Ragland DIY MIDI Easy-Install Acoustic to Digital Piano Conversion Kit

MIDI-Only Version, w/o Audio Kit • 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 to create an affordable, easy-to-install foundation for a dedicated digital piano or a standalone MIDI controller.

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.

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This Is the MIDI-Only Version

This kit includes the keys, action, and MIDI system, but does not include amplifiers, speakers, or a sound generator.

You'll need to connect the MIDI output to a compatible sound source—such as an iPad running GarageBand or Pianoteq—and provide your own audio system.

Looking for a complete, ready-to-install package? We also offer this same Ragland DIY MIDI Easy-Install Piano Conversion Kit with amplifiers, speakers, and wiring already included.

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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
• 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

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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.

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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.

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What's Included

• Genuine grand piano keyset
• Spring-return key action
• New Old Stock QRS KS-1B MIDI system
• MIDI interface
• Wiring harness
• Sustain pedal sensor
• Installation instructions
• Video installation support

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What You'll Need to Complete Your System

This kit generates 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)

You'll also need your own amplifier and speaker system, or powered speakers.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

If you're looking for the easiest way to build a responsive digital piano using genuine piano keys, this is the system I recommend.

Complete installation and demonstration videos are provided on this page.

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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 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.

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Built to Order

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

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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.