Hello fellow Pianocorder owners,  Mark Fontana has created a new
Windows-based computer program that will allow you to play MIDI files
of piano roll scans through your Pianocorder directly from your
computer and/or you can also make new tapes as desired.

The new program utilizes the popular Winamp player.  Mark Fontana has
created a truly fantastic plugin [software module] for the Winamp to
allow it to play the Pianocorder, and includes all the necessary
features so as to have complete control over playback, plus some neat
extras too!

First and foremost in the features list is the all important Tempo
control.  The huge tempo range of the plugin can slow the fastest MIDI
file to a listenable tempo.  This is welcome relief for Pianocorder
owners, who for years have been restricted to using tapes which had
many selections recorded at such fast tempos that it was impossible to
slow them to a reasonable pace.

In addition to the all important Tempo control, a Volume control,
even a Transposition control is included in the program control screen.
This is very handy if you play another instrument along with the piano,
but have the music in another key and are not adept at transposing
yourself.

One of the other totally fun features of the new player is a really
cool spool box display showing the piano roll traveling over the
tracker bar in sync with the music!  Winamp allows setting various
sizes for its control screens, so you may pick as small or large a
display of the spool box as you wish.

There are even more features included in the program; see
http://dp70.dyndns.org/pianocorder/

There are over a thousand excellent quality free MIDI files from
piano roll scans available.  Many more are available for a modest fee.
(See links on the site listed above).

The physical connection between the computer and Pianocorder requires
only the addition of an inexpensive drop-in cassette tape adapter and
a stereo patch cable.  Everything needed to upgrade your Pianocorder to
a computerized point and click jukebox player, including the new Winamp
plugin costs less than $200.

The new Mark Fontana Winamp Plugin will do for your Pianocorder what
the Gerety-Chase valve system is doing for pneumatic reproducers, and
then some.  You will now be able to play your Pianocorder from your
computer for hours of nonstop music at the touch of a mouse.  No more
problematic tapes to fool with or change.  Then again, if you wish to
make new tapes for your Pianocorder, the program can do that also.

Even if your tape decks tape transport is no longer working, you can
use the new plugin to bring your Pianocorder back to life.  Using the
cassette adapter removes the necessity of trying to capture the signal
off old worn tapes that may not track well.  The cassette adapter
delivers the signal directly to the tape head in the tape deck through
physical/magnetic contact, so no more tracking/transport problems.
Used correctly (read: "push the pause button"), there is no mechanical
sound associated with using a cassette adapter with the Pianocorder,
so the deck remains a silent partner in reproducing the music.

Because I have written before of special editing I found necessary with
the previous DOS based program for translating MIDI to Pianocorder
data, I should mention that with the new program _no_ editing of MIDI
files is necessary.  Just load them into the Winamp player and enjoy!

You may immediately download a fully functional copy of the new Winamp
Pianocorder plugin from the site to install on your computer and try
out on your Pianocorder.

Though the player is fully functional, it will only play the first
60 seconds of a file for trial purposes.  The purchase of a license
will remove the 60-second restriction.  The price for the license at
$150 is extremely reasonable for all the great features, convenience
and wonderful music this player will bring to you through your newly
upgraded Pianocorder system.

Once you have your new system set up and fully functional, you may
also, upon proof of ownership, acquire PC data files of original
Pianocorder tapes in your possession, which you can also play through
the Winamp player, so *no more tapes* to deal with.  Also, you will
finally be able to slow the overly fast taped selections to a
reasonable tempo.

The player can also translate other file types used for solenoid
pianos.  See information about the various formats at the site.

I would like to thank Mark for all his work to upgrade Pianocorder
access, including the earlier DOS program, which I used for the last
couple of years until the new windows program was perfected.  I have
had countless hours of enjoyment from my Pianocorder because of his
interest in creating these programs for our use.

The old DOS program tremendously expanded the possibilities of the
Pianocorder system and now the new windows program has taken that about
a light year ahead in quality of reproduction, efficiency and ease of
use.  It's a truly great feat of programming, guaranteed to markedly
increase the fun quotient and enjoyment of owning/operating a
Pianocorder.  Thanks, Mark!

Unlike the previous system which required making and storing gigantic
wave files, the plugin needs only MIDI files to operate, so requires
only a fraction of hard disk space for thousands of MIDI files.  With
that in mind, and because my Pianocorder keytop player is portable,
I have acquired an older Pentium II 332 MHz laptop to go with it.

Even adding the laptop, the plugin, laptop, adapter, and cord came to
a total of only $430, to totally upgrade and make totally portable my
Pianocorder Obensetzer.

You will find that the Pianocorder site is extremely well done and
contains many sources of information related to the Pianocorder,
including but not limited to, Pianocorder history, links to thousands
of excellent quality MIDI files, an extensive step by step guide with
pictures for installing Winamp and the plugin, FAQs page, links to the
Pianocorder Forum and other Pianocorder resources, etc.  Visit
http://dp70.dyndns.org/pianocorder/

Enjoy!

Tom Lear
San Francisco, Calif.