Disklavier

--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, Scott Jackson <scottwaynejackson@...> wrote:
>
> Ken,
> You should be able to do that. Can you give any more details, like what 
> is the 'pre-amp' that you mention, type & length of cables, type of 
> input on the stereo?
> 
> Scott Jackson
> 
Thanks Scott, Carol, Pianobench & Dirk

The pre-amp was just an inexpensive Tandy job. Its main function is to enable a turntable input to the main stereo.

I kept the cables to 1.5 metres (a little under 5 feet) and the inputs I have available are Auxiliary, Video and Tape. I tried them all to no avail. I'm pretty sure that Carol is correct - the XG output is not normal audio but I'm not sure it's a digital output either.

I also followed up on Carol's advice and borrowed a reasonable quality (Creative Gigabyte T40) set of powered speakers. These worked after a fashion, but the reproduction is very "tinny". I modified some midi files to change volume, velocity (very touchy on some piano parts as we know) and fiddled the balance. My partner has a sharp ear and told me the resulting ensemble sounds were worse than some of my practice sessions. :)

Yamaha Australia isn't very helpful with advice either, but I did track down a Yamaha MSP3 at a large music outlet (apparently they are now superseded) for about AUD375 - twice what they are in the US on the web. I'm going to have a look and listen later in the week. JBL also has a monitor speaker that might work, and it's about $250.

Any more suggestions are welcome!