Neve Necam 96 keyboard
 | |
| Branding | Neve (as logo only) |
|---|---|
| Layouts | Custom |
| Keyswitches | RAFI RS 74 M |
| Interface | Unknown |
| Introduced | 1984? |
The Neve Necam 96 keyboard is the keyboard that shipped with the little-known Necam 96 audio workstation. It is a special-purpose keyboard designed for audio editing, and it features RAFI RS 74 M low-travel switches.
Description
The keyboard has a two-part sheet metal case held together by six screws, three per side. Each half contains a PCB: the top half contains the switch PCB, and the lower half contains the controller PCB; the two are connected by a ribbon cable, with a plug at the bottom and a punch-down connector at the top.
Four switches contain LEDs, including caps lock. The QWERTY keycaps are all double-shot, while all the remaining keycaps are engraved and painted, with RAFI's catalogues suggesting that the engraving is done on an engraving machine, and not via laser.
Gallery
The cable was removed and discarded due to being covered in a slimy brown substance, all the way inside. The connecting cable was mistakenly disconnected at the wrong end, resulting in a destroyed punch-down connector.
Top
Side
Bottom, with large rubber non-slip mat
RAFI RS 76 M switches, and double-shot and engraved keycaps
Switches
Regular switch and double-shot keycap
LED switch and engraved keycap
The space bar stabiliser wire hooks are moulded into the space bar keycap, and are fragile
The space bar stabiliser wire is retained using soldered-in metal loops
Opened, revealing the controller and switch PCBs
Switch PCB
Switch PCB detail
Switch PCB legend, giving the year and the only named Neve branding
Hand-engraved writing on the underside of the top panel
Controller PCB
Controller circuitry
Controller IC
Part and issue numbers on the controller PCB
Unused portion of the controller PCB; the switch IC also has places for additional LEDs
Part of the cable, covered in sticky brown gunge
Plug, top; the cable was discarded due to its state
Plug, bottom
