Disklavier

I have been testing the new DKC-850 for over two weeks now, and will be writing an update to my website soon. Perhaps the following information may be helpful to others considering this purchase.

Why Upgrade? - The DKC-850 upgrades your Disklavier to the E3 model. It makes it very easy to copy all your PianoSoft disks into memory and put them away. It makes it easy to create play lists, move files from your personal computer into the Disklavier and hear and purchase music over the Disklavier Internet Radio feature. The box also contains a nice XG soundcard, and a CD player so you can hear the piano play along with an orchestra and/or singing when you add a pair of speakers. A Remote Control unit similar to one that came with your Disklavier is included, as well as necessary MIDI and audio cables. It also comes with over 400 songs on a CD.

What is the difference between a Mark IV and the E3? The Mark IV uses a Linux operating system with a 30gig hard drive. You can copy audio CDs into memory as well as the floppy disks. It is controlled with either a tablet controller or a handheld PRC100 device connected wirelessly to the CF card under the piano. It is elegant, expensive and somewhat slow to operate.

The E3 Disklavier uses the DKC-850 for a control box. It has 128m of flash memory. The Mark IIXG had 1.44m of memory, and the Mark III had 16 memory disks of 1.44m each. You get a lot of memory, but only enough to hold the MIDI data and not the audio files. There are several sources from which to play the music - (built-in flash) Memory, USB drive, CD, Playlists folder, FromToPC folder, and the internet radio. You can also connect a PC, but that is probably not necessary.

The DKC-850 can hold 99 albums with 99 songs in Memory. Playlists are created from the songs stored in the Memory. You can have 99 play lists with 99 songs each. You can copy MIDI files to a CD, but the DKC-850 will only see 99 folders with 99 songs. You can copy songs to a USB thumb drive, but again, there is a 99 folder limitation. The FromToPC feature works great with an ethernet cable plugged into the same router as your PC. You drop songs from your computer's hard drive into this folder which appears in the My Networks area.

NOTE: You CANNOT copy Yamaha Pianosoft disks from one medium to another!! The ONLY way to get a Pianosoft disk into the DKC-850 is with the Yamaha USB Floppy drive! I tried other USB floppy drives, but they did not work. There is a work around for this, but it is very time consuming. Just buy the Yamaha USB floppy drive for about $150 and save yourself a lot of grief!

You can however, copy MIDI files from medium to another.

Add or Replace? - The DKC-850 replaces the control box on the newer models - MarkIIXG and Mark III and will give you Disklavier internet radio as well.

It is added to older models (MX100A/B, Mark II) by connecting MIDI cables to the old control unit. This means the old control unit MUST be in good working order with BOTH a working floppy drive and LCD screen! You do NOT get internet radio when the new box is connected to the old box via MIDI cables.

The Wagon Grand can NOT be upgraded with the DKC-850.

Cost? To give you a rough idea of parts and labor costs, these numbers should put you in a ballpark. Each situation is different, but here is a list of repairs and equipment you may be facing:

$300 to replace an old floppy drive

$300 to replace an old LCD display

$1600 for DKC-850 unit

$150 for the Yamaha USB floppy disk drive

$500 for a pair (you really need 2) of Yamaha MSP3 powered speakers with brackets if you want the speakers mounted underneath the piano instead of standing on the floor.

Hope this answers some question for those thinking of buying this product. I have enjoyed having it temporarily installed on my own Disklavier (MarkIIXG) and will miss it when it leaves!

Carol Beigel