In the MMD of 12.02.03 I slipped in an announcement about my DVD
which is now in production.  In the previous sentence, I used the word
"slipped" because that was the topic of the post at that time.  I was
talking about new roll paper slippage on longer rolls.

All of the comments posted in response to my dilemma were appreciated
and good, but none offered any new insights.  Oddly, a dirty tracker
bar that needs polish, is better than a shiny one.  The constant drag
of a dirty bar is a boon in keeping the paper tight on the take-up
spool.

But my post today is to again announce, more directly, my task at
hand, and also to solicit input.  At the wonderful Buffalo convention
of AMICA in 2010, I presented a highly condensed technical session on
some of the little recognized details of Ampico roll coding.  My effort
was based on my belief that most people really don't know the real
depth of the Ampico coding system due to truncated explanations
commonly available to all.  The general lack of full understanding has
resulted in the majority of emulation programs which convert the Ampico
into other formats, that totally lose all the refinements originally
contained on the rolls.  This is not a little difference, but a huge
difference.

My campaign continues.  Part Two of the Ampico Code is the DVD now
in production.  This new DVD reviews what was covered in Part One, then
goes on to give a much closer look at the Ampico B.  Late coding for
the B as employed by Frank Milne is explained.  Following that is the
first public revelation of how the special concert grand Ampico
instruments works.   To my knowledge, this has never been explained
anywhere.   Detailed photographs and videos show how these special
instruments which preceded the B pianos by several years employed
a scheme very similar to the B.

This is then followed by a demonstration of the special concert grand
piano playing the full roll of "Islamey" performed by Chaloff.  Next
comes the bonus chapters of tips on regulating the A system and the
B system Ampicos.  This is followed by the Ampico B performing a full
length Frank Milne (as "Sherry Brothers") roll which is used earlier
in the DVD to demonstrate the Milne style of coding.

Finally, a chapter explaining the process of producing the Leo Podolsky
rolls in 1985, using the previously discussed coding, is presented.
The concluding chapter is a short roll from the Podolsky collection
which puts the frosting on the cake.  Here, all the previously
discussed coding is used.

If anyone wishes to submit a request for topics to be covered in the
regulation portion of the DVD, please contact me in the next week.
After that, it will be too late.

The "Islamey" performance is already on YouTube at

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLsJODH-qW0 

The DVD version of course is without YouTube compression, and with
stack vacuum pressures superimposed on the picture.

When the DVD is available, I will post a notice.   If you wish to be
notified in advance, drop me a note.  It appears as if the DVD will run
about 90 minutes.

Bob Taylor
Missouri