Just in case the Mediastation catches on fire right Domenick? Therefore, because of heat issues from the CPU the FCC/CE won't allow you to make it with a plastic casing is that correct Domenick? Or is it because of 'grounding' issues with all the hardware inside? But if it were simply about 'grounding' then you could theoretically just use a metal grounding "strip" instead of the whole case having to be metal. So I am assuming because of heat from the CPU and a possible fire risk from the heat or if something were to short and something melted or caught on fire that that is the reason you need the metal case i.e. so the fire could be better contained within the keyboard's metal casing if that (God forbid) ever happened.

About the question of making it lighter, how about using a lighter, stronger, metal composite? For instance, if the case now weighs, let's say, 30 lbs., by using a lighter, stronger metal composite (which would allow you to also cut down on the thickness of the metal) you could theoretically cut the weight of the case shell in half or thereabouts. 45 lbs. is a lot more appealing than lugging around the 60 lbs. that the Mediastation now weighs. >> Although the weight of the Mediastation is not listed on your web site but the discussion here leads me to put the weight at 60 lbs. for the 76 key version?? I would also imagine the 88 key version weighs substantially more than the 76 key version does too. Probably 80 lbs. plus + right? You limit your potential customers by making the Mediastation excessively heavy in my opinion Domenick.

When you think about it, the professional keyboardist is looking for the lightest solution too. Not just the home hobbyist or in the Studio. Whether on Stage, in the Studio, or just as a hobby, lighter is always better in my opinion. PS: You CAN make a quality constructed keyboard that doesn't need to weigh a ton. The companies that have figured that out are selling the most keyboards. Not the companies that make their keyboards tipping the scale at 60-90 lbs. plus +.

If you don't mind being a niche market then you can continue to make them as heavy as you want I suppose. If you want to reach a larger segment of the market then making the Mediastation lighter would go a long way in acheiving that goal in my opinion.

Best regards,
Mike



[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 12-18-2006).]