PianoDisc

Maintenance Manual
Contents

• System Overview
• Handling action
• Information on adjusting key solenoids
• Information on pedal solenoid adjustment
• Technical revision guide
• Instructions for calibration on Piano iQ
• Opus setup information
• TFT Calibration
 Handling of case parts and action

Removing case parts and action

• First before removing the action it is necessary to remove all packing materials.
• Remove the fallboard.
• Remove the key blocks and keyslip.
• Locate transport locking device and unlock prior to removing the action.
Transport locking devices are always located on the hammer rail. Their purpose
is to wedge the action in such a way that it cannot shift during transport.
• If the piano is equipped with record option, unplug connector cable from record
adapter board that is attached on the treble side of the hammer rail.
• Carefully slide the action out. Check to make sure the hammers clear the
pinblock before you remove the action. Check that no keys are depressed when
the action is pulled out.

Sliding the action back into the piano

Note: For pianos with spring loaded solenoids follow steps 1 thru 5

1. Push action into the piano so that the front rail of the key frame is even with the
keybed.
2. Take keyslip and carefully place it on top of all the keys (both sharps and
naturals).
3. Depress all the keys and at the same time. While holding down keys depress full
sustain pedal.
4. While sustain pedal and all keys are fully depressed slide action back into the
piano.
5. While sliding action back into the piano be careful that the backs of keys do not
bend any plungers.
6. If piano is equipped with record, plug record cable into the record adapter.

Note: When plugging or unplugging record cable, please make sure that piano is
completely powered down (unplugged from the wall receptacle).
Key solenoid rail adjustment

Note: Before raising the solenoid rails to their final position, check the hammer
line and make any necessary adjustments.

A. The proper height of the rails is achieved when the rail is as high as
possible without lifting the hammers. The total travel of the solenoid is .460
(12 mm) and most grand piano keys travel about 3/8” to 7/16” (9.5 to11.5 mm).
The proper rail adjustment is essential in order for the piano to play correctly.
Adjust the rail height by moving the 5/16” nuts on the hanger studs.

B. Make a final check of the alignment of the plunger tips relative to the keys. If
the rail needs to be moved in order to center the plungers to the keys, remove
the solenoid rail, loosen the brackets and make the adjustment. (See Fig. 1 and
2)

Note: To check the key to plunger tip alignment from the top, slide the action out
1” and look thru the strings to observe the alignment.

Figure 1
Figure 2

C. Look across the bottom of all three solenoid rails for a quick check to see the
level of accuracy of the height adjustment. All three rails should line up straight.
 SUSTAIN PEDAL SOLENOID ADJUSTMENT
FOR GRAND AND VERTICAL PIANOS

The PianoDisc player system will function quietly if all the following adjustments are
made:

NOTE: Noise level can only be as low as if the pedal were being activated manually.

Pedal Solenoid Mechanical Adjustment

1. Adjustment begins with manual pedal operation. Refer to drawing below:

A. Loosen (C) pedal solenoid

stop pad and adjust it
upward by turning it
clockwise.

B. Loosen (B) pedal sole-

noid pushnut and adjust it
upward by turning it
clockwise.

C. Adjust (A) manual sustain

pedal rod for mini-mal
freeplay between damper
tray and bot-tom of
damper lever.
Adjustments may also be
done at the Pittman Arm
(D) or sustain threaded
rod.
2. Grand piano sustain pedal solenoid adjustment:

A. Insert a test disk into the PDS-128, PDS-128Plus or CFX-228. Select

the pedal sustain/damper song and turn song REPEAT ON on the control box
and press play.

B. Turn the ¾” nut on the pedal solenoid until the correct damper lift is achieve.
The tri-chord and bi-chord damper felt should just clear the strings (see Figure
1.)

CAUTION: Too much lift of the dampers is unnecessary and will cause
damper noise.

C. Once the proper height has been set, tighten the ½” locking nut against the 3/4”
nut. Turn the damper test song off. Move stop pad (C) down until minor
movement is noticed in the ¾” pushnut.

Tri Chord Damper Bi Chord Damper

3. Vertical solenoids are mounted with the stop pad (C) facing down. Total plunger
stroke needs to be approximately ¼”, but may vary if the dampers do not lift evenly
from the strings.

NOTE: The adjustment of the pedal solenoid for a vertical piano is

just the opposite of the grand piano. The stop pad ajustment will control the amount
of lift and the 3/4” nut will adjust the loose motion.

If the dampers do not lift enough, perform the following steps:

A. Loosen the 1/2” lock nut under the stop pad on the pedal solenoid. (see drawing
on next page).

B. Rotate the stop pad to increase the clearance between the stop pad and the
solenoid plunger.
 C. Tighten the lock nut to secure the stop pad.

D. Loosen the lock nut against 3/4” nut above the solenoid.

E. Adjust the 3/4” nut to achieve a small amount (1/16”) of loose motion.

If the damper lift is too high, perform the following steps:

A. Loosen the 1/2” lock nut under the stop pad on the pedal solenoid. (see drawing
below).

B. Rotate the stop pad to decrease the clearance between the stop pad and the
solenoid plunger.

C. Tighten the lock nut to secure the stop pad.

D. Loosen the lock nut against 3/4” nut above the solenoid.

E. Adjust the 3/4” nut to achieve a small amount (1/16”) of loose motion.

After adjustments have been completed, perform a final check by playing the test disk
or a song with sustain.
4. Hold and Strike Force:

The strike and hold forces need to be adjusted to give the necessary power to
perform. Any excess power will produce more heat at the solenoid and possibly
shorten the life of the solenoid.

For systems using 3rd generation electronics (blue driver boards), follow adjustment
instructions below for pedal solenoid hold force and strike force. For silent drive
systems, (1997 and later) refer to the next section, “Technical Information
Guide”.

3rd Generation Electronics (Blue Driver Boards) Adjustment Procedures.

A. Locate the pedal driver board.

1. On grand pianos, the board is located inside rail cover box under the piano.
Remove trapwork and rail cover. Note the MIDI cable connection on MIDI
board which is mounted inside rail cover box so that it will be properly
plugged in when adjustments are completed. Re-mount the sustain
trapwork lever for the test.

2. On upright pianos the pedal board is located inside the bottom

board(kickboard) on the driver board support rail.

B. Strike Force Adjustment:

Note: Before adjusting the strike force, the hold force must be set to “zero”.

1. Locate the hold force potenciameter on the pedal board.

2. Turn the screw clockwise until a “click” is heard. (Approxiately 10-12 turns.)

3. Play the pedal test on the test disk and observe the movement of the pedal
solenoid.

4. While the pedal test is playing, turn the strike force potenciameter clockwise
in half turn increaments until the solenoid does not lift. The object, is to find
the place which has just enough power to move the solenoid. This is our
referance point.

5. Now, turn the strike force potencianmeter counterclockwise two full turns
(more power). The two more turns of increased power past the referance
point will assure enough power when the pedal solenoid reaches operating
 temperature. If the pedal soleniod has been operating for an hour and is
fairly warm, only add one turn counterclockwise (more power) to the strike
force.

C. Hold Force Adjustment

1. Play the pedal test on the test disk. Observe the movement of the pedal
solenoid. The solenoid will be lifting the dampers with no holding.

2. While playing the pedal test, turn the hold force petentiameter
couterclockwise in half turn increments until the pedal solenoid holds
adaquately.

3. Now add two more turns counterclockwise (more power) to the hold force. If
the pedal solenoid has been operating for a hour and is fairly warm, only add
one turn counterclockwise (more power) to the hold force.

4. Play a song on the test disk or another diskette with sustain and observe the
lifting and holding of the dampers. Play the PianoDisc for an hour and re-check
the sustain pedal solenoid performance.
Calibration

Proceed with the following instructions to enter setup mode.

Learn Mode: Setting Minimum Note Velocities

The learn procedure gives the technician the ability to adjust individual note
levels for minimum note velocity as described in the next section. The Learn
procedure will give (based on technician adjustment) the best results in playback
performance.

This feature allows adjustment of the minimum MIDI key velocity that will be sent
to the solenoid on each key. The first time the software is installed on a PDS-128
/ PDS-128Plus, or when the minimum velocity tables are cleared, each minimum
key velocity will be set to 30. If the technician goes through the Learn process,
the default MIDI velocity value of “30” will be replaced with a new minimum
velocity value for each key. Minimum velocities may be set between 01 and 63.

The Learn table adjusts the Minimum Key Velocity for each note during playback.
You may need to use a different expression table than expected. For example, if
during the learn procedure the minimum velocities are 01 on more than a few
keys and many other values are low and uneven, switch the expression table to a
lighter one (example: if heavy, then change to medium). Likewise, if all notes are
high or near 63 and still not even, try the next heavier table (example: if light,
change to medium).
HOW MINIMUM MIDI VELOCITY IS USED:
Sustain Pedal Strike Force
Sustain Pedal Hold Force
In order to provide proper pedaling during playback, the Pedal HOLD force
needs to be high enough to sustain notes properly.
Piano iQ Instructions for learning
Use LEARN to set the minimum note velocity for each key. You can adjust the
minimum MIDI key velocity sent to the solenoid on each key to create optimal
playback performance.

To select the Learn mode:

1. Rotate the Select wheel to + three times and release each time to enter
the Learn mode.
The Learn LED lights up.

Learn LED lights up

3X

2. Push in the Select wheel and release.

The Learn LED starts blinking and key #88 starts to continuously and
softly play.

Learn LED will start blinking

Push in and release

iQ is now ready to start the Learn process.

We recommend starting Learn with key 88, but you can start with any
key.
To select a key:

1. Select the Learn mode.

3. Rotate the Select wheel - or + to move up and down the keyboard.
(Moving up past Key 88 rolls over to Key 1.)

Rotate the Select wheel - or + to move up and down the keyboard.

3. Stop rotating as soon as you reach your desired key.

4. Push in the Select wheel and release.
The Learn LED repeatedly blinks twice.
The key starts to play and is ready for adjustment.

LED will blink 2X repeatedly

Push in the Select wheel and release.

To lower the minimum MIDI note velocity:

1. Select the Learn mode.

2. Select a key to start the process.
 3. Rotate the Select wheel to -.
Holding the wheel in this position will continuously decrease the
velocity.

Lowering the velocity

Rotate to the left and hold

Rotating and releasing the wheel decreases the velocity by one Learn
level.
4. Push in the Select wheel and release to return to key selection.
5. Select the next key.

To increase the minimum MIDI note

1. Select the Learn mode.

2. Select a key to start the process.
3. Rotate the Select wheel to +.
Holding the wheel in this position will continuously increase the
velocity.
Rotating and releasing the wheel increases the velocity by one Learn
level.

Increasing the velocity

Rotate to the right and hold

4. Push in the Select wheel and release to return to key selection.

5. Select the next key.
To save learned velocity adjustments:

1. Push in the Select wheel and hold it

for at least two seconds.
The three mode LEDs start to blink.
When the blinking has stopped, the adjustments are saved and the
Status LED is lit (indicating normal mode.) value.

3 mode LEDs will blink

Push and hold for 2 seconds

Instructions for Pedal Solenoid Adjustment
To adjust the pedals:

1. Rotate the Select wheel to + and release three times

The Learn LED light turns on and the Status LED turns off.
2. Push and hold the Select wheel (for 2 seconds).
The Learn LED starts blinking steadily.
After 2 seconds the green Status LED lights.

LED will blink for 2 seconds

After 2 seconds Status will light up

3. Release the Select wheel.

The Dampers will start to rise and fall.
The pedal hold value has been set to 0 so that the strike level can be
adjusted.
An initial strike value of 50 has been set.

To lower the pedal strike value:

1. Move the Select wheel to -.

2. Move and hold the wheel to continuously lower the strike value.
Each move and release of the wheel lowers the strike value by 5.

To raise the pedal strike value:

1. Move the Select wheel to +.

2. Move and hold the wheel to continuously raise the pedal strike value.
Each move and release of the wheel raises the pedal strike value by 5.

After the strike force is adjusted properly, push and release the Select wheel to
commit the strike adjustment.

The Learn LED will now blink with a continuous burst of two blinks.
This indicates that you are now in pedal hold adjustment mode
An initial hold value of 30 has been set
To lower the pedal hold value:

1. Move the Select wheel to -.

2. Move and hold the wheel to continuously lower the hold value.
Each move and release of the wheel lowers the hold value by 5.

To raise the pedal hold value:

1. Move the Select wheel to +.

2. Move and hold the wheel to continuously raise the pedal hold value.
Each move and release of the wheel raises the pedal hold value by 5.
3. After the pedal hold is adjusted properly, push and release the Select
wheel to return to normal operation.
When the Learn LED is off and the Status LED is on (amber until data
is found), normal operation resumes.

Note: Pushing Reset button to abort this operation will not return the pedal
values to a previous value. Normal operation is resumed, but the pedal might not
operate properly.
 Opus Calibration

Configuration
Now that the hardware is installed, the system must be configured. We will start by configuring
the piano and audio settings. This will enable Opus7 to achieve the best possible performance on
the piano. Lastly, we will configure advanced options, such as connection to a broadband
Internet device.

SilentDrive Configuration
Opus7 requires revision “G-6” or higher of the SilentDrive system. If this is a new system, then
“G-6” or later will already be installed. If the Opus 7 system is being added to an older player
system it is important to down load the current revision in that control box.

SilentDrive Software Download Procedure

1. Touch the “Backstage” tab on the user interface.
2. Next, touch the far right corner of the “Preferences” box followed by touching the lower right
corner of the “Automatic Updates” box. This will unlock a technician area that allows for
more advanced customization.
3. You now have 3 more icons; “Audio, “Send” and “Silent Drive”. Touch the “Send” Icon.
This will bring up the “Silent Drive Updates”.
4. Now touch the “sdrevg6” or latest update (sdrevh as of this document revision), and then
touch “Send”. The update will take approximately 2 minutes.
5. Find the status indicator on the home screen (on the lower left corner). If the indicator is
green, the SilentDrive was updated successfully and the system is ready for configuration.
6. If the status indicator remains red or yellow after five minutes, refer to the troubleshooting
guide in Appendix A.

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Expression Table
The expression tables were created for the different types of pianos as well as the action touch
response. When key solenoid moves the key in an upward motion, it is controlled by many small
pulses of voltage designed in the expression table. There is one grand and two vertical expression
tables. The grand expression table is for grand pianos. The vertical “L” (long) expression table is
for upright pianos with a solenoid stroke of 3/8” or more. The vertical “S” (short) expression
table is for upright pianos with a key solenoid stroke of 5/16” or less. By measuring the key
travel, you can determine which expression table should be used.
NOTE: It is very important that the piano action is in proper regulation before choosing an
expression table or performing any part of the set-up.
1. Select the appropriate expression table by touching the check box list on the interface.
2. Touch the “Send” button on the interface. The expression table will be sent to the SilentDrive
board (CPU).
3. While the expression table is being sent, the status indicator will turn yellow and a progress
bar will appear. When the operation is complete, the status indicator will change to green.
4. If the status indicator does not change to green after two minutes, refer to the troubleshooting
guide in Appendix A.

Key Weight
The key weight selection gives the technician the ability to obtain the optimum expression range.
Touch the “Silent Drive” Icon. There are three choices of key weight: Heavy (60g+), Medium
(53-59g) and Light (48-52g). Measure the down weight on the key (without dampers) to choose
the correct key weight. Select the weight by pressing the button next to the weight you have
chosen. Press the “3” at the bottom of the screen, then press the manual learn start button. Once
you have entered the Manual learn mode, key #1 will play. Lower the volume and confirm that a
low volume can be reached. Perform this same test at six random locations on the keyboard.
The ideal situation is to have numbers under 20. This will produce a good expression range. If
the volume is too loud at the lowest number, then it is necessary to choose the next lighter key
weight. If the numbers are too high, then a heaver key weight must be selected.

Key Split Points

The piano keyboard is divided into three sections; bass, tenor, and treble. It is important to
identify these sections to ensure proper playback.
1. Go back to the first page of the silent drive pages by pressing the “1” at the bottom of the
screen. Starting with the Bass split point; use the arrows to select the last key in the Bass
section.
2. Next, use the arrows to select the last key in the Tenor section.

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Key Hold Force
The purpose of the key hold force setting is to control the amount of power the key solenoid
receives during the hold time. The key hold force holds the key in the full stroke position for the
duration of the note being played.
When the “test” button is depressed, the piano will play a four-note cord. While the keys are held
down by the key solenoids, pull the keys up in front or push down on the back of the key.
Ideally, the four notes will return to the fully depressed position. Adjust the hold force value to
achieve this response on each section.
1. Press “2” to advance to the second SilentDrive calibration screen.
2. Starting with the Bass hold force, use the arrows to adjust the hold force to the desired value.
3. Touch the “Test” button to test the current setting.
4. In the bass section 4 keys will play. While the 4 keys are in the down position, pull the keys
up to their rest position and watch the response of the keys. They should go back to full dip
and play softly.
5. If the keys do not have enough power to play softly, then increase the hold number and re-
test.
6. Continue to adjust and test until the proper setting is achieved.
7. Repeat steps 3-5 for the Tenor and Treble sections.

Manual Learn
This allows the technician to adjust the piano to a comfortable volume. The manual learn is
basically setting the lowest volume per note. If the volume is too loud at the lowest number, then
it will be necessary to choose a lighter key weight.
1. Press “3” to advance to the third SilentDrive calibration screen.
2. Touch the “Start” button to start the manual learn process. The first piano key will begin
playing repeatedly.
3. Use the “Learn” arrows (or bar) to increase or decrease the key volume until the desired level
is achieved.
4. When finished with a key, touch a “Key” arrow to advance to the next key.
5. Repeat steps 2-3 until all 88 keys have been set.
6. Touch “Save” to make the learn settings permanent.

Minimum Note Duration

The minimum note duration is the minimum amount of time the note is on. Press the test button
and observe if all notes play. Decrease the value as low as possible. Ideally, the lowest
minimum note duration value with all notes playing is best. If the number value is too high, it
may not play fast trills. It is best not to exceed 50.
1. Use the arrows to set a value for the minimum note duration.

19 06/16/05
2. Touch “Test” to incrementally play all notes on the piano at minimum volume and duration.
3. Repeat steps 1-2 until the desired result is achieved.

Sustain Pedal
The purpose of the sustain pedal adjustment, is to give the pedal solenoid the necessary amount of
power required to operate the sustain pedal properly. There are two power adjustments for the
sustain pedal solenoid: Strike and hold force. During the strike force adjustment the hold force
must be set to “0” because it will affect the strike force value.
PEDAL STRIKE
1. Press “4” to advance to the fourth SilentDrive calibration screen.
2. Set the “Pedal Hold” value to “0”.
3. Press the “Pedal Strike” test button and confirm the dampers are lifting.
4. 4. Decrease the value until the pedal solenoid will not lift when the “Pedal Strike” test is
pressed.
5. Increase the “Pedal Strike” value in increments of 5 numbers until the dampers lift.
6. Now, if the pedal solenoid is cold, increase the value 20 more numbers. If the pedal solenoid
has been in operation for at least one hour, then increase the value 10 numbers.
PEDAL HOLD
1. Increase the “Pedal Hold” value to 20 and press the test button.
2. Check to see if the dampers hold for 5 seconds. If they do not hold, then increase the
3. “Pedal Hold” value 5 numbers and re-check. Continue to increase and test until the dampers
hold.
4. Now, if the pedal solenoid is cold, increase the value 20 numbers. If the pedal solenoid has
been in operation for at least one hour, then increase the value 10 numbers.
PEDAL DROPTIME
The “Pedal Droptime” is the minimum amount of time that the pedal will be off before it will
strike again. The purpose of the “Pedal Droptime” adjustment is to make sure the dampers are off
the strings between fast repeating pedal messages. The default setting of 55mS is usually too
low, over 100ms will work best.
NOTE: Check the damper follow on a lower bass string to verify there is at least 1/16” damper
follow before increasing the “Pedal Droptime”

NRC Tables (Note Release Control)

Note release control is a method of controlling the return of the piano key after the hammer has
struck the string. The purpose is to reduce the amount of action noise created by the sudden
stopping of the key. Some piano actions have more noise than others. “Table 1” has been
optimized for spring-less solenoids. “Table 2” has been optimized for solenoids with springs.

20 06/16/05
1. Press “5” to advance to the fifth SilentDrive calibration screen.
2. Select the desired NRC Table.

Spring-less solenoid optimizations

The new spring-less solenoids react differently than the solenoids with springs. To compensate
for this the silent drive CPU software will pulse them slightly differently when Spring-less is
turned on. The amount of power needed can be different also. The power setting allows you to
adjust the amount of power needed to get proper playback.
1. If spring-less solenoids are installed on the piano press the On/Off button so it is lit, turning
the spring-less adjustment on.
2. For spring-less solenoids, the power setting is typically +4. Adjust this setting for proper
playback.

Preferences
User preferences may be customized, and will likely be different for each customer. Below, we'll
step through each option. Press the Preferences Icon to go to the preferences pages.

Symphony Type
Opus7 supports several different Symphony options. Since one or more Symphony options can
be installed simultaneously, Opus7 must be told which Symphony option to use. To select a
symphony option, simply touch it. The following Symphony types are currently supported:
• None: If no symphony accompaniment is desired, simple select “None”.
• Sound Font: To use the Internal Sound Font, select “Sound Font”. (If the button is grayed
then this option is not installed.)
• To use the hardware-based SymphonyPro, select “SymphonyPro”.
• To use an external MIDI module connected to MIDI Out, select “External”.

Automatic Updates
PianoDisc engineers occasionally make changes to the Opus7 software in order to add new
features or correct newly discovered problems. When an optional broadband Internet connection
is present, these updates can be delivered automatically. However, some users may still prefer to
have control over the process.
• If a broadband Internet connection is present and the user wishes to receive updates
automatically, select “Automatic Updates”.
• Touching “Update Now” will check the Internet (if available), CD drive, and MX3 for
updates.

21 06/16/05
 Record System Calibration

If you would like to get started right away, you may refer to the instructions on the keyboard template. For
more detailed explanations, please read this document. This document applies to all QuietTime units, all
Record boards with RecordQ software and all Modular Record boards.

Entering Setup Mode

1. Place the keyboard template between the back of the piano keys and it’s fallboard.

2. Enter setup mode by playing C# above middle C and the last three treble notes A#, B, and C on
the keyboard. The record board LED will start blinking to indicate that you are in setup mode.
The notes can be played in any order.

Adjusting the Master Playing Level

The Master volume of the MIDI Controller record system is adjusted using the lower bass white
notes on the piano. The range is –5 (low A) to +5 (one octave higher then the lowest D). Select a
value that will recreate the closest playback volume that’s equal to the volume when performed and
recorded.

Adjusting black/white volume balance

The volume of the black keys relative to the white keys may be adjusted using the lower black keys
of the piano. The range is –5 (low B flat) to +5 (B flat two octaves higher). Select a setting that al-
lows you to record a chromatic scale where the volume of black and white keys is equal.

Adjusting overall dynamic response

The highest octave keys select different “expression tables”. These tables determine how the TFT
record strip controls the volume of notes, based on your attack at the keyboard. The diagrams on the
keyboard template indicate playing strength on the horizontal axis, and volume on the vertical axis.
For example 1 through 4 change linearly on your attack. Tables 5 and 6 don’t generate higher vol-
umes until a significant increase in playing strength is detected. While tables 7 and 8 rise quickly to
higher volume levels.

Note: The tables described here are primarily used for the MIDI controller system. Expression table
four is recommended as a good compromise, and will work well in most situations. The attack is not
too fast nor too slow.

Adjusting keyboard sensitivity

This selection has two possible settings. The “Upright” setting is the most sensitive setting of the two
possible selections. Use this setting if recording fails to recognize extremely short staccato notes. Use
“Grand” if you find it extremely difficult to achieve a “legato” touch.
Leaving setup mode
1. Leave setup mode by playing the C# above middle C and the last three treble notes A#, B, and C
on the keyboard. The record board LED will stop blinking to indicate that you are out of setup
mode. The notes can be played in any order.

2. Once you have left setup mode, you can begin to use the entire keyboard normally.

3. Any changes you have made to the settings will be saved automatically for you. They will
remain in effect even if you turn off the system.

Power LED StandbyLED

MIDI DATA LED Record LED

Pedal LED's

Blue Record Board

LED's Location

Power LED Standby LED

MIDI DATA LED Record LED

Pedal LED's

Modular Record Board

LED's Location