Disklavier

Hi John,

Actually, the Disklavier Pro doesn't use the full range either.  It maps 
the typical dynamic range of the piano to a MIDI velocity range of about 
25-100, the same as any other Disklavier, I guess to maintain 
compatibility with content created for the earliest models dating to the 
late 1980s.

The Pro increases the note velocity resolution by extending the 7-bit 
MIDI velocities with three additional least-significant bits (specified 
in a MIDI stream using Yamaha's "XP" mode extensions).

Since each note event in an XP mode stream is represented by multiple 
MIDI events whose order is important, it has been a pain to edit XP 
performances in conventional sequencing software.  The "RePerform" 
editing software available from Zenph was created to make this task 
easier.

My understanding is that the Pro can record and reproduce a slightly 
wider dynamic range that extends a little higher and lower than the 
standard range of a standard Disklavier.  But the standard range maps to 
the same MIDI velocities as on non-Pro Disklaviers, so the effective 
resolution of a Disklavier Pro isn't quite the full 10 bits advertised, 
just like the effective resolution of a non-Pro Disklavier isn't quite 
the full 7 bits of the MIDI spec.  The Pro's three additional bits of 
velocity data just add intermediate steps to the limited velocity range 
that Yamaha uses, allowing it to be represented with 8x greater 
precision.  So instead of 25-100, you'd have a usable velocity range of 
about 200-800 on a Disklavier Pro.

Non-Pro Disklaviers can ignore the three additional bits and use just 
the normal 7-bit MIDI velocities from a Pro recording, thus achieving 
compatibility between Pro and non-Pro instruments.

So John, I don't think having a Pro would improve your situation much.  
You would still need to use external hardware or software to remap the 
velocities.

Mark Fontana


On Tue, Aug 02, 2011 at 08:47:32PM -0000, johnny.robot wrote:

> Official word from Yamaha is that the velocity curve can't be 
> modified.  I don't have a pro, but I wish more and more that I'd 
> waited the extra couple of months for one.  The pro reportedly has 
> full velocity range up to 127.
>  ... I kind of can't believe that the non-Pro model maxes the output 
> velocity at 100, when MIDI goes to 127, but that does seem to be the 
> case, and Yamaha has basically confirmed as much. -John