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Re: [disklavier] grandtouch

2010-08-15 by Carol Beigel

Don't assume it is not cost effective to replace the floppy disk. A new one from Yamaha and tech installation could be under $300 and that instrument was VERY expensive! Try cleaning the floppy disk drive first.
Copy (back up) the original floppys using dkvutil at www.carolrpt.com The resulting .fil file can be converted to a standard MIDI file using dkv convert. These MIDI files can be put onto a playlist and used via a MIDI interface to your GranTouch from a computer.
If you ever wanted to listen to the MIDI files as audio files on a CD, you would need to "render" them to make an audio file. Most computers have sound cards, but they sound absolutely terrible when playing a MIDI files. For those MIDI files I have recorded (like my Dad playing my DKV), I run them through a "virtual piano" first. I have used The Grand from Yamaha, but my favorite is Akoustic Piano from Native Instruments. It s possible to do this for cheap, but I found that spending about $3K worked the best. Since you already have a Mac, Logic Studio 9 costs about $500 (Logic Express is $199) and Akoustic piano is now broken into a less expensive set - although I recall paying about $199 for all 5 pianos. On your GrandTouch, it probably has an amplifier underneath that you could just convert the audio signal directly and not need any other software.
I would definitely replace the floppy drive. The reason the drive from Yamaha costs more than a cheap one has to do with the wiring. The pins are allocated differently. I would also set up a computer with playlist software just to get the convenience.
I believe the new DKV850 would also work for you and you would also get internet radio as well for $1495. The USB floppy I think is an additional $95? What a nice gift you made to your parents!
Carol Beigel
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 3:00 PM
Subject: Re: [disklavier] grandtouch

I can't believe this post just popped up this morning.

I have been a member for a long time. Just changed email addresses.

I too have the same problem.

I purchased a DGT7A in 2003. I gave it to my parents in 2004. Piano was just delivered back to me, as they are moving into a small condo. I don't think it was played hardly at all. However, the floppy drive is not working correctly. The disk will not load right. Everything else on the piano seems to work just fine. ;

I am assuming that it is not cost effective to replace the floppy.

As Ted asked, what upgrade options would offer the best bang for the buck? I use a Mac, so I after reading through some of the other posts last night, I assume I could use RONDO and a Midi interface to stream midi files. Is this correct?

Is it possible to upgrade to the new controller on the DGT7A?

Also, how can I take those floppies that I have and copy the files so that I can listen to them -- either on a CD or via computer? I have quite a few that I purchased when I first got the piano.

Thank you!

-Holly


On Aug 15, 2010, at 10:57 AM, tedbeddow wrote:

I love my grand touch, but I need to upgrade from floppy to cd or stream on the web. What are my best purchase options.



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