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Frequently Asked Questions
What is acoustic playback vs. Symphony playback? Acoustic playback is a piano-only performance. Symphony disks by PianoDisc contain a piano performance with orchestrated accompaniment which is heard through speakers.
Your PDS-128 or PDS-128Plus plays most PianoDisc, Yamaha, and DOS disks. Some professional keyboards utilize other disk formats. If that is the case, you may need to use a utility provided by your keyboard manufacturer (or third party) to convert the file to a standard MIDI file. Remember that the file must be standard MIDI Type 0 and that you must define the piano part. For more information about playing standard MIDI files on your PianoDisc system, please see the additional documentation provided on our web site.
The PDS-128 or PDS-128Plus will display a different screen depending on the type of disk that is inserted. If you are using a PianoDisc diskette, the produced feature will let you set the order that songs are played. If you are using any other disk type, you will be shown a screen that lets you toggle education mode settings.
The price depends on which system and options you wish to purchase. We recommend that you contact your local dealer for further information. Your dealer will be able to help you determine which option(s) would best suit your needs and your budget. If you would like information on your local authorized dealer(s), please contact us at sales@pianodisc.com. How do I find out about options and upgrades for my system? Contact your PianoDisc dealer for information on the Record and Symphony options as well as other new features like the SilentDrive System. If you want to upgrade but are unsure of what you currently have, consult your user's manual for all the information about your system. For dealer information, please contact us at sales@pianodisc.com.
One of the many advantages of PianoDisc products is their modularity. You can start with a basic system, and add options at a later time. There is no problem starting with a PianoDigital system and moving to a full player system at a later time. While wearing headphones, you will hear the piano sounds from the Symphony sound card. The new SymphonyPro option adds even more realistic sounds for a truly remarkable piano experience. If you have not yet upgraded to the SymphonyPro option, contact your local dealer for more information.
Your PDS-128Plus is compatible with many CD players that are currently on the market. However, you must pay close attention to the specifications of the external unit to insure it is completely compatible. For the ultimate in integration and compatibility, a PianoCD control unit is the option of choice. The new PianoCD player can be used individually, or in conjunction with a PDS-128Plus in "link" mode. While in link mode, you can use the PDS-128Plus and its remote to control the PianoCD. With PianoCD, you never have to worry about matching audio levels or other compatibility issues. PianoCD also gives you enhanced functionality over other CD players. For example, the "Global Repeat" feature will automatically start playing a CD when a floppy disk has finished. Designed to compliment the PDS-128Plus, the PianoCD is a must for those who desire the ultimate player piano experience. I just got my PDS-128 Plus. Where can I find the software version so that I will know whether or not to upgrade my system? Insert a disk into your PDS-128 or PDS-128Plus and turn it on. You should see an initialization message, followed by the prompt, "Hold [1] For Info". Press and hold the [1] button until the screen changes. The first screen that is displayed is the software revision. Make sure that the revision listed matches the latest revision available on our web site. When you are done viewing the software revision screen, you can press [STOP] to continue with normal operation. If you did not see the initialization message or the prompt to press [1], you have an older version of the operating system and should obtain and install the free software upgrade.
You do not have to install upgrades "H" through "M"--you can bypass those by installing the "N" upgrade.
In a word: Yes! How do I format floppies to play on my system? You can use your PDS-128 or PDS-128Plus to format both low (DSDD) and high (DSHD) density disks with the PianoDisc format. Note that it is NOT necessary to format a PianoDisc disk if you want to play standard MIDI files. You only need to format a disk with the PianoDisc format if you plan to record your own songs, or create a software update disk. To format a disk in your PDS-128 or PDS-128Plus, follow these steps:
A counter is displayed while the disk is formatting. When the format is complete, "Diskette Format Done" is displayed. MIDI
There are a huge variety of MIDI files available on the Internet from many different sources. Some files will play on your PianoDisc system without modification. However, most will require a couple of minor changes. First, you need to make sure the file is Type 0 (Type 1 will not work). Second, you must set the instrument to "Acoustic Piano" or "Bright Acoustic Piano" on the channel that you want the piano to play. These correspond to General MIDI instruments 0 and 1 (or 1 and 2 if you do not have instrument 0). The best way to modify files for use with your PianoDisc system is from a MIDI sequencer. A wide variety of sequencers are available for both Windows and Macintosh computers. See your local music retailer for more information on a sequencer that would meet your needs.
There are third-party software applications that attempt to convert PianoDisc songs to Standard MIDI files. In our experience, these utilities do not handle certain parameters correctly, and the result can be disappointing. If you wish to make a backup of a song that you recorded on your PDS-128 or PDS-128Plus, the best way is to use a MIDI sequencer. Your user guide explains how to connect your PianoDisc system to a computer. Once connected, begin recording on your sequencer and press [PLAY] on your PianoDisc control unit. When the song is finished, press [STOP]. You now have a backup of your performance.
You can make your piano output MIDI in one of two ways. The first is to use the TFT Record System. This uses thin Touch Film Technology to measure the key movements. The keyboard is scanned at a very high speed to measure every key movement in real time, and each sensor is carefully calibrated to ensure that all keys give the appropriate velocity output for a given force on each and every piano key. The system can be purchased with the PDS-128 or PDS-128Plus or as a separate unit. Another option is QuietTime. This has all the features of the TFT Record System, plus it can do keyboard splits, velocity splits, and other advanced keyboard functions. An additional feature is that with QuietTime, the hammers can be silenced with the mute rail, so that your piano becomes a master MIDI keyboard controller. QuietTime also allows you to save your MIDI configuration in 75 different user presets that can be recalled at any time. There is also a 16-channel MIDI bar graph that displays all the channel (velocity) activity in real time.
Keyboard Splits are a MIDI feature that allows you to divide your piano keyboard into two (or more) separate instruments. For instance, the upper half of the keyboard could play a flute, and the lower half, strings. The dividing point between the instruments is entirely up to you, and can be set directly from the piano keyboard, or from the QuietTime control panel. Velocity Splits are a similar feature, except that the instrument assignment is set at a certain velocity level of the keyboard. Thus you can, for example, play soft and get a guitar sound, and when playing loud, get a trumpet (for the same keys). The velocity assignment is entirely up to you, and can be entered from the QuietTime front panel. Multiple velocity splits are allowed, and can be combined with keyboard splits to create some really interactive keyboard assignments. Keyboard Splits and Velocity Splits are available in QuietTime only. Both of these features can be saved in the User Presets (up to 75 available), and can be recalled at any time. Will this player system work in my piano? Yes! The PianoDisc system is a universal retrofit player piano system which can be integrated into virtually any piano, new or used.
Absolutely! When the system is not playing, the solenoids that trigger the keys are at a resting position and do not interfere with playing the piano.
Yes. With the Record option installed, not only can you record your performance and play it back, you can also change the key and tempo of your performance (great for difficult pieces!).
Floppy disks contain MIDI files--electronic digital data files--which are used to play back the acoustic piano. With the Symphony option, the Symphony floppy disks include drums and orchestrated instruments that accompany the piano playback. CDs are similar to diskettes in that they too contain electronic digital data files for the piano part. However, the CDs have live audio to accompany the piano during playback. This feature allows you to enjoy our CD vocals (see the 'Original Jukebox Vocals' series) and other live audio recordings.
No! PianoDisc offers the ability to upgrade the system through the use of Flash Memory. Flash Memory is electronically erasable and can be updated with our free system updates.
All software updates may be downloaded from this site. See our Software Updates page for details. All updates are free, as we are committed to giving our customers state-of-the-art technology.
PianoDisc has over 4,000 music titles available for use with the PianoDisc player system. Our music catalog includes categories such as Popular, Jazz, Country, Classical, Ragtime, Sacred, New Age, and Candlelight & Wine. More are represented in our extensive Music Catalog. We have our own recording studio, and an entire music editing department that works constantly to add new recordings to our extensive library. What is PianoDigital with QuietTime? (And will it work in my piano?) PianoDigital with QuietTime is a system that allows your piano to become two things simultaneously; a private piano (for practicing by yourself), and an electronic keyboard. There is a mute rail that (if enabled) prevents the piano's hammers from striking the strings, thus preventing any sounds from emerging. A piano synthesizer picks up the keys being played, and outputs the piano sound to the headphones. This allows the pianist to practice in silence (it's also great for beginners who may be nervous about their playing skills). There are many advanced features available. PianoDigital with QuietTime allows keyboard splits (different instruments at different sections of the keyboard), and can play up to 16 instruments at once. Velocity splits are also available. This allows you to change sounds depending on how hard or soft you play a key. There are 128 sounds to choose from, and sounds can be layered together (such as piano and strings). PianoDigital with QuietTime also outputs MIDI from the keyboard, so you can record to a computer sequencer or control a music synthesizer. PianoDigital with QuietTime is designed to work in all acoustic pianos.
QuietTime lets you use up to 16 splits of any combination (keyboard or velocity) at one time. Each split is sent to a different MIDI channel. The configuration of splits can be saved in memory as part of the user configuration (there are 75 User Presets available). If you have any questions that you don't see here,
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