Optimus Concertmate 975 User manual

Cat. No. 42-4036
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
Concertmate®975
Portable Stereo Musical Instrument
with 61 Full-Size Keys and 100-Songs
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2
FEATURES
Your Optimus Concertmate 975 Por-
table Stereo Musical Instrument is a
state-of-the-art keyboard with many
exciting features. You can set the
keyboard to sound like 100 different
musical instruments or sound effects.
To accompany your music, the key-
board has 100 rhythms, as well as
auto accompaniments and percus-
sion sounds.
Your keyboard’s features include:
100 Prerecorded Tunes — let you
hear a sample of what you and the
keyboard can do. You can play the
tunes either one at a time or consecu-
tively, and you can turn off the melody
or accompaniment portion so you can
play along with the tunes.
100 Tones — you can set your key-
board to sound like anything from a
harpsichord to a honky-tonk piano.
12-Note Pol
y
phonic Sound — lets
you play and hear up to 12 notes at
the same time so you can play or cre-
ate almost any type of music.
Tempo Control — lets you speed up
or slow down the tempo of any select-
ed music pattern.
100 Auto-Rh
y
thms — give you a
steady beat for many styles of music
from rhumba to slow rock.
Fill-In Rh
y
thm — lets you insert a
short variation into any auto-rhythm.
Auto Accompaniment — lets you
automatically play a preset harmonic
pattern to match the selected auto-
rhythm.
Tune Control — lets you adjust the
pitch of your keyboard so you can
play in tune with other instruments.
Transpose Function — lets you in-
stantly change the key of the music,
even while you are playing.
Two Built-In Speakers — provide
excellent sound to help make your
music come alive.
Headphones/Output Jack — lets
you connect headphones so you can
play without disturbing others, or an
external amplifier so you can play for
a crowd.
Three Power Options — let you
power the keyboard from internal bat-
teries (not supplied), standard AC
power (with an optional adapter), or
your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket
(with an optional adapter) so you can
make music almost anywhere.
©1998 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Concertmate, Optimus, and RadioShack are registered trademarks used by Tandy Corporation.
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To fully enjoy the features and func-
tions of this electronic keyboard,
please read this manual carefully and
completely.
Note: This owner’s manual explains
how to use this electronic keyboard. It
does not teach music.
We recommend you record your key-
board’s serial number here. The num-
ber is on the bottom of the keyboard.
Serial Number _________________
THE FCC WANTS YOU
TO KNOW
This keyboard complies with the limits
for a Class B digital device as speci-
fied in Part 15 of
FCC Rules
. These
limits provide reasonable protection
against radio and TV interference in a
residential area. However, your key-
board might cause TV or radio inter-
ference even when it is operating
properly. To eliminate interference,
you can try one or more of the follow-
ing corrective measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiv-
ing antenna
• Increase the distance between
the keyboard and the radio or TV
• Use outlets on different electrical
circuits for the keyboard and the
radio or TV
Consult your local RadioShack store
if the problem still exists.
You must use shielded interface ca-
bles with this equipment.
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CONTENTS
Preparation ..................................................................................................... 5
Connecting Power ..................................................................................... 5
Using Batteries .................................................................................... 5
Using AC Power .................................................................................. 6
Using Vehicle Battery Power ............................................................... 6
Connecting Headphones ........................................................................... 7
Listening Safely ................................................................................... 7
Connecting an External Amplifier .............................................................. 8
Using the Sheet Music Stand .................................................................... 8
Control Locations .......................................................................................... 9
Operation ...................................................................................................... 10
Basic Operation ....................................................................................... 10
Cancelling Auto Power Off ................................................................ 10
Playing the Prerecorded Tunes ................................................................ 11
Playing Back a Prerecorded Tune ..................................................... 11
Playing Along with a Prerecorded Tune ............................................ 12
Turning Applause Off/On .................................................................. 12
Consecutively Playing Back the Tunes ............................................. 13
Using the Preset Tones ........................................................................... 13
Selecting/Playing a Preset Tone ....................................................... 13
Keyboard Split Tones ........................................................................ 14
Layered Tones .................................................................................. 14
Percussion Sounds ........................................................................... 14
Using the Preset Auto-Rhythms .............................................................. 15
Selecting/Playing an Auto-Rhythm ................................................... 15
Using SYNCHRO .............................................................................. 16
Using FILL-IN .................................................................................... 16
Using Auto Accompaniment .................................................................... 16
Concert Chord ................................................................................... 17
Standard Fingering ........................................................................... 18
Special Features .......................................................................................... 20
Changing Keys ........................................................................................ 20
Tuning the Keyboard ............................................................................... 21
Troubleshootin
g
........................................................................................... 22
Care and Maintenance ................................................................................. 23
Standard Fin
g
erin
g
Chord Chart ................................................................ 24
Rh
y
thm List .................................................................................................. 26
Specifications ............................................................................................... 27
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PREPARATION
CONNECTING POWER
You can power your keyboard in any
of these ways:
• internal batteries (see “Using Bat-
teries”)
• standard AC power using an
optional AC adapter (see “Using
AC Power” on Page 6)
• a vehicle’s cigarette-lighter
socket using an optional DC
adapter (see “Using Vehicle Bat-
tery Power” on Page 6)
Notes:
• Connecting an AC or DC adapter
automatically disconnects any
internal batteries.
• Always disconnect the AC or DC
adapter when you finish using the
keyboard.
Using Batteries
Your keyboard can use six AA batter-
ies (not supplied) for power. For the
best performance, we recommend al-
kaline batteries, such as RadioShack
Cat. No. 23-557.
Cautions:
• Use only fresh batteries of the
required size and recommended
type.
• Do not mix old and new batteries,
different types of batteries (stan-
dard, alkaline, or rechargeable),
or rechargeable batteries of dif-
ferent capacities.
1. Set POWER/MODE to OFF.
2. While pressing the tab on the bat-
tery compartment cover, pull the
cover up to remove it.
3. Put six AA batteries into the com-
partment as indicated by the
polarity symbols (+ and –)
marked below the compartment.
4. Replace the cover.
When the keyboard stops operating
properly, replace all six batteries.
Cautions:
• If you do not plan to use the key-
board for a week or more, or if
you plan to use only an AC or DC
adapter, remove the batteries.
Batteries can leak chemicals that
can destroy electronic parts.
• Dispose of old batteries promptly
and properly. Do not burn or bury
them.
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Using AC Power
You can power your keyboard from
standard AC power using an optional
9-volt AC adapter (such as Ra-
dioShack Cat. No. 273-1656).
Cautions:
• You must use an AC adapter that
supplies 9 volts and delivers at
least 800 mA. Its center tip must
be set to negative and its plug
must fit the keyboard’s DC 9V
jack. The recommended adapter
meets these specifications. Using
an adapter that does not meet
these specifications could dam-
age the keyboard or the adapter.
• Always plug the AC adapter into
the keyboard before you plug it
into the AC outlet. Always unplug
the AC adapter from the AC out-
let before you unplug it from the
keyboard.
•BesurePOWER/MODE is set to
OFF before you connect or dis-
connect the adapter.
Follow these steps to connect an AC
adapter to the keyboard.
1. Connect the AC adapter’s 5.5
mm outer diameter/2.1 mm inner
diameter barrel plug to the DC 9V
jack on the back of the keyboard.
2. Plug the AC adapter’s other end
into a standard AC outlet.
Using Vehicle Battery Power
You can power your keyboard from
your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket
with an optional 9-volt DC adapter
(such as RadioShack Cat. No. 273-
1815).
Cautions:
• You must use a DC adapter that
supplies 9 volts and delivers at
least 800 mA. Its center tip must
be set to negative and its plug
must fit the keyboard’s DC 9V
jack. Using an adapter that does
not meet these specifications
could damage the keyboard or
the adapter.
• Always plug the DC adapter into
the keyboard before you plug it
into the cigarette-lighter socket.
Always unplug the DC adapter
from the cigarette-lighter socket
before you unplug it from the key-
board.
•BesurePOWER/MODE is set to
OFF before you connect or dis-
connect the adapter.
Follow these steps to connect a DC
adapter to the keyboard.
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1. Plug the DC adapter’s 5.5 mm
outer diameter/2.1 mm inner
diameter barrel plug into the
cable so it reads – TIP.
2. Set the DC adapter’s voltage
switch to 9 volts.
3. Connect the DC adapter’s barrel
plug to the DC 9V jack on the back
of the keyboard.
4. Plug the DC adapter’s other end
into your vehicle’s cigarette-
lighter socket.
Note: If the keyboard does not oper-
ate when you use the DC adapter,
unplug the cord from the cigarette-
lighter socket and clean any ashes or
debris from the socket. If your key-
board still does not work, check the
fuse in the DC adapter and replace it
if necessary.
CONNECTING
HEADPHONES
To listen to your keyboard without
disturbing others, you can connect an
optional pair of stereo headphones
with a 1/4-inch plug. Your local Ra-
dioShack store sells a wide selection
of headphones.
Insert the headphones’ 1/4-inch plug
into the PHONES/OUTPUT jack on the
back of the keyboard.
Note: Connecting headphones dis-
connects the keyboard’s built-in
speakers.
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these
guidelines when you use head-
phones.
• Set the volume to the lowest set-
ting before you begin listening.
After you begin listening, adjust
the volume to a comfortable level.
• Do not listen at extremely high
volume levels. Extended high-
volume listening can lead to per-
manent hearing loss.
• Once you set the volume, do not
increase it. Over time, your ears
adapt to the volume level, so a
volume level that does not cause
discomfort might still damage
your hearing.
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CONNECTING AN
EXTERNAL AMPLIFIER
To amplify your keyboard’s sound,
you can connect it to an optional ex-
ternal amplifier using an audio cable
with a 1/4-inch plug (not supplied).
To connect an external amplifier to
your keyboard, insert the cable’s 1/4-
inch plug into the PHONES/OUTPUT
jack on the back of the keyboard, and
connect the cable’s other end to the
amplifier’s input jack(s) (such as AUX
IN or TAPE IN).
Your local RadioShack store sells a
full line of amplifiers, speakers, and
connection cables.
USING THE SHEET
MUSIC STAND
To easily view sheet music while
playing your keyboard, insert the sup-
plied sheet music stand into the holes
on the top back panel.
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CONTROL LOCATIONS
Speaker
PLAY/
STOP
TRANSPOSE/
TUNE
RHYTHM
TEMPO
START/STOP
SYNCHRO/FILL-IN
VOLUME
POWER/MODE Number
+/_
TONE
SONG
LEFT
Speaker
100 RHYTHMS
List
100 TONES List
100 SONGS List
ON/OFF RIGHT
ON/OFF
PAUSE
Keys
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OPERATION
BASIC OPERATION
1. To turn on the keyboard, set
POWER/MODE to NORMAL.The
POWER/MODE indicator lights.
Note: To save power when oper-
ating on batteries, the keyboard
automatically turns off after about
6 minutes if you do not press a
key. To turn on the keyboard
again, set POWER/MODE to OFF
then back to NORMAL. (To cancel
the auto power off feature, see
“Cancelling Auto Power Off”).
2. To hear a sample of the Concert-
mate 975’s many sounds, play a
prerecorded tune (see “Playing
the Prerecorded Tunes” on
Page 11). To make your own
music, simply begin playing the
keyboard.
Notes:
• The keyboard automatically
selects the tone PIANO 1 (No.
00) when you turn the power
on. To select a different tone,
see “Selecting/Playing a Pre-
set Tone” on Page 13.
• To select an auto-rhythm, see
“Using the Preset Auto-
Rhythms” on Page 15.
• To play auto accompaniment,
see “Using Auto Accompani-
ment” on Page 16.
3. Repeatedly press VOLUME s or t to
increase or decrease the volume.
The current setting appears.
Notes:
• The keyboard’s volume ranges
from 0 (no sound) to 9 (maxi-
mum). Each time you turn on
the keyboard, the volume is set
to 7.
• To quickly change the volume
setting, hold down VOLUME s
or t.
• To quickly return to the default
volume setting of 7, press both
VOLUME buttons at the same
time.
• The volume level differs
depending on the tone, accom-
paniment, or song you
selected.
4. To turn off the keyboard, set
POWER/MODE to OFF. The POW-
ER/MODE indicator turns off.
Cancelling Auto Power Off
To have the keyboard not automati-
cally turn off during a session, turn on
the keyboard while holding down
TONE.
The next time you turn the keyboard
off then back on again, it will automat-
ically turn off after about 6 minutes.
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