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MMD > Archives > February 1996 > 1996.02.25 > 04Prev  Next


Are Player Pianos Early Computers ?
By Jody Kravitz

John,
I think that calling early digitally controlled textile looms and pianos "computers" to be quite an exaggeration. However its clear that the underpinnings of "digital control" started evolving a long time ago (the looms _ARE_ given credit in my computer textbooks).

Now although I have said player pianos are not "computers", there are some really interesting digitally controlled analog functions that take place in the reproducing pianos. The manifold pressure is controlled by a "digital to analog converter" and in some cases involves a very interesting analog feedback mechanism, and the crescendo involves an analog "integrator".

These functions were never mentioned in my textbooks. In as much as Robbie Rhodes has a master's degree in "control systems", I wonder if his professors ever talked about the location of reproducing pianos on the "control system evolution" totem pole ?

Jody

CC: rrhodes@foxtail.com


Key Words in Subject:  Are, Computers, Early, Pianos, Player

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