Disklavier

Hello,
Thank you for your very prompt response George. I did download and
install iTunes and as you wrote, it had a fabulously robust comment
and search capability. I moved a few MIDIs into it and after a bit of
finagling was able to coax output from the Disklavier. Though iTunes
did reclassify the MIDI sequences as QuickTime Movies, it routed the
piano and ensemble to my DSR1 for execution. Solos played flawlessly
but I did find that iTunes apparently skims the first 2-3 tracks of
the sequence for piano (as it darned well should be) but
unfortunately, any other voice assigned to those tracks will also be
sent out the midi port as a piano part. Drums sound unique played on a
piano.

My ESEQ converted files from Yamaha are or course arranged properly
for this format. However, the DSR1 has spoiled me rotten, as it will
glean keyboard tracks and route them to the Disklavier regardless of
track (arrangement or even quantity.) 

The only problem that remains is the many hundreds of files that were
sequenced without regard to this layout convention with many lacking
any or at least enough blank tracks to which to relocate voices
allowing for iTunes' piano exclusive tracks. Compounded by many
arrangements with several piano tracks that would require
consolidation in order to fit the iTunes requirement.  I started down
this laborious editing endeavor prior to the arrival of the DSR1 and
was elated on discovery of the DSR1's elegance in this regard. Though
I sometimes wish that electric piano and harpsichord parts could be
culled for audio output rather than sent to the live instrument.
PowerTracks Pro Audio does simplify the procedure but it is definitely
a hands-on process.

Alas, there seems to be few standards outside of professionally
produced midi music. Track location is but one subjective area.
Velocity is a real problem. US$3 per song for Yamaha disks seems a
pretty fair bargain after one spends a Saturday afternoon deluxing 10
songs that were downloaded for "free".

Thanks again for your information. I'll work on it.
Fred Dismuke
Juliette, Georgia USA

--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, "George F. Litterst"
<PianoBench@a...> wrote:
>
> Good evening, everyone.
> 
> Have you tried iTunes? iTunes will play MIDI files on both Windows  
> and Macintosh computers. It has rather extensive cataloging features.
> 
> When iTunes plays a MIDI file, it outputs the MIDI data to QuickTime.  
> On Windows you can use the QT control panel to route the MIDI data to  
> General MIDI (as opposed to the built-in QT tone generator). Then, if  
> you set your system-wide MIDI output default to a MIDI interface  
> connected to your Disklavier, MIDI playback from iTunes will be heard  
> on your Disklavier.
> 
> Here are the exact instructions for setting the system-wide MIDI  
> default on different Windows systems:
> 
> Windows 98
> Start:Settings:Control Panel:Multimedia
> click the Multimedia tab in the Multimedia Properties window
> choose Single Instrument
> under Single Instrument, make your selection for the desired choice  
> for MIDI output
> 
> Windows ME and Windows 2000
> Start:Settings:Control Panel:Sounds and Multimedia Properties
> click the Audio tab in the Sounds and Multimedia Properties window
> under MIDI Music Playback, make your selection for the desired choice  
> for MIDI output
> 
> Windows XP
> Start:Control Panel
> (1) if the next window is set to Categories View, click Sounds,  
> Speech, and Audio Devices
> then click Sounds and Audio Devices
> click the Audio tab in the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties window
> under MIDI Music Playback, make your selection for the desired choice  
> for MIDI output
> 
> or
> 
> (2) if the next window is set to Classic View, click Sounds and Audio  
> Devices
> click the Audio tab in the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties window
> under MIDI Music Playback, make your selection for the desired choice  
> for MIDI output
> 
> Regrettably, this is not possible on the Mac under OS X although (1)  
> it was possible (by convoluted means) to do so under OS 9 and (2) the  
> OS X documentation says that it is possible.
> 
> NOTE: iTunes can also play PianoSoft Plus Audio CDs on either a Mac  
> or Windows computer if you route your audio cables appropriately to a  
> Mark III or other Disklavier with DCD1 or (in the future) Mark IV. Be  
> sure to turn off the iTunes playback feature called Sound Enhancer.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> On Nov 5, 2005, at 5:24 PM, Fred Dismuke wrote:
> 
> > Over the past summer I purchased an MX-80 (a 15 year ambition) and
> > upgraded to XG with a DSR1. Very early on I joined D.U.G. and have not
> > until now corresponded. My Disklavier is interfaced with my computer
> > now thanks in large part to research of the archive postings of this
> > user's group, and now that I've waited out the shipping,
> > acclimatizing, cabling, software selection/learning curve and or
> > course, the tuner appointment, I must say I'm absolutely thrilled with
> > the arrangement. I have moved my 20 store-bought Yamaha albums to the
> > hard drive for ease of playing and have also, at much time and effort
> > culled thousands of not-so-hot midi files from the web to about 1500
> > pretty good arrangements. I have many Vanbasco play lists but do
> > sometimes want to find a particular selection by criterion other than
> > alphabetic, and my memory of which sub-directory it may reside, such
> > as by genre, artist and so on. I have not found in these hallowed
> > archives or on the net, any type of file utility of the style used for
> > mp3 music files in which to classify my repertoire. The mp3 utilities,
> > though designed for music will not recognize the midi file extension.
> > Windows XP has allowed for additional file information in its
> > properties but will not allow for easy entry or searching on this.
> >
> > I am hoping someone may have blundered upon what has so far eluded me.
> > Any recommendations?
> >
> > Thanks again for this cite and the wealth of knowledge that it holds.
> >
> > Fred Dismuke
> > Juliette, Georgia
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor -------------------- 
> > ~-->
> > <FONT COLOR="#000099">Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo!  
> > Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
> > </FONT><A HREF="http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/ 
> > MlLolB/TM"><B>Click Here!</B></A>
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------- 
> > ~->
> >
> > To Post a message to the group, send it to:    
> > disklavier@Y...
> >
> > To Post a private message to Todd Muncy, the group's founder and  
> > moderator, send it to:
> > disklavier-owner@Y...
> >
> > To reach our group's web site go to:
> > http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier
> >
> > Todd's family web site was completely updated 012/22/03.  It  
> > contains some fun disklavier content and links to midi sites among  
> > many other things, The url is:
> > http://MuncyFamily.com
> >
> > THINKING OF LEAVING THE GROUP?
> > If you are thinking of unsubcribing because you are getting too  
> > much mail, go the the web site and change your email delivery  
> > option instead.  That will fix the problem, while maintaining your  
> > access to the group.  If you insist on leaving us completely send a  
> > blank email to:
> > disklavier-unsubscribe@y...
> >
> > Know someone who wants to join?  Have them send a blank email to:
> > disklavier-subscribe@e... or give them this link:
> > http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier/join
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>