Hi All,  I have been developing a new way to create rolls.  Actually,
it is not new at all; QRS and J. Lawrence Cook did it for many years
with their "stop" piano.

I am attempting to interface my Foster piano to the computer's
Cakewalk Pro audio MIDI program.  I am installing an extra foot pedal
on the piano which will advance the "piano roll" in Cakewalk 1/32-note
at a time.  However, some custom programming would be very useful here
to get the Cakewalk program to do what I want it to.  Any help would
be greatly appreciated.

My MIDI-equipped piano will not need "stops" like the Old QRS piano
did.  Once Cakewalk is in step record mode, any additional key that
is held down, even after the initial strike, will be recorded on that
measure of music, until it is advanced.  Cakewalk does not really do
a good job at note durations in step-record mode though; this work must
be done after-the-fact, although I feel that in the hands of a skilled
programmer, this could be overcome.

What I am attempting to do is to combine the best of both worlds:
hand-played selections without timing errors.  I feel that step
recording may be the answer to this.

This will work quite simply: play, advance, play, advance..., and so
forth.  The advance will be foot operated and the monitor will be on
the music shelf where it can be seen at all times.

I have tried to capture my true hand-played style in piano roll form
without much luck.  Most people say, "Gee, that sounds nothing like
your rolls -- why don't you arrange rolls in _that_ style?"

I really think this will work.  Although it will take a little more
time to actually create a new arrangement using this method, I feel
that it will give my rolls a new sound and reflect my true hand
playing.

J. Lawrence Cook used the step recording method.  His arrangements have
never been equaled, and probably never will.  Nor would I ever claim to
even come close to Cook's genius.  However, I feel that by duplicating
the method that he used, with practice and persistence, I may be able
to improve my technique.

Once I get this all together and actually arrange something with it,
I will put the MIDI file on our site for all to hear.

Is there a computer programmer in the house?

Andy Taylor
Tempola music rolls