Disklavier

From: "George Frederick Litterst" <PianoBench@aol.com<mailto:PianoBench@aol.com>>
Date: Fri, Jun 17, 2011 10:21 am
Subject: [disklavier] iPad magic for your Disklavier
To: <disklavier@yahoogroups.com<mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com>>

Good morning, everyone.

I am pleased to announce that Home Concert Xtreme for the iPad is now available in the iTunes store. It was accepted by Apple 2 days ago.

If you have fantasized about being able to play your Disklavier and enjoy automatic page-turning and orchestrated accompaniments that actually follow your playing, you need not fantasize any longer. You can now enjoy these features with your Disklavier and iPad.

As many of you know, HCX is a software program for Macintosh and Windows computers (and now iPad) that works with Standard MIDI Files. This includes most of the MIDI files available for the major piano methods and supplementary books, piano concerto MIDI files, and properly formatted MIDI files that you create yourself or find on the Internet. HCX turns the keyboard part into standard notation for display on the screen. As you play, HCX accompanies you by playing the other tracks.

Imagine being able to see your music on a handy tablet display, resize it using the "pinch" and "spread" techniques, or turn the pages by swiping the screen. Even better, imagine connecting the iPad to your Disklavier and letting HCX turn your pages automatically and musically coordinate accompaniment tracks with your playing. If you are learning a new piece and want some help, HCX will patiently wait for you to play each not correctly and even show you the right note if you get mixed up. If you engage Perform mode, the program will actually coordinate the accompaniment tracks with your playing.

To connect an iPad to your Disklavier, use a MIDI interface (such as the Yamaha UX-16 or UX-96) and attach it to Apple's Camera Connection Kit USB adapter for the iPad. Alternatively, use the iPad-native iConnectMIDI interface (www.iconnectivity.com<http://www.iconnectivity.com>) and 2 MIDI cables to connect directly to the iPad itself.

HCX for iPad has a built-in General MIDI tone generator. You wont need to use that with a Mark IIXG or later Disklavier. However, if you have an older Disklavier that lacks a GM tone generator or a Yamaha MIDI instrument that lacks the GM voices--such as an AvantGrand or a CLP Clavinova, you can use the built-in GM tone generator and route its sound through speakers.

HCX for Macintosh and Windows costs $99.00. HCX for iPad will be a $39.99 program starting August 1, 2011. Between now and then, we have placed it in the iTunes store at an introductory price of $9.99.

You can get more information about the program here:

<http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/home-concert-xtreme/id443017184?mt=8>http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/home-concert-xtreme/id443017184?mt=8

Even more information, including a video and a PDF manual, is available here:

<http://www.zenph.com/zenph-software/home-concert-xtreme/hcx-for-ipad.html>http://www.zenph.com/zenph-software/home-concert-xtreme/hcx-for-ipad.html

Regards,
PianoBench

George F. Litterst






<http://www.financialgroup.com/>[cid:image9b10ec.jpg@c01069d1.1a4a41e0]

Joseph Bert CFP®, AIF®
joe@financialgroup.com
1111 Douglas Avenue
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
(407) 869-9800 - (800) 393-9900 - Fax: (407) 869-9700
Website: www.FinancialGroup.com<http://www.financialgroup.com/>


P.S.  The finest compliment we can receive is an introduction from a satisfied client.  Click here to submit an introduction. <https://www.emeraldsecure.com/tellafriend.cfm?SSLID=1404>
Notice: All e-mail sent to or from this e-mail system is subject to archiving, monitoring and/or review by corporate personnel.

This electronic message transmission contains information from Certified Financial Group, Inc., Certified Advisory Corp, Certified Insurance Corp, Certified Benefits Corp, Maitland Securities, Inc. or TransAm Securities, Inc. that may be confidential or privileged. The information is intended solely for the recipient and use by any other party is not authorized.  If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this electronic transmission is prohibited.  If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please notify us immediately by telephone (1-800-393-9900) or by responding to this e-mail.  Fee Planning and Asset Management through Certified Advisory Corp; Employee Benefit Planning through Certified Benefits Corp; Securities Offered through Maitland Securities, Inc. or TransAm Securities, Inc. or both, members FINRA, SIPC.  Any investments recommended are offered only by prospectus which should be read thoroughly prior to investing, are not FDIC insured, may lose value and are not bank guaranteed. Any returns on investment cited are historical and past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Please be advised that trading instructions received via e-mail may not be acted upon in a timely manner.  By allowing receipt of this e-mail, you are consenting to this form of communication with us.  Please note that e-mails may not be as secure as other forms of communication.  You may withdraw your consent at any time by e-mailing Plan@FinancialGroup.com<mailto:Plan@FinancialGroup.com> or calling 800-393-9300.  Thank You.

>
> Good evening, everyone.
> 
> Both the UX16 and the UX96 are USB MIDI interfaces. The UX16 has two hardwired MIDI cables as part of the interface: one connects to MIDI Out of your keyboard and one connects to MIDI In of your keyboard.
> 
> The UX96 has MIDI In and Out ports but you need to supply MIDI cables to connect to them. The interface also supplies a serial port. The serial port is essentially an obsolete port. However, if you have a Mark III or older Disklavier or similar generation tone generator with a serial port, you can use that port if you wish.
> 
> NOTE: A Disklavier owner informed me the other day that he could not get the UX96 to work with the Apple Camera Connection Kit USB adapter and the iPad. Based on his experience, it seems as though the device may require more power than the iPad is willing to provide. I have not had a chance to verify this.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> 
> www.georgelitterst.com
> www.timewarptech.com
> www.zenph.com
> 
> On Jun 19, 2011, at 9:14 PM, Joseph F. Bert, CFP, AIF (Joe@...) wrote:
> 
> > Where does one get the UX16 or 96 and what is the difference? Tx 
> > 
> > Sent from my iPad 
> > 
> > On Jun 17, 2011, at 7:45 PM, "nehs1975@...<mailto:nehs1975@...>" <nehs1975@...<mailto:nehs1975@...>> wrote: 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Very, very cool! Great job! 
> > 
> > 
> > ----- Reply message ----- 
> > From: "George Frederick Litterst" <PianoBench@...<mailto:PianoBench@...>> 
> > Date: Fri, Jun 17, 2011 10:21 am 
> > Subject: [disklavier] iPad magic for your Disklavier 
> > To: <disklavier@yahoogroups.com<mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com>> 
> > 
> > Good morning, everyone. 
> > 
> > I am pleased to announce that Home Concert Xtreme for the iPad is now available in the iTunes store. It was accepted by Apple 2 days ago. 
> > 
> > If you have fantasized about being able to play your Disklavier and enjoy automatic page-turning and orchestrated accompaniments that actually follow your playing, you need not fantasize any longer. You can now enjoy these features with your Disklavier and iPad. 
> > 
> > As many of you know, HCX is a software program for Macintosh and Windows computers (and now iPad) that works with Standard MIDI Files. This includes most of the MIDI files available for the major piano methods and supplementary books, piano concerto MIDI files, and properly formatted MIDI files that you create yourself or find on the Internet. HCX turns the keyboard part into standard notation for display on the screen. As you play, HCX accompanies you by playing the other tracks. 
> > 
> > Imagine being able to see your music on a handy tablet display, resize it using the "pinch" and "spread" techniques, or turn the pages by swiping the screen. Even better, imagine connecting the iPad to your Disklavier and letting HCX turn your pages automatically and musically coordinate accompaniment tracks with your playing. If you are learning a new piece and want some help, HCX will patiently wait for you to play each not correctly and even show you the right note if you get mixed up. If you engage Perform mode, the program will actually coordinate the accompaniment tracks with your playing. 
> > 
> > To connect an iPad to your Disklavier, use a MIDI interface (such as the Yamaha UX-16 or UX-96) and attach it to Apple's Camera Connection Kit USB adapter for the iPad. Alternatively, use the iPad-native iConnectMIDI interface (www.iconnectivity.com<http://www.iconnectivity.com>) and 2 MIDI cables to connect directly to the iPad itself. 
> > 
> > HCX for iPad has a built-in General MIDI tone generator. You wont need to use that with a Mark IIXG or later Disklavier. However, if you have an older Disklavier that lacks a GM tone generator or a Yamaha MIDI instrument that lacks the GM voices--such as an AvantGrand or a CLP Clavinova, you can use the built-in GM tone generator and route its sound through speakers. 
> > 
> > HCX for Macintosh and Windows costs $99.00. HCX for iPad will be a $39.99 program starting August 1, 2011. Between now and then, we have placed it in the iTunes store at an introductory price of $9.99. 
> > 
> > You can get more information about the program here: 
> > 
> > <http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/home-concert-xtreme/id443017184?mt=8>http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/home-concert-xtreme/id443017184?mt=8 
> > 
> > Even more information, including a video and a PDF manual, is available here: 
> > 
> > <http://www.zenph.com/zenph-software/home-concert-xtreme/hcx-for-ipad.html>http://www.zenph.com/zenph-software/home-concert-xtreme/hcx-for-ipad.html 
> > 
> > Regards, 
> > PianoBench 
> > 
> > George F. Litterst 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > <http://www.financialgroup.com/>[cid:image9b10ec.jpg@...] 
> > 
> > Joseph Bert CFP�, AIF� 
> > joe@... 
> > 1111 Douglas Avenue 
> > Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 
> > (407) 869-9800 - (800) 393-9900 - Fax: (407) 869-9700 
> > Website: www.FinancialGroup.com<http://www.financialgroup.com/> 
> > 
> > 
> > P.S. The finest compliment we can receive is an introduction from a satisfied client. Click here to submit an introduction. <https://www.emeraldsecure.com/tellafriend.cfm?SSLID=1404> 
> > Notice: All e-mail sent to or from this e-mail system is subject to archiving, monitoring and/or review by corporate personnel. 
> > 
> > This electronic message transmission contains information from Certified Financial Group, Inc., Certified Advisory Corp, Certified Insurance Corp, Certified Benefits Corp, Maitland Securities, Inc. or TransAm Securities, Inc. that may be confidential or privileged. The information is intended solely for the recipient and use by any other party is not authorized. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this electronic transmission is prohibited. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please notify us immediately by telephone (1-800-393-9900) or by responding to this e-mail. Fee Planning and Asset Management through Certified Advisory Corp; Employee Benefit Planning through Certified Benefits Corp; Securities Offered through Maitland Securities, Inc. or TransAm Securities, Inc. or both, members FINRA, SIPC. Any investments recommended are offered only by prospectus which should be read thoroughly prior to investing, are not FDIC insured, may lose value and are not bank guaranteed. Any returns on investment cited are historical and past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Please be advised that trading instructions received via e-mail may not be acted upon in a timely manner. By allowing receipt of this e-mail, you are consenting to this form of communication with us. Please note that e-mails may not be as secure as other forms of communication. You may withdraw your consent at any time by e-mailing Plan@...<mailto:Plan@...> or calling 800-393-9300. Thank You. 
> >
>

I bought a $28 E-MU Xmidi from Amazon (http://amzn.to/mSYfbD) and it works for my Disklavier and HCX.

--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, "mjburby" wrote:
>
>
>
> So George, I decided to try this out having just bought a new iPad2.
>
> I bought a generic USB and HDMI combined adapter - didn't see the point in buying these separately when I could have them on one device.
>
> Also, there many cheap MIDI to USB cables on the market - just look on eBay.
>
> So having got all this and tested them to ensure they were working I started the setup for my MKIV. I've hit a couple of snags.
>
> Firstly, the MIDI cables - the ports on the DKV are almost impossible to access. Has anyone else noticed this?? I've used MIDI cables before and they're fairly standard in terms of the end connectors but for whatever reason, Yamaha has installed the units under the piano in such a way as to make these ports virtually inaccessible. There is a wooden support strut only an inch or so away from the ports (particularly the MIDI OUT port). The only thing I can possibly consider is to unscrew the control unit?! Perhaps I'm missing a trick here and there are another pair of MIDI ports more easily accessible. Can't believe I'm the only one to experience this.
>
> I eventually did manage to get a connection into the MIDI IN (MIDI OUT was not possible) and so hooked up the iPad. With a similar experience to testing the HDMI port with a television, the iPad didn't recognise the connection immediately, perhaps there was some hidden installing of a driver or whatever.
>
> However, after a few minutes the MIDI connection was visible from the HCX application. A reassuring power light was seen on the cable display unit with a little flashing MIDI OUT light - so power from iPad to cable was sufficient.
>
> All good so far (noting that I was only able to try out the MIDI OUT from the iPad to MIDI IN on the DKV). I found this a bit hit and miss. Some of the built in midi files were able to control the piano both hands, some when played only played the right hand, others didn't play either hand. Perhaps this is something to do with the midi files themselves rather than the piano or HCX software. I made sure that the '2-hand' mode was on throughout. The background accompaniment was sent successfully to the DKV synthesizer for all tracks. If the piano tracks were not sent to the piano keyboard, the DKV synthesizer played the piano part.
>
> Now I'm assuming that this problem was not caused by having just one MIDI connection to the piano, but who knows, perhaps this isn't an issue if I was able to plug in the MIDI OUT port.
>
> Otherwise, this is a great application. I can't wait to get the MIDI OUT connection made to try out the learning/following functions of HCX. If you need some input from a product improvement perspective I'd be happy to provide this.
>
> I'd be grateful if anyone could provide some advice on the MIDI port accessibility issue and some insight into the 2-hand /1-hand/no-hand issue too.
>
> Thanks
> Mark
>
>
> --- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, George Frederick Litterst PianoBench@ wrote:
> >
> > Good evening, everyone.
> >
> > Both the UX16 and the UX96 are USB MIDI interfaces. The UX16 has two hardwired MIDI cables as part of the interface: one connects to MIDI Out of your keyboard and one connects to MIDI In of your keyboard.
> >
> > The UX96 has MIDI In and Out ports but you need to supply MIDI cables to connect to them. The interface also supplies a serial port. The serial port is essentially an obsolete port. However, if you have a Mark III or older Disklavier or similar generation tone generator with a serial port, you can use that port if you wish.
> >
> > NOTE: A Disklavier owner informed me the other day that he could not get the UX96 to work with the Apple Camera Connection Kit USB adapter and the iPad. Based on his experience, it seems as though the device may require more power than the iPad is willing to provide. I have not had a chance to verify this.
> >
> > 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

>
> Good morning, everyone.
> 
> Thanks for the info about the combined HCMI and USB adapter, Mark. Until now, it has been impossible for someone to demonstrate to an audience iPad software that required a USB connection. The USB connection would occupy the dock connector leaving no place to connect an external display.
> 
> Regards,
> PianoBench
> 
> www.georgelitterst.com
> www.timewarptech.com
> www.zenph.com
> 
> On Jul 6, 2011, at 8:38 PM, Mark Burby wrote:
> 
> > The combined HDMI and USB adapter was bought on ebay. It's not an Apple product but works fine. Here's the link for the one I bought but there were many other vendors:
> > 
> > http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260786802220&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:1123
> > 
> > The MIDI to USB cable was also another eBay purchase:
> > 
> > http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300565869933&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:1123
> > 
> > - class-compliant and the iPad seems to be able to provide the power required.
> > 
> > Both are on the UK eBay site but I'm certain that there will be equivalent (and likely cheaper) products in the US.
> > 
> > Thanks for the advice below and the responses on the MIDI port access. Now going to hunt around for a pair of right angle midi cables and couplers! Prefer this to the dismounting of the I/O center and has the added bonus of lengthening the overall cable.
> > 
> > (It might seem a bit tight to be scrimping on the above but to be honest if it does the same thing at a fraction of the cost, why not?)
> > 
> > Mark
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > On 6 July 2011 22:30, George Frederick Litterst <PianoBench@...> wrote:
> >  
> > Good afternoon, everyone.
> > 
> > 
> > Here are answer's to Mark's questions as well as comments and a question of my own for him:
> > 
> > (1) "I bought a generic USB and HDMI combined adapter"
> > 
> > Was this for the Disklavier or the iPad? I am not aware of such a device for either.
> > 
> > (2) "cheap MIDI to USB cables"
> > To be workable with the iPad, a USB MIDI interface or device must:
> > 
> > (a) be class-compliant (i.e. not require a driver on Mac or PC and therefore not on iPad) or be made by Yamaha (which, as of iOS 4.3 has driver support in the iOS)
> > 
> > (b) not require more power than the iPad can provide
> > 
> > The Yamaha UX16, for instance, works but the Yamaha UX96 does not, probably because it uses too much power.
> > 
> > (3) Access to the Mark IV MIDI ports
> > It is, indeed, strange that some models of Mark IV have an I/O Center for which it is impossible to access the ports in the normal fashion. I have run into this situation before.
> > 
> > Do an Internet search for "right angle midi cables" and you'll find cables that should work. If necessary, dismount the I/O Center, attached the cables, and then remount it.
> > 
> > You'll then need a "MIDI coupler" for each MIDI cable that you attach in this way in order to connect to a MIDI interface that has hardwired MIDI cables. These couplers have a female connection at each end. 
> > 
> > If you use the iConnectMIDI interface (www.iconnectivity.com), you won't need the couplers because the other end of your right-angle MIDI cables will go directly into the interface.
> > 
> > (4) Home Concert Xtreme will recognize a MIDI interface or other USB MIDI device as soon as the operating system recognizes it. Press the Preference button in the upper right corner of HCX to see a listing of all recognized MIDI devices. If you connect a device while that drop-down menu is showing, dismiss the menu and call it up again to see the list refreshed. In normal situations, it should not be necessary to restart HCX or the iPad.
> > 
> > (5) Sending MIDI data to the piano
> > The typical MIDI file that you use with HCX has a left-hand piano track, a right-hand piano track, and accompaniment tracks. When you use the Play & Follow button, the program expects you to play the tracks that are displayed in notation (normally the piano tracks) and HCX will play all other tracks.
> > 
> > If you use the Play File button, the program will play all tracks.
> > 
> > Which tracks are actually played by your Disklavier and which tracks are played by the Disklavier's tone generator is an issue that you can control with the PRC. Check the MIDI In preference on the Mark IV. The Piano Receive channel determines which track(s) will be played by the Disklavier. Compare that to the channel assignments in the MIDI file (see the HCX Mixer). You were probably experiencing a channel mismatch.
> > 
> > In HCX, you can reassign the MIDI channels of all tracks. If you want to use the Play File feature and hear the piano tracks played by the piano, I suggest you assign the piano tracks to Channel 1 and reassign any other track that is currently on channel 1 to another channel. Then, set your Disklavier to receive on channel 1. HCX will remember this setting. For accurate playback, make sure that the Disklavier's 500 ms delay is set to On.
> > 
> > When you are doing Play & Follow, set the piano's Receive channel to ## (i.e. nothing) and make sure that the 500 ms delay is set to Off.
> > 
> > The Disklavier is a little complex in this regard: It is both a piano and a tone generator. In addition, the piano itself is a mechanical object which naturally has latency (which is handled by the 500 ms delay). During Play & Follow, you want immediate response from the tone generator, hence the suggestio to turn off the delay.
> > 
> > Regards,
> > PianoBench
> > 
> > www.georgelitterst.com
> > www.timewarptech.com
> > www.zenph.com
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >
>