Player
Pianos
Cordogan’s
is one of the most knowledgeable dealerships anywhere when it comes
to player piano systems and the technology that drives them. With
our large warehouse and installation factory (almost 30,000 sq.
ft.), Cordogan’s handles the installation, maintenance and
service internally, without the need for subcontractors. (Click
here for information about Cordogan's full-time player piano installer!)
Today’s player pianos are capable of endless features,
including famous DVD performances (Norah Jones Live in Paris...Billy
Joel Live at Yankee Stadium) seen & heard through your A/V system,
while your piano actually accompanies it live. That’s just
the beginning, but we’ll get into that later... Here is your
crash course on the product that is taking music where no music
has gone before.
WHAT
ARE THEY?
It's
a fascinating concept - CD's and even Compact Flash drives containing
data (and sometimes additional audio accompaniment for your stereo)
which somehow gets miraculously turned into beautiful music by the
piano in your living room. Paper rolls laced with holes through
which air passed accomplished this feat for decades, but digital
media has taken their place. In the same fashion CD's replaced vinyl,
digital data has turned the paper piano rolls of yesteryear into
musical nostalgia. Computer-operated player pianos are entertaining,
educational and they are very popular. In many areas, player pianos
represent more than 50% of all new grands sold to residential customers.
And their popularity has just begun!
HOW DO THEY WORK?
Electronic solenoids
(piston-like devices) tucked behind each key receive information
from an on-board computer telling each key solenoid when to fire,
how hard to fire and when to let go. Pedal information on some player
systems is also transferred in this same manner. The key solenoids
are capable of reproducing 127 volume levels, delivering authentic
performances from Herbie Hancock to Horowitz... and we do mean literally
"from" Herbie Hancock to Horowitz, as there is software
available of their original performances captured digitally - not
just someone else performing their works or imitating their styles.
WHAT’S
THE LATEST?
While 3.5"
disk drives have been the primary means of basic systems for over
a decade, CDs now exist in almost all models. In the better systems,
CD's are joined by a secondary medium such as a Compact Flash drive
or the seemingly obsolete but under-appreciated 3.5" diskette.
The reasons for NEEDING two active drives are lengthy and somewhat
complicated. Among other things, a dual drive system is necessary
for downloading music from the internet and it's needed to work
within the guidelines of ASCAP & BMI (artist protection groups)
-- which in turn, allows you the full benefits of player piano technology.
Some differences
between systems are visibly obvious -- like how PianoDisc's 228CFX
has a built-in 3.5" diskette drive and its sleeker little sister,
the PianoCD doesn't. Others are more subtle, like how the QRS Ancho
system has a full LCD display & built-in sound card to accompany
the onboard CD & Compact Flash drives; unlike its little sister
model, the "Petine" which only has a three-digit LED display
and no sound card. Please consult a Cordogan's representive to hear
about the important, distinctive features between ALL player piano
models.
The biggest
hurdle that you'll likely face is that most piano stores (more specifically
the salespeople in them) really don't understand the technology
and what these systems are capable of doing. You may find yourself
amazed that your knowledge of technology will produce simple questions
that piano salespeople cannot answer. Hopefully the salesperson
will defer to a company colleague who can answer them. If such a
person does not exist at within that company, you haven't found
the right dealer!
Consumers in
some markets are also faced with the challenge that not all products
are represented by their local dealers so you'll never get to see
the premier models from the two major manufacturers (PianoDisc's
228CFX and the QRS Ancho). QRS has chosen to offer the top-of-the-line
Ancho model only as a limited distribution product that necessary
Call or stop by a Cordogan's location to get educated on differences
between the player systems. We carry more than anyone in Chicagoland!
As
a customer of Cordogan's, you will receive a GIANT, FREE MUSIC LIBRARY!
Besides whatever music/software Cordogan's is proud to be the only
dealer in the world who offers a private and ever-growing library
of thousands of songs for you to download for your player piano!
Customers receive a password to our MIDI File Vault containing music
that Cordogan's has either purchased the rights to redistribute,
acquired the rights to redistribute or music that is public domain
but had been reformatted for player piano systems. Purchasing this
much music could cost thousands of dollars -- if it were even available
for purchase. We're proud to offer a lot of music that isn't available
through ANY manufacturer's library!
While it is true that current player piano systems are designed
to function with virtually any piano, the operative word here is
"function" - to be read, "how well will it function?"
The system will "play" almost any piano, but it can't
improve the tone or touch of your piano. Only a fraction of pianos
available (new or used) is of a quality level that can reproduce
the artistry of these digital performances. So before you decide
on purchasing a piano to be outfitted with a player piano system,
consider the quality level of the piano itself. Reading this website
is a good place to learn about the various quality levels of pianos.
By purchasing a player piano system, you are purchasing a concert
pianist who will now reside in your home - on cue at your command.
The piano you own...or are considering owning, should be of a quality
that would allow a fine player to perform well. This doesn't mean
it needs to be a 9' concert grand, but it should be a well-made
piano with a strong reputation for performance.
The quality
level needed for a player piano's performance debunks the oft-heard
"Well, nobody in our home plays, so I don't need a great-quality
piano". The fact is that if you want a player piano system
-- whether it's factory-installed or retrofitted -- you DO need
a good piano. Consider that a player computer can't make on-the-spot
adjustments in its playing technique due to seasonal humidity changes
which have affected the response of the piano's action, like a human
can. These systems don't know if it's a humid summer or a dry winter,
but your piano sure does! Better brands adjust to the seasonal changes
better-- meaning less noticeably. Performance shortcomings of inexpensive,
weather-beaten pianos include notes that don't make sound ("note
dropout"), uneven sound (some notes are too loud or too soft),
clicks, buzzes, rattles and tuning instability. In other words,
buy as good of a piano as you possibly can, especially if a player
piano system is involved. The player system can only perform as
well as the piano is capable of allowing it to perform.
ARE
USED ONES AVAILABLE?
Yes, but they
come and go pretty quickly, so it's certainly worth checking. But
consider the following...
