Greetings,  In response to Jim Crank's wish for a black box to play
Peter's and my files, I have a few comments.

We both provide MIDI files on our CDs in standard PC formats.  This
allows for thousands of files per CD.  Although a black box could be
made to specifically play these CDs, it would have to be capable of
interpreting the directory format on the disc and many other complex
tasks.  Since there is a very limited market for this sort of product,
and the time and cost to develop it is great, the job is best done by
that universal wonder called the personal computer.

The major obstacle to using a computer to play e-roll MIDI files is
the fact that there are currently no good player programs.  Gene and
I will be releasing a player program specifically designed for these
file in the near future.  It is our goal to make this player so
simple and so powerful that playing e-rolls will be a task virtually
transparent to the user, just like popping a CD into a player.

Warren Trachtman is developing the next generation of emulation
software for the reproducing piano rolls which will be available soon.
My currently shipped CD contain beta versions of these emulations and
the final release will be very soon.  These will allow owners of
solenoid pianos and other MIDI systems to play virtual replicas of
the reproducing piano roll performances.  Together with the new player
these emulations will make this music available to a much wider
audience and hopefully help to preserve it for future generations.
The availability of our E-Roll Player will hopefully help to preserve
the original instruments by extending their use.

Best regards, Spencer Chase
Garberville, CA
http://www.spencerserolls.com/