Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Who makes those electronic solenoid-powered piano actions?

I distinctly remember seeing an ad for a string piano that had electronic piano actions driving the hammers with solenoids. I am not talking about a digital piano with hammer weighted keys for "feel". Nor am i talking about systems that are intended to control a piano with standard mechanical repetition actions like the Yamaha Disklavier, PianoDisc or QRS Pianomation. This action actually replaces the entire mechanical repetition with an electronically controlled solenoid that powers the hammer onto the strings.

I dont remember where I saw it, and cant seem to track it down with Mr. Google. Does anyone know who makes/made such a thing?

I also wonder if you can buy those actions, key sensors and control circuitry without having to buy the whole piano, for use in another instrument.

Thanks,
Clark

I am not aware of any piano manufacturer that has either developed or manufactured an "electronic," or hammer mechanism that is directly operated by electro-mechanical solenoids.

Modern "reproducing" pianos use solenoids to operate conventional piano actions but the pianos in which they are installed still have complete, conventional piano actions.

ddf

Korg make a model you lay above any keyboard...

^^^ Are you talking about the QRS Playola (external Pianomation system)? I couldn't find a similar product made by Korg. This still isn't what the OP was seeking, though.

I have seen one only once, sold around 2000 USD. I regret I have no precise reference.

it is a black box that is fixed above the keyboard with a neat fixture. midi driven. looks like the Playola, but nothing written, and the fixation is visible on the right and left of the thing.

A friend is making one, producing all the electro magnets himself too. He had to make a study about the different sizes find in keyboards...

That's not it. I swear that i saw an image of a piano hammer and flange attached to an electronic driver mechanism. There was no repetition. I dont know if it was ever a commercial product. Its not something that you would retrofit onto a traditional piano. Its more like something that you would use to make a keyboard-less string piano module controllable by any MIDI signal.

edit: I found an article that describes it -> Virtual Piano Action.

Here it is. Look under the "sound" tab.

Computer Controlled Piano Action

Whoa! - That link took me to a huge warning from my virus protection (McAfee).

Mine went directly to his legitimate site -- no problem.

Perhaps try entering the address directly into your browser rather than clicking on it. www.alistairriddle.com

The McAfee keeps blocking it and I don't want to take the chance of overriding/opening it.

McAfee is a terrible program. The guy who created it is on the run for murder, a really shady guy (although he doesn't run the company any more).

It is designed to make you think you're in constant danger so you will continue to give them money. Cancel your subscriptions, uninstall the software and get something decent. I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials (it's free, unobtrusive and I've not had any issues since I installed it). Also, if you are using Internet Explorer, switch to Firefox or Chrome.

Thank you Phil,

The bicycle you ride is terrible and was designed by Kermit the frog.

I recommend a 1963 Schwinn balloon tire heavyweight as a better option.

Don't worry, Phil. That Marty from Minni fella tried to scare me about my bicycle too, but I kept mine. Three wheels are better than two no matter what he says!

Up to you. I have a Mac so don't have to worry about such things, but there are probably better and more reliable options for your AV protection.