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New MusiConnect 2

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MusiConnect 2: Redefining How You Connect With Your Music

PianoDisc is pleased to announce the release of MusiConnect 2, a revolutionary new software application that connects PianoDisc customers and their pianos with the industry-leading PianoDisc music library. The latest version of MusiConnect features integrated Creator technology, which allows customers to merge piano performances purchased from PianoDisc with off-the-shelf CDs from today's hottest recording artists. With Creator technology included, there's no need for separate Creator discs anymore. MusiConnect 2 takes the place of PianoDisc's previous Creator and MusiConnect applications.

New and Improved

Responding to our customers' requests, the new version of MusiConnect features many enhancements over the previous versions. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Simplified three-step process is easier than ever
  • Completely re-designed user interface
  • Support for Windows XP, Vista, and Apple Macintosh OS X
  • Album playlists are created in iTunes, with more information added to each song
  • Custom playlist creator allows you to mix and match songs from the albums you've purchased
  • Check the contents of your cart, and download your purchases directly
  • More easily locate missing accompaniment songs in your iTunes folder
  • Print disc labels and tray inserts (New in version 2.1.15)
  • General MIDI with AlwaysPlay support (New in version 2.2.0)
  • Automatic Volume Consistency Adjustment (New in version 2.3)
  • Symphony Support (New in version 2.3)
  • iTunes Plus Support for PianoSync (New in version 2.3)
  • Enhanced MP3 Support (New in version 2.3)

The following comparison chart highlights some of the differences between MusiConnect 2 and its predecessors:

Creator CD

MusiConnect 1.0

MusiConnect 2

Processes PianoSync albums

X

X

X

Processes PianoDisc digital "OP" albums


X

X

Windows XP compatible

X

X

X

Windows Vista compatible



X

Mac OS X compatible

X


X

Simple installation



X

Direct download of purchased music



X

Manually select accompaniment albums


X

X

Custom playlist creation



X

Simple three-step process



X

Album, artist, and genre import (when available)



X

Organize and archive multiple albums



X

What Does It Do?

MusiConnect has many features, but one goal: connecting your PianoDisc system to the latest music from PianoDisc. With MusiConnect, you can import PianoDisc album files, or download purchases directly from the PianoDisc online music store. All of your PianoDisc albums and songs are displayed within the MusiConnect main interface. You can even mix and match songs from different albums to create your own unique playlist.

Once you've got your music, MusiConnect lets you sync an album or playlist with iTunes. This process creates a matching playlist in iTunes, imports each PianoDisc song as a WAV or MP3 file, and includes album, artist, and genre information (when available).

With MusiConnect's integrated Creator technology, you can merge a purchased piano performance with the corresponding CD or iTunes Plus album from a major artist. Simply import an off-the-shelf CD into iTunes in "WAV" format, and buy the corresponding piano performance from PianoDisc. When you use MusiConnect to sync the piano performance with iTunes, MusiConnect will automatically locate the corresponding accompaniment in your iTunes library. MusiConnect then merges the original artist's accompaniment with the piano performance, resulting in songs that you can play directly in your PianoDisc system.

New in version 2.3, MusiConnect now supports iTunes Plus albums that are purchased directly from iTunes (instead of importing the physical CD). Once we've tested an album, we'll say "iTunes Plus Compatible" in the description. Buying the original artist CDs directly from iTunes is not only more convenient--it also provides a more consistent result.

NOTE: PianoSync technology requires you to use the actual audio CD (or iTunes Plus album) that the PianoSync recording accompanies. A link to the Amazon or iTunes listing for each album is provided for every PianoSync disc.

MusiConnect allows you to sync both traditional PianoDisc albums and PianoSync selections directly to iTunes. Once your music is in iTunes, you can sync the music with an iPod, or burn a CD to play in a PianoCD or 228CFX. MusiConnect brings your PianoDisc music to iTunes, enabling a huge variety of playback options.

Getting Started

MusiConnect makes buying our music convenient, and the process is simple: select an album from PianoDisc's music store at www.pianodisc.com and choose "OP-downloadable" for your music format. Once you've completed the check-out process, you can use MusiConnect to download your music. Or, choose "OP-CD" as the music format to have a MusiConnect-compatible CD mailed to you. For more information, please refer to our step-by-step Getting Started Guide, or press the help button in MusiConnect 2.
Get MusiConnect 2 for Windows Now Get MusiConnect 2 for Mac OS X Now
Apple, iPod and iTunes are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I register my PianoDisc ID Number?
A:Please call our Customer Support line at (916)567-9999.

Q: Why iTunes?
A: iTunes offers a convenient way to organize, transfer, and burn music. Over 600,000,000 copies of iTunes have been distributed as of September 2007, and iTunes works on both Mac and PC. It is a free download, and works well. Rather than re-invent our own version of iTunes, PianoDisc chose to work with this market-leading technology to offer our customers cutting edge functionality at an affordable price.

Q: Which selections require me to buy an original artist album?
A: PianoSync albums that you buy from PianoDisc contain the piano performance only and do not include the original artist's accompaniment. You'll need to buy that separately. All other PianoDisc albums feature integrated accompaniment or acoustic performances.

Q: Does MusiConnect work with floppy disks?
A: Not currently, though that may be a feature that we add in the future. Currently MusiConnect works with PianoDisc music in digital format (".bin" files) which can be downloaded online as "OP Downloadable" or purchased on CD in the "OP CD" format.

Q: I have an older PianoDisc system, is it compatible?
A: MusiConnect allows you to burn CDs of your PianoDisc music via iTunes. If your PianoDisc system has a CD player and SilentDrive system, it is compatible. However, if your system is more than a few years old, and you haven't done so already, you'll need to install the SilentDrive Plus software in order for the music to play correctly. SilentDrive Plus is a free upgrade, and is available upon request by calling PianoDisc.

Q: Why can't MusiConnect find the accompaniment for a PianoSync album?
A: There are several possible reasons. Make sure that you imported the original album into iTunes as WAV files (or purchased the correct iTunes Plus album), and that you had an Internet connection present during the import (so that iTunes can retrieve the song names). MusiConnect also may not recognize albums whose album name or song titles have changed (even slightly) since release. The name database is run by a third-party, and PianoDisc has no control over its contents. If your album isn't detected automatically, simply select the correct album folder when prompted by MusiConnect. As always, if you need help, feel free to call us for assistance.

Q: Can't PianoDisc just send me a "pre-merged" PianoSync CD?
A: No. Unfortunately, copyright law and issues beyond our control dictate that the album be processed by the "first purchaser", who has expanded rights under fair use law.

Q: Can (or should) I use MusiConnect with Opus7?
A: Opus7 is a highly advanced control system that already has MusiConnect and Creator technology inside. As an Opus7 user, you'll get higher-quality stereo accompaniment by using Opus7's internal functionality instead of MusiConnect. While a CD created via MusiConnect and iTunes will play in an Opus7 system, using the Opus7 itself is recommended.

Q: What music format should I select when purchasing from PianoDisc's Music Store?
A: Select "OP-Downloadable" if you plan to download your music via a broadband Internet connection. Alternately, select "OP-CD" if you would rather have a data CD mailed to you.

Q: Can I use MusiConnect on more than one computer?
A: You must register one computer for use with MusiConnect. When you purchase music, the content will be readable only with the computer that you registered. The music will contain a unique watermark that ties the music you purchased with the computer that you registered.

Q: The WAV files in iTunes use a lot of space. Can I use a different file type?
A: WAV files are used during the import and conversion process. In the MusiConnect preferences screen, you can choose MP3, AAC, or WAV as the final file type. We recommend lossless compression, or compression with a bit rate of at least 192 kbps. IMPORTANT: FOR THE BEST RESULTS, YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE ITUNES IMPORT SETTINGS TO MP3 HIGHER QUALITY (192 KBPS).

Q: Will MusiConnect 2 run on older computers?
A: Possibly. We have tested MusiConnect with Apple OS X 10.4 and above (including Leopard), and Windows XP and above (including Vista). Older operating systems may work, but have not been tested. Additionally, some tasks require a large amount of disk space and a fast processor. We recommend running MusiConnect on modern systems, but with a little patience and luck it may run on an older system.

Q: How do I get album artwork to show up on imported albums?
A: Unfortunately, WAV files are not compatible with album artwork. To add album artwork, you'll need to convert your imported music to a different file format (such as Apple lossless, MP3, or AAC) first. If you use a lossy compression method (such as MP3 or AAC) be sure to choose a bit rate of at least 192 kbps. Then, while your songs are selected, drag the album artwork image into the iTunes album art window. We're working on a way to automatically include album artwork, and will include this feature in a future release.

Q: Can a dealer sell music obtained through MusiConnect?
A: Yes! Call PianoDisc to set up a dealer account and register your computer. All available non-PianoSync albums can be downloaded and sold via MusiConnect.