Kawai MR170 User manual

Owner's Manual

WARNING: This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy. If not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, it
can cause interference to radio communications. The rules with which it must
comply afford reasonable protection against interference when used in most
locations. However, there can be no guarantee that such interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does not cause interference to
radio or the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
reorient the receiving antenna.
move the receiver away from the digital piano.
plug the digital piano into a different outlet so that digital piano and receiver
are on different branch circuits.
consult the dealer or an experienced radio television technician.
This digital piano should be not commercial use but household use.
"This instrument has been certified to comply with the limits for a class B digital
apparatus, pursuant to the Radio Interference Regulations, C.R.C., c.1374."
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av natkabeln. :

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING — When using electric products, basic
precautions should always be followed, including the
following:
1. Read all the instructions before using the product.
2. To reduce the risk of injury, close supervision is
necessary when a product is used near children.
3. Do not use this product near water — for example,
near a bathiub,washbow!l, kitchen sink, in a wet
basement, or near a swimming pool, or the like.
4. Do not touch the power plug with wet hands.
There is a risk of electrical shock. Treat ihe power
cord with care as well. Stepping on or tripping over it
can break or short-circuit the wire inside.
5. This product should be used only with a cart or
stand that is recommended by the manufacturer.
6. This product, either alone or in combination with
an amplifier and headphones or speakers, may be
capable or producing sound levels that could cause
permanent hearing loss. Do not operate for a long
period of time at a high volume level or at a level that
is uncomfortable. If you experience any hearing loss
or ringing in the ears, you should consult an
audiologist.
7. The product should be located so that its location
or position does not interfere with its proper
ventilation.
8. The product should be located away from heat
sources such as radiators, heat registers, or other
products that produce heat.
9. Keep the instrument away from electrical motors,
neon signs, fluorescent light fixtures, and other
sources of electrical noise.
10.The product should be connected to a power
supply only of the type described in the operating
instructions or as marked on the product.
11. This product may be equipped with a polarized
line plug (one blade wider than the other). This is a
safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug
into the outlet, contact an electrician to replace your
obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of
the plug.
12.Always turn the power off when the instrument is
not in use. The power-supply cord of the product
should be unplugged from the outlet when left
unused for a long period of time.
13.Care should be taken so that objects do not fall
and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through
openings.
14.The product should be serviced by qualified
service personnel when:
A. The power-supply cord or the plug has been
damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled
into the product; or
C. The product has been exposed to rain; or
D. The product does not appear to operate
normally or exhibits a marked change in
performance; or
E. The product has been dropped, or the
enclosure damaged.
15.Do not attempt to service the product beyond that
described in the user-maintenance instructions. All
other servicing should be referred to qualified service
personnel.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. BS
‘DO:NOTFOR ENE init
CAUTION:
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE -NE PAS OUVRIR.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS PRODUCT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSONNEL.
The lighting flash with arrowhead symbol, within
an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the
user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous
voltatge" within the product's enclosure that may
be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
A
A
The exclamation point within an equilateral trian-
gle is intended to alert the user to the presence of
important operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature accompanying the
product.

Thank you for purchasing a KAWAI Digital Piano!
The Kawai digital piano MR170 is a revolutionary new keyboard
instrument that combines the latest in electronic advances with
traditional craftsmanship inherited from Kawai's many years of
experience in building fine pianos. The keyboard provides the touch
response and full dynamic range required for a superb performance on
the piano, harpsichord, organ, and other instrument presets.
Industry-Standard MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) jacks are
included which allow you to play other electronic instruments at the
same time - opening a whole new world of musical possibilities.
This Owner's Manual contains valuable information that will help you
make fuli use of this instrument's many capabilities. Read it carefully
and keep it handy for further reference.
Table of Contents
M Basic Control Sicario 2
M Lers Play nasse 4
El Advanced Features.............u220uu200nnaru0nnannnnannnnnnnnnnnrnnaneen 5
1) Programming Mode ..........n.nesusennunnrnsennsnennennnnnennnnnunennnennnnonnnunonn 5
2): TUNING PAE ca E aia 6
3) Temperaments necccycaccasncussecaixevaseentnetenns-aaseteveddanancuceessenexanteonsunsn 7
E MIDI Interface nn a 9
1) Whats MIDI? .... uns 9
2) Conneelions.: =... asiain iaaa Naaa 10
3) MIDI Implementation ........resennnnnnnnnnnnannanonnnnnnnnnernnnnnunnnnnnennnnnen 12
A) MIDI- Operation A aE A aai 13
(A) Setting the:channel...e.n een 13
(B) Sending a program number ................-.220000000nn00n0nn san ons snn nenn 14
(C) Turning MULTI TIMBRE on and off... eee sans 17
(DOC ALCON TRO i ee 18
E SpeciHications na 20
Ml MIDI Implementation Chart ....oonnnnanoncaananccnannanarcncanonsan 21

WE Basic Controls
E Front Panel
@ Front (left)
O O O O O O
FIJIEIJFE II j CE |] | El
JAZZ FULL
PIANOI PIANO2 EPIANO CLAVI ORGAN ORGAN
|
000000900 ©
Fe | acocoos &
@ VOLUME
Move the volume slider to the right to increase the
instrument's volume.
Move the slider to the left to decrease the volume.
@ TRANSPOSE control
Shifting the slider to the right raises the piano's key
(C -C#-D-Eb-E-F).
Shifting it to the left lowers the key (C-B-Bb-A
-Ab-G-F#).
You can therefore play the music as written - in C
major, for example — and have the instrument
transpose the output to a higher or lower key to
match your voice.
® TONE SELECTORS
Select the desired instrument by pressing the
appropriate switch.
@ CHORUS
This function causes the output to become more
animated.
O O oO
HARPSI- VIBRA- 16)
CHORD PHONE CHORUS
® POWER
This switch turns the instrument on and off. Be
sure to turn off the instrument when you have
finished playing.
@ HEADPHONE jack
This jack is for headphones. (Optional
headphones SH-5 or SH-2)

EM Rear Panel
LINE OUT LINE IN MIDI
R L/MONO R L/MONO THURU OUT
6666
O 9 © O
®
LINE
OUT
*
The
pedals
These jacks provide stereo output to amplifiers, From right to left, the pedals are the damper pedal
stereo systems, tape recorders, or similar and the soft pedal.
equipment.
Use the L/MONO jack when using only one output.
@ LINE IN
These jacks connect two channels of output from
other electronic instruments to the piano's speaker.
Use the L/MONO jack when using only one input. i L Damper
«Note: This input bypasses the piano's VOLUME Soft
control.
To adjust the balance, you must use the , , u
output volume conirols on the individual Damper pedal: Pressing this pedal sustains the
instruments. sound even after removing the hands from the
keyboard.
© MIDI Soft pedal: Pressing this pedal softens the sound,
These jacks allow communication with other and also reduces its volume.
equipment with MIDI. S
The soft pedal can be used as the sostenuto pedal
@
PEDAL
jacks
(behind
this
mark)
by
turning
on
the
power
while
depressing
this
These
jacks
are
used
to
connect
the
damper
and
pedal.
soft
pedals.
Sostenuto pedal: Depressing this pedal after
pressing the keyboard and before releasing the keys
sustains the sound of only the keys just played.
e Sliding key cover
Do not place heavy objects on the sliding key cover
or subject it to severe shocks. Also, the sliding key
cover should be opened and closed gently, using
both hands.

E Let's Play
* Procedure
(1) Turn on the power.
POWER
(2) Adjust the volume.
apa
V
OLUME
Sound a note on the keyboard and adjust the volume. (Moving the slider
to the right raises the volume; moving it to the left lowers it.)
(3) Choose the timbre.
Pressing a tone selector switch automatically changes the tone of the
piano. The LED next to it lights to indicate which tone is currently in
effect.
O O O O O O O O
ETE Le bee
JAZZ FULL HARPS VIBRA-
PIANOI PIANO2 E.PIANO CLAVI ORGAN ORGAN CHORD PHONE
(4) Play.
Experiment with the various tone colors to acquaint yourself with the
sounds that are available.
«Note: Sounds for up to 8 keys can be played when many keys are
pressed simultaneously (8 note polyphonic).
(5) Add the effect.
Press the CHORUS switch to add a chorus effect.

E Advanced Features
1) Programming Mode
The
programming
mode
allows
you
to
change
ihe
keyboard's
tuning,
and
temperament,
and
utilize
the
various
MIDI
capabilities.
These
programming
functions
are
performed
using
the
panel
switches
and
keyboard,
so
please
try
them
after
reading
and
understanding
the
programming
instructions
completely.
A. Entering the programming mode
(1) Press the CHORUS switch.
(2) Holding down the CHORUS switch, press the first three tone
selector switches (PIANO1, PIANO2 and E.PIANO).
O O O O O O O O
EJ ES O O EJ E E Ca
JAZZ FULL HARPS
PIANO! PIANO2 E.PIANO CLAV! ORGAN ORGAN CHORE CHORUS
(3)
The
LEDs
next
to
the
CHORUS
and
PIANO1
switches
should
then
start
flashing
to
indicate
that
the
piano
is
in
the
programming
mode.
In
this
mode,
striking
the
keyboard
produces
no
sound.
(4)
Press
a
TONE
SELECTOR
switch
to
select
the
desired
programming
mode.
The
correspondence
between
switches
and
6
types
of
programming
mode
is
as
below:
O O O O O
Ol O A A e
PIANO1 PIANO2 E.PIANO CLAVI ORGAN
| L Temperament
Tuning
LOCAL CONTROL on/off
Setting MIDI channel
MULTI TIMBRE on/off
Sending a program number
B.
Leaving
the
programming
mode
(1) Press the CHORUS switch.
(2)
The
flashing
will
stop,
and
you
will
return
to
the
timbre
in
effect
when you entered the programming mode.
«Note:
You
can
also
continue
into
another
programming
mode
by
pressing
another
TONE
SELECTOR
without
pressing
the
CHORUS
switch.

2) Tuning
Procedure
1) Make sure that the piano is in the programming mode.
2) Press the CLAVI switch so that it flashes to indicate that the
piano is ready to be tuned.
(
(
(3) Unlike the other functions in the programming mode, this one
produces sound so that you can compare the piano's pitch with
another instrument.
«Note: Playing the keyboard when set up this way produces the timbre
selected before entering the programming mode. Tuning is done
using this timbre. If you want to change the timbre, leave the
programming mode (see p. 5), select the new timbre, and repeat
steps (1) and (2).
(4) Press the highest black key to lower the pitch.
Or press the highest white one to raise it.
It may be necessary to press these keys repeatedly to achieve
proper tuning.
(5) Leave the programming mode.
«Note: Momentarily turning off the power restores the original pitch.

3) Temperaments
Your
Kawai
digital
piano
offers
not
only
equal
temperament
(the
modern
standard)
but
also
immediate
access
to
those
popular
during
the
Renaissance
and
Baroque
period.
«Procedure
(1) Make sure that the piano is in the programming mode.
(2) Press the JAZZ ORGAN switch so that it flashes to indicate that
the piano is waiting for a temperament specification.
(3)
Press
one
of
the
seven
white
keys
at
the
lower
end
of
the
keyboard
to
select
one
of
these
corresponding
temperaments.
. Equal temperament without the tuning curve
. Mersenne pure temperament
. Pythagorean temperament
. Meantone temperament
Werckmeister ili temperament
. Kirnberger IH temperament
. Equal temperament with the tuning curve
NOONAN
(4) Leave the programming mode.
«Note: When the power is first applied or reapplied after a short break,
the piano returns to the modern standard (equal temperament
with the tuning curve = #7).
Key set function is also available at this point. As you know, limitless
modulation of the key became available only after the inventation of
Equal temperament. When we use a temperament except Equal
temperament, we must carefully choose the key signature to play in.
To select the key signature setting, simply press one of the key, For
example, if the tune you are going to play is written in D major, press D
key to set the keys.
Please note that this will only change the "balance" of the tuning, and
the pitch of the keyboard will remain unchanged. Use the TRANSPOSE
control to change the pitch of the whole keyboard.

E Temperament characteristic
+ Equal temperament |
This, by far the most popular piano temperament, divides the scale into
twelve equal semitones and has the advantage of producing the same
chords for all transposition.
e Mersenne temperament
This temperament, which eliminates consonances for thirds and fifth, is
still popular for choral music.
e Pythagorean temperament
This
temperament,
which
uses
mathematical
ratios
to
eliminate
consonances
for
fifth,
has
problems
with
chords,
but produces
a
very
beautiful
melodic
lines.
« Meantone temperaments
This temperament, which uses a mean between a major and minor
whole
tone
to
eliminate
consonances
for
thirds,
was
devised
to
eliminate
the
lack
of
consonances
experienced
with
certain
fifth
for
the
Mersenne
pure temperament. It produces chords that are more beautiful than
those with the equal temperament.
« Werckmeister Ill temperament, Kirnberger Ill temperament
For key signature with accidentals, this temperament produces the
beautiful
chords
of
the
mean
tone,
but,
as
the
accidentals
increase,
the
tension increases, and the temperament produces the beautiful
melodies of the Pythagorean temperament. Itis used primarily for
classical music written to take advantage of these characteristics.

Æ MIDI Interface
1) What's MIDI?
Before
attempting
to
set
the
MIDI
function,
let's
take
a
brief
look
at
what
MIDI
is.
The
letters
MIDI
stand
for
Musical
Instrument
Digital
Interface,
an
international
standard
for
connecting
synthesizers,
drum
machines,
and
other
electronic
instruments
so
that
they
can
exchange
performance
data.
Instruments
equipped
with
MIDI
have
three
jacks
for
exchanging
data:
IN,
OUT,
and
THRU.
Each
uses
a
special
cable
with
a
DIN
connector
for
connection
(see
p.
10).
IN: For receiving keyboard, timbre, and other data.
OUT:
For
sending
keyboard,
timbre,
and
other
data.
THRU:
For
sending
received
data
to
another
instrument
without
processing.
Electrical
and
electronic
musical
instruments
equipped
with
MIDI
are
able
to
transmit
and
receive
performance
data
such
as
for
keyboard
and
timbre.
Depending
on
the
connection
method,
instruments
are
grouped
as
those
which
receive
data
(producing
sound
according
to
data
received
from
the
connected
instrument),
those
which
send
data
(to
the
instruments
to
which
they
are
connected),
and
those
which
both
send and
receive
data.
The
cable
is
connected
to
the
MIDI
IN
jack
of
the
instrument
receiving
data
and
to
the
OUT
jack
of
the
sending
instrument.
The
THRU
jack
is
used
when
the
data
received
is
to
be
sent
io
another
instrument.
MIDI
uses
what
are
known
as
"channels"
as
a
means
of
transmitting
data
for
playing
a
specified
instrument.
There
are
two
types
of
channels,
one
for
receiving
and
one
for
sending,
and
MIDI
instruments
are
normally
equipped
with
both
types.
Receive
channels
are
used
when
an
instrument
receives
data from
another
instrument,
and
send
channels
are
used
for
transmission
to
another
instrument.
For instance, let's say that three instruments are connected for playing in this way:
OUT m IN Mm THRU T IN [J
Transmit
Receive Receive
[i]
[2]
[3]
Instrument
[1],
which
is
sending,
transmits
the
send
channel
along
with
keyboard
and
other
data
to
instruments
[2]
and
[3],
which
are
receiving.
This
data
is
sent
to
instruments
[2]
and
[3],
but
the
data
will
not
be
received
unless
the
receive
channel
for
these
two
instruments
matches
the
send
channel
used
by
instrument
[1].
There
are
16
channels
each
(1
through
16)
available
for
both
sending
and
receiving.

2) Connections
- (1) Connection to another
MIDI-compatible keyboard
(connection with instruments
such as the Kawai digital
synthesizer K111 or K5)
(2) Connection to a drum machine
(connection with instruments
such as the Kawai R-50e/R-100)
When connected as shown in the illustration, data on how the digital
piano is played (what keys are struck and how hard) is sent to the
synthesizer unchanged. Also, by connecting the synthesizers OUTPUT
jack and the LINE IN jack on the digital piano, the sound from the digital
piano can be layered over the sound of the synthesizer.
Since timbre can be set separately, you can assemble a wide variety of
sound combinations, such as a PIANO tone from the digital piano
layered with a STRING tone from the synthesizer for a richer sound.
OUTPUT
BODODO see
o 00090 oo
R-50e
When connected as shown in the illustration, you can not only play
along with the rhythm from the R-50e, you can also play the R-50e by
striking the keys on the digital piano.
10

(3) Connection to a sound
module or expander
(connection with instruments
such as the Kawai K1rII/PHm)
(4) Connection to a sequencer
and sound module
(connection with instruments
such as the Kawai Q-50/PHm)
=
| {| tonesooome O OO
c
N
When
connected
as
shown
in
the
illustration,
you
can
layer
sounds
like
(1)
as
well
as
playing
a large number
of
tones.
MIDI
MIX OUT
Digital Piano
When connected as shown in the illustration, you can record songs
played on the piano with the sequencer and play them back as many
times as you like, and layer the module's tones made with the piano's
MULTI TIMBRE function to assemble a complex automatic performance.
11

3) MIDI Implementation
The MIDI interface on your Kawai Digital Piano allows you to:
1. Receive and transmit keyboard data.
You can play the digital piano to output sound on a synthesizer or other
instrument, or vice versa.
2. Set channel numbers for sending and receiving.
You can set send or receive channels to any number from 1 to 16.
3. Receive and transmit program numbers (codes for changing
timbres).
You can operate the digital piano to change the programmed timbre of a
synthesizer or other instrument connected with the MIDI interface to the
piano, or vice versa (see p. 14).
4. Receive and transmit pedal data.
You can receive and transmit ON/OFF data for the soft and damper
pedals.
5. Receive volume data.
You can control the volume of the digital piano from an external sound
source through the MIDI interface.
6. Set MULTI TIMBRE.
When the digital piano is used as a receiving instrument, you can
receive keyboard data on a number of different channels, producing
different timbres for each one.
* For details of the MIDI function of this instrument, please refer to
the MIDI Implementation Chart.
12

4) MIDI Operation
A. Setting the channel
In order to be able to exchange information with a connected MIDI
instrument, you must first set the interconnected instruments to the
same channel.
+ Procedure
(1) Make sure that the digital piano is in the programming mode.
(See p. 5.)
(2) Press the PIANO2 switch so that it flashes to indicate that the
interface is waiting for a channel specification. (It is also possible to
turn the MULTI TIMBRE function on and off. See following section.)
ni,
~ A e
PIANO2
(3) Select the channel by pressing the one of the first 16 white keys at
the lower end of the keyboard.
— Channel No. ~
«Note: You have 16 channels to choose from.
(4) Pressing one of these keys automatically sets the instrument's
transmitting and receiving channel to the number selected.
(5) Leave the programming mode. (See p. 5.)
«Note: When the power is first applied, the interface uses Channel 1 and
has the OMNI parameter on. Changing to another channel
automatically turns the OMNI parameter off. In OMNI mode,
information from all channels is received.
13

B.Sending a program number (timbre code)
(a) Transmitting with the TONE SELECTORs
You can use the 8 TONE SELECTORs during normal playing to transmit
program numbers 0 through 7 shown in the chart below.
Pan a CS
D DNA
FULL ORGAN
HARPSICHORD
VIBRAPHONE
Transmission with these TONE SELECTORs can be switched on and off
as described below.
(1) Enter the programming mode (see p. 5).
The LEDs for CHORUS and PIANO1 will flash. The flashing of the
PIANO1 LED shows that the instrument is in the programming mode for
transmitting the program number, so move on to the next step.
* No sound will be played if the keyboard is pressed at this time.
(2) Press the highest black or white key.
OFF ON
Pressing a black key (OFF) disables transmission by the TONE
SELECTORs.
Pressing a white key (ON) enables transmission.
14

(3) Press the CHORUS switch to leave the programming mode. You
may then change to another programming mode.
* The setting described above is automatically set on when the
power is turned on, so you can also turn the setting simply by
turning the power off and then on again, instead of using the
procedure described above.
(b) Using black keys
In addition to transmission with the TONE SELECTORS, you can also
use the black keys on the instrument to send program numbers 0
through 127.
e Procedure
(1) Make sure that the digital piano is in the programming mode.
(See p. 5) Ä
The flashing LED next to the PIANO1 switch indicates that the
interface is ready to transmit a program number.
mit,
704
PIANOI
(2) Select the program number by pressing the corresponding pair
of black keys at the lower end of the keyboard. There are a total
of 128 numbers possible: the first thirteen black keys give the first
and second digits ("00" — "12") of this three-digit numbers; the next
ten, the final digit ("0" — "9").
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
[ First two digits A en Final digit -———]
«Note: You must press the two keys in order from left to right.
15

« Example:
« Program No. 3
001020 30
« Press the "00" key and then
the "3" key.
« Program No. 20
00 10 20
+ Press the "20" key and then
the "0" key.
» Program No. 42
00 10 20
» Press the "40" key and then
the "2" key.
Note: « When transmitting a program number that has the same tens
digit as the number being sent (such as, for instance,
transmitting 33 after sending 31), you don't need to press the
tens digit. The number can be transmitted simply by pressing
the ones digit.
« The tens digit is set at "00" when the programming mode is
entered.
(3) Leave the programming mode. (See p. 5.)
16

C. Turning MULTI TIMBRE on and off
Normally, the procedure described above is used to transmit or receive
data on a set MIDI channel (any one of 1 through 16), but by turning the
MULTI TIMBRE function on you can receive more than one MIDI
channel and simultaneously play a different type of timbre on each one.
With this feature, you can use a sequencer such as the Kawai Q-80/
Q-50 to assemble performances with a number of timbres (MULTI
TIMBRE) on the digital piano.
¢ Procedure
(1) Make sure that the digital piano is in the programming mode.
See p. 5.
(2) a lios switch to set the LED next to the PIANO2 switch
flashing.
er
C
PIANO2
(3) Press the highest black key to turn the function "off".
Or press the highest white one to turn it "on".
When MIDI data is received while the MULTI TIMBRE function is off, it
will be played according to the TONE SELECTOR currently selected.
When the MULTI TIMBRE mode is on, the received MIDI data will be
played in the timbre corresponding to the MIDI channel shown in the
chart below, regardless of the TONE SELECTOR currently in effect.
12"
5 |JAZZORGAN | 13 | > O
2 6 |FULLORGAN WOOD BASS
HARPSICHORD WOOD BASS
VIBRAPHONE WOOD BASS