Disklavier

I thought that most users of this group would like to know that there 
is a new version of PDA software, called "ittyMIDI," published by a 
small but tech-savvy group (the music division of MicroTools Inc.)
that allows any Palm OS device to fully control the DKV.  I think I 
may have mentioned my initial experiences with the first 
implementation of this neat software a year or two ago on this 
group's site, but they now have version 2.1 out that has some great 
enhancements and also works with the latest Palm devices and large 
capacity memory cards.  This program is not specific to DKVs; 
basically, "ittyMIDI" is a Palm OS program that allows the PDA to 
store and play back ANY MIDI file and also drive ANY MIDI-capable 
device or synthesizer (via standard MIDI OUT and/or MIDI THRU), 
including our beloved DKVs.  One just has to load up the PDA (or its 
memory card) with standard MIDI files, dock the PDA in a standard 
serial hot sync cradle connected to the MIDI port on the DKV control 
unit (using a simple adaptor cable available from the vendor), and 
click the "PLAY" button on the PDA program screen.  Voila, the DKV 
plays all 16 channels of MIDI controlled solely by that little PDA 
device.  You can also do things such as edit the MIDI data like 
tempo, volume, and even remap channels and voices right from the PDA, 
and the DKV faithfully and flawlessly reproduces everything.  The 
program also does include a "jukebox-like" song manager (which is 
sorely lacking on the DKV itself) that makes it convenient to select 
which pieces to play and in which order, etc. (with song lists, and 
so on).  Trust me, this is a truly neat way to impress your friends 
(or justify to your spouse why you really bought your DKV or even 
your PDA!), not to mention that it makes the use of the DKV much more 
flexible.  And now here's the best news....  I recently spoke with 
one of the principals of the firm and learned that they are also soon 
to release their next version of this little jewel that will work 
WIRELESSLY (via Bluetooth) using a very small adaptor box which 
would be plugged into the MIDI port of the DKV control unit.  (That 
small adaptor box could easily be mounted out of site underneath the 
piano next to the control unit.)  Now THAT will really be slick!  
Imagine walking around your house controlling and "playing" your DKV 
WIRELESSLY from your PDA!!  (Bluetooth SD cards for PDAs are now 
readily available and cheap.)  The best part is that the software is 
very cheap (less than $30), and you probably already have most of the 
hardware you'll need to make it work.  Check this out (at 
www.ittymidi.com) -- you'll be glad you did!

DISCLAIMER: I have absolutely NO financial interest or connection 
whatever with ittyMIDI or MicroTools Inc.; I'm just excited about how 
this works with my DKV and wanted to share this with you.  I think 
we "sophisticated" DKV users ought to support vendors that provide us 
with fantastic, cheap tools that do enhance our DKV experiences!