We may not agree with choices people make in their everyday life in
regards to things they themselves own.  Sometimes an approach much
different works better for us.  Critics of MIDI contend that it harms
historically important, valuable instruments and automatic music in
general.  However, the facts seem to suggest otherwise.

I have learned MIDI has many advantages over rolls, such as cost per
song, music selection, storage and maintenance.  MIDI often makes
automatic music possible where otherwise it may be extremely difficult.
MIDI can actually save instruments that may have otherwise been left in
storage or junked.  Well done MIDI conversions are reversible and can
be made historically accurate.

MIDI, because of its added expense and the love of nostalgia, will
never replace paper rolls.  My customers who have expressed an opinion
love the rolls and the player piano the way it is.  If they preferred
digital they would in all likelihood buy something like a Yamaha
Disklavier.

Those pro-MIDI are respecting the different choices of those who use
exclusively rolls.  Many MIDI advocates use rolls in addition to the
digital media.  Most authors in favor of MIDI-fication do seem to
respect these instruments as they were originally.  The middle ground
is being of the opinion that MIDI-fying instruments is okay provided
any alteration is reversible back to original.  Being against all MIDI
conversions is too extreme.

Bill Maguire