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mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-07 by <steno7777@...>

Hello,
i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
Some questions...
1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.

2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?

3) Is it possible to use a module for disklavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.

4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)

Thanks!

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-07 by George Frederick Litterst

Good morning, everyone.

Answers below:

On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, <steno7777@...> <steno7777@...> wrote:

Hello,

i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
Some questions...
1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.


Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an external source, such as a computer?

If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?

What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?

I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.

There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer.

Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.

2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?

It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.


3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.

Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.

This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.

I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised the DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.

I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.

I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).



4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)

I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.

Regards,
PianoBench



Thanks!



Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-07 by <steno7777@...>

Thank you very much for your detailed answer ! Yes, if i connect them separately (midi in and out) and disconnetting the other connector everything works fine...yes you are right perhaps there are some midi loops somewhere...i will Have to double check. About the mod , i would really like to Have a way to Have midi without having to use the floppy disk , if it's possible. That Because , in case floppy disk drive will be damaged in the future i cannot use midi any more and that's sad! It's a non-sense in my opinion trying to add the dkc850 if i cannot get rid of the "floppy-thing" inside the main unit. I wanted to use Disklavier Mark3 module (trying to adapt it to mx100) just because i can take it almost for free from a friend upgrading to dkc850 of his mark3. Perhaps we need to do the proper cabling adapting it...we would need service manual for mark3 perhaps to see if voltages / signal are compatibile (NOT passig through midi connectors i mean) You seem to be very expert about piano Disklavier models! That's Great! Thanks a lot really! Do you know if there is a procedure to do a complete self test of the Disklavier to see if Its functionality is 100% everywhere in all Its parts ? I would also like to add the silent bar, if possible , replacing the "mute" rail , controller by central pedal. If anyone has any suggestion will be appreciated! (I Made a post for that). Thanks! Ste

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-07 by Edward Duke

Reference item 2 in the previous message.
I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
ED
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good morning, everyone.


Answers below:

On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, <steno7777@yahoo.com> <steno7777@...> wrote:

Hello,

i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
Some questions...
1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it';s not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.


Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?

If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?

What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?

I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.

There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .

Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.

2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?

It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.


3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.

Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.

This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.

I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.

I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.

I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).



4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)

I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.

Regards,
PianoBench



Thanks!




Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-07 by George Frederick Litterst

Hi, again, Ste.

Bill Brandom is the real technical expert who can comment on the component level issues. He was the head of Yamaha Piano Service for many years. I anticipate a negative reply to the question of replacing an MX100AorB control unit with a control unit from a Mark III. Of course it would be a stunning discovery if someone could make all of the necessary component adjustments for this to work!

Every Disklavier has built-in calibration programs that are normally accessible only by a piano technician. I don't recall how those programs work on your vintage instrument. I doubt that a Mark III control unit would have calibration programs that would work with your vintage instrument.

I don't have any experience with third-party mute rails. If that was really important to me, I would look into trading my instrument in on a Mark IIXG or Mark III upright that has the mute rail. Those instruments don't require a working floppy drive in order to use MIDI. They also respond to incremental pedal data. Lastly, if you ever desire it, they can be upgraded with a clean replacement of the control unit using a DKC-850.

Another reason to use a Yamaha Disklavier with a factory-installed mute rail is that the instrument has a matching piano sample.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:16 AM, <steno7777@...> <steno7777@...> wrote:

Thank you very much for your detailed answer ! Yes, if i connect them separately (midi in and out) and disconnetting the other connector everything works fine...yes you are right perhaps there are some midi loops somewhere...i will Have to double check. About the mod , i would really like to Have a way to Have midi without having to use the floppy disk , if it's possible. That Because , in case floppy disk drive will be damaged in the future i cannot use midi any more and that's sad! It's a non-sense in my opinion trying to add the dkc850 if i cannot get rid of the "floppy-thing" inside the main unit. I wanted to use Disklavier Mark3 module (trying to adapt it to mx100) just because i can take it almost for free from a friend upgrading to dkc850 of his mark3. Perhaps we need to do the proper cabling adapting it...we would need service manual for mark3 perhaps to see if voltages / signal are compatibile (NOT passig through midi connectors i mean) You seem to be very expert about piano Disklavier models! That's Great! Thanks a lot really! Do you know if there is a procedure to do a complete self test of the Disklavier to see if Its functionality is 100% everywhere in all Its parts ? I would also like to add the silent bar, if possible , replacing the "mute" rail , controller by central pedal. If anyone has any suggestion will be appreciated! (I Made a post for that). Thanks! Ste


Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-07 by Skanter123

I have a similar issue. My MPX100II is connected to my computer which has an internal sound card (Delta 1024) with a MIDI interface built-in. When I turn the piano's control unit on, I get MIDI feedback (a repetition of the notes I play) even if no program is open. When I use programs, like virtual pianos or sequencers, i turn off MIDI THRU in the program and have no problem.

There are no MIDI controls on the soundcard's settings. Its not a big deal, as i can either leave the piano off when i play it, or load a program. Just curious if anyone has any other ideas...




Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
> 
> Answers below:
> 
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, <steno7777@...> <steno7777@...> wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> Hello,
>> 
>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>> Some questions...
>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's  not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
> 
> 
> 
> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an external source, such as a computer?
> 
> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
> 
> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
> 
> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
> 
> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer.
> 
> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
> 
>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
> 
> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
> 
> 
>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
> 
> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
> 
> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
> 
> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised the DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
> 
> I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
> 
> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
> 
> 
>> 
>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
> 
> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> 
>> 
>> Thanks!
> 
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-07 by George Frederick Litterst

Good afternoon, everyone.

Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.

Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.

Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.

This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be able to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:


Reference item 2 in the previous message.
I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
ED


On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good morning, everyone.


Answers below:

On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, <steno7777@...> <steno7777@...> wrote:

Hello,

i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
Some questions...
1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.


Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?

If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?

What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?

I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.

There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .

Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.

2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?

It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.


3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.

Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.

This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.

I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.

I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.

I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).



4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)

I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.

Regards,
PianoBench



Thanks!







Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-07 by Skanter123

George, FYI my MPX100 II (not XG) will also send and receive MIDI data without a working floppy drive. My floppy was dead on arrival but I was still able to record and play using computer. Then my floppy drive came back to life (I jammed a disc in really hard), but i rarely use it as the MIDI to computer method is far supierior.

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
> Good afternoon, everyone.
> 
> 
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
> 
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
> 
> Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
> 
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be able to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine.  I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>> 
>> 
>>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>  
>>> Good morning, everyone.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Answers below:
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, <steno7777@...> <steno7777@...> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> Hello,
>>>> 
>>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>> Some questions...
>>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's  not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>> 
>>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>> 
>>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>> 
>>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>> 
>>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>> 
>>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>> 
>>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>> 
>>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>> 
>>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>> 
>>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>> 
>>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>> 
>>> I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>> 
>>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>> 
>>> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks!
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-07 by Bill Brandom

MarkII and later do NOT require a working floppy disk drive. This includes MPX100 II.

Bill

On Mar 7, 2014, at 2:55 PM, Skanter123 <skanter123@gmail.com> wrote:

George, FYI my MPX100 II (not XG) will also send and receive MIDI data without a working floppy drive. My floppy was dead on arrival but I was still able to record and play using computer. Then my floppy drive came back to life (I jammed a disc in really hard), but i rarely use it as the MIDI to computer method is far supierior.

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
>  
> Good afternoon, everyone.
> 
> 
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
> 
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
> 
> Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
> 
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be able to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine.  I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>> 
>> 
>>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>  
>>> Good morning, everyone.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Answers below:
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, <steno7777@...> <steno7777@...> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> Hello,
>>>> 
>>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>> Some questions...
>>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's  not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>> 
>>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>> 
>>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>> 
>>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>> 
>>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>> 
>>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>> 
>>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>> 
>>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>> 
>>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>> 
>>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>> 
>>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>> 
>>> I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>> 
>>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>> 
>>> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks!

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-07 by Bill Brandom

Hi Ste,


I do not believe it is possible to use a Mark III control unit with an MX100A, MX100B, MX80 or Wagon Grand. However, the question has never come up before. The Mark III system is considerably different than the earlier systems (control, sensing, drive system, power supply), as a result I don't think it is possible. I can probably supply you the service manuals for both the MX100A and MarkIII. If you think the information will be helpful. Let me know if you want them and I will send them to you privately.


There is a TEST mode in the MX100A  but no MAINTENANCE mode. Test mode allows you to test the various electric/electronics in the system. The service manual will show you how to access these tests.


A Yamaha silent bar is not available as an add-on unit. It may be possible to install one of the other company's silent systems in your piano. I do not know if it has ever been done with a MX100A so I cannot make any recommendations on this issue.



Bill
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...>
To: disklavier <disklavier@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Mar 7, 2014 8:17 am
Subject: Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions


 
  
    
                  
Hi, again, Ste.


Bill Brandom is the real technical expert who can comment on the component level issues. He was the head of Yamaha Piano Service for many years. I anticipate a negative reply to the question of replacing an MX100AorB control unit with a control unit from a Mark III. Of course it would be a stunning discovery if someone could make all of the necessary component adjustments for this to work!


Every Disklavier has built-in calibration programs that are normally accessible only by a piano technician. I don't recall how those programs work on your vintage instrument. I doubt that a Mark III control unit would have calibration programs that would work with your vintage instrument.


I don't have any experience with third-party mute rails. If that was really important to me, I would look into trading my instrument in on a Mark IIXG or Mark III upright that has the mute rail. Those instruments  don't require a working floppy drive in order to use MIDI. They also respond to incremental pedal data. Lastly, if you ever desire it, they can be upgraded with a clean replacement of the control unit using a DKC-850.


Another reason to use a Yamaha Disklavier with a factory-installed mute rail is that the instrument has a matching piano sample.


Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:16 AM, <steno7777@...> <steno7777@...> wrote:


 
     
Thank you very much for your detailed answer !Yes, if i connect them separately (midi in and out) and disconnetting the other connector everything works fine...yes you are right perhaps there are some midi loops somewhere...i will Have to double check. About the mod , i would really like to Have a way to Have midi without having to use the floppy disk , if it's possible. That Because , in case floppy disk drive will be damaged in the future i cannot use midi any more and that's sad!It's a non-sense in my opinion trying to add the dkc850 if i cannot get rid of the "floppy-thing" inside the main unit. I wanted to use Disklavier Mark3 module (trying to adapt it to mx100) just because i can take it almost for free from a friend upgrading to dkc850 of his mark3. Perhaps we need to do the proper cabling adapting it...we would need service manual for mark3 perhaps to see if voltages / signal are compatibile (NOT passig through midi connectors i mean)You seem to be very expert about piano Disklavier models! That's Great! Thanks a lot really! Do you know if there is a procedure to do a complete self test of the Disklavier to see if Its functionality is 100% everywhere in all Its parts ?I would also like to add the silent bar, if possible , replacing the "mute" rail , controller by central pedal. If anyone has any suggestion will be appreciated! (I Made a post for that).Thanks!Ste

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-08 by Edward Duke

George,
Re: the MX80.
Thanks for your feedback.
Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
Regards,
Ed Duke

Show quoted textHide quoted text
On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.

Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.

Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.

This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:


Reference item 2 in the previous message.
I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
ED


On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good morning, everyone.


Answers below:

On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, <steno7777@...> <steno7777@...> wrote:

Hello,

i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
Some questions...
1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.


Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?

If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?

What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?

I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.

There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .

Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.

2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?

It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.


3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.

Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.

This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano';s current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.

I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.

I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.

I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).



4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)

I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.

Regards,
PianoBench



Thanks!








Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-08 by George Frederick Litterst

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultant to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:


Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:


George,
Re: the MX80.
Thanks for your feedback.
Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
Regards,
Ed Duke



On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.

Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.

Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.

This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:


Reference item 2 in the previous message.
I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
ED


On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good morning, everyone.


Answers below:

On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, <steno7777@...> <steno7777@...> wrote:

Hello,

i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
Some questions...
1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.


Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?

If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?

What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?

I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.

There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .

Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.

2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?

It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.


3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.

Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.

This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.

I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.

I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.

I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).



4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)

I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.

Regards,
PianoBench



Thanks!











Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-10 by mangez@...

The different units within early Disklaviers communicate with each other via a MIDI signal, so it may be possible to electronically adapt one unit to another model. However, the software in different models may not be compatible with the software used in other parts of the piano, especially the PKCT board which handles all the sensor and key/pedal drive information and has it's own processor.

Adrian Thomas Music Services

On Mar 7 2014, Bill Brandom wrote:

Hi Ste,


I do not believe it is possible to use a Mark III control unit with an MX100A, MX100B, MX80 or Wagon Grand. However, the question has never come up before. The Mark III system is considerably different than the earlier systems (control, sensing, drive system, power supply), as a result I don't think it is possible. I can probably supply you the service manuals for both the MX100A and MarkIII. If you think the information will be helpful. Let me know if you want them and I will send them to you privately.


There is a TEST mode in the MX100A but no MAINTENANCE mode. Test mode allows you to test the various electric/electronics in the system. The service manual will show you how to access these tests.


A Yamaha silent bar is not available as an add-on unit. It may be possible to install one of the other company's silent systems in your piano. I do not know if it has ever been done with a MX100A so I cannot make any recommendations on this issue.



Bill



-----Original Message-----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: George Frederick Litterst
To: disklavier
Sent: Fri, Mar 7, 2014 8:17 am
Subject: Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions






Hi, again, Ste.


Bill Brandom is the real technical expert who can comment on the component level issues. He was the head of Yamaha Piano Service for many years. I anticipate a negative reply to the question of replacing an MX100AorB control unit with a control unit from a Mark III. Of course it would be a stunning discovery if someone could make all of the necessary component adjustments for this to work!


Every Disklavier has built-in calibration programs that are normally accessible only by a piano technician. I don't recall how those programs work on your vintage instrument. I doubt that a Mark III control unit would have calibration programs that would work with your vintage instrument.


I don't have any experience with third-party mute rails. If that was really important to me, I would look into trading my instrument in on a Mark IIXG or Mark III upright that has the mute rail. Those instruments don't require a working floppy drive in order to use MIDI. They also respond to incremental pedal data. Lastly, if you ever desire it, they can be upgraded with a clean replacement of the control unit using a DKC-850.


Another reason to use a Yamaha Disklavier with a factory-installed mute rail is that the instrument has a matching piano sample.


Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:16 AM, wrote:




Thank you very much for your detailed answer !Yes, if i connect them separately (midi in and out) and disconnetting the other connector everything works fine...yes you are right perhaps there are some midi loops somewhere...i will Have to double check. About the mod , i would really like to Have a way to Have midi without having to use the floppy disk , if it's possible. That Because , in case floppy disk drive will be damaged in the future i cannot use midi any more and that's sad!It's a non-sense in my opinion trying to add the dkc850 if i cannot get rid of the "floppy-thing" inside the main unit. I wanted to use Disklavier Mark3 module (trying to adapt it to mx100) just because i can take it almost for free from a friend upgrading to dkc850 of his mark3. Perhaps we need to do the proper cabling adapting it...we would need service manual for mark3 perhaps to see if voltages / signal are compatibile (NOT passig through midi connectors i mean)You seem to be very expert about piano Disklavier models! That's Great! Thanks a lot really! Do you know if there is a procedure to do a complete self test of the Disklavier to see if Its functionality is 100% everywhere in all Its parts ?I would also like to add the silent bar, if possible , replacing the "mute" rail , controller by central pedal. If anyone has any suggestion will be appreciated! (I Made a post for that).Thanks!Ste











Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-10 by mangez@...

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services

On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultant to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:

>
> George,
> Re: the MX80.
> Thanks for your feedback.
> Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
> What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
> Regards,
> Ed Duke
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>
> Good afternoon, everyone.
>
>
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.
>
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>
> Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>
>> Answers below:
>>
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
>>> Some questions...
>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>
>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>
>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>
>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>
>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>
>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>
>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>
>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>
>>
>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>
>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>
>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>
>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.
>>
>> I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>
>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>
>>
>>>
>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>
>> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-11 by steno jazz

Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!

About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).

Thanks!


Show quoted textHide quoted text
2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services



On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultant to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:

>
> George,
> Re: the MX80.
> Thanks for your feedback.
> Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
> What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
> Regards,
> Ed Duke
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>
> Good afternoon, everyone.
>
>
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.
>
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>
> Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>
>; This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>
>> Answers below:
>;>
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
>>> Some questions...
>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>
>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>
>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>
>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>
>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>
>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>
>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>
>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>
>>
>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>
>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>
>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>
>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.
>>
>> I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>
>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>
>>
>>>
>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>
>;> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>


Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-11 by PianoBench@...

Good evening, everyone.

Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message.

As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:


Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!

About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).

Thanks!




2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@freenetname.co.uk>:

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services



On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultant to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:

>
> George,
> Re: the MX80.
> Thanks for your feedback.
> Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
> What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
> Regards,
> Ed Duke
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>
> Good afternoon, everyone.
>
>
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.
> ;
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>
> Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>; Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>
>> Answers below:
>>
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
>>;> Some questions...
>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>;>
>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>
>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>
>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>
>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>
>;> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>
>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>
>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>;
>>
>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>
>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>
>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>
>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.
>>
>> I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>
>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>
>>
>>>
>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>
>>; I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>





Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-11 by Spencer Chase

one of the presets for my midimod2 program is "remove brushed notes" i added this specifically for early DKVs and other pianos that play brushed notes loudly.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On 3/10/2014 7:21 PM, PianoBench@... wrote:
\ufffd

Good evening, everyone.


Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message.\ufffd

As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:


Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for \ufffdmx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!

About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).

Thanks!




2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00\ufffd<mangez@...>:
\ufffd

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha:\ufffdPart No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services



On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:\ufffd

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultant to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench\ufffd


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:

>\ufffd
> George,
> Re: the MX80.
> Thanks for your feedback.
> Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
> What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
> Regards,
> Ed Duke
>\ufffd
>\ufffd
>\ufffd
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst\ufffdwrote:
>\ufffd
> Good afternoon, everyone.
>\ufffd
>\ufffd
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.\ufffd
>\ufffd
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>\ufffd
> Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>\ufffd
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>\ufffd
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>\ufffd
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst\ufffdwrote:
>>\ufffd
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>> Answers below:
>>\ufffd
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM,\ufffdwrote:
>>\ufffd
>>>\ufffd
>>> Hello,
>>>\ufffd
>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.\ufffd
>>> Some questions...
>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>\ufffd
>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>\ufffd
>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>\ufffd
>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>\ufffd
>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>\ufffd
>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>\ufffd
>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>\ufffd
>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>\ufffd
>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>\ufffd
>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>\ufffd
>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>> I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>\ufffd
>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>>>\ufffd
>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>\ufffd
>> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>\ufffd
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>>>\ufffd
>>> Thanks!
>>>\ufffd
>>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>>\ufffd
>\ufffd
>\ufffd
>\ufffd
>\ufffd
>\ufffd






-- 

Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550-Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...
http://www.spencerserolls.com
(707) 984-8356 
(425) 791-0309

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-11 by Steno

I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
Thanks!
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:
> 
> Good evening, everyone.
> 
> 
> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
> 
> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>> 
>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>> 
>> Thanks!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:
>>>  
>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>> 
>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>> 
>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>> 
>>> Ed, I am a consultant to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>> 
>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>> 
>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>> 
>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>> 
>>> > 
>>> > George,
>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>> > Regards,
>>> > Ed Duke
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>> > 
>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>> > 
>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>>> > 
>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>> > 
>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>> > 
>>> > Regards,
>>> > PianoBench
>>> > 
>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>> > 
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>> >> ED
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>> >> 
>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> Answers below:
>>> >> 
>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>> >> 
>>> >>> 
>>> >>> Hello,
>>> >>> 
>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>> >>> Some questions...
>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>> >> 
>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>> >> 
>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>> >> 
>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the piano or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>> >> 
>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>> >> 
>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>> >> 
>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>> >> 
>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>> >> 
>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit would have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>> >> 
>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>> >> 
>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>> >> 
>>> >> I have not used a DKC-850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>> >> 
>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >>> 
>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>> >> 
>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>> >> 
>>> >> Regards,
>>> >> PianoBench
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >>> 
>>> >>> Thanks!
>>> >>> 
>>> >>> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
> 
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-11 by George Frederick Litterst

Good afternoon, everyone.

Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):

MIDI Out
The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:

Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.

MIDI In
There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.

The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.

The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.

How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.

In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)

To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.

There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.

Phantom Notes During Playback
Regardless as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.

Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.

The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surrounding notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.

I hope this explains a few things.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:


I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes?
Thanks!



Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:

Good evening, everyone.


Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message.

As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:


Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!

About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).

Thanks!




2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services



On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:

>
> George,
> Re: the MX80.
> Thanks for your feedback.
> Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
> What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
> Regards,
> Ed Duke
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>
> Good afternoon, everyone.
>
>
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.
>
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>
> Although I don't know for sure, I suspect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>
>;>
>>
& gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>;>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>;
>> Answers below:
>>
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
>>> Some questions...
>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>
>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>
>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>
>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>
>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>
>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>
>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>
>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>
>>
>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>
>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>
>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>
>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.
>>
>> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>
>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>
>>
>>>
>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>
>> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>;>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>








Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-11 by Sam Kanter

George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?

Sam
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304

*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
> Good afternoon, everyone.
> 
> 
> Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):
> 
> MIDI Out
> The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
> 
> Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
> 
> MIDI In
> There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.
> 
> The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.
> 
> The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.
> 
> How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.
> 
> In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
> 
> To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.
> 
> There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.
> 
> Phantom Notes During Playback
> Regardless as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
> 
> Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
> 
> The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surrounding notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
> 
> I hope this explains a few things.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>> The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
>> Thanks!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:
>>> 
>>>  
>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
>>> 
>>> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench
>>> 
>>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>> 
>>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>> 
>>> Thanks!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@freenetname.co.uk>:
>>>>  
>>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>>> 
>>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>>> 
>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>> 
>>>> Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>> 
>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>> 
>>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>>> 
>>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>>> 
>>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>>> 
>>>> Regards,
>>>> PianoBench 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> > 
>>>> > George,
>>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>> > Regards,
>>>> > Ed Duke
>>>> > 
>>>> > 
>>>> > 
>>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>> > 
>>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>> > 
>>>> > 
>>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>>> > 
>>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>>>> > 
>>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I suspect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>> > 
>>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>>> > 
>>>> > Regards,
>>>> > PianoBench
>>>> > 
>>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>> > 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> & gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>>> >> ED
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> Answers below:
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>>> >> 
>>>> >>> 
>>>> >>> Hello,
>>>> >>> 
>>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>> >>> Some questions...
>>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>>> >>  
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>> >> 
>>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >>> 
>>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> Regards,
>>>> >> PianoBench
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >>> 
>>>> >>> Thanks!
>>>> >>> 
>>>> >>> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> >> 
>>>> > 
>>>> > 
>>>> > 
>>>> > 
>>>> > 
> 
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-11 by George Frederick Litterst

Good afternoon, everyone.

Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.

The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.

For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:


For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:


For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:


Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:


George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?

Sam
(212) 684-3304

*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)

On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):

MIDI Out
The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:

Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.

MIDI In
There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.

The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.

The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.

How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.

In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)

To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.

There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.

Phantom Notes During Playback
Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.

Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.

The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.

I hope this explains a few things.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:


I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes?
Thanks!



Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:

Good evening, everyone.


Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message.

As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:

< blockquote type="c ite">

Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!

About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).

Thanks!




2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services



On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:

>
> George,
> Re: the MX80.
> Thanks for your feedback.
> Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
> What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
> Regards,
> Ed Duke
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>
> Good afternoon, everyone.
>
>
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.
>
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>
> Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>
>>
>>
& amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>
>> Answers below:
>>
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
>>> Some questions...
>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>
>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>
>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>
>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>
>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>
>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>> ;
>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>
>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>
>>
>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>
>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>
>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>
>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.
>>
>> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>
>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>
>>
>>>
>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>
>> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>











Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by Sam Kanter

George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.

I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.

I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?

Thanks for your help...

Sam Kanter
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.

The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.

For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:


For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:


For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:


Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:


George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?

Sam

*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)

On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):

MIDI Out
The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:

Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.

MIDI In
There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.

The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.

The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.

How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.

In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)

To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.

There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.

Phantom Notes During Playback
Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.

Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.

The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.

I hope this explains a few things.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:


I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes?
Thanks!



Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:

Good evening, everyone.


Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message.

As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <;stenojazz@gmail.com> wrote:

< blockquote type="c ite">

Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!

About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).

Thanks!




2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services



On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:

>
> George,
> Re: the MX80.
> Thanks for your feedback.
> Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
> What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
> Regards,
> Ed Duke
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>
> Good afternoon, everyone.
>
>
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.
>
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>
> Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>
>>
>>
& amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>
>> Answers below:
>>
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
>>> Some questions...
>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>
>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>
>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>
>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>;>
>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>
>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>
>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>
>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>
>>
>>>; 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>
>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>
>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>
>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.
>>
>> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>
>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>
>>
>>>
>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>
>> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>












Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by Spencer Chase

you can decompress with midimod2 but you can not increase resolution. resolution is fixed by the original dynamic range.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On 3/11/2014 5:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.

I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.

I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?

Thanks for your help...

Sam Kanter
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304


On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.

The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.

For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:


For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:


For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:


Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:


George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?

Sam

*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)

On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):

MIDI Out
The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:

Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.

MIDI In
There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.

The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.

The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.

How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.

In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)

To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.

There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.

Phantom Notes During Playback
Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.

Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.

The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.

I hope this explains a few things.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:


I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes?
Thanks!



Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:

Good evening, everyone.


Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message.

As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:

< blockquote type="c ite">

Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!

About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).

Thanks!




2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services



On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page (Message over 64 KB, truncated)

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by Steno

Wow thanks very much for all these explanations! Very professional people navigating this forum!!! That's a great experience!

My mx100a playstation some notes randomly even when nothing is connected through midi... Some electrical interferences? What do you think?

Thanks!
Steno
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 21:40, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> ha scritto:
> 
> Good afternoon, everyone.
> 
> 
> Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.
> 
> The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.
> 
> For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:
> 
> http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
> 
> For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:
> 
> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
> 
> For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:
> 
> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?
>> 
>> Sam
>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>> (212) 684-3304
>> 
>> *(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
>> 
>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@aol.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>  
>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):
>>> 
>>> MIDI Out
>>> The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>> 
>>> Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>> 
>>> MIDI In
>>> There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.
>>> 
>>> The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.
>>> 
>>> The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.
>>> 
>>> How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.
>>> 
>>> In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
>>> 
>>> To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.
>>> 
>>> There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.
>>> 
>>> Phantom Notes During Playback
>>> Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>> 
>>> Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
>>> 
>>> The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
>>> 
>>> I hope this explains a few things.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> 
>>>> I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>>>> The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
>>>> Thanks!
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
>>>>> 
>>>>> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> < blockquote type="c ite">
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>>>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>>>> 
>>>>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@freenetname.co.uk>:
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> PianoBench 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > George,
>>>>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>>>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>> > Ed Duke
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>> > PianoBench
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> & amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>>>>> >> ED
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> Answers below:
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>> >>> Hello,
>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>>>> >>> Some questions...
>>>>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>>>>> >>  
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> Regards,
>>>>>> >> PianoBench
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>> >>> Thanks!
>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > 
>>>>>> > 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by Skanter123

> My mx100a playstation some notes randomly even when nothing is connected through midi... Some electrical interferences? What do you think?


Ive had random notes as well on my mk II, often at the beginning of a piece before it starts. No idea why this happens. Dont think they are brushed notes...

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 11, 2014, at 9:18 PM, Steno <stenojazz@...> wrote:
> 
> Wow thanks very much for all these explanations! Very professional people navigating this forum!!! That's a great experience!
> 
> My mx100a playstation some notes randomly even when nothing is connected through midi... Some electrical interferences? What do you think?
> 
> Thanks!
> Steno
> 
> 
> 
>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 21:40, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> ha scritto:
>> 
>>  
>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>> 
>> 
>> Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.
>> 
>> The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.
>> 
>> For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:
>> 
>> http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
>> 
>> For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:
>> 
>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
>> 
>> For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:
>> 
>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
>> 
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>> 
>> 
>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?
>>> 
>>> Sam
>>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>>> (212) 684-3304
>>> 
>>> *(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):
>>>> 
>>>> MIDI Out
>>>> The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>>> 
>>>> Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>>> 
>>>> MIDI In
>>>> There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.
>>>> 
>>>> The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.
>>>> 
>>>> The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.
>>>> 
>>>> How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.
>>>> 
>>>> In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
>>>> 
>>>> To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.
>>>> 
>>>> There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.
>>>> 
>>>> Phantom Notes During Playback
>>>> Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>>> 
>>>> Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
>>>> 
>>>> The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
>>>> 
>>>> I hope this explains a few things.
>>>> 
>>>> Regards,
>>>> PianoBench
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> 
>>>>> I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>>>>> The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> < blockquote type="c ite">
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>>>>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:
>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> PianoBench 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > George,
>>>>>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>>>>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>>>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>>>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>> > Ed Duke
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>> > PianoBench
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> & amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>>>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>>>>>> >> ED
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> Answers below:
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>> >>> Hello,
>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>>>>> >>> Some questions...
>>>>>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>>>>>> >>  
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> Regards,
>>>>>>> >> PianoBench
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>> >>> Thanks!
>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by George Frederick Litterst

Good morning, everyone.

Sam, the simplest thing to do is to look at the file in a sequencer and determine whether these phantom notes actually exist in the file. If they do not, the next thing I would do would be to examine the playback environment. Are you playing from the floppy drive or are you playing from external MIDI?

If you are playing a sequence from the floppy drive and

--you know for certain that these phantom notes are not in the sequence
--there are no external MIDI devices connected

Then I would conclude that the Disklavier has a problem.

If you are playing back from external MIDI, I would look into the possibility of a MIDI loop and the possibility that some other software program or device in the chain is sending data unexpectedly. In particular, if it is a multitrack sequence that is being played from a computer, I would question whether a non-piano track is sending data on the same channel that the Disklavier is set to receive on.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 9:27 PM, Skanter123 wrote:


My mx100a playstation some notes randomly even when nothing is connected through midi... Some electrical interferences? What do you think?

Ive had random notes as well on my mk II, often at the beginning of a piece before it starts. No idea why this happens. Dont think they are brushed notes...

Sam

On Mar 11, 2014, at 9:18 PM, Steno <stenojazz@...> wrote:


Wow thanks very much for all these explanations! Very professional people navigating this forum!!! That's a great experience!

My mx100a playstation some notes randomly even when nothing is connected through midi... Some electrical interferences? What do you think?

Thanks!
Steno



Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 21:40, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> ha scritto:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.

The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.

For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:


For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:


For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:


Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:


George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?

Sam
(212) 684-3304

*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)

On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):

MIDI Out
The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:

Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.

MIDI In
There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.

The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.

The Disklavier, however, is a mechan ical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.

How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.

In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)

To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.

There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.

Phantom Notes During Playback
Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.

Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.

The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.

I hope this explains a few things.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:


I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes?
Thanks!



Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:

Good evening, everyone.


Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message.

As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:

& lt; blockquote type="c ite">

Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!

About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signa ls (even with the service manuals).

Thanks!




2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@....uk>:

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services



On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:

>
> George,
> Re: the MX80.
> Thanks for your feedback.
> Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
> What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
> Regards,
> Ed Duke
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>
> Good afternoon, everyone.
>
>
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.
>
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>
> Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>
>>
>>
& amp; amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>
>> Answers below:
>>
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
>>> Some questions...
>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>
>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>
>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>
>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>
>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>
>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>
>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>
>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>
>>
>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>
>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>
>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>;
>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.
>>
>> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>> ;
>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>
>>
>>>
>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>
>> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>> ;
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>;















Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by George Frederick Litterst

Good morning, everyone.

Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit included a new control unit of a different size than the original, a couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't recall the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly priced to the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In the case of a Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece of metal for that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II controller.

I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the control unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as a replacement control unit.

As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want to play multitrack sequences from your computer and enjoy playback that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a virtual synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. Correct? If so, try the following:

(1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.

(2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.

(3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)

(4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.

(5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.

In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:

(a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.

(b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.

Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.

Regards,
PianoBench




On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:


George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.

I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.

I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?

Thanks for your help...

Sam Kanter
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304


On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@aol.com> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.

The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.

For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:


For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:


For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:


Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:


George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?

Sam

*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)

On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):

MIDI Out
The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:

Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.

MIDI In
There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.

The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.

The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.

How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.

In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)

To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.

There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.

Phantom Notes During Playback
Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.

Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.

The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.

I hope this explains a few things.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:


I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes?
Thanks!



Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:

Good evening, everyone.


Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message.

As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:

< blockquote type="c ite">

Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!

About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).

Thanks!




2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services



On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:

>
> George,
> Re: the MX80.
> Thanks for your feedback.
> Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
> What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
> Regards,
> Ed Duke
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>
> Good afternoon, everyone.
>
>
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.
>
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>
> Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>
>>
>>
& amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>
>> Answers below:
>>
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
>>> Some questions...
>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>
>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>
>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>
>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>
>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>
>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>
>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>
>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>
>>
>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>
>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>
>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>
>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.
>>
>> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>
>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>
>>
>>>
>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>
>> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>;
>>
>> ;
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>















Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by George Frederick Litterst

Good morning, everyone.

On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:

I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?

Sam, your vintage Disklavier does not compress the MIDI data by making and saving changes to the MIDI file. It simply doesn't play the highest velocity notes as loud as a modern Disklavier and it doesn't play lowest velocity notes as softly as a modern Disklavier does.

Using a program to alter the MIDI data--making the high velocity notes even higher and the low velocity notes even lower--will have no effect on playback on your instrument.

You will find, however, that your vintage Disklavier does record the velocities correctly and that a sequence with a wide dynamic range, recorded on your Disklavier, will play black with that same wide dynamic range on a modern instrument.

Regards,
PianoBench

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by Skanter123

Thanks, George.

I am playing from MIDI, and it only happens occasionally but with solo piano files. 
I see no extra notes in the file - I think you are correct about some type of other issue...

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:04 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
> 
> Sam, the simplest thing to do is to look at the file in a sequencer and determine whether these phantom notes actually exist in the file. If they do not, the next thing I would do would be to examine the playback environment. Are you playing from the floppy drive or are you playing from external MIDI?
> 
> If you are playing a sequence from the floppy drive and
> 
> --you know for certain that these phantom notes are not in the sequence
> --there are no external MIDI devices connected
> 
> Then I would conclude that the Disklavier has a problem.
> 
> If you are playing back from external MIDI, I would look into the possibility of a MIDI loop and the possibility that some other software program or device in the chain is sending data unexpectedly. In particular, if it is a multitrack sequence that is being played from a computer, I would question whether a non-piano track is sending data on the same channel that the Disklavier is set to receive on.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 9:27 PM, Skanter123 wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>> My mx100a playstation some notes randomly even when nothing is connected through midi... Some electrical interferences? What do you think?
>> 
>> 
>> Ive had random notes as well on my mk II, often at the beginning of a piece before it starts. No idea why this happens. Dont think they are brushed notes...
>> 
>> Sam 
>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>> (212) 684-3304
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 9:18 PM, Steno <stenojazz@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> Wow thanks very much for all these explanations! Very professional people navigating this forum!!! That's a great experience!
>>> 
>>> My mx100a playstation some notes randomly even when nothing is connected through midi... Some electrical interferences? What do you think?
>>> 
>>> Thanks!
>>> Steno
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 21:40, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> ha scritto:
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.
>>>> 
>>>> The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.
>>>> 
>>>> For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:
>>>> 
>>>> http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
>>>> 
>>>> For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:
>>>> 
>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
>>>> 
>>>> For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:
>>>> 
>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
>>>> 
>>>> Regards,
>>>> PianoBench
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> 
>>>>> George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sam
>>>>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>>>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>>> 
>>>>> *(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> MIDI Out
>>>>>> The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> MIDI In
>>>>>> There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> The Disklavier, however, is a mechan ical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Phantom Notes During Playback
>>>>>> Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I hope this explains a few things.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>>>>>>> The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
>>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> & lt; blockquote type="c ite">
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>>>>>>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signa ls (even with the service manuals).
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:
>>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>> PianoBench 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > George,
>>>>>>>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>>>>>>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>>>>>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>>>>>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>>> > Ed Duke
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>>> > PianoBench
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> & amp; amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>>>>>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>>>>>>>> >> ED
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> Answers below:
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>> >>> Hello,
>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>>>>>>> >>> Some questions...
>>>>>>>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>>>>>>>> >>  
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> Regards,
>>>>>>>>> >> PianoBench
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>> >>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by Skanter123

That makes sense, George - thanks!

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:32 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>> 
>> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
> 
> Sam, your vintage Disklavier does not compress the MIDI data by making and saving changes to the MIDI file. It simply doesn't play the highest velocity notes as loud as a modern Disklavier and it doesn't play lowest velocity notes as softly as a modern Disklavier does.
> 
> Using a program to alter the MIDI data--making the high velocity notes even higher and the low velocity notes even lower--will have no effect on playback on your instrument.
> 
> You will find, however, that your vintage Disklavier does record the velocities correctly and that a sequence with a wide dynamic range, recorded on your Disklavier, will play black with that same wide dynamic range on a modern instrument.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by Skanter123

George, thanks for the great info. 

I am forgetting about upgrading my DKV - its fine as it is and even a DKC-850 will not add much.

I can't wait to test out your MIDI configuration as soon as I can. I will report back with results.

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:24 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
> 
> Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit included a new control unit of a different size than the original, a couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't recall the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly priced to the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In the case of a Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece of metal for that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II controller.
> 
> I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the control unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as a replacement control unit.
> 
> As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want to play multitrack sequences from your computer  and enjoy playback that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a virtual synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. Correct? If so, try the following:
> 
> (1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
> 
> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
> 
> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
> 
> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
> 
> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
> 
> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
> 
> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
> 
> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
> 
> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.
>> 
>> I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.
>> 
>> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
>> 
>> Thanks for your help...
>> 
>> Sam Kanter
>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>> (212) 684-3304
>> 
>> 
>>> On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>  
>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.
>>> 
>>> The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.
>>> 
>>> For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
>>> 
>>> For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
>>> 
>>> For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> 
>>>> George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?
>>>> 
>>>> Sam
>>>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>> 
>>>> *(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
>>>> 
>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):
>>>>> 
>>>>> MIDI Out
>>>>> The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>>>> 
>>>>> MIDI In
>>>>> There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.
>>>>> 
>>>>> How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
>>>>> 
>>>>> To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.
>>>>> 
>>>>> There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Phantom Notes During Playback
>>>>> Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I hope this explains a few things.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>>>>>> The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> < blockquote type="c ite">
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>>>>>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:
>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> PianoBench 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > George,
>>>>>>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>>>>>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>>>>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>>>>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>> > Ed Duke
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>> > PianoBench
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> & amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>>>>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>>>>>>> >> ED
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Answers below:
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> Hello,
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>>>>>> >>> Some questions...
>>>>>>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>>>>>>> >>  
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Regards,
>>>>>>>> >> PianoBench
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
> 
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by Sam Kanter

George, (and everyone),I did a very simple test this morning recording 5 levels of velocity/volume on my Mk II. 1 was the softest I could play, 5 the loudest. It seemed accurate from 1-4, but 4 and 5 sounded the same.

Pretty crude test, but informative. If I have time, I might try an A/B test with a MIDI monitor to be more accurate. 

Sam
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304

*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:32 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>> 
>> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
> 
> Sam, your vintage Disklavier does not compress the MIDI data by making and saving changes to the MIDI file. It simply doesn't play the highest velocity notes as loud as a modern Disklavier and it doesn't play lowest velocity notes as softly as a modern Disklavier does.
> 
> Using a program to alter the MIDI data--making the high velocity notes even higher and the low velocity notes even lower--will have no effect on playback on your instrument.
> 
> You will find, however, that your vintage Disklavier does record the velocities correctly and that a sequence with a wide dynamic range, recorded on your Disklavier, will play black with that same wide dynamic range on a modern instrument.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by Spencer Chase

you can use my midi virtual keyboard to send all sorts of tests to the 
DKV. you can choose velocity and can send single or repeated notes with 
variable on time and spacing. it has features specifically for testing 
solenoid and pneumatic players that other virtual keyboards do not have. 
timing is not perfect at high repeat rates but some day i might address 
this issue. if you run the program with fewer other applications loaded 
it will be a bit more accurate.

On 3/12/2014 10:54 AM, Sam Kanter wrote:
> George, (and everyone),I did a very simple test this morning recording 
> 5 levels of velocity/volume on my Mk II. 1 was the softest I could 
> play, 5 the loudest. It seemed accurate from 1-4, but 4 and 5 sounded 
> the same.
>
> Pretty crude test, but informative. If I have time, I might try an A/B 
> test with a MIDI monitor to be more accurate.
>
> Sam
> www.keyboardcollective.com <http://www.keyboardcollective.com>
> (212) 684-3304
>
> /*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)/
>
> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:32 AM, George Frederick Litterst 
> <PianoBench@... <mailto:PianoBench@...>> wrote:
>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>
>>> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano 
>>> is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback 
>>> test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the 
>>> compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
>>
>> Sam, your vintage Disklavier does not compress the MIDI data by 
>> making and saving changes to the MIDI file. It simply doesn't play 
>> the highest velocity notes as loud as a modern Disklavier and it 
>> doesn't play lowest velocity notes as softly as a modern Disklavier does.
>>
>> Using a program to alter the MIDI data--making the high velocity 
>> notes even higher and the low velocity notes even lower--will have no 
>> effect on playback on your instrument.
>>
>> You will find, however, that your vintage Disklavier does record the 
>> velocities correctly and that a sequence with a wide dynamic range, 
>> recorded on your Disklavier, will play black with that same wide 
>> dynamic range on a modern instrument.
>>
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
> 

-- 

Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550-Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...
http://www.spencerserolls.com
(707) 984-8356
(425) 791-0309

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-12 by Sam Kanter

Thanks, Spence. Your ingenuity does not cease to amaze!

Sam Kanter
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 2:23 PM, Spencer Chase <lists@...> wrote:

you can use my midi virtual keyboard to send all sorts of tests to the DKV. you can choose velocity and can send single or repeated notes with variable on time and spacing. it has features specifically for testing solenoid and pneumatic players that other virtual keyboards do not have. timing is not perfect at high repeat rates but some day i might address this issue. if you run the program with fewer other applications loaded it will be a bit more accurate.

On 3/12/2014 10:54 AM, Sam Kanter wrote:
George, (and everyone),I did a very simple test this morning recording 5 levels of velocity/volume on my Mk II. 1 was the softest I could play, 5 the loudest. It seemed accurate from 1-4, but 4 and 5 sounded the same.

Pretty crude test, but informative. If I have time, I might try an A/B test with a MIDI monitor to be more accurate.

Sam

*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)

On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:32 AM, George Frederick Litterst <;PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good morning, everyone.


On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:

I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?

Sam, your vintage Disklavier does not compress the MIDI data by making and saving changes to the MIDI file. It simply doesn't play the highest velocity notes as loud as a modern Disklavier and it doesn't play lowest velocity notes as softly as a modern Disklavier does.

Using a program to alter the MIDI data--making the high velocity notes even higher and the low velocity notes even lower--will have no effect on playback on your instrument.

You will find, however, that your vintage Disklavier does record the velocities correctly and that a sequence with a wide dynamic range, recorded on your Disklavier, will play black with that same wide dynamic range on a modern instrument.

Regards,
PianoBench

-- 

Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550-Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...
http://www.spencerserolls.com
(707) 984-8356 
(425) 791-0309


Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-14 by Skanter123

> 1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
> 
> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
> 
> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
> 
> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
> 
> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
> 
> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
> 
> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
> 
> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
> 
> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.



George, i tried your configuration, but things still did not sync up. Piano was behind bass and drums, maybe less than 500ms.

Perhaps there is some latency in the virtual synth on my computer?

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:24 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
> 
> Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit included a new control unit of a different size than the original, a couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't recall the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly priced to the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In the case of a Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece of metal for that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II controller.
> 
> I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the control unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as a replacement control unit.
> 
> As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want to play multitrack sequences from your computer  and enjoy playback that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a virtual synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. Correct? If so, try the following:
> 
> (1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
> 
> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
> 
> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
> 
> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
> 
> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
> 
> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
> 
> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
> 
> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
> 
> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.
>> 
>> I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.
>> 
>> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
>> 
>> Thanks for your help...
>> 
>> Sam Kanter
>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>> (212) 684-3304
>> 
>> 
>>> On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>  
>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.
>>> 
>>> The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.
>>> 
>>> For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
>>> 
>>> For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
>>> 
>>> For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> 
>>>> George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?
>>>> 
>>>> Sam
>>>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>> 
>>>> *(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
>>>> 
>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):
>>>>> 
>>>>> MIDI Out
>>>>> The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>>>> 
>>>>> MIDI In
>>>>> There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.
>>>>> 
>>>>> How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
>>>>> 
>>>>> To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.
>>>>> 
>>>>> There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Phantom Notes During Playback
>>>>> Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I hope this explains a few things.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>>>>>> The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@aol.com ha scritto:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> < blockquote type="c ite">
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>>>>>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:
>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> PianoBench 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > George,
>>>>>>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>>>>>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>>>>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>>>>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>> > Ed Duke
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>> > PianoBench
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> & amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>>>>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>>>>>>> >> ED
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Answers below:
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> Hello,
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>>>>>> >>> Some questions...
>>>>>>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>>>>>>> >>  
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Regards,
>>>>>>>> >> PianoBench
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
> 
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-14 by Bill Brandom

Sam, 

There probably is some latency. Try moving the piano track forwards and backwards until you find that latency value. Then, continue using that value instead of the 500ms.

Bill

On Mar 14, 2014, at 8:03 AM, Skanter123 <skanter123@...> wrote:

> 1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
> 
> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
> 
> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
> 
> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
> 
> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
> 
> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
> 
> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
> 
> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
> 
> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.



George, i tried your configuration, but things still did not sync up. Piano was behind bass and drums, maybe less than 500ms.

Perhaps there is some latency in the virtual synth on my computer?

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:24 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
>  
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
> 
> Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit included a new control unit of a different size than the original, a couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't recall the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly priced to the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In the case of a Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece of metal for that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II controller.
> 
> I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the control unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as a replacement control unit.
> 
> As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want to play multitrack sequences from your computer  an d enjoy playback that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a virtual synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. Correct? If so, try the following:
> 
> (1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
> 
> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
> 
> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
> 
> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
> 
> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
> 
> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
> 
> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
> 
> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
> 
> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.
>> 
>> I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.
>> 
>> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
>> 
>> Thanks for your help...
>> 
>> Sam Kanter
>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>> (212) 684-3304
>> 
>> 
>>> On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>  
>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.
>>> 
>>> The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.
>>> 
>>> For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
>>> 
>>> For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
>>> 
>>> For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> 
>>>> George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?
>>>> 
>>>> Sam
>>>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>> 
>>>> *(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
>>>> 
>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):
>>>>> 
>>>>> MIDI Out
>>>>> The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>>>> 
>>>>> MIDI In
>>>>> There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.
>>>>> 
>>>>> How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
>>>>> 
>>>>> To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.
>>>>> 
>>>>> There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Phantom Notes During Playback
>>>>> Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I hope this explains a few things.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>>>>>> The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> < blockquote type="c ite">
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>>>>>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:
>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> PianoBench 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > George,
>>>>>>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>>>>>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>>>>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>>>>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>> > Ed Duke
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>> > PianoBench
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> & amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>>>>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>>>>>>> >> ED
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Answers below:
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> Hello,
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>>>>>> >>> Some questions...
>>>>>>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>>>>>>> >>  
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> Regards,
>>>>>>>> >> PianoBench
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>> >

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-14 by George Frederick Litterst

Good afternoon, everyone.

Sam, if the piano is behind the bass and drums (which come from a virtual synth), then there is no extra latency in the virtual synth.

I suggest doing a simple test. Create a sequence where the piano plays a few simple chords and you have some synchronized drum sounds to be played by the virtual synth. Make absolutely certain that all MIDI notes in both tracks are quantized to the beat and then try playback again using the configuration that I suggested.

In my experience, that 500ms delay in the Disklavier is consistent. I am wondering if any of the notes of your sequence don't align to the beat. Using the configuration that I recommended, there should be no need to shift any tracks in your sequencer.

If the piano and drums were to be out of sync using the configuration that I have suggested, I would guess that the drums would be late, not the piano, because some virtual synths have latency.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 14, 2014, at 11:03 AM, Skanter123 wrote:


1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.

(2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.

(3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)

(4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.

(5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.

In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:

(a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.

(b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.

Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.


George, i tried your configuration, but things still did not sync up. Piano was behind bass and drums, maybe less than 500ms.

Perhaps there is some latency in the virtual synth on my computer?

Sam

On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:24 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good morning, everyone.


Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit included a new control unit of a different size than the original, a couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't recall the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly priced to the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In the case of a Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece of metal for that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II controller.

I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the control unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as a replacement control unit.

As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want to play multitrack sequences from your computer an d enjoy playback that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a virtual synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. Correct? If so, try the following:

(1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.

(2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.

(3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)

(4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.

(5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.

In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:

(a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.

(b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.

Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.

Regards,
PianoBench




On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:


George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.

I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.

I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?

Thanks for your help...

Sam Kanter
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304


On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.

The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.

For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:


For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:


For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:


Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:


George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?

Sam

*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)

On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

Good afternoon, everyone.


Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):

MIDI Out
The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:

Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.

MIDI In
There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.

The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.

The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.

How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.

In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)

To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.

There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.

Phantom Notes During Playback
Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.

Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.

The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.

I hope this explains a few things.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:


I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes?
Thanks!



Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:

Good evening, everyone.


Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message.

As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:

< blockquote type="c ite">

Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!

About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).

Thanks!




2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:

There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)

Adrian Thomas Music Services



On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:

Good evening, everyone.

Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:

http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual

Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.

I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.

This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.

Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:

> ;
> George,
> Re: the MX80.
> Thanks for your feedback.
> Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
> What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
> Regards,
> Ed Duke
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>
> Good afternoon, everyone.
>
>
> Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function.
>
> Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>
> Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>
> This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>
> On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>
>>
>>
& amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>> ED
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>;>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>
>> Answers below:
>>
>> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum.
>>> Some questions...
>>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>
>> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>
>> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>
>> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>
>> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>
>> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>
>>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>
>> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>
>>
>>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>
>> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>
>> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>
>> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.
>>
>> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>
>> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>
>>
>>>
>>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>
>> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>


















Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-14 by Spencer Chase

good point about the virtual synth latency. all would have some but good ones(with a good sound card) should have minimal. there is a simple test (that i forget but i think you can find it on audacity forums etc) to measure latency of any audio or midi. it involves making a click track and ???

i think the test was mainly to quantify the latency of audacity itself in playback and record so if you are using audacity to record the tests, you may have to considers audacitie's latency itself too :) brain is not working well enough at this moment to figure it out.

on a computer, the latency of a virtual synth will vary depending on sound card properties so you can not assume anything but need to measure it.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On 3/14/2014 11:32 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
\ufffd

Good afternoon, everyone.


Sam, if the piano is behind the bass and drums (which come from a virtual synth), then there is no extra latency in the virtual synth.

I suggest doing a simple test. Create a sequence where the piano plays a few simple chords and you have some synchronized drum sounds to be played by the virtual synth. Make absolutely certain that all MIDI notes in both tracks are quantized to the beat and then try playback again using the configuration that I suggested.

In my experience, that 500ms delay in the Disklavier is consistent. I am wondering if any of the notes of your sequence don't align to the beat. Using the configuration that I recommended, there should be no need to shift any tracks in your sequencer.

If the piano and drums were to be out of sync using the configuration that I have suggested, I would guess that the drums would be late, not the piano, because some virtual synths have latency.

Regards,
PianoBench

On Mar 14, 2014, at 11:03 AM, Skanter123 wrote:

\ufffd

1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.

(2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.

(3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)

(4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.

(5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.

In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:

(a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.

(b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.

Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.


George, i tried your configuration, but things still did not sync up. Piano was behind bass and drums, maybe less than 500ms.

Perhaps there is some latency in the virtual synth on my computer?

Sam\ufffd

On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:24 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

\ufffd

Good morning, everyone.


Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit included a new control unit of a different size than the original, a couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't recall the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly priced to the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In the case of a Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece of metal for that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II controller.

I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the control unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as a replacement control unit.

As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want to play multitrack sequences from your computer \ufffdan d enjoy playback that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a virtual synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. Correct? If so, try the following:

(1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.

(2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.

(3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)

(4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.

(5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.

In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:

(a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.

(b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.

Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.

Regards,
PianoBench




On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:

\ufffd

George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.

I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.

I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?

Thanks for your help...

Sam Kanter
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304


On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
\ufffd

Good afternoon, everyone.


Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.

The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.

For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:


For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:


For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:


Regards,
PianoBench


On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:

\ufffd

George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?

Sam

*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)

On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:

\ufffd

Good afternoon, everyone.


Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):

MIDI Out
The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:

Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.

MIDI In
There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.

The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.

The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical (Message over 64 KB, truncated)

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-14 by Spencer Chase

i wrote a program and sent it to Sam that allows you to shift all 
channels by any number of ms and leave ones that you select untouched. 
he did a quick test and it seems like it might work. it only works with 
files that have a single tempo marked at the beginning. since the events 
are on different channels (might be a type 0 file so no opportunity to 
use separate tracks) it takes more than just shifting tracks. the time 
of each event needs to be shifted by the number of midi ticks required 
to produce the shift of a chosen time interval. program needs to know 
the TPQ and the Ms/quarter note so if this changes throughout the file 
it gets messed up. if anyone wants to use this or a similar program on 
files that have varying tempi, i have (somewhere) a program that 
converts multiple tempi to a single tempo by changing note timing.

Sam will be reporting, at some point, if the program really works for 
his needs.

On 3/14/2014 9:47 AM, Bill Brandom wrote:
> Sam,
>
> There probably is some latency. Try moving the piano track forwards 
> and backwards until you find that latency value. Then, continue using 
> that value instead of the 500ms.
>
> Bill
>
> On Mar 14, 2014, at 8:03 AM, Skanter123 <skanter123@... 
> <mailto:skanter123@...>> wrote:
>
>> 1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks 
>> by 500ms.
>>
>> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external 
>> source.
>>
>> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that 
>> matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is 
>> to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in 
>> the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
>>
>> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
>>
>> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE 
>> heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
>>
>> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your 
>> computer and do two things:
>>
>> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
>>
>> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your 
>> virtual synth.
>>
>> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data 
>> that it receives.
>
>
> George, i tried your configuration, but things still did not sync up. 
> Piano was behind bass and drums, maybe less than 500ms.
>
> Perhaps there is some latency in the virtual synth on my computer?
>
> Sam
> www.keyboardcollective.com <http://www.keyboardcollective.com>
> (212) 684-3304
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:24 AM, George Frederick Litterst 
> <PianoBench@... <mailto:PianoBench@...>> wrote:
>
>> Good morning, everyone.
>>
>>
>> Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit 
>> included a new control unit of a different size than the original, a 
>> couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't recall 
>> the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly priced to 
>> the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In the case of a 
>> Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece of metal for 
>> that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II controller.
>>
>> I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the 
>> US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be 
>> available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the control 
>> unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as a 
>> replacement control unit.
>>
>> As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want to 
>> play multitrack sequences from your computer  an d enjoy playback 
>> that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a virtual 
>> synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. Correct? If so, 
>> try the following:
>>
>> (1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks 
>> by 500ms.
>>
>> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external 
>> source.
>>
>> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that 
>> matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is 
>> to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in 
>> the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
>>
>> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
>>
>> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE 
>> heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
>>
>> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your 
>> computer and do two things:
>>
>> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
>>
>> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your 
>> virtual synth.
>>
>> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data 
>> that it receives.
>>
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the 
>>> disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads 
>>> it - much better than the Wikipedia article.
>>>
>>> I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade 
>>> you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that 
>>> being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? 
>>> At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the 
>>> DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II 
>>> DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. 
>>> In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few 
>>> bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback 
>>> with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay 
>>> each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be 
>>> easier setting that up.
>>>
>>> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano 
>>> is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback 
>>> test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the 
>>> compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
>>>
>>> Thanks for your help...
>>>
>>> Sam Kanter
>>> www.keyboardcollective.com <http://www.keyboardcollective.com/>
>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst 
>>> <PianoBench@... <mailto:PianoBench@...>> wrote:
>>>
>>>     Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>
>>>
>>>     Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments.
>>>     However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on
>>>     playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.
>>>
>>>     The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark
>>>     IIXG PRO.
>>>
>>>     For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier,
>>>     you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier
>>>     Education Network:
>>>
>>>     http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
>>>
>>>     For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can
>>>     figure it out from this chart that I created:
>>>
>>>     http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
>>>
>>>     For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another
>>>     chart here:
>>>
>>>     http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
>>>
>>>     Regards,
>>>     PianoBench
>>>
>>>
>>>     On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>     George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed
>>>>     volume issues of the earlier models?
>>>>
>>>>     Sam
>>>>     www.keyboardcollective.com <http://www.keyboardcollective.com/>
>>>>     (212) 684-3304 <tel:%28212%29%20684-3304>
>>>>
>>>>     /*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)/
>>>>
>>>>     On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst
>>>>     <PianoBench@... <mailto:PianoBench@...>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>     Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>     Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several
>>>>>     distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other
>>>>>     early model Disklaviers):
>>>>>
>>>>>     *MIDI Out*
>>>>>     The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>>>>
>>>>>     Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys
>>>>>     yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being
>>>>>     played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>>>>
>>>>>     *MIDI In*
>>>>>     There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You
>>>>>     should almost always use Delay In.
>>>>>
>>>>>     The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI
>>>>>     cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the
>>>>>     tone generator that received the data to respond immediately.
>>>>>     In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data
>>>>>     instantly.
>>>>>
>>>>>     The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set
>>>>>     to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data
>>>>>     by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will
>>>>>     not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the
>>>>>     keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to
>>>>>     strike the strings.
>>>>>
>>>>>     How much delay will there be between the time that the
>>>>>     Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear
>>>>>     the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud
>>>>>     the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving
>>>>>     relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers
>>>>>     moving relatively slowly.
>>>>>
>>>>>     In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear
>>>>>     the hammers impact the strings with correct /relative timing/.
>>>>>     If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will
>>>>>     experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time
>>>>>     setting only affects playback from an external source, not
>>>>>     playback from the floppy drive.)
>>>>>
>>>>>     To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier
>>>>>     engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for
>>>>>     playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option
>>>>>     results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough
>>>>>     for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key
>>>>>     so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate
>>>>>     relative timing.
>>>>>
>>>>>     There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the
>>>>>     Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and
>>>>>     tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the
>>>>>     affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The
>>>>>     result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends
>>>>>     the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more
>>>>>     slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer
>>>>>     volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all,
>>>>>     resulting in dropped notes.
>>>>>
>>>>>     *Phantom Notes During Playback*
>>>>>     Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or
>>>>>     an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back
>>>>>     with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were
>>>>>     originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and
>>>>>     very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>>>>
>>>>>     Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the
>>>>>     likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their
>>>>>     instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier
>>>>>     engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that
>>>>>     soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their
>>>>>     volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity
>>>>>     35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the
>>>>>     Wagon Grand.
>>>>>
>>>>>     The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist
>>>>>     brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording,
>>>>>     those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the
>>>>>     loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum
>>>>>     velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
>>>>>
>>>>>     I hope this explains a few things.
>>>>>
>>>>>     Regards,
>>>>>     PianoBench
>>>>>
>>>>>     *
>>>>>     *
>>>>>     On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>     I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi
>>>>>>     features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference
>>>>>>     between "delay" and "kbdout"
>>>>>>     The notes played randomly are played even without anything
>>>>>>     connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of
>>>>>>     "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use
>>>>>>     without such brushed notes?
>>>>>>     Thanks!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>     Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@...
>>>>>>     <mailto:PianoBench@...> ha scritto:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to
>>>>>>>     Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former.
>>>>>>>     In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the
>>>>>>>     note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has
>>>>>>>     completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on
>>>>>>>     message.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about
>>>>>>>     pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The
>>>>>>>     earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an
>>>>>>>     effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if
>>>>>>>     you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or
>>>>>>>     barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     Regards,
>>>>>>>     PianoBench
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...
>>>>>>>     <mailto:stenojazz@...>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     < blockquote type="c ite">
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>>>>>>     thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for
>>>>>>>      mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some
>>>>>>>     problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi
>>>>>>>     devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there
>>>>>>>     are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is
>>>>>>>     such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be
>>>>>>>     great but i guess it will require a lot of time to
>>>>>>>     understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     Thanks!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00<mangez@...
>>>>>>>     <mailto:mangez@...>>:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound
>>>>>>>         dropping out when connected to an external device via
>>>>>>>         MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get
>>>>>>>         a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM
>>>>>>>         V1.4f)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the
>>>>>>>         Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a
>>>>>>>         resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF
>>>>>>>         versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then
>>>>>>>         proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that
>>>>>>>         I mentioned.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So,
>>>>>>>         my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit
>>>>>>>         dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM
>>>>>>>         update for the unit that made a subtle change to the
>>>>>>>         MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the
>>>>>>>         difference between the manual and your experience with
>>>>>>>         your particular piano.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many
>>>>>>>         of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a
>>>>>>>         PDF viewer.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         Regards,
>>>>>>>         PianoBench
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         > George,
>>>>>>>         > Re: the MX80.
>>>>>>>         > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>>>>>         > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My
>>>>>>>         MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive
>>>>>>>         and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone
>>>>>>>         Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT
>>>>>>>         capability has essentially negated the need to repair
>>>>>>>         the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am
>>>>>>>         however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>>>>>         > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has
>>>>>>>         examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of
>>>>>>>         the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual
>>>>>>>         or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>>>>>         > Regards,
>>>>>>>         > Ed Duke
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick
>>>>>>>         Litterstwrote:
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a
>>>>>>>         functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in
>>>>>>>         order to use the MIDI In function.
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter,
>>>>>>>         however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to
>>>>>>>         have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record
>>>>>>>         mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit
>>>>>>>         MIDI data.
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is
>>>>>>>         this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I
>>>>>>>         think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as
>>>>>>>         an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to
>>>>>>>         connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy
>>>>>>>         drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record
>>>>>>>         with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer.
>>>>>>>         You would--according to your experience--be ab le to
>>>>>>>         play back song files from either a computer or the
>>>>>>>         DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         > Regards,
>>>>>>>         > PianoBench
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         & amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>>>>>         >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive
>>>>>>>         and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function
>>>>>>>         works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>>>>>>         >> ED
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick
>>>>>>>         Litterstwrote:
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> Answers below:
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM,wrote:
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>         >>> Hello,
>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>         >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and
>>>>>>>         i just discovered this great forum.
>>>>>>>         >>> Some questions...
>>>>>>>         >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting
>>>>>>>         both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my
>>>>>>>         disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in
>>>>>>>         or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface,
>>>>>>>         some strange messages and not all notes are played
>>>>>>>         correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector
>>>>>>>         from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal?
>>>>>>>         Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i
>>>>>>>         may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it
>>>>>>>         needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a
>>>>>>>         problem for me.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on
>>>>>>>         when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the
>>>>>>>         MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data
>>>>>>>         from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you
>>>>>>>         successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> What is your external source? Are you running a
>>>>>>>         particular MIDI software program?
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in
>>>>>>>         which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the
>>>>>>>         MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens:
>>>>>>>         (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back
>>>>>>>         to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops
>>>>>>>         the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have
>>>>>>>         a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the
>>>>>>>         switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received
>>>>>>>         from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately
>>>>>>>         directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position,
>>>>>>>         MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the
>>>>>>>         interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called
>>>>>>>         MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI
>>>>>>>         data that is received by the program is immediately sent
>>>>>>>         to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi
>>>>>>>         connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy
>>>>>>>         disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but
>>>>>>>         the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers
>>>>>>>         require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy
>>>>>>>         disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier
>>>>>>>         markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the
>>>>>>>         same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his
>>>>>>>         markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra
>>>>>>>         wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would
>>>>>>>         appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your
>>>>>>>         instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI
>>>>>>>         cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned
>>>>>>>         on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would
>>>>>>>         interact with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user
>>>>>>>         features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing
>>>>>>>         to change the functionality of the piano's current
>>>>>>>         record and playback system, and when it is connected to
>>>>>>>         a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such
>>>>>>>         as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised
>>>>>>>         t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for
>>>>>>>         the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal
>>>>>>>         opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of
>>>>>>>         "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of
>>>>>>>         Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to
>>>>>>>         replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator
>>>>>>>         that makes the instrument appear as though it is always
>>>>>>>         ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then
>>>>>>>         control it with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set
>>>>>>>         of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to
>>>>>>>         the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports
>>>>>>>         would not be available to connect to an external device.
>>>>>>>         However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that
>>>>>>>         enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB
>>>>>>>         device cable (the same cable that you would use to
>>>>>>>         connect to a USB printer).
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>         >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve
>>>>>>>         midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom
>>>>>>>         firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example
>>>>>>>         avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't
>>>>>>>         think that any are necessary.
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >> Regards,
>>>>>>>         >> PianoBench
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>         >>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
> 

-- 

Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550-Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...
http://www.spencerserolls.com
(707) 984-8356
(425) 791-0309

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-14 by Skanter123

George and Spence, i just have not yet had the time to fully test both your solutions for my latency issues. Hopefully over the weekend, but I have family visiting...I will update ASAP. Thanks to both of you.

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 14, 2014, at 2:32 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
> Good afternoon, everyone.
> 
> 
> Sam, if the piano is behind the bass and drums (which come from a virtual synth), then there is no extra latency in the virtual synth.
> 
> I suggest doing a simple test. Create a sequence where the piano plays a few simple chords and you have some synchronized drum sounds to be played by the virtual synth. Make absolutely certain that all MIDI notes in both tracks are quantized to the beat and then try playback again using the configuration that I suggested.
> 
> In my experience, that 500ms delay in the Disklavier is consistent. I am wondering if any of the notes of your sequence don't align to the beat. Using the configuration that I recommended, there should be no need to shift any tracks in your sequencer.
> 
> If the piano and drums were to be out of sync using the configuration that I have suggested, I would guess that the drums would be late, not the piano, because some virtual synths have latency.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
>> On Mar 14, 2014, at 11:03 AM, Skanter123 wrote:
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>> 1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
>>> 
>>> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
>>> 
>>> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
>>> 
>>> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
>>> 
>>> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
>>> 
>>> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
>>> 
>>> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
>>> 
>>> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
>>> 
>>> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> George, i tried your configuration, but things still did not sync up. Piano was behind bass and drums, maybe less than 500ms.
>> 
>> Perhaps there is some latency in the virtual synth on my computer?
>> 
>> Sam 
>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>> (212) 684-3304
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:24 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>> 
>>>  
>>> Good morning, everyone.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit included a new control unit of a different size than the original, a couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't recall the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly priced to the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In the case of a Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece of metal for that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II controller.
>>> 
>>> I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the control unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as a replacement control unit.
>>> 
>>> As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want to play multitrack sequences from your computer  an d enjoy playback that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a virtual synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. Correct? If so, try the following:
>>> 
>>> (1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
>>> 
>>> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
>>> 
>>> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
>>> 
>>> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
>>> 
>>> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
>>> 
>>> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
>>> 
>>> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
>>> 
>>> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
>>> 
>>> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> 
>>>> George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.
>>>> 
>>>> I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.
>>>> 
>>>> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks for your help...
>>>> 
>>>> Sam Kanter
>>>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>>>  
>>>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.
>>>>> 
>>>>> For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:
>>>>> 
>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
>>>>> 
>>>>> For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:
>>>>> 
>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
>>>>> 
>>>>> For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:
>>>>> 
>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Sam
>>>>>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>>>>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> *(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> MIDI Out
>>>>>>> The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> MIDI In
>>>>>>> There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Phantom Notes During Playback
>>>>>>> Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I hope this explains a few things.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>>>>>>>> The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
>>>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> < blockquote type="c ite">
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>>>>>>>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@freenetname.co.uk>:
>>>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> PianoBench 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > George,
>>>>>>>>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>>>>>>>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>>>>>>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>>>>>>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> > Ed Duke
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> > PianoBench
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> & amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>>>>>>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>>>>>>>>> >> ED
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Answers below:
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> Hello,
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> Some questions...
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>>>>>>>>> >>  
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> >> PianoBench
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
> 
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-14 by Skanter123

Spence, not sure that program worked. Tracks were in sync in some respects, but needs further review.

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 14, 2014, at 2:48 PM, Spencer Chase <lists@...> wrote:
> 
> i wrote a program and sent it to Sam that allows you to shift all channels by any number of ms and leave ones that you select untouched. he did a quick test and it seems like it might work. it only works with files that have a single tempo marked at the beginning. since the events are on different channels (might be a type 0 file so no opportunity to use separate tracks) it takes more than just shifting tracks. the time of each event needs to be shifted by the number of midi ticks required to produce the shift of a chosen time interval. program needs to know the TPQ and the Ms/quarter note so if this changes throughout the file it gets messed up. if anyone wants to use this or a similar program on files that have varying tempi, i have (somewhere) a program that converts multiple tempi to a single tempo by changing note timing. 
> 
> Sam will be reporting, at some point, if the program really works for his needs.
> 
>> On 3/14/2014 9:47 AM, Bill Brandom wrote:
>>  
>> Sam, 
>> 
>> There probably is some latency. Try moving the piano track forwards and backwards until you find that latency value. Then, continue using that value instead of the 500ms.
>> 
>> Bill
>> 
>> On Mar 14, 2014, at 8:03 AM, Skanter123 <skanter123@...> wrote:
>> 
>>  
>>> 1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
>>> 
>>> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
>>> 
>>> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
>>> 
>>> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
>>> 
>>> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
>>> 
>>> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
>>> 
>>> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
>>> 
>>> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
>>> 
>>> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> George, i tried your configuration, but things still did not sync up. Piano was behind bass and drums, maybe less than 500ms.
>> 
>> Perhaps there is some latency in the virtual synth on my computer?
>> 
>> Sam 
>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>> (212) 684-3304
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:24 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>> 
>>>  
>>> Good morning, everyone.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit included a new control unit of a different size than the original, a couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't recall the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly priced to the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In the case of a Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece of metal for that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II controller.
>>> 
>>> I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the control unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as a replacement control unit.
>>> 
>>> As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want to play multitrack sequences from your computer  an d enjoy playback that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a virtual synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. Correct? If so, try the following:
>>> 
>>> (1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
>>> 
>>> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
>>> 
>>> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
>>> 
>>> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
>>> 
>>> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
>>> 
>>> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
>>> 
>>> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
>>> 
>>> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
>>> 
>>> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>> 
>>>> George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.
>>>> 
>>>> I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.
>>>> 
>>>> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks for your help...
>>>> 
>>>> Sam Kanter
>>>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>>>  
>>>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.
>>>>> 
>>>>> For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:
>>>>> 
>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
>>>>> 
>>>>> For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:
>>>>> 
>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
>>>>> 
>>>>> For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:
>>>>> 
>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>  
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Sam
>>>>>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>>>>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> *(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> MIDI Out
>>>>>>> The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> MIDI In
>>>>>>> There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data.                                                           This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Phantom Notes During Playback
>>>>>>> Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI                                                           velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I hope this explains a few things.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>>>>>>>> The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
>>>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real                                                           Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the                                                           mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>> PianoBench
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> < blockquote type="c ite">
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>>>>>>>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:
>>>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> PianoBench 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > George,
>>>>>>>>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>>>>>>>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>>>>>>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and                                                           MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>>>>>>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> > Ed Duke
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order                                                           to transmit MIDI data.
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> > PianoBench
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> & amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>>>>>>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>>>>>>>>> >> ED
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Answers below:
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> Hello,
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> Some questions...
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>>>>>>>>> >>  
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers                                                           require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> >> PianoBench
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >>> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> >> 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
>>>>>>>>>> > 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Best regards, Spencer Chase
> 67550-Bell Springs Rd.
> Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
> Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
> Spencer@spencerserolls.com
> http://www.spencerserolls.com
> (707) 984-8356 
> (425) 791-0309
>

Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-14 by Spencer Chase

give me as many details about problems as you can. i don't have much 
time for testing. also make sure the files have just one tempo event in 
the beginning of the file (check with midi event lister) if youtry a 
file and there are problems, tell me exactly what they are (shift is 
wrong, note timing screwed up, notes overlapping etc etc) and send both 
the original file and the modified one. if you see a specific problem, 
tell me the time (either clock time or midi ticks to the messed up part 
if there is one) this would make my testing much easier.

On 3/14/2014 12:20 PM, Skanter123 wrote:
> Spence, not sure that program worked. Tracks were in sync in some 
> respects, but needs further review.
>
> Sam
> www.keyboardcollective.com <http://www.keyboardcollective.com>
> (212) 684-3304
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mar 14, 2014, at 2:48 PM, Spencer Chase <lists@... 
> <mailto:lists@...>> wrote:
>
>> i wrote a program and sent it to Sam that allows you to shift all 
>> channels by any number of ms and leave ones that you select 
>> untouched. he did a quick test and it seems like it might work. it 
>> only works with files that have a single tempo marked at the 
>> beginning. since the events are on different channels (might be a 
>> type 0 file so no opportunity to use separate tracks) it takes more 
>> than just shifting tracks. the time of each event needs to be shifted 
>> by the number of midi ticks required to produce the shift of a chosen 
>> time interval. program needs to know the TPQ and the Ms/quarter note 
>> so if this changes throughout the file it gets messed up. if anyone 
>> wants to use this or a similar program on files that have varying 
>> tempi, i have (somewhere) a program that converts multiple tempi to a 
>> single tempo by changing note timing.
>>
>> Sam will be reporting, at some point, if the program really works for 
>> his needs.
>>
>> On 3/14/2014 9:47 AM, Bill Brandom wrote:
>>> Sam,
>>>
>>> There probably is some latency. Try moving the piano track forwards 
>>> and backwards until you find that latency value. Then, continue 
>>> using that value instead of the 500ms.
>>>
>>> Bill
>>>
>>> On Mar 14, 2014, at 8:03 AM, Skanter123 <skanter123@... 
>>> <mailto:skanter123@...>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> 1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth 
>>>> tracks by 500ms.
>>>>
>>>> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external 
>>>> source.
>>>>
>>>> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something 
>>>> that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest 
>>>> solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the 
>>>> piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
>>>>
>>>> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
>>>>
>>>> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE 
>>>> heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
>>>>
>>>> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your 
>>>> computer and do two things:
>>>>
>>>> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
>>>>
>>>> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your 
>>>> virtual synth.
>>>>
>>>> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data 
>>>> that it receives.
>>>
>>>
>>> George, i tried your configuration, but things still did not sync 
>>> up. Piano was behind bass and drums, maybe less than 500ms.
>>>
>>> Perhaps there is some latency in the virtual synth on my computer?
>>>
>>> Sam
>>> www.keyboardcollective.com <http://www.keyboardcollective.com>
>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:24 AM, George Frederick Litterst 
>>> <PianoBench@... <mailto:PianoBench@...>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit 
>>>> included a new control unit of a different size than the original, 
>>>> a couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't 
>>>> recall the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly 
>>>> priced to the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In 
>>>> the case of a Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece 
>>>> of metal for that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II 
>>>> controller.
>>>>
>>>> I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the 
>>>> US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be 
>>>> available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the 
>>>> control unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as 
>>>> a replacement control unit.
>>>>
>>>> As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want 
>>>> to play multitrack sequences from your computer  an d enjoy 
>>>> playback that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a 
>>>> virtual synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. 
>>>> Correct? If so, try the following:
>>>>
>>>> (1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth 
>>>> tracks by 500ms.
>>>>
>>>> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external 
>>>> source.
>>>>
>>>> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something 
>>>> that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest 
>>>> solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the 
>>>> piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
>>>>
>>>> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
>>>>
>>>> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE 
>>>> heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
>>>>
>>>> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your 
>>>> computer and do two things:
>>>>
>>>> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
>>>>
>>>> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your 
>>>> virtual synth.
>>>>
>>>> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data 
>>>> that it receives.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> PianoBench
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the 
>>>>> disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear 
>>>>> reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.
>>>>>
>>>>> I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade 
>>>>> you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that 
>>>>> being available, and significantly less expensive than the 
>>>>> DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading 
>>>>> to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with 
>>>>> the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, 
>>>>> not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but 
>>>>> always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync 
>>>>> MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I 
>>>>> have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha 
>>>>> MU-50, might be easier setting that up.
>>>>>
>>>>> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my 
>>>>> piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record 
>>>>> playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of 
>>>>> the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for your help...
>>>>>
>>>>> Sam Kanter
>>>>> www.keyboardcollective.com <http://www.keyboardcollective.com/>
>>>>> (212) 684-3304
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst 
>>>>> <PianoBench@... <mailto:PianoBench@...>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>     Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>     Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier
>>>>>     instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic
>>>>>     range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare
>>>>>     the playback.
>>>>>
>>>>>     The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark
>>>>>     IIXG PRO.
>>>>>
>>>>>     For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier,
>>>>>     you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier
>>>>>     Education Network:
>>>>>
>>>>>     http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
>>>>>
>>>>>     For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you
>>>>>     can figure it out from this chart that I created:
>>>>>
>>>>>     http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
>>>>>
>>>>>     For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is
>>>>>     another chart here:
>>>>>
>>>>>     http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
>>>>>
>>>>>     Regards,
>>>>>     PianoBench
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>     On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>     George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed
>>>>>>     volume issues of the earlier models?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>     Sam
>>>>>>     www.keyboardcollective.com <http://www.keyboardcollective.com/>
>>>>>>     (212) 684-3304 <tel:%28212%29%20684-3304>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>     /*(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)/
>>>>>>
>>>>>>     On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst
>>>>>>     <PianoBench@... <mailto:PianoBench@...>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several
>>>>>>>     distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly,
>>>>>>>     other early model Disklaviers):
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     *MIDI Out*
>>>>>>>     The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys
>>>>>>>     yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is
>>>>>>>     being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     *MIDI In*
>>>>>>>     There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You
>>>>>>>     should almost always use Delay In.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI
>>>>>>>     cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect
>>>>>>>     the tone generator that received the data to respond
>>>>>>>     immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the
>>>>>>>     MIDI data instantly.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is
>>>>>>>     set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI
>>>>>>>     data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you
>>>>>>>     will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for
>>>>>>>     the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to
>>>>>>>     strike the strings.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     How much delay will there be between the time that the
>>>>>>>     Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear
>>>>>>>     the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud
>>>>>>>     the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving
>>>>>>>     relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers
>>>>>>>     moving relatively slowly.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     In order to have a good listening experience, you want to
>>>>>>>     hear the hammers impact the strings with correct /relative
>>>>>>>     timing/. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you
>>>>>>>     will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this
>>>>>>>     Real Time setting only affects playback from an external
>>>>>>>     source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier
>>>>>>>     engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for
>>>>>>>     playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In
>>>>>>>     option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long
>>>>>>>     enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving
>>>>>>>     each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with
>>>>>>>     accurate relative timing.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the
>>>>>>>     Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills
>>>>>>>     and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the
>>>>>>>     affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The
>>>>>>>     result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends
>>>>>>>     the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more
>>>>>>>     slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer
>>>>>>>     volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all,
>>>>>>>     resulting in dropped notes.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     *Phantom Notes During Playback*
>>>>>>>     Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive
>>>>>>>     or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played
>>>>>>>     back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that
>>>>>>>     were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more
>>>>>>>     softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     Given the limitations of those early playback systems and
>>>>>>>     the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have
>>>>>>>     their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the
>>>>>>>     Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision
>>>>>>>     to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by
>>>>>>>     raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere
>>>>>>>     around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around
>>>>>>>     MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist
>>>>>>>     brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the
>>>>>>>     recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been
>>>>>>>     masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On
>>>>>>>     playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed
>>>>>>>     notes became audible.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     I hope this explains a few things.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     Regards,
>>>>>>>     PianoBench
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>     *
>>>>>>>     *
>>>>>>>     On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>     I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi
>>>>>>>>     features too much yet in this piano...is that the
>>>>>>>>     difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>>>>>>>>     The notes played randomly are played even without anything
>>>>>>>>     connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of
>>>>>>>>     "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use
>>>>>>>>     without such brushed notes?
>>>>>>>>     Thanks!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>     Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@...
>>>>>>>>     <mailto:PianoBench@...> ha scritto:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>     Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>     Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to
>>>>>>>>>     Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former.
>>>>>>>>>     In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the
>>>>>>>>>     note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has
>>>>>>>>>     completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on
>>>>>>>>>     message.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>     As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about
>>>>>>>>>     pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The
>>>>>>>>>     earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an
>>>>>>>>>     effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if
>>>>>>>>>     you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible
>>>>>>>>>     or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>     Regards,
>>>>>>>>>     PianoBench
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>     On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz
>>>>>>>>>     <stenojazz@... <mailto:stenojazz@...>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>     < blockquote type="c ite">
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>     Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>>>>>>>>>     thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for
>>>>>>>>>      mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some
>>>>>>>>>     problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi
>>>>>>>>>     devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes
>>>>>>>>>     there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If
>>>>>>>>>     there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of
>>>>>>>>>     it? Thanks!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>     About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be
>>>>>>>>>     great but i guess it will require a lot of time to
>>>>>>>>>     understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>     Thanks!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>     2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00<mangez@...
>>>>>>>>>     <mailto:mangez@...>>:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano
>>>>>>>>>         sound dropping out when connected to an external
>>>>>>>>>         device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d),
>>>>>>>>>         you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No.
>>>>>>>>>         XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         Good evening, everyone.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the
>>>>>>>>>         Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have
>>>>>>>>>         a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF
>>>>>>>>>         versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then
>>>>>>>>>         proceed to page 31. That page shows the information
>>>>>>>>>         that I mentioned.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively.
>>>>>>>>>         So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a
>>>>>>>>>         bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was
>>>>>>>>>         a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to
>>>>>>>>>         the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the
>>>>>>>>>         difference between the manual and your experience with
>>>>>>>>>         your particular piano.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many
>>>>>>>>>         of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in
>>>>>>>>>         a PDF viewer.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         Regards,
>>>>>>>>>         PianoBench
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         > George,
>>>>>>>>>         > Re: the MX80.
>>>>>>>>>         > Thanks for your feedback.
>>>>>>>>>         > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations.
>>>>>>>>>         My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy
>>>>>>>>>         drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50
>>>>>>>>>         Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT
>>>>>>>>>         capability has essentially negated the need to repair
>>>>>>>>>         the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am
>>>>>>>>>         however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>>>>>>>>         > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual
>>>>>>>>>         has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and
>>>>>>>>>         none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80
>>>>>>>>>         Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>>>>>>>>         > Regards,
>>>>>>>>>         > Ed Duke
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick
>>>>>>>>>         Litterstwrote:
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a
>>>>>>>>>         functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted
>>>>>>>>>         in order to use the MIDI In function.
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter,
>>>>>>>>>         however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have
>>>>>>>>>         to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in
>>>>>>>>>         record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to
>>>>>>>>>         transmit MIDI data.
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it
>>>>>>>>>         is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         > This need for a working floppy drive is the
>>>>>>>>>         reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially
>>>>>>>>>         recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80.
>>>>>>>>>         The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables.
>>>>>>>>>         If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not
>>>>>>>>>         be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI
>>>>>>>>>         data to a computer. You would--according to your
>>>>>>>>>         experience--be ab le to play back song files from
>>>>>>>>>         either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive
>>>>>>>>>         went bad.
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         > Regards,
>>>>>>>>>         > PianoBench
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         & amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>>>>>>>>         >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk
>>>>>>>>>         drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN
>>>>>>>>>         function works fine. I use the computer to drive the
>>>>>>>>>         piano.
>>>>>>>>>         >> ED
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick
>>>>>>>>>         Litterstwrote:
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> Good morning, everyone.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> Answers below:
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM,wrote:
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>>>         >>> Hello,
>>>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>>>         >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years
>>>>>>>>>         and i just discovered this great forum.
>>>>>>>>>         >>> Some questions...
>>>>>>>>>         >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting
>>>>>>>>>         both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my
>>>>>>>>>         disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi
>>>>>>>>>         in or midi out...when both are connected to midi
>>>>>>>>>         interface, some strange messages and not all notes are
>>>>>>>>>         played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi
>>>>>>>>>         connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is
>>>>>>>>>         it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any
>>>>>>>>>         firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash -
>>>>>>>>>         upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or
>>>>>>>>>         reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on
>>>>>>>>>         when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the
>>>>>>>>>         MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI
>>>>>>>>>         data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you
>>>>>>>>>         successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> What is your external source? Are you running a
>>>>>>>>>         particular MIDI software program?
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop
>>>>>>>>>         in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to
>>>>>>>>>         the MIDI interface at which point one of two things
>>>>>>>>>         happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the
>>>>>>>>>         data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software
>>>>>>>>>         program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that
>>>>>>>>>         have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When
>>>>>>>>>         the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is
>>>>>>>>>         received from the MIDI In side of the interface is
>>>>>>>>>         immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the
>>>>>>>>>         other position, MIDI data that is received from the
>>>>>>>>>         MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the
>>>>>>>>>         computer .
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called
>>>>>>>>>         MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any
>>>>>>>>>         MIDI data that is received by the program is
>>>>>>>>>         immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi
>>>>>>>>>         connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the
>>>>>>>>>         floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi
>>>>>>>>>         connectors?
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but
>>>>>>>>>         the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers
>>>>>>>>>         require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy
>>>>>>>>>         disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier
>>>>>>>>>         markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the
>>>>>>>>>         same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his
>>>>>>>>>         markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra
>>>>>>>>>         wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would
>>>>>>>>>         appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your
>>>>>>>>>         instrument. You would connect it to your piano with
>>>>>>>>>         MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be
>>>>>>>>>         turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you
>>>>>>>>>         would interact with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> This replacement control unit gives you similar
>>>>>>>>>         user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does
>>>>>>>>>         nothing to change the functionality of the piano's
>>>>>>>>>         current record and playback system, and when it is
>>>>>>>>>         connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3
>>>>>>>>>         features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT
>>>>>>>>>         advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or
>>>>>>>>>         recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80
>>>>>>>>>         series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you
>>>>>>>>>         are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then
>>>>>>>>>         this is the control unit to get.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of
>>>>>>>>>         Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone
>>>>>>>>>         to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an
>>>>>>>>>         emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it
>>>>>>>>>         is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and
>>>>>>>>>         then control it with the DKC-850.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one
>>>>>>>>>         set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to
>>>>>>>>>         connect to the piano in this case. That means that the
>>>>>>>>>         MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an
>>>>>>>>>         external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB
>>>>>>>>>         MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer
>>>>>>>>>         using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that
>>>>>>>>>         you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>>>         >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve
>>>>>>>>>         midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom
>>>>>>>>>         firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example
>>>>>>>>>         avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't
>>>>>>>>>         think that any are necessary.
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>         >> PianoBench
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>>>         >>> Thanks!
>>>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>>>         >>>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >>
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>         >
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Best regards, Spencer Chase
>> 67550-Bell Springs Rd.
>> Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
>> Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
>> Spencer@...
>> http://www.spencerserolls.com
>> (707) 984-8356
>> (425) 791-0309
> 

-- 

Best regards, Spencer Chase
67550-Bell Springs Rd.
Garberville, CA 95542 Postal service only.
Laytonville, CA 95454 UPS only.
Spencer@...
http://www.spencerserolls.com
(707) 984-8356
(425) 791-0309

Re: [disklavier] MPX 100II problems and questions/suggestions

2014-03-14 by Skanter123

Updated header - although this thread may be relevant for other models.

Sam 
www.keyboardcollective.com
(212) 684-3304
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Mar 14, 2014, at 6:34 PM, "uecker.juneau@..." <uecker.juneau@...> wrote:
> 
> Can the next person continuing this string please update the subject line so that it corresponds to the current issue? None of this is relevant to the MX100A!
> 
> ---------- Original Message ----------
> From: George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...>
> To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [disklavier] mx100a problems and questions/suggestions
> Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 14:32:57 -0400
> 
>  
> 
> Good afternoon, everyone.
> 
>  
> Sam, if the piano is behind the bass and drums (which come from a virtual synth), then there is no extra latency in the virtual synth.
>  
> I suggest doing a simple test. Create a sequence where the piano plays a few simple chords and you have some synchronized drum sounds to be played by the virtual synth. Make absolutely certain that all MIDI notes in both tracks are quantized to the beat and then try playback again using the configuration that I suggested.
>  
> In my experience, that 500ms delay in the Disklavier is consistent. I am wondering if any of the notes of your sequence don't align to the beat. Using the configuration that I recommended, there should be no need to shift any tracks in your sequencer.
>  
> If the piano and drums were to be out of sync using the configuration that I have suggested, I would guess that the drums would be late, not the piano, because some virtual synths have latency.
>  
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> On Mar 14, 2014, at 11:03 AM, Skanter123 wrote:
> 
>  
>  
> 1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
>  
> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
>  
> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
>  
> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
>  
> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
>  
> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
>  
> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
>  
> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
>  
> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.
>  
>  
> George, i tried your configuration, but things still did not sync up. Piano was behind bass and drums, maybe less than 500ms.
>  
> Perhaps there is some latency in the virtual synth on my computer?
> 
> Sam 
> www.keyboardcollective.com
> (212) 684-3304
>  
>  
>  
>  
> 
> On Mar 12, 2014, at 8:24 AM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> 
>  
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
>  
> Sam, as I understand it, the Mark II-to-Mark IIXG upgrade kit included a new control unit of a different size than the original, a couple of circuit boards, and a new connecting cable. I don't recall the price, but I would not be surprised if it was similarly priced to the DKC-850 because it included a new control unit. In the case of a Mark II upright, it also included a replacement piece of metal for that area of the piano that holds the built-in Mark II controller.
>  
> I don't believe that these complete kits are still available in the US. However, I have heard that the circuit boards may still be available, thus enabling an upgrade to a Mark IIXG minus the control unit. At that stage, the piano could receive the DKC-850 as a replacement control unit.
>  
> As for your playback issue: If I understand it correctly, you want to play multitrack sequences from your computer  an d enjoy playback that includes the Disklavier for the piano track(s) and a virtual synth (running on the computer) for the other tracks. Correct? If so, try the following:
>  
> (1) In your computer sequence, do not offset the virtual synth tracks by 500ms.
>  
> (2) Set up your virtual synth to receive MIDI data from an external source.
>  
> (3) On your Mark II, set the PIANO RECEIVE channel to something that matches the piano tracks in your sequencer. (The simplest solution is to set the Piano to receive on channel 1 and set the piano tracks in the sequencer to send on channel 1.)
>  
> (4) On your Mark II, set MIDI OUT to DELAY OUT.
>  
> (5) On your Mark II, in the PIANO PART are under the ENSEMBLE heading, set PIANO PART MIDI OUT=OFF.
>  
> In this configuration, the Disklavier will receive data from your computer and do two things:
>  
> (a) Play the piano tracks on the piano.
>  
> (b) Delay the other tracks by 500ms and then send them to your virtual synth.
>  
> Be sure that your sequencer is not set to echo back any MIDI data that it receives.
>  
> Regards,
> PianoBench
>  
>  
>  
> 
> On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:48 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
> 
>  
>  
> George, thanks for the excellent article on the history of the disklavier - very informative. I recommend that everyone hear reads it - much better than the Wikipedia article.
> I was particularly interested to the Mark II to Mark II XG upgrade you mentioned. I wonder if there is still any possibility of that being available, and significantly less expensive than the DKC-850? At this point I cannot see a justification for upgrading to the DKC-850 with the limited improvement it would provide with the Mk II DKV I have, especially since I use it with a computer, not floppy. In general my Mark II unit performs beautifully, but always a few bugs and glitches to iron out. Still trying to sync MIDI playback with a virtual synth in my computer, difficult as I have to delay each MID sequence by 500ms. I do have a Yamaha MU-50, might be easier setting that up.
> I will have to do some testing to see how much compression my piano is recording. I suppose a good test would be doing a record playback test with a MIDI monitor. I assume I could fix some of the compression using one of Spence's volume utilities?
> Thanks for your help...
> 
> Sam Kanter
> www.keyboardcollective.com
> (212) 684-3304
> 
> 
>> On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>  
>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>> 
>>  
>> Sam, the Mark II was a big step up from the earlier instruments. However, there is some compression of the dynamic range on playback. You can easily do a recording and compare the playback.
>>  
>> The first Disklavier that captured a huge range was the Mark IIXG PRO.
>>  
>> For anyone who is interested in the history of the Disklavier, you might enjoy this article that I wrote for the Disklavier Education Network:
>>  
>> http://yamahaden.com/history-of-the-disklavier
>>  
>> For those who are uncertain as to which model they have, you can figure it out from this chart that I created:
>>  
>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/249-how-to-determine-your-disklavier-model
>>  
>> For those interested in upgrading to a DKC-850, there is another chart here:
>>  
>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/236-how-to-upgrade-an-older-disklavier
>>  
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>  
>> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 2:06 PM, Sam Kanter wrote:
>> 
>>  
>>  
>> George, can I assume my Mark II does not have the compressed volume issues of the earlier models?
>> 
>> Sam
>> www.keyboardcollective.com
>> (212) 684-3304
>>  
>> *(Sent from phone - please excuse brevity and typos.)
>> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 12:39 PM, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
>>  
>> Good afternoon, everyone.
>> 
>>  
>> Steno Jazz, here is a more complete explanation of several distinct issues that affect your MX100A (and similarly, other early model Disklaviers):
>>  
>> MIDI Out
>> The choices are Keyboard Out and Delay Out:
>>  
>> Keyboard Out sends out MIDI data that you play on the keys yourself. The Delay Out setting causes MIDI data that is being played from floppy disk to be sent out.
>>  
>> MIDI In
>> There are two MIDI In settings: Delay In and Real Time. You should almost always use Delay In.
>>  
>> The basic issue is this: When you send MIDI data over a MIDI cable (such as from a computer to your piano), you expect the tone generator that received the data to respond immediately. In the case of a digital piano, you'll hear the MIDI data instantly.
>>  
>> The Disklavier, however, is a mechanical device. If it is set to Real Time response, it will respond to incoming MIDI data by immediately starting to move the keys. However, you will not hear the notes instantly because it takes time for the keys to set the hammers in motion and for the hammers to strike the strings.
>>  
>> How much delay will there be between the time that the Disklavier starts to move a key and the moment when you hear the hammer hit the string? The answer depends upon how loud the note is. Loud notes are produced by hammers moving relatively fast whereas soft notes are produced by hammers moving relatively slowly.
>>  
>> In order to have a good listening experience, you want to hear the hammers impact the strings with correct relative timing. If your Disklavier is set to Real Time input, you will experience sloppy timing. (I hasten to add that this Real Time setting only affects playback from an external source, not playback from the floppy drive.)
>> 
>> To compensate for this mechanical issue, the Disklavier engineers built in a 1/2 second (500ms) delay option for playback of external MIDI data. This so-called Delay In option results in the incoming MIDI data being buffered long enough for the Disklavier to figure out when to start moving each key so that every hammer strikes the strings with accurate relative timing.
>>  
>> There is another oddity about Real Time input. If the Disklavier receives rapidly repeated notes, such as trills and tremolos, some note-off messages may come in before the affected keys have finished their complete down-stroke. The result can be an interruption in the key movement that sends the hammer toward the string. Some hammers may strike more slowly (and therefore later than they should and at a softer volume) and some hammers may never reach the strings at all, resulting in dropped notes.
>>  
>> Phantom Notes During Playback
>> Regardles s as to whether playback is from the floppy drive or an external source, the early model Disklaviers played back with a somewhat compressed dynamic range. Chords that were originally thunderous would play back somewhat more softly and very quiet notes would play back more loudly.
>>  
>> Given the limitations of those early playback systems and the likelihood that many Disklavier owners would not have their instruments regulated or calibrated regularly, the Disklavier engineers appear to have made a design decision to insure that soft notes would not drop out on playback by raising their volume to a minimum threshold, somewhere around MIDI velocity 35 for MX100A&B and MX80 and around MIDI velocity 25 for the Wagon Grand.
>>  
>> The result is that I have seen situations in which a pianist brushed keys during a recording. At the time of the recording, those brushed notes were inaudible, having been masked by the loudness of the surroundin g notes. On playback at a minimum velocity of 25 or 35, those brushed notes became audible.
>>  
>> I hope this explains a few things.
>>  
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>>  
>> 
>> On Mar 11, 2014, at 3:21 AM, Steno wrote:
>> 
>>  
>>  
>> I think i am using it without delay. I never used the midi features too much yet in this piano...is that the difference between "delay" and "kbdout"
>> The notes played randomly are played even without anything connected to midi connector . Is it the phenomenon of "brushed notes"? What is the minimum delay i should use without such brushed notes? 
>> Thanks!
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Il giorno 11/mar/2014, alle ore 03:21, PianoBench@... ha scritto:
>> 
>>  
>> Good evening, everyone.
>> 
>>  
>> Steno Jazz, are you using your piano with MIDI In set to Delay or Real Time? In general, you should use the former. In Real Time mode, any Disklavier can drop notes if the note-off messages come in before the mechanical action has completed the keystroke that was initiated by the note-on message. 
>>  
>> As far as random notes are concerned, are we talking about pieces that you have recorded with the instrument? The earlier Disklaviers played back very soft notes with an effective minimum velocity of about 35. This means that if you brushed a key and recorded a note that was inaudible or barely audible, it would become quite audible on playback.
>>  
>> Regards,
>> PianoBench
>> 
>> On Mar 10, 2014, at 8:04 PM, steno jazz <stenojazz@...> wrote:
>> 
>> < blockquote type="c ite">
>>  
>> Hello Adrian Thomas Music Service,
>> thanks for your replies. Is there such ROM upgrade for  mx100a too (fixing problems with midi)? I have some problems when i am connecting my mx100a to external midi devices...sometimes some notes are lost and sometimes there are keys of piano that randomly play a note. If there is such ROM upgrade, do you know the part number of it? Thanks!
>>  
>> About adapting disklavier mark3 module to mx100a it may be great but i guess it will require a lot of time to understand the signals (even with the service manuals).
>>  
>> Thanks!
>>  
>>  
>> 
>> 
>> 2014-03-11 0:53 GMT+01:00 <mangez@...>:
>>>  
>>> There was a ROM update which dealt with the piano sound dropping out when connected to an external device via MIDI. If you have the old version (V1.20d), you can get a replacement ROM from Yamaha: Part No. XH260F00 (IC ROM V1.4f)
>>> 
>>> Adrian Thomas Music Services
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Mar 8 2014, George Frederick Litterst wrote: 
>>> 
>>> Good evening, everyone.
>>> 
>>> Ed, I am a consultan t to Yamaha and head up the Disklavier Education Network (DEN) initiative. We have a resources page on the new DEN website that has PDF versions of all of the Disklavier user manuals:
>>> 
>>> http://yamahaden.com/resources-2/item/280-mx80-series-manual
>>> 
>>> Locate the MX80 series manual and that page and then proceed to page 31. That page shows the information that I mentioned.
>>> 
>>> I have never owned an MX80 nor used one extensively. So, my recollection of these kinds of subtleties is a bit dim. I do have a vague recollection that there was a ROM update for the unit that made a subtle change to the MIDI Output feature. Perhaps that explains the difference between the manual and your experience with your particular piano.
>>> 
>>> This particular manual is a scan of the original. Many of the more recent manuals are actually searchable in a PDF viewer.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> PianoBench 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Mar 7, 2014, at 7:04 PM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>> 
>>> > 
>>> > George,
>>> > Re: the MX80.
>>> > Thanks for your feedback.
>>> > Perhaps we are not discussing the same situations. My MIDI-OUT works fine with and malfunctioning Floppy drive and no Floppy in the drive. I drive the MU-50 Tone Generator. This functioning MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT capability has essentially negated the need to repair the super expensive Floppy drive from Yamaha. I am however considering the latest Floppy emulator.
>>> > What manual are you referencing? My owner's manual has examples of MIDI OUT and MIDI-IN on page 31 and none of the text you referenced. Neither my MX80 Systems Manual or MX80 Service Manual have 31 pages.
>>> > Regards,
>>> > Ed Duke
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>> > 
>>> > Good afternoon, everyone.
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > Ed, its good to know that the MX80 does not need a functioning floppy disk drive with a floppy inserted in order to use the MIDI In function. 
>>> > 
>>> > Accessing the MIDI Out function is another matter, however. According to page 31 of the manual, you have to have a disk in the drive and need to be either in record mode or have a record/pause mode in order to transmit MIDI data.
>>> > 
>>> > Although I don't know for sure, I sus pect t hat it is this recording function that turns on the key sensors.
>>> > 
>>> > This need for a working floppy drive is the reason--I think--why the DKC-850 is not officially recommended as an upgrade control unit for the MX80. The only way to connect it would be with MIDI cables. If the MX80 floppy drive were to go bad, you would not be able to record with the DKC-850 or transmit MIDI data to a computer. You would--according to your experience--be ab le to play back song files from either a computer or the DKC-850 if the floppy drive went bad.
>>> > 
>>> > Regards,
>>> > PianoBench
>>> > 
>>> > On Mar 7, 2014, at 9:30 AM, Edward Duke wrote:
>>> > 
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> & amp; gt;> Reference item 2 in the previous message.
>>> >> I have an MX80 with non-functioning floppy disk drive and no floppy disk in the drive and the MIDI-IN function works fine. I use the computer to drive the piano.
>>> >> ED
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:44 AM, George Frederick Litterst wrote:
>>> >> 
>>> >> Good morning, everyone.
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> Answers below:
>>> >> 
>>> >> On Mar 6, 2014, at 7:44 PM, wrote:
>>> >> 
>>> >>> 
>>> >>> Hello,
>>> >>> 
>>> >>> i own a great disklavier mx100a since many years and i just discovered this great forum. 
>>> >>> Some questions...
>>> >>> 1) Has anyone experienced any problem connecting both midi in and out with computer ? It seems that my disklavier works properly only if i connect just midi in or midi out...when both are connected to midi interface, some strange messages and not all notes are played correctly. When i disconnect one of the midi connector from the interface, the behaviour is ok. Is it normal? Is my mx100a "broken" or too old? Any firmware update i may request? I know it's not flash - upgradable...it needs eprom replacement or reprogramming, but it's not a problem for me.
>>> >>  
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> Please tell us more detail about what is going on when you connect a MIDI interface. If you use only the MIDI In connection, can you successfully play MIDI data from an ext ernal source, such as a computer?
>>> >> 
>>> >> If you only use the MIDI Out connection, can you successfully transmit MIDI data to an external source?
>>> >> 
>>> >> What is your external source? Are you running a particular MIDI software program?
>>> >> 
>>> >> I am suspicious that you have created a MIDI loop in which MIDI data is transmitted from your piano to the MIDI interface at which point one of two things happens: (1) the MIDI interface immediately loops the data back to the pia no or (2) a computer software program loops the MIDI data back to the piano.
>>> >> 
>>> >> There are a small number of MIDI interfaces that have a two-position toggle switch on the side. When the switch is in one position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is immediately directed to the MIDI Out side. In the other position, MIDI data that is received from the MIDI In side of the interface is transmitted to the computer .
>>> >> 
>>> >> Many MIDI software programs have a function called MIDI Echo or MIDI Thru. If that feature is on, any MIDI data that is received by the program is immediately sent to the designated MIDI output device.
>>> >> 
>>> >>> 2) Is it possible that the only way of using midi connectors is putting an empty floppy inside the floppy disk drive? No other way to work with midi connectors?
>>> >> 
>>> >> It's an odd situation that I don't understand, but the MX100A&B as well as the MX80 series Disklaviers require a working floppy drive with a useable floppy disk inserted in order to work with the MIDI ports.
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >>> 3) Is it possible to use a module for disk lavier markIII (also rewiring it if the cabling is not the same) ? I may take one from a friend that upgraded his markIII to dkc-850... i know it may require some extra wiring and cabling but if anyone made it, i would appreciate if he could help me doing that...thanks.
>>> >> 
>>> >> Hypothetically, you can use a DKC-850 with your instrument. You would connect it to your piano with MIDI cables. Your old control unit woul d have to be turned on and a floppy disk inserted. Beyond that, you would interact with the DKC-850.
>>> >> 
>>> >> This replacement control unit gives you similar user features to an E3 Disklavier. However, it does nothing to change the functionality of the piano's current record and playback system, and when it is connected to a Disklavier with MIDI cables, certain E3 features, such as DisklavierRadio, are note available.
>>> >> 
>>> >> I hasten to point out that Yamaha has NOT advertised t he DKC-850 as being compatible with or recommended for the Wagon Grand, MX100A&B, or MX80 series. My personal opinion, however, is that if you are into the concept of "modding" your piano, then this is the control unit to get. 
>>> >> 
>>> >> I have not used a DKC- 850 with this model of Disklavier. It would be very interesting for someone to replace your Disklavier's floppy drive with an emulator that makes the instrument appear as though it is always ready to transmit and receive MIDI data, and then control it with the DKC-850.
>>> >> 
>>> >> I should point out that the DKC-850 has only one set of pair of MIDI ports which would be used to connect to the piano in this case. That means that the MIDI ports would not be available to connect to an external device. However, the DKC-850 also has a USB MIDI feature that enables you to connect to a computer using a simple USB device cable (the same cable that you would use to connect to a USB printer).
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >>> 
>>> >>> 4) Is there any way to "mod" an mx 100a to improve midi capabilities and is there any "mod" for eprom firmware modifications that anyone did ? (for example avoiding putting a floppy inside or others)
>>> >> 
>>> >> I don't know of any mods of this sort, and I don't think that any are necessary.
>>> >> 
>>> >> Regards,
>>> >> PianoBench
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >>> 
>>> >>> Thanks!
>>> >>> 
>>> >>> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> >> 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
>>> > 
> 
>  
>  
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