Yamaha Audio PSR-77, PSR-185 User Manual

YAMAHA

Contents

Getting Playing Your New PortaTone

Voice Style Mode Song Sound Effect and Drum Pads

(PSR-185)

Started

Mode

Sound Effect and Drum List

Troubleshooting

Percussion Assign List

(Voices 40 and 00). Jam Track Chord Progression List One Touch Settiing

Scores

Song

Specifications

List..

2 3

5 6 9

12 13 23

C o ng ra tula tions o n yo ur purc ha se o f the Ya m a ha Po rta To ne

You now own a portable keyboard that packs advanced functions and great sound in a highly compact size. Its outstanding features also make it an exceptionally expressive and versatile instrument. Read this Owner’s Manual carefully while playing your new PortaTone in order to take full advantage of its various features.

Ma in Fe a ture s

The PortaTone is a sophisticated musical instrument with the following features and functions:

Exceptionally realistic sounds with 100 AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) Voices, utilizing digital recordings of actual instruments.

Dynamic, versatile rhythms and accompaniment with 100 music Styles.

20 Songs, for listening enjoyment or for playing along with when using the Minus One function.

20 Jam Track patterns, providing specially programmed rhythms and chord progressions for playing along

with.

(On the PSR-185) a set of four Pads that allow you to play drum and percussion sounds as well as special

sound effects.

One Touch Setting, for automatically calling up an appropriate Voice for playing with the Style, Song or Jam Track you select.

High-quality amplifier/speaker system (stereo for the PSR-185).

Precautions

Your new PortaTone is a fine musical instrument — and should be treated as such. Handle it with care and common sense, and it will give you years of enjoyment.

— Taking Care

Loc a tio n

Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or other sources

of heat. Never leave it inside a car where it can get

very hot. Also avoid highly humid or dusty places.

Inte rfe re nc e Fro m Ele c trom a g ne tic Fie lds

Do not use your PortaTone close to television sets,

radios or similar equipment since this may cause interference noise in the other appliance.

Ha ndling

Protect your PortaTone from strong impact. Be

careful not to drop it or place heavy objects on it. Avoid applying excessive force to the controls and keys.

Your PortaTone

C le a ning

Clean the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. To remove stubborn stains, use a slightly moistened cloth. Never use alcohol, thinner, or other chemical solvents, since they will damage the finish. Also, do not leave vinyl chloride material on the PortaTone

for a long time, since it may adhere to the exterior.

NOTE

Yamaha is not responsible for damage caused by improper usage.

Whe n No t Using the Po rtaTone

After use, always turn off the POWER switch. When

not using your PortaTone for long periods, be sure

to remove the batteries to avoid damage through

battery leakage.

Getting Started

Power Requirments

Your PortaTone can run either on batteries (sold separately) or on normal household current by using the optional Yamaha PA-3/4/40 Power Adaptor.

Using an AC Power Adaptor

To connect your PortaTone to a wall socket, you will

need the optionally available Yamaha PA-3/4/40 Power Adaptor. Use of other AC adaptors could result in damage to the instrument, so be sure to ask for the right kind. Plug the adaptor into a convenient wall outlet and its connector into the DC 10-12V IN

jack on the back of your PortaTone.

Using Batteries

Inserting Batteries

Turn the instrument upside-down and remove the

battery compartment lid. Insert six 1.5-volt size “D” batteries as shown in the illustration, making

sure that the positive and negative terminals are properly aligned. Replace the lid.

Accessory Jacks

Using Headphones

For private practicing and playing without disturbing

others, connect a set of stereo headphones to the rear

panel HEADPHONES/AUX OUT jack. Sound from the built-in speaker system is automatically cut off when you insert a headphone plug into this jack.

PSR-185

PSR-77

When the Batteries Run Down

When the batteries run low and the battery voltage drops below a certain level, the PortaTone may not sound or function properly. As soon as this happens, replace them with a complete set of six new batteries.

Never mix old and new or different types of

batteries (e.g., alkaline and manganese).

Auto Power OFF

The PSR-185/77 features an Auto Power OFF function that automatically turns the power OFF if the

instrument is not used for approximately 30 minutes. This functions whether batteries or the AC power adaptor is used.

Connecting a Keyboard Amplifier

or Stereo System

After making sure the PortaTone and any external devices are turned off, connect one end of a stereo audio cable to the LINE IN or AUX. IN jack(s) of the other device and the other end to the HEADPHONES/

AUX OUT jack of the PortaTone.

The Music Stand

Insert the bottom edge of the music stand into the slot located at the top rear of the PSR-185/77 control panel.

Playing Your New PortaTone

This section briefly shows you how to use the various controls on the panel of the PortaTone.

Turning on the Power

Press the POWER ON/OFF power of the PortaTone. Whenever the power is

turned on, Voice 01 (PIANO) is automatically selected.

button

to turn on the

Selecting a Mode

Your PortaTone has three different operating modes:

Voice, Style and Song —

sponding panel buttons. VOICE lets you select and play a Voice. STYLE lets you select and play a setting that includes a rhythm/accompaniment pattern. SONG lets you select and play either a Song or a Jam Track pattern.

To select one of the modes:

Press the button corresponding to the desired mode. For now, press SONG to select the Song mode.

each selected from the corre-

Playing a Song in the Song Mode

A variety of Songs and special Jam Tracks have been recorded to your PortaTone to give you a taste of

what you can do with the instrument, and to provide

music and patterns for you to play along with.

To select and play one of the Songs:

With the Song mode selected, use the Numeric Keypad to enter the desired Song or Jam

Track number. Be sure to enter a two-digit

number, as is printed next to each song on the panel. For example, to select Song 09, first press ‘0” on the Numeric Keypad, then “9.”

You can also use the +/- buttons on the Numeric

Keypad to step up or down through the preset numbers; holding down the appropriate button continuously changes the number. Note that the

+/- buttons have a “wrap around” feature. For example, pressing the + button from the last

number returns to Song 01. (Song 01 is also automatically selected when you turn the power

on.)

To play the selected Song, press the START/STOP

button

Note that the dots in the MULTI DISPLAY

in time with the music. The left dot flashes at the

first beat of every measure, and the right dot flashes at the other beats. (For more information on the MULTI DISPLAY, see box at right.)

flash

About the MULTl DISPLAY

As mentioned above, the dots in the MULTI DIS-

PLAY flash in time with the rhythm, and the indication is used when a Song or Style plays back. This flashing provides a visual indication of both the tempo and the time signature of the rhythm.

Adjust the volume of the Song by using the

VOLUME control

Although the Song is automatically set to play at a

default tempo, you can change the speed of the Song by using the TEMPO buttons TEMPO + to increase the speed and TEMPO - to decrease it; holding down the appropriate button continuously increases/decreases the speed. (Note that the tempo value is briefly shown in the MULTI DISPLAY.)

if you want to set the tempo back to its original

default setting, press both TEMPO buttons simultaneously. (For more information on the Tempo functions, see box at right.)

To stop the Song, press the START/STOP button

again.

NOTE

You should enter numbers on the Numeric Keypad relatively

quickly, If YOU do not enter the second digit of a number

within about ten seconds after entering the first digit, the

first digit will be carcelled. Entry of a first digit is also

automatically cancelled if any other button on the panel

(except for those on the Numeric Keypad) is pressed before

entering the second digit. Also, keep in mind that entry of numbers higher than 40 in the Song mode are ignored.

Press

For Songs and Styles in 4/4 time, the dots flash like this:

For Songs and Styles in 3/4 time, the dots flash like this:

About the Tempo Functions

Tempo Values

As mentioned above, the tempo value is shown briefly in the MULTI DISPLAY when one of the TEMPO buttons is pressed. The displayed tempo range is from 10 to 60; in actual tempo values, the range is from 40 to 240 beats per minute. (Each step in the tempo adjustment corresponds to 4 beats per minute.)

Default Tempos

Each Song and Style has been given a default or standard tempo. If you change the tempo, you can set it back to the original default setting, by pressing both TEMPO buttons simultaneously. Also, the tempo of a Song or Style returns to the default setting when selecting a different Song or Style. (The set tempo remains, however, when switching

Styles during playback.) When you turn on the power of the PortaTone, the tempo is automatically set to the default setting of Style 01.

Voice Mode

The Voice mode features 100 authentic Voices. Many of these Voices have special preset characteristics or embellishments. The Voices are divided into various categories depending on their characteristics or the effects used.

Dual Voices (#41 - X56) feature two Voices mixed together in a layer for rich ensemble sounds. Split Voices (#57 - #67) also have two Voices, but rather than being layered, each is played from a different range of the keyboard. Sustain Voices (#66 - #72) extend the sound by adding a natural, slow release. Harmony Voices (#73 - #85) have an additional one-, two- or three-note harmony added to the original monophonic Voice. Finally, Echo Voices (#86 - #00) have an echo effect that adds delayed repeats to the original Voice.

Included in the Voices are special PERCUSSION

Voices (#40 and #00 that lets you play various drum

and percussion sounds from the keyboard. (Refer to the Percussion Assign list page 11.)

Selecting a Voice

Press the VOICE button to select the Voice mode.

About the Harmony Voices

Since Harmony Voices are designed to automatically play two or more notes with the notes you

play on the keyboard, only one note can be played

on the keyboard at a time. If several notes are

played together, only the last note or highest note played will be heard.

The type of harmony used depends on the Voice that is selected. When a Style or Song/Jam Track

is not being played back, the basic key for the harmony is always C. When a Style is played or

the Stopped Accompaniment function is active, the

harmony changes according to the chord played with the left hand. When a Song is played back, the harmony changes according to the chord progression of the Song or Jam Track.

NOTE

The PortaTone is polyphonic up to a maximum of 12 notes. (Depending on the Voice selected, fewer notes may be

available.) This includes not only the Voices played from the

keyboard, but also the notes in a style pattern, and so on. Thus, if you play too many notes at one time, some may not sound and/or others may be cancelled.

Use the Numeric Keypad to select the desired Voice number. Each Voice is automatically called up with the most suitable octave range setting. Thus, playing middle C with one Voice may sound higher or lower than another Voice at the same key.

Play the newly selected Voice. To change to

another Voice, repeat step 2 above.

You can also play rhythm Styles in the Voice mode

by simply pressing the START/STOP button. The

Style last selected from the Style mode will be

played.

Style Mode

The Style mode provides dynamic rhythm/accompaniment patterns — as well as Voice settings appropriate for each pattern — for various popular music styles, as listed on the panel. A total of 100 different Styles are available, and are divided into ten differ-

ent categoties. Each rhythm pattern also has a specially created companion Fill In pattern, which can be

played by using the SYNC-START/FILL IN button.

Auto Accompaniment features built into the rhythms add the excitement of instrumental backing to your performance, letting you control the accompaniment by the chords you play. Auto Accompaniment effectively splits the keyboard into two sections: The upper is used for playing a melody line, and the lower (labeled "AUTO ACCOMP. SECTION” on the keyboard, including keys C1 through F2) is for

the Auto Accompaniment function.

Selecting a Style

Press the STYLE button to select the Style mode.

The Fill In pattern may not play precisely when you press the

SYNC-START/FILL IN button, but instead starts on the beat

immediately following your press of the button. Also,

depending on when you press the button, only a portion of

the Fill In might be played. Both of these situations are

normal and are done to ensure that the Fill In pattern comple-

ments the basic rhvthm, rather than disrupting it.

With the rhythm running, you’re ready to try out

the Auto Accompaniment feature. Try playing a few single notes with your left hand, and notice

how the bass and chord accompaniment change

with each key you play. (Refer to the boxed sections on pages 7 and 8 for more information on how to use Auto Accompaniment.)

Use the TEMPO buttons to change the tempo of the Style as it’s playing. (For more information on

the Tempo functions, see page 4.)

While the Style is playing, you can add variation

to the rhythm by playing special Fill In patterns. To play a Fill In pattern, press the SYNC-START/ FILL IN button.

NOTE

Use the Numeric Keypad to select the desired

Style number.

You can start the selected rhythm by pressing the

START/STOP button.

The PortaTone also has a Synchro Start function

that allows you to start the rhythm by simply pressing a key on the keyboard. To use Synchro Start, first press the SYNC-START/FILL IN button, then press one of the keys in the AUTO

ACCOMP. SECTION.

NOTE

Synchro Start is automatically set to stand-by when you

select the Style mode. (The dots in the MULTI DISPLAY flash

to indicate stand-by status.)

To stop the rhythm, press the START/STOP

button again.

Pressing the START/STOP button while the

rhythm is playing produces a simple ending phrase. This also applies to playing Jam Track patterns in the Song mode.

Using the Auto Accompaniment Function/Multi Fingering

The Auto Accompaniment function automatically generates bass and chord accompaniment for you to play along

with, by using Multi Fingering operation. You can change the chords of the accompaniment by playing keys in the AUTO ACCOMP. SECTION of the keyboard using either the

Single Finger Chords

Chords that can be produced in Single Finger operation are major, minor, seventh and minor seventh. The illustration below shows how to produce the

four chord types. (The key of C is used here as an

example; other keys follow the same rules. For example, B7 is played as B and A.)

“Single Finger” or “Fingered” method. With Single

Finger you can simply play a one-, two- or three-finger chord indication (see Single Finger Chords below). The Fingered technique is that of conventionally playing all the notes of the chord. Whichever method you use, the

PortaTone “understands” what chord you indicate and

then automatically generates the accompaniment

NOTE

Chords played in the AUTO ACCOMP. SECTION of the key-

board are also detected and played when the accompaniment

is stopped (Stopped Accompaniment function). In this

condition, the Voices used for the bass and chords are

automatically selected.

Press the root of the chord.

Press the root note together with

any white key to the left of it.

NOTE

To use the Minus One function with one of the styles, press

the MINUS ONE button. (The LED next to the button lights.)

Minus One cancels all chord accompaniment, leaving only the

bass and basic rhythm of the Style.

Setting Auto Accompuniment to Single Finger or Fingered

Though detection of the Single Finger and Fingered methods is automatic, you can set Auto Accompaniment to function exclusively in either the Single Finger or Fingered mode.

To set Auto Accompaniment to Single Finger, turn the power off, then hold down the “-” button on the

Numeric Keypad and simultaneously turn the power on. "SF" (Single Finger) briefly appears in the MULTI

DISPLAY.

NOTE

In Single Finger, the AUTO ACCOMP. SECTION is set between

the C1 key (the lowest key) and the C

2 key.

Pess the root note together with any black key to the left of it.

Press the root note together with any white and black key to the left of it (three keys altogether).

To set Auto Accompaniment to Fingered, follow the same steps, holding down the “+” button instead. “F” (Fingered) briefly appears in the MULTI

DISPLAY.

To switch back to Multi Fingering operation, simply turn the power off and on again.

Fingered Chords

Using the key of C as an example, the chart below shows the types of chords that can be recognized in the

Fingered mode.

Fingered Chords in the Key of C

Notes enclosed in parentheses are optional; the chords will be recognized without them.

NOTE

If the chord is inverted (i.e., C-E-G is played as G-C-E) the PortaTone will still recognize it as a C chord.

Minor 6th chords are recognized only in root position, however; all other inversions are interpreted as minor 7th/flatted 5th.

If augmented and diminished 7th chords are inverted, the lowest note will be recognized as the root.

7th flatted 5th chords may be played with the lowest note as the root or the 7th.

9th chords are recognized only in root position; all other inversions are interpreted as suspended 4th.

Augmented 7th and diminished 7th chords are interpreted as simple augmented and diminished.

The PortaTone also has a Chord Cancel function to stop the chord accompaniment but allow the rhythm pattern to continue playing.

To use Chord Cancel, simultaneously press any three consecutive notes in the AUTO ACCOMP. SECTION; for example, C, C

and D.

One Touch Setting in the Style Mode

The One Touch Setting function automatically

selects an appropriate Voice for playing with the Style you select. In other words, when One Touch Setting is on, the Voice automatically changes

when you change the Style.

To turn on the One Touch Setting function, press

the ONE TOUCH SETTING button. (The LED next to

the button lights.)

To turn the function off, press the button again.

NOTE

When the One Touch Setting is on, selecting another Style

will automatically reset the tempo to the default of the

selected Style.

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