Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > August 2017 > 2017.08.06 > 02Prev  Next


Synthetic Piano Roll Expression
By Richard Stibbons

My note about synthesised expression has generated some interest on-
and off-list so here's more about it.

The idea isn't mine -- it's been around for over 100 years and I first
encountered it in a Hupfeld cafe piano which is described in MMD at
https://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/Digests/200101/2001.01.12.11.html 

This was a basic 88-note instrument with a single conventional
regulator for the stack.  The only unusual feature was that the
regulator had an abnormally weak spring which added a positive slope
to the 'Flow vs. Demand' characteristic.  As a result, the more notes
playing the louder it played.  This has little musical credibility but
the effect of doing so, as demonstrated by the file of "Silvery Moon",
is actually quite pleasing.

The software to emulate the effect could hardly be simpler -- it merely
counts the number of notes playing at any given instant and adjusts the
velocity proportionately.  I wrote the original program in 1998 as a
throwaway experiment and it's very primitive.  It's also in Quick Basic
which won't run on modern PCs.  A properly written utility would have
the potential to provide us all with a vast stock of 'improved' MIDI
files of standard rolls and I'm hoping someone with programming ability
will offer to tackle this.  I'll gladly provide full co-operation.

Regards,
Richard Stibbons


(Message sent Sun 6 Aug 2017, 07:14:41 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Expression, Piano, Roll, Synthetic

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page