Disklavier

Barry wrote:

> I just recently started researching options for a player grand piano.  
> Disklavier was the first I looked at.
> 
> Has anyone looked into or know anything about Baldwin ConcertMaster?   It 
> looks good and has a 1 gig hard drive to store up to 10,000 songs.
> 
> Any direction you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  


I am considering the ConcertMaster as well.  The primary advantage it has
over the Disklavier is the capability to play 32 notes simultaneously
versus the Disklavier's 16 (the Disklavier also comes in a "Pro" series
that may not have this limitation-- anybody know?)  In my case, I could
use the extra polyphony since I like playing MIDI files encoded from
reproducing piano rolls.  Quite a few of those require 16+ note polyphony.

On the other hand, the Disklavier has a technical edge over the
ConcertMaster in several ways:

  - 128-position partial pedaling, record and playback
    (ConcertMaster is simply on/off pedaling)

  - far more accurate recording capabilities, using optical shutters
    on the hammer shanks to measure hammer velocity (ConcertMaster
    uses an under-key record strip like the PianoDisc system)

  - self-calibration; the Disklavier can adjust the solenoid drivers
    based upon feedback from the hammer shank sensors, to compensate
    for irregularities in the action's mechanics etc.

Apparently the ConcertMaster is really just a QRS Pianomation system
in a Baldwin piano with a customized control unit.

What I would really like to see is a Yamaha U-3 or U-5 with Disklavier
or Disklavier Pro installed.  Mark Wisner at Yamaha told me there are
no plans to make a 52" upright Disklavier, however.  As for the Pro option,
I have yet to see a Disklavier Pro in person.  A prominent Yamaha dealer 
shooed me away when I asked about it, saying that those models are never
displayed in stores and that "customers who truly require a Pro series
unit already know they need it so there is no need for a demo".  Well!


--
Mark A. Fontana
Minneapolis, MN