APS Shortener

APS Shortener next to some much too long Yamaha FIL files!

Overview

APS Shortener is a tool designed to shorten filenames for early Yamaha Disklaviers, which only support the DOS 8.3 filename format. This format restricts filenames to eight characters followed by a three-character extension (e.g., 00SONG01.MID). Since modern computers allow much longer filenames, this program ensures your files are properly renamed for compatibility. You can download APS Shortener here.

The software provides a simple drag-and-drop interface for quick renaming and ensures that original files remain untouched by creating shortened copies.

Features

• Automatic Filename Shortening: Converts long filenames into the 8.3 format required by early Disklaviers.
• Drag-and-Drop Simplicity: No need for complex settings—just drop your files into the window.
• File Collision Handling: If a filename conflict occurs, you can choose to:
  • Overwrite the existing file.
  • Increment the filename to keep all versions.
  • Cancel the renaming process for that file.
• Preserves Original Files: The program creates a copy with the new name, leaving the original unchanged.

After the files have been dropped, you'll see the song count increase and the Output directory appear.

How to Use

1. Open the Program: Launch APS Shortener on your computer.
2. Drag MIDI or ESEQ files (.mid or .fil) onto the program window.
3. The program will automatically detect and process them.
4. The shortened file names will appear in a folder labeled Output in the same directory as the files you dragged in!
5. Choose Your File Handling Option
   • The program includes a checkbox labeled Overwrite Duplicate Files:
     • If checked, files with duplicate names will be overwritten.
     • If unchecked, filenames will be automatically incremented (e.g., 00SONG01.MID, 01SONG01.MID).
   • If a conflict is detected, the program will prompt you with options:
     • Overwrite Duplicate Files
     • Just Keep Incrementing
     • Cancel the Operation
6. View results
   • Once processing is complete, the program will display a log of the renamed files.
   • You can now transfer the renamed files to a floppy disk or USB drive for use with your Disklavier.

All the names in Output are now short! Note that the order is the same, as APS Shortener strives to keep alphabetical order.

FAQ

What if I don't want to start at song 000?

Simply change the song number at the top right to another value, and songs will be numbered starting there instead.

Why do I need to shorten filenames?

Early Yamaha Disklaviers use a DOS-based file system that can only read filenames in the 8.3 format. Longer filenames will not be recognized or played properly.

Does this change my original files?

No, the program creates a renamed copy and leaves your original files untouched.

What happens if I drop the same file twice?

If a file with the same name already exists, the program will either overwrite it or increment the filename, depending on your selected setting.

External Links

• APS Software Downloads Page
• Conveniently Rename All ESEQ Files
• Official Website of Alex's Piano Service LLC
• Yamaha Disklavier Information