The Welte-Mignon reproducing piano, introduced by M. Welte & Söhne in 1904, was a groundbreaking innovation in the field of automatic musical instruments. This system utilized perforated paper rolls to capture and reproduce the nuances of a pianist’s performance, including tempo, phrasing, dynamics, and pedaling. The rolls designed for this system are commonly referred to as “Welte red” rolls due to their distinctive red-colored paper.
These “Welte red” rolls, officially known as T-100 rolls, were produced in Germany from 1905 to 1932 and in Poughkeepsie, New York, from 1913 to 1920. The rolls are approximately 32.8 cm (12.9 inches) wide and contain 100 rows of holes, spaced at 8 holes per inch. This format allowed for a detailed representation of the original performances.
The Welte-Mignon system was notable for being the first to record live piano performances, starting in 1904. This innovation provided a means to preserve and reproduce the artistry of renowned pianists of the era.