How is the Aeolian Duo-Art scale structured?

Unlike Welte, Hupfeld and Philipps, the Aeolian Company New York used an 88 standard scale for the Duo-Art reproduction system marketed from 1913 onwards, supplemented by perforations for emphasis and drive control. The four accentuation holes in the note sliding block for bass and treble, respectively, which are located to the left and right above the row of holes for the notes, are striking - they control the so-called "Expression Box", the accentuation unit. When the selector lever is set to "Standard Full Scale Rolls", the holes for accentuation control are switched off and the four holes below them for the four lowest or highest notes are released to the full 88 scale.

On the Aeolian Duoart, track control is controlled by means of the track control levers on the right and left.

The Aeolian Duoart scale has the following assignment (from left to right)

Top row:

Holes 1 to 4: Accent control Accompaniment

Holes 5 to 8: Emphasis control melody

Bottom row:

Hole 1: Return

Hole 2: Fortepedal (Right pedal)

Hole 3: Control bass melody

Hole 4 to 90: 88 notes from A2 to c5

Hole 91: Control treble melody

Hole 92: Motor

Hole 93: Piano pedal (left pedal)

In contrast to Hupfeld or Welte, Aeolian has realized the accentuation in 16 defined steps with the DuoArt, i.e. not continuously. At the same time, however, Aeolian cleverly combines this with the piano pedal, so that here too - assuming a very well restored and adjusted instrument - excellent sound and intonation quality are achieved in reproduction.

The Aeolian Company New York succeeded in signing an exclusive contract with Steinway & Sons for the American market, so that at least 600 Steinway instruments per year were equipped with Aeolian systems. Interesting is the very extensive repertoire of duo-art scrolls, which includes many classical titles as well as the popular light music (blues, ragtime, etc.) in the USA. 

In Germany the Duo-Art system could hardly assert itself against the powerful competition of Hupfeld and Welte. In America and England, however, all the more so.

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