[ Wally Welter wrote in 120725 MMDigest:

> My PDS-128 volume control does not change the loudness of the piano.
> Is this a software problem?

There are two basic versions of the PDS-128.  The first is the
original which is identifiable by it's blue circuit boards.  These
systems had limited expression and being "too loud" was a common
complaint.  There are software updates which can help but they won't
do miracles.

There are also control chips installed in each of the boards which
were upgraded to perform better in later versions.  They are in
a socket and can be swapped out if you have access to later versions
but be aware you must change them all with identical matching versions
on all boards, replacing just one won't work.  Again the improvements
will be limited.  These systems also had a reputation of burning
solenoids.

A silly but common remedy for these systems is to simply voice the 
hammers way down.  You could also increase the let-off distance.
This will of course effect the piano when played manually so this
isn't an ideal solution if there is a pianist in the house.

The evolution of the above led to the PDS-128+.  The "+" indicates
it has the so-called "silent drive" hardware.  This was a massive
improvement and is still the general architecture used today.  It
can be identified as having green circuit boards instead of blue.

The PDS-128+ system has an independent CPU with a flash memory that
independently contains operating software.  Both the CPU software and
the control box software can be updated to later versions.  If memory
serves, the last CPU software was version "K".

Anything version 4.X or higher for the control box is ideal.  Beyond
that there is a series of adjustments that are required to calibrate
the system, including what PianoDisc calls a "learn" mode where the
system is programmed for the minimum velocities of each individual
note in order to establish a baseline for volume control and evenness
in expression.

Finally, it should be noted that it doesn't matter how precise the
system is installed -- or whether or not it has the latest software,
or how well it is adjusted -- the best player system in the world, be
it digital or pneumatic, requires that the piano's action be properly
regulated and voiced.  The player system can only perform as well as
the piano will allow itself to be played, so if the piano is in rough
shape you need to start from there first.  A well regulated, tuned,
and voiced piano can make even a poor system perform reasonable.
Everything has to work "in concert", if I may wax poetic.

Assuming that your system can benefit from a software upgrade, contact
PianoDisc -- they can provide you with that for free.

Rob Goodale
Las Vegas, Nevada

 [ PianoDisc offers operating system software updates at
 [ http://www.pianodisc.com/support/SWdownload.aspx  -- Robbie