Disklavier

Sam, I agree with George. Calibration cannot overcome problems with the piano itself.

In addition to that, I am always a bit reluctant to provide these manuals because when you are in the Maintenance and Test Modes, it is very easy to make setting changes that can cause all sorts of problems.

Through the years I have had more than a couple of customers that have gotten themselves in trouble using these modes and then blame me and Yamaha for having provided them with the manuals.

It's kind like reading how to take out your own appendix - it is good information to have, but is usually not recommended. :)

Bill


On Apr 17, 2014, at 6:23 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good morning, everyone.


Sam, there are limits to what the typical customer can gain from attempting to calibrate the instrument himself. For example, if the sustain pedal is not mechanically regulated so that it functions within proper specifications, the resulting calibration will be faulty.

If the instrument undertakes the task of calibrating the keys and throws out an error message, the customer is faced with a puzzling situation that requires a technicians' physical intervention with the instrument.

I'm not suggesting that a customer should never attempt to run the calibration programs on his own. I'm just pointing out that any sort of complete tutorial on the subject crosses the boundaries into areas that require training in the art of piano maintenance in order to understand.

Regards,
PianoBench

> On Apr 16, 2014, at 12:58 PM, Skanter123 wrote:
> 
>  
> 
> Is there a tutorial about DKV calibration on different pianos and how they might be used by the owner without a tech?
> 
> Sam 
> www.keyboardcollective.com
> (212) 684-3304
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Apr 16, 2014, at 10:53 AM, PianoBench@... wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> Good morning, everyone.
>> 
>> 
>> The built-in calibration features of the Disklavier are amazing. However, I agree with Adrian that there is no substitute for regular maintenance by a qualified piano technician: tuning, regulation, and voicing. The calibration programs won't be able to do their job properly if the piano's basic mechanical regulation is not within specs. Furthermore, if the calibration programs throw an error, you need the technician to address the problem that has been identified.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>> 
>>> On Apr 16, 2014, at 10:49 AM, mangez@... wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi,
>>> 
>>> you may also find that, on older models, the LEDs in the sensor assemblies get dimmer and cause sensing problems.
>>> On the other hand, as GFL says, pianos are liable to wear & tear and the change in the geometry of the mechanical parts in the action will affect the electronics and can often be cured by re-calibration - though this might be an indication that it's time to get a good piano technician in to do a service.
>>> 
>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>> 
>>> On Apr 16 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>> 
>>> Good morning, everyone.
>>> 
>>> Kevin, Disklavier models that have hammer sensors are designed to ensure that hammer velocity on playback is correct. Over time, there is wear and tear on the action parts that result in subtle changes to the relationship between key speed and the resulting hammer speed. When you do a calibration on a Disklavier that has hammer sensors, the instrument checks the current state of that relationship and makes adjustments as necessary.
>>> 
>>> If you run a Disklavier for hours at a time, there can be other slight changes to the mechanics of the system as a result of heat build up. The Disklavier PRO has sensors that continuously monitor what is going on inside the piano, and the instrument can make subtle adjustments in real time. 
>>> 
>>> You may find a video that I created on this topic to be of interest:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com
>>> 
>>> It's on the middle of the page of the Disklavier Education Network website and is called Understanding the Disklavier PRO.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench
>>> 
>>> On Apr 14, 2014, at 5:08 PM, Kevin Weng wrote:
>>> 
>>> > 
>>> > The problem is fixed. The technician did a calibration.
>>> > 
>>> > I learned something new today. I thought the recording should be a black or white thing: either you recorded it or not. However it seems the sensors and recording part is more analogous than digital. The accuracy of recording is not binary 1 or 0. It is subject to a lot of factors like temperature, moisture level. The keys can move sluggish or the replay can be sluggish. It is like the sound can be out of tune and requires regular tuning.
>>> > 
>>> > Anyone knows more about the consistency and reliability of the recording can add more?
>>> > 
>>> > Kevin
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > On Fri, Apr 11, 2014 at 12:12 PM, Bill Current Gmail wrote:
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > My suggestion is to have your piano calibrated. If this doesn't fix the sensing problems on those two keys, then have him check the key and hammer shutters, they are probably damaged or missing.
>>> > 
>>> > Bill
>>> > 
>>> > On Apr 11, 2014, at 11:56 AM, Kevin Weng wrote: 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > I am record ing my practice and realize there are 2 keys not being recorded: 
>>> > #D 1 octave up and
>>> > E 2 octave down
>>> > 
>>> > For existing recording that has these two keys it play fine, like the fantasie impromptu in the demo library.
>>> > 
>>> > Any idea? I have the service technician comes next Monday but wonder anyone has seen similar problem?
>>> > 
>>> > Kevin
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> >  ;
>>> > 
>>> >