Disklaviers

Replacing your Blank LCD Screen in Earlier Disklaviers

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A blank LCD screen can render your Yamaha MX100II Disklavier nearly unusable. You can replace these with brand-new LCD screens, which are still available. In the MX100II and DKC5R, this is Yamaha Part #VN635201. The screens are available on Yamaha 24×7, or for a bit cheaper on SynthParts. But the issue is often fixable with a simple capacitor replacement.

Understanding the Problem: Blown Capacitors and Blank LCD Screens

The Yamaha MX100II Disklavier relies on its LCD screen for displaying vital information and controls. Over time, the capacitors on the LCD’s circuit board can degrade or fail.

The problem is typically caused by two 4.7 µF 25V capacitors mounted on the LCD screen. Electrolytic capacitors are filled with electrolytic, which can dry out or leak over time. They are a common source of failure in all electronics.

The challenge here is that these capacitors are attached to two pads on the circuit board, more typically used for surface-mount components. They’re also quite small. Together, these details make replacing them a bit trickier than your average capacitor!

The blown electrolytic capacitors on early LCD screens.
The blown electrolytic capacitors on early LCD screens.
A closeup of the solder joints on an early LCD screen.
A closeup of the solder joints on an early LCD screen.

Choosing the Right Replacement: Why 35V Sprague Capacitors?

I replaced mine with 4.7 µF 35V Sprague capacitors, which will hopefully lead to longer life than the originals. While the original capacitors are rated at 25V, upgrading to 35V Sprague capacitors offers several advantages: The higher voltage rating provides better tolerance against power spikes, and Sprague capacitors are known for their reliability and long lifespan.

However, any 4.7 µF capacitor with a minimum of a 25V rating will work. Capacitors are available at minimal cost on Amazon. If you do purchase capacitors from Amazon or eBay, it’s best to purchase them at one rating: Don’t purchase a kit with many values of capacitor. These are typically of lower quality.

The Replacement Process

Removing the old capacitors is fairly straight-forward: Touch the soldering iron to each joint, and guide the legs of the old capacitors free with a pair of tweezers. Use no force. Just melt the solder, and free the legs.

Take your new capacitors and lay them on the board. Carefully trim the legs of the capacitors so that they’re short enough the capacitors fit neatly on their sides. I recently received an email sharing that, if you’re bending the capacitors after attaching them, there’s a risk of tearing the solder pads off of the board.

Position the first capacitor. Make sure its polarity is correct. Bend the legs as necessary so that they rest delicately atop the solder pads. A fine pair of tweezers will help. (Hakko makes tweezers that are exceedingly precise and easy to handle, although admittedly pricey.)

With fresh solder on the tip of your soldering iron, press the legs of the capacitors down onto the soldering pads. It’s very difficult to make a beautiful joint here, considering that these are surface-mount pads, rather than through-hole, and you’re using through-hole capacitors. But the main point is to bond them securely.

Replacement capacitors attached. You should never take macro photography of your own solder joints.
Replacement capacitors attached. Because of the strange positioning, beauty is a real challenge here. Also, you should never take macro photography of your own solder joints.

Later Improvements to the LCD Screen

Yamaha stopped using electrolytic capacitors on these LCD screens. Newer replacements, such as the part number mentioned at the start of the article, use ceramic surface-mount capacitors. Therefore, if you opt to purchase a replacement screen, this problem will be solved forever.

Replacement LCD screens use surface mounted capacitors.
Replacement LCD screens use surface mounted capacitors.

Backlight Connections

These two wires sometimes snap during the process of removing the LCD screen. This is a closeup of those joints.

The power connections for the backlight.
The power connections for the backlight.

Recording with the Nalbantov: The Truly Blank Disk!

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In short, you probably want to download my blank virtual disk file for the Nalbantov or other emulators. These work on your Disklavier—specifically the Marks I and II—and on your computer.

If you have an early Disklavier model like the DKC5R or DKC100R, you might have decided to install a Nalbantov floppy emulator in place of the original disk drive. This is a fantastic way to keep your instrument running smoothly. And it’s much easier to transfer music files to and from your computer with a USB stick.

However, there’s a common issue I’ve run into when folks try recording using the “blank” virtual disk (HFE) on Nalbantov’s USB stick.

Here’s the scenario:

  1. You start your Disklavier and select one of the blank virtual disks.
  2. The Disklavier displays a message indicating the disk needs to be formatted or converted.
  3. After formatting, you plug the USB back into your computer… and the file won’t open in HxC Disk Browser. You can’t access your recorded files!

The Disklavier does not recognize the blank files on the Nalbantov USB. And after you format them with the Disklavier, the computer doesn’t recognize them!

This is not a concern on later Disklaviers starting with the Mark II XGs. They’ll readily recognize blank virtual disks. If you format the disk with the Disklavier as a MIDI disk, the computer it’ll be readable on the computer as well.

I’ve addressed the issue for older Disklaviers by creating special blank HFE files that the Disklavier will accept immediately—no formatting required. And they also remain readable in HxC Disk Browser. This means you can pop your USB into the Disklavier, record or store data, and then bring it back to your PC to manage or back up files without any hassle.

This file is available for download here: https://www.alexanderpeppe.com/transfer/s/Gg6X5ydTzLWssSy

Add my blank HFE files onto your Nalbantov USB stick, and you’ll be all set! It’s a quick fix that saves you from reformatting loops and potential data loss.

If you have the Nalbantov eXtreme or a Gotek with an OLED and FlashFloppy, you can name this file whatever you’d like. If you’re using a Nalbantov Slim or other device with a numerical display, make sure to use the naming conventions on the disk. Use names such as DSKA0001.hfe, DSKA0010.hfe, or whatever number is appropriate in your case. If you’re doing a lot of recording, add a bunch of copies!

For more information about Nalbantovs, see their website at https://floppyusbemulator.com/. Use AlexPiano for 5% off.

Upgrades for your Yamaha Disklavier! Where to Start?

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This list is designed to help you understand the options for upgrades for your Yamaha Disklavier. It can be confusing, so start here!

No matter what model of Disklavier you have, it’s worth looking into some good sources of music! I also have a list of free MIDI sources to recommend. See my Disklavier compatibility table for an idea of what file formats your Disklavier can play.

Early Disklaviers (Mark I—III)

PianoStream App

One of my favorite simple upgrades for early Disklaviers is connecting them to PianoStream! PianoStream is a piano radio app designed to work with nearly every player piano, including the Yamaha Disklavier.

The app offers its own version of piano radio, providing you with a very large repertoire of high-quality music. It also allows you to stream MIDI files from your phone to your Disklavier, altogether bypassing the floppy drive.

Richie Hayes, the developer of PianoStream, also has an active PianoStream Facebook group where people can make requests.

Nalbantov Floppy Disk Emulator

Many customers choose to upgrade their old floppy disk drives with a Nalbantov floppy disk emulator. These devices altogether replace the original floppy disk drives. You can then store your entire inventory of floppy disks on a single USB stick!

See my article on backing up your floppy disks so you can play them on the Nalbantov. Additionally, you can order my floppy disk backup service if you’d prefer not to do it yourself! I can prepare them for your particular Disklavier, and for the Nalbantov. See also my favorite USB stick for the Nalbantov. I also have an interesting article on backing up your floppy disks using a Greaseweazle, if you have either an exceptionally large number of disks, or if they’re difficult to read using other tools.

If you’re installing a Nalbantov in the Yamaha MX100II, you’ll need a bracket. You can also order the bracket directly from me.

At this time, if you want to record with your Disklavier, the Nalbantov is a necessary upgrade. The PianoStream App does not currently support recording.

Replacement Power Supplies

Power supplies on this generation of Disklavier almost invariably fail. Fortunately, TAP Electronics rebuilds Disklavier power supplies. Simply ship them your power supply, and they’ll rebuild it and ship it back. They remain the only provider endorsed by Yamaha for this service. Last I checked, this was a flat rate of $750. The rebuilt power supplies do not have the defect the original did, and will last much longer.

Replacement LCD Screens

Is your LCD screen blank? It’s quite likely that the screen has died. You can attempt to repair it yourself by replacing the capacitors on the old screen; however, replacement screens are still available! They are Yamaha #VN635201. They can be purchased on Yamaha 24×7, and are available for less from SynthParts. The new LCD screens do not use the electrolytic capacitors prone to failure, and will last much longer.

DKC-850 Upgrade

The Yamaha DKC-850 can be installed as a “piggybacked” device on the earlier Disklaviers. This means that the DKC-850 is installed in addition to the original Disklavier, and connected through its MIDI jacks. This adds most features of modern Disklaviers, including Yamaha Piano Radio and conventional USB ports.

Other Articles

If you have an HQ100 Disklavier free this era, see my article on installing a Dampp-Chaser on the back of the HQ100.

Mark IV

Wi-Fi, Internet, and Firmware

The most common question I get about Mark IV Disklaviers is how to connect them to the internet. Oftentimes, the owner is struggling to connect, even though they know their device is plugged directly in to a live internet connection. In that case, you need to update your Mark IV firmware. Out-of-date firmware will not talk properly to Yamaha servers! If you have any trouble updating on your own, you can order my firmware update kit.

DKC-900 Upgrade

The Mark IV can be upgraded with the Yamaha DKC-900. This enables you to use your phone or tablet to control the piano, and is aesthetically much subtler than the Mark IV.

Nalbantov Floppy Disk Emulator

Has your floppy disk drive stopped working? If you want to gain back that functionality, you can install a Nalbantov. On the Mark IV, this is much less useful than on previous Disklaviers, as most of your disks are already saved on the hard disk.

PianoStream

The PianoStream App does also work on the Mark IV. This is an alternative to Yamaha piano radio, and is less expensive. It also allows you to broadcast MIDI files to the piano from your phone or another device. Of course, with the Mark IV, you can already use USB sticks, so this isn’t as large an upgrade as it is on previous Disklaviers.

Solid State Hard Drives

Sometimes hard drives fail on the Mark IV. The Mark IV uses old spinning disk hard disks. If you notice them chattering or exceptionally slow performance, consider upgrading your Mark IV to use an SSD.

E3 / DKC-850

Wi-Fi, Internet, and Firmware

The most common question I get about E3 series Disklaviers is how to connect them to the internet. If you know you have your Disklavier plugged into a healthy internet connection, and it still won’t connect, it might be time to update your E3 / DKC-850 firmware.

DKC-900 Upgrade

The E3 can be upgraded with the Yamaha DKC-900. This enables you to use your phone or tablet to control the piano, and is aesthetically subtler.

PianoStream

The PianoStream App does also work on the E3, and you might be interested in this as an alternative to Yamaha Piano Radio.

Enspire / DKC-900

Wi-Fi and Internet

The Enspire and the DKC-900 represent major upgrades over previous generations of Disklavier; however, they are still surprisingly challenging to connect to the internet. See my article on a straightforward and effective way to connect your Disklavier to the internet.

PianoStream

The PianoStream App does also work on the Enspire, and you might be interested in this as an alternative to Yamaha Piano Radio.

Premium Songs for your Disklavier

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This list is under development. If you have a suggestion, please send it in to [email protected] or reach out through my contact form. If you’re looking for free music for your Disklavier, please see my list of free sources of songs and MIDI files.

Yamaha MusicSoft for Disklavier

Yamaha MusicSoft is the largest and most reliable source of original music designed specifically for your Disklavier. With a vast library of professionally arranged songs and interactive content created by Yamaha, it ensures seamless compatibility and optimal performance. Whether you’re looking to expand your repertoire, enjoy fully orchestrated performances, or explore interactive lessons, Yamaha MusicSoft provides the highest quality content tailored to bring out the best in your instrument. It’s the ultimate resource to make your Disklavier experience richer and more enjoyable.

Important note for older Disklaviers: Make sure to limit yourself to Solo selections if you have the Mark II or earlier. Disklaviers from the Mark II XG forward include speaker systems and can synthesize MIDI, so they’re able to play PianoSoft Plus albums as well. Enspire Disklaviers can play PianoSoft Audio.

Website: https://shop.usa.yamaha.com/en

Dunn Brothers (prepared for Disklavier)

Dunn Brothers Player Piano Music offers a diverse selection of custom music for Disklavier owners, available through their eBay store. Their collection includes genres such as classical, jazz, ragtime, and holiday music, all tailored for player pianos. They provide music on various media formats, including floppy disks, CDs, and USB drives, ensuring compatibility with different Disklavier models.

Customers have praised Dunn Brothers for their extensive music library, quality recordings, and excellent customer service. One reviewer mentioned, “I have bought many discs from the Dunn Brothers. This is the best seller on eBay.”

By choosing Dunn Brothers, Disklavier owners can expand their music libraries with unique and professionally arranged pieces, enhancing their piano-playing experience.

Dunn Brothers have the added benefit of selling music in the format appropriate for your Disklavier. They even do ESEQ.

Website: https://www.ebay.com/str/dunnbrothersplayerpianomusic

Jacob’s Piano

Jacob’s Piano, led by pianist and composer Jacob Ladegaard, offers a comprehensive collection of MIDI files. The catalog spans a diverse range of music, including original compositions and interpretations of works by renowned composers such as Ludovico Einaudi and Hans Zimmer. This variety allows you to enrich your piano’s repertoire with both contemporary and classical pieces. Also check out Jacob’s YouTube Channel.

Website: https://jacobspiano.com

Classical Archives

Classical Archives is known for its extensive collection of classical music, offering streaming and download options for a vast array of compositions. The site provides detailed musicological information, including composer biographies and work descriptions, making it a valuable resource for classical music enthusiasts.

For Disklavier owners, Classical Archives offers a selection of MIDI files that can be used to enhance their music libraries. The site recommends experimenting with different MIDI file types to ensure compatibility with specific hardware. Additionally, they suggest using MuseScore, a free music composition and notation software, to view scores while playing MIDI files.

They have a 14-day free trial.

Website: https://www.classicalarchives.com

Disklavier Compatibility Table

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Customers routinely ask me whether their Disklaviers can play MIDI, or only ESEQ, so I’m sharing this magnificent chart of Disklavier compatibility. This is sourced, originally, from Carol RPT’s Disk File chart, and I recommend visiting that website and seeing what they have to offer. They have a trove of information on older Disklaviers.

This table lists various Disklavier controllers and their corresponding floppy disk formats, recording capabilities, and playback options. Please contact me if you have anything to add to this Disklavier compatibility table, or if you see any inaccuracies. I do my best to confirm this against real world repair data.

For ease of use, equivalent piano models and controllers are grouped together.

And Now, The Table!

Controller Model
Floppy Disk
Recording
Playback

MX100A
MX100B
2DD
E-Seq
E-Seq
DKW10
DGP
2DD
E-Seq
E-Seq
DKC5R
MX80
2DD
E-Seq
E-Seq
MX100II
MPX100II
HQ100
2DD
E-Seq
E-Seq
SMF/0**
DKC100R
DGPII
2DD
E-Seq
E-Seq
SMF/0**
DKC100XG
DGP1
2DD
2HD
No
E-Seq, SMF/0
DKC500RXG
MX100IIXG
MX1
DGPIIXG
2DD
2HD
E-Seq
SMF/0
E-Seq
SMF/0,1
DKX500R
MPX100IIXG
MPX1
DGPS
DGT2IIXG
DGT7
2DD
2HD
E-Seq
SMF/0
E-Seq
SMF/0,1
DKC500RWXG
MX1Z
2DD
2HD
E-Seq
SMF/0
E-Seq
SMF/0, 1
DKC500RW
PRO
DGT2IIXG
DGT7
MPX1Z
2DD
2HD
E-Seq
SMF/0
E-Seq
SMF/0,1
DKC55RCD
DKVMKIII
2DD
2HD
E-Seq
SMF/0
E-Seq
SMF/0,1
DKC55
DGA1
DGP1
2DD
2HD
No
E-Seq
SMF/0,1
DKC50R
MPX70
2DD
2HD
E-Seq
SMF/0
E-Seq
SMF/0,1

** Please see my page on determining whether your HQ100 or MX100II can play MIDI files. Earlier firmware cannot, although later firmware can.

Note that all later Disklaviers can play MIDI files, but after the Mark IV, support for ESEQ formats disappears. Accordingly, you’ll have to convert your ESEQ files to MIDI for modern systems such as the Enspire.

Note also that you cannot mix file formats on any Disklavier. If your disk or virtual disk contains ESEQ files, then it must contain only ESEQ files. Likewise, if it contains MIDI files, then it must contain only MIDI files, and no PIANODIR.FIL.

Can My HQ100 or MX100II Play MIDI Files?

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The MX100II (and its Japanese counter-part, the HQ100) is typically not able to play MIDI files off of floppy disks, using instead Yamaha’s proprietary ESEQ format. I have several articles on transferring your Disklavier floppy disks and converting MIDI files to ESEQ. However, when sourcing a compatibility table for Disklaviers, I had multiple indications the MX100II could actually play MIDI files. Then I recently had a client reach out to me and share this very interesting Japanese-language site indicating that, in fact, some units from later production runs do have firmware capable of playing MIDI files directly. How can you tell if that applies to your Disklavier? I’ve translated that page to English, and it’s shared below.

Note that although MX100IIs are common in the US market, HQ100s are fairly rare. I’ve encountered only one HQ100, and actually installed a Dampp-Chaser in it. This same HQ100 had a solenoid failure, and it was initially tested and fixed with a donor solenoid from an MX100II.

Just to emphasize again, the below is not mine, and is sourced from a website that’s approaching 30 years old!

Checking if Your Piano Player HQ100 Can Play MIDI

[I’ve tested the below on both the MX100II and HQ100.]

Here’s how to verify whether your Piano Player HQ can play MIDI files:

  1. Start Test Mode and Check ROM Version of Control Sheet:
    • Enter Test Mode:
      • * TEST MODE UP
        * – < – PUSH -> –
      • Press and hold the [L] and [R] buttons on the controller while turning on the power button. The LCD screen will display Test Mode.
    • Navigate to Control Sheet:
      • * TEST MODE UP *
        * CTRL SHEET ***
      • Press the [ + ] button once to change the display to the Control Sheet <CTRL>.
    • Check ROM Version:
      • V1.21 940606 REC
        JAPANESE UP
      • Press the [>>|] (fast forward) button once to display the ROM version of the Control Sheet on the LCD screen.
      • If ROM version is V1.21 or higher: MIDI file playback is possible.
      • After confirmation, turn off the power.
  2. Additionally, Check ROM Version of PK Control Sheet:
    • Enter Test Mode Again:
      • * TEST MODE UP
        * – < – PUSH -> –
      • Press and hold the [L] and [R] buttons on the controller while turning on the power button. The LCD screen will display Test Mode.
    • Navigate to PK Control Sheet:
      • * TEST MODE UP **
        * PK CTRL SHEET *
      • Press the [ + ] button twice to change the display to the PK Control Sheet <PK-CTRL>.
    • Check ROM Version:
      • PK CTL ROM
        Ver1.24 94.06.06
      • Press the [>>|] (fast forward) button once to display the ROM version of the Control Sheet on the LCD screen.
      • If ROM version is V1.24 or higher: MIDI file playback is possible.
      • After confirmation, turn off the power.
  3. Final Steps:
    • If the ROM versions are compatible, you can copy MIDI files to a 2DD formatted floppy disk and listen to the performance.
    • Important: File names must be in half-width Roman letters; otherwise, they will not be displayed on the piano player’s LCD.
    • If you wish to replace the ROM with one that supports MIDI, please contact Yamaha Customer Support. This ROM version upgrade not only adds the MIDI playback feature but also fixes minor bugs.

Let’s Play MIDI Files on Yamaha Piano Player

[This section is, in my opinion, no longer useful. But I include it for sake of historical interest.]

Yamaha Piano Players models MX, SX, HG, RF, and HQ (initial versions) cannot play MIDI files. The only playable file format is Yamaha’s proprietary E-Seq format. As a result, even though you have an automatic-playing piano, the software you can enjoy is limited. To obtain E-Seq format files, you must visit a Yamaha music store and download them using a terminal device called Muma available at the store. [I assume this is a dated reference, or a Japanese-specific product. The HQ100 is the Japanese version of the MX100II.]

Currently, on the Internet, a vast number of MIDI files beyond what the Muma terminal offers are available for download, some for free. Let’s challenge ourselves to play those MIDI files on Yamaha Piano Players MX, SX, HG, RF, and HQ (initial versions).

1. What You Need

  • Conversion Software: YCONV, YPDIR
    Download YPCONV06.LZH and YPDIR040.LZH from Vector’s website.
    Mac versions are also available [These links have been modified to point to my website, owing to suspicious behavior on the original links. Additionally, I would not recommend using these programs, as they’re extremely dated. Please see my tools page for better, more modern suggestions. LZH files are archives. Use 7-Zip or WinRAR.]
  • Floppy Disk: Either 2DD or 2HD is acceptable.

2. Preparation

  1. Format the Floppy Disk:
    • Note: Even if your piano player supports recording/replaying, formatting the disk on the piano player itself will make it unreadable by a computer.
    • If using a 2HD floppy disk, cover the window on the right side (opposite the write-protect side) with cellophane tape or similar. This is because the piano player’s controller only supports 2DD.
    • If your piano player is playback-only, format the floppy disk on a computer to 720 Kbytes.
      • Windows XP cannot format to 720 Kbytes. [This is not true. Please see my Floppy Disk Backups page for explicit instructions.]
  2. For Windows XP Users:
    • If you have a friend with Windows 95, 98, or ME, ask them to create a boot floppy for you.
    • Boot the computer from the boot disk, enter commands to format the floppy to 720 Kbytes.

3. Conversion

  1. Set Up Conversion Tools:
    • Follow the instructions in Readme.txt.
    • Copy YPCONV.EXE and YPDIR.EXE to a folder where the command prompt path is set.
  2. Convert MIDI Files:
    • In C:\Documents and Settings\Users, convert the copied file [test01.mid] and save it to the [C] drive.The file will be saved as [TEST01.YPL]
    • C:\Documents and Settings\Users>YPCONV test01.mid C:\
  3. Create Playlist File:
    • After converting the necessary files, create [PIANODIR.FIL].
    • Name the files sequentially according to the track order to ensure they play in that sequence.
    • Create [PIANODIR.FIL] on the A drive.
    • You can edit the created [PIANODIR.FIL] with a text editor to modify song names.
    • C:\Documents and Settings\Users>YPDIR A A:\

Yamaha Disklavier, MIDI, ESEQ, and Floppy Disk Tools

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I use a wide variety of software tools when reading floppy disks and preparing ESEQ and MIDI for the Yamaha Disklavier. Below is my attempt to compile the most useful tools I use on a daily basis. If you have any input or want any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

WinImage

A comprehensive disk-imaging suite for Windows. Notably, it successfully transfers Yamaha Electone Performance floppy disks when other tools see them as unformatted. Although it can read some Clavinova and Electone floppy disks, it can not read Disklavier floppy disks. Nonetheless, it’s a versatile floppy disk tool, and a worthwhile addition to your arsenal.

Website: https://www.winimage.com

DKVUTILS (The OG Tools for the Yamaha Disklavier)

Available in DKVUTILS.ZIP on my drive. These are essential utilities for copying and managing Yamaha Disklavier floppy disks.

ESEQ Explorer
Facilitates the creation and management of PIANODIR.FIL for Yamaha Disklavier. Using ESEQ Explorer, you can create PIANODIR.FIL directories for your ESEQ files. This is necessary for older Disklaviers, and also allows you to modify song titles and metadata.

MIDI2SEQ
Convert standard MIDI files to ESEQ for early Yamaha Disklavier compatibility.

ESEQ2MID
Transform Yamaha Disklavier ESEQ files into standard MIDI format. This tool is extremely helpful if you’re transferring your songs from floppy disks from an older Disklavier, to a USB stick for a newer one!

MID2PianoCD

MID2PianoCD is a Windows utility by Mark Fontana for encoding MIDI and ESEQ files into player piano-compatible formats. It supports various electronic player piano systems, including Yamaha Disklavier, PianoDisc iQ, Live Performance LX, Marantz Pianocorder, and QRS Pianomation. You can use it to generates CDs that can be played directly on MIDI player pianos, expanding the versatility of your Disklavier’s music library.

Mark Fontana is an extremely knowledgeable and talented individual, and his software — both this and PPFBU below — are vital staples. He requests donations on his website, and if you find his tools useful, you should support him.

Website: www.kinura.net/mid2pianocd/

Player Piano Floppy Backup Utility

Player Piano Floppy Backup Utility (PPFBU) is the premier Windows-based tool for backing up Yamaha Disklavier and PianoDisc floppy disks. It’s an indispensable tool for backing up your old floppy disks. He requests donations on his website, and if you find his tools useful, you should support him. It has a user-friendly interface, and can be used with USB floppy disk drives, even when Windows cannot see or open the disk.

Website: www.kinura.net/ppfbu/

The “Official” Recommendation for the Yamaha Disklavier: Giebler’s Yamaha DOM Package

Giebler produced a utility with wide-ranging compatibility with Yamaha devices. It will read older Yamaha Clavinova disks, in addition to Disklavier disks. However, this software is old, requiring versions of Windows that mostly can’t even be installed outside virtual machines. If you’re interested in how to get this running, read my article on using Giebler to explore old Clavinova disks.

For nearly all purposes, I recommend PPFBU above, although in isolated circumstances this software might make more sense for your particular project. Yamaha still recommends them today.

All software runs under MS-DOS on IBM PC-XT, PC-AT, or compatibles with a hard disk drive and an internal (non-USB) 3 1/2” floppy disk drive. Most programs are also compatible with MS-DOS shells under Windows 3.1, 95, 98, or ME.

Website: https://giebler.biz/

Keirf’s Greaseweazle

The Greaseweazle allows you to duplicate your Yamaha Disklavier floppy disks — or any other floppy disk — without Windows even necessarily being able to open it. Even better, the Greaseweazle can read your floppy disk as an .hfe file, which you can simply drop onto your Nalbantov USB emulator! It can be used in place of all the tools mentioned above.

The Greaseweazle captures raw flux transitions from drives, enabling the capture and analysis of any disk format, including those used by Disklaviers.

Website: https://github.com/keirf/greaseweazle/wiki

Keirf’s FlashFloppy used with a Gotek

FlashFloppy is a powerful firmware solution for Yamaha Disklavier floppy drive replacement and management. A Gotek floppy disk emulator with FlashFloppy installed, used in conjunction with the Greaseweazle, is the single most reliable method of reading floppy disks in USB stick format.

When paired with Greaseweazle, a Gotek with FlashFloppy becomes an exceptionally powerful tool for managing Yamaha Disklavier floppy disks. Greaseweazle captures raw flux transitions to create accurate disk images, which can then be easily written to or read from using FlashFloppy on your Disklavier.

FlashFloppy is open-source, and Keirf’s tools are incredibly valuable for our purposes transferring old floppies. The FlashFloppy firmware can be challenging to install on a Gotek for the first time, so purchase a Gotek with FlashFloppy already installed.

The alternative to FlashFloppy is HxC’s custom firmware which is paid/closed-source, but is used by Nalbantov below:

Nalbantov Floppy Disk Emulator

Nalbantov provides premium floppy disk emulators tailored for specific Yamaha Disklavier pianos, offering seamless integration and exceptional compatibility. The Nalbantov drive comes with guaranteed compatibility and is easy to use, and their support is excellent.

The Gotek and FlashFloppy solution described above will work as an inexpensive alternative; however, it can be a challenging DIY project, and is not advisable for anyone who isn’t quite comfortable tinkering with their own hardware. Additionally, Nalbantov manufactures slimmer drives that fit in models of Disklavier the Gotek does not.

They support a wide range of Yamaha Disklavier models, including early models (MX22, MX80, MX85, MX100A/B, MX116) and advanced models (MX500, Mark II/IIXG/III), as well as various Disklavier Control Units (DKC50R, DKW10, PPC3R, etc.).

For Disklavier owners seeking a reliable and easy-to-use floppy disk emulator with guaranteed compatibility across numerous models, Nalbantov is the best choice. You can search for your model of instrument on their website, and they will send you a properly configured device accompanied by a compatible USB-stick.

GN MIDI Professional

GNMIDI is a powerful tool designed for musicians, educators, and MIDI enthusiasts to play, edit, and convert MIDI files with ease. It’s very useful for converting MIDI files from Type 1 to Type 0. You’ll need this tool to prepare MIDI files you find on the internet for your Disklavier. The professional version allows you to perform large, batch operations, but the lite version works to convert files individually.

Website: https://www.gnmidi.com/

Reading and Writing Yamaha Disklavier Floppy Disks

See my article on Yamaha Disklavier Floppy Disks, ESEQ, and MIDI Formats for more information on how to use the above tools to extract songs from your disks.

See my article on Converting MIDI Files and Creating PIANODIR.FIL for ESEQ Files for more information on how to use the above tools to convert MIDI files and prepare ESEQ files for use in older Disklaviers.

Backing Up Yamaha Disklavier Floppy Disks with a Greaseweazle

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This is an article about backing up your Disklavier Floppy Disks using a specific tool called a Greaseweazle. If you do not have a Greaseweazle, and want a straightforward and less technical solution, please see the article on backing up your Yamaha floppy disks using simply an external floppy disk drive and downloadable tools.

I started using the Greaseweazle regularly to image hard-to-read disks last year, and I highly recommend it! I periodically encounter Disklavier floppy disks that will play acceptably in the piano, but which cannot be backed up on a computer. Player Piano Floppy Backup Utility (PPFBU) and other tools that are usually effective with Yamaha disks can’t see the files on the disk, and so my typical floppy disk backup routine doesn’t work.

Enter the Greaseweazle (see the Greaseweazle GitHub page). This is an inexpensive device that serves as a sort of translator between a conventional floppy disk drive, and your computer. It allows you to, essentially, “scan” the disk, bypassing whatever obstacles are causing your disk to be unreadable. You’re making a copy of the disk based on magnetic flux, rather than attempting to actually read it. With this copy, called an image, you can produce other copies of the disk in the future. Or you can drop the image right onto your Nalbantov!

If you’d like to purchase one, the Greaseweazle v4.1 is available on Tindie (from Emmy Bear’s Retro and 3D Printing). If you’re using Windows, see also the FluxMyFluffyFloppy tool. This is a graphical user interface that makes the Greaseweazle much more easily approachable to the novice.

Using a Greaseweazle to Scan the Old Disk

First, you’ll need an image of the original disk.

There are many ways to do this, but using the Greaseweazle tools on GitHub, you can produce HFE image files, which are relatively small bit-level scans. These are the same files used on the Nalbantov and FlashFloppy.

Note: I needed to add the ––drive=1 switch, as I was using a straight floppy disk cable without a twist. If you’re using a twisted floppy disk cable, you might need a different switch. See the Greaseweazle documentation for details.

Note also: Nearly all early Disklavier floppy disks are 720 KB 2DD disks. You can determine which you have by checking to see whether there are two holes. 2DD disks have just one. See below. If you have a 2DD disk, adding the ––format=ibm.720 switch is appropriate. If, on the other hand, you have a newer 2HD disk (typically used in the Mark III or later), you’ll need to use ––format=ibm.1440 instead.

2HD disks have openings at both corners, but 2DD disks do not. You’ll usually find the write-protect slider in one corner, but other will be blank.
2HD disks have openings at both corners, but 2DD disks do not. You’ll usually find the write-protect slider in one corner, but other will be blank.

Instruction: gw read ––drive=1 ––format=ibm.720 [DISKNAME].hfe

Executing the command gw read ––drive=1 ––format=ibm.720 OAC-1062-Chick_Corea_Classics.hfe on my computer.
Executing the command gw read ––drive=1 ––format=ibm.720 OAC-1062-Chick_Corea_Classics.hfe on my computer.

Drop the HFE file on your Nalbantov or FlashFloppy

Yes! You can simply drop the HFE image file on your Nalbantov USB stick! Disk Browser and other HxC tools probably won’t be able to open the HFE file like they can other disks, as Yamaha’s copy protection will still be fully in-tact.

If you’re using the Nalbantov slim or a Gotek with FlashFloppy and a numerical display, be sure to name to file using the naming convention already present on the disk. For instance, if you want your newly scanned disk to be disk 003, name the file DSKA0003.HFE before copying it onto your Nalbantov. (Adjust this guidance as appropriate.)

However, your Yamaha Disklavier will be able to read it. And this technique works very well even with disks that have enough corruption that PPFBU can’t read them. This is my go-to strategy for hard-to-read disks.

Using the Greaseweazle to Write the New Disk

Write the disk image with the following instruction:

Instruction: gw write ––drive=1 ––format=ibm.720 [FILENAME].hfe

Executing the command gw write ––drive=1 ––format=ibm.720 OAC-1062-Chick_Corea_Classics.hfe on my computer.
Executing the command gw write ––drive=1 ––format=ibm.720 OAC-1062-Chick_Corea_Classics.hfe on my computer.

Always test your duplicates! Even if you’re just storing your disks so that you have a collection of images for the future, write the image to a disk temporarily and check it by playing it in your piano.

In the case of the example above, the computer was, in fact, able to read the original disk, and so I verified it could read the new one with PPFBU:

Checking the disk!
Checking the disk!

Considering a KryoFlux®?

If you’re considering a KryoFlux® for reading your old floppy disks, please consider the Greaseweazle! The Greaseweazle is open-source, dramatically cheaper, and well-documented. It also doesn’t have any usage restrictions.

I attempted to order a KryoFlux® initially, and ended up enduring a probing background check from the managing director, who evidently has nothing better to do with his time than conduct investigations on potential clients. After a few emails, I eventually gave up and told him I was just going to order a Greaseweazle, and to cancel the order. He then responded and criticized the Greaseweazle. Although he didn’t hold back on his feelings, he did conserve his capital letters and his grammar.

The product offers no advantages at all for our purpose, and despite their deep savings on customer service, it’s dramatically more expensive. This turned out to have been a blessing, as after practicing with it for a year, I would have had to upgrade to an even more expensive professional model.

But thankfully, we have an alternative.

How to Make the Disklavier play the Piano Part of Any Song

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The Yamaha Disklavier is a sophisticated piece of technology, but typically, you’re limited to Yamaha’s song library. Many Yamaha songs include both a piano part for the Disklavier and an accompanying music track, though the Disklavier piano part might differ dramatically from the original piano part in the song. In many cases, the piano tracks are recorded as accompaniments by artists, and are either added to songs that didn’t have piano originally, or that are designed to augment rather than to replace the piano in the original recording.

I recently had a customer ask if I could figure out a way for the Disklavier to play the piano portion of a particular song that was important to him.

To achieve this, I used four programs: first, Spleeter by Deezer to isolate the piano and separate it from the other components of the song, and then Audacity, a powerful open-source tool, to edit and combine the non-piano tracks. I chose to use the service Ivory to convert the piano audio to MIDI. Finally, I used Ardour to adjust the timing in the MIDI to perfectly sync it with the audio.

As an alternative to Ivory, Onset and Frames can be locally installed. This software is dated (2018), and there are many frustrations with attempting to run such an old Python program, so I opted not to use this solution. However, if you have a high-end system with a powerful GPU and the free time to get it running, it’s a free option. You’ll also need to train your own model, with was estimated to take several days on my GeForce RTX 4080.

Separating the Tracks

I used the 5stems model in Spleeter, which allows you to individually separate the piano. See the instruction below.

spleeter separate -o ./tmp -p spleeter:5stems "sample.wav"

The output of Spleeter.
Here’s a six-second excerpt from Norah Jones’s “The Nearness of You” with the piano.
Here’s the same six-second clip without the piano.

Recombining the Tracks

After reviewing each track, I found only the bottom vocals track had usable audio; the others were filled with artifacts, so I simply removed them. However, in songs with more instrumentation, this would be an important step. Review the tracks, listen to them individually, and remove any artifacts you can, applying filters as necessary.

This is what the isolated tracks look like without the piano.

Next, I used the Ivory App to transcribe the piano audio track. Ivory is an AI-driven piano transcription tool that converts piano audio into sheet music or into MIDI files. Utilizing advanced deep neural networks, it offers high transcription accuracy. I converted my piano.wav file (produced by Spleeter) into an mp3, and then uploaded it to Ivory.

Transcribing songs on Ivory.
The resulting MIDI file, as displayed in Ardour.

Syncing the Audio

After downloading the MIDI file, I found that the MIDI file did not properly sync with the audio. In order to solve this, I synthesized the audio (using FluidSynth with Yamaha C7 samples). I then imported this into Audacity, and played the isolated piano alongside the original audio. After a few attempts, I then moved the audio back and forth until I determined exactly how much time had to be added to properly sync the two pieces.

fluidsynth -a alsa -g 1.3 -m alsa_seq -i /usr/share/sounds/sf2/Yamaha_C7__SMB_.sf2 ~/DownloadedMIDI.mid -F ~/IsolatedPiano.mp3

The isolated piano comes in much too early!
The isolated piano is perfectly in sync with the original.

After carefully adjusting the audio which I’d synthesized from the MIDI file in Audacity, I determined that the MIDI file needed a total of 1.150 seconds added to it. This is a decimal fraction, rather than seconds in 60ths of a second, which is how Ardour determines time.

Seconds in 60ths = Integer Part + (Decimal Fraction × 60)

Just take the decimal component of the number (.150, in this case), and multiply it by 60. In this case, we end up with 1:09 seconds. Now we have a number we can use in Ardour.

I’ve now carefully moved the track to 1:09 seconds (or 1.150 seconds, according to my measurement in Audacity).
I’ve now extended the MIDI track, and can export it!

Once the MIDI file is downloaded, name the MIDI file from Ivory and the piano-free audio from Audacity identically, and transfer them onto a USB stick. The properly named files will look something like this:

01MySong.mid
01MySong.mp3

Provided the filenames are identical (excepting the extension), the two files will be recognized as the same song by the Disklavier.

Your Disklavier is now ready to play both files in sync! The keys will move to the isolated piano track, and the audio will play alongside it without any competing piano sounds.

Synthesized audio from the MIDI file (using FluidSynth with C7 sampling) along with the vocals.

Using External Speakers with the Disklavier

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I have a customer who recently upgraded his Mark IV to a DKC-900, and wanted to add larger Bluetooth enabled speakers. We used Rockville TM150B 10″ Speakers. Although the speakers are powered, and amplify signal quite well, we nonetheless found the audio output from the Disklavier was a bit low. I added an RCA preamp to amplify the signal going into the speakers. The RCA preamp is zip tied in place using 24″ zip ties. These work wonderfully for strapping components to the beams.

The speakers underneath the piano are present, but are no longer powered or connected.

An RCA preamp installed between the control center RCA output and the speaker.
The piano alongside its powered Rockville speakers, overlooking the ocean.
This piano connects to his network using a Powerline adapter, as discussed in my Connecting Yamaha Disklaviers to a Network article.