Disklavier

Tom,

Though the conversion is technically possible, I don't think anyone's 
released a software tool to rip Disklavier CDs to MIDI files yet.

You could find and purchase a discontinued Yamaha DCD-1 Disklavier CD 
drive (about USD $600), which would give you the ability to play Yamaha, 
QRS, and (older) PianoDisc CDs directly to the MX100II's MIDI IN port.

Or you could buy Yamaha's new DKC-850 control unit (about USD $1500?), 
which includes the same functionality plus some additional features like 
Disklavier Radio (which I understand cannot be used on the MX100II or 
any other Disklavier that connects to the DKC-850 via MIDI).

You should be able to use either the DCD-1 or DKC-850 with your laptop 
by ripping the original CDs to a lossless format like FLAC, then play 
them using jukebox software like Foobar2000 or WINAMP, streaming the 
signal into the DCD-1 / DKC-850's analog MIDI input jacks.

Alternatively, I suppose you could convert the CD tracks to MIDI files 
by recording the MIDI stream for each song of each CD as it leaves the 
DCD-1 or DKC-850, but this would be time-consuming.  You'd also lose any 
acoustic accompaniment from the CD since audio can't be stored in a MIDI 
file.

Mark Fontana


On Mon, Nov 08, 2010 at 09:40:41AM -0000, tommccartney wrote:

> Very quick intro on myself. Im a pilot from the UK and I have just 
> recently bought a lovely example Disklavier MX100II - Im at the early 
> stages of learning about Midi/e-seq/ etc and need some advice!
> 
> I have done my research so I understand that I have an old Disklavier, 
> thats limited. I have managed to connect it to my Laptop via a Midi 
> interface and I can now stream Midi Type 0 to the piano. its great, 
> works perfect. I have also learnt how to take the songs off the 
> Pianosoft Floopy's and store them on my Laptop so I have no real need 
> anymore for the Floppy drive.
> 
> Now, what I want to be able to do next, is buy the much more modern 
> songs for the piano but i notice these are only availiable in CD's - 
> the typical chart toppers such as Alicia Keys, Elton John, Bon Jovi - 
> this list is endless.
> 
> So, Is this going to be possible? buy the CD's and take the midi off 
> them and put it onto my laptop??