In regards to Andy's mention of MIDI files of the rolls being playable on
the new disk-based player piano systems...

I know that Yamaha Disklavier piano WILL play Standard MIDI Files (known
as SMF's) directly. I believe that it must be a Type 0 SMF. I think Yamaha
recently upgraded their control unit software to support playing Type 1
SMF files.

PianoDisc has recently upgraded their system software as well. If you have
a PDS-128 or a PDS-128+ control box, it can be upgraded to play Type 0 SMF
disks.

(If you have a PDS-128, you will want the "K" software update. If you have
a PDS-128+, you will want the "3.1" software update. The update disks ARE
NOT interchangeable!)

If you have a PDS-32 or a PDS-1000, then you will NOT be able to upgrade
the system software. Sorry! (And I did ask them about this!)

As far as making a CD for the QRS Pianomation MIDI system, you would first
need the "Analog To MIDI Interface". This is a unit that converts the MIDI
datastream to an AUDIO signal. Then you can convert the MIDI data to an
audio signal that can be recorded onto tape or CD.

(QRS sells the interface for converting MIDI to audio and audio to MIDI.)

I should point out that I am unfamiliar with current CD-R (CD recordable)
hardware for computers (as I am running an _ancient_ 8-bit machine right
now!), but I believe that there are packages for CD-R machines that will
let you create a CD that will play in a conventional audio CD player.

(I do not have a 'clone' computer yet; that is my next investment within
the next 1-3 weeks!)

I hope this information helps.

Mike Carey

mcarey@usit.net