Why a roll reader and not an optical scanner?
Optical scans are done by passing a piano roll over a scanning element, usually from an A3 computer desktop scanner. The resulting photocopy is processed after recording, so monitoring during recording is not possible. If a roll has fuzzy perforations, it can be difficult to tell between bridges and repeating notes, or when a note should start and stop. Optical noise is also generated, resulting in extra notes, or original notes being deleted. Because its more difficult to build an electro-pneumatic scanner, we thoroughly researched optical scanning as an option before deciding to read the rolls with air.
