Ragland DIY MIDI Easy-Install Digital Piano Conversion Kit

Complete Audio Version • Genuine Grand Piano Keys • Simple Installation

Build a digital piano using genuine acoustic grand piano keys while avoiding the complexity, regulation, and cost of a traditional acoustic piano action.

This kit combines a new grand piano keyset with a New Old Stock (NOS) QRS KS-1B MIDI system and a complete, pre-engineered audio system to create an affordable, easy-to-install digital piano conversion.

Designed for technicians, builders, and hobbyists, this system can be installed in grand pianos, uprights, and even many spinet pianos , making it one of the most versatile digital piano conversion systems we offer.

This Is the Complete Audio Version

Unlike our MIDI-Only kit, this package includes a complete amplifier and speaker system engineered specifically for this conversion.

The amplifier assembly is fully wired and tested before shipment .

There are no amplifier circuits to build, no power distribution to design, and no electronics troubleshooting required.

Simply:

• Mount the components.
• Cut the supplied speaker wire to length and connect the speakers.
• Connect your iPad or other MIDI sound source.
• Play.

Why Choose This Kit?

• Genuine acoustic grand piano keys
• Fast, responsive spring-return action
• Nearly "drop-in-and-play" installation
• No complex action regulation required
• Complete engineered audio system included
• Fits grand, upright, and many spinet pianos
• Excellent foundation for custom digital piano projects
• Budget-friendly alternative to a true acoustic piano action
• Professional technical support from Ragland Piano Company

Genuine Piano Keys. Simple Installation.

Unlike our Digicoustic™ conversion systems that use a complete acoustic piano action, this kit uses a carefully engineered spring-return key action.

The result is:

• Extremely light and responsive touch
• Smooth, consistent operation
• Virtually no action regulation after installation
• Dramatically simpler installation
• Lower overall project cost

While it does not duplicate every characteristic of a traditional acoustic piano action, it delivers a playing experience that many musicians find far superior to typical plastic-key digital keyboards while remaining dramatically easier to install.

For many builders, this is the ideal balance of performance, simplicity, and affordability .

An Excellent Choice for Spinet Conversions

One of the biggest advantages of this system is its compact design.

Because it requires significantly less cabinet space than a full studio upright action, it can often be installed in spinet pianos , where our complete Digicoustic™ acoustic-action conversion kits simply will not fit.

It is equally at home in upright and grand piano projects where simplicity and ease of installation are priorities.

What's Included

Keyboard & MIDI System

• Genuine grand piano keyset
• Spring-return key action
• New Old Stock QRS KS-1B MIDI system
• MIDI interface
• Sustain pedal sensor

Complete Audio System

• Two mono power amplifiers
• Two stereo power amplifiers
• 50-watt 8" subwoofer
• Two 4" main speakers
• Two speaker bars
• Pre-wired amplifier chassis
• Speaker wire
• Installation instructions
• Video installation support

The amplifier system is professionally assembled before shipment. Simply mount the speakers, connect the supplied speaker wire, plug in your MIDI sound source, and you're ready to play.

What You'll Need to Complete Your System

This kit includes everything required for the keyboard, MIDI, amplification, and speakers.

You'll simply need a compatible MIDI sound source, such as:

• iPad (10th generation or newer recommended)
• Windows computer
• Mac computer
• Hardware MIDI sound module

Our recommended setup is:

• iPad (10th generation or newer)
• High-quality USB-C charge/data cable
• GarageBand (free)
• Pianoteq 8 (recommended)

For the lowest possible latency and best playing experience, we strongly recommend using wired USB connections . Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth audio introduce enough delay to be noticeable while playing.

If you're unsure which equipment best fits your needs, just contact me. I'll be happy to help.

Fitment Considerations

Every piano is a little different. Before ordering, please review the following dimensions and fitment information.

Overall Dimensions

Cheekblock Clearance

The 48-1/4" key width is slightly wider than many older pianos, which commonly measure approximately 48" between the cheekblocks.

In most cases, the solution is simply to trim one cheekblock slightly to provide the proper clearance. We recommend maintaining approximately 1/16" to 3/32" clearance between each end key and its adjacent cheekblock.

Sharp Key Clearance

The natural keytops are longer than many older keysets, but they normally pass beneath the keyslip or fallboard without modification.

The sharp keys , however, may extend far enough to contact the upstop rail (most uprights) or the fallboard (most grands).

Depending on the piano, the solution is typically one of the following:

• Trim a small amount from the rear of each sharp key.
• Cut shallow clearance notches in the upstop rail (uprights) or fallboard (grands).

Both methods are commonly used and are demonstrated in the installation videos.

Optional Custom Fit Service

Every piano is slightly different.

If you'd like your keyset to arrive with the sharp keys already custom-fitted to your piano, we offer a Custom Fit Service .

For an additional $299 , we'll machine the sharp keys to your measurements before shipment.

Simply provide one of the following measurements from your existing keyboard:

• Distance from the front overhang of the white keytops to the rear edge of the sharp keys, or
• Distance from the front overhang of the white keytops to the fallboard (grand pianos) or upstop rail (upright pianos).

We'll machine the sharp keys before your kit ships, saving installation time and eliminating one of the most common fitment modifications.

Installation

One of the greatest advantages of this system is its simplicity.

Unlike a traditional acoustic piano action, this spring-return design requires no complex action regulation , making installation dramatically easier for the builder.

The audio system is equally straightforward. The amplifiers arrive pre-wired and tested, leaving only the speaker connections and your MIDI sound source to install.

Complete installation and demonstration videos are provided on this page.

Need the Feel of a True Acoustic Piano Action?

If your goal is to reproduce the feel of an acoustic piano as closely as possible, our Digicoustic™ conversion kits using genuine acoustic piano actions remain our premium solution.

Those systems include:

• Genuine acoustic piano action
• Genuine acoustic piano keys
• Authentic hammer mechanism
• Traditional escapement and regulation
• The closest possible reproduction of an acoustic piano

The Ragland DIY MIDI Easy-Install Digital Piano Conversion Kit is designed for builders who value simplicity, affordability, compact size, and ease of installation while still enjoying genuine piano keys and authentic key spacing.

Built to Order

Each kit is assembled to order and typically ships within 5-7 business days .

Technical Support Included

I'm Howard Gustafson , owner of Ragland Piano Company.

I've been servicing pianos professionally since 1985 and have specialized in digital piano conversions for much of that time.

When you purchase from Ragland Piano Company, you're getting more than just hardware. If you have questions before ordering, during installation, or after your project is complete, I'm always happy to help.

My goal is simple: I want every customer to end up with a digital piano they're proud to own.

Installation Video: