The Yamaha MIDIPianoTM connects the traditional tone, touch and elegance of the Yamaha piano to the world of digital electronics. The MIDIPiano is a real acoustic piano offering a full range of MIDI functions through a unique combination of fiber optics and computer technology.

Multi-point optical sensors located under the keyboard at each key and at the pedals register every facet of the player’s performance with unparalleled precision. Because they are optical, the sensors have no effect on the action or pedal movement, yet they instantly transform keystrokes and pedaling into digital data. This information is instantaneously sent out of the MIDI interface to digital devices such as tone generators, sequencers or computers. Players then have access to the world of digital music including multitrack recording and computer programs for music composition.

Each MIDIPiano is also equipped with an on-board digital piano. This contains the sound of a Yamaha concert grand that has been digitally recorded and captured on a powerful computer chip. The digital piano sound can be sent through an amplified speaker system for concert use, sent directly to a recording system, or heard through headphones.

The MIDIPiano allows the player to perform with the traditional tone and touch of a Yamaha piano while having all of the advantages of the latest digital musical technology. The MIDIPiano literally opens the doorway to a new world of creative and educational opportunities.

MIDIPiano Product Information for Classroom Teachers

Given the emphasis today on music technology in the classroom, today’s music teacher needs access to the world of MIDI and computers. With the Yamaha MIDIPiano, the teacher has the resources of a beautiful, traditional acoustic piano combined with advanced MIDI features.

The MIDIPiano can be used anywhere a MIDI keyboard or piano is needed. In the general music classroom, the MIDIPiano offers students and teachers access to the various education programs on computers that require data entry from a MIDI keyboard. As a real acoustic piano, the MIDIPiano also serves the traditional needs typically fulfilled by an upright or grand piano.

Piano classes are discovering the true potential of the MIDIPiano. No longer does a school have to use digital pianos for piano class instruction. Because the MIDIPiano can also be used with headphones, teachers can have real pianos in the piano lab. By connecting Yamaha’s MLC-100 classroom management system, up to 16 MIDIPianos (32 when using 2 MLC systems) can be utilized on a network. This environment allows a single teacher to work productively with multiple students all playing independently with actual pianos.

The MIDIPiano provides a much needed solution for schools in need of extra practice rooms. With headphones, MIDIPianos can be used for practice in regular classrooms or even hallways. This flexibility and effective space management makes this unique instrument ideal for the typical campus.

MIDIPiano Applications/System Designs

Yamaha MIDIPianos come with everything a pianist needs for practice and performance of traditional piano repertoire, including headphones for use in Silent Mode. By plugging in headphones, a player instantly engages the mute rail to play in complete privacy, entering his or her own environment with all the tone and ambiance of a concert grand on stage.

There are additional ways to take advantage of the built-in digital piano sound. To project the internal concert grand tone, connect the audio output to a sound system using standard audio cables. For recording, link it to a tape deck, CD recorder or mixing console.

To take full advantage of all the MIDI features the instrument has to offer, hook a pair of MIDI cables between the piano and MIDI devices or a computer for instant access to a world of advanced music technology and the Internet.

One convenient way to augment the features of the MIDIPiano is to add a Yamaha DSR1. This powerful accessory is a stand-alone MIDI disk recorder and playback device. Connect it to powered speakers or a hi-&Mac222; system for easy MIDI disk pianist accompaniments. The DSR1 reads both Type 0 and Type 1 Standard MIDI Files (SMFs), making it compatible with thousands of commercially available titles as well as SMFs on the Internet.

The DSR1 can save original compositions to SMFs. It comes with a 16 track MIDI recorder along with 480 XG voices, 21 drum kits and General MIDI compatibility. With a DSR1 attached, original tracks can be created right from the keyboard of the MIDIPiano.

The DSR1 has extensive playback features as well, including tempo and volume controls and transposition. It can even cancel the playback of the left and right hand piano tracks on SMFs that coordinate with the well-known piano method books.