How QRS PNOscan Works

Recording a piano can be a difficult proposition at best–the quality of the recording depends on the quality of the microphone and the quality of the microphone placement.

Digital pianos can fix this by having a MIDI output. This allows you to plug directly into an audio system like at a church or school or into a computer for a MIDI audio editing/engineering program.

The problem is… many pianists don’t like playing a digital piano. Digital pianos have improved but they still haven’t fully replicated the feeling or tone, let alone the inherent quirks of an object made from largely organic substances like an acoustic piano.

QRS has made this problem obsolete through the application of an optical scanning strip installed under the keys of your piano. PNOScan reads your keystrokes and converts them to a MIDI file, just as a digital keyboard would do.

PNOScan also has the ability to record them for playback, such as a lesson with an instructor or a performance for Grandma if you wish. It can do this as long as your piano is equipped with a compatible player system, like QRS’s PnoMAtion3.

The other use is with programs like Piano Marvel. Not only does PNOScan record which keys you play, it records how hard you pressed on the key by reading its speed as it moves down, as well as recording the length of time held. This allows you to record expression (expression is the way you’ve expressed yourself through the music, including volume of notes, speed of notes played and repetition, length of sustain etc.) and every aspect your playing.

As long as your piano is equipped with PnoMation3, the newest player system offered by QRS, your piano will recreate your performance exactly. Some older player systems and other manufacturers don’t offer expression or pedal control or the compatibility is limited.

While there is some installation involved, it is done at our shop and will not damage or get sawdust all over your room. It also will not negatively affect the piano in any way. There are some precise measurements and placement involved and this system may not fit into the older pianos (100 years old +).

The PNOScan Silent System allows for the piano to be played without the acoustic piano making any sound. There is a strip installed in the piano that blocks the hammers from striking the strings.

This strip is installed precisely and allows the piano to play just as it would normally, the only difference is that the hammers don’t actually strike, they hit the padded strip instead of the strings and don’t make any noise.

Instead, the optical strip detects the keys movement and turns the keystroke into sound transmitted through any headphones that are plugged into the control unit.  This allows you to play your piano without bothering anyone else in the house, just as you could with a digital piano.

If you’ve been having issues with recording or with lessons, making too much noise or just wanting to be able to play back your pieces on your own piano, then contact Moore Piano and we’ll find a solution for you.

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