I know there are current groups working on scanners but what if
a guy (like me) wanted to make a pneumatic reader using or making
a pouch board type reader with electrical contacts?

The construction is no problem.  Where I fall short is the knowledge
of how to interface either a MIDI piano or a MIDI computer card.

I'm interested only in a simple on and off MIDI signal which could
easily be read by this type or system.  No expression desired at this
time.  In fact I would think if a Duo-Art tracker bar were used then
these rolls could be scanned this way and then with some editing be
made to play back through the WIND program.

My problem is knowing how to get the electrical info to the MIDI
keyboard controller or the computer.

Could someone purchase an older MIDI keyboard and wire each of the
88 note contact signals to their corresponding keys, in essence
hard-wiring the reader to the key inputs?  I realize some keyboards
have two inputs to determine dynamics of the keystroke.

With or without the keyboard one could configure the reader to be
compact and either output the signal through a MIDI device then to
a floppy drive or directly into a computer via a MIDI card?

I know this sounds too easy to work.  And many of you have already been
down this road.  Maybe you can help me understand what I'm missing.
I'm not interested in archival quality copies!  Anyone interested in
discussing this with me?

Sam Harris - Greenville, NC
Player Piano Restorations Illustrated
http://www.geocities.com/anneharris1/