Disklavier

Good evening, everyone.

In a message dated 9/22/02 1:49:20 PM, Budds writes:

<< Looks like the Disklavier I am going to buy is a Mark II Model DGH1BII 
baby grand piano 5.3ft and I was told to be of 1995 vintage!. It is pre XG, 
GM and SMF I guess.


Questions are,


1) The catalogue indicates recording format as Yamaha E-Seq, I guess it is a 
non IBM standard format unlike SMF, or GM , am I correct? Hence I cannot down 
load these files from the internet?>>

All Disklaviers use DOS formatted disks. However, the Mark II models and 
earlier ones only use double-density disks. Newer models (as well as the DRS1 
which you can add to this Disklavier) support both double-density (DD) and 
high-density (HD) disks. If you could get the official Mark IIXG upgrade 
installed on this instrument, you would turn it into a Mark IIXG and this 
problem would go away. Also, you would not need the DSR1.

NOTE: The file format of the song files themselve (E-SEQ and SMF) is 
independent of the disk format.

You could download files from the Internet and play them from your computer 
using your Disklavier as an output device. This will work fine for piano 
solos, but it becomes more problematic with song files that have non-piano 
tracks. In the latter case, you either need a tone generator built into the 
Disklavier (i.e. upgrade to the Mark IIXG or add the DSR1) or you need to add 
an external tone generator or other MIDI instrument to the Disklavier (like 
the PSR instruments that you have mentioned).


<<2) If I am to play SMF or GM files down loaded from the internet, I need to 
get a DSR1unit. Is it correct?>>

Yes, unless you manage to get the instrument upgraded to a Mark IIXG or 
unless you decide to play them from your computer.


<<3) Does the DSR1 play PianoSoft Plus disk?>>

Yes. It is completely backward compatible with respect to disk format, song 
file format, and sound set.

<<If so then the DSR1 will need an amp and speakers?>>

Yes. Of course, if you get powered speakers, the amp is in one of the 
speakers.


<<4) Once coupled through Midi cables, can I get the PSR keyboard's left hand 
sounds such as strings, percussion, base to play as compliment to the 
Disklavier while playing both left and right on the Disklavier live?>>

I believe that this will work. Basically, you will be sending MIDI out from 
the Disklavier to MIDI In on the PSR. You will have the choice of sending all 
of the data from the Disklavier on a single MIDI channel or two adjacent 
channels if you set up a keyboard split on the Disklavier. You should check 
out the MIDI implementation on the PSR to see how it handles bass, treble, 
and lead voices when there is incoming MIDI data.


<<5) Could you be able to give a couple of dealers names who sells DSR1 units 
and the rough indication of the price of DSR1 unit to fit a MARK II? (either 
secondhand or new).>>

I believe that the list price is around $1,295. Your dealer may or may not 
discount it.


<<6) A Approximately, how much is a old DGH1BII 5.3ft grand disklavier be 
worth secondhand in the US?>>

I don't know. Its value in the U.S. may not be directly comparable to its 
value in another country where the tarrifs may cause significant price 
differences.


<<7) The price of a DCD1 player (secondhand or new) and where to get it from. 
>>

Any Yamaha piano dealer in the U.S. can sell this item. I am not sure about 
other countries.

Regards,
PianoBench