For those MMD'ers interested in playing and/or creating electronic
piano roll images or actually punching rolls, I offer two software
products to accomplish this task.

The "WindPlay" Roll Player

"WindPlay" is used to play electronic roll images in various formats.
The player accepts the file format used by Wayne Stahnke (BAR/WEB/ANN
file type), Richard Tonnesen's perforator format (CMR and PRF file
type) as well as the file format produced by my roll editor (ROL file
type).

The player requires Windows 95, 98 or NT with a 150 MHz Pentium
processor or better plus a good quality graphic adapter [video card],
and it can generate sound output via any Windows supported sound card,
MIDI attached external sound module, MIDI capable acoustic piano or the
Broadmoore Research PowerRoll (TM) attached to a pneumatic piano.

The software supports 88-note, Duo-Art, Ampico-A/B, Welte Red/Licensee
and Recordo-A/B/C roll formats and simulates the expression encoded in
reproducing rolls for these pianos.  While the roll is playing, the
roll image is scrolled over the appropriate tracker bar configuration
along with any lyrics encoded in the roll.

Roll files are organized into "play lists" that can be played sequen-
tially or randomly in their entirety.  Individual rolls or a subset of
the rolls in a play list may be also selected and played.  Any number
of play lists can be created and a play list can contain any number of
rolls.  The play lists may be sorted on any of the information columns
and printed in landscape mode on any windows supported printer.

The cost of the "WindPlay" player software is $50 and includes 1 year
of updates and support.

The "Wind" Roll Editor and Player

"Wind" was developed for those who create piano rolls.  It provides
a computerized music roll editor to edit and create perforator master
files.

The editor application program is complete but does not presently
include on-line help or an automatic installation procedure.  Both
of these are being added.  Documentation is currently provided as a
25-page User Guide and will be extended and converted to on-line help
as in the player software.  The editor provides the familiar cut/copy/
paste undo/redo environment found in GUI [graphic user interface]
applications in the Windows environment.

As the roll is created it can be played, in whole or in part, via the
software simulators for the various supported pianos (types and output
are the same as "WindPlay" described above).  Any perforator step rate
is accommodated and the length of the roll is unlimited.  For long
rolls, take-up spool acceleration compensation is provided.

Feedback is provided for each control channel function in the music
roll based on the type of the target piano.  Beat/Measure marks can
be enabled if desired.  Reproducing piano stack split points are shown
based on the target piano type.

Rolls may be created from scratch, or from Stahnke WEB/ANN files,
Custom Music Rolls CMR/PRF files, or from a standard MIDI file.  MIDI
files can represent hand played music (imported as an 88-note roll) or
mechanically arranged music using a specified number of MIDI ticks per
perforator row.  Left and right side lyrics are supported.  The image
of the music roll can be printed with the computer printer, and it
will also show lyrics if they're present in the data file.

All information is saved in the editor's documented ROL file format and
can be exported to PRF files or standard MIDI files.  Information may
be lost if exported to non-ROL formats.  Dynamic coding for reproducing
pianos can be added via the editor and immediately played via the
reproducing piano simulators.

The electronic roll file can be distributed to those who have the
player software or can be sent to Custom Music Rolls in Richardson,
Texas to punch the roll (please contact Custom Music Rolls for coding
requirements, pricing and scheduling).

All roll distributions (actual or electronic) do not require any
royalty payments to me however I do ask for an electronic copy of the
roll for my own enjoyment.  These files are used only for my personal
enjoyment and will not be redistributed or used for production
purposes.

The cost of the editor/player software is $250.  Updates and support
are provided for 1-year following the completed product release that
includes on-line help and an automatic installation procedure.

Anyone interested in either software package or requiring more
information or how to order can contact me directly via e-mail.

Richard Brandle