Suzuki qc-1 User manual

SUZUKI Q CHORD
Owners Manual
MODEL QC-1

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THANK YOU & CONGRATULATIONS
Also remember that clinical studies the world over have shown
that playing a musical instrument has many benefits for both body
and soul. It utilizes and strengthens portions of your brain that
are not normally used in everyday activities.
Take a few moments now to start to find the hidden creative
musical side that we all have within.
QCards
Q Chord
Welcome to a new and exciting way to make music, that’s
creative,mindexpanding andfun.
Every music lover has dreamed of playing with an orchestra or
performing in a band. The Suzuki Corporation, MIDI Hits andTune
1000 have worked together to combine the latest sound card
technology with your favorite songs.The availability of these
professionally produced,optional, song cartridgesnowenableyou
to have a truly heightened, interactive musical experience right out
of the box.
The Q Chord contains the latest technological advancement’s
that now enables everyone to play or create music. It offers the
ultimate combination of musical instrument and technology in a
lightweight,portableand dynamicsoundingpackageneverbefore
available.
All of the Q Chord’s features and functions can be used individu-
ally or in exciting combinations. There is no end to the music you
can make no matter what skill level you aspire too.
This owner’s manual contains easy to follow, step by step instruc-
tion for all Q Chord functions. If you hate to read instruction
manuals, we understandand encourageyoutoplayandexperi-
ment with the instrument and refer to this manual to answer any
questions you have as you create your own personal symphony.

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QUICK PLAY - POWER UP
QTIP: After removing the instrument, batteries, and instruction
manual from the packing carton and shipping materials, save the
box and molded foam insert for later use. It’s a great way to store
ortransportyourinstrument.
Let’s power up by installing either the enclosed batteries or using
the optional AC adapter QCA (use only the Q Chord QCA
adapter).
Your Q Chord comes complete with 8 batteries (size C, Sum-2 or
R-14) and is ready to use now, right from the box.
Turn the Q Chord over and pull back the 2 plastic tabs and
remove the battery door.
Insert the 8 batteries included in the shipping carton. Use the
diagram on the battery cover to make sure you correctly insert
them into the battery cradle.
If there is no power recheck to make sure you have correctly
inserted thebatteries and replacedthe batterydoor.
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Press the power button
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PLUG IN AC ADAPTER
Plug one end of the AC adapter into the 120v (standard) AC
outlet,while plugging the other end into the Q Chord power
jack on the side of the instrument.
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Make sure you only use the QCA adapter. Other adapters could
cause damage to this instrument.See specification page for
further details.
Press the power button
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BATTERY INSTALLATION
Jack Connector Panel

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QUICK PLAY - DEMO SONG
TheQ Chordhas a built-indemonstrationsong which will immedi-
ately allow you to begin playing along with the song“Michelle”by
theBeatles.
Press the Demo Button.
You should begin to hear the Demo song play.
Make sure that the Power button is already engaged and that the
MasterVolume Knob is set to the 12:00 position or higher.
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Followthe stepsbelowandbegin playingnow!
PLAYING ALONGWITHTHE DEMONSTRATION SONG
Slide your thumb or index finger up the strumplate.
Continue to slide or tap your fingers up the strumplate at your own
pace.
You are nowplaying along with the band!
Play along with this Demo to get familiar with the sounds you can
make as you strum the Strumplate in various different ways.
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Q-TIP: Laterwe will explain manyfun andinteresting playing
techniques and set ups.
For example:how to select and play one of the 100 different
strumplate voices available, plus different sustain settings and
strumplateplayingtechniques.
Playing along with this Beatles song is similar to playing along
with one of the optional song cartridges.
The amount of orchestration varies from song to song. Some
have full big band orchestra will others like the demo song
“”Michelle”,” use the same instruments as the original recording.
As stated above there are many fun, exciting and challenging
ways to practice, play and perform, the wide variety of song titles
thatare availableonthe manyoptional song cartridges.

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Press the Auto Chord button once.
This will turn off the Chord Plus LED.This will eliminate the
melodyline from the Demo song.
1PLAYING ALONGWITH CERTAIN BAND MEMBERS
The Q Chord has the ability to play prerecorded song cartridges
called“Q Cards.” You can play along with these song cartridges
just like you are playing along with the demo song.
Listed below are more fun ways to play along with the demo song.
Strum or tap the Strumplate with your thumb or fingers.
Try taping your fingers to the beat of the music. Play around
using different finger and or thumb activity.
QTIP: With the Chord Plus turned off you may want to actively
strum or tap the strumplate to make up for the missing notes.
There are many different ways to play along with the band on this
demosong.
You can play with any member of the Q Chord band or any
combination of Q Chord band members. Or you can play solo by
yourself.
For example:You could play with just the drummer and the bass
player.
There are many combinations that we will detail later in this
manual.
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Press the Demo Button.
You should begin to hear the Demo song play.
This time without hearing the melody line of the demo song.
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QUICK PLAY - DEMO SONG continued

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QUICK PLAY - SONG CARTRIDGE (optional)
1PLAYING ALONGWITHTHE SONG CARTRIDGES
The Q Chord has the ability to play prerecorded song cartridges
called“Q Cards.” To play one of these optional cartridges follow
the simple instructions shown below. For more advanced play see
the Song Cartridge section later in this manual.
Do not force the Q Card into its connection, it should insert
properly when firmly pressed. Make sure to insert the open end of
thecartridge,notthe labelend.
When the Song Cartridge is correctly inserted the display will read
“01.”
If you want to play a song other than the first selection press
the UP search button until you reach your desired song.
Remember if the card is not inserted properly then the Q Card
control LCD will not display any digits.
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Press the Playbutton.
Make sure that the MasterVolume Knob is set to the 2 o’clock
positionorhigher.
You should hear your selected song.
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Strum or tap the Strumplate with your thumb or fingers.
Try taping your fingers to the beat of the music. Play around
using different finger and or thumb activity.
QTIP:There are many different fun and exciting ways that you
can play with this prerecorded music. We will get into more detail
later in this manual.
Remember it’s that simple to play!
1.Plug in the song cartridge
2. Press Play
3. Strum Away!
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Turn the power off.
Push the open end of the song cartridge into the Chord Button
end of the Q Chord, marked“Q Card”, as shown. Press in firmly
untilthe Cartridgeis seatedproperly.
Make sure that the label side of the Cartridge is up so that you do
not force it in the wrong way.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Q CHORD - MODEL QC-1
1 THANKYOU & CONGRATULATIONS
2 Q UICK PLAY - SET UP
3 Q UICK PLAY - DEMO SONG
5 Q UICK PLAY - SONG CARTRIDGE (OPTIONAL)
6 TABLE OF CONTENTS
7 CONTROLSAND FUNCTIONS
9EZ PLAY
11 STRUMPLATE
15 STRUMPLATE - EFFECTS
17 STRUMPLATE - PITCH BENDWHEEL
18 ONE FINGER CHORD PLAY
19 MULTI FINGER CHORD PLAY
20 RHYTHMSECTION -DRUMS
23 CHORDMODE - ACCOMPANIMENT
28 PLAYING A SONGWITHTHE BAND
30 ADDITIONAL FEATURES -TRANSPOSE
30 ADDITIONALFEATURES -TUNING
31 ADDITIONAL FEATURES - MIDI EXPANDER
32 ADDITIONAL FEATURES - OCTAVE SHIFT
33 STRUMPLATE - ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTVOICES
35 MELODY KEYBOARD
36 SONG/STYLECARTRIDGES
39 MIDI
42 JACK CONNECTOR PANEL
43 STRUMPLATE INSTRUMENTVOICE LIST
45 WARRANTY
46 SPECIFICATIONS
47 ACCESSORIES
48 NOTES

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Use this reference page as you continue to play and add new features and functions.
1. POWER - Main of/off switch
2. DEMO
3. VOLUME - Master Control
MASTERS
4. RHYTHM VOLUME - Up/Down
5. RHYTHM BANK - Indicator
LED’S (two)
6. INTRO/END
7. RHY. LIGHT BAR SEGMENTS
8. RHYTHM SELECT BUTTONS
RHYTHMS
STRUMPLATE
BOTTOMVIEW
9.TEMPO - Up/Down Buttons
10. BASS PORT
11. FILL
12. STRUMPLATE VOLUME
13. STRUMPLATE BANK -
Indicator LED’S (two)
14. STRUMPLATE LIGHT BAR
SEGMENTS (10)
15. STRUMPLATE SELECT
BUTTONS
16. START/STOP - Master Control
17. STRUMPLATE SUSTAIN
18. SPEAKER GRILL
19. STRUMPLATE
CHORD BUTTONS
V
21.TRANSPOSE BUTTONS
22. CHORD BUTTONS
23.TUNE BUTTONS
24. MIDI EXPANDER CONTROL
25. OCTAVE SHIFT(strmplt.& kybd)
26. STRUMPLATEVOICE BUTTON
20. PITCH BEND WHEEL
EFFECTS BUTTONS
27.VIBRATOBUTTON
28. EZ PLAY BUTTON
29. REVERB BUTTON
40.
41.
42.
39.
38.

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-
Q CARD CONTROL
30. STOP BUTTON
31. PLAY / PAUSE BUTTON
32. TRACK & VOICE # DISPLAY
33. SEARCH DOWN / UP
CHORD MODE
34. CHORDVOL.& DEPTH BUTTONS
35. AUTO & CHORD PLUS BUTTON
36. CHRD. & MANUAL CHRD. BUTTONS
37. BASS & MEL.KYBD.BUTTONS
Q CARD
38. CHORDVOL.& DEPTH BUTTONS
39. AUTO & CHORD PLUS BUTTON
BOTTOMVIEW
40. BASS PORT
41. BATTERY COVER
42.IDENTIFICATIONTAGW/ SN #
2. 4. 6. 8.
7.
5.
3.
1. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.16. 17.18. 19. 20.
26. 28.29.27. 30.31. 32 33. 35. 36. 37.34.
STOP PLAY/PAUSE
V
+
-
x
22. 25. 24.23.
V
V
21.

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EZ PLAY
Press the Easy Play button.
The Q Chord’s Chord Mode section will automatically set up the Q
Chord, so that only the chord and strumplate sounds are heard.
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EZ PLAY FEATURE
When first starting to play the Q Chord you may want to begin by
engaging the Easy Play button. This function will automatically set
up the Q Chord so that only the selected chord button and the
strumplate will be heard. This basic set up is an ideal way to start
playing anewsong.
Press a Chord Button
You will hear the sustained chord of the button you pressed
sound.
This basic set up is an ideal way to start playing a new song, by
first getting familiar with playing chord buttons of your selected
song.
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Strum or tap the Strumplate with your thumb or fingers.
Youshould onlyhear the strumplate andthe engagedchord button.
QTIP: The EZ Play mode is an excellent function to experiment
with the different sounds you can get out of the strumplate by the
different ways that you strum or tap it.
We will show you how to select from the 100 available strumplate
voices, how to add effects and use the pitch bend wheel, later in
thismanual.
We will also explain how you can begin playing your favorite songs.
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