KS-1B MIDI Retrofit Kit

The Backbone of a Digicoustic™ Digital Piano

Convert an acoustic piano into a digital instrument while preserving the authentic touch and feel of a real piano.

This New Old Stock (NOS) Gulbransen KS-1B MIDI retrofit system has never been installed. Originally manufactured in the late 1990s, it remains one of the best values available for adding MIDI capability to an acoustic piano or building a dedicated digital piano from an otherwise unrepairable instrument.

Important: This is not a "silent piano" system that switches between acoustic and digital operation using a hammer-stop rail. It is intended for permanent MIDI installations or dedicated digital piano conversions.

Why Choose the KS-1B?

• Brand new, never installed
• Same strip we use in our in-shop builds
• Budget-friendly alternative to modern MIDI systems
• Proven reliability
• Far less susceptible to ambient light than many optical MIDI strips
• Compatible with a wide variety of MIDI sound sources

No Black Paint Required

Many new optical MIDI systems require painting the undersides of the piano keys black to prevent ambient light from causing false notes.

One of the advantages of the KS-1B design is that it is far less susceptible to outside light, so painting the keys is normally unnecessary. This preserves the original appearance of the keyframe while simplifying installation.

What's Included

• KS-1 Control Unit
• SS88 Opto-Electronic Keyboard Sensor Strip
• USB MIDI Adapter Cable (5-pin DIN to USB)
• 6-foot sensor cable
• 6-inch sensor cable
• Cable adapter
• 12VDC power supply
• Sustain pedal sensor (leaf-switch style)
• Mounting hardware kit
• Illustrated installation instructions

What Else You'll Need

The KS-1B produces MIDI, not sound.

To hear the piano, simply connect the MIDI output to a compatible 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 typically introduce enough delay to be noticeable while playing.

If you're unsure which equipment you'll need, just contact me. I'll be happy to recommend a system that fits your budget and goals.

Ideal Applications

Although originally designed to add MIDI capability to a functioning acoustic piano, I most often recommend the KS-1B for a different purpose.

If your piano has:

• Loose tuning pins
• Dead strings
• Cracked bridges
• Soundboard damage
• Other major structural problems

...repairing those issues is often far more expensive than the piano is worth.

If the action and keys are still in good condition, the KS-1B can transform that piano into a dedicated digital instrument while preserving the authentic touch of a real acoustic piano. If your action or keys also need replacement, consider one of our complete Digicoustic™ conversion kits, which include a new acoustic piano action and keyset.

Many builders remove the strings and, in some cases, even the cast-iron plate to reduce weight. A properly positioned hammer stop rail replaces the strings, allowing the original action to operate naturally while the MIDI system drives modern piano software.

The result is a piano that never needs tuning, can be played with headphones, and still feels like a genuine acoustic instrument.

Installation

Installing the KS-1B requires moderate mechanical ability and a basic understanding of piano actions, but no specialized or expensive tools are normally required.

A complete installation video is provided on this page, along with additional videos covering the Digicoustic™ conversion process.

Every installation is different, so I strongly recommend watching the videos before beginning your project.

Looking for a Complete Digicoustic™ Conversion Kit?

The KS-1B is the most economical way to begin building a Digicoustic™ digital piano.

If you'd rather not source the remaining components individually—or if your action or keys also need replacement—we also offer complete Digicoustic™ DIY Conversion Kits, including:

• New acoustic piano action
• New keyset
• MIDI system
• Amplifiers
• Speaker system (optional)
• Sustain pedal sensor
• Wiring harness
• Complete installation support

These kits use the same conversion philosophy while eliminating the guesswork of selecting compatible components.

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 happy to help. My goal is for every customer to end up with a digital piano they're proud to own.