Hello, I answer on your request of a roll reader for fixed standard.
I build these and can provide them. It is possible that you make yourself
the boxwork and paper transport, and I provide only the electronic parts
for reading and converting in Midi real-time.

It is possible to change the optical tracker bar, so you can read up to
128 notes of any standard in plugging the optical fibers the way you need
to following the scale.

A gearmotor (English) with variable-speed drives the paper rolls, and to
record you plug a Midi cable into your computer with a sequencer software
running.  You have audio control over the synthesizer sound you want to
(piano, for example), and you can edit the music on the screen for
corrections or additions.  The paper is read in normal speed, but you can
slow down if it is of any interest.

It does not make steps but it has a continuous movement, as on the
instrument. It works with 0.3 mm precision maximum, but you hear only
mandolin with that.  If you change distance, the light diffuses
differently and you get other results.  It is up to you to find a good
compromise.

Thus it is possible to read rolls without having the instrument. I collect
records this way, and archive them as Midi file on CD-ROM. Then you
convert them to any other instrument if you want.

This reading machine is normally built in a suitcase, so you take it with
you to other collectors at the same time as a portable computer or any
other Midi recording device.

The complete machine costs USD 6000 with the first scale, but the
mechanical part is alone about USD 1000;  that can be saved in building
it yourself -- I have to calculate this exactly.

I built this universal reader about 3 years ago and it works perfectly
since.  At the moment I work on a video version of that device.  This
would avoid plugging around the optical fibers when changing standard;
I will tell you about how this is going on.  But if you do not have to
change standard every 5 minutes, this is a fine reader.

Robert Hopp

P.S.  Robbie, thanks for that very nice note [in "Copying Music Rolls",
Digest 961206].  I like your writings very much (and your music too) !
I don't have too much time to participate more to the Digest, but I read
it every day.

I send you greetings from "Wolfi" -- you are his friend now -- and he just
tells me to write to you that he is pleased to make every music for almost
every instruments any time.  He is just universal ... !

Quercus Edition - Robert Hopp
Mechanical Music Workshop : organs & music by "Amadeus"
Erlenweg 16, D-84183 Niederviehbach
Tel : +49 8702 91183  Fax : +49 870291184
e-mail : Robert.Hopp@Quercus-Hopp.com
Internet : http://www.quercus-hopp.com