Hi, I have a keyboard that's about 25 years old. I suspect there may be some variation in velocity values from different keys when pressed equally hard.
I need to test to find out.

Is there a plugin or other SW that will show me exact velocity value when I press a key?
Ciao!

 

What unit? Your DAW can record incoming velocity values to a midi channel ofc. But how do you plan to mechanically press each key with the same velocity value to know what they should report from 1-127? I get your concern, but I have just never seen this question before. Check this thread https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=165259 2nd post down

 

Last edited: Mar 11, 2023

No, I can't hit the keys with exactly the same pressure on each, but roughly. I need to know if any keys deviate more than what is reasonable.
I want to see a numerical value as I press each key.

 

I found a Midi util called Midi-OX in the kvraudio thread. Works perfectly for this. Thanks!
http://www.midiox.com

 

Exactly, this is the MIDI tool you needed.
I use it since 2009 at least and is perfect to check for keybeds quality.
I used this in the shop while searching for a digital piano to buy, I had bad experiences with some in linearity/resolution (like skipping a whole range of values in a midified piano I tested).

 

Use some weight + string to test keybeds

 

Interesting. Please explain better.

I just tested downweight using coins up to to the point the key lowers.

Instead, do you mean using different weight to test dynamics on each single key?
Do you attach tape to a string bound to a weight?
If, how do you test black keys?

 

Testing only average velocity is enough to give you an idea.
Around 64 with a linear velocity curve (see manual to see witch curve is linear).

You can compare keys with the same pressure, and so you will find bad working ones.
Same with black keys, may be using another weight value to match 64 velocity.
Black/white don't matter, as you are comparing black and black, white and white

Comparison is the key here : only some keys may not work right, you will see it by comparison to others.

Touch the key with the weight attached to a string, and drop it abruptly to trigger the sensor.
Raise the weight if not enough.

100 grammes as starter

 

Ok, clear.
See, beside the simple note-on trigger or average velocity, one problem I faced is that at times keyboards skip ranges of values, for example from 1 to let's say 40, in other cases don't reach max values (SY99 shows max values of about 115-118 unless you use a hammer, it's a known issue solved by soldering a quartz that lowers CPU frequency).

This is an annoying resolution issue (already limited in MIDI 1 to about 42dB at full range) if you use a piano where dynamics is important (try to play a ppp).

So, my main concern is that keys are covering the full velocity range and linearly if possible.
At the moment, this was done just by roughly modulating progressively the finger force (Pianoteq can calibrate the keyboard with a similar method), it would be nice to standardize a more serious process.

The plan is to use MIDI-OX and weights that can help in plotting the real keyboard curve (supposing to set linear curve).
I'll think about it.

Edit: Graded keyboards are trickier.