Disklavier

Hi Robert,

Please pay attention to my protocol it works very well if followed:

I have worked with the Mkll Disckavier since it came out. Wayne Stahnke was involved with the design of this system and several of his patents are utilized in the system. What I found really makes the MKll perform at its very best is the precise adjustment of each hammer sensor for the exact point of let-off. The damper timing is also very important also. I have verified this with Wayne himself and he respects my expertise. You have to understand this is a true reproducing piano and the sensors must be set exactly in order to get optimal performance when you run the Keyboard Measurement program that builds the expression tables that will determine the dynamic range the piano will operate at. Most people think the Keyboard Measurement is the fix all and adjusts the player to the action.
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The secret is to use the sensor rail as your let off rail. Set it for 2 mm and regulate the let off on each note so it beeps just as the jack leaves the knuckle not to long not to short and check that the drop is not so high that the sensor is tripped again at full dip.

This is the sequence: As you slowily raise the hammer there will be 2 beeps, the first one is the the switch on signal the 2nd one is the let off signal. You have to hold and slowly move the key so you can hear and see the how long or short the point of let off beep is. It cannot be too long or too short just an exact Bleep as the Jack leaves the Knukle. The drop cannot be too high so as to not trigger the let off signal at full dip as well as too low that would trigger the turn on signal. It is important to check this.

Keep the hammers form checking too low as well.

If this is done properly there should be no note clipping. Of course the rep springs can't be too strong.

The dampers need to start lifting around 2 mm of dip and the key sensor has to be adjusted to start beeping just as the damper starts to lift.

All this careful adjustment allows the Key Measurement program to really setup good expression tables.

Every Mkll that I have gone out to work on for the first time at least has never been setup and calibrated. Sure they seemed to play pretty good but when I checked the Key sensing and Hammer sensing as well as the pedal adjustment it was no where close to right.

I always use Live Performance Disc's because they are the base line with the greatest dynamic range.

I have always been able to get a low level of play at the 0 setting.

Hammers can be voiced softer by using 70% Isopropal Alcohol on the hammers. Many times the hammers are so hard that the piano is so bright it is even hard to tune.

I hope this sheds some light on the MKll, MKll XG And MKlll Loudness problem.

Robert Turner

205 559 3485

From: robertm <morrisonpiano@...>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 11:39 AM
Subject: [disklavier] Re: solenoid clipping

Thank you for all your replies, this helps me understand the issues regarding my Disklavier better. I had abandoned trying to get this resolved long ago, but now more fully understand. I will get the floppy replaced and will probably set up a laptop with MAXMSP to drive MIDI for future recordings.

Carol--the problem with the cutoff effect was present even when the pedal was not used.

My piano technician has checked the regulation and has indicated that the piano was in fairly good shape (regulation probably not needed). I had it done about 10 years ago, but since the bushings are pretty worn he has taken the action and will rework everything including the regulation (arrrgh--I';m without my C7 for three weeks!! All I have to practice on is a digital!)

Robert Morrison