In the 070311 MMDigest, Terry Smythe asked for additional information
on two new solenoid-based player systems becoming available from
Pianoforce and from Wayne Stahnke.

I've been following both systems from the start.  These player kits
have several features in common but appear to target opposite ends of
the market.

The Pianoforce system was announced at the January 2006 NAMM show.
Developed by engineers in Bratislava, Slovakia, it seems to be
positioned as a competitor to the basic (CD-based, playback-only)
models from PianoDisc and QRS Music (Pianomation).

The Pianoforce system is highly modular and its components seem
well-engineered.  The controller is very slick-looking and capable
of playing specially-encoded CDs from all of the major player system
manufacturers (Yamaha, QRS and PianoDisc) as well as discs in a format
of Pianoforce's own design.  To date, Pianoforce systems are generally
found factory-installed (and re-branded) in a few lines of inexpensive
pianos, such as those from Wyman Piano (http://www.wymanpiano.com).
I have only recently heard of them becoming available to individual
dealers for installation in existing pianos.

Pianoforce systems are based on the MIDI standard and support the usual
127 expression levels plus on/off sustain pedaling.  They also include
a unique self-calibration feature which employs a transducer and digital
signal processor to "listen" to individual notes and adjust the drive
power of their corresponding solenoids.

The Pianoforce system I heard at the 2006 NAMM show performed well
enough to satisfy most of the general public.  But, as a mechanical
music enthusiast, I found its playing somewhat mushy and imprecise.
My understanding is that various improvements have been made over the
past year, and perhaps the second generation of this system, introduced
at the January 2007 NAMM show, shows improved accuracy.  However, at
the low price point I've heard Pianoforce is targeting (around $4000
installed), the performance quality may be viewed by many as perfectly
adequate.

As for the new system from Wayne Stahnke, it is called the LX and was
developed by Wayne's company, Live Performance.  Brodmann's "Concerto"
product is a re-branding of the LX.

In contrast with Pianoforce, who is targeting a market segment at or
below that of PianoDisc and QRS Pianomation, the Live Performance LX
kit seems intended for those who seek playback quality that rivals
(or surpasses) that of Yamaha's Disklavier but without the high cost
and extra bells and whistles that accompany Yamaha's offering.

Like Pianoforce, the LX is a playback-only system, but it differs
in that instead of being based on the MIDI spec, it is based on
the underlying technical specs of Wayne's famous Boesendorfer SE
reproducing system.  This includes support for 1020 note expression
levels, timing accuracy of 1/800th of a second, and highly-accurate
closed-loop proportional pedaling.

The LX is capable of playing back high-resolution recordings made
on SE instruments with amazing musicality, and support is planned for
additional high-resolution formats (such as the XP format used by
Yamaha's Disklavier Pro).  In addition to these high-res sources, the
LX can also play non-encrypted CDs from Yamaha, QRS and PianoDisc.
Tools to encode MIDI files into the LX's native high-res format will
enable users to play their own MIDI and ESEQ files.

Unlike Pianoforce and other competing systems, the LX is not equipped
with a custom embedded control unit.  Instead, it is designed to accept
stereo audio [containing encoded piano control data] at standard line
voltage level via RCA plugs and jacks.  For convenience, current LX
systems include a compact CD/DVD player, but nearly any audio source
can be used in its place, making the system future-proof.  The LX can
be controlled by MP3 players, personal computers running jukebox
software (iTunes, WINAMP, Media Player), DVDs, and most other audio
sources.

In his posting, Terry Smythe mentioned that he is considering upgrading
from a Marantz Pianocorder system.  Interestingly, Wayne anticipated
this upgrade path and included support for the Pianocorder's data
format in the LX.  Pianocorder material can be played from tape, CD
or computer into the LX and reportedly sounds quite good.

I heard the prototype of the Live Performance LX system playing
high-resolution material in Wayne's lab two years ago and was very
impressed with its performance.  A production model was demonstrated
at the January 2007 NAMM show, so it is likely that LX systems will be
available for sale by mid-2007, if not sooner.  The ballpark figure I
have heard is that the LX will sell for approximately $7500 installed.

Mark Fontana

 [ Rob Goodale wrote, in 070312 MMDigest, about performance copyright
 [ and licensing, "consequently player manufacturers are very protective
 [ of their software libraries."  MMDer John Del Carlo contacted Zenph
 [ Studios (http://zenph.com/) and asked if they will ever release their
 [ piano "re-performances" in MIDI format.  Zenph replied that until
 [ they find out how to deal with copyright issues, etc., they will be
 [ producing only CD audio recordings.  Related articles are at
 [ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/12/arts/music/12conn.html and
 [ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/09/AR2007030902255.html
 [ -- Robbie