Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling note velocity within an electronically controlled player piano in response to the analog characteristics (level, strength, amplitude, etc.) of a received audio signal encoded with a MIDI (or similar) note stream. The invention allows conventional audio playback devices to be utilized as a source for MIDI information which drives the actuation of the keys of the player piano.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling note velocity and thus relative instrument volume within an electronically controlled player piano in response to the characteristics (level, strength, amplitude, etc.) of a received audio signal encoded with a MIDI (or similar) note stream. The invention allows conventional audio playback devices to be utilized as a source for information which drives the actuation of the keys of the player piano and allows the volume control of these devices to control the overall volume of an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling note velocity within an electronically controlled player piano in response to the analog characteristics (level, strength, amplitude, etc.) of a received audio signal encoded with a MIDI (or similar) note stream. The invention allows conventional audio playback devices to be utilized as a source for MIDI information which drives the actuation of the keys of the player piano.

Abstract: A player piano system including a player piano having a core computing device with programming, a storage device installed therein configured to communicate with at least one second computing device such as an Internet server. A remote controller device communicates with the core computing device and provides remote access to the player piano controls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing minimum note velocity compensation within a player piano, or other instrument, without compromising upper volume range note velocity consistency. The minimum note velocity which needs to be applied to each of the keys in order to generate an audible response, or a response discernable either acoustically, optically, or mechanically, is determined. The minimum note velocity information is stored within the driver circuit, such as in a separate table or as part of an expression table. The received note velocity value has fewer velocity states in its range of input values than are available for output by the driver circuit, wherein minimum note velocity compensation can be performed without detracting from upper end note velocity consistency. The compensation provides improved upper end velocity performance while providing the ability to accurately playback a MIDI stream that is not processed by the control box.