[Ofir]

Lowboy,
I was also thinking of an engine-like design, but the big difference is that in engines the control is inside the engine, while in melodicas you must have outside control. This is why no matter what you do, the outside lever must move an inside valve so air will be allowed, and you must connect them.
Any moving part is subject to many failures, therefore must be considered carefully.

So basically we agree that reeds last are way more complicate to design (I’m not sure if feasible as relatively low cost and durable design), and should first prove its necessity (which I’m very much not confident of).