Disklavier/PianoSoft

[kobalt05]

It would be really cool to have the player piano effect of the Yamaha Disklavier system on a CVP-309GP, or any of the Clavinovas. Then you add the PianoSoft function.

[wally]

Explain?

[ericho]

Hi

All cvp's play the disklavier stuff, isn't it Wally ????

Eric

[kobalt05]

Wally,

At the Yamaha dealer in Mobile, Alabama, they've had Yamaha Disklavier pianos that, as their salesman stated, were "player pianos". They were Yamaha acoustic pianos with a player option installed. One could call up a favorite song on the control panel located under the keyboard and the acoustic piano would play it, along with the keys moving. Some of these things offer remote control! It was really cool to watch. I sent for and received a Yamaha video tape advertising this feature. It ain't cheap.

I understand that at one time Yamaha had kits to install this on other brands of pianos as well. I understand that the Clavinovas arer capable of replaying a recorded song; I'm suggesting that it would be neat to have the keys also move like a player piano or a Disklavier. However it may not be possible due to space constraints within the instrument.

You can see Yamaha's ads for this at Yamaha.com, USA, Pianos, and search for the DGT7.

[fredsmith99]

As a Disklavier owner, I can confirm the keys move when you play a recorded song. The songs the Disklavier can play are regular Midi files, just like any other instrument. I agree it's cool to watch the keys move, but it's also not cheap.

Because the Disklavier is an acoustic instrument, I think they had to have the keys move in order to create the sound. There's no other way they could have done it.

However, with a Clavinova, the sound comes from the electronics, not the striking of a key.

While I'm sure it's technically feasible to develop a 'player Clavinova', I think the price would be prohibitive.

[Avi-J]

There is actually a Yamaha piano line called "Grand Touch" which is virtually a "digital Disklavir". The keys are moving as the music is playing the same way as in the disklavir.

[Avi-J]

The link for the Grand Touch is:

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/List/ModelSeriesList/0,6384,CTID%253D202000%2526CNTYP%253DPRODUCT,00.ht ml

[kobalt05]

Is the Grand Touch capable of playing all the Clavinova voices, or just piano? I remember seeing it advertised.

If Yamaha can put that feature in an all-digital instrument like the Grand Touch maybe inclusion in the Clavinova is also possible.

Oh well, the thread is a wish list.

[Avi-J]

Some of the "Disklavier Gran Touch" models have over 400 voices. Reading the features on the Yamaha's website, it looks like many of them are similar to the CVP's. For example, the SmartKey feature on the Gran Touch is similar to the "follow the lights" on the CVP.

[wally]

kobalt05,

Yes, I understand your question now. As fredsmith99 said, the Disklavier is an acoustic instrument, so the keys had to be electro-mechanically manipulated to create the sound. The Clavs don't need keyboard input.

So, the Clavs are already player pianos. The only difference is that the keys don't move. I'm not sure what you would gain by having the keys move. This would actually get in the way of trying to learn a new piece. The lights are a far far better idea for music learning.

[dancaputi]

It would be nice if the CVP could do both LEDs and/or moving keys. My brother (the pianist in the family) says its hard to see chord patterns in the LEDs. His brain is tuned to the blacks and whites. I suppose the green and red LEDs in the new models will help but what they really should do is light up the whole key (like the floor in a late 70's disco) ... hmmmm maybe not.

I'd like to see the keys move if only to make it seem a little more like a live performance. My wife doesn't undersand why sometimes I'd rather listen to the CVP play a midi song than listen to a CD on the hi-fi.

- Dan C.

[Midi Magic]

Well, I like to play along with the CVP ie play along with the tune or harmony.

BUT, if the keys move then I can not play along, as the Disklavier has already played it.

The Diskclavier (DKV) sounds great but I will keep the CVP thanks.