Although I have been reading the MM Digest for many months, and I have
contacted several contributors directly,  I have not actually
introduced myself because I was not sure where to start.  I am
something of a Jack of All Trades and Master of None.  Anyway, here
is my introduction.

I am David Sharpe, a retired physics professor in western Mass. who is
interested in old phonographs, music boxes, reed organs, pipe organs,
nickelodeons, and reproducing pianos.  I also play the organ and direct
the choir at a local church.  I have a few phonographs, music boxes,
reed organs, two nickelodeons, several reproducing pianos, lots of pipe
organ equipment, a Moeller Artiste Reproducing Pipe Organ Player, an
Aeolian 116 note player and most of a Duo-Art pipe organ player in
pieces.  I will have several questions about the D-A pipe organ player
when I try to put mine together.

What prompted my belated introduction is my current interest in being
able to play MIDI files with expression on an acoustic piano.  I have
a Yamaha Clavinova on which I can play MIDI files, but it is in the
basement and I really want MIDI on a real piano.  With three pianos in
our living room, I don't have room for another devoted to MIDI so I am
considering the QRS Pianomation Playola key-top player. I also have a
Pianocorder kit which I at one time considered turning into a vorsetzer,
but its limited expression made me think I could do better with a more
modern system. I was excited when I first heard of the PowerRoll system,
but then I found that when playing MIDI files it has no expression.

Now in MMDigest 00.05.06 a communication from Jim Moore comments on how
good Spencer Chase's CD of DuoArt rolls sounds on his Knabe Ampico "B"
via PowerRoll.  Does this mean without expression?  Is there software
which converts Duo Art coding into Ampico coding?  If so, is there
software which converts MIDI into Ampico or Duo Art coding?  I can't
quite imagine doing it "on the fly."  How would the software know which
level to choose if, say, 5 notes are all played simultaneously in the
treble at different velocities?  Or if two notes in succession are
getting louder should the software use the Ampico crescendo or two of
the 7 fixed levels?  Etc., etc., etc.

I would be interested in hearing about the QRS Pianomation Playola if
anyone has one.  Also any other system for playing MIDI on a real piano,
either through the keys like a vorsetzer or through the Duo-Art or
Ampico player with PowerRoll, but with expression.  Are there any other
solutions?  I would also be interested in hearing from other owners of
Pianocorders.

I'll stop there.  I have really enjoyed the Digest and have found
sources for new A rolls, Violano rolls,  and Duo-Art Pipe Organ rolls,
among many other things which have been great. Thanks to Jody and Robbie
for a wonderful Digest.

David Sharpe

 [ David,   Welcome aboard, and thanks for the positive feedback.
 [
 [ I hope your inquiries regarding coding, and coding conversions,
 [ and vorsetzers gets some discussion going in the Digest.
 [
 [ We also maintain a separate unmoderated "Emulation" forum for
 [ subscribers who want to discuss mathematical models or the innards of
 [ programs related to manipulating or interpreting machine readable
 [ scores.  Reproducing piano mechanisms, organ mechanisms (pipes,
 [ relay systems), whatever.
 [
 [ Those interested in participating in the emulation group should
 [ send a message to rollreq@foxtail.com with the title
 [ "Subscribe Emulation"  -- jody