Disklavier

Dear Mike,

First, a big thanks to Yamaha and to you, Mike, for supporting the 
competitions.  Some of the finest music I have heard on my DC3 Mark II 
came from the downloads so graciously provided.  I've have played a 
number of the performances for friends, some of whom are parents of 
young piano students. The value of a Disklavier to embryonic pianists 
has impressed them.

If Yamaha were to distribute the MIDI files just as was done for the 
2002 competition, I personally would be content.

While I am not complaining, the e-competition files did not conform to 
the standard Pianosoft format for solo piano.  That is, the files had 
both note-ons and continuous pedal directed to channel 1.  (The 
Pianosoft standard has note-ons directed to channel 1, on/off pedal to 
channel 1, and continuous pedal to channel 3.)

Those with Mark III or Pro instruments could play the files as they were 
and would enjoy continuous pedal.  A Mark II would have responded with 
only on/off pedal; however, I modified my copies of the files so that my 
Mark II would operate the sustain pedal with continuous data.

There is the question, which Yamaha will have to decide, about whether 
the files should be distributed with the Pro XP data.  The main 
consideration is cost:  The cost of having to record XP data to an 
external computer, the cost of data storage space on the Web page, the 
time cost in downloading, the cost to process XP files to produce 
ordinary files.

Here are three possible options that you might consider:

------------------
Option A:  Provide files in the same manner as for the 2002 event.
========

Pros:
+ The format will be playable for all models of Disklavier.
+ Lowest file storage costs.
+ Short download time.
+ Simple recording and processing of files at competition time.

Cons:
- The precise XP data will be lost forever.
- Users with Pros cannot take full advantage of Pro reproduction.
- Does not promote reasons to own a Pro.

------------------
Option B:  Provide files in the Pro XP format only.
========

Pros:
+ The format will be playable for all models of Disklavier.
+ The precise XP data will be preserved and serve as a valuable record 
of the performances.
+ Users with Pros can take full advantage of Pro reproduction.
+ Demonstrates reasons to own a Pro.

Cons:
- An external computer may be needed at the competition to provide 
adequate recording storage capacity.
- Web page will require greater storage space.
- Download time will be longer.
- Mark II and III users will have much larger than necessary data files.

------------------
Option C:  Provide files in both Pro XP and ordinary formats.
========

Pros:
+ The format will be playable for all models of Disklavier.
+ User can chose which format to download.
+ The precise XP data will be preserved and serve as an valuable record 
of the performances.
+ Users with Pros can take full advantage of Pro reproduction.
+ Demonstrates reasons to own a Pro.

Cons:
- An external computer may be needed at the competition to provide 
adequate recording storage capacity.
- Higher workload at competition time to convert XP files to ordinary.
- Web page will require greatest storage space.

------------------
Recommendations:

If the costs of Option C are not prohibitive, I would suggest Option C. 
  (I would personally download both formats and keep the XP files for 
the time when I might own a Pro.)

Option A would be my second choice.  I would also be content with Option 
B, as I would strip the XP data that was unnecessary for my Mark II.

Thanks to Yamaha and to you, Mike, for asking and listening.


bonsaimike@... wrote:
> Hello all,
> 
> We are currently planning for the Yamaha portion of the 2004 
> International Piano-e-Competition to be held in St. Paul in late May 
> next year.  As part of my planning I would appreciate input pro and con 
> of the benefit to you all of the midi files (which are still at 
> www.piano-e-competition.com ) and the event overall for you as 
> Disklavier users?
> 
> Any ideas for next time?  Now that we know we can pull it off, we will 
> keep all of you and all the world posted on the event as it takes place.
> 
> Mike Bates, Director
> Academic and Institutional Relations
> Piano Division
> Yamaha
> mbates@...
> 
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-- 
Robert Welcyng
Anchorage, Alaska