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Autopiano Reostyle Expression System
By John A. Tuttle

I'm helping a man with an Autopiano player system that has the Reostyle

expression switch (see pictures below).



If anyone knows how this switch is supposed to be tubed to the system,

please contact me.  There are a few things that are odd about the system.

First, the only obvious "expression" devices in the piano are the regular

Bass and Treble Soft devices and the Sustain device.  Second is the note

in the M.F. position of the Indicator, which reads "Here when using

buttons."  This would seem to indicate that the Reostyle switch controls

the operation of the Bass and Treble Soft devices in one of the five

positions.  Third, the system also a pneumatic cutout pouch as opposed

to a mechanical cutout, which is more common in an Autopiano system. And

it has a Silent pushbutton.



Looking at the pouch-operated cutout, what comes to mind is the choker

device that Durrell Armstrong created for controlling the volume of the

piano when using a constant speed vacuum pump.  By admitting a metered

amount of atmosphere into the pouch well, the position of the pouch could

be controlled, which would limit the air flow.  Judging by the small size

of the holes in the switch, they might be used to control the pouch.



Anyhow, any suggestions are welcome.



Musically,

John A. Tuttle

Player-Care

Brick, NJ



 [ Reostyle Indicator

 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/05/28/180528_172143_IMG_1763.JPG
Attachment thumbnail [ Reostyle Switch [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/05/28/180528_172143_reostyle-switch.jpg
Attachment thumbnail [ Reostyle Tubing [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/05/28/180528_172143_reostyle-tubing.jpg
Attachment thumbnail [ Cutout Valve [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/05/28/180528_172143_IMG_1795.JPG
Attachment thumbnail

(Message sent Mon, 28 May 2018 17:21:43 -0700 (PDT) , from time zone -0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Autopiano, Expression, Reostyle, System