Disklavier 101
2005-11-16 by Cliff Shepard
After lurking on this list for
many months it is clear that many members are substantially more savy regarding
these wonderful instruments than I will ever be. That said, and in hopes
that I am not the only one searching for basic information, I would ask the
following questions which I assume would be of interest to at least a few folks
like me:
1. Is there a listing of
websites where files that can be played on a disklavier can be
downloaded? This would seem to me to be the kind of information that every
owner would like to know.
2. How frequently should
your disklavier piano be serviced/tuned?
3. Is there a source of
information on professionally recorded disks rating their quality? I have
certain disks that I enjoy less because of the mechanical nature of the
performances and others that sound as if the artist is sitting in the room with
you. I want more of that latter, less of the former.
4. Are there any simple tips
for getting more out of your instrument? By way of explanation, my unit
was the "top of the line" about 10 years ago. It uses the old double-density
(720 kb) floppy disks and has an add-on MU50 XG tone generator. I was
never given any instruction on all the various things the MU50 can do and have
left it alone for fear of not being able to get it back to its original settings
where I know it will generate the "full orchestration" sounds that are included
on the PianoSoft Plus disks.
5. What is considered "state
of the art" today? What additional features are included? Is
upgrading the technology possible/practical without buying a new piano? If it is
possible, how much is a new unit and is it worth the cost?
Thank you for your
responses!
Cliff