Pianodisc, Midi files and such

[Dave Bunch]

Actually, there is no lost motion. Properly installed, the back of the key
holds the piston down against a very lightweight spring, about 1/4"lower
than when the action is removed. The rubber tips are always in contact with
the keys at rest position. The player system is then played chromatically up
the scale while the installer checks for full dip at the front rail. When
this is achieved without the solenoids being in a position where they would
lift the keys off the back rail, you have a proper regulation. From then on
the individual note expression is set with the system software. If done
properly, expression and dynamics are very good at all volume levels.

Dave Bunch

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robin Hufford" <hufford1@airmail.net>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2004 2:16 AM
Subject: Re: Pianodisc, Midi files and such


> Hello Gordon,
>      You are right - there is no way to individually adjust the lost
> motion between the plungers and the keys.  Too much lost motion and the
> problems with soft playing you describe occur.  However, the height of
> the rails ( which is in three sections) to which the solenoids are
> attached,  is adjustable at the hangers and this makes it possible
> during installation or afterwards, to control the lost motion - at least
> up to a point and in sections.  This is most important, along with
> proper adjustment of  the force developed by the solenoid during the
> set-up process.
> Regards, Robin Hufford
>
> gordon stelter wrote:
>
> > I have only worked on one PianoDisc, but many, many
> > player grands from the 1920's. The one PianoDisc piano
> > I serviced, an S&S "M", surprised me: as there seemed
> > to be no way to individually adjust "lost motion"
> > between the solenoid plungers, and the backs of the
> > keys, as on a  vintage player piano! This deficiency,
> > as I percieved it, would make it difficult to achieve
> > a  low and balanced "minimum intensity, or playing
> > volume, without missing some notes.
> >    I was also dismayed by the little rubber caps on
> > the solenoid plunger rods. It seemed that these would
> > soon enough be worn through by the rods, which would
> > then dig into the backs of the keys. Has anyone seen
> > this happen ???
> >     In any event, I believe that these modern player
> > manufacturers could take some lessons from the
> > " builders of yore", and at least put capstans, or
> > some other smooth, adjustable mechanism, a top these
> > solenoids.
> >      Comments?????
> >      Thump
> >
> > --- Alan Forsyth <alanforsyth@fortune4.fsnet.co.uk>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > >From "Auld Reekie" to Old Riccy,
> > >
> > > ...."Last I checked in Norway a full player and
> > > record install cost about 60
> > > grand Norwegian.... to the customer...which works
> > > out to about 8500
> > > USD".....
> > >
> > > Okay, so that works out more or less the same as
> > > what we have to pay here.
> > > but do you think it is worth the money for what it
> > > does. Can such an amount
> > > really be justified considering the range of
> > > synthesizers, electronic pianos
> > > and digital midi recorders out there that are so
> > > much cheaper, even though
> > > they don't quite serve the same purpose. I know the
> > > price of Pianodisc may
> > > be inflated for us because we have to go through
> > > Pianodisc Europe and when
> > > there are a whole lot of middle men involved the
> > > selling price inevitably
> > > becomes distorted. Perhaps this is the reason I have
> > > as yet not come across
> > > an installation. Plenty of Disklaviers around
> > > though.
> > >
> > > Leaving you in pieces,
> > > Alan Forsyth
> > > calling from "Auld Reekie"
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> >
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