How to Setup Yamaha Disklavier Piano to Sonos Audio System

Sonos with Aux Input Device for Piano Player Systems

Do you want to connect a Yamaha Disklavier Piano to a Sonos system without the help of a piano technician or Sonos Technician? It's doable! Just order a few components, plug it in, and adjust the volumes on the software.

Unfortunately, additional components are required for the piano to connect to Sonos home audio systems. In other words, a "Sonos Port" formerly known as the “Sonos Connect" is necessary to connect a Yamaha Disklavier Piano to a Sonos Audio System.

I'm not really a Sonos technician, I'm a piano technician for player pianos! So, I've helped many folks get their Sonos System connected to their Yamaha Disklavier over the years.

This short blog article has helped countless individuals connect to Sonos who own a Yamaha Disklavier Enspire or recently upgraded to a DKC-900 player piano.

Questions? Please use the contact form on my website if there are any specific questions related to setup. I’ve directly helped over a half dozen individuals for tech support across the globe within the last year already. Thank you!

The Sonos Port with Sonos Aux Input

(Rear view of the Sonos port for cable connections)

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Connect a Yamaha Disklavier Piano to your Sonos Sound System by using this Sonos device, which necessarily includes an Aux Input (known as the Sonos Port).

How to Connect Sonos System to Yamaha Disklavier?

Connect the red and white RCA cables from the OMNI out side. (Not OMNI In like in this photo).

(Use the available OMNI out port, instead of the OMNI in shown in the photo)

The RCA cables should be connected from the OMNI out jacks on the CC unit of the Disklavier, going to the Omni In on the Sonos Aux Port.

Signal Flow Chart:

Piano's OMNI out ==> RCA Cables ==> Sonos Port OMNI in

Once the physical cables are all connected, proceed to the Sonos app to adjust the software settings. This should now enable you to view the Sonos port as well as the Disklavier Piano within the Sonos App.

Sonos App Settings

In the Sonos App on your mobile device, add your new Sonos port to your home audio system.

Select the input sensitivity control and set it around mid-range. Keep the Sonos volume low to test how it sounds.

While I’ve never heard anyone blast their speakers too loudly on the first try, it’s always worth it to be careful and test the configurations at a low volume.

Sonos Delay Settings

The Sonos Port delay needs to be adjusted between your Piano and Sonos. This corrects delay issues when your Piano is playing along with the Sonos Group Audio Delay.

How to adjust Sonos Delay settings?

Using the Sonos app for iOS or Android device, go to the settings tab and press System.

Choose the Sonos port (which is using line-in). Within the "Line-in" section, tap Audio Delay and then choose a delay option.

If it doesn’t permanently hold the desired delay setting, try again in a few minutes and it should work just fine.

If it still doesn't work, scroll down about how to adjust the delay within the Disklavier App.

Sonos Aux Input Delay Trouble with Disklavier?

Delay settings are also available in the Disklavier App under the "Audio I/O" tab.

If you are having trouble with the delay settings, utilize the Disklavier App to correct delay discrepancies.

In the Disklavier App click:

1. "Settings"

2. "Connection"

3. "Audio I/O"

4. Scroll down to "Piano Delay"

It's under the "Audio I/O" tab, scroll down to where you see the delay settings and adjust the exact amount of milli-seconds!

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Disklavier Enspire App Volume Settings

(Make sure the piano isn't in standby mode by powering it on)

Achieve balanced volume of your Disklavier through selecting the percentage of audio output in the volume control panel.

Select the Piano digital volume control and adjust it to 25% and listen to how things sound. Is it too loud? Too soft? Just right?

If you need the Sonos volume louder as background music, select 50% or greater on the piano output, first. Then, proceed to adjust the volume settings instead through other means, like through the intuitive access through the speaker icon when playing back the piano normally.

*With multiple volume level controls in this system, finding the sweet spot for your music room (or living room) can take a few tweaks. Greater precision comes with regular use over time.

Can sound degradation occur with a Disklavier connected to Sonos?

Sound degradation can occur if the output volume from the piano is too low and the audio inputs volume on the Sonos is too high.

Play around with the settings to  learn how to "tune" the output volume for your home sound systems. Achieving the right balance takes time, but it’s all part of the setup process.

Does Piano audio come through the Sonos speakers on a Disklavier Piano?

Yes! But ONLY if you have an Enspire PRO or Standard; NOT with an Enspire Classic.

*If you have an Enspire Classic, the piano sound comes from the real acoustic piano hammers/strings and is not digitally reproduced/fed through the in-wall speakers (only the background music without piano sounds goes through the speakers). It's because these models do not have a silent bar; which makes it possible to play the acoustic piano action while only perceiving sound through the speakers.

For the Enspire Classic, the background music track is the only audio playing through the speakers (no piano playing sounds through the speakers). The physical hammers within the piano will strike the strings to produce acoustic piano sounds along with the digital background track.

Yamaha MusicCast Vs. Sonos

The biggest difference is that Yamaha MusicCast devices/musiccast speakers only supports the Yamaha product line, whereas Sonos only supports products within the Sonos product ecosystem.

In otherwords, if you have MusicCast wireless speakers, get a MusicCast WXC-50 or WXA-50 Connection. If you have a Sonos audio system, then you'll need the Sonos Port / Sonos Connect.

Yamaha Music Cast for use with Amazon Alexa Voice Control

If you want to use Alexa for voice commands, then it is necessary to get Yamaha MusicCast products (with compatibility to echo devices) instead of the Sonos Port.

*Keep in Mind…

MusicCast is not compatible with non-Yamaha wireless speakers, receivers, and software from brands such as HEOS, Play-Fi, or Sonos.

Yamaha MusicCast on Amazon

FAQ

"Is the Disklavier compatible with the other Sound Systems?"

Yes! As long as the home audio system has some sort of analog/aux input, then connection to your home audio system is possible.

Questions?: Contact Kevin

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Connecting your Disklavier to your Sonos isn’t that difficult once you’ve purchased the correct hardware as described above. I’ve helped dozens of customers connect their systems and they absolutely love it!

Just remember that the delay setting, volume settings, and Sonos Port hardware are all required steps in this process.

I hope you’ve learned a thing or two about how to connect your player piano to your Sonos system.  If not, I’m only an email away from helping you as your personal tech support!

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