Disklavier

Carol - 

Have you had an opportunity to install this kind of a baffle system 
on a Mark IV?

Crawling under mine, it doesn't look like it would be all that 
simple - the underside of the piano is really broken up with all the 
electronics, speakers etc.  There must be at least 20 seperate 
locations where the foam would have to be cut and fit into place.

Pete

--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, "Carol Beigel" <thecarolb@c...> 
wrote:
>
> After several years of making baffles for Disklavier
> grand pianos, I would like to describe the system that
> I think works best.  It is very simple, and can be
> inexpensive.  Because sound emanates from both the top
> and bottom of the soundboard, it is not enough to just
> put foam baffles underneath the piano.  The trick is to
> use one layer under the lid on top of the strings, and
> TWO layers of foam underneath the soundboard.  The
> sound will not be muffled and you should be able to
> carry on a conversation sitting next to the piano.
> However, if you want to listen to the piano play with a
> greater dynamic range, simply remove the top baffle
> which lies on the top of the strings.  There is never
> any need to remove the bottom baffles.
> 
> Usually, upright pianos do not require baffles because
> of the way the "soft" pedal works, but one sheet would
> cover the outside back of the soundboard between the
> beams. Use two layers.  Never put foam on the inside of
> an upright piano!
> 
> First, use the special pour acoustic foam from
> Markertek in New York (www.markertek.com).  It is sold
> in sheets 52" by 52".  You need two sheets - one for
> the top and one for the bottom of the soundboard of a
> grand piano.  The thinner sheets work fine.  This foam
> is made for its sound absorbing properties even though
> it looks like any ordinary "egg crate" foam.
> 
> For the top "blanket", close the lid on the grand piano
> and make a pattern out of brown packaging paper cut to
> the size of the lid, but about 1 inch smaller on the
> straight side to fit inside the rim.  This blanket is
> cut in one piece and lies inside the lid when the piano
> is closed.  It can be cut out either nubby side up or
> down on the foam sheet since it lays on top of the
> plate and doesn't contact the strings.  Just make sure
> it stops before contacting the dampers. You can easily
> remove this piece when you want to play your unmuffled
> piano with the lid open.
> 
> For bottom baffles, make patterns of the various
> compartments between the beams on the underside of the
> piano.  I find it easier to use the stiff brown
> wrapping paper, hold it up to the piano, and use a
> piece of chalk to mark a crease where I want to make a
> cut.  Place the patterns on the smooth side of the foam
> and cut them slightly larger so they will stay in place
> just by stuffing them against the soundboard.  Use a
> long razor blade knife to cut the foam. You can use
> smaller scrap pieces for the layer against the
> soundboard, and your fitted pieces underneath them to
> hold them in.  Leave plenty of room around the
> amplifier which needs air.
> 
> None of the measurements needs to be exact as no one
> ever sees the baffles.  All you really want to do is
> capture as much sound as you can coming from the
> piano - not stop it altogether.
> 
> I have had 100% success using this method.
> 
> Carol Beigel
>