M-Audio ProKeys 88sx User Manual
ProKeys 88sx
User Guide
English
Introduction
ProKeys 88sx User Guide
Congratulations on your purchase of the M-Audio ProKeys 88sx, the complete all-purpose digital piano with additional MIDI control. We strongly
recommend that you read through this manual to learn about proper installation, operation and advanced functionality before using this product.
What’s in the Box
Besides the product itself, the ProKeys 88sx package will include the following items:
< Software CD (drivers and applications)
< 5-foot USB cable
< Printed user manual
< Power supply (12V DC)
< Sustain pedal
If any of these items are missing, please contact the retail outlet where you purchased this product.
ProKeys 88sx Overview
The ProKeys 88sx is an 88-note digital piano with MIDI controller features.
The ProKeys 88sx offers seven high-quality sounds and can be used in standalone mode with headphones or external amplification.
You can also connect an external MIDI sound module or MIDI synthesizer/keyboard to the MIDI ports on the back, or even connect a computer via
the built in USB interface. The ProKeys 88sx makes it easy to control and play virtual instruments as well as traditional hardware sound modules
whether you are composing, recording or playing live.
About This Manual
The ProKeys 88sx can function as a stand-alone digital piano, or a MIDI controller if used in conjunction with your computer or sound module.
Part 1 of this manual will detail the functions of the ProKeys 88sx as a standalone digital piano. In part 2 we will present the MIDI controller features
of the ProKeys 88sx. Finally, part 3 takes a look at the ProKeys 88sx as a master controller for your home MIDI studio.
You may decide to use the ProKeys 88sx as a Digital Piano only. In this case, there is no need to consult parts 2 or 3, unless you are curious about
the unit’s advanced functionality.
English
Terminology
Before we begin, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with some terminology that we will use throughout this manual.
< Performance Mode - When you first turn on your ProKeys 88sx, it will be in Performance mode. In Performance mode, the keys of your
ProKeys 88sx are used for generating musical notes.
< Edit Mode – Edit mode describes the state after the Advanced Functions button has been pressed, in which you can adjust parameters.
In Edit mode, the keys of your ProKeys 88sx are used for data entry and selecting various functions. Please consult Appendix B for a
diagram that maps out these functions.
< Instrument – The ProKeys 88sx comes with 7 built-in instruments including Piano 1 and 2, Electric Piano 1 and 2, FM Electric Piano, Clav,
and Perc Organ. Different instruments are selected by pressing one of the 7 instrument select buttons.
Introduction
5
Controls and Connectors Diagram
The controls and connectors are referred to by name. The following illustration identifies the name and location of each control or connector on
your ProKeys 88sx.
1: Power switch – Page 6.
2: DC power supply socket – Page 6.
3: Audio Out jack (right channel) – Page 7.
4: Audio Out jack (left channel, or mono) – Page 7.
5: Sustain pedal jack – Pages 8 and 16.
6: Sostenuto pedal jack – Page 8 and 16.
7: Expression pedal jack – Page 8 and 16.
8: MIDI Out port – Pages 10 and 12.
9: USB 1.1 port – Page 11.
10: 2 headphone sockets – Page 7.
11: Pitch bend wheel – Pages 8 and 14.
12: Modulation wheel – Page 8 and 14.
13: Volume Slider – Page 8 and 15.
14: Advanced Functions button – referenced throughout this
manual.
15: Transpose buttons – Page 9 and 13.
16: Demo button – Page 7
17: Velocity curve – Page 8
18: Reverb Effect button – Page 8
19: Chorus Effect button – Page 8
20-26: Instrument buttons – Page 7 and 13.
Function Keys in Edit Mode
When you press the Advanced Functions button, the ProKeys 88sx enters Edit Mode. In Edit mode, keys C1 to C5 of the ProKeys 88sx are used for
data entry. Please also consult Appendix B on page 22 for an illustration of how the functions are mapped across the keys. The functions are listed
below and a page reference is also given to tell you where you should look in the manual to see what each function is used for.
White Keys
C1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cancel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
D1 to E3 . . . . . . . . . . .Channel Select . . . . . . . . . Page 12
F3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
G3 to B4 . . . . . . . . . . .Data Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
C5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Enter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
Black Keys
C#1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data = Octave . . . . . . . . . . Page 9, 13
D#1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data = Transpose . . . . . . . Page 9, 13
F#1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data = Program . . . . . . . . . Page 12
G#1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data = Bank LSB . . . . . . . . Page 12
A#1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data = Bank MSB . . . . . . . Page 12
C#2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data = Channel . . . . . . . . . Page 12
Black Keys (continued)
D#2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data = Tuning . . . . . . . . . . Page 9
F#2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Panic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16
G#2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MIDI Out from USB . . . . . . . Page 17
A#2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Local Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12
C#3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Octave + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9, 13
D#3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Octave - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9, 13
F#3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wheel Assign . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
G#3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pedal Assign . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
A#3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Slider Assign . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
C#4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Transpose + . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9, 13
D#4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Transpose - . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9, 13
F#4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12
G#4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bank LSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12
A#4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bank MSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12
Powering Up Your ProKeys 88sx
The ProKeys 88sx can only be powered using the included PSU with the correct power specifications.
Should you require a different power supply, the specifications are:
< 12V DC < Center positive < 1000mA
6
Introduction
Part 1: ProKeys 88sx as a Digital Piano
ProKeys 88sx User Guide
1.0 Introduction
In Part 1, we will look at how to use the ProKeys 88sx as a standalone digital piano.
1.1 Setup
English
The ProKeys 88sx should be connected to a mixer or amplifier which in turn should be connected to a pair of speakers.
The Audio Out jacks on the ProKeys 88sx take 2 standard 1/4” jack plugs. Such instrument cables are available in most professional audio
retailers.
Mono Operation – If a jack is plugged into the left audio output only, a mono mix of the audio from the ProKeys 88sx will be heard.
There are also 2 headphone sockets on the front of the ProKeys 88sx, underneath the Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels.
These jacks will accept a 1/4” jack plug as used on many standard headphone sets.
1.2 Instrument Buttons
Each instrument button will call up the associated sound. The Instruments available to you are:
< Piano 1 – Classical Grand Piano
< Piano 2 – Bright Piano
< E. Piano 1 – Rhodes
< E. Piano 2 – Wurlitzer
< Clav – Clavinet
< FM Piano – DX7
< Percussive Organ – B3
TM
TM
TM
TM
TM
1.3 Demo
The Demo button allows you to hear what the ProKeys 88sx is really capable of. When you press the Demo button, the LEDs above each of the
instrument buttons will flash. If you then press an instrument button, you will hear a demo of that instrument. To exit out of this Demo mode, press
the Demo button again. The LED above the Demo button will turn off, and Performance mode will resume.
Part 1: ProKeys 88sx as a Digital Piano
7
1.4 Velocity Curve
The ProKeys 88sx has four different velocity curve settings. The velocity curves define the response of the keyboard to how hard or soft you strike a
key. You should experiment with each to find which curve best suits your playing style. To cycle through the various velocity curves, keep pressing
the Velocity Curve button.
One of the four curves gives a fixed velocity of 100 regardless of how hard or soft you strike a key. When this curve is selected, the velocity curve is
effectively OFF. The LED above the Velocity Curve button will turn off to reflect this.
1.5 Volume Slider
The Volume slider will control the output level of your ProKeys 88sx.
1.6 Sustain Pedal
If you connect a foot switch pedal to the Sustain Pedal socket, you will be able to control the decay of the sound just like a sustain pedal does on a
real piano. A sustain pedal affects all notes played while the pedal is being held down.
1.7 Sostenuto Pedal
If you connect a foot switch pedal to the Sostenuto Pedal socket, this pedal performs the same function as on a real piano. The sostenuto pedal
affects only those notes held down at the time the pedal is depressed.
1.8 Expression pedal
A continuous controller-type pedal can be connected to the Expression Pedal socket. This pedal can be used to control the volume level of the
ProKeys 88sx. Controlling the volume with your foot allows you to keep both hands on the keyboard at all times.
1.9 Pitch Bend Wheel
The Pitch Bend wheel allows you to bend the pitch of your instrument. The Pitch Bend will raise or lower the pitch of your instrument by two semitones. For example, if you play a C and push the Pitch Bend wheel all the way forward, the note you hear will be D. If you pull it all the way back
towards you, you will hear Bb.
1.10 Modulation Wheel
Some of the instruments have Tremolo and Vibrato effects associated with them. The Modulation wheel will control the depth of these effects. So, if
you set the wheel at the bottom, the Tremolo/Vibrato effect will be off. If you then move the modulation wheel upwards, the Tremolo/Vibrato effect
will become more and more prominent.
The following table defines the effect that the Modulation wheel controls for each of the seven instruments:
Instrument Effect
Piano 1 None
Piano 2 None
E. Piano 1 Tremolo
E. Piano 2 Tremolo
Clav None
FM Piano Tremolo
Perc. Organ Vibrato
1.11 Digital Effects
There are two digital effect buttons – Reverb and Chorus. Reverb will add ambience, as if you are playing your instrument in a large hall or church.
Reverb can be used to add warmth to the sound of your instrument.
Chorus is an effect that sounds much like two of the same instruments being layered together and slightly detuned one from the other. It can be
used to fatten up the sound of your instrument. In some cases, Chorus can make your instrument sound like a different instrument altogether. For
example, adding a lot of Chorus to Piano 1 or Piano 2 will add a “honky-tonk” effect to the piano sound.
Each of the digital effects has four levels of depth – Reverb (off, small, medium and large) and Chorus (off, narrow, medium and wide). Pressing the
Reverb or Chorus button repeatedly will select the depth of the corresponding effect. The depths increase in ascending order.
When the effect is set to off, the LED above the relevant button remains off. Pressing the effect button will then turn the effect on, with a small depth.
Pressing the button again will increase the depth from a “small” or “narrow” amount, to a “medium” amount, and pressing it again will increase the
depth further. The LED will remain on. Finally, pressing the button a third time will set the effect back to off and switch off the LED.
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Part 1: ProKeys 88sx as a Digital Piano
ProKeys 88sx User Guide
1.12 Transpose Buttons
The Transpose buttons can be used to change the pitch of the instrument. Some players like to play in a particular key like C or F, for example.
Transpose lets you change the pitch of your instrument and continue to play in the key that is most comfortable for you. It is possible to transpose up
or down by as much as 12 semitones. This means if you press the transpose + or – button 12 times, the tone will sound exactly one octave higher
or lower.
The Transpose buttons each have an associated LED. When the ProKeys 88sx is not transposed, both LED’s will be off. If you set the transpose to a
negative value, the LED above the Transpose - button will light up, but the LED above the Transpose + button will remain off. If you set the transpose
to a positive value, the + LED will light up.
Pressing both Transpose buttons at the same time will set the transpose back to zero, and both LEDs will switch off.
1.12.1 Octave
It is also possible to set the Transpose buttons so as to shift a whole octave “on the fly”. This is achieved as follows:
< Press Advanced Functions.
< Press key C#1.
It is possible to change the keyboard’s pitch by a maximum of one octave down or two octaves up. Pressing both Transpose buttons together will
set the octave shift back to zero and both LEDs will turn off.
In order to switch the Transpose buttons back to controlling Transpose:
< Press Advanced Functions.
< Press key D#1.
If you just want to make a quick octave adjustment, and do not wish to alter the assignment of your Transpose buttons, this is achieved using the
Octave + and Octave – function keys when in Edit mode.
English
< Press Advanced Functions.
< Press key C#3 to decrease the pitch, or D#3 to increase it.
1.12.2 Master Tuning
The Transpose buttons can also be assigned to control the master tuning. To set this up:
< Press Advanced Functions.
< Press key D#2.
You can now use the Transpose + and - keys to alter the master tuning of the keyboard by up to 100 “cents” (100 cents = 1 semitone) in either
direction. Pressing both Transpose buttons together will shift the tuning back to zero.
In order to switch the Transpose buttons back to default:
< Press Advanced Functions.
< Press key D#1.
Note: If you have assigned the Transpose buttons to a function other than transpose, it is still possible to transpose your ProKeys 88sx, using the
Transpose + and Transpose – function keys in Edit mode:
< Press Advanced Functions.
< Press key C#4 to decrease the pitch, or D#4 to increase it.
1.13 Resetting the Keyboard
On power up, the keyboard is in its default state of Performance mode, with all effects set to off, and the tuning, transpose and octave shifts set to
zero. Any edits made of the types that are defined in part 1 of this manual will not be saved across power cycles since the keyboard resets each
time you power up.
*M-Audio, the M-Audio logo and ProKeys 88sx are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other product names used in
this manual are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Avid Technology, Inc. These trademarks of
other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose product sounds were sampled in the creation of this
product.
Part 1: ProKeys 88sx as a Digital Piano
9
Part 2: The ProKeys 88sx as a MIDI Controller
2.0 Introduction
The USB MIDI capabilities of the ProKeys 88sx make it a very useful controller for software-based virtual instruments and synthesizers. Part 2
takes an in-depth look at the ProKeys 88sx as a USB MIDI controller for use with MIDI applications on a computer, or as a MIDI controller for sound
modules.
Programming the various MIDI parameters that the ProKeys 88sx offers is achieved in Edit mode. To engage Edit mode, press the Advanced
Functions button. Please refer to the illustration in Appendix B for a full outline of the function keys in Edit mode.
2.1 Setup
If you only intend to use your ProKeys 88sx to control a sound module or synthesizer through the MIDI out port, there is no need to read the following
three sections and you should skip to section 2.4. If you intend to connect your ProKeys 88sx to a computer, please be sure you read sections 2.2
and 2.3 first.
2.2 Minimum System Requirements
If you are using your ProKeys 88sx with a computer, the following minimum system requirements apply:
Windows XP
< Pentium II 350MHz
< 128MB RAM
< native USB 1.1 port
Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher
< G3 450MHz
< 128MB RAM
< native USB 1.1 port
These are the requirements your computer must have to work with your keyboard. However, please check your software application(s) for any
additional minimum system requirements.
10
Part 2: The ProKeys 88sx as a MIDI Controller
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