Quintet electronic music instrument User manual

User Manual January 2005
www.quintet.ie Page 1
Electronic Instrument for Music Education and Performance
Features: -
?Connect up to five switches
?Resource packs available with ready-made exercises
?Create your own exercises and record your own songs
?Internal Sound Card with 128 different instruments
?High quality sound output
?Internal rechargeable batteries
?Easy to use
Important Notes:
1. Read this manual carefully before installing or operating your Quintet.
2. Due to continuos product improvement Unique Perspectives reserves the right to update this Manual.
This Manual supersedes all previous issues which must not continue to be used.
3. Any attempt to gain access to or in any way abuse the electronic components of the Quintet renders the
manufacturer’s warranty void and the Manufacturer free from liability.

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Contents
Page
1.
Introduction 3
2.
Specifications
Electrical
Mechanical
Environmental
Intended Use
4
4
4
4
4
3. Testing
Power supply check
Power On check
Power Off check
6
6
6
6
4. Getting Started 8
5. Selecting a Resource Pack 9
6. Selecting a Song 10
7.
Changing an Instrument
Instrument selection charts 11
12
8. Recording your own Songs
Turning on in Record Mode
Recording Notes
Recording Chords
Recording Phrases
Recording Cycles
17
17
19
20
21
22
9. Saving your music onto Memory Cards 23
10.
Advanced Features
Tempo & time signature
Changing the method of playback after recording
Auditioning an external memory card
24
24
24
25
11.
Batteries and Charging
Battery type
Battery life
Battery charging
26
26
26
26

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Battery status lights 26
12.
Connections
Player switches
DC Power input
External keyboard input
Switch expansion port
Line out
Headphone input
Memory card socket
27
27
28
28
29
29
30
30
13.
Maintenance 31
14.
Safety and Misuse warnings 32
15.
Warranty 33
16.
Sales and Service Information 34
17.
Glossary of terms 35

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1Introduction
Quintet is an electronic music instrument designed for switch users in order that
they can play music. It can be used in a group situation with children, or, as a
solo instrument.
Five switches can be connected to the Quintet and therefore you can have up to
five players. By pressing and releasing their switch each player can step through
the notes of a song, tap out a tempo, play the chords of a melody or trigger
complete sections of songs !
Within the Quintet there are 128 different instruments to choose from including
“tubular bells”, “guitar”, “saxophone” and “drums”. Each player can be assigned a
different instrument and in this way a whole orchestra or band can be formed !
Accompanying the Quintet is a set of resource packs. These packs contain 10
songs or exercises. The songs are designed so that skills in music, such as
timing and turn-taking, can be learnt, alongside having fun!
Each resource pack has an associated electronic memory card. This card
contains all the musical information for the 10 songs of the pack. By plugging the
card into a slot at the back of the Quintet and following the instructions further on
in this manual the music for the 10 songs can be transferred into the Quintet (the
Quintet is shipped with the music from pack A already transferred).
On the front panel of the Quintet a 10 position rotary switch allows you to choose
which song or exercise you want to play. Follow the instructions in the resource
pack on how to use each of the 5 switches.
You are not limited to the music contained in the resource packs. In fact the
Quintet is designed so that you can quickly begin to record your own songs and
make your own exercises. Simply connect a standard keyboard and follow the
instructions further on in this manual.
If you do start to record your own songs and exercises you can make permanent
copies by transferring the music in the Quintet onto a blank memory card. These
blank cards are sold separately to the Quintet and are available from through
your supplier.
Before you use your Quintet please read this manual carefully and perform the
tests on page 6. In particular familiarise yourself with the sections on
Maintenance and Safety. If you are in any doubt contact your supplier.

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2Specifications
Electrical
Power Supply 24V 500mA DC
Rechargeable battery type 8 cell NiMh 600maH
Charger rating 250mA continuous fast charge.
Quiescent Current <1mA Off, 200mA On, 450mA when
charging.
Audio Output 5 Watts RMS
Mechanical
Weight Approx. 1 Kg
Case material Diecast aluminum, painted black.
Environmental
Min Max Units
Operating ambient temperature range -25 50 ºC
Storage temperature range -25 70 ºC
Operating and storage humidity 0 90 %RH
The Quintet is not designed for outdoor use.
Intended Use
The Quintet is an electronic music instrument specifically designed to enable
those individuals who cannot play an acoustic instrument to perform music using
switches connected to the Quintet.
The Quintet is for indoor use only.
The Quintet can be mains powered or battery powered.
The Quintet is not a toy and children using the instrument must be supervised
accordingly.

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3Testing
NOTE: Refer to the diagram below during the test sequences.
Power supply check sequence
1. Connect the DC Power supply provided to the Power input at the back of the
Quintet.
2. Confirm that the Mains Power light is on.
3. If the battery needs to be recharged the Charging light will also come on.
Power On check sequence
1. Turn the Volume control clockwise to the 12 o’clock position.
2. Confirm that the green ‘Ready’ light flashes and after a moment comes on
steady.
3. Press any of the player switches (1-5) and confirm that music can be heard.
Power Off sequence
1. Turn the Volume control fully anti-clockwise to the OFF position.
2. Confirm that the green ‘Ready’ light extinguishes.
3. The Mains Power light will remain on as long as the external power supply is
connected. The Charging light will remain on until the internal batteries are re-
charged.
Ready
light
Mains
Power Light
Charging
Light
Player 1-5
switches
Volume &
On/Off pot

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If any of these tests fail contact your supplier immediately.
NOTE: The Quintet is shipped with the internal batteries discharged. A complete
recharge takes about 3 hours. It is recommended that you leave the power
supply plugged in until the Charging light extinguishes so that the first charge the
batteries receive is a complete one.

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4Getting Started
To use the Quintet in it’s basic mode you do not need any additional equipment.
To get started plug the DC Power supply provided into the power socket at the
back of the Quintet and turn the volume control clockwise to the 12 o’clock
position.
Choose 1 of the 10 songs by turning the rotary switch to the desired song
number.
When the ready light stops flashing the song is ready to play.
Follow the instructions in resource pack A for the selected song or simply start
pressing the switches 1 to 5 to hear what happens.
Player 1 - 5. Each player
has an individual
switch. Press the switch
to step through the notes
of a song.
Instrument and Tempo
switches. Use these
switches to select
instruments and stop/start
a metronome.
Record Switch. Use
this switch to record
your own songs.
Rotary switch to select 1
of 10 songs.
The On/Off switch
and volume control
Power input
and battery
status LEDs
Ready light stops
flashing when a
selected song is
ready to play.

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5Selecting a Resource Pack
Before you use a particular resource pack you may need to transfer the music
from the associated memory card into the quintet. You will need to do this if:-
a) you are using the resource pack for the first time
b) you are switching from one resource pack to another
c) you recorded your own music over what was there and want to return to
the original music.
To transfer the music from a memory card into the Quintet
1. Make sure the Quintet is off.
2. Take the memory card out of it’s protective box and plug it into the slot at the
back of the Quintet. The text “QUINTET MEMORY CARD” should be facing
upwards.
3. Press andHOLD Instrument
4. Turn on the Quintet whilst HOLDINGInstrument.
5. The Instrument light should come on immediately. If it does not you may not
have inserted the memory card properly. Switch off and try again.
6. Release Instrument
7. The music from the memory card will be transferred into the Quintet. The
transfer is complete when theReady and Record lights stop flashing.
Depending on how much music is stored on the memory card the transfer may take up to a
minute or more. On no condition should you turn off the Quintet while the transfer is taking
place. As the transfer is taking place the Ready light will flash while music is loaded from the
memory card. As it is stored inside the Quintet the Ready light will flash again but this time
with the Record light on also. This cycle will be repeated 10 times, once for each of the 10
songs. In other-words you should see the Record light come on and off 10 times.
8. Finally switch off the Quintet and remove the memory card, placing it back in
it’s protective box.
Useful tip: If you only want to transfer the music for one song, choose the song
number before you turn on the Quintet and then press and HOLD both
Instrument and Record in steps 3 and 4 above. Only the music for the selected
song number will be transferred into the Quintet.

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6Selecting a Song
The rotary switch on the front panel of the Quintet selects 1 of 10 songs to play.
To chose a song
1. Turn the rotary switch to the required song
2. The Ready light will flash while the song is restored from memory
3. When the Ready light has stopped flashing the song is ready to play.
Follow the instructions for the song in the resource pack or simply start pressing
the player switches to hear what happens !

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7Changing an instrument
Within the Quintet there are 128 different instruments to choose from. Each
player and the keyboard player can be assigned a different instrument. In this
way an ensemble of six different instruments can be created !
The 128 instruments are divided into 4 groups. Each group contains 32
instruments.
To change instrument for the keyboard player
1. Make sure that the external keyboard is connected
2. Make sure the Quintet is on
3. Press Instrument. The Instrument light comes on.
4. Switches 1 to 4 on the Quintet select the group of instruments.
5. A range of keys on the keyboard selects one of the 32 possible instruments in
that group. To hear what an instrument sounds like, refer to the charts on the
following pages, and press the corresponding note on the keyboard.
6. When you have chosen your instrument press Instrument a second time.
The Instrument light extinguishes and the READY light will flash. When the
READY light stops flashing the instrument is ready.
To change instrument for one of the 5 players
1. Make sure that the external keyboard is connected
2. Make sure the Quintet is on
3. Press andHOLD Instrument. The Instrument light comes on.
4. While HOLDING Instrument press the player’s switch (1-5) whose
instrument you want to change. The Instrument light will go out while the
players switch is pressed.
5. Release the players switch and then releaseInstrument.
6. Continue from Step 4 above “Switches 1 – 4…”

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NOTE: A common mistake when using a 3-octave keyboard is to forget to reset
the keyboard to the centre three octaves. Notes outside the range of the
instrument selection chart will make no sound.

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Instrument Selection Chart Group 1
Grand Piano
Bright Piano
Electric Grand Piano
Honky-Tonk Piano
Electric Piano 1
Electric Piano 2
Harpsichord
Clavi
*** MIDDLE C ***
Celesta
Glockenspiel
Music Box
Vibraphone
Marimba
Xylophone
Tubular Bells
Santur
Drawbar Organ
Percussive Organ
Rock Organ
Church Organ
Reed Organ
FrenchAccordion
Harmonica
Tango Accordion
Acoustic Guitar (Nylon)
Acoustic Guitar (Steel)
Electric Jazz Guitar
Electric Guitar (Clean)
Electric Guitar (Muted)
Overdriven Guitar
Distortion Guitar
Guitar Harmonics

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Instrument Selection Chart Group 2
Acoustic Bass
Finger Bass
Picked Bass
Fretless Bass
Slap Bass 1
Slap Bass 2
Synth Bass 1
Synth Bass 2
*** MIDDLE C ***
Violin
Viola
Cello
ContraBass
Tremolo Strings
Pizzicato Strings
Orchestral Harp
Timpani
String Ensemble 1
String Ensemble 2
Synth Strings 1
Synth Strings 2
Choir Aahs
Voice Oohs
SynthVoice
Orchestra Hit
Trumpet
Trombone
Tuba
Muted Trumpet
French Horn
Brass Section
Synth Brass 1
Synth Brass 2

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Instrument Selection Chart Group 3
Soprano Sax
Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
Baritone Sax
Oboe
English Horn
Bassoon
Clarinet
*** MIDDLE C ***
Piccolo
Flute
Recorder
Pan Flute
Blown Bottle
Shakuhachi
Whistle
Ocarina
Lead 1 (Square)
Lead 2 (Sawtooth)
Lead 3 (Calliope)
Lead 4 (Chiff)
Lead 5 (Charang)
Lead 6 (Voice)
Lead 7 (Fifths)
Lead 8 (Bass + Lead)
Pad 1 (Fantasia)
Pad 2 (Warm)
Pad 3 (Polysynth)
Pad 4 (Choir)
Pad 5 (Bowed)
Pad 6 (Metallic)
Pad 7 (Halo)
Pad 8 (Sweep)

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Instrument Selection Chart Group 4
FX 1 (Rain)
FX 2 (Soundtrack)
FX 3 (Crystal)
FX 4 (Atmosphere)
FX 5 (Brightness)
FX 6 (Goblins)
FX 7 (Echoes)
FX 8 (Sci-Fi)
*** MIDDLE C ***
Sitar
Banjo
Shamisen
Koto
Kalimba
Bag Pipe
Fiddle
Shanai
Tinkle Bell
Agogo
Steel Drums
Woodblock
Taiko Drum
Melodic Drum
Synth Drum
Reverse Cymbal
Guitar Fret Noise
Breath Noise
Seashore
Bird Tweet
Telephone Ring
Helicopter
Applaude
Drum Kit

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8Recording your own songs
You can record your own songs on any switch positions from 1 to 10. When you
do this you replace the music that was transferred from the memory card with
your own. In this way you can modify the existing exercises or start from scratch
and create your own. If you want to return to the music from the resource pack,
just transfer the music from the associated memory card back into the Quintet
again. See page 9 for instructions on how to do this.
Before you do any recording you must turn on the Quintet in record mode.
To turn on the Quintet in record mode
1. Make sure the Quintet is Off.
2. Press andHOLD Record.
3. While HOLDING Record turn on the Quintet. The red Record light should
illuminate.
4. Release Record.
5. The redRecordlight extinguishes and the green Ready light flashes.
6. When the green Ready light stops flashing the Quintet is in recordmode !
How you record your music depends upon how you want to play it back with the
player’s switch. There are four basic ways you can play back music with a
switch:-
Notes Pressing the switch plays the first note of the song. Pressing the
switch again plays the second note of the song, and so on until all
the notes are played.
Chords
Pressing the switch plays the first chord. Pressing the switch
again plays the second chord, and so on until all the chords are
played.
Phrases Pressing the switch plays the first phrase of the song. If the song
has more than one phrase, pressing the switch a second time will
play the second phrase of the song, and so on until all the
phrases are played.

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Cycles
In this case pressing the switch either starts or stops a cycle of
music. This could be the drum track of a song for example or a
repeating sequence of chords.
How to record music in these four ways is described in the following pages.

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Recording Notes
1. Make sure the external keyboard is connected and the Quintet is on in record
mode.
2. Refer to page 11 if you want to choose an instrument.
3. Press Record. The red Record light flashes indicating that you must select a
player.
4. Press the switch corresponding to the player you want to record on. For
example if you want to record some notes for player 2, press the player 2
switch. The red Record light goes steady.
5. Play the notes on the keyboard.
6. When you have finished press Record a second time. The red light
extinguishes.
7. The Ready will flash as the new music is stored in the Quintet.
Now you can play back the recorded notes one at a time by pressing the player’s
switch.
NOTE: After you press Record for the first time you have 8 seconds within which
to press the Player’s switch you want to record on. If you fail to select the switch
within this time the red light will stop flashing and you will have to press Record
again.

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Recording Chords
1. Make sure the external keyboard is connected and the Quintet is on in record
mode.
2. Refer to page 11 if you want to choose an instrument.
3. Press Record. The red Record light flashes indicating that you must select a
player.
4. Press the switch corresponding to the player you want to record on. For
example if you want to record some notes for player 2, press the player 2
switch. The red Record light goes steady.
5. Play the first chord on the keyboard.
6. Press the players switch again. The redRecord light will extinguish whilst the
switch is pressed. If you only want 1 chord on this switch jump to step 9.
7. Play the next chord on the keyboard.
8. Repeat from Step 6, pressing theplayers switch between each chord, until
you have entered all the chords of the song.
9. Press Record to stop recording. The Ready will flash as the new music is
stored in the Quintet.
Now you can play back the recorded chords one at a time by pressing the
player’s switch.
NOTE: The maximum number of chords you can record for a player is 10. The
minimum is 1.