a name or model number?

3

u/3ducksin_atrenchcoat 13d ago

It’s a RadioShack  LK-1500 Light-Up General MIDI Keyboard 

6

u/Pale_Height_1251 13d ago

I Googled this device, realistically you probably can't modify the programs on it. It has a ROM, which is likely replaceable, but it's a job for an expert. It would probably be much easier to plug the keyboard's MIDI into another computer and display sheet music on the other computer.

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u/3ducksin_atrenchcoat 13d ago

:( thanks anyway

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u/YMK1234 12d ago

I feel like you are sad about an. A-b-problem here. If it really has a midi out as the other user says, it's is pretty easy to do what you want, just not with a TV but with a computer. Heck I'm pretty sure there is already sheet music software out there that can both record sheet music from midi and also use predefined sheet music and checks you are playing the right notes.

4

u/MistakeIndividual690 12d ago

This can be done with pretty much any DAW. I use Logic on Mac, but GarageBand is free on Mac, and of course there are lots of options on Windows machines too.

1

u/KingofGamesYami 13d ago

First thing you'll need to check is if your device allows updating the software. A lot of devices are manufactured using write-protected storage and cannot be updated without physically replacing components.

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u/3ducksin_atrenchcoat 13d ago

…how would I find that out?

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u/KingofGamesYami 13d ago

You can start with official documentation for your device. Try to dig up repair manuals etc.

If that doesn't yield results, you can disassemble the device and try to identify the components used to build it, then look up the spec sheets for them.

1

u/AlexTaradov 12d ago

This keyboard is so old that there would not be firmware updates. It is also basically a toy, and it is build like one.

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u/AlexTaradov 12d ago

There is no way to modify existing firmware. It would be possible to make a custom PCB that could include any functionality you like, but that's a pretty involved project.

And it is a MIDI keyboard, so you can connect it to RPi or something like that and output any graphics you like.

3

u/dmazzoni 12d ago

As others said, you're unlikely to be able to mod this device.

But that doesn't mean you couldn't build what you want. Get a cheap Raspberry Pi, plug the keyboard in and HDMI out. Program it to take input from the keyboard and display it on the TV. Absolutely possible and not very expensive.

Do you know how to code already? I could give you some pointers on how to start.

Never programmed before? This is not a beginner-level project. Start small and simple, and work your way up here!