Disklavier

I also have a Mark II XG (DSC2) without the DCD-1.  Having a bit of  
envy for Mark IV capabilities, I set upon a task to try to emulate  
capabilities via external sequencers, MIDI players, etc. I'm using Mac  
OSX with the Yamaha MIDI (UX 16) cable.  So far, my results have been  
unsatisfactory. I'm able to playback general MIDI files, but so far,  
haven't found a solution to record piano soft titles (eseq files).  
There is the Yam player, but unfortunately, its only available for  
windows.

Short of selling my lovely piano and investing another fortune to  
upgrade to the Mark IV, I called Yamaha.  The DCD1 is no longer being  
made and I'm told by Yamaha that a new design / replacement is in the  
works.  They hinted that the entire control box (XG module) will be  
replaced, with an integrated CD player and possible hard drive.  If  
they go this far, I'm certain the will extend the internet radio  
capability.  This was supposed to be released this year, but its being  
pushed back to 2010 - likely to be introduced at the NAM show early in  
the year.  If Yamaha delivers a total solution, they will satisfy all  
the pre-Mark IV owners.

In the meanwhile, if anyone reading this post has experience in using  
a combination of Mac OSX with a Mark II XG - love to hear what  
sequencer or MIDI software you are using.  BTW, the best results I've  
had so far is using Garageband with a MIDI out plugin.

Rich Freeman


On Apr 16, 2009, at 7:10 AM, George F. Litterst wrote:

>
>
> Good morning, everyone.
>
> On Apr 14, 2009, at 3:59 PM, John Cheever wrote:
>
> > My DC3 Pro Mark II arrived yesterday, what an awesome piano. Of
> > course, it came with no documentation and no disks, so I've yet to
> > feel the full power of disklavier. I plugged it in and everything
> > fired right up. There were a couple songs and test scales in the
> > flash memory which played nicely, and I was able to get it to record
> > my own playing.
>
> Congratulations on the purchase. I have a similar instrument: DC3 Pro
> Mark IIXG. (Your is actually a Mark IIXG; there were no Mark II Pros.)
> It is a wonderful instrument. In my case, my instrument is enhanced
> with computer software for:
>
> --playing accompaniments that follow me and turn my pages  
> automatically
> --teaching my students
> --connecting to other MIDI instruments over the Internet
> --recording and editing MIDI data
>
> I also have the DCD-1. The main feature of a Mark IV that I am missing
> is Disklavier Radio.
>
> > I noticed the sustain pedal was not lifting the dampers, but that
> > turned out to be an easy fix. A little dowel rod popped out of it's
> > socket. Got that back in place, and I was in business. During auto
> > playback, I noticed the sustain pedal solenoid gives the pedal a
> > real whack. No wonder that dowel rod popped out. BTW, my sustain
> > pedal requires quite a bit of force, and it doesn't spring back
> > quicky. Is that characteristic of Disklavier?
> >
>
> The proper adjustment of the pedals stands at the heart of the record/
> playback system. If they don't feel like the do on a non-Disklavier,
> it is time to schedule a visit from a Disklavier technician.
>
> > Today I found and downloaded the Mark II XG owner's manuals from the
> > Yamaha site, but I could not find an owner's manual for my DCD1
> > upgrade anyhwere. Anyone know where I can find a copy?
> >
>
> If you are in the U.S., I recommend calling Yamaha Piano Service:
> (800) 854-1569.
>
> > I have one question about MIDI ports and I'm sure there's a simple
> > fix. The DCD1 occupies both MIDI ports on the DKC500RW controller. I
> > was hoping to connect the piano to the MIDI out of a computer or
> > other MIDI player. How can I have two MIDI INs on the piano? Can the
> > "to Host" be used as a MIDI IN?
> >
>
> The To Host can, indeed, be used as a MIDI In and a MIDI Out. If you
> are using an older computer that has serials ports (i.e. Windows 98SE
> vintage or Mac OS 9 or earlier), you can connect using a serial
> cable. Unless, however, you are willing to live with an older computer
> and older software, that is not a practical solution.
>
> I use a Yamaha MIDI interface called the UX-96. It has MIDI IN, MIDI
> OUT, and Serial MIDI. To use it, you must:
>
> --install the Yamaha USB MIDI driver (http://www.global.yamaha.com/download/usb_midi/
> )
>
> --move the To Host switch on the back of the control box of the
> Disklavier to Mac or PC1 as appropriate
>
> You will have to move the To Host switch back to MIDI whenever you
> want to use the DCD1 which is connected to the MIDI ports.
>
> Alternatively, there are MIDI splitters and mergers that you could
> purchase so that the MIDI ports are shared. See:
>
> http://www.midisolutions.com/
>
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>
> www.georgelitterst.com
> www.timewarptech.com
>
>