Pianocorder Upgrade Kits

Has your Pianocorder player piano system seen better days? The PLAY button won't stay down? Notes stutter, tapes squeal? As you've discovered, the cassette deck and tapes are the weak link in this 40+ year old system, and they've reached the end of their useful life.

Now it's possible to completely eliminate the cassette player and tapes and control your Pianocorder using your mobile device or computer. You'll be able to play all of the same music you have on Pianocorder cassettes plus new music available on the Internet in MIDI format (much of it FREE).

How is this possible? The Pianocorder operates from a special audio signal containing a stream of digital data, similar to the sound of a FAX machine. Instead of having the Pianocorder read this control signal from cassette tapes, you can stream the signal to the piano from a modern audio source, such as an iPad. By storing the cassettes electronically, you'll have instant access to any song in your collection. And by translating MIDI files into Pianocorder format, you can play new music on the Pianocorder that was never available on cassettes, vastly expanding the library of available music.

Features

The Standard Pianocorder Upgrade Kit

The Standard version of the kit includes everything you need to control your Pianocorder from a wired audio connection:

The Wireless Pianocorder Upgrade Kit

The Wireless version of the kit includes everything in the Standard kit but also includes the Logitech Bluetooth receiver. If your computer or mobile device can stream audio via Bluetooth (most can), going wireless provides these benefits:

The receiver is compatible with most Bluetooth audio sources, including Apple's iPad/iPhone/iPod touch, tablets, smartphones, and Bluetooth-equipped laptops. As the Logitech Bluetooth receiver available on this site ships with a North American (dual blade 120 Volt) power adapter, in other regions of the world, it may be easiest to purchase the Bluetooth receiver locally so that it comes with the appropriate style of plug.

Your computer or mobile device must have Bluetooth capability to transmit to this receiver. It is usually easiest to set up devices that have built-in Bluetooth support, such as Apple's iPad. You can add Bluetooth to most desktop and laptop computers using an inexpensive USB device (not included), but the ease of use varies among these products.

Downloads

Purchase

Order online by credit card using the PayPal links below, or take $10 off the prices below by sending the funds to me by email address (using Zelle, a free online banking feature of major U.S. banks) or by check or money order (contact me for the payment address), as a thank-you for reducing my payment processing expenses. Local pickup is available in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.

The prices below include shipping via USPS Priority Mail (2-3 days) within the United States, or USPS First Class airmail internationally (typically 10-15 days, but possibly longer to some destinations during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced air transport capacity).

Due to PayPal having changed their policy to never refund payment processing fees, orders paid via PayPal and cancelled prior to shipment will have the PayPal transaction fee deducted from the refund. Please be sure you actually want the kit before ordering.

Returns after shipment will be refunded minus a 5% restocking fee or the amount of any payment processing fee, whichever is higher. Return shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser.

If you are purchasing a Wireless Kit outside North America, I recommend that you purchase the Standard kit here, then follow the appropriate link below to purchase the Logitech Bluetooth Receiver locally from Amazon or a similar local retailer. This will ensure that you receive a unit with the appropriate power adapter for your country.

Questions and Answers

Q: My Pianocorder is not playing. How can I be sure that this kit will fix it?
A: Most Pianocorder systems fail due to mechanical problems with the cassette player (e.g. PLAY button won't stay down) or the tapes. If you can get the Pianocorder to play even a little bit by messing with the cassette player during playback, holding the PLAY button down, etc. then this kit will likely solve your problems. Keep in mind that once the system is playing again, other components of the Pianocorder may require adjustment or repair. The Pianocorder service documentation I've placed online in PDF format will be a useful resource to you or your technician in troubleshooting the system. I also maintain a list of Pianocorder technicians who can repair your system. If none are local to you, Randy Cox (on that list) can explain how to remove and ship him your Pianocorder circuit boards and power supply unit to be repaired or exchanged for known-good refurbished ones.

Q: Can I install the kit myself?
A: Installation is quick and easy using the illustrated instructions included with the kit. Most Pianocorder owners install the kit themselves, since it involves only push-on connectors (no soldering) and is perfectly safe as long as you ensure the Pianocorder is unplugged. If you doubt your abilities, a tech-savvy friend or family member can help, or you can hire a local technical assistance contractor such as the Geek Squad. A piano tuner or technician is generally not needed unless the piano itself requires regulation work or other maintenance. Installations on grand pianos are somewhat trickier than on uprights, consoles, and spinets due to the need to remove screwed-on covers and access components that can be awkward to reach.

Q: How can I be sure this product will fix my Pianocorder?
A: If you can get your Pianocorder to play a little bit by adjusting the cassette player, this kit is what you need; it will eliminate any problems you've been having with the cassettes and tape deck. However, once the Pianocorder is playing again, you may find that additional components require adjustment, repair or replacement for optimal results. If you cannot get the Pianocorder to play a little bit, please contact me at the email address below before ordering a kit and I will help you troubleshoot.

Q: How can I play my Pianocorder tapes once the cassette deck has been removed?
A: I'll provide you with equivalent digital files for the cassettes you own, giving you easy access to any song in your entire collection.

Q: Can I play CDs or audio streams designed for newer player piano systems, such as Disklavier, PianoDisc, or Pianomation?
A: Not currently. The material would need to be converted first, and some of these companies refuse to permit such interoperability. Please contact me if you have a specific need in this area.

Q: Will this kit let me play songs on my Pianocorder from ordinary audio CDs, MP3 files, and streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify?
A: No. Converting a regular audio recording of a musical performance into commands to control a player piano is actually a difficult artificial intelligence problem. It's basically asking the piano to automatically "play by ear". There probably won't be any satisfactory solutions to this problem for at least 15-20 years. Until then, player pianos like the Pianocorder can only play material specifically designed for playback on electronic musical instruments.

Q: Where can I buy albums with piano and synchronized accompaniment audio to play on this system?
A: The best source is Yamaha's PianoSoft Audio material designed for playback on Disklavier Enspire. Two additional sources are this eBay seller, and company WebOnlyPiano.com. Both can supply their content in the form of Pianocorder-format MP3 files upon request.

Q: Will I still be able to use the recording feature of my Pianocorder?
A: No. The Pianocorder's recording feature, present only on some installations, was never a strongpoint of the product. It was implemented with delicate wire switches and employed a simple microphone to measure expression. Most Pianocorder owners rarely used the recording feature, and it tends to deteriorate over time. To keep the upgrade kit affordable, it supports only one-way communication to the piano. If you're interested in upgrading the recording feature to a more flexible MIDI-based system, look into QRS PNOscan and PianoDisc ProRecord.

Q: Can I use a CD or DVD player to run the Pianocorder instead of a computer or mobile device?
A: Yes, this will work fine, but no material is available for purchase on CDs, so you'd have to burn your own. I can explain the steps to convert MIDI files and Pianocorder cassettes to CDs, but you will need to do the work yourself. Keep in mind you will get only 74 minutes of playing time per CD, so it would take many CDs to hold a significant collection of music; using a mobile device or computer to manage playback is generally much more convenient. A possible compromise might be to burn Pianocorder-encoded MP3 files to a data CD or DVD and play them in a device that supports discs containing MP3 files.

Q: Can I use a different Bluetooth receiver with the interface cable?
A: Possibly, but several commonly-available Bluetooth receivers from companies like Belkin were tested and found to contain flaws that prevent the Pianocorder from playing reliably (or even at all). The Logitech Bluetooth receiver has proven itself to be very reliable.

Q: Can I stream to the Pianocorder over Apple AirPlay, Sonos, whole-house music systems etc.?
A: Yes, this generally works fine. You will want to ensure that Pianocorder tracks are not streamed to other speakers in your home, as the digital control signal sounds like a FAX machine tone.

Q: Is there an iOS or Android app to control the Pianocorder?
A: An iPad app compatible with the upgrade kit on this page is in the planning stages; details will be posted on this page when available. In the meantime, you can still operate a Pianocorder directly from any mobile device by playing the specially-encoded MP3 files I supply. I don't currently plan to develop an Android app.

Q: Can I use this kit with an external ("Vorsetzer") Pianocorder system?
A: Yes. The kit is compatible with all models of internal and external Pianocorder systems.

Q: Is the kit compatible with the Superscan Display Console accessory for displaying lyrics?
A: Yes. Text and graphics will be displayed the same as always. In fact, if using WINAMP to control the Pianocorder, the Superscan will display information and graphics even when playing songs that did not originally contain this material. It will also display the lyrics embedded in karaoke MIDI files.

Q: What sort of warranty or guarantee is offered?
A: The kit is tested thoroughly before shipment. If the hardware is dead on arrival, I will replace it if there is no evidence of misuse. I will also accept returns on working units (minus 5% restocking fee) for the first 45 days after receipt if you discover that the piano needs other work to operate properly and do not want to proceed with those repairs. In addition, I will repair or replace any unit that fails within the first year after receipt. Repair or replacement beyond the first year will be offered for a reasonable fee, subject to availability of parts. The purchaser is responsible for shipping on all returns.

Q: The kit seems kind of expensive...
A: Because this is a low-volume, niche market product, these kits cannot be mass-produced in China and supported by an overseas call center. Each unit is made and tested by hand in the United States by yours truly. A portion of the cost supports the development of software such as the Pianocorder plug-in for WINAMP, MID2PianoCD, and the upcoming Pianocorder iOS app, plus maintenance of the Pianocorder cassette library archive. Keep in mind that replacing the Pianocorder with a newer electronic player piano system would cost at least $5500.