I own a Duo-Art Steinway grand, and have always lamented the fact that
it does not play as softly as I'd like on many rolls -- a common
problem among Duo-Art owners, it seems!  The main factor, of course, is
that the base accompaniment level must be at sufficiently high to play
all my rolls without missing notes.

The problem is compounded by two facts:

1.  The amount of dynamic variation on Duo-Art rolls is considerable
from roll to roll, and many rolls simply have unrealistic expression
levels encoded on them so that, even after adjusting the piano with the
test roll, some rolls will play, and others will miss on soft passages.

2.  Adjusting the overall theme and accompaniment levels is a major
pain, especially since I have to remove the cloth cover on the bottom
of the piano every time I want to do this.

My solution is to simply install a small bleed valve somewhere in the
main vacuum line so I can add a small amount of air into the line and
thus minutely adjust the amount of vacuum from roll to roll.  That way
I can lower the softest dynamic level to the absolute minimum for those
rolls that can take it, but leave things as they are for problem rolls.

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm guessing that the roll transport
mechanism should probably be able to work well even with slightly
less vacuum -- but I'm only guessing.

Has anyone tried this?  Are there any problems with this technique,
such as possibly putting extra strain on the vacuum system and motor?
Where would I ideally put such a valve, and what sort of valve should I
use?  Does anyone have any alternative solutions ?

Many thanks for any suggestions you might have!

Chris Morgan

 [ Yours is a perennial topic, Chris, and much, much discussion already
 [ exists in the MMD Archives (with lots of patient explanations by
 [ Craig Brougher).  Look for "Duo-Art Playing Too Loud" and related
 [ topics at
 [
 [     http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/KWIC/D/duo_art.html
 [
 [ A simple external adjustment for the 'zero intensity' _would_ be
 [ convenient; the B Ampico was so equipped.  Maybe a similar control
 [ could be developed for the Duo-Art.
 [
 [ -- Robbie