I'm not familiar with the Mark II and if it can be connected to a laptop. But if you can, your solution is simple. I just bought a DGC1-B that has the Mark III version B with the record function late 2008. I did not want to pay the extra for mark IV. I then bought a used laptop from this guy for $300 (I have bought over 20 laptops from him for family and friends over the last 2 years and he has never disappointed)
http://stores.ebay.com/CSR-Technologies_Dell-Latitude-Laptops_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ2QQftidZ2QQtZkm
and a midi to usb cable for $10 from ebay. I am connected to my wireless router and have a 60 GB hard drive connected to my Yamaha piano. I use Van Basco's software as a player and it is amazing. I'm not sure if there is anything a Mark IV can do that my set up can not? Is there? My setup is also easily upgradeable and cost thousands less.
--- On Wed, 3/11/09, Freeman Richard wrote:
From: Freeman Richard
Subject: [disklavier] Upgrade Mark II XG
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 5:40 PM
I'm the original owner of a Disklavier DSC2 Grand with Mark II XG
control unit. I would love to have features / capabilities now
available with the Mark IV series, such as access to content via the
internet, hard-drive storage, etc., however I'm not going to spend a
small fortune replacing my entire piano to do so. There must be
alternatives to upgrading... . I hope. It irritates me that Yamaha's
upgrades are seriously limited and don't allow migration to successor
series. Maybe they finally got it right with the Mark IV, but that
doesn't help me.
I'm new to this forum, so have several questions to ask. I greatly
appreciate any replies.
a) I would like to play Piano Soft + Audio, or Smart Piano Soft
media. Is adding the DCD1 module the only option?
b) If yes, I understand the DCD1 is no longer manufactured by Yamaha.
Will there be a successor unit?
c) Does anyone have experience in using a PC / or Mac connected to the
Disklavier in order to play MIDI files, or PianoSoft, PianoSoft Plus
titles? If yes, I'd greatly appreciate any tips. I have both Mac and
PC machines I could use.....
d) Lastly, has anyone used Garageband (Mac) to send data to the
Disklavier. I understand Garageband requires a plug-in in order to
enable Midi out. Again, if anyone has experience with setup, any tips
would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for the help. I hope to return the favor some day!
Regards,
Rich Freeman