Casio PG-380 Operator's manual

Casio
Guitar Synth
PG-380
Player’s
Manual .....
Manual del
Usuario
1
25

Casio Guitar Synth
PG-380 Player’s
Manual
Thank you and congratulation on your choice of a CASIO PG
Guitar. Your new PG Guitar lets you take advantage of the free
dom of musical expression provided by the electric guitar, while
making use of the unlimited sound creation potential of the 64
preset tones (iPD sound source). To obtain optimum performance
and assure long-term reliability, be sure to read this manual care-
fully before using your new PG Guitar.

Contents
NAKHUR RUD
Becocnne
Ss
10
12
2
12
13
13
13
13
14
4
15
1S
15
15
16
16
17
18
21
22
The Basics
Supplying Power to Your Guitar
Connecting Your Guitar to Amplifiers
To connect the PG guitar
Changing Strings
To change strings
Tuning the PG Guitar
To tune your guitar
To adjust octave tuning
Performance
Performance Using the Preset Tones
To select a preset tone
Raising/Lowering Preset/MIDI Sound Octaves
To raise or lower preset tone
Normal and Chromatic Performance
Chromatic performance
Setting Bend Range
Trigger Pickup Sensitivity
To adjust trigger pickup sensitivity
Using ROM Card/RAM Cards
Performance Using Optional ROM and RAM Cards
To select sound from a ROM card
MIDI
Performance Using MIDI (POLY/MONO Performance
Modes)
To select the performance mode
To perform in the POLY mode
To perform in the MONO mode
Example of MONO mode performance
Making Program Changes
To make program changes
Adjustments
Machine Head Torque
Adjusting Guitar Pickup Height
Adjusting Bridge Height
Taking Care of Your PG Guitar
General Guide —
An Overall View of the PG Guitar
Specifications
Microswitches
we

Supplying Power
to Your Guitar
In addition to being a “normal”
electric guitar, your PG guitar
features a built-in sound source
which produces 64 preset tones
as well as MIDI circuitry. Be-
cause of this, the PG Guitar re-
quires electricity for operation.
To power the PG guitar, you
can connect an optional AC
adaptor (AD-5), or use 6 AA
(R6P/SUM-3) batteries. When.
you're not using the preset tones,
or your guitar as a MIDI con-
troller, batteries or AC power
are not necessary.
When changing batteries, be sure
to replace all 6 at the same time.
If battery power is too weak,
your guitar’s functions may
operate abnormally
When battery power weakens,
the LED display starts flashing.
Within approximately 15
minutes, the power is automati-
cally cut off to prevent malfune-
tion caused by weakened
batteries.
3 The Basics
Battery case cover
(PG guitar back panel)
morour foc av cur corm nomen
Ki] AC outlet
AC adaptor AD-S

Changing Strings
Changing strings whenever they
become worn or lose their brilli-
ance (hopefully before they be-
come corroded or rusty!). You'll
find that fresh strings not only
sound better, they're easier to
keep in tune as well (once
they’ve gotten past the initial
“stretching” stage). They're also
easier to play than old ones.
When you've finished playing, be
sure to wipe the strings and frets
with a dry cloth to prevent
prematrue corrosion caused by
hand perspiration.
s The Basics
To change strings
@Loosen the top locks, tail
end locks using the custom
wrench and remove all old
strings.
@Cut off the ball end of the
new strings.
@Place the string in between
the bridge and string stopper
and tighten tail end lock.
@With the string in proper
position over the nut, insert the
tip of the string through top
lock and through the hole in
the machine head post.
®©'Tie” the string off firmly.
(®Holding the string fairly taut
with your right hand, wind up
the excess sting by turning the
corresponding tuning knob
with the other hand (or try us-
ing a tuning crank).
@Once all strings are in place,
tune using tuning knobs while
checking with the built-in elec-
tronic tuner. (See page 6 for
tuning.)
} Screw lock all strings using
the top locks.
@Retune all strings using the
| fine tuning screws,
Top lock
Ball end
String stopper

Tuning the PG
Guitar
Your CASIO PG Guitar features
built-in electronic tuning circuitry
which makes it easy to stay in
tune without the aid of pitch
pipes, external strobe tuners or
other instruments,
‘Also, you may need to make
fine octave tuning adjustments at |
the bridge assembly if certain
strings seem difficult to tune.
These adjustments are made in-
dividually for each string.
To tune your guitar
(DSelect the frequency of the
standard pitch (Ad).
Before actually tuning your
guitar strings, you can use
microswitches number 9 and 10
on the back of the guitar to
select the frequency of the
standard pitch you will tune to.
| This is simply a basis to work
from when you tune your gui-
tar — if one note is in tune
you can tune the others to it,
As with other instruments, the
PG guitar uses Ad as the stan-
dard pitch. You can specify the
frequency of A4 by turning the
microswitches ON or OFF ac-
cording to the chart shown on
the right.
@Tune each string by using
the tuning indicators.
Notice that there are two ar-
rows which light up when you
play an open string on the gui-
tar. These are the tuning
indicators.
One is marked “4” indicating
that the open string being
played is sharp, and the other
is marked ‘‘b”’ indicating that
the open string being played is
flat.
When these indicators light
simultaneously, the string is in
tune (within + 3 cents).
hone
GH;
Zh foewo nance
BH}
GH
aH
(D4 POLY MONO
ON
Microswitches
Sw9 |SW10| Freq.
Off Off 440 Hz
Off On 441 Hz
On Off 402 Hz
On On 443 Hz
The microswitches and trigger
pickup sensitivity controls on the
back of the guitar are protected
by black rubber covers. These
controls are made up of preci-
sion electronic components which
may be damaged if exposed to
static electricity or foreign ele-
iments, so be sure to replace the
rubber covers after making any
adjustments,
# g Lights to indicate that the
string is sharp
Lights 0 indicate thar the
bY string is flat
If two or more strings are played
simultaneously, both the “#”
and “5” indicators will not light
The Basics 6

Tuning the PG
Guitar
Your CASIO PG Guitar features
built-in electronic tuning circuitry
which makes it easy to stay in
tune without the aid of pitch
pipes, external strobe tuners or
other instruments,
‘Also, you may need to make
fine octave tuning adjustments at |
the bridge assembly if certain
strings seem difficult to tune.
These adjustments are made in-
dividually for each string.
To tune your guitar
(DSelect the frequency of the
standard pitch (Ad).
Before actually tuning your
guitar strings, you can use
microswitches number 9 and 10
on the back of the guitar to
select the frequency of the
standard pitch you will tune to.
| This is simply a basis to work
from when you tune your gui-
tar — if one note is in tune
you can tune the others to it,
As with other instruments, the
PG guitar uses Ad as the stan-
dard pitch. You can specify the
frequency of A4 by turning the
microswitches ON or OFF ac-
cording to the chart shown on
the right.
@Tune each string by using
the tuning indicators.
Notice that there are two ar-
rows which light up when you
play an open string on the gui-
tar. These are the tuning
indicators.
One is marked “4” indicating
that the open string being
played is sharp, and the other
is marked ‘‘b”’ indicating that
the open string being played is
flat.
When these indicators light
simultaneously, the string is in
tune (within + 3 cents).
hone
GH;
Zh foewo nance
BH}
GH
aH
(D4 POLY MONO
ON
Microswitches
Sw9 |SW10| Freq.
Off Off 440 Hz
Off On 441 Hz
On Off 402 Hz
On On 443 Hz
The microswitches and trigger
pickup sensitivity controls on the
back of the guitar are protected
by black rubber covers. These
controls are made up of preci-
sion electronic components which
may be damaged if exposed to
static electricity or foreign ele-
iments, so be sure to replace the
rubber covers after making any
adjustments,
# g Lights to indicate that the
string is sharp
Lights 0 indicate thar the
bY string is flat
If two or more strings are played
simultaneously, both the “#”
and “5” indicators will not light
The Basics 6

2
The Basics
You can tune each string by
playing it open or at the octave
(12th fret). For increased ac-
curacy, you might find it best
to tune each string open first,
then check the tuning at the
12th fret and make any neces-
sary fine adjustment.
To adjust octave
tuning
© Play the string open and
then at the octave (12 fret).
If the pitch is slightly sharp
at the 12th fret, loosen the
string and unscrew the cor-
responding bridge adjustment
screw. Slightly move the bridge
towards the pickup (direction
‘A) and check open/octave tun-
ing again,
@[f the pitch is slightly flat at
the 12th fret, loosen the string
and unscrew the corresponding
bridge adjustment screw.
Slightly move the bridge
towards the tail (direction B)
and check open/octave tuning
again,
It’s important to note that each
time a string’s pitch is raised 550
cents over its standard tuning,
the tuner automatically “shifts”
into the next octave.
Because of this, if @ string is al-
ready sharp (when the “#” in-
dicator is lit) and you continue
to raise its tuning, the “b” indi-
cator will light and the “2” indi-
cator will go out. This is because
you have exceeded the 530 cent
limit and the tuner is indicating
tuning for the next octave up.
When you are using your PG
guitar as a MIDI controller (see
‘page 13, it is important to
tune the MIDI sound source to
your PG guitar in order to play
totally “in tune”. You might
also iry to detune one or the
other for some interesting effects.
O)
re
am) Ts
Bridge
adjustment
am 1OOOL

Performance Using
the Preset Tones
Your PG guitar features a total
of 64 factory-programmed tones
that can be selected by assigning
the tone number using two keys
on the front panel. (Preset tone
listed on page 23)
B—a— crn
OCTAVE TUNE _coROUATC
1000
To select a preset
tone
(Example: selecting tone
| number “36”)
|
(Press program key number
63",
@pPress program key number
ug,
=
PROGRAM
0000
Note: Tone number “11” is
automatically selected when the
power of the guitar is switched
to “ON”.
Performance 8

Raising/Lowering
Preset/MIDI Sound
Octaves
By using the octave keys, you
can raise or lower the octave of
preset tones. These keys can also
be used to raise or lower the
pitch of MIDI sounds when us-
ing the PG guitar as a MIDI
controller.
Normal and
Chromatic
Performance
Using the Chromatic key, you
can select from either the normal
performance or chromatic
performance.
In the normal status (when the
Chromatic key indicator is not
lit), you can bend the notes of
preset/MIDI sounds in the same
way that you bend normal guitar
sounds. In the chromatic status
(when Chromatic key indicator is
lit) preset/MIDI sounds bend
only chromatically — half tone
increments.
9 Performance
To raise or lower
preset tone
@ In the normal status (when
both octave key indicators are
not lit), preset tones are output
in the same octave as the elec-
tric guitar sound (correspond-
ing to normal note numbers),
@To raise the preset tone’s
pitch by one full octave, press
the octave up key.
To lower the preset tone’s
pitch by one full octave, press
the octave down key.
Chromatic
performance
In the normal status (Chroma-
tic function “OFF” condition),
the pitch of a note played
varies slightly according to how
you depress the guitar string.
This is normal for “guitar” or
other string sounds, but when
you want to reproduce the
sound of chromatic instruments
such as vibraphone, xylophone
or even piano, the chromatic
function lets you play exactly
in tune — for totally realistic
reproduction using the preset
tones,
Naturally, the chromatic setting
only effects preset/MIDI
sounds — guitar sounds are
Output just as the strings are
tuned in all cases.
Octave down key
cle up key
Y a
ow w
OCTAVE
Note: The octave selector setting
| only relates 10 preset and MIDI
sounds, and has no effect on
natural guitar sounds.
0
CHROMATIC

Setting Bend
Range
By setting note bend range, you
can establish how far up you can
bend a preset/MIDI note when
the chromatic key is switched
OFF (normal status), Eight
different settings are possible, us-
ing microswitches 6, 7 and 8.
Trigger Pickup
Sensitivity
In some cases, you'll want to ad-
just the sensitivity of the trigger
pickup (pickup that triggers the
output of preset sounds or MIDI
sounds), for individual strings
When this sensitivity is increased,
NOTE ON (trigger output) mes-
sages are sent with only a light
touch, as are maximum velocity
messages. When decreased, the
opposite is true.
< Bend range setting > OQ=OFF @=O0N
swe SWw7 sws BEND RANGE
ie) Q at
ie} le e 3
le} e i) 5
O e e 7
e {e} 12
e ie) e 24
e e ie) 32
e e e 48
(* Units: half-tones)
In the POLY mode (see page 13), normal MIDI bend is only
possible on one string at a time. If you attempt to bend two or
more strings at ance, MIDI sounds hend only chromatically
To adjust trigger
pickup sensitivity
(DRemove the rubber cover
protecting the sensitivity con-
trols on the back of the guitar.
Performance 10

This adjustment can be used in a
variety of ways. For example,
differences in string gauge or
string height may cause an im-
balance in preset/MIDI sound
characteristics. Or a certain string
or strings may stand out, while
others seem too weak or don’t
sound at the same time. These
problems can be solved by in-
creasing or decreasing trigger
pickup sensitivity.
Your PG guitar features Sensitiv-
ity Check function using the
LED display. The display will
show the trigger pickup sensitivi-
ty of each string in numerals
(“0"—*99"), and also indicates
if the setting is too high (““OL”
= Over Level),
In cases where you are using
sound sources which feature
MIDI Touch Sensitivity when
utilizing the PG guitar as a
MIDI controller, you may need
to decrease trigger pickup sensi-
tivity for best results.
11 Performance
@To shift to Sensitivity Check
mode, switch the main power
switch ON while depressing
both octave UP and DOWN
keys simultaneously. The dis-
play will show “L-”, indicating
the Sensitivity Check standby
status,
| @To check the sensitivity level
of a certain string, pluck the
string strongly.
@If the display shows a num-
ber below 85, the trigger pickup
sensitivity for that string needs
to be increased by turning
the corresponding sensitivity
control to the left.
If the display shows “OL”
(over level) the trigger pickup
sensitivity for that string needs
to be decreased by turning the
corresponding sensitivity con-
trol to the right. (B)
@®Switch the main power
switch OFF and then ON again
to return to the normal playing
condition.
‘i008 0
Bom aciwe
| Few seconds
LE -loee
Boca cave
=!
ri
pai
Over level display
Note: These adjustments are deli-
cate, Do not turn the controls
more than 100° (about a quarter
turn) in each direction.
Do not use excessive force when
making trigger pickup sensitivity
adjustment.

Performance
Using Optional
ROM and RAM
Cards
The PG guitar features an out-
standing range of 64 built-in
tones - but in some cases you
may want even more voices at
your control. You can increase
your sound selection by using
optional ROM or RAM cards.
By simply slipping a RAM card
into the card slot on the back
of the guitar you'll have an ad-
ditional 64 sounds, for a total
of 128 tone at your disposal.
Or choose a ROM card for 128
new sounds which combine
with preset tones for amazing
total of 192 sounds. All of
these can be recalled in the
same Way as preset tones.
With the use of an optional
RAM card (RA-500), sounds
created on Casio VZ-1 digital
synthesizer can be played on
the PG-380.
To select sound from
a ROM card
Insert a ROM card firmly
| into the card slot located on
the back of the guitar.
(2Press the card key on the
front panel once. A dot will
appear on the display above
the letter ““A’’, This indicates
that any of the 64 sounds on
side A of the ROM card can
be selected — for example
sound number 23”.
@Press the card key once
more (a total of two times).
The dot will move to the “B”
position. This indicates that
any of the 64 sounds on side
B of the ROM card can be
selected. Notice that the tone
number stays the same until
you change it.
@Press the card key for the
third time and operations
return to preset sound selec-
tion. The dot above ““B” goes
out, indicating that the preset
sound are now selected — in
this case preset number “23”,
To change the sound number,
follow the procedures,
described in “To select a
preset tone”’, page 8.
Using ROM Card/RAM Cards
RAM card or ROM card
4 dot appears only above
the letter “A” when RAM
card is used,
Boca
*Volume balance, velocity etc.
of sounds created on the VZ-1
should be adjusted to match
PG-380 before loading on the
RAM card to be played on the
PG-380.
12

Performance Using
MIDI (POLY/MONO
Performance
Modes)
By connecting your PG guitar to
other MIDI devices, your PG
guitar can be used as a MIDI
controller. You can perform in
either MONO or POLY MIDI
performance modes. In the
POLY mode, all six strings can
be used to control the same
MIDI timbre. In the MONO:
mode, it is possible to assign
each string a different sound
source.
13. MIDI
To select the
performance mode
Tum microswitch number |
ON or OFF, according to the
chart shown to the right. (A)
To perform in the
POLY mode
In the POLY mode, all 6
strings control the same MIDI
timbre.
@Set the guitar to the POLY
mode (see figure A).
(Make sure that the MIDI
sound source is set to the same
MIDI receive channel of the
guitar (see figure B).
@Match MIDI bend range of
guitar and sound source (see
page 22).
A
swi MODE
OFF | POLY (MODE 3*)
ON MONO (MODE 4)
* See MIDI Implementation
Chart.
B (MIDI guitar MIDI Transmission channel) O = OFF, @ = ON
Transmission Channel
POLY mode MONO mode | sw2 | sw3 | swa | sws
SWI=OFF SWI=ON
t 16 0 ) 0 S
2 27 0 o
a 8 O )
4 Et) 0 o e
3 $10 0
6 611 Oo
7 72 0
8 8B 0
9 oud e
10 1015
nN TG e e
2 16 e ] e
a TG e e a
i 16 e e 0
5 16 e
16 16 e e e

To perform in the
MONO mode
In the MONO mode, each
string can be used to control a
different MIDI timbre.
@Set the guitar to the MONO
mode (see page 13 figure A)
@Make sure that the MIDI
transmit channel numbers of
each string correspond to the
MIDI receive channels of
sound source(s).
(@Match MIDI bend range of
guitar and sound source (see
page 22),
TRANSMIT CHANNELS
IN THE MONO MODE
String
1 Basie channel
Basic channel + 1
Basic channel + 2
Basic channel + 3
Basic channel + 4
Basic channel + 5
In the MONO mode, PRO-
GRAM CHANGE and BEND
RANGE messages are transmit-
ted for all strings. Because of
this, bending of multiple strings
is possible.
Example of MONO mode performance
Using the PG guitar MIDI to control 6 sound sources (or MIDI
timbres),
String
Ast = chi +t
[2nd = cho——>|
| \—3rd = cg ——|
| | ath, = cha———
[—Sth = chs ——»[ ats
eS) | 6th = ens oa] )
(mio1 oun) (10118)
If you're using a sound source such as the Casio VZ-1, CZ-1 or
CZ-5000 which is capable of receiving MIDI MONO mode mes-
sages, you can control up to 6 voices through a single unit
(providing the sound source features 6 sound source channels).
MIDI 14

Making Program
Changes
Your PG guitar lets you make
“remote” selection of MIDI
voices. You can send MIDI pro-
gram change number using the
eight program keys on your PG
guitar so you don't have to use
controls on the MIDI sound
source,
Machine Head
Torque
By adjusting the torque of the
machine head, you can prevent
strings from becoming detuned
(to some extent).
is MIDI/Adjustments
To make program
changes
To make program changes
assign a number using the
program keys. The numbers
on the display corresponds to
program change number as
shown on the chart.
It’s important to note that
MIDI Program Change num-
bers are not synonymous with
“voice” or “program” num-
bers on your MIDI sound
source, Naturally, the program
‘or voice numbering system for
individual instruments are
different.
In the normal or card “A” sta-
tus (when RAM or ROM card is
used), program change numbers
0 to 63 can be transmitted.
In the card “B” status (when
ROM card is used) program
change numbers 64 10127 can
be transmitted.
Program Change Program
Display | (normal status Change
orcard “A") | (card “B")
1-18 | 0- | @- 7
| 21-28 8-1 R- 19
31-38 16-3 80-87
41 - 48 4-31 88-95
51-58 2-39 96 103
61 - 68 40-47 104 - 111
71-78 48 = 55 12-119
81 - 88 56 - 63 120-127
To adjust machine
head torque
© Using a Philips screwdriver,
tighten or loosen the screw
holding each tuning knob
Turn to the left (B) to loosen
torque and to the right (@) to
tighten torque.

Adjusting Guitar
Pickup Height
By adjusting pickup height, you
can make delicate adjustments in
sound characteristics. When the
pickup is brought closer to the
strings (raised), the sound be-
comes fuller, while when the
pickup is lowered the sound be-
comes thinner and sharper.
Adjusting Bridge
Height
Depending on the gauge of
strings you will be using, the
style of music and the type of
sound you want to obtain, you'll
probably want to adjust string
height (distance from the fret-
board and pickups), by raising
or lowering the bridge for each
string. A special wrench is
provided for this purpose.
To adjust pickup
height
@Turn the screws at both sides
of the pickup(s) to lower or
raise the pickup.
As a basic rule, the surface of
the pickups should be between
2 and 3mm from the strings
when the strings are held down
at the 22nd (top) fret.
To adjust bridge
height
@ The stud bolts in the
PG-380’s tremolo unit feature
an inner adjustment bolt which
can be used to fix the lowest
position of the stud bolt (Fig.
A). A stud bolt cannot be lo-
wered any further if its inner
bolt is tightened, however ad-
justment can be made by first
loosening the inner bolt. Refer
to the following procedures to
| adjust string height.
1) Insert the smallest accessory
hex wrench fully into the
stud bolt and loosen the in-
ner adjustment bolt.
Using the larger hex
wrench, turn the stud bolt
to adjust string height.
When you've adjusted
string height to the desired
position, use the small hex
wrench to tighten the inner
adjustment screw fully. This
will lock the bridge height.
©
o+
Co
Adjustments

Taking Care of
Your PG Guitar
@ Avoid extremes of temperature, excessive humidity and direct
sunlight,
Your guitar features precision electronic components. Any
modification of, or tampering with internal components can be the
cause of malfunctions or damage.
Do not use alcohol, thinner or similar chemicals for cleaning.
To preserve the life of strings and frets, always wipe your guitar
with a clean, dry cloth after each use.
‘@ When transporting your PG guitar, always put it in a hard or
soft case for protection. It’s also a good idea to remove the
tremolo arm and loosen strings when transporting your instrument
for long distances.
© Always replace the rubber covers on the rear of your guitar
after making sensitivity or microswitch adjustments.
17 Taking Care of Your PG Guitar

General
Guide—An
Overall
View
of
the
PG
Guitar
Ty
Ming i,
NObs
Fret
Finger Board
Front Pickup (single coil)
Tremolo Arm
Middle Pickup (single coil)
Rear Pickup Switch
(humbucking/single coil)
Trigger Pickup
Bridge
General
Guide
—
An
Overall
View
of
the
PG
Guitar
18

= Control Section
5-way pickup selector
Tone control LED display
CARD key
Octave key
Tuning indicator (#/b)
Chromatic key
00% ;
B—B—caro _Ocive TNE _caROWATC
D000 009
PROGRAM
Program key (1-8)
MIN =~.
MAX
Preset/MIDI volume control
Guitar volume control
bl yea
Humbucking Single coil
19 General Guide — An Overall View of the PG Guitar