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MMD > Archives > September 2009 > 2009.09.01 > 02Prev  Next


Stahnke LX System Plays Transcribed Ampico Rolls
By John Del Carlo

Back in 2006, I took a leap of faith and pre-ordered the very
first production model of the "LX" playback system from Wayne Stahnke,
http://www.live-performance.com/  At that time, it was not yet in
production.

I was not disappointed in the least.  It has surpassed my expectations
for the most accurate and musical playback in a retro-fit kit.  For me,
the LX represents the best of the modern technology in solenoid playback
today.  It is so musical, and so accurate, it defies description, and
it's now doing wonders with our Ampico rolls.  The LX is now listed in
the recent Larry Fine publication, "Acoustic & Digital Piano Buyer's
Guide."

Over the last few years, there has been an improvement in scanning
technology for player piano rolls.  We are very fortunate that there
are several folks out there that own these improved scanners and that
are able to scan and preserve our roll collections that are fast
disintegrating.  The LX can now be a part of this preservation.

Recently, I have been in contact with Anthony Robinson over in England,
who has one of the these new scanners. He also just bought an LX.
Anthony is very well versed in the Ampico coding etc, and is now
scanning and converting these Ampico rolls into the LX native language
which can then be played on the LX.

It takes a lot of experience to scan these rolls, correct timing
errors, wrong notes, etc., and then produce a musical translation that
sounds good.  Anthony has got it right!  Sierra Music Rolls also use
his corrected scans for their re-cuts, and they sound great.  Now we
can have these wonderful scans for the LX.

Thanks goes out to Wayne Stahnke for allowing Anthony the use of his
Ampico/LX translator software!  If only Dr. Hickman and Mr. Stoddard
could hear their music on the LX, what a pleasant surprise it would be.

Here are the first two examples.  This was recorded on my 1925 Mason &
Hamlin RBB that also contains a late A Ampico and a B drawer.  These
are so crisp and clean musically, they defy description!

"Alabamy Bound" on the LX, played by Vincent Lopez
  http://www.box.net/shared/zs8756b7cz 

"If You Knew Susie, (Like I Know Susie)", played by Victor Lane
  http://www.box.net/shared/shkulmq4nc 

Enjoy!
John Del Carlo


(Message sent Wed 2 Sep 2009, 02:07:53 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Ampico, LX, Plays, Rolls, Stahnke, System, Transcribed

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