Seiler, famed German piano maker, has been an industry leader through fine design, craftsmanship and innovation since 1849. Today, Seiler’s breakthrough achievements include their exclusive “Membrator” Soundboard. Subsequently, they developed the Super Magnetic Repetition Action (SMR) exclusively for their hand-built German vertical pianos. Today, this technology is now available as an option in Seiler’s affordable Edward Seiler line of pianos manufactured in Indonesia.
What is SMR? What does it do?
Grand piano actions work similarly to vertical piano actions but with a notable difference. Grand pianos allow a note to be repeated mid-stroke, using double escapement, resulting in faster repetition. Vertical pianos possess a single escapement action which requires that the action complete its key stroke before it can be replayed. This limits pianists’ ability to perform fast repetition. For this reason, a grand piano is needed for most intermediate and advanced piano repertoire.
Within the Seiler SMR action, small ceramic magnets are installed in the action. These lightweight magnets force each other apart faster and more reliably than a jack spring alone. The allows for mid-stroke repetition that rivals grand piano actions.
Springs vs Magnets
As a spring compresses (or stretches) its resistance force increases linearly: (Force x Distance). However, in a magnet, the relationship between force and distance is exponential: (Force x Distance²). In the SMR action, this gives the jack a stronger push forward to its firing position than is possible with a spring alone.
Watch the video below to see Seiler’s SMR action at work.
Who benefits from this technology?
When space is limited, a full size professional upright (vertical) is often used as a substitute for a grand piano, but with limited success. However, Seiler’s ED-126 and ED-132 (equipped with optional Seiler’s SMR technology) are the only vertical pianos produced today that offer a grand piano touch and tone in a compact affordable design.
REVIEW: Seiler Brings Premium Action Technology to the Mid-Priced ED Series, by Dr. Owen Lovell
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