Kurzweil PC88 User manual

PC 88
Musician’s Guide
©1997 All rights reserved. Kurzweil is a product line of Young Chang Co.; Kurzweil, PC88, and VGM are trademarks of Young Chang Co. All
other products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Product features and speciÞcations are
subject to change without notice.
Part Number: 910243 Rev. C

ii
PC 88
INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS
IMPORTANT SAFETY AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING - When using electronic products, basic precautions should always be followed. Read all of the Safety and
Installation Instructions before using the product.
Do not use this product near water, such as near a bathtub, sink, in a wet basement, near a swimming pool, or the like.
This product, in combination with an ampliÞer and speakers or headphones, may be capable of 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.
The product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, or other products that
produce heat.
The product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as
marked on the product.
This product is 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.
The product should be serviced by qualiÞed service personnel when:
A. The plug has been damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen upon, 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 be operating normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or
E. The product has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
Do not attempt to service the product. All servicing should be referred to qualiÞed service personnel.
WARNING - Do not place the power cord, or the product in a position where anyone could trip over, walk on, or
roll equipment over them. Do not allow the product to rest on or be installed over cords of any type. Do not place
the power module where it cannot receive cooling air, such as under a rug. Improper installations of this type may
create the possibility of a Þre hazard and/or personal injury.
RADIO ANDTELEVISION INTERFERENCE
Warning: Changes or modiÞcations to this instrument not expressly approved by Young Chang could void your
authority to operate the instrument.
Important: When connecting this product to accessories and/or other equipment use only high quality shielded
cables.
Note: This instrument has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This instrument generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this instrument does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the instrument off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
¥ Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
¥ Increase the separation between the instrument and the receiver.
¥ Connect the instrument into an outlet on a circuit other than the one to which the receiver is connected.
¥ If necessary consult your dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions.
NOTICE
This apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the
Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
AVIS
Le present appareil numerique nÕemet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant les limites applicables aux
appareils numeriques de la class B prescrites dans le Reglement sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le
ministere des Communications du Canada.

Musician’s Guide
iii
Young Chang Distributors
Contact the nearest Young Chang ofÞce listed below to locate your local Young Chang/
Kurzweil representative.
Young Chang America, Inc.
13336 Alondra Blvd.
Cerritos, CA 90703-2245
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Young Chang
Kang Nam P.O.Box 998
Seoul, Korea
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Young Chang Akki Europe GmbH
Industriering 45
D-41751 Viersen
Germany
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Young Chang Canada Corp.
250 Shields Court, Unit #11
Markham, Ontario L3R 9W7
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

iv
PC 88
PC88 Specifications
Physical
•
Height: 4 5/16 Ó (10.95 cm)
•
Width: 14Ó (35.6 cm)
•
Length: 54 5/16 Ó (137.95 cm)
•
Weight: 55 lbs. (25 kg)
Electrical
120 VAC 240 VAC
•
Voltage Range: 100-125 Volts RMS 200-250 Volts RMS
•
Frequency Range: 48-65 Hz 48-65 Hz
•
Input Voltage: 9.5 Volts AC 9.5 Volts AC
•
Power Consumption: 2.0 Amps maximum 2.0 Amps maximum
Environmental
•
Temperature (Operating): 40 to 104¡F (5 to 40¡C)
•
Temperature (Storage): Ð13 to 185¡F (Ð25 to 85¡C)
•
Relative Humidity
(Operating and Storage): 5 to 95%, non-condensing
Audio
• Output Connection: 2 x 1/4Ó Mono Phone Plug
• Impedance: 2K Ohms
• Output Level: 3.5 Volts RMS Max, 1 Volt RMS Nominal
• Dynamic Range: >103 dB ÒAÓ Weighted

TOC-
i
Young Chang Distributors................................................................................................ iii
PC88 Specifications.......................................................................................................... iv
Physical................................................................................................................. iv
Electrical............................................................................................................... iv
Environmental....................................................................................................... iv
Audio..................................................................................................................... iv
Introducing the PC88 ........................................................................................................................... 1-1
For People Who Never Read Manuals…........................................................................ 1-1
Unpacking the Unit…..................................................................................................... 1-2
Setup ............................................................................................................................... 1-2
Installing the Music Rack ............................................................................................... 1-3
Demo Sequence .............................................................................................................. 1-3
Internal Voices................................................................................................................ 1-4
Assigning Controllers ..................................................................................................... 1-4
MIDI Setups.................................................................................................................... 1-5
Effects............................................................................................................................. 1-7
Just the Beginning! ......................................................................................................... 1-7
A Note About the VGM Board and the PC88mx........................................................... 1-7
Checking Battery Voltage Level..................................................................................... 1-8
Setup, Connections, and Controls ....................................................................................................... 2-1
Setting Up the PC88........................................................................................................ 2-1
Connections..................................................................................................................... 2-1
Power .................................................................................................................. 2-1
Audio................................................................................................................... 2-1
Pedals.................................................................................................................. 2-2
MIDI ................................................................................................................... 2-2
Front Panel Controls....................................................................................................... 2-3
Display (LCD) .................................................................................................... 2-3
Cursor Buttons.................................................................................................... 2-3
Sound/Setup Select ............................................................................................. 2-4
Zone Buttons....................................................................................................... 2-4
Zone Parameters.................................................................................................. 2-5
Data Entry........................................................................................................... 2-7
Intuitive Entry..................................................................................................... 2-7
Jump Editing....................................................................................................... 2-9
Assignable Controllers, Buttons, and Wheels..................................................... 2-9
Master Volume.................................................................................................. 2-10
Panic.................................................................................................................. 2-10
Effects............................................................................................................... 2-10
Internal Voices ...................................................................................................................................... 3-1
Program Numbers and Other Ways of Selecting Voices................................................ 3-2
Customizing the Internal Voices Mode .......................................................................... 3-3
440-Tuned Piano Voices..................................................................................... 3-3
Ride Cymbal and Metronome Click................................................................... 3-3
The VGM Banks............................................................................................................. 3-4

TOC-
ii
Setups and Zones................................................................................................................................... 4-1
Analyzing a Setup........................................................................................................... 4-1
Selecting Parameters....................................................................................................... 4-2
Selecting Zones............................................................................................................... 4-2
I Don’t Hear a Zone: Is It Active (But Not Soloed), Muted, or Off? ................. 4-3
Creating a Setup from an Internal Voice ........................................................................ 4-4
Zone Parameters................................................................................................................................... 5-1
Zone Parameters and Internal Voices ................................................................. 5-1
MIDI Transmit................................................................................................................ 5-2
MIDI Channel..................................................................................................... 5-2
Destination.......................................................................................................... 5-2
Pitchbend Range ................................................................................................. 5-2
Program........................................................................................................................... 5-3
Bank.................................................................................................................... 5-3
Entry Transmit .................................................................................................... 5-4
Bank Mode.......................................................................................................... 5-5
Program Number Display ................................................................................... 5-5
Program Name Display....................................................................................... 5-6
Key Range....................................................................................................................... 5-6
Low, Hi ............................................................................................................... 5-6
Note Map............................................................................................................. 5-6
Transpose ....................................................................................................................... 5-7
Velocity........................................................................................................................... 5-8
Velocity Scale..................................................................................................... 5-8
Velocity Offset.................................................................................................... 5-8
Velocity Curve.................................................................................................... 5-9
Velocity Minimum, Velocity Maximum .......................................................... 5-10
Controllers..................................................................................................................... 5-11
Getting Around ................................................................................................. 5-12
The Continuous Controllers.............................................................................. 5-12
MIDI Controllers and Other Parameters........................................................... 5-13
Scaling............................................................................................................... 5-14
Entry and Exit Values....................................................................................... 5-15
The Switch Controllers ..................................................................................... 5-15
Do These Parameters Always Mean Something?............................................. 5-16
Do I Need All Those Pedals?............................................................................ 5-17
Multiple Controllers.......................................................................................... 5-17
Copying Parameters...................................................................................................... 5-17
Storing a Setup.............................................................................................................. 5-19
Names................................................................................................................ 5-19
Dumping a Setup............................................................................................... 5-20
Deleting a Setup................................................................................................ 5-20
The Arpeggiator.................................................................................................................................... 6-1
Arpeggiator Active.............................................................................................. 6-2
Key Range........................................................................................................... 6-2

TOC-
iii
Zone Enable........................................................................................................ 6-2
Latch Mode......................................................................................................... 6-3
Play Order........................................................................................................... 6-3
Beats.................................................................................................................... 6-4
Initial Tempo....................................................................................................... 6-4
Duration .............................................................................................................. 6-4
Velocity Mode and Fixed Velocity..................................................................... 6-4
Note Shift............................................................................................................ 6-4
Shift Limit........................................................................................................... 6-5
Limit Option........................................................................................................ 6-5
Glissando............................................................................................................. 6-6
Available MIDI controllers................................................................................. 6-6
Copying the Arpeggiator................................................................................................. 6-6
Effects Editing....................................................................................................................................... 7-1
Internal Effects.................................................................................................... 7-2
Internal Reverb Wet............................................................................................ 7-2
Internal Reverb Time.......................................................................................... 7-2
Internal Effects Wet............................................................................................ 7-2
Internal Effects Delay......................................................................................... 7-2
Saving Effects................................................................................................................. 7-2
VGM Effects................................................................................................................... 7-3
Copying Effects .................................................................................................. 7-3
Effects and Drum Sounds ................................................................................... 7-3
MIDI Control of Effects.................................................................................................. 7-4
Transmitting PC88 Effects Settings to a Sequencer....................................................... 7-4
MIDI Receive......................................................................................................................................... 8-1
Channel On/Off................................................................................................... 8-1
Program............................................................................................................... 8-1
General MIDI Considerations......................................................................................... 8-2
Global Parameters................................................................................................................................ 9-1
Local Control...................................................................................................... 9-2
Clock................................................................................................................... 9-2
Transmit Clock.................................................................................................... 9-2
Touch .................................................................................................................. 9-2
Effects Change Mode.......................................................................................... 9-2
Change Setups..................................................................................................... 9-3
Setup Change Channel........................................................................................ 9-3
MIDI In............................................................................................................... 9-3
Tuning and Receive Transpose........................................................................... 9-4
Bank Select Control............................................................................................ 9-4
All Notes Off....................................................................................................... 9-4
General MIDI...................................................................................................... 9-4
Device ID............................................................................................................ 9-4
Transmit Buttons................................................................................................. 9-5
Transmit Reverb Sysex....................................................................................... 9-5

TOC-
iv
Memory Available .............................................................................................. 9-5
Reset PC88.......................................................................................................... 9-5
Dump all Setups.................................................................................................. 9-5
MIDIScope.......................................................................................................... 9-6
PC88 in the Real World...................................................................................................................... 10-1
At a Gig............................................................................................................. 10-1
In the Recording Studio .................................................................................... 10-1
In the MIDI Composing Studio ........................................................................ 10-2
In the Home....................................................................................................... 10-2
Internal Voices...................................................................................................................................... A-1
VGM Board Voices.............................................................................................................................. B-1
General MIDI voices...................................................................................................... B-1
Expansion voices............................................................................................................ B-2
Drum sounds......................................................................................................................................... C-1
General MIDI................................................................................................................. C-1
Kurzweil Drums............................................................................................................. C-3
Latin Percussion............................................................................................................. C-5
Orchestral Percussion..................................................................................................... C-6
Effects Algorithms................................................................................................................................ D-1
MIDI Setups.......................................................................................................................................... E-1
Standard Setups............................................................................................................... E-1
VGM Setups.................................................................................................................... E-3
Application Notes ............................................................................................... E-4
Default Setup Parameters (Generic Template) ............................................................... E-5
Default Controller Assignments (Internal Voices) ......................................................... E-6
Setup Template ............................................................................................................... E-6
Continuous Controllers in the MIDI Specification............................................................................ F-1
The first 64: 14-bits?........................................................................................... F-1
The Switches: 64-69............................................................................................ F-2
Sound Controllers: 70-79.................................................................................... F-3
Controllers 80-97 ................................................................................................ F-4
Registered and Non-Registered Parameters: Controllers 98-101 ....................... F-4
102-119: Uncharted Territory............................................................................. F-5
120-127: Mode Messages ................................................................................... F-6
PC88 Internal Diagnostics................................................................................................................... G-1
Entering Diagnostics.......................................................................................... G-1
Running the Debug Sequence............................................................................ G-1
Exiting Diagnostics............................................................................................ G-2

Introducing the PC88
For People Who Never Read Manuals…
Musician’s Guide
1-1
Chapter 1
Introducing the PC88
The PC88 is a self-contained portable keyboard that features quick and intuitive access to 64
(and optionally more) internal sounds derived from KurzweilÕs renowned ROM samples. It can
produce up to 32-note polyphony in full stereo, and lets you layer as many as 4 (and sometimes
more) sounds at once. Built-in reverb and chorus are also provided, and thereÕs a sophisticated
on-board arpeggiator for composing, performing, or just fooling around.
Thirty-two versatile MIDI Setups are provided to let you start making great music immediately.
You can also use these Setups as templates, or create new Setups from the Internal Voices.
Furthermore, the PC88 is a high-quality MIDI keyboard controller, with 88-key weighted
action, adjustable velocity and pressure (aftertouch) curves, two programmable on-board
wheels, four sliders, three buttons, and jacks for two footswitches and four continuous control
pedals. Data on four independent MIDI channels can be sent simultaneously, using four
different ÒzonesÓ, each of which has its own key range Ñ which can overlap with any others Ñ
and its own controller deÞnitions, as well as the ability to be muted or soloed instantly. Other
features allow merging and remapping of incoming MIDI data (listening on all 16 channels),
and the ability to go instantaneously from one complex setup to another.
Finally, the PC88 is a versatile multitimbral instrument that can be used to complement any
MIDI setup. With the optional plug-in VGMª (Voice/GM expansion) board, the PC88 becomes
a top-of-the-line General MIDI instrument, for use in education, multimedia production,
games, and other exciting applications. In addition to expanding the PC88Õs complement of
sounds to match the General MIDI spec, the VGM board adds 12 sets of drum and percussion
sounds, and doubles the PC88Õs maximum polyphony to 64 notes.
For PeopleWho Never Read Manuals…
Read this chapter, at least. If youÕre an experienced MIDI musician, you will have no trouble
getting the PC88 up and running right away, and thatÕs what weÕll do here. But even if youÕve
mastered every other keyboard in the world, take some time to go through the manual and
learn about the advanced features of the PC88. YouÕll discover some unique new ideas.

Introducing the PC88
Unpacking the Unit…
1-2
PC 88
Unpacking the Unit…
is pretty straightforward. ItÕs always a good idea to keep the box and packing material, in case
you need to ship it for any reason. Your PC88 carton should contain the following:
•
PC88 Performance Controller
•
AC adapter
•
switch pedal
•
six adhesive-backed rubber feet
•
manual
•
warranty card
Setup
Set the PC88 on a keyboard stand or table. Always make sure the ends are supported Ñ not just
the middle. Use the stick-on rubber feet if youÕre putting the unit on a ßat surface (or even if
you might in the future). As shown in the following illustration, pairs of guide holes on the
bottom of the PC88 show recommended locations for the feet. Remove the backing paper from
each rubber foot, then attach to the bottom of the PC88, just forward of a pair of guide holes.
Plug the audio outputs into your mixer or ampliÞer, and set your system up to listen in stereo.
If you have another MIDI instrument, run a cable from the PC88Õs
MIDI Out jack to the MIDI
In of that synth. Connect the supplied switch pedal to the jack labelled Switch Pedals 1 .
Locate the small plug at the end of the wire on the power supply. Locate the 9.5V~AC In socket
on the rear panel. Next to the socket is a protruding plastic strain relief ÒTÓ. Wrap the wire once,
not too tightly, around the strain relief, and insert the plug into the socket, as shown below.
Now plug the large end of the power supply into an AC socket. Turn on the power by pushing in
the side of the switch with the white dot. The two-line LCD display in the middle of the instrument
comes to life and welcomes you to the PC88. Turn up the audio, and weÕre ready to go.
Thru Out
MIDI Select MIDI In9.5V AC InPower
.0A
Use Kurzweil Power pply 95-20 y

Introducing the PC88
Demo Sequence
Musician’s Guide
1-3
Installing the Music Rack
Installing the PC88Õs optional music rack is a simple procedure that requires only a Phillips
screwdriver. To install the music rack, Þrst remove the four screws on the back panel of the
PC88, as shown in the illustration below. Then, use these screws to attach the music rack
bracket, making sure that the rounded edge of this bracket is towards the top. When you have
installed this bracket, slide the music rack in from the top (as shown in the illustration).
Installing the PC88’s optional music rack.
Demo Sequence
There is an onboard sequence you can play at any time to demonstrate the capabilities of the
PC88 and impress your friends. A removable label shows that you start it by pressing the
Acoustic Bass and Synth Pad Sound/Setup Select buttons simultaneously (buttons 14 and 16).
It will play through to the end, but you can stop it by pressing the buttons again.
If your PC88 has a VGM board and software version 1.1 (or higher), more than one demo
sequence is available for your listening pleasure. In this case, several instrument lights will
blink after you press buttons 14 and 16 simultaneously, each one representing a different demo.
Press any of the blinking lights to listen to one of the demo sequences. We think youÕll want to
listen to all the sequences, since they go a long way towards demonstrating the possibilities you
have with your PC88.

Introducing the PC88
Internal Voices
1-4
PC 88
InternalVoices
LetÕs explore the onboard instruments. When the PC88 is Þrst turned on, the button labelled
Internal Voices in the group of four buttons under the left side of the label Sound/Setup Select ,
is lit. Now the group of 16 numbered buttons to the immediate right of this can be used to
choose from 16 families of instruments. Button number 1, Classical Piano , is lit right now. This
is the selected voice; its name appears in the display. Press the other numbered buttons to select
among the other voices. While youÕre doing that, play with the modulation wheel (the second
one in from the left, or ÒWheel 2Ó) and the sustain pedal, and see how the sounds change. On
most of the organ sounds, for example, pushing the modulation wheel brings in a rotating
speaker effect.
To select a different instrument within a family, use the
Previous Group and Next Group
buttons. Each family contains 4 different instruments, arranged in Groups labelled (as youÕll
see on the display) A through D. (Press Previous Group and Next Group simultaneously at
any time to return to Group A.) Press the Select button marked Piano & Strings , and then press
the Previous Group button until the upper-right corner of the display says A06 . This is a
layered sound of a bright stage piano and a string pad. Hold a chord and move the slider in the
Assignable Controllers section labelled C. Listen to how the timbre changes.
Assigning Controllers
LetÕs have Wheel 2 do something else. Find the group of buttons at the top of the panel labelled
Zone Parameters . The topmost right button is labelled Controllers . Press that button so that its
light comes on. The top line of the display reads Wheel 1 Up . Now press the Controllers
button again, but this time hold it down while you move the modulation wheel slightly. The
display changes to read Wheel 2 . This is an example of a feature called ÒIntuitive EntryÓ
which makes it possible to adjust parameters quickly without having to scroll through pages of
them. The PC88Õs display now looks like this:
Zone:1|||Wheel|2|||
Ctrl|Num:|1|Mod|Whl
Right now, the lower line on the display tells us that Wheel 2 is controlling Modulation (MIDI
Controller #1). Turn the big black knob on the panel under the label Data Entry Ñ weÕll be
calling this the ÒAlpha WheelÓ Ñ clockwise until the lower line of the display says Ctrl
Num: 10 Pan . Wheel 2 has now been conÞgured as a pan control. Play a passage of short
notes while you quickly move the wheel. The notes will appear at different points in the stereo
spectrum depending on the position of the wheel.
Exiting from PC88 Menus
You can exit from any PC88 menu by going directly to Internal Voices mode or MIDI Setups
mode. You do not have to explicitly exit from the menu; the PC88 will change modes
automatically, as soon as you press the Internal Voices or MIDI Setups button. For example,
to return to Internal Voices mode without changing the controller assignment in the above
example, press Internal Voices (which will begin blinking), then press one of the Sound Select
buttons, Harpsichord for example. Notice that the Internal Voices button stops blinking when
you select a sound. (Since we didnÕt save the controller assignment when we selected this
Internal Voice, the wheel resumes its modulation function.)
Acoustic Guitar Clav Rock Organ Jazz Organ Vibes Acoustic Bass Electric Bass Synth Pad
HarpsichordStringsPiano & StringsElectric GrandDigital E PianoClassic E PianoStage PianoClassical Piano
SelectSound/ etupS
MIDI Setups
Next Group
Internal Voices
Previous Group
321
91011
456
12 13 14
78
15 16

Introducing the PC88
MIDI Setups
Musician’s Guide
1-5
MIDI Setups
WeÕve been dealing with one instrument so far, but the PC88 lets us play with four at a time.
Multiple instrument setups are called, logically enough, ÒMIDI SetupsÓ, or just ÒSetupsÓ. You
get to them by pressing the button marked (you guessed it) MIDI Setups . Do it now. It blinks,
awaiting your selection of a Setup.
In the Sound/Setup Select section, press the Button numbered 16 , and press the Previous
Group button until the top line of the display reads "S016 Volume Sliders." This Setup consists
of four ÒzonesÓ, each with its own instrument. You know that four zones are playing, because
all four of the Zone buttons to the left of the display (right under the heading Zone Select &
Assignable Controllers ) are showing green lights. All of the zones in this setup cover the entire
keyboard, so any note you play will sound four different instruments simultaneously.
Additionally, each of the four zones has an assignable slider programmed to send MIDI
Volume commands on its channel. As is common practice (but not required), Sliders A, B, C,
and D are controllers for zones 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
The light in each of the Zone buttons can show three colors: green, orange, or red, or it can be
off. Green means ÒactiveÓ; orange means ÒmutedÓ; red means ÒsoloedÓ; and dark means ÒoffÓ
or inactive. ThereÕs one more mode for a zone, and thatÕs ÒcurrentÓ. The current zone is the one
whose parameters are showing in the display. Since you've just selected the setup, the current
zone is indicated by a number 1 through 4 on the second line of the display just before the name
of the program assigned to that zone. Any zone, regardless of whether it is on or off, can be the
current one. The PC88Õs display shows you the following right now:
Look at the display and see if Zone 1 is current. If is isn't, press the
Zone 1 button.
Press the Zone 1 button (again). Its light changes to orange. The zone is now muted, and the
next time you play a note, a portion of the sound wonÕt be audible. Press the Zone 1 button
again to make it active (green). To mute any other zone, press its button once to make it current,
then again to mute.
To mute all but one zone, press the Solo button to the right of the Zone buttons. It glows red.
The current zoneÕs button also turns red, showing itÕs being soloed. Even if the zone was
muted, soloing it turns it on. (However, if the zone were off Ñ dark Ñ soloing wouldn't bring
it to life.) To solo a different zone, press its button to make it current. To turn off the Solo
function, press Solo again.
LetÕs edit the Setup. For this tutorial, keep all the sliders up, so you will be able to hear the
zones as you work on them. In the Zone Parameters section, select Key Range . As shown
S016|Volume|Sliders|
A16|1:Stage|Piano|||
Setup ID
number Setup name
Current Zone’s number
Setup
group & button & Program name

Introducing the PC88
MIDI Setups
1-6
PC 88
below, the display now shows the current zone and its program number on the top line of the
display, and the Þrst two Key Range parameters in the bottom of the display.
Press the
Solo button. We can now work on the key range of Zone 1, without being confused by
other zones sounding.
The display tells us that the range of the zone is set to C-1 to G9, which is the entire MIDI range.
(For reference, C4 is middle C.) Push the right cursor button immediately under the display
(itÕs labelled >>> ) once, so that the underline cursor on the display is under the ÒHiÓ value.
Turn the Alpha wheel counterclockwise until the ÒHiÓ note reads ÒB2Ó. Press the Acoustic Bass
button in the Sound Select group, and (if necessary) press the Previous Group button until the
upper right of the display shows Ò0:013Ó. YouÕve chosen Internal Voice number 13. The result
is that you have an acoustic bass sound that plays from the bottom of the keyboard up to the
third B.
Press the Zone 2 button to listen to and work on the second zone (still in Solo mode). LetÕs use a
different technique to set the key limits of this zone. With the cursor under the ÒHiÓ value, press
and hold the Enter button in the numeric keypad to the right of the Alpha wheel. While youÕre
holding it, play the note B4 (the B above the key marked ÒC4Ó). The display shows that the
note youÕve played has become the high limit of the zone. Use the <<< button to move the
cursor to the Low limit, press and hold Enter , and play C3 (an octave below C4). The low limit
is now deÞned as C3. This is another example of the ÒIntuitive entryÓ editing technique.
Now letÕs put a different program into this zone. Press the button labelled Strings and the
Previous Group button (if necessary) until the display reads 0:006 in the top right corner.
You've chosen the Þrst internal string sound for this zone. Go to Zone 3 , set the range from C5
(an octave above C4) to B6, and select Digital E Piano as the voice. If you want to see the name
of the program, and not just the number, press the Program button. This menu allows you to
select any of the programs by scrolling, pressing the sound select buttons, or by typing in
program numbers. For now, (if necessary) press the Previous Group button until the display
shows Program # 3, Digital EPiano. Note the asterisk (*) next to the Zone number; this tells you
that the current Zone is soloed.
Zone:3*|||||0:003|
003|Digital|EPiano
Now you have two octaves of electric piano, but itÕs pitched rather high. Press the Transpose
button, and move the Alpha wheel counterclockwise until the display says ÒTransposition: -
12Ó. This brings the sound of the zone down an octave, without changing its position on the
keyboard.
Zone:3*|||||0:003|
Transposition:|-12
For Zone 4 , use the top octave of the keyboard (C7-C8), and select your own instrument and
transposition. Now youÕve got a complete Setup. Just for fun, change the Hi limit of Zone 2
(the strings) to C8. Since zones can overlap freely, this will extend the string sound so that it acts
as a ÒpadÓ underneath the sounds in the upper two zones. Now press the Solo button to turn it
off, and listen to all four of your newly edited zones.
Zone:1||||||0:001|||
Low:C|-1|Hi:G|9|||||
Current
Zone Bank & Program number for current Zone
ValuePara- ValuePara-
meter meter

Introducing the PC88
A Note About the VGM Board and the PC88mx
Musician’s Guide
1-7
If you would like to store this Setup, press the Store button, and see "Replace Setup 16?" Now,
move the alpha wheel clockwise until it stops asking to replace existing setups, and instead
says, "Save Setup 33? (or "Save Setup 65?" if you have VGM installed). Press the Enter button
now, and it will save the new Setup.
ExitingWithout Changing a Setup
If you donÕt want to save the Setup, press MIDI Setups followed by the sound select button
that lights up when you press MIDI Setups; this returns you to the unedited Setup.
Alternatively, you can go directly to Internal Voices mode (without saving the edits you made
to the Setup) by pressing Internal Voices followed by one of the sound select buttons. More
details about naming and saving setups may be found in Chapter 5
Effects
Our last stop on this get-acquainted tour is setting the effects. You may have noticed as you
were changing instruments in the Internal Voices mode that the Effects lights changed as well,
and so did the reverb and chorus. The PC88 is capable of generating a huge variety of reverb
and delay effects, and each Internal Voice comes with its own effect assigned to it.
You can change the effect assigned to a Voice. Go back to Internal Voices mode. Press the left-
most button under the Effects label to toggle among Room, Stage, and Hall-type reverbs. The
lights show what you have selected. You can also select no reverb at all: the lights go off. The
middle button lets you adjust the tone color of the reverb: Bright, Normal, or Warm. The right
button lets you choose from among two Chorus effects, a Delay, or no effect. The reverb and
the effects selections are independent of each other, so you can use one without the other. The
effects settings are remembered with each Internal Voice, so if you select a different Voice and
then come back to this one, the effects will be as you left them.
Just the Beginning!
ThatÕs the quick tour, which should give you some idea of the capabilities of the PC88. If
anything weÕve covered so far was confusing, or you have questions about any aspect of what
youÕve just done, feel free to jump around this manual to look up the things that interest you. In
the next chapter weÕll start again from the beginning, in depth.
A Note About theVGM Board and the PC88mx
The PC88 has many important extra features when the optional VGMª (Voice/GM expansion)
board is installed, although the basic operation is the same with or without the board. In those
places in the manual where a special explanation is needed for a VGM board feature, weÕve put
the VGM logo in the margin. By the way, when you start up the PC88 a message will appear on
its display to indicate whether or not a VGM board is installed.
The PC88mx model comes with the VGM board already installed. Refer to the sections of this
manual with the VGM logo in the margin for information on the PC88mxÕs features.
Effects
Chorus 1
Chorus 2
DelayWarm
Normal
Bright
Hall
Stage
Room

Introducing the PC88
Checking Battery Voltage Level
1-8 PC88
Checking Battery Voltage Level
Your PC88 stores Setups youÕve created, as well as information about your effects and group
preferences, in internal memory. This memory is backed by a lithium battery that will last 3-5
years. Although a start-up message alerts you to a low battery level, you may want to check
the battery voltage from time to time. As a safeguard, you may want to back up your Setups to
an external device with the Dump all Setups option on the Global menu.
Internal Voices and ROM Setups are not dependent on battery-backed memory.
To check the battery level:
1. Press the 4, 5, and 6buttons simultaneously. The top line of the PC88Õs display will look
something like this:
SCAN|2.4|W=123|B=2.9
2. Check the part of the display labelled ÒB=x.xÓ. This is the battery voltage level. It should
normally be 2.8 or higher. When this value declines to 2.4 or below, you should have your
Kurzweil dealer replace the battery. Note that when the battery voltage level is 2.4 there is
less than two months of battery life remaining; when the battery voltage level is 2.0 or
below, memory failure is likely.
3. Press Cancel and Enter simultaneously to return to normal PC88 operation.

Setup, Connections, and Controls
Connections
Musician’s Guide
2-1
Chapter 2
Setup, Connections, and Controls
Setting Up the PC88
The PC88 is designed to be portable, and therefore doesnÕt come with its own stand. You can
use a conventional keyboard stand that is strong enough to hold the unitÕs weight (about 55
pounds). Other methods of supporting it can be used, but make sure that the two ends are
equally well-supportedÑdonÕt just lay it on top of a chair in the middle. ItÕs a good idea to use
the stick-on rubber feet even if you are going to be putting the PC88 on a metal stand Ñ you
never know when youÕll have to put it down on a table. Just make sure the feet donÕt get in the
way of the standÕs supports. A Þgure in Chapter 1 illustrates the recommended attachment
points for the feet.
Connections
Power
Power is supplied by an external AC power supply (it helps the balance and keeps the weight
down, since you asked). Use only the unit supplied with your PC88, and make sure the power
switch on the rear panel of the PC88 is offÑ the side with the white dot is outÑ before
connecting the power supply.
The black box containing the transformer plugs into a wall socket or power strip, and the small
plug on the end of the wire goes into the jack marked 9.5V~AC In on the rear panel. A
protruding plastic strain relief is next to the power socket Ñ wrap the wire once around it
before plugging it into the jack, and this will prevent damage should the cord ever be yanked.
A Þgure in the ÒSetupÓ section of Chapter 1 shows how to do this.
If you are using the PC88 in a different country from the one you bought it in, make sure the
power supply is the correct one for that countryÕs AC power. Contact your dealer for
information.
Audio
Audio connections are 1/4-inch, unbalanced, for use with a standard instrument ampliÞer or
mixer. To use the PC88 with a hi-Þ system, you will need cables with 1/4Ó jacks on one end, and
RCA (phono) plugs on the other. Use only the Left (Mono) jack if you want to listen in mono
Ñ for example, if you have only a one-speaker instrument ampliÞer, or only a single mixer
channel available. Use both jacks for stereo.
The headphone jack carries the same signal as the main outputs, and is useful for solo
practicing or monitoring. It provides a stereo signal, using a standard 1/4-inch tip/ring/sleeve
conÞguration. Plugging it in does
not disconnect the main outputs.
Audio Outs HeadphonesRightLeft (Mono)

Setup, Connections, and Controls
Connections
2-2
PC 88
Pedals
The PC88 has jacks for connecting up to four external control pedals ( Continuous Control
Pedals ) and two foot switches ( Switch Pedals ). The control pedals are typically used for
continuous functions like volume or stereo pan, while the switches are used for on/off
operations like sustain, sostenuto, or to shift to the next setup. The action of every pedal is
programmable within each zone: a pedal may have one function in one zone, and a totally
different function Ñ even a directly opposite function Ñ in another zone.
ThereÕs no need to connect the pedals in any particular order Ñ you can have any combination
of pedals plugged in and active at any time.
The control pedals should be 10k
W linear-taper potentiometers, with 1/4Ó tip/ring/sleeve
plugs. These are available from Kurzweil/Young Chang (Model CC-1), as well as other
manufacturers. The switch pedals use two-conductor 1/4Ó plugs. Either normally-on or
normally-off switches can be used: the PC88 will sense what kind of switch is plugged into each
jack when it powers up, and will set itself accordingly. Therefore, itÕs a good idea to have any
switch pedals that you plan to use plugged in when you turn the power on. (
DonÕt press the
pedal while youÕre turning the unit on, however, or you may end up with something that works
upside-down.) Three models of switch pedals are also available from Kurzweil/Young Chang:
FS-1, a conventional pedal; KFP-1, a piano-style; and KFP-2M, a dual piano-style pedal.
The Internal Voices have default settings for many of the PC88Õs pedal controllers:
MIDI
The MIDI In jack is used when you are using the PC88 with another MIDI controller device,
such as a keyboard, guitar, wind controller, or drum pad; or with a sequencer. Connect the
MIDI Out of the device or sequencer to the MIDI In of the PC88. The PC88 can receive 16
separate channels of MIDI data through the MIDI In jack.
MIDI Out is used when the PC88 is acting as a controller for one or more other instruments, or
for a sequencer. MIDI data being created by the PC88 is sent through this jack. The PC88 can
send information on up to four MIDI channels simultaneously, depending on the conÞguration
of the keyboard zones.
Controller Default setting
Switch Pedal 1 Controller #64 (“Sustain”)
Switch Pedal 2 Controller #66 (“Sostenuto”)
Continuous Control Pedal 1 MIDI Controller #11 (“Expression”)
Continuous Control Pedal 2 Controller #4 (“Foot Pedal”)
Continuous Control Pedal 3 None
Continuous Control Pedal 4 None
21 4321
Switch Pedals Continuous Control Pedals

Setup, Connections, and Controls
Front Panel Controls
Musician’s Guide
2-3
MIDI Thru/Out serves two functions, depending on the position of the recessed slide switch
( MIDI Select ) to the left of the MIDI In jack. In the Out position, the jack doubles as a second
Out jack, and sends MIDI data being created by the PC88. Since you canÕt just split a MIDI line
with a Y-cable, having a second Out jack makes it more convenient to hook up multiple
instruments that are being driven directly from the PC88. In the Thru position, this jack sends
MIDI data which is being sent to the PC88Ñechoing what appears at the MIDI In jack (without
any delay)Ñbut not data being generated by the PC88 itself. In this conÞguration, you can
Òdaisy-chainÓ multiple MIDI instruments which are under the control of something else, like a
sequencer, through the PC88. There is also a special ÒMergeÓ feature that combines these
functions. WeÕll talk about it in Chapter 9.
Front Panel Controls
Display (LCD)
The LCD display is your ÒwindowÓ into the PC88. In two lines of text and numbers, it tells you
what you need to know about the settings and functions of the instrument. You can adjust the
contrast of the LCD to accommodate different playing positions, by using the small black knob
on the back panel of the PC88. The illustration below shows the location of this knob (labelled
LCD Contrast Adj. ), between the MIDI jacks and the pedal jacks.
Cursor Buttons
Directly below the display are two buttons marked <<< and >>> . These are the cursor buttons.
When you are making adjustments to parameters, these let you move among the parameters
within a ÒmenuÓ. Pressing the right or left button changes the display to show the next or
previous parameter in the menu. The value of the parameter is then changed with the Alpha
wheel or the keypad, or by using Intuitive Entry.
Sometimes there will be two parameters on the display at once, for example (as weÕve seen)
when setting the key range of a zone. The cursor buttons will let you select which parameter to
adjust.
The cursor buttons have a ÒrepeatÓ characteristic Ñ if you press and hold one down, it will
scroll quickly through the list of parameters on the menu.
When the menu is long, such as when you are assigning MIDI controllers to the PC88Õs physical
controllers (wheels, sliders, etc.), or when you are editing effects, the cursor buttons have a
ÒjumpÓ feature: press both of them at the same time, and the display jumps to a parameter
some distance down the list. WeÕll deal with exactly how this works in the appropriate sections.
YesNo
Arpeggiator Effects MIDI Receive Global Copy Store
ControllersVelocityTransposeKey RangeProgramMIDI Transmit
Acoustic Guitar Clav Rock Organ Jazz Organ Vibes Acoustic Bass Electric Bass Synth Pad
HarpsichordStringsPiano & StringsElectric GrandDigital E PianoClassic E PianoStage PianoClassical Piano
&ControllersssignableAZone electS
MVolumeaster
Data ntryE
EffectsSelectSound/ etupS
ParametersoneZ
ABCD
Space0 - 9UPPER/lower
YZVWXSTU
PQRMNOJKL
ABC DEF GHI
PanicZone 4Zone 3Zone 2Zone 1 Solo
< < < > > >
E
F
G
MIDI Setups
Next Group
Internal Voices
Previous Group
Chorus 1
Chorus 2
DelayWarm
Normal
Bright
Hall
Stage
Room
321
456
987
Clear0+/-
Cancel Enter321
91011
456
12 13 14
78
15 16
21
LCDMIDI OutMIDI Thru/OutMIDI In Switch Pedals
Contrast Adj.

Setup, Connections, and Controls
Front Panel Controls
2-4
PC 88
Sound/Setup Select
These two groups of buttons Ñ four on the left, 16 on the right Ñ are the principal ways to
switch among sounds and conÞgurations of the PC88.
The PC88 plays in one of two modes. In the Internal Voices mode, the instrument is a single-
sound keyboard instrument that transmits on a single MIDI channel. The MIDI Setups (or just
ÒSetupsÓ) mode turns it into a four-part multi-timbral synth and controller, with independent
MIDI transmission on four different channels. These two buttons select between the two
modes. (When it comes to receiving MIDI data, the PC88 is capable of receiving multi-timbrally
on 16 MIDI channels, regardless of which mode it is playing in.)
In the Internal Voices mode , the 16 numbered buttons select among 16 types of sounds. They are
also labelled with instrument names, showing you the type of instrument that will be selected.
Other groups contain different, but related instrument sounds. To get to them, you can press
the
Next Group or Previous Group buttons. If the current instrument is Ò ClavinetÓ (#9),
pressing Next Group will call up ÒStereo ClavÓ (#25), and pressing it again will call up ÒSuper
ClavÓ (#41). Each sound ÒfamilyÓ contains a total of four variations. The groups are labelled A,
B, C, and D, and these labels appear at the upper right of the display.
The PC88 remembers the group that your last selection of any instrument came from. Say, for
example, you press Classical Piano , and then Next Group to hear Voice #16 ÒClass Piano 440Ó.
The display shows ÒB01Ó, meaning youÕre in group B, Voice 1. Then select another Voice in a
different group Ñ say #11, ÒJazz Organ 1, A12Ó. The next time you select Classical Piano , it
will remember that the Classical Piano Voice you last used was from group B, and it will call up
ÒClass Piano 440Ó, not some other Classical Piano sound from another group. For your
convenience, the PC88 even remembers your group selections across power cycles.
In Setup mode , the Select buttons work in a similar way, except that because all setups are user-
programmable, thereÕs no direct correspondence between the names printed on the panel and
any of the Setups. Furthermore, they do not remember the group that your last selection came
from. There is room for 128 Setups in the PC88, and they are arranged in groups A through H,
with the group letter at the bottom left of the display. Unlike Internal Voices, Setups in different
groups that share a common number are not necessarily related.
Zone Buttons
Moving to the left of the display, immediately under the label Zone Select and Assignable
Controllers are the four Zone buttons. These have several functions. They turn zones on and
off, they select which zone will be ÒcurrentÓ and thus have its parameters adjusted, and they
select zones for soloing. The Zone buttons contain three-color LEDs. When the LED is green,
the zone is on (active). When it is orange, it is muted. When it is red, it is being soloed, and
when it is dark, the zone is off or inactive.
Remember that zones are only operative in MIDI Setup mode. In Internal Voices mode, only
Zone 1 is used.
To select a zone for editing, press its button once. The number of the zone shows up on the
display, showing that itÕs the ÒcurrentÓ Zone. If you are not in Zone Parameters mode, the zone
number is displayed on the second line, next to the program name. If you are working on
parameters, the zone number is on the Þrst line. Next to it may be a character: if the zone is
muted there will be a Ò-Ó, while if it is soloed, there will be a Ò*Ó.
active: muted : soloed:
Zone:1 Zone:1- Zone:1*