Pianet

The Pianet is an analog, electro- mechanical keyboard instrument with 61, from Model T & M with 60 keys and as the Clavinet Hohner Trossingen built. As its inventor applies Ing Ernst Zacharias * 1924 developed for Hohner also Cembalet (1958) and the Clavinet (1964). The sound of the Pianet can be classified between the bell-like sound of the Fender Rhodes and the more slightly distorted sound of the Wurlitzer electric piano EP200.

Tone

Like all electro-mechanical keyboards is the Pianet fully polyphonic. The sound is produced by a vibrating metal tongue (reed ). The keys are extended to the rear by an arm, is attached to the rubber pad ( elevator ). At rest, the elevator is on the tongue and dampens them. The surface of the lift lever is provided with a special adhesive. As soon as one enters a keystroke, the arm including elevator is moved up, the adhesive effect of the tongue drags a piece. As soon as it releases from the elevator, vibrating freely tongue. For the generation of electrical sound signal, two methods are used:

The first Pianet models were equipped with capacitive pickups. The Tonzunge here forms together with a counter electrode with a charged DC capacitor whose capacitance varies with the vibration of the tongue. On later models Pianet electromagnetic pickups were used. Here, the reeds are magnetized and vibrate in front of a coil in which such an alternating voltage is induced. Decrease in both the process of the electrical signal is then suitably amplified and radiated via the loudspeaker. Amplifier and speakers are integrated in some Pianet models already in the instrument.

Advantages of this design:

• A Pianet is quite easy ( about 20 kg), whereas other electric pianos are sometimes much harder (about 70 kg with a model of the Fender Rhodes).
• Provided the instrument is stored in a dry and tongues do not oxidize, the tone has a very good tuning stability.

Disadvantages of this design:

• There is no possibility of suspension damping, ie when a key is released, listen to the note to sound, since the pad is back on the tongue and this dampens.
• Due to the special nature of the excitation of the tongues the velocity is much lower than other electric piano or a piano, where a hammer strikes the tongue or the string.

Versions

The Hohner Pianet was built in 1962-1982. There are different versions of the instrument:

• Pianet - original model with tube preamplifier, even without additional qualification.

It is often confused with the similar -looking but slightly larger Pianet C. Pianet C Pianet CH Pianet L & LB Pianet N Pianet N console model Pianet N (Version II ) Combo Pianet - no lid and legs. Pianet M - Console model with electromagnetic sound generation and above an attached speaker / amplifier unit. Pianet T - presumably for Tolex. Also already with electro- magnetic sound engine. Hohner Clavinet / Pianet Duo, which is a combination of Clavinet and Pianet T; here you can either play one of the two instruments, or even mix continuously.

For the Pianet N Hohner offered as an accessory attached to the instrument ground, CA and CP -called speaker / amplifier unit ( " underbelly " ) to. There were three different versions with first tube amp, and later with transistor placement.

Use

The following musicians have used the Pianet:

• Beatles: The Night Before, You Like Me Too Much, I am the Walrus
• The Guess Who: These Eyes
• Herman 's Hermits: I'm Into Something Good
• Led Zeppelin: Misty Mountain Hop
• The Zombies: She's Not There
• Tony Banks of Genesis: The Return Of The Giant Hogweed, Supper's Ready; Moreover, in the early 1970s during live performances instead of an acoustic piano
• Rick van der Linden ( Ekseption / trace)

• Keyboard