Disklavier

Carol,

Thnx for the comeback.
 
> Disklaviers (DKVs) are the most marvelous things since sliced 
bread.  Glad to know you are enjoying yours!  I think you may want to 
become acquainted with the software called Band In A Box from 
www.pgmusic.com

I am already familar with BnB, PG's PowerTracks, and several other 
s/w sequencers. What I was trying to is to slave the DKV directly to 
a Roland keyboard. The delay even in real time makes it imposible to 
sync with the Roland. I want to be able to use and record the rhythm 
accompaniments from the Roland. The MIDI comes thru but cuts out as 
soon as I attempt to record, which I understand is not possible. I 
haven't try to connect the PC directly to the DKV yet and use 
sequencing s/w.


> 
> >First a simple question: What does it mean Audio/Midi In on the 
RCA input jack of the Sound Controller? Isn't it all audio whereas 
the 5-pin DIN is the MIDI data in? What good is it if the MIDI in 
can't sync in real time. We have to mute the MIDI source even with 
the Key Delay turned off and that still is not satisfactory.
> 
> Audio In means that is where you would connect the CD player on 
your stereo system.  You would want to do this if the CD on your DKV 
broke.

This is useless. I don't understand why this is also labeled MIDI, 
which it is not (just audio coming from a MIDI source)!

>The MIDI on the PianoSoft CDs is converted analog signal.

OK, that clarifies that issue. The MIDI data is not recordable as 
MIDI data through the remote directly. Thnx.

> Version 4.45 of the software syncs MIDI keyboard playing to any 
commercial CD.  Check your version by holding down the Play button 
when you power up.

Yep, we have successfully done that. We do have version 4.45. 
> 
> What is this MIDI source that you are muting?

From the Roland above.

> MIDI should come in thru either the MIDI In or the To Host port.  
Only MIDI data from a CD comes in thru the Audio In.

Hmmm. Not sure if I understand you here! Are u saying that MIDI data 
comes in as MIDI data or as Analog? I thought u said that it is only 
analog.


> >1) Does anyone know what software is used to create the Pianosoft
> >Plus CDs?
> 
> It is proprietary Yamaha software.  I don't think there is any 
commercially available software that will do the analog to MIDI (or 
is it vice versa?) conversions.

So, no go with PG's PowerTracks Audio Pro or Cakewalk and others 
which can mix audio and MIDI. Simply can't output to DKV, right?

> 
> >2) Is it possible to mute the audio/vocal track of the PS+ CDs?
> 
> Yes.  Just turn the volume knob on the left (box under keyboard 
where the Silent feature turns on).  Piano will play but you will 
hear no singing or MIDI.  The music on the CDs comes thru a different 
amplifier than the Ensemble sounds on MIDI floppy disks.

So, you are saying the Audio on the CDs does NOT contain MIDI data at 
all other than piano for the Keyboard, is that correct? The CD is 
strictly analog except for the keyboard data? 

> >
> >3) Is it possible to capture/record just the midi/instrumentation 
of the CD for playback on Disklavier?
> 
> I don't think so.  MIDI information on a CD has been converted.  
You can, however, capture any MIDI information that comes to you on a 
floppy disk.

Yeh, I see that the older E-SEQ format on the floppies can be 
converted to SMF. Haven't tried it yet.

> 
> >4) Is there some legitimate way to copy these PS+ CDs?
> 
> Yes.  Use any CD disk copy program that you would to copy any other 
CD on your computer.  These are not called "copies" but "back-ups" 
for your own use :-)

Cool! But not so lucky with the floppies yet.
 

> >5) With Smart Key and a PS+ CD, we can record in sync and play back
> >(very nice), but can't from the floppy or memory disk.
> 
> What are you recording to?  Oviously, if you are able to "play 
back" it got recorded on either a floppy disk or a memory disk.  The 
MIDI time code only works with the CD.  Copyrighted files from 
PianoSoft can be copied onto the Memory disks, but not back out to 
your own disks.  You would use the dkvutil (disk copy) to "backup" 
your Pianosoft floppies.  The program is located in the Files section 
of this website, but dkvcopy only works in real DOS, not virtual 
DOS.  Won't work with Windows NT or XP.

Thnx for the insight.

>  >Haven't tried it, but is it possible to put MIDI on the CD and 
record in sync from the keyboard.
> 
> Not yet, for Yamaha Disklaviers.  Cannot put MIDI files on a CD and 
expect the DKV to play them.  I do believe you can record several 
tracks at once. Put the MIDI data you already have on one track, and 
record your piano playing on another track. Look in the Owners Manual 
about over dubbing and merging tracks.
> 
Probably better off using sequencer software, but I will check out 
the Owner's Manual further.

Thnx,
Fred