Self-playing piano with a factory system or… ? A system installed by a third party company that will transform your instrument into something extraordinary. There are young systems such as the Spirio from Steinway & Sons – 2015, but also those with more seniority such as the PianoDisc 1988 or the Yamaha Disklavier – 1987. However, the manufacturer that has been active the longest in the field of music ‘played’ by the instrument itself is QRS Music player piano system – since 1900!
Table of Contents
- The first self-playing piano
- How do self-play systems work?
- Different music database solutions
- Speaker in a self-playing piano
- Where can I get songs for self-playing pianos?
- Which self-playing system to choose?
QRS Music – the first self-playing piano
Initially as a recording company, working with the music masters of the time. Later as makers of self-playing instruments, reel-to-reel (rolls with songs recorded for later playback on an instrument) or recording instruments. The peak of recording production and sales of reels came in 1927. When the QRS Music Company sold 10 million reels. Many of the greatest artists of the 20th century recorded for the QRS Music Roll Company. It is thanks to this company that Disklavier or PianoDisc owns some of the works. But let’s get back to the topic at hand – “Grand and upright self-playing pianos” – QRS Music produced its first instruments in 1912.
Today, after the enormous technological development we have achieved in the last decades, we are dealing with almost perfect self-playing systems.
How do self-play systems work? How do they differ from each other?
They mainly consist of: electronics, the solenoid assembly, the sound system, software and, of course, the music base.
- The electronics, you know, circuit boards, transistors, controllers, processors, to the user, are the components tightly encapsulated. Each manufacturer has its secrets.
- The solenoid assembly, these are the “bushings and pistons” with which we can bring the instrument to life. Both work on the principle of an electromagnet. The pistons are pushed out at the right moments, thus pushing the keys from underneath and thus creating music!
- Sound system, almost every system has a high quality speaker(s). QRS gives you the option of a factory-installed 2.1 system as well as connecting to an external audio system. Yamaha also offers two sound sources. For others, the piano comes first, “the piano is everything”. – Steinway & Sons has no speaker. One of the most respected manufacturers, believes that the sound of the piano alone is all that the listener needs. Why the speaker at all? – I’ll explain later.
- The music base and software, is probably the most important aspect when choosing a manufacturer for a self-playing system. Manufacturers have different approaches. Better or worse, judge for yourself.
Different music database solutions from manufacturers of self-playing systems
Most manufacturers require the music to be on the device that simultaneously controls the entire system (tablet or phone). But what if the tablet discharges, we put it down somewhere, and we don’t have the tracks for the piano on the phone? Or we leave it next to the instrument, and we’re already resting comfortably on the sofa…
Such instruments are a bit like tablet music ‘players’. There is a manufacturer that has a different approach to the user. It gives more freedom and is more pro-consumer. The most age-experienced, QRS Music in its latest PNOmation 3 has the entire music database on an internal drive and allows you to control it from almost any device that has WiFi connectivity. In view of this, you can log into the software (without first installing the programme) from any phone, e-book reader or even a watch and enjoy up to 13,000 tracks! Others suggest saving the songs on a specially prepared tablet and storing the music and control software on it.
Why a speaker in a self-playing piano?
All manufacturers (except Steinway & Sons) offer piano pieces as well as those with parts of other instruments or vocals (for this you need the previously mentioned speaker). Popular music pieces, including contemporary music (from a year or two ago), Jazz, concert classics, also need the orchestra, percussion and vocals to sound in full synergy. It is through the loudspeakers that these parts can accompany our self-playing piano.
Where can I get songs for self-playing pianos?
Music resource – Spirio (Steinway & Sons) as it is a relatively young system currently offers around 4,500 tracks. Is expanding by a few to several dozen more tracks every month. The manufacturer has also introduced the possibility of live concerts via the web. All tracks are available as part of the purchase of the instrument, and their database is updated with subsequent releases.
Yamaha Disklavier gives several hundred tracks to purchasers of such an instrument. Those wishing to expand their base need to purchase more tracks from their shop.
PianoDisc has an identical policy to Yamaha’s – you can buy individual tracks or entire albums, compilations from the shop. You have them on a pre-prepared tablet and play them from there.
QRS Music has a huge database of 13,000 tracks, of which the user owns around 4,500 tracks. And then the magic begins… The remaining tracks can be purchased in a similar way to the 2 previous companies. Tracks, albums, but also specially prepared themed compilations. There is also the possibility to buy a subscription for all songs for a period of one, two and ten years. To all this, we should mention the fact that to operate the instrument, as I mentioned earlier, we do not need a specially prepared device. As all the music is available on the internal disk. The manufacturer also, like Steinway, offers live concerts and has introduced picture concerts. Including Elton John, who will play our instrument.
Which self-playing system to choose?
Well… Some are only available as leaving the factory with a pre-installed system in a new instrument – Yamaha and Steinway. Others we can install into existing instruments – PianoDisc and QRS player piano system. Each of these systems have an excellent performance.
When trying to choose, I would personally base my choice on the number of tracks available and ease of use. Probably as much as anyone. The differences between the systems are most apparent in price and handling. Ultimately, the decision is up to you.
Author: Adam Grzeluszka
Expert in installation and service of PianoDisc and QRS Music self-playing systems; as well as installation and service of silent playing systems. Tuner of the Karol Lipinski Academy of Music in Wroclaw. Tuner of the Capitol Music Theater in Wroclaw.
Article written in collaboration with PianoOpus