Disklavier

Great feedback and information (learned a lot here)!  Thanks George

I can't say enough about how much enjoyment I'm getting with my DKC-850 upgrade to my 2001 DC5-Pro Mark II-XG.  Once I figured out how to channel the midi to/from my laptop PC to/from the Disklavier, I'm having a ball!  I even found a way to get all of my old .fil/.mid floppy disks onto a 500GB USB drive along with the hundreds of midi files I've accumulated over the years so that I really only now use the CD unit and the USB library drive for all but the Internet channels for music.  So happy Yamaha took the big step to allow us to upgrade our wonderful pianos.  

Now I can't wait for the iPhone controller update coming soon.
 

--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
> Richard, although there is no document that describes and compares the MIDI features of various Disklavier models, I can provide you with basic information that should answer most questions. You have a Mark II Disklavier. You can upgrade it with the new DKC-850, which will rid you of reliance on floppies. With or without upgrading, you can play MIDI files from a computer using a MIDI cable connection. The DKC-850 will also provide you with many other modern features such as USB support, network access, and an XG tone generator.
> 
> (1) File Format
> Back in the 1990s, various music companies developed their own format for storing a MIDI performance as a computer data file. The Yamaha format was called E-SEQ. The Roland format was called ISM. I don't know the names of the other formats.
> 
> In the early 1990s, an industry standard format emerged called Standard MIDI File (SMF). SMF has 3 types. Generally speaking, users don't need to know the specific details of each type.:
> 
> Type 0
> --All musical parts are stored as a single track. Each MIDI event is labeled by MIDI channel. When a Type file is opened by a sequencer, the data is generally separated by channel number, which makes it appears as though the file can have as many as 16 tracks.
> 
> Type 1
> --A Type 1 file can have an unlimited number of tracks, and multiple tracks can be assigned to the same MIDI channel if desired. For example, both left- and right-hand piano tracks could be assigned to channel 1 and would be merged together on playback. However, if you opened the file in a sequencer, you would be able to see the left- and right-hand tracks nicely separated.
> 
> Type 2
> --According to the MIDI Manufacturers Association, "a Type 2 was also specified originally but never really caught on." I believe that this type of a file contains tempo information only.
> 
> The earliest Disklaviers supported E-SEQ files only. Starting with the Mark II, playback support was introduced for SMF Type 0. With the Mark IIXG, playback support was introduced for Type 1 and recording support for Type 0.
> 
> Bottom line: If you have modernized an early model with a DSR1 or the new DKC-850, you can play E-SEQ, SMF 0, and SMF 1 and you can record in SMF 0. And, you can translate between SMF 0 and SMF 1 if you wish. In other words, if your instrument has been upgraded, it is backwardly compatible and contemporary as far as file formats are concerned.
> 
> In the case of your , you have the ability to record in E-SEQ and play SMF 0 from floppy. 
> 
> (2) Playback Via External MIDI
> All Disklaviers have been able to play MIDI files from an external MIDI sequencer. All you need to do is make sure that your piano's Receive Channel is set to the same channel as your sequencers Send Channel for the piano part.
> 
> There is an oddity with your Mark II model. If you want to play MIDI files from a computer and take advantage of incremental pedaling, the incremental pedals need to be on channel 3 and the notes with on/off pedals on channel 1. In addition, your MIDI Receive Channel on the Disklavier should be set to HP.
> 
> This confusing HP issue goes away if you get a DKC-850.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> www.georgelitterst.com
> www.timewarptech.com
> 
> On Feb 19, 2011, at 5:40 PM, Richard Banks wrote:
> 
> > can anyone tell me where there is a succinct listing of all the Yamaha 
> > models and their compatible operating systems.. or preferred file 
> > source...
> > 
> > I mean, good grief as long as MIDI standard has been out it seems like 
> > every unit has some sort of proprietary file system, designed 
> > utilized, maintained, and written by Yamaha for that piano only.. I 
> > never have heard of so many file types and endings.. whatever happened 
> > to just plain MIDI data.. ?
> > 
> > i have had a Yamaha c-6 (bought new) for 20 years. I just want some 
> > piano music that plays MIDI files through MIDI out (DKC-100R) from a 
> > computer and not those dumb little floppies but everything I try to 
> > download seems to have pedal sustain data missing... anyone help? 
> > thanks... it's frustrating.
> > 
> > Its an awesome piano.. but eberything but a Yamaha sourced disc seems 
> > whacked.
> > 
> > Richard
> >
>