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Re: [disklavier] Re: What in a name? MX100BII MarkII MX100II

2002-01-10 by Carol Beigel

My impression of a U10 is that it is a U1 with a different lid.  Because the 
control box was built into the lid, it had to stand about 3 inches taller..  
Once they started using control boxes that were not built into piano cases, 
they could use the same system on both grand and upright pianos. So yes, the 
MX100A is an old-style U1 with a different lid.  It has a very beautiful 
tone and a professional quality upright action.

Until Yamaha invented "half pedaling" the sustain pedal (loud pedal - the 
one you use the most played with your right foot) was either up or down - on 
or off.  It was also called "incremental pedaling".  It is especially useful 
in recording when you want to duplicate an exact piano performance.  All 
this means is that the pedal will be "on" only to the extent the person 
recording used it.

The MX100A was the first Disklavier.  Every other model is an improvement on 
it, although I think some recent "improvements" are for economy only.  $4000 
is about half of what a new U1 costs today without the Disklavier.  It has 
hammer sensors and key sensors.  The program (ROM) is on its own computer 
chip so it cannot be updated.

If you ever want all the features, like XG ensemble sounds, the ability to 
use high density disks, play MIDI format 0 and 1 files, you can always buy 
the DSR-1 control box (about $1000?)

The MX100A also has MIDI in/MIDI out ports, so you can hook it up to a 
computer and control it that way - volume, play lists, etc.  You WILL 
however,have to convert all MIDI files you want to play to ESEQ.  Also, buy 
yourself some old style 2DD diskettes.  YOu can get them from
www.shoplet.com for less than $5 for a box of 11.

Enjoy your piano!

Carol Beigel


From: "fakepopster" <raydene@...>
>Reply-To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
>To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [disklavier] Re: What in a name? MX100BII MarkII MX100II
>Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 05:32:09 -0000
>
>Yes!  Thank you Carol.  It helps quite a bit.
>
>Do you mean to say that there is a yamaha piano of this vintage (late
>80s-early 90s) called a u10?  I have never heard of one or seen one
>advertised.  They are ALL listed as U1s for this time frame.  Are
>people confused?
>
>Also, half pedal?  Is this the third (left) pedal on a piano that
>sustains on the lower half of the keyboard?  If so, an MX100A (U10?)
>only has one pedal?  Do the MX100a's have hammer sensors?  I assume
>this is better than not.
>
>So...a Mark II is...?  I sent you personal note you can ignore asking
>this before I realized how ignorant I really am.  Thanks again for
>all the info.
>
>Bottom line is I'm buying a MX100A and trying to figure out if I got
>ripped off or not.  I've seen the price database but there are no
>MX100A's puchased recently in this country.  I think it will meet my
>needs.  I just want it to be a good piano and play.  I believe I have
>read how to play/convert midi files to play through it.  I was under
>the impression it was a U1, though.  I'm paying $4k for it delivered
>to my door and it seems to be in top condition.  Any comments from
>anyone?  Thanks
>
>--- In disklavier@y..., "Carol Beigel" <carolrpt@h...> wrote:
> > The MX100A (released 12/1987) and the MX100B, with mute function
>(released
> > in 7/1990) were used in U10 studio upright pianos with built-in
>control
> > panels on the front.  They use on 2DD floppy disks and only play
>ESEQ files.
> > No tone generator built in for ensemble sounds.
> >
> > The MX80 (released 4/1990)has no hammer sensors and was used in a
>smaller
> > upright piano M108. The control box (DKC5R) is a separate box. Just
>like the
> > above, only 2DD floppy disks and only plays ESEQ files.  No tone
>generator
> > built in for ensemble sounds.
> >
> > The MX100II (released 2/1992)has Ensemble record, half pedal and
>self
> > calibration. It used the control box DKC100R on a U10 upright
>piano. In
> > 3/1994 this system was installed on the U1 pianos.  This system
>also play
> > SMF (standard MIDI files) in format 0, but you still have to use a
>2DD
> > floppy disk.
> >
> > The MX100IIXG (released 2/1997)uses the control box DKC500RXG and
>is the
> > first programable flash rom.  You can update the software from a
>floppy
> > disk.  This model can also use 2HD floppy disks and has 1 Mg memory
>disk. It
> > also has the internal XG sounds on a daughter board mounted inside
>the
> > control box.  It can record and playback ESEQ, MIDI format 0 and
>MIDI format
> > 1 files.  It is used in the U1 piano with both key and hammer
>sensors.
> >
> > The MX1 (released 3/96)is the identical system above, but used in
>the new
> > U1.  Newer U1's have a full perimeter plate and a fallboard that
>does not
> > come crashing down on your hands!  It is also a brighter, louder
>piano.
> >
> > The MX500/22/116 (released 6/2000) is used on Yamaha made pianos,
>M500
> > (console), P22 and T116 uprights.  These have no hammer sensors and
>use the
> > control box DKC50R. The pedal is either on or off - no half pedal.
>These
> > also use 2HD floppy disks and play and record ESEQ, MIDI 0 and MIDI
>1 files.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > Carol Beigel
> >
> >
> >
> > >From: "fakepopster" <raydene@n...>
> > >Reply-To: disklavier@y...
> > >To: disklavier@y...
> > >Subject: [disklavier] What in a name?  MX100BII MarkII MX100II
> > >Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 01:09:43 -0000
> > >
> > >Can anyone help me with some product terminology?  As far as
>uprights
> > >go, I have heard (read) MX100A, MX100B, MX100II, Mark II, MX80.
>Are
> > >some of these the same with just differing referrences?  Is a "B"
> > >a "II" is a MX100II a Mark II?  Are they all the same.  Is someone
> > >could list all makes and their alias' in manufactured order and
> > >relative dates, that would be great.
> > >
> > >Thanks for any help at all, though!
> > >
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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