Disklavier

Primarily to Danny:

I believe my Mark II's firmware is up-to-date.  Perhaps it is not. 
However, directing sustain pedal data to MIDI channel #3 should always 
work and will be compatible with all models of DKV--that's the way it's 
done on Yamaha's PianoSoft diskettes.

For certain MIDI files (e.g., the e-Competition), I have limited the 
sustain pedal data to no less than 20 and no greater than 95.  That has 
reduced the damper noise to my satisfaction, and, without messing up the 
intended pedaling effects.  As you might expect, correct pedal alignment 
would be more critical for this to work.  I did insure that the sustain 
pedal was properly adjusted and calibrated.

Trying to modulate on/off pedal data to resemble continuous data strikes 
me as being more trouble than it is worth.

I once measured the current and power consummed by the pedal solenoid. 
I'd have to go look for the figures, but it was amazingly low.  I kept 
the solenoid energized for 30 minutes and could feel little rise in 
temperature.  Actually, the solenoid requires the most current while 
raising the dampers; the current needed to hold a position is less.

Occasionally you hear reports of DKVs shutting down due to an 
overheating pedal solenoid. (You are possibly aware that pedal solenoid 
temperature is monitored.) My guess is that that is not due to poor 
solenoid design, but perhaps some mechanical resistance in the linkage 
or problem in the monitoring circuit.

One other aside:  The pedal adjustment of my DC3 Mark II was always 
changing because the adjustment nuts were turning with use (despite the 
leather washers and the nuts being set against each other).  I fixed 
that by wrapping plumbers teflon joint seal tape on the adjustment threads.

Bob

Danny wrote:
> From: "Robert Welcyng" <rwelcyng@...>
> 
>>For Mark II DKVs capable of continuous sustain pedal, please be aware of
>>this:
>>
>>1) Continuous sustain pedal data directed to MIDI channel #1 will be
>>interpreted as on/off.  That is, for data values 0 thru 63, the dampers
>>will be completely lowered upon the strings; for data values 64 thru
>>127, the dampers will be fully raised off the strings.
>>
>>2) To obtain continuous sustain pedal movement, the sustain pedal
>>continuous data must be directed to MIDI channel #3.  If you are sending
>>the data from, say, a laptop to the MIDI In port, you must also set the
>>DKV's MIDI IN to "CH=HP" in order for the DKV to respond with continuous
>>sustain pedal motion.
>>
>>In contrast, Mark III DKVs do appear to record and respond to continuous
>>pedal data directed to MIDI channel #1.
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Robert,
> 
> Thanks for the information.
> 
> Somehow, my Mark II definitely seems to respond quite differently to differing
> controller 64 data, even though it is on channel 1. Alternating 0 and 127
> produce the loud thump. Limiting it to values on channel 1, as shown in the
> previous attached MIDI file, definitely produce lessening thump sounds. And I
> can see that the pedal velocity is less. I have what I think is the latest MIDI
> firmware update that was released a few years back.
> 
> I don't know if it is since I am 'limiting' its mechanical range in some
> fashion. As I mentioned in my last post, the controller 64 values of alternating
> 80 and 85 on channel, seem to place the sustain pedal in an 'in-between' state,
> neither fully on <or> off.
> 
> Question, even on the Mark III's, is there a danger of *not* releasing the
> sustain pedal fully, by means of the controller when finished with a song, could
> possibly cause an overheating problem with the pedal selenoid drive electronics,
> i.e., possibly being left turned on for a long period of time <or> does the
> firmware take care of this? Some of this experimenting may leave it on...
> 
> Maybe I have a Mark III at the price of a Mark II? ;^)
> 
> BTW, what are your feelings on possibly modulating the sustain pedal data for
> the possibility of damping the pedal action somewhat?
> 
> 
> Danny
> 
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-- 
Robert Welcyng
Anchorage, Alaska