The discontinued DKC-850 can replace the controller on many Mark II XG and Mark III Disklaviers, or connect to some Mark II systems as an add-on. It adds USB and CD support, but the original piano still determines which recording and guided-playback features are available.
At a Glance
- Generation
- DKC-850 replacement / add-on upgrade
- Associated Models
-
Replacement for DKC500RDKC500RXGDKC500RWDKC500RWXGDKC50RDKC55DKC55CDDKC55CD2DKC55RCDDKC60RCDMIDI-cable add-on for supported Mark II DKC100R/built-in and DKC100XG systems
- Uses
-
Internal Storage (128 MB)USB flash / hard diskCDOptional USB floppy
- Recording
-
SMF0 (record-capable hosts only)
- Plays
-
SMF0SMF1E-SEQAudio/MIDI CDAudio CD
- PianoSoft Types
-
SoloPlusAudioSmart PianoSoftSmartKey (compatible hosts only)
- Upgrade Options
-
MIDI/app playbackBluetooth MIDIAnalog/audio accompanimentPianoStream Analog
- Bluetooth MIDI Apps
Additional Details
The DKC-850 can replace the original controller on many older systems, or on some Mark II systems it can be added through MIDI cables.
Yamaha documentation uses both DKC55CD and DKC55CD2 for the Mark III playback-with-CD replacement host; both names are included here.
The DKC-850 adds media/file playback features, but it does not add recording sensors or change the host piano’s mechanical expression, PRO, or guided-playback capabilities.
That installation style matters: online services are for replacement-style installations, not simple MIDI add-on installs.
Things to Know
Playback-only hosts remain playback-only. SmartKey and recording depend on the original piano, and a PRO replacement operates in STANDARD rather than PRO mode.
On a record-capable host, recordings are created in SMF0; E-SEQ is playback-only. The optional Yamaha UD-FD01 adds floppy access.
Requires updated firmware for Disklavier Radio and other online services.
Yamaha’s current subscription page describes DisklavierTV availability as U.S./Canada; some older DKC-850-era documents describe the service as U.S.-only.
Can be controlled with the Yamaha Disklavier Controller app (Apple only).
SmartKey is available on compatible Mark III full-function, standard, and PRO hosts. It is unavailable on Mark III playback hosts, DKC100XG, and most Mark II XG hosts; a DKC500RW PRO host requires current firmware. Replacing a Mark II XG PRO or Mark III PRO controller records and plays in STANDARD mode.
This system cannot necessarily be upgraded to the DKC-900. Only pianos that were originally E3 or Mark IV/Mark IV PRO systems are eligible; my Disklavier upgrade guide explains the supported paths.
Note that if the DKC-850 is attached to the Disklavier using MIDI cables (a so-called piggyback installation), it cannot be used for Internet Direct Connection, Disklavier Radio, or DisklavierTV. MIDI-cable add-on support covers supported Mark II DKC100R/built-in systems and Mark II playback DKC100XG; online services only work when the DKC-850 is installed as a replacement.
A MIDI add-on or piggyback installation needs a suitable external power supply. My DKC-800/850 power-adapter guide identifies the correct Yamaha replacement and explains why an arbitrary adapter can cause playback problems.
An MX100A/B has also been used successfully as an unofficial MIDI add-on host, but this retains the original controller, requires its normal disk/MIDI startup procedure, and does not enable the DKC-850 Internet features. See the PianoWorld owner report.
The DKC-850 is discontinued. A compatible DKC-800 can be repurposed, but it is not a drop-in substitute; my DKC-800-to-DKC-850 conversion guide covers the switch settings, required parts, and limitations. This modification is not endorsed by Yamaha and may void the controller warranty.
A replacement installation requires the correct model-specific harness, not an ordinary VGA cable. My DKC-850 conversion-cable guide explains the original Yamaha cable and the replacement adapters made by Richie Hayes; my DKC-850 bracket guide identifies the matching hanger assembly.
USB flash drives may use FAT16 or FAT32; USB hard disks must use FAT32. See my guide on properly formatting USB media for Disklaviers.
Each storage medium can contain up to 99 albums with up to 999 songs per album. Yamaha recommends no more than 150 video-synchronized songs on one USB device.
Although Smart PianoSoft is supported, CD playback is synchronized with files on a USB stick rather than directly with the original floppy. PianoSoft Audio can be played from CD or USB, while PianoSoft Solo and Plus files can be downloaded and placed on USB. To preserve an older Smart PianoSoft floppy/CD set, follow my Smart PianoSoft conversion guide.
