Establishing Internet Connection with Disklavier and Airport Express Device

I have decided to post some of my notes on how I established a network connection between my Macintosh and my Disklavier Piano using an Apple Express device with my existing Apple Airport Extreme Base Station that was running my home network.  The actual connection between the piano and the Apple Airport Express device is accomplished by an ethernet cable.  The Apple Airport Express device is setup to participate in my home network and is plugged into a socket near the piano.  The Apple Airport device can also be used to stream my iTunes library through the speakers on the piano, as an extra feature.

What is Needed:
(1)  An Apple Airport Extreme Base Station setup as WIFI Airport Network (WDS  Main Base Station) for your home network.
(2)  Macintosh computer running Mac OS X 10.4.10 or higher
(3)  Airport Utility Software V5.2.1 or higher)
(4)  Apple Airport Express device hooked to Mark IV Disklavier via ethernet cable connected from piano to Apple express device.   Apple Airport Express is then plugged into wall socket near Disklavier or into the AC adaptor underneath the piano.
(5)  Disklavier owners must upgrade their pianos to the most current operating system:  Version 4.0 for Mark IV models which is available through a local Disklavier dealer or by calling Yamaha Piano Service at (800) 854-1569 (ext. 22).

STEP 1:    If you ALREADY HAVE an Airport Extreme Base Station hooked to your computer for your home network, then  GO TO  STEP 2.

Otherwise, hook up Airport Extreme Base Station to your cable modem via ethernet cable and plug into wall socket.  Run Airport Utility  software.   The Airport Extreme icon should appear on the left hand-side of the Airport Utility window.  Select the icon representing the Airport Extreme Base Station.  Select the "continue" button and go thru the assist options to set it up or you can use the "manual  setup" button at left to set it up.  Note:  If device  icon does  not show  up, run  "Rescan" or  you  may  have to  select it under your Airport  icon in  menu bar for it to be recognized.

The  first screen that appears has four tabs across the top:  Summary, Base Station, Wireless, Access Control. 

Review info in  Summary Tab:  Base Station Name, Base Station Status, Version, Serial Number, Airport ID, Ethernet ID and Wireless Mode, Network Name, Wireless Security, Channel, Wireless Clients,  connect using, and IP Address

PLEASE take note of the Airport ID for this Main Base Station as it will be needed when setting up the Airport Express device.  This Airport ID can  also be found on the  Airport Extreme  base station as well.  You will also need the Airport ID for the Airport Express device as well and it can be found in the summary for that item as well or physically on the unit.

Select Base Station  Tab:
Enter a name for the Base Station or leave default name.
Enter a Base Station Password.
Select Remember this password in my keychain.
Left all other  options as default.


To sign up for the radio service, go online at

Select Wireless Tab:
Initially used
Wireless  Mode:  Create a Wireless Network
Network  Name:  Leave same or enter your own  network name
Radio Mode:  802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)
Channel:  Automatic
Wireless Security: None
Wireless Password:  blank
Verify  Password:  blank
Select Access Control Tab. 
I did NOT change any settings.

At this point I made sure that the main base station Airport Extreme still worked with  my other computers.

STEP 2:  
Plug the Airport Express into a nearby wall socket.
Do NOT attach to the Mark IV Disklavier.  
Run the Airport Utility program.
Select the icon that represents the Airport Express device.
Select Manual Setup button.  

Review the Summary Tab and note the Airport ID  for the Airport Express device as this will be needed  when modifying the settings for the  Apple Extreme  in  the next step (3).

Select Base Station Tab:
Enter a  Base Station  name or leave default if you wish. 
Leave password "public" that is assigned to  this Express device or enter a new one if you like.

Select Wireless Tab: 
Change the Wireless Mode to "Participate in WDS network". 
You should notice that a new tab labeled WDS then appears above in the row of tabs. 
Wireless Security should be NONE. 
Do NOT enter passwords. 
Channel  should be automatic

Select WDS Tab: 
WDS  Mode:  Select WDS remote.
Enter the Airport ID for the Main Airport Extreme.

Then  select "Update" button.
Your icon should have green indicator as well as the light on the actual physical base station should be green as well.


STEP 3:  Now MODIFY the setup of the Airport Extreme in the following manner to set the Airport Extreme up as a WDS Main by following the steps below.

Select "Manual Setup" button. 

Review the info in Summary Tab.

Select Wireless Tab:
Change the Wireless Mode to "Participate in WDS network". 
You should notice that a new tab labeled WDS then appears along the row of tabs.

Select WDS Tab:
Make sure the  WDS main is selected in the WDS Mode.
Allow wireless clients should be checked.
Select the + button  to add the Airport ID for the Airport Express  device that you  obtained in Step 2.  Enter the Airport ID and a description name.
Then select update.  
If all goes well, you will get a message that this change has been successful. 
Your icon should have green indicator as well as on the light on the actual physical base station should be green  as well.

STEP 4: 
Shutdown your Disklavier. 
Unplug the Express device and move it near your Mark IV disklavier plugging it in a wall  socket (the light should turn green).
Connect the ethernet cable from Mark IV Disklavier to the Airport Express. 
Now reboot or turn on your Mark Disklavier. 
Try connecting to the Disklavier Radio.

Note:   Suggest selecting NONE when  entering  a Wireless Security Password.  
REASON:  I first set this Airport Extreme up to work with  my computers and initially set it up with  recommended WPA password.  But one of my older Mac's could not access the internet or email  using the WPA password security, because it was running an older system software.  So I then changed to WEP password and all the other computers on my network  in house worked fine, but my  main Mac did NOT work correctly with this WEP password, nor did the Express hooked to Disklavier Mark IV.  This is key and when I got up this morning I decided to remove the password and changed that option to "NONE".   There are two passwords that are actually entered when setting up these devices one is password for network and the other is password to change the actual settings.  I still have a password setup for the change of settings options for the  Base Station.  In  other words, it is OK to put in a password for the BASE STATION tab options, but use NONE for the WIRELESS tab Security password. Tweet