PianoDisc PDS-32
By Zoltán Jánosy
We have recently purchased some used PianoDisc PDS-32 parts from which we are going to build an external piano player. I have some questions regarding the control unit:
1. Is it possible to use it as a standalone MIDI synthesizer module? I had no luck with the MIDI_IN port; it doesn't seem to pass the data to the synthesizer, though it can record the data and play it afterwards. Oddly enough, I can use the SYNTHESIZER_OUT port for input (it seems to be directly connected to the input of the EMU Proteus OEM board). Maybe a software upgrade is needed? (Mine is version 1.01; it is displayed when I press the "1" and "4" buttons simultaneously.)
2. Is it possible (possibly via a software upgrade) to play IBM formatted disks containing Standard MIDI Files? From the earlier postings to the MMD I suspect it isn't, but I keep hoping so.
3. What is the difference between the new PDS-128 and the PDS-32? What limitations has the latter?
4. What is the latest software version anyway? Does someone have an upgrade disk? I think it should be possible to do a disk upgrade since the control unit has a flash (electrically programmable) ROM.
5. The PDS-32 installation manual I got says that pressing the "1" and "4" together lets you to a 'service' mode. Is this available only with later software?
I have sent these questions to the PianoDisc tech support as well, but they seem to respond rather slowly (if at all).
Thank you for your help.
Zoli
P.S. To Philip Jamison: Philip, I tried to reach you by email, but my mail came back with an error that it could not be delivered for 5 days. Are you OK ;-)) Zoli
[ Zoltan Janosy and Janos Macsai built the first true optical scanner
[ and transcribed Welte music rolls to computer files. They didn't
[ stop there, though -- they also wrote a program to emulate the action
[ of the Welte Mignon reproducing mechanism, so that the music could
[ be performed on a Disklavier. Now I guess Zoli is about to build
[ a modern version of the Welte Vorsetzer, so his computer and the
[ PianoDisc components can be pushed up to play any fine piano !
[ -- Robbie
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(Message sent Mon 20 Jan 1997, 10:52:49 GMT, from time zone GMT+0100.) |
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