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SPECIFICATIONS
Hardware
SPECIFICATIONS
Hardware
SPECIFICATIONS
Hardware
Here is a table comparing the three versions.
Comparison | ||||
Prodikeys® | Prodikeys® DM | Prodikeys® DM Value* | Prodikeys® PC-MIDI | |
Best For | Music Enthusiasts | Music Enthusiasts | Music Enthusiasts | Home Users |
Physical | ||||
Connectivity | PS/2 | PS/2 | PS/2 | USB |
Works on | Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP | Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP | Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP | Windows 2000, XP |
Dimension (L x W x H) | 62.8cm x 24.7cm x 5.3cm | 50.5cm x 25.8cm x 4.7cm | 50.5cm x 25.8cm x 4.7cm | 50.5cm x 24.5cm x 3.5 cm |
Cable Length | 2m | 2m | 2m | 2m |
Removable Palm Rest | | | | | | | | |
Knobs (for Guitar Strap) | | | - | - | - |
Accessory | - | - | - | Snap-on Color Faceplate |
Colors | Beige | Beige*, Black | Beige*, Black | Metallic Grey |
Keyboard | ||||
Customizable Hot Keys | - | 3 | 3 | 10 |
Internet HotKeys | - | 3 | 3 | | |
System HotKeys | - | - | - | | |
Media Playback Buttons | | | | | | | | |
Volume Control Wheel | | | | | | | | |
Enhanced F-Keys | - | - | - | | |
Music | ||||
Number of Keys | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 |
Velocity-Sensitivity | | | | | | | | |
Pitch Bend Wheel | | | | | | | - |
Octave Shift Buttons | - | | | | | Virtual |
Sustain Button | - | | | | | Virtual |
Music / Fun Button | | | | | | | | |
Compatibility with 3rd Party MIDI Software | | | | | | | | |
SRP | US$99 | US$99 | US$69 | US$49.99 |
While I liked the general idea of the keyboards the two initial offerings were a no go due the the aforementioned bulkiness and interface choice. When The PC-MIDI was released, I thought “mmm.. very nice”, then I waited until the price dropped to something I could justify (£29.99) and bought one for my daughters birthday. All was well with the world, until I installed Linux as a dual boot (virus free) option for the kids. I found that not all the Qwerty & Multimedia keys worked and neither did any of the Musical keys. I let this bug me for a couple of years, then one day bored I decided to do something about it and the result a working driver for Linux. At which point I bought another for my son.
This page is a work in progress, so check back once in a while for protocol info etc. I’ll add the info as and when I have some time.
Getting the driver.
If you are running kernel version 2.6.34 or above then the driver (slightly updated) is already included in your kernel. If not simply reconfigure your kernel and enable the hid-prodikeys module. You will still need the UI App (see below).
The driver is available for download at source forge project page Prodikeys PC-MIDI linux driver. It specificially supports kernel 2.6.29 - kernel 2.6.33 but may work on earlier kernel versions. Build instructions are included in the download pack. The resultant module will be named “hid-creative.ko”
Also included with the driver is a UI application that allows control over octave shift,sustain, and midi output channel.
There is also a patch in the Tracker section that fixes Unicode builds (namely Ubuntu) and fixes the install path of the UI app.
Home of the Open Source PC-MIDI Linux Driver