Siri Plays a Yamaha Disklavier (Video)

Using Wi-Fi, Airplay, and an Apple Express, Craig Knudsen of Yamaha has figured out how to get Siri to play a Yamaha Disklavier; complete with moving pedals and keys in full expression.

The pointer comes via  of Loop Insights:

Take a standard MIDI songfile and convert it to an audio file (while maintaining the MIDI data). The songfile is then sent wirelessly via WiFi to an Apple Airport Express (which is mounted underneath a Yamaha Disklavier reproducing piano. The audio output of the Airport Express is then connected to the analog MIDI inputs of the Disklavier, using a standard audio cable.

Then, you simply ask Siri to play your favorite song from your iTunes library, and Siri responds immediately, by making the Disklavier’s keys and pedal move up and down, recreating the performance, including full orchestration.

It’s pretty cool. Check out the video here.

Afternoon news contributor for iPhoneinCanada.ca. Follow on Twitter @stephenbcleary.

  • Anonymous

    An attention grabbing title for sure.
    But in reality, it is simply asking Siri to send a MIDI file to Disklavier.

    Disklavier can already do all these “performances” from MIDI files.  Those who have not seen Disklavier in action would be impressed by it.   But this is done by Disklavier piano (“complete with moving pedals and keys”) , not Siri.
    So instead of having Disklavier play the MIDI files from USB drive or hard disk, we have wireless transmission of the MIDI files with Siri as a remote control.

    And we are supposed to be amazed by it?   Really???

  • Tom

    That information is incorrect! No music files are being transmitted from the iPhone at all! It is not a “hack”! The music is stored in the memory of the Yamaha Disklavier. The e3 Yamaha controller can be wifi enabled with any wireless bridge such as Asus, Netgear, or Apple Airport Express! Siri is merely acting as a voice activated remote control through the Apple Airport Express! The E3 app is available in the iTunes Store and is free for owners of Yamaha Disklavier Pianos!