PianoDisc PCD, PianoCD User Manual And Instruction Manual

Compact Disc (CD) Format
Player Piano Control Unit
PIANODISC MODEL PCD

PianoCD

Manual

IMPORTANT: BEFORE USING YOUR NEW PIANODISC PRODUCT, WE STRONGLY

RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY.

PianoDisc

a division of Burgett, Inc.

USER GUIDE AND INSTRUCTION

User Guide

Version R-A 3206

4111 North Freeway Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95834

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

www.pianodisc.com

Copyright © 2006

PianoDisc

®

and Burgett Inc.

. . . . .

®

All Rights Reserved

PianoCD

PianoDisc and Burgett, Inc. reserve the right to change product design and
specifications at any time without prior notice.

PianoCD User Guide 1

®

is protected by copyright law and international treaties.

Important: Read This First!

Care and Safety Information

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operation and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the product.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within
the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to
persons.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electrical shock. Do not remove cover or back. No user-

serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Complete safety of operation is assured by PianoDisc
when the system is properly installed and operated in its normal fashion. Do not
attempt or commision others to modify any portion of the PianoDisc system
unless specifically authorized by PianoDisc.

2 PianoCD Users Guide

Important Safety Instructions

WARNING: When using electrical appliances, these basic precautions should

always be followed:

1. Read and understand all instructions before using the product.

2. Do not open the cover under any circumstances.

3. Power is supplied through a three-prong, grounded AC connector.

Connect only to a three-prong, grounded outlet.

4. Keep the power cord away from other objects. Make sure that the cord is
not twisted, placed in any lane of traffic, or trapped under the piano.

5. Locate your PianoDisc unit away from direct sunlight, water or moisture,
or hot or cold air currents.

6. If the PianoDisc unit is to remain unused for an extended period of time,
the power supply should be disconnected.

7. If repair is necessary, refer only to authorized service personnel.

8. This product, either alone or in combination with an amplifier and

headphones or speakers, may be capable of producing sound levels that
could cause permanent hearing loss. Do not operate for a long period of
time at a high volume level or at a level that is uncomfortable. If you
experience any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an
audiologist.

9. The product should be located so that its location or position does not
interfere with its proper ventilation.

10. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall onto and liquids are not
spilled into the product through the openings.

11. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall onto and liquids are not
spilled into the piano through the keys or inside the piano cabinet

12. The product should be unplugged, and serviced by qualified service
personnel when:

• The power supply cord or plug has been damaged.

• Objects have fallen or liquid has been spilled into the product or

piano.

• The product or piano has been exposed to rain.

• The product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a

marked change in performance.

• The product has been dropped or the enclosure is damaged.

. . . . .

PianoCD User Guide 3

Certification Warnings

FCC Part 15 Regulatory Statement

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which

the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Caution: Changes or modifications to this product, which are not
expressly approved by the manufacturer, may void the user's right or
authority to operate this product.

Industry Canada Regulatory Statement

Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept interference including
interference that may cause undesired operation to the device.

Australia. This equipment complies with Australian EMC requirements of

AS/NZS 3548 and to IEC 60065 safety standard for mains operated electronic
and related apparatus for household and similar general use.

4 PianoCD Users Guide

China. This equipment meets the requirements of the Compulsory Product

Certification System (symbolized by the CCC mark) for China's established
safety approval process as listed under the Audio and Video apparatus category
of electronic equipment. The CCC product safety mark became effective August
1, 2003 and is required for all products imported into the People’sRepublic of
China for commercial and/or private use with appropriate exemptions.

Japan. This equipment complies with Japanese EMC requirements of VCCI

Class B and to IEC 60065 safety standard for mains operated electronic and
related apparatus for household and similar general use.

Save These Instructions!

General Operating Notes

• When the control unit is turned off from the front panel, your piano and

control unit will continue to consume a small amount of power.
Disconnecting your piano from the power source will completely shut down
the unit.

• If your piano or PianoCD control unit fails to operate in a manner consistent

with the instructions in this manual, please disconnect it from your power
source and contact your authorized PianoDisc Dealer, certified PianoDisc
technician or PianoDisc.

. . . . .

Technical Assistance

• Technical assistance is available online through the World Wide Web at

www.pianodisc.com

• Direct e-mail to [e-mail].

• Technical support is available by telephone from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pacific Time at [phone].

PianoCD User Guide 5

.

6 PianoCD Users Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: About PianoCD ............................................................... 9

PianoCD at a Glance ...................................................................................... 10

Control Unit .................................................................................................. 10

PianoDisc CDs ............................................................................................10

Standard CD Player ..................................................................................... 10

Where to Use PianoCD ..................................................................................11

At Home ....................................................................................................... 11

At Places of Worship ...................................................................................11

At Work ........................................................................................................11

Operational Safety .......................................................................................... 12

Control Box ..................................................................................................12

Power Source .............................................................................................. 12

CHAPTER 2: PianoCD Basics ...........................................................13

Control Unit ..................................................................................................... 14

. . . . .

Control Buttons ...............................................................................................16

Remote Control ............................................................................................... 19

Features ...................................................................................................... 19

Battery Installation ....................................................................................... 22

Operating Conditions ...................................................................................22

Using PianoCD ............................................................................................... 23

Playing a PianoDisc CD ..............................................................................23

Playing a Standard CD ................................................................................ 23

Shuffle Songs ..............................................................................................23

Transpose Keys ........................................................................................... 24

Synchronization ...........................................................................................25

PianoCD User Guide 7

CHAPTER 3: Ports .................................................................................. 26

Ports and Controls .......................................................................................... 27

CHAPTER 4: FAQS ................................................................................. 29

Troubleshooting ..............................................................................................30

CHAPTER 5: SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................ 33

System Specifications ..................................................................................... 34

8 PianoCD Users Guide

CHAPTER 1: ABOUT PianoCD

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PianoCD combines the original, impossible to duplicate
sound of a real acoustic piano with the finest, Compact Disc
based (CD) reproducing piano technology available today.

With your new player piano system you can:

• Play your piano as you would normally

• Allow your piano to perform for you

• Control the piano playback volume

• Enjoy hundreds of hours of high quality performances

Mail in your registration. Please take a few moments right now to fill

in and mail the Registration Card. Doing so will entitle you to full
warranty protection, and enables us to better serve you.

Review all safety information. Please review all care and safety

information included in this User Guide. This includes information
provided as part of compliance with UL, FCC, and CE (European
Community) standards.

. . . . .

In this chapter. The remainder of this chapter gives you an overview

of the PianoCD system, how it works, and the many ways you can enjoy
this product.

PianoCD User Guide 9

About PianoCD

PianoCD at a Glance

The PianoCD system is a combination of amazing mechanics and sophisticated
computer technology. It is an enhanced CD player control unit, designed to
transmit music and performance information to computer driven solenoids
concealed within the piano. Each solenoid is capable of reproducing up to 127
different levels of expression. The system has three different remarkable
innovations that, when combined, make the seemingly impossible a reality.
These innovations are:

Control Unit Developed exclusively by PianoDisc, the PianoCD control unit is a CPU and CD

player that reads specially encoded PianoDisc CDs and transmits the
performance information to the playback mechanism in your piano. The control
unit allows you to control various aspects of the performance, including playback
volume and, in the case of accompaniment enhanced discs, the volume balance
between the piano and the prerecorded accompanying music. Features that
many PianoCD owners appreciate include:

• Easy push-button control

• Easy connection to a home stereo

• Convenient remote control

• Flexible volume control

• Stereo headphone jack

• Usable as a standard CD player

PianoDisc
CDs

Standard
CD Player

10 PianoCD Users Guide

Using a format created by PianoDisc exclusively for the PianoCD, 228CFX and
Opus7 systems, these remarkable CDs permanently store a wide variety of
musical performances, either for solo piano or for accompanied piano
performances (including live accompaniments), representing the state of the art
in acoustic/digital piano musical reproduction.

Your PianoCD system can also be used as a standard CD player. It easily
connects to most home stereos. The system is equipped with a stereo
headphone jack, enabling you to enjoy standard CDs in complete privacy without
disturbing others.

About PianoCD

Where to Use PianoCD

At Home A piano is a welcome enhancement to any household. Pianos are learning tools,

decorator items and, to some, as necessary to complete a household as living
room furniture or kitchen appliances.

PianoCD systems bring a whole new dimension to the household piano.
Homeowners appreciate not only the beauty of the instrument, but also the
streamlined implementation of the system’s features. Traditional decor can be
preserved while still having easy and complete access to an amazing array of
new musical possibilities.

. . . . .

At Places of
Worship

The PianoCD control unit is uniquely suited for the worship environment. Several
of the selections in the PianoDisc CD library include performances by many of
the best sacred music pianists ever recorded. Beautiful meditation music can
enhance many worship services, and PianoDisc recordings of many sacred
masterpieces can enhance seasonal events such as Christmas. Your PianoCD
control unit can also be used in the event your pianist is absent from a worship
service.

At Work Many different commercial environments use a piano, including restaurants,

bars, hotel lobbies, department stores and shopping centers. Many of these
environments are so enhanced by the presence of pianos and pianists that they
would never give them up. However, sometimes a pianist simply isn't available.
For those times, a PianoCD system can fill the void with performances by many
of today’s most respected pianists.

PianoCD User Guide 11

About PianoCD

Operational Safety

Before using your piano with the PianoCD system, always check the following:

Control Box Make sure the system’s Control Box is properly connected. The technician

delivering and setting up your piano will connect and set up the PianoCD control
unit.

Power
Source

Make sure the correct power source is available.

• In the United States, your piano uses a standard 120-volt AC household

electrical outlet as a power source.

• In other countries, the piano is usually equipped with a power supply and

cord that are compatible with the prevailing voltage standards of that
geographic area.

If you have any questions concerning compatibility with local electrical
standards, please consult your PianoCD retailer before connecting your piano to
a power source.

Make sure the system is properly plugged into the correct power source.

• For systems installed on Vertical (upright) pianos, the electrical cord is

usually found extending from a small hole in the back of the piano. Make
sure the cord is securely plugged into the outlet before moving the piano
against the wall. Do not crush the cord or plug under or against the piano.

• For systems installed on Grand pianos, the electrical cord extends from the

power supply. The power supply is usually mounted on a support beam
under the piano. Plug the electrical cord securely to a power source and
avoid placing the cord where someone may trip over it.

12 PianoCD Users Guide

CHAPTER 2: PianoCD BASICS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This chapter tells you about the location and functions of the
various buttons and controls on the front panel of the control
unit and the remote control.

Read the chapter to familiarize yourself with:

• Control Unit Buttons

• Control Unit Display

• PianoCD Player

• Remote Control

. . . . .

PianoCD User Guide 13

PianoCD Basics

Control Unit

A. Control Buttons

Includes Power, Mute, Bypass, Shuffle, Stop/Eject, Skip/Scan, Play/Pause, and
Volume control buttons. Each button is explained in the next section.

B. LED Lights

A small green light above each button illuminates to indicate that the selected
feature is active.

C. Numeric Display

The illuminated display indicates the current track number or parameter values
(such as volume). Numbers turn red when you adjust a parameter. When the CD
tray is empty, the display is blank.

D. CD Tray

Open to insert or remove a CD. Press Stop/Eject to open the tray.

E. Access Light

This light indicates that data is being read from a CD.

F. CD Tray Access Button

Press this button to open the CD tray.

14 PianoCD Users Guide

PianoCD Basics

G. Manual Access Hole

Use if a CD becomes stuck in the tray or to open the CD tray when power to the
PianoCD unit is disconnected. To use the manual access hole to open the CD
tray, insert the end of a straightened paper clip into the hole.

H. Activity light

This light blinks when the PianoCD control unit is receiving the remote control
signal or when piano data is being accessed.

I. IR sensor

This sensor receives the signals from the remote control.

J. Headphone jack

Plug for output to stereo headphones. (On left side of unit; not visible in
illustration.)

K. Ventilation holes

These holes allow for air circulation to prevent overheating of components. Do
not block or cover these ventilation holes. (On top and sides of unit; not visible in
illustration.)

. . . . .

PianoCD User Guide 15

PianoCD Basics

Control Buttons

The control buttons on your PianoCD system are easy to use.

A - Power Turns the power on/off

B - Mute Silences the piano and audio playback

C - Bypass Plays standard audio CDs

D - Shuffle Plays songs in a random order

E - Volume Up Increases the volume

F - Volume Down Decreases the volume

G - Stop/Eject Stops playback or ejects a CD

H - Skip/Scan Left Restarts a song, skips to a previous song, and scans

backwards to any point in a song

I - Skip/Scan Right Skips forward to a song and scans forward to any point in

a song

J - Play/ Pause Song playback and pause

16 PianoCD Users Guide

PianoCD Basics

The rest of the section describes what else you can do with PianoCD
controls:

To Do This

Turn on/off PianoCD Press Power. While the power is on, the

light above the Power button is illuminated.
Note: Stop playback before turning the
power off.

Eject a CD Press Stop/Eject.

Mute Press to silence piano and accompaniment

playback.

Note: The light above the Mute button
blinks and the recorded accompaniment is
muted automatically if you transpose the
piano playback to a key that is not exactly
one or two octaves above or below the
original key. The piano playback continues
in the selected key. The Transpose feature
is only accessible on the Remote Control.

. . . . .

Play standard audio CDs Press Bypass to hear songs on a standard

audio CD in stereo. Playing standard audio
CDs outside of the Bypass mode outputs
pseudo-stereo audio.

Play songs randomly Press Shuffle.

Start a song over Press Skip/Scan Left while the song is

playing.

Play the next song Press Skip/Scan Right.

Play the previous song Press Skip/Scan Left.

Scan forward to any point in
a song

PianoCD User Guide 17

Press and hold Skip/Scan Right while the
song is playing.

PianoCD Basics

To Do This

Scan backwards to any point in a
song

Pause playback Press Play/Pause while the song is

Press and hold Skip/Scan Left while
the song is playing.

playing. Press Play/Pause again to
resume playback.

18 PianoCD Users Guide

Remote Control

Your PianoCD system comes with an infrared remote control. Many of the
features on the remote control are identical to those located and accessed from
the PianoCD control unit.

Features

Power Turn power on/off

Bypass Plays standard audio

Shuffle Plays songs in a

Keypad Press track/song

Select Press to enter

PianoCD Basics

. . . . .

CDs

random order

number

track/song number

Play Playback/ Pause

Volume

Stop Stop playback

Balance P Piano volume relative

Balance S Accompaniment

Mute Silences piano and

Volume

PMute Silences piano

Piano
Tran sp ose

+

-

Increase volume

to accompaniment

volume relative to piano

accompaniment
playback

Decrease volume

playback

Transpose the key of
piano playback

PianoCD User Guide 19

PianoCD Basics

Reset Reset the volume,

balance, piano
transpose or
synchronization to
default settings

Synchronize

Scan Press and hold to scan

Adjust the
synchronization
between piano and
accompaniment
playback

forward or backward to
any point in a song.
Press once to skip
forward or backward to
another song.

The rest of the section describes what else you can do with the Remote
Control:

To Do This

Enter a song number for playback
while the CD is playing

Enter a song number for playback
while the CD is stopped.

Enter the song number and press
Select.

Enter the song number and press
Play.

Increase piano volume above
synthesized accompaniment
volume.

20 PianoCD Users Guide

Press Balance P. The current balance
setting appears on the Control Box
display.

Continue to press Balance P until you
reach the desired volume balance. As
the piano volume increases, the
synthesized accompaniment volume
decreases.

Note: Balance settings range from 1
to 99, with a default balance of 50.
Use only for PianoDisc CDs.

To Do This

Increase synthesized
accompaniment volume above
piano volume.

Transpose the key of the piano
during song playback.

Restore piano playback to its
original key.

Press Balance S. The current
balance setting appears on the
Control Box display.

Continue to press Balance S until you
reach the desired volume balance.
As the synthesized accompaniment
volume increases, the piano volume
decreases.

Note: Balance settings range from 1
to 99, with a default balance of 50.
Use only for PianoDisc CDs.

Locate the Piano Transpose + and ­buttons.

Press

+ once for each half step to

transpose above the original key. The
number of half steps selected
appears on the Control Box display.

- once for each half step to

Press
transpose below the original key. The
number of half steps selected
appears on the Control Box display
and is blinking.

Press either the Piano Transpose
or

- buttons, then press Reset.

PianoCD Basics

. . . . .

+

PianoCD User Guide 21

PianoCD Basics

To Do This

Synchronize piano and
synthesized accompaniment

Restore volume, balance, piano
transpose or synchronization to
their original settings.

Locate the Synchronize
buttons.

- to shift the piano playback

Press
forward to synchronize with
synthesized accompaniment.

+ to shift the piano playback

Press
backward to synchronize with
synthesized accompaniment.

Press the button of the feature you
want to restore (e.g. Balance P, Piano
Transpose, etc.)

Press Reset.

+ and -

Battery
Installation

Operating
Conditions

The remote control is powered by two AA batteries.

To insert batteries in your remote control:

1. Remove the battery compartment cover on the back of your PianoCD

remote control.

2. Insert the batteries, making sure they are in the correct positive/negative
orientation.

3. Replace the battery compartment cover.

Your PianoCD remote control operates best when you point it directly at the front
of the PianoCD control unit.

22 PianoCD Users Guide

Using PianoCD

PianoCD Basics

. . . . .

Playing a
PianoDisc
CD

Playing a
Standard
CD

PianoDisc CDs are formatted to play music only on PianoDisc systems. CDs
permanently store a variety of musical performances recorded for the solo piano,
piano-with-live or synthesized accompaniment, and piano-with-vocal
accompaniment.

To play a PianoDisc CD:

1. Press Stop/Eject to open the CD tray.

2. Insert a PianoDisc CD and close the CD tray.

3. Wait for 01 to appear on the display.

4. Press Play/Pause to start playback.

5. Press Stop/Eject to stop playback when done.

PianoCD can also play standard audio CDs.

To play a standard audio CD.

1. Press Stop/Eject to open the CD tray.

2. Insert a standard CD and close the CD tray.

3. Wait for 01 to appear on the display.

4. Press Bypass to enter Bypass mode.

5. Press Play/Pause.

6. Press Stop/Eject to stop playback when done.

7. Press Bypass again to exit Bypass mode and resume playing

PianoDisc CDs.

Shuffle

You can set your PianoCD system to play songs in random order.

Songs

To shuffle music:

1. Press Shuffle to play songs randomly.

2. Press Shuffle again to return to normal playback.

PianoCD User Guide 23

PianoCD Basics

Transpose
Keys

On PianoDisc CDs, you can transpose the key of piano playback by half step
increments above or below the original key.

To transpose the piano playback up a key:

1. Locate the Piano Tranpose

2. Press

To transpose the piano playback down a key:

1. Locate the Piano Tranpose

2. Press

To restore piano playback to the original key:

1. Press either the

2. Press Reset.

+ once for each half step you want to move the playback above

the original key.

- once for each half step you want to move the playback below the

original key.

+ or - Piano Transpose button.

Note: The key of synthesized or vocal accompaniment cannot be

transposed. If piano playback is transposed, accompaniment is muted
unless the transpose value is 12, 24, -12 or -24 (exactly one to two
octaves higher or lower than the original key.

+ and - buttons on the remote control.

+ and - buttons on the remote control.

While accompaniment is muted the light above the Mute is illuminated
and blinking.

24 PianoCD Users Guide

PianoCD Basics

. . . . .

Synchronization

You can adjust the synchronization between the piano playback and the
accompaniment on PianoDisc CDs.

To shift the piano playback forward to synchronize with accompaniment:

1. Locate the

2. Press the

To shift the piano playback backward to synchronize with accompaniment:

1. Locate the

2. Press the

+ and - Synchronize buttons.

- Synchronize button.

+ and - Synchronize buttons.

+ Synchronize button.

PianoCD User Guide 25

CHAPTER 3: PORTS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This chapter provides information about the ports located on
the rear panel of the control unit. Ports are used to connect
the control unit to audio and/or electronic devices, the piano
and a power outlet. Also located on the rear panel are
buttons for system settings and controls.

Familiarize yourself with information in this chapter before you
connect anything to your PianoCD system. The PianoCD system
has ports available for:

• Amplifier

• Standard CD player/changer

• Headphones

• Microphone

• Piano

• Power Outlet

• Speakers

. . . . .

26 PianoCD Users Guide

Ports and Controls

A. MIC IN

Use this port to connect a PianoAmp Pickup to the piano. This port picks up the
piano output and sends it through the audio ports.

B. AUDIO INPUT ADJ.

Use this control to adjust the balance between the MIC audio and the CD audio.
You can easily adjust this control by turning it to the left or right with a flathead
screwdriver.

Ports

. . . . .

C. CD IN

Use these ports to connect a CD changer to your PianoCD control unit.

Note: Not all commercial CD changers will work properly with the
PianoCD system. See Technical Specifications in the back of the User
Guide for more detail.

D. AUDIO OUT

Use these ports to connect your output, such as amplified speakers or a home
stereo system, to your PianoCD control unit.

Note: A convenient feature of the PianoCD control unit is the permanent
connection between the CD IN ports and the AUDIO OUT ports, even
when the PianoCD control unit is turned off. Therefore, if you connect
both a CD changer and an audio output to your PianoCD unit, you do not
need to have the PianoCD unit turned on in order to play standard CDs
in the CD changer and listen to them through the audio output.

PianoCD User Guide 27

Ports

E. DEFAULT (formerly Defeat)

Press Default to return sync, balance, volume, and transpose back to default
values.

F. SETUP

Only the technician setting up your PianoCD system should use this button. You
should never press this button during normal operation. If you accidentally press
Setup, press Play/Pause to exit Setup mode.

G. 9V Power

If necessary, connect a 9V power supply to this port.

H. TO PIANO

Use this port to connect the PianoCD control unit to the piano.

I. PD Data In

Use the port to connect an external PianoDisc device.

J. MIDI Out (formerly PD Data Out)

Use the port to connect an external MIDI device.

28 PianoCD Users Guide

CHAPTER 4: FAQS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This section addresses some of the common questions that
PianoCD owners have while using their units. If you
experience difficulties while using your PianoCD system,
use the FAQs to help you remedy the problem.

If you have additional questions or need assistance, call or write to
PianoDisc Technical Support at:

4111 North Freeway Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95834

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

. . . . .

Visit our website www.pianodisc.com
products and support information.

to learn about other PianoDisc

PianoCD User Guide 29

FAQ S

Troubleshooting

When I'm playing a CD and I enter a track number, why is there a delay
before the new track starts playing?

You probably didn't press the Select button after entering the track number. If you
want a specific track to start playing immediately, enter the track number and
then press Select. If you don't press Select, there is slight delay before the track
begins.

Why is the light above the Mute button blinking?

You may have pressed one of the Piano Transpose buttons, which can cause the
recorded accompaniment to stop playing. To reset the track to its original key,
press either Piano Transpose button and then press Reset

Why is the light above the Bypass button on?

If the light is solid, you are in Bypass mode, which allows you to play standard
audio CDs in your PianoCD control unit.

A high-pitched sound is coming out of my right speaker. How do I fix this?

You are probably trying to play a PianoDisc CD while the PianoCD control unit is
in Bypass mode. If the light above the Bypass button is on, press Bypass to exit
Bypass mode. If the light is not on, there may be a problem with your audio
output connection or your speaker.

Why did the piano stop playing in the middle of a track?

Usually, the piano stops playing because you pressed Play/Pause or Stop/Eject.
Press Play/Pause and the piano should start playing again.

Why did the recorded accompaniment stop playing in the middle of a track,
while the piano kept playing?

You probably pressed one of the Piano Transpose buttons. To reset the track to
its original key, press Piano Transpose, and then press Reset.

30 PianoCD Users Guide

FAQ S

I want to sing along with a track on a PianoCD disc, but the song is keyed
too high (or low) for my voice. How can I fix this?

Use the Transpose feature to raise or lower the key in which the track is playing.

The piano seems too loud (or soft) in relation to the recorded
accompaniment. How can I fix this?

Use the Balance feature to increase the relative volume of either the piano or the
recorded accompaniment.

When I play a standard audio CD in the PianoCD unit, it doesn't sound
quite right (flat or muted). How can I fix this?

The PianoCD is probably not running in Bypass mode. Although the PianoCD
will play standard audio CDs even if it is not in Bypass mode, the output will be in
pseudo stereo sound. To switch to true stereo sound, press Bypass.

The piano seems to be slightly behind (or ahead of) the recorded
accompaniment. How can I fix it? Why does this happen?

. . . . .

Use the Sync feature to shift the piano playback forward or backward to be in
sync with the recorded accompaniment.

To explain why the piano playback might not be exactly in sync with the recorded
accompaniment, we need to start with a brief explanation of how your PianoCD
control unit works. The PianoCD control unit is specially designed to read the
unique data on a PianoDisc CD. It interprets this data and then sends the
recorded accompaniment audio output to your speakers at the same time that it
sends the piano playback commands to your piano. Your speakers respond to
the prerecorded audio almost instantaneously. However, the components inside
your piano (solenoids, hammers, etc.) must respond to the playback commands
in order to move the appropriate piano keys. This process takes just slightly
longer than the playback of the prerecorded audio, resulting in the piano being
slightly behind the recorded accompaniment. To allow for this discrepancy,
PianoDisc CDs are recorded with the piano playback already shifted forward
relative to the recorded accompaniment. The Sync feature lets you fine tune how
much the piano playback is shifted.

PianoCD User Guide 31

FAQ S

Why do I use Sync + to shift the piano playback forward relative to the
recorded accompaniment, and Sync

backward? Shouldn't the opposite buttons be used?

This answer relates to the delay discussed in the answer to the previous
question. If the piano playback seems ahead of the recorded accompaniment, it
means that the piano is shifted too far ahead of the accompaniment; in other
words, the piano is delayed too little. If the piano playback seems behind the
recorded accompaniment, it means the piano isn't shifted far enough ahead of
the accompaniment; in other words, the piano is delayed too much. Each Sync
button adjusts the amount that the piano playback is delayed relative to the
recorded accompaniment.

- to shift the piano playback

Thus, you use Sync
moving the piano playback forward. Similarly, you use Sync

delay of the piano playback, effectively moving the piano playback backward.

+ to decrease the delay of the piano playback, effectively

- to increase the

32 PianoCD Users Guide

CHAPTER 5: SPECIFICATIONS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PianoDisc® provides the technical specifications of the
PianoCD system to help you accurately and safely use it as
a standalone system or in conjunction with your own
sound/music system.

. . . . .

PianoCD User Guide 33

Specifications

System Specifications

Physical
Dimensions

Voltage
&Power

CD Input Connector Type: RCA

Microphone In Connector Type: Mono 1/8”

9.2” Width

1.2” Height

8.0” Depth

3.2 lbs.

Power: 2.0 amps at 9V D.C. (18 Watts)

Min. Input Operating Voltage: 7.5 Volts D.C.

Max. Input Operating Voltage: 13.0 Volts D.C.

Input Impedance: 10 Ohms (left & right channels)

Max. Input Voltage Level: 1.0V R.M.S. (into 10k

Ohms)

Min. Data Input Amplitude: 125 mV peak-to­peak (into 10k Ohms)

Input Impedance: 1.8k Ohms (unbalanced)

Max. Input Voltage Level: 1.0 Volt R.M.S.

(unbalanced)

Output Gain Adjustment Range: 0 - 100%

Max. Power Gain: Greater than 55 db (Mic-In to

Headphone Out)

34 PianoCD Users Guide

Audio Out Connector Type: RCA

Max. Output Voltage Level: 1.6 Volts R.M.S (left

& right channels into 600 Ohms load)

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): Less than

0.2% max. at 100mW/channel

Headphone
Out

Connector Type: Stereo 1/8”

Max. Power Output: 80 mW/channel (into 32

Ohms)

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): Less than

0.2% max. at 100mW/channel

Output Impedance: 2.0 Ohms