Disklavier

Converting MIDI files to .WAV files is extremely simple, all you 
need is freeware MIDI2PianoCD available at 
http://dp70.dyndns.org/mid2pianocd/

However, MIDI-only files are hardly worth converting as they take up 
too much space as .WAV files, and present no advantage over using 
the original .MID format other than being able to put them on an 
iPod.  It's a shame that the MP3 compression does not work well for 
analog MIDI data even at very high bit rates.

As to converting Smart Piano Soft titles, I just finally tried using 
the new version of MIDI2PianoCD and it is a dream come true - it now 
can combine the audio channel to the (converted) analog MIDI channel 
with perfect time synchronization.  I tested it with a tricky CD 
where each track has a different time offset (which was a pain to 
match up manually), and MIDI2PianoCD matched up the MIDI and audio 
in every track flawlessly.  BIG THANKS to Mark Fontana who provides 
this excellent software!

Side note:  My Disklavier is a Mark II XG with an add-on DCD1 unit, 
so it cannot do the pitch adjustment for Smart Piano Soft titles 
anyway.  Mark III and Mark IV models have that rather wonderful 
function of adjusting the audio pitch on audio CDs to match the 
piano when playing Smart Piano Soft titles, and I am not certain if 
this function would still be available if you use the converted .WAV 
files from an iPod.

Other than these considerations, all the conversion instructions you 
would need are on the MIDI2PianoCD download page and in my old post 
#4932 (which may contain too many details for some to follow, so 
questions are welcome).  In short, every type of media (MIDI files, 
Piano Soft/Piano Soft Plus titles, Piano Soft Plus Audio titles, 
Smart Piano Soft titles, etc.) that you can play on the Disklavier 
either directly or via a computer, can be put on an iPod to drive 
the Disklavier as long as your control unit is equipped with the 
left/right RCA audio input ports.

ccw


--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, "sjhart110110" <sjhart110@...> 
wrote:
>
> Could you give me some more specific information on how to put 
midi 
> only files onto my ipod?  Thanks!
> 
> --- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, "ciniminis26" <ciniminis@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > Yep.  See post #4932 on how to get Smart Piano Soft titles into 
> your 
> > iPod (the tricky part is the time offset, and I really should 
find 
> > time to test out if the new version of MID2PianoCD might make 
the 
> > job easier).  Straight Piano Soft or MIDI titles are simple to 
do, 
> > just omit the extra steps on matching the audio channel.  For 
the 
> > audio portion of Smart Piano Soft or Piano Soft Plus Audio, I 
> don't 
> > notice any quality loss (other than losing stereo separation 
since 
> > it needs to fit on one channel) as long as I use the CD quality 
> > equivlent for the .WAV files (16Bit/44100Hz).  But obiously 
these 
> > files are pretty large, and can fill up iPods quickly.
> > 
> > ccw
> > 
> > 
> > --- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, "sjhart110110" <sjhart110@> 
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Well, it maybe a poor man's Mark IV :) since Yamaha doesn't 
seem 
> > to 
> > > offering any upgrades :(, but I have successfully got my ipod 
to 
> > work 
> > > with with my DC3A (at least for PianoSoft Audio CDs).  Use the 
> WAV 
> > > importing option.  You can find this in Preferences, Advanced, 
> > > Importing tab.  Once you put your CD into, itunes will read it 
> > in.  
> > > However, you have to type in the Track Names and other items 
> since 
> > > itunes can't get the info from the web.  After importing and 
> > syncing 
> > > with your ipod, just hook the audio output of the ipod into 
the 
> > > midi/audio rca inputs on the Mark III controller.  I found it 
> > works 
> > > pretty darn good.  Not as high of quality as the CD, but close 
> > enough 
> > > to make it easier.  Do not use MP3 or other encoders as this 
> will 
> > make 
> > > your piano drop notes.  Audio is OK, but the piano parts are a 
> > > problem.  I put the titles into a different GENRE.  I started 
> with 
> > my 
> > > Holiday collection.  Using random is great.  Now, I wish I 
could 
> > put 
> > > the rest of my non Audio CDs in, I'm sure there is a way using 
> the 
> > > MID2PIANOCD utility or something.  Anyone do this?  Thanks.  SJ
> > >
> >
>