Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

End-of-Year Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > February 1996 > 1996.02.25 > 04Prev  Next


Are Player Pianos Early Computers ?
By Jody Kravitz

John,
I think that calling early digitally controlled textile looms and pianos "computers" to be quite an exaggeration. However its clear that the underpinnings of "digital control" started evolving a long time ago (the looms _ARE_ given credit in my computer textbooks).

Now although I have said player pianos are not "computers", there are some really interesting digitally controlled analog functions that take place in the reproducing pianos. The manifold pressure is controlled by a "digital to analog converter" and in some cases involves a very interesting analog feedback mechanism, and the crescendo involves an analog "integrator".

These functions were never mentioned in my textbooks. In as much as Robbie Rhodes has a master's degree in "control systems", I wonder if his professors ever talked about the location of reproducing pianos on the "control system evolution" totem pole ?

Jody

CC: rrhodes@foxtail.com


Key Words in Subject:  Are, Computers, Early, Pianos, Player

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page