This might be of interest to MMD readers:  Bob Moog (of synthesizer
and Theremin fame) has created a MIDI retrofit "Vorsetzer" that senses
[key] velocity, a quick way to transcribe reproducing rolls to MIDI.
I can't vouch for its accuracy, but $1199 introductory price seems
pretty reasonable.

I exchanged a few e-mails with Dr. Moog some months back thanking him
for his influence on my interests in music and technology.  While not
an owner of any mechanical music device, he mentioned that he had some
friends who had instruments and was genuinely interested in the old
machinery.

I had the opportunity to meet him briefly at a concert held in honor of
Leon Theremin at Stanford some years back.  He signed my Clara Rockmore
Theremin CD (which he produced).  This is especially interesting because
Ms. Rockmore's sister, Nadia Reisenberg, accompanied her on the piano
for that CD.  Ms. Reisenberg recorded for the Duo-Art.

Dr. Moog's web site is http://www.bigbriar.com/

Ed Chaban

 [ At http://www.moogmusic.com/ : "The Scanner Bar sits ever so slightly
 [ above the piano's keys; nothing touches the keys, leaving the touch
 [ and feel wonderfully unaffected."  -- Robbie