yamaha

Yamaha CLP-370 with Sticking, Clunking, and Dead Keys

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Today I’m sharing a few pictures of a repair on a Yamaha CLP-370 with sticking keys, clunking sounds, and dead keys. But this could happen on most Yamaha Clavinovas. See my Digital Keyboard FAQs for more!

Hammer Rest Felt (Sticking and Clunking)

One of the most common complaints I receive from customers is that their keys are making a noisy thunk when the release them.

This is typically caused by worn key felts, and in particular, a worn hammer rest felt. In fact, this problem is nearly ubiquitous in Clavinovas, and many Yamaha portables, that are over a decade old. And of course, this wear can be dramatically worsened by spills or foreign substances finding their way into the keyboard!

Just a friendly reminder not to set your soda on your valuable Clavinova!

This particular CLP-370 had a soda spilled in it, which also meant that several keys were sticking quite badly. In the CLP-370, this is part V7640101, and is readily available through Syntaur. See below the difference between the original hammer rest felt, and the replacement:

Oh boy! That's one worn hammer rest felt. The worn felt is below, with the replacement above it.
Oh boy! That’s one worn hammer rest felt. The worn felt is, obviously, below, with the replacement above it.

And the Dead Keys

Yamaha Clavinovas and, in fact, most digital keyboard instruments, use contacts underneath the keys to sense how quickly you press them. If those contacts misbehave, they can either imagine you’re playing at maximum intensity, all the time, or they can miss that you’re playing at all! In this case, the Clavinova wasn’t registered key presses at all.

On disassembly, I observed that soda had found its way onto the contact circuit boards. See the image below:

A closeup of a soda spill on the vias. Exposed Yamaha contacts can be seen mere millimeters away.
A closeup of a soda spill on the vias. Exposed Yamaha contacts can be seen mere millimeters away.

Here’s a closeup of some similar damage on a Yamaha P-125:

A closeup of a Yamaha contact from another angle. Here, you can see pocking in the trace underneath the surface of the circuit board. A little bit of a rust on a solder joint stands out like a flag to help locate the damage.
A closeup of a Yamaha contact from another angle. Here, you can see pocking in the trace underneath the surface of the circuit board. A little bit of a rust on a solder joint stands out like a flag to help locate the damage.

Depending on where the damage is located, it can be cleaned and bypassed. It’s often less time-consuming (and more permanent) to replace the contact board.

A closeup of a corroded connection on the center circuit board of the P-125 referenced above.
A closeup of a corroded connection on the center circuit board of the P-125 referenced above.

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

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 P115 Not Turning On

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This particular Yamaha P115 had been nonfunctional since a lightning strike occurred near the owner’s residence. I found the primary issue was damage to the main DM board, which is prominently featured in the accompanying image. Additionally, the volume slider and several buttons exhibited significant damage. While it’s uncertain whether this resulted solely from the lightning strike or if a liquid spill also contributed, the extent of the damage is noteworthy.

Lightning strikes can cause substantial harm to electronic devices through various mechanisms. Nearby lightning strikes induce power surges—sudden spikes in electrical energy—that travel through power lines and into connected devices. These surges can overwhelm and destroy sensitive electronic components, such as those found in musical instruments. Very often the first sign is that the power adapter itself is destroyed.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to protect your keyboard with a surge protector.
Tripp Lite manufactures surge protectors that offer considerable protection and financial insurance. For instance, this device offers $10,000 in coverage in addition to the electrical protection it provides. That’s considerably more than the value of a Yamaha P115.

It’s also advisable to unplug electronic devices during thunderstorms. This mitigates against the risks of a power surge. It’s important to note that while surge protectors can handle minor fluctuations, they may not fully protect against the immense energy of a nearby lightning strike.

In conclusion, the damage observed in this instrument underscores the vulnerability of electronic devices to lightning-induced power surges. Taking proactive measures to protect such equipment is essential to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Also, although this probably wasn’t the problem here… keep your beverages off of your keyboard! Spills remain the #1 source of trouble, even if power surges follow closely.

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.

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.

Substitute for Yamaha TX000671 (VCN03010)

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Yamaha GH actions require the insertion of a “rod” (as it’s referred to in the service manuals). Yamaha sells a specific tools—specifically part TX000671 (VCN03010) during disassembly. The rod blocks the hammers, relieving the pressure on the contacts and contact circuit boards. You can then easily remove the contact boards, or perform other service.

The Official, Correct, Boring Solution 

You can purchase Yamaha’s official part VCN03010 (formerly TX000671). It is a steel dowel, of suitable length and diameter to conveniently fit between the hammers and the frame. It’s exactly as perfect a steel dowel as one would expect from Yamaha. However, it is nonetheless nothing more than a plain steel dowel.

The TX000671 Alternative!

One day, when working on a CLP-645, I found myself in a pinch, and used an improbable substitute: The 48-inch Orange Ground Mount Reflective Rod (or common driveway marker)!

Driveway markers are not only the correct size to fit nicely in both the Yamaha GH actions, blocking the hammers, but I find them easier to use. The marker slips more easily between the hammers and the frame because of its tapered, pointed end. It’s made of fiberglass, so it’s less likely to cause unintentionally scratches. And in fact, the far end even comes with a ready rubber bumper, just in case you lose track of it and whack a wall with it!

The TX000671 (VCN03010) currently costs $187.0 to the public on Yamaha 24×7, whereas the trusty 48-inch driveway marker costs $3.27 at Home Depot (prices as of 9/9/24). It’s an option worth considering! I now have a small stack of these in the corner of my shop, just in case I need one unexpectedly.

I’ve verified that this does, in fact, work on the newer GrandTouch actions, such as the GrandTouch-S in the CLP-745.

If you’re working on a GH3 action and are looking to play Dr. Frankenstein, take a look at my article about generally equivalent replacement GH3 actions.

Combining CD Audio and MusicSoft Floppy Disks from Mark IV for the Enspire / DKC-900

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Here’s a basic outline of the steps involved:

  1. Copy MIDI tracks from Floppy Disks using Player Piano Floppy Backup Utility.
  2. Rip Audio tracks from CD as MP3 files.
  3. Put resulting files in the same directory, making sure the MP3 files and MID files for a given song have the same names.
  4. Put the collection of files in a folder with the album name.
  5. Put the folder onto a USB stick.
  6. Insert the USB stick into your Enspire and enjoy!

Copy MIDI tracks from Floppy Disks

First, you’ll need copies of the MIDI files from the floppy disks. The best tool for this is Player Piano Floppy Backup Utility, created by Mark Fontana. It’s freeware, but he requests donations. You can download it from him, or you can download ppfbu_v1.4_setup.exe from my Disklavier file collection. You can read more about this process on the Disklavier Floppy Disk Backups, ESEQ and MIDI Formats page.

The most important part of this step is that you write the files as “Renamed MIDI files.” I typically name each one with the name of the track, and make sure each name starts with the track number (00, 01, 02…). This makes it much easier to keep track of which MIDI file goes with which MP3 later on.

Using PPFBU to extract the files, and then export them as Renamed MIDI files. I’m using a dedicated Windows XP box that I keep just for this purpose. You can rename the files in PPFBU before you export them, or you can rename the MIDI files after (like I did in this case).

Rip the Audio tracks from CD

You’ll need to rip the audio off of the corresponding audio CD. You can rip CD audio natively on Windows using Windows Media Player. In the Linux environment, I used Asunder. In the Mac environment, you can actually use the Music App. The main point is just to extract mp3 files for each track on the CD.

Ripping an Audio CD using Asunder on a Linux system.

Name and Organize the Files

Below, you can see the files listed after ripping the audio CD, and after backing up the floppy disk drive using Player Piano Floppy Backup Utility. The floppy disk tracks are MIDI files and have a .mid extension. These contain the instructions to operate the piano. The CD tracks have been ripped as MP3 files and therefore have a .mp3 extension—these contain the audio.

'01 - Kingston Trio - Tom Dooley.mp3'
'01 - Tom Dooley.mid'
'02 - Greenback Dollar.mid'
'02 - Kingston Trio - Greenback Dollar.mp3'
...
'12 - Kingston Trio - (Sinking of the) Reuben James.mp3'
'12 Reuben James.mid'

All the files are present, but they will not yet play correctly in the Disklavier, as the filenames do not match.

I wrote a short Python script to automatically rewrite all the filenames to match. Using the numbers at the beginning of each filename, it pairs together matching MIDI and MP3 files and names them whatever the name of the MIDI file is, but without spaces or symbols. This appears to be the same formatting of downloadable Disklavier albums.

Whether you use the script or not, the before and after directory listings indicate how you must rename the files.The script is called using the following syntax:

python merge.py /path/to/your/directory "Album Name"

$ python merge.py . "Kingston Trio"

Copied and Renamed: 01 - Tom Dooley.mid -> 01TomDooley.mid

Copied and Renamed: 01 - Kingston Trio - Tom Dooley.mp3 -> 01TomDooley.mp3

Copied and Renamed: 02 - Greenback Dollar.mid -> 02GreenbackDollar.mid

Copied and Renamed: 02 - Kingston Trio - Greenback Dollar.mp3 -> 02GreenbackDollar.mp3

...

Copied and Renamed: 12 Reuben James.mid -> 12ReubenJames.mid

Copied and Renamed: 12 - Kingston Trio - (Sinking of the) Reuben James.mp3 -> 12ReubenJames.mp3

Listing of resulting directory, “Kingston Trio”:

01TomDooley.mid
01TomDooley.mp3
02GreenbackDollar.mid
02GreenbackDollar.mp3
...
12ReubenJames.mid
12ReubenJames.mp3

Note that now the MP3 and MIDI files have identical names for each song, identical capitalization, and that all spaces and symbols have been removed. In the ENSPIRE, unlike earlier iterations of the Disklavier, filename length does not seem to matter. Here’s a graphical representation of the last folder, ready to move:

The filenames match! It’s ready to be put on a USB stick and played in your ENSPIRE.

It’s Time to Play!

At this point, you can move the complete folder (in this case, Kingston Trio) onto a USB stick, and insert it into the front of your ENSPIRE controller.

Once your USB is inserted, you’ll see the My Songs (5) option appear in the ENSPIRE controller app. (This image is copied from the ENSPIRE Controller Operation Manual created by Yamaha, which is available from them.) Just open up the “Album” (which is the folder you created for all of your files on your USB stick), and select a song! It’ll play the piano parts, and the audio will accompany it.