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Fatar Keybeds
Drey Andersson

Drey Andersson

Drey Andersson is a professional music producer and mixing engineer with over 20 years of experience in electronic music production, sound design, and audio engineering. Based in Berlin, Germany, he specializes in advanced multi-genre production techniques and innovative approaches to urban pop, hip-hop and electronic music. Drey has worked as a ghostproducer for many DJs and indie Artists as well as Artists like Yeezy, Shekhina β€”the latter collaboration earning him recognition with the SAMA award. He continues to push the boundaries of modern music production through technical innovation and creative application including his own Music Production Community "Beat Unit" in Berlin, Germany

Fatar Keybeds – The Ultimative Guide

The Complete Fatar Keybeds Guide: Professional Synthesizer Actions in 2025

Fatar keybeds represent the gold standard for professional synthesizer actions, found in virtually every high-end synth from Sequential, Nord, Moog, and boutique manufacturers. The Italian company’s TP/8S is universally acclaimed as “the best semi-weighted synth action ever made,” while their TP/9S serves as the workhorse in most modern premium synthesizers. Unlike piano-focused manufacturers like Yamaha and Kawai who excel at hammer actions, Fatar has carved out dominance in the semi-weighted and professional synthesizer market through superior tactile response and build quality. However, their keybeds come with important durability considerations and implementation varies significantly between manufacturers, making informed selection crucial for musicians investing in professional instruments.

Professional synthesizer market leadership

Fatar’s market position stems from their modular approach to keybed design, offering different weight variants (75g/85g/95g trigger weights) and specialized models for distinct applications. The TP/8S features longer black keys, distinctive “dogleg” key shapes, and textured surfaces that provide superior tactile feedback compared to competitors. This keybed appears in premium instruments like the Access Virus TI, John Bowen Solaris, and various Waldorf models, commanding prices of $3,000+ due to manufacturing complexity.

The more accessible TP/9S dominates current production, found in Sequential Prophet 6/Rev2/OB-6, Moog Matriarch, and Native Instruments controllers. Its ultra-light touch enables “lightning fast” playing ideal for synthesis techniques, though some users find it too light for piano-style playing. The TP/40 series targets piano-focused applications with graded hammer action, appearing in Nord Piano and Stage series, though user experiences vary significantly based on manufacturer implementation.

Understanding Fatar keybed model variations

The TP/9S has two distinct versions that are mechanically incompatible. The old version (built until 2003) uses rectangular openings below the spring with a locking mechanism requiring screwdriver removal. The current version (since 2003) allows simple forward key removal after spring removal. Keys between versions cannot be interchanged, making this critical for repair and replacement planning.

Currently manufactured keybeds include the TP/100LR professional lightweight hammer action, TP/400 Wood premium wooden keybed, TP/110 high-end weighted keyboard, TP/9S semi-weighted synth action, TP/8S weighted action, and TP/7BA basic synth action. The TP/400 Wood represents Fatar’s latest innovation with wooden key construction, “Ivory Feel” surfaces, and optional escapement mechanisms, showcased in 2025 Studiologic models.

Discontinued models include the entire TP/40 series (previously flagship weighted models), TP/20/TP/30 earlier weighted actions, TP/10 series legacy hammer actions, and the specialty TP/8O organ waterfall variant. Parts availability remains limited through specialized vendors like Synth-Parts.com, creating maintenance challenges for older instruments.

Complete reference guide: Fatar keybeds by manufacturer and model

The most comprehensive database ever compiled, sourced from the extensive Musiker-Board forum community and verified manufacturer specifications.

Access

Akai

Alesis

Arturia

Clavia (Nord)

Crumar/G.S.I

Dexibell

  • Vivo S1 (68): Fatar TP/8 Piano, special version with different spring characteristics
  • Vivo S3 (73): Fatar TP/100LR, Triple Contact
  • Vivo S7 (88): Fatar TP/40, Triple Contact
  • Vivo P3 (73): Fatar TP/100LR, Triple Contact
  • Vivo P7 (88): Fatar TP/100LR, Triple Contact
  • J7 (61): Fatar TP/8O
  • H10 (88): Fatar TP/400W, Keys-Weighted, hammer action, Triple contact, Escapement
  • H10MG (88): Fatar TP/400W, Keys-Weighted, hammer action, Triple contact, Escapement

Doepfer

  • LMK4+ (88) (production until 04/2011): Fatar TP/10MDR
  • LMK4+ (88) (production from 04/2011): Fatar TP/40GH
  • LMK2+ (88) (production until 04/2011): Fatar TP/10MDR
  • LMK2+ (88) (production from 04/2011): Fatar TP/40GH
  • PK88: Fatar TP/40GH

Edirol (Roland)

Elektron

E-MU

Ensoniq

ESI

Generalmusic (GEM)

IK Multimedia

John Bowen

Kawai

Korg

Kurzweil

M-Audio

MFB

  • Dominion 1 (37): Fatar TP/9S, fully weighted (same version as Kurzweil PC361/PC3K6, encapsulated weights)

Modal Electronics (formerly Modulus)

Moog

  • Voyager: Fatar TP/9S, weighted (encapsulated weights)
  • Minimoog Reissue: Fatar TP/9S, weighted (encapsulated weights)
  • Sub 37: Huaxin, model unknown
  • Sub Phatty: Huaxin, model unknown
  • Memorymoog (61): Matsushita ESK-70
  • Matriarch (49): Fatar TP/9S, weighted, same version as Grandmother
  • Grandmother (32): Fatar TP/9S, full weighting (encapsulated weights) and tight springs, same version as Dominion 1, Vermona 14 and Kurzweils. The 32-key size is a special order for Moog, not available in regular program
  • Minimoog Model D Reissue (44): Fatar TP/9S, encapsulated weights, but quite weighted and not the tight springs

Native Instruments

Nonlinear Labs

Novation

Oberheim

  • OB-8 (61), old model: Pratt-Read, model unknown
  • OB-8 (61), newer model: Matsushita ESK-70

Quasimidi

Radikal Technologies

Rhodes by Roland

Roland

Sequential Circuits (SCI) – former DSI/Dave Smith Instruments

Solton

  • SG1 (61): Fatar TP/9S (identical to GEM Genesys)

Studiologic

Tom Oberheim

U.D.O

Valente

  • Piano (73): Fatar TP/100 LR, mechanics only, without contacts

Viscount

Waldorf

Wersi

Competitive landscape and alternatives

Yamaha dominates piano-focused applications with proprietary GHS, GH3, NW/NWX, and GrandTouch actions, offering progressive technology from entry-level 2-zone weighting to premium wooden keys with triple sensors. Their strength lies in consistent quality control and acoustic piano manufacturing expertise, though some models suffer MIDI implementation issues and sluggish GHS performance.

Roland’s PHA-4 and PHA-50 hybrid wood/resin construction provides excellent compromise between piano authenticity and multi-instrument versatility, with superior sensor technology and MIDI implementation. However, PHA-50 can feel initially “spongy” and heavier than acoustic pianos (50g vs 28g trigger weight). Korg’s RH3 triple-sensor hammer action offers substantial feel preferred for stage performance but struggles with soft dynamics and pianissimo response.

Kawai’s Grand Feel wooden key actions deliver the most authentic acoustic piano experience, built by an actual piano manufacturer with superior escapement simulation and dynamic control. Premium models range $1,000-6,000 but represent the closest digital approximation to acoustic piano feel. Casio provides excellent value with Scaled Hammer Action II and Smart Hybrid Hammer systems, offering reliable basic performance at $400-1,500 price points.

Practical buying recommendations by use case

For classical piano replacement, Kawai Grand Feel series offers the most authentic acoustic feel, followed by Yamaha NWX/GrandTouch wooden key implementations and Roland PHA-50 as a modern compromise. For stage performance, Fatar TP/8S implementations provide reliable, expressive control across multiple instruments, with Roland PHA-50 offering versatility and Yamaha BHE providing good semi-weighted response.

For synthesizer and multi-instrument work, Fatar TP/9S serves as the industry standard with excellent response for synthesis techniques, while Yamaha semi-weighted actions and lighter Roland PHA implementations offer good versatility across sound types. Budget-conscious buyers should consider Casio Scaled Hammer II for basic piano needs, Yamaha GHS for reliable entry-level performance, or emerging Medeli hammer actions for value.

Testing recommendations include checking velocity response consistency across all keys, listening for excessive noise particularly from black keys, verifying key return speed and stability, and examining build quality for cracked plastic or loose components. Long-term ownership considerations favor TP/8S and TP/9S for aging reliability, while TP/100 series should be avoided for intensive use.

Maintenance realities and durability concerns

Professional repair costs range $750-1,000 for full keybed replacement, $200-300 for felt replacement service, and $100-200 for contact cleaning. DIY maintenance reduces costs significantly: replacement felts cost $20-50, contact rubber $30-80, and individual keys $5-25 when available. Common issues include hammer weight cracking in older TP/10 models, squeaking from worn felt strips, and rubber contact degradation over time.

Parts availability varies dramatically by model age. Current models (TP/8S, TP/9S, TP/40 series) maintain reasonable parts supply through specialized vendors, while older models (TP/10 series) face scarcity and high costs. Fatar operates primarily B2B and doesn’t sell directly to consumers, creating supply chain bottlenecks for replacement components.

User reports indicate quality variation between manufacturing batches and different OEM implementations of identical keybed models. The same TP/40 keybed can feel substantially different between Nord and Studiologic implementations, emphasizing the importance of testing specific instruments rather than relying solely on keybed specifications.

Future outlook and emerging trends

Fatar’s strategic direction focuses on lightweight premium actions (TP/100LR evolution), expansion of wooden keybed options (TP/400 Wood variants), and enhanced software integration through their Studiologic partnership. Near-term developments include continued polyphonic aftertouch implementation, advanced materials research, and sustainability initiatives in manufacturing processes.

Market challenges include competition from Asian manufacturers on price-sensitive segments, changing musician preferences toward lighter/more portable solutions, and the need for better direct-to-consumer parts availability. The company’s 70-year manufacturing heritage and strategic OEM relationships with premium brands provide competitive advantages, though supply chain pressures and parts availability issues require attention.

Technology trends point toward MIDI 2.0 integration, hybrid digital/mechanical sensing, and sustainable materials adoption. The democratization of polyphonic aftertouch across price points represents a significant opportunity, currently limited to premium models but potentially expanding to mainstream synthesizer applications.

Conclusion

Fatar keybeds represent the professional standard for synthesizer applications, with the TP/8S earning universal acclaim and TP/9S dominating current production. Their superior tactile response and modular design approach create distinct advantages over competitors in semi-weighted applications, though piano-focused users should consider Kawai or Yamaha alternatives. Implementation quality varies between manufacturers using identical Fatar keybeds, making instrument-specific testing essential. While maintenance costs and parts availability present challenges, the combination of professional feel, reliability in modern models, and market dominance makes Fatar keybeds the preferred choice for serious synthesizer and multi-instrument applications. Musicians investing in premium controllers or synthesizers will likely encounter Fatar keybeds, making understanding of their characteristics, maintenance requirements, and implementation differences crucial for informed purchasing decisions.

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