C. Bechstein VARIO User manual

C. BECHSTEIN VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM · USER MANUAL 2
Version of this document: 011EN
Last updated 11 May 2021
Further information, as well as audio files and videos
are available on our website:
https://www.bechstein-digital.com/
The latest versions of this document in German
and other languages are also available as PDF files.
© 2019-2021, C.Bechstein Digital GmbH
VARIO Digital System
User Manual

3C. BECHSTEIN VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM · USER MANUAL
INDEX
1. Welcome 4
2. Getting Started 6
2.1 Power on: The first contact with your new VARIO 6
3. Installation of the VARIO app 9
3.1 Introduction 9
3.2 Installation on iOS/iPadOS 10
3.3 Installation on Android 11
3.4 Updates 12
4. Operating the VARIO Digital System without app 14
5. VARIO Headphones 15
6. Display stand 18
7. Connectivity of the VARIO duet 19
8. Important notes 20
9. Technical data 21

C. BECHSTEIN VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM · USER MANUAL 4
1. WELCOME
First, we would like to thank you warmly for purchasing
the C. Bechstein VARIO digital system.
We have developed a comprehensive concept: we
designed and built a product aimed not only at boosting
your musical creativity, but also opening up the digital
world to you and your C. Bechstein piano.
You may already be familiar with the basic technologies
used by the VARIO system: sensors translate the
movements of the keys and pedals into electric signals
that are transferred to a sound generator (either the
VARIO’s sound module or an app) and from there to
headphones.
VARIO duet version of the VARIO digital system
The VARIO digital system for Zimmermann pianos
Moreover, a mute bar customized for your piano model
silences the instrument so you can play without disturbing
anyone.
Thanks to its modular architecture and its connectivity
to a variety of mobile devices, the VARIO digital system
delivers far more opportunities than many other silent
solutions.
BASIC CONCEPT AND DESIGN PRINCIPLES
For a good understanding of the many possibilities offered
by your VARIO device, it is helpful to take a look at the
basic concept and our design principles:

5C. BECHSTEIN VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM · USER MANUAL
ENHANCING YOUR PIANO EXPERIENCE
We think that modern, high-quality music soware can
boost your creativity and that premium apps can enhance
your acoustic piano experience. The VARIO app delivers
functions that are easy to use and truly relevant to your
personal playing style. Moreover, the VARIO digital system
is compatible with third-party applications and can
interact with them in many different ways.
FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY
“Enhanced experience” includes the option of connecting
the VARIO digital system to the most commonly used
mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets and
laptops. The VARIO duet digital system is equipped with
a USB-C standard socket to connect it, today and in the
future, to a variety of devices. Moreover, wireless MIDI
connection over Bluetooth is possible with all system
versions.
For details on “Connectivity”, see page 19.
EASY TO USE
Even for technology aficionados, using basic functions of
a device must be as simple and convenient as possible.
That’s why we designed the VARIO system so that it
is operational right aer power-up. You can activate
and adjust the most important functions using just two
buttons, even without the app or any connected devices.
A SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT
The VARIO digital system is designed to last a long
time. While the lifetime of an acoustic piano spans
several decades, that of modern electronic devices is
much shorter, for a number of reasons. To ensure that
your VARIO system will remain compatible with future
generations of digital devices, we have developed a low-
maintenance, modular structure with soware that can be
updated as needed.
For details on soware “Updates”, see page 12.
With future generations in mind, we use recyclable
materials wherever possible for the components of the
VARIO system and favor regional suppliers, even for the
circuit boards and the housing parts.
We invite you to explore your C. Bechstein VARIO system
in detail using this manual as a guide. Don’t hesitate to
contact us at www.bechstein-digital.com if you have any
questions or suggestions. We appreciate feedback of any
kind and will do all we can to respond to your questions
or concerns as quickly as possible.
The entire C. Bechstein team wishes you lots of fun and
creative hours with your instrument and the VARIO digital
system.
Berlin, April 2021

C. BECHSTEIN VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM · USER MANUAL 6
2. GETTING STARTED
2.1 Power on: The first contact with your new VARIO
This section assumes that the VARIO system has already
been installed on your upright or grand piano. Generally,
your dealer will have ensured that your instrument is in
perfect condition. You already appreciate its outstanding
acoustic quality – Now let’s discover your piano’s digital
potential!
POWER SUPPLY & START UP
The VARIO digital system must be connected to the mains
using only the power supply unit delivered with the device.
On grand pianos, the socket is located on the underside of
the instrument, at approximately an arm’s length behind
the VARIO control module.
Connection of the power supply unit on an upright piano
Connection of the power supply unit on a grand piano
Switch on the VARIO digital system by pressing the
button. The system is ready when the button lights gold
aer a few seconds.
Switching on by pressing the button
Turning on the VARIO system on a Zimmermann piano

7C. BECHSTEIN VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM · USER MANUAL
Below the keyboard is a handle to activate the hammer
stop bar and thus mute the acoustic instrument.
Activating the Silent mode
Once your piano is silenced, you can put the headphones
on, connect them to one of the two audio jacks and
adjust the volume with the knob next to the jacks. Please
note: as with your acoustic piano, the sound volume in the
headphones can be very loud if you play forte.
Front panel with sockets and volume knob
VARIO system sockets and volume knob for Zimmermann pianos
Once you’ve enjoyed the first notes, you’ll certainly be
looking forward to more sounds from the VARIO system.
Press the button once and play notes to hear sound 2.
Press it again to hear sound 3. And again for sound 4.
Press the knob briefly one to four times to switch between the different
sounds – even without an app.
On a Zimmermann piano, you can select the four different sounds without
the app by pressing the knob briefly.

C. BECHSTEIN VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM · USER MANUAL 8
Press the button one more time and you hear again the
first sound mode. Using the VARIO app, you can store up
to four sound modes as “favorites” in VARIO system.
For details on storing favorites, see the user manual at
https://service.bechstein-digital.com/
Now it’s time to connect your VARIO system to a
smartphone or, even better, a tablet with a larger screen.
We recommend placing the mobile device on the music
rack. If you’re playing an upright, you can use the two-
piece stand supplied with the digital system. The stand is
made to fit mobile devices of various sizes.
You can choose between vertical (portrait) and horizontal
(landscape) placement. Please note that the horizontal
position is more ergonomic, while the vertical position
is more convenient if you use the tablet/smartphone for
displaying sheet music.
Download the VARIO App (see the following sections for
details) and launch it on your device.
For details on Bluetooth and the different cable types, see
“Connectivity” on page 19.
STANDBY MODE
Press and hold the button to switch the VARIO digital
system in a special standby mode: the system is almost
completely shut down and only the built-in Bluetooth LE
module remains accessible for MIDI apps.
In this mode, the VARIO digital system consumes as little
as 0.3 W. Thus its annual energy consumption is lower
than that of a smartphone charged every day or every
other day.
A tablet resting on the music rack and the two-part stand supplied with the
VARIO system (see page 18) provides optimal viewing and operation.

9C. BECHSTEIN VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM · USER MANUAL
3. INSTALLATION OF THE VARIO APP
3.1 Introduction
The use of apps is central to the overall concept of the
VARIO digital system.
An app provides a user interface that lets you control
the system from the screen of your mobile device. The
numerous apps available on the market not only enable
communication with the hardware, but also allow you
to get the most out of your piano as they assist you in
practicing, learning, sharing your music, and more.
The C. Bechstein VARIO app is designed to work in perfect
synergy with our acoustic pianos. It is compatible with
both Android and Apple operating systems for mobile
devices and its user interface blends in with your piano’s
design, especially when the tablet/smartphone is placed
on the music rack.
Countless music apps have been developed in recent
years. Professional musicians appreciate the soware
tools available for notation, training, recording and sound
processing, while beginners particularly enjoy apps for
learning and playfully exploring the world of music in
general, and the piano in particular. Everyday apps are
relevant here as well, for everything from emailing and
messaging to streaming tutorials and inspiring musical
videos on platforms such as YouTube.
We designed both the VARIO app and the digital system to
interact with all kinds of third-party apps for sharing and
processing music files.
This section of the user manual presents the VARIO app
and explains how to set it up. Basic knowledge on the use
of your mobile device is assumed.
Please note that the VARIO app communicates with
the VARIO hardware over the MIDI interface (Musical
Instrument Digital Interface), a standard used for decades
for communication between music instruments, electronic
components and soware.

C. BECHSTEIN VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM · USER MANUAL 10
The VARIO app for iOS and iPadOS is available free of
charge in the Apple App Store, provided you have a
customer account (Apple ID), also free of charge. Please
proceed as follows to download and install the VARIO app:
• Open the App Store app on your iPad/iPhone/iPod
touch.
• Enter “bechstein vario” in the Search field.
Alternatively, you can scan the QR code to the right
with your device’s camera.
• Open the VARIO app product page and tap “Load”.
The system may prompt you to enter your Apple ID and
password or your Touch ID/Face ID, depending on your
settings.
Information on using the App Store
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204266
For more information on the use of the VARIO app,
see the user manual at
https://service.bechstein-digital.com/
3.2 Installation on iOS/iPadOS

11 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM · USER MANUAL
3.3 Installation on Android
The VARIO app for Android OS is available free of charge
on Google Play, provided you have a Google account (also
free of charge). Please proceed as follows to download
and install the VARIO app:
• Open the Google Play app on your smartphone/
tablet.
• Enter “bechstein vario” in the search field.
• Alternatively, you can scan the QR code to the
right
with your smartphone/tablet.
• Tap “Install” on the VARIO app page.
Information on Google Play:
https://support.google.com/googleplay
For more information on the use of the VARIO app,
see the user manual at
https://service.bechstein-digital.com/