APS MIDI Prep Tool is a modern Windows and Linux utility for working with Yamaha Disklavier music files and disks. It supports MIDI, E-SEQ, PIANODIR.FIL, Yamaha PianoSoft floppies, HFE images, Nalbantov USB drives, Gotek emulators, and Greaseweazle imaging workflows in one place.
My goal with APS MIDI Prep Tool was to take my own tool sets and workflows, and build an app that could neatly consolidate them into one, simple and user-friendly package.
Owners of Mark I and Mark II Disklaviers often need to convert between Yamaha E-SEQ files and standard MIDI files, but the process has traditionally been confusing and risky. APS MIDI Prep Tool makes these conversions easier, helps create the required PIANODIR.FIL directory files, and reduces the chance of mistakes caused by older, bug-prone software.
This page is the main landing page for APS MIDI Prep Tool. If you already know what you are trying to do, use the workflow links below. If you are not sure, the descriptions should help you find the right starting point.
What APS MIDI Prep Tool does
APS MIDI Prep Tool helps with several common Disklavier and player piano file-preparation problems:
- Extract files from Yamaha floppy disks. It can read both personal recordings and Yamaha PianoSoft disks, and it includes recovery tools that allow it to read even lightly corrupted floppy disks.
- Convert between MIDI and Yamaha E-SEQ formats. Prepare or refresh supporting files such as
PIANODIR.FILwhen needed. - Inspect, preview, and playback songs. It can show you the number of tracks or channels in a MIDI file, and can play the song back on your computer.
- Edit the MIDI title stored inside a MIDI file. These are the titles displayed on your player piano’s screen or app.
- Rename files into short DOS-style 8.3 filenames for older systems. Older player pianos require short filenames. Disks can behave like they’re corrupt if filenames are longer than eight characters.
- Convert MIDI Type 1 files to MIDI Type 0 for systems that need Type 0. Older player pianos can’t play Type 1 MIDI files. Even on newer systems, Type 0 files can behave more predictably.
- Work with floppy image files used by Nalbantov, Gotek, and similar emulators. You can use this tool in place of Disk Browser, greatly reducing the number of steps and difficulty in moving files onto your device.
The tool covers a wide problem space, so the easiest way to use it is usually to start with a specific workflow rather than trying to learn every feature at once.
A few safety suggestions
Many Disklavier and player piano collections are old, rare, or personally important. Before making large changes, I recommend a cautious workflow.
- Work from a copy whenever possible.
- Keep the original floppy disk, image file, or MIDI folder untouched.
- Test a small number of files before preparing an entire collection.
- Use short, plain filenames for older systems.
- Check the displayed song title on the actual piano, not just on the computer.
This is especially important if the files came from an older PianoSoft disk, a customer archive, a family recording, or a disk that may be difficult to replace.
Download APS MIDI Prep Tool
The tool is available from my software downloads page and from the GitHub releases page. Most users should download the latest release rather than trying to run the source code directly.
Common questions
Is this only for Disklaviers?
No, but Disklaviers are the main reason I built it. Some features may also be useful for other player piano systems, MIDI file collections, or floppy emulator workflows. It also understands some other types of E-SEQ (include Clavinova MDA files).
Does renaming a file change what the piano displays?
Not always. Some systems show the filename, while others show the internal MIDI title stored inside the file. Most Yamaha Disklaviers and PianoDisc systems rely on the MIDI title in the file itself, rather than the filename. APS MIDI Prep Tool can help with both, but they are not the same thing.
Why do older systems care about MIDI Type 0?
Some older player systems expect MIDI Type 0 files and may behave unpredictably with MIDI Type 1 files. If a song plays oddly, only plays one hand, or does not load correctly, checking the MIDI type is a good place to start.
Can I use this with Nalbantov or Gotek?
Yes, that is one of the important uses for the tool. APS MIDI Prep Tool can work with supported floppy image files so you can prepare virtual disks for floppy emulators, depending on the format and the system you are using.
Should I use Save, Save As, or Save As Image?
Use Save when you intentionally want to write changes back to the current files. Use Save As when you want to write changed copies to a folder. Use Save As Image when you want to create or update a floppy image for systems like Nalbantov or Gotek.
What if I am not sure which workflow applies?
Start with what you physically have: loose MIDI files, a floppy image file, or a real floppy disk. Then choose the matching workflow above. If you are working with something rare or important, make a backup first and test with copies.
