> We treat air like water, so, can you make a device that is similar
> except that the steam is replaced with pressurized air, and instead
> of a water supply line you would have a vacuum line?

It's not exactly what you want, but you can buy an air-powered vacuum
pump from Harbor Freight Tools:

  http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3952

I don't know how much noise it makes.  It creates lots of vacuum: it's
used to evacuate refrigeration lines.  Essentially, an air jet at high
velocity is directed through the crossbar of a T-shaped pipe fitting.
Vacuum is produced in the upright of the T.  It's just a crude venturi
tube.  I don't know how such a thing might work at the low pressures
and high volumes used in player pianos.

Mark Kinsler