Unique Features only found on the LX Live Performance retrofit reproducing piano system:

High Resolution: The new LX system has 1020 dynamic levels with a keyboard sample rate of 800 samples/second, far more than the 127 levels used in other piano playing kits.

Proportional Pedaling: Stahnke is the inventor of proportional pedaling, which he developed originally for use on the Bösendorfer SE, and he uses a similar high-bandwidth closed-loop solenoid design to reproduce the subtlest and most delicate of pedaling effects. The LX has 256 pedal positions, which are updated at a rate of 100 samples/second. Competing systems use simple on-off pedaling.

Conventional Trapwork: The LX’s hidden mechanism allows the use of conventional trapwork in a reproducing piano for the first time.  Grand pianos retrofitted with the LX system exhibit the same “look and feel” underneath as conventional grand pianos, making use of the level arrangement that has been universal in piano construction for well over 100 years.  Such trapwork is extremely robust and is free from problems that arise from the unusual trapwork required by other playing mechanisms, such as loss of the sostenuto pedal function and the need for frequent service to keep the sustaining pedal in adjustments.

Large Library: The LX system can play back every CD ever made for reproducing pianos, except for encrypted CDs (which by law cannot be played). Five different data formats are supported:
• LX (Live Performance’s proprietary high-resolution format)
• Disklavier (Yamaha)
• PianoDisc (except for encrypted CDs)
• Pianomation (Q.R.S.)
• Pianocorder (available on cassette tape or CD)

Hidden Mechanism: The LX playing mechanism is completely hidden from view.  The note solenoids and their associated electronics reside within a cutout in the keybed.  Only the solenoid mounting rail is visible under the keybed.

Reinforced Keybed: The LX system solves the problem of keybed integrity that comes about from the need to cut the keybed to allow the note solenoids access to the keys.  Conventional playing mechanisms do not attempt to remedy the loss of support that ensues, with consequences that the regulation of the piano action can come and go with changes in atmospheric temperature and humidity.  The solenoid rail on the LX system is a rigid steel structure that is attached to the keybed across its width, thereby restoring the structural integrity that was present before installation.

The LX system was designed over the past 3 years and thus utilizes advances in high-tech digital electronics, yielding a compact and robust design.  The LX will give many years of pleasure without need for service or calibration.  With the combination of proportional sustain pedaling and hi-resolution note solenoids, the LX yields superb musicality that is above and beyond any other conventional reproducing piano system.  You’ll have to hear it for yourself.