thomann Startone MK-201 User manual

MK-201
keyboard
user manual

Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: [phone]
Internet: www.thomann.de
23.02.2022, ID: 520795

Table of contents
1 General information.............................................................................................................. 5
1.1 Further information........................................................................................................ 5
1.2 Notational conventions................................................................................................. 5
1.3 Symbols and signal words........................................................................................... 6
2 Safety instructions................................................................................................................. 7
3 Features....................................................................................................................................... 9
4 Assembly instructions........................................................................................................ 10
5 Connections and operating elements........................................................................ 11
6 Connection options............................................................................................................. 16
7 Operating ................................................................................................................................ 18
7.1 Turning the keyboard on / o.................................................................................. 18
7.1.1 Automatic shuto..................................................................................................... 18
7.2 Adjusting the volume.................................................................................................. 18
7.3 Demo pieces................................................................................................................... 19
7.4 Using the Sustain pedal.............................................................................................. 19
7.5 Sounds.............................................................................................................................. 20
7.5.1 Layer mode.................................................................................................................. 20
7.5.2 Split mode.................................................................................................................... 21
7.5.3 Piano mode.................................................................................................................. 21
7.6 DSP eect......................................................................................................................... 22
7.7 Transposing..................................................................................................................... 22
7.8 Styles and automatic accompaniment................................................................. 22
7.8.1 Starting Auto Accompaniment (rhythm track only)..................................... 23
7.8.2 Starting Auto Accompaniment (all tracks)....................................................... 23
7.8.3 Style variations........................................................................................................... 23
7.8.4 Chord structure.......................................................................................................... 26
7.8.5 Chord name................................................................................................................. 26
7.8.6 Chord inversions........................................................................................................ 26
7.8.7 Chord detection modes.......................................................................................... 27
7.8.8 Quick Setting............................................................................................................... 29
7.9 Metronome..................................................................................................................... 29
7.9.1 Turning the metronome on and o.................................................................... 29
7.10 Function menu............................................................................................................ 30
7.10.1 Octave shift............................................................................................................... 30
7.10.2 Split point setting................................................................................................... 31
7.10.3 Metronome time signature................................................................................. 31
7.10.4 Accompaniment volume..................................................................................... 31
7.10.5 Touch velocity.......................................................................................................... 31
7.10.6 Fine tuning................................................................................................................ 31
7.10.7 Reverb eect............................................................................................................. 32
7.10.8 Chorus eect............................................................................................................. 32
Table of contents
MK-201
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7.10.9 Automatic shuto................................................................................................... 32
7.11 Performance Memory............................................................................................... 32
7.11.1 Selecting a memory location.............................................................................. 33
7.11.2 Calling up information.......................................................................................... 33
7.11.3 Selecting a bank...................................................................................................... 33
7.11.4 Resetting the Performance Memory................................................................ 33
7.12 Chord dictionary......................................................................................................... 34
7.13 Songs.............................................................................................................................. 34
7.13.1 Selecting, playing and stopping songs........................................................... 34
7.13.2 Learning mode......................................................................................................... 34
7.13.3 Recording................................................................................................................... 37
7.14 MIDI functions............................................................................................................. 37
7.14.1 What is MIDI?............................................................................................................ 37
7.14.2 USB connection....................................................................................................... 38
8 MIDI implementation chart............................................................................................. 39
9 Troubleshooting................................................................................................................... 41
10 Technical specications.................................................................................................... 42
11 Plug and pin assignments................................................................................................ 44
12 Protecting the environment........................................................................................... 45
Table of contents
keyboard
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1 General information
This user manual contains important information on the safe operation of the device.
Read and follow all safety notes and all instructions. Save this manual for future refer‐
ence. Make sure that it is available to all persons using this device. If you sell the
device to another user, be sure that they also receive this manual.
Our products and user manuals are subject to a process of continuous development.
We therefore reserve the right to make changes without notice. Please refer to the
latest version of the user manual which is ready for download under
www.thomann.de.
1.1 Further information
On our website (www.thomann.de) you will nd lots of further information and
details on the following points:
Download This manual is also available as PDF le for you to download.
Keyword search Use the search function in the electronic version to nd the
topics of interest for you quickly.
Online guides Our online guides provide detailed information on technical
basics and terms.
Personal
consultation
For personal consultation please contact our
technical hotline.
Service If you have any problems with the device the
customer service will gladly assist you.
1.2 Notational conventions
This manual uses the following notational conventions:
The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and italics.
Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button.
Texts and values displayed on the device are marked by quotation marks and italics.
Examples: ‘24ch’ , ‘OFF’ .
Letterings
Displays
General information
MK-201
5

The individual steps of an instruction are numbered consecutively. The result of a
step is indented and highlighted by an arrow.
Example:
1. Switch on the device.
2. Press [Auto].
ðAutomatic operation is started.
3. Switch o the device.
References to other locations in this manual are identied by an arrow and the speci‐
ed page number. In the electronic version of the manual, you can click the cross-
reference to jump to the specied location.
Example: See Ä ‘Cross-references’ on page 6.
1.3 Symbols and signal words
In this section you will nd an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words
that are used in this manual.
Signal word Meaning
DANGER! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates
an immediate dangerous situation that will result in
death or serious injury if it is not avoided.
CAUTION! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates
a possible dangerous situation that can result in minor
injury if it is not avoided.
NOTICE! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates
a possible dangerous situation that can result in mate‐
rial and environmental damage if it is not avoided.
Warning signs Type of danger
Warning – high-voltage.
Warning – danger zone.
Instructions
Cross-references
General information
keyboard
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2 Safety instructions
This device is intended to be used for electronic sound generation using a piano key‐
board. Use the device only as described in this user manual. Any other use or use
under other operating conditions is considered to be improper and may result in per‐
sonal injury or property damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting
from improper use.
This device may be used only by persons with sucient physical, sensorial, and intel‐
lectual abilities and having corresponding knowledge and experience. Other persons
may use this device only if they are supervised or instructed by a person who is
responsible for their safety.
Safety
DANGER!
Danger for children
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and are not within reach of babies and young children. Choking
hazard! Ensure that children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the like) from the unit. They could swallow the pieces
and choke! Never let children unattended use electrical devices.
DANGER!
Electric shock caused by high voltages inside
Within the device there are areas where high voltages may be present. Never remove any covers. There are no user-serviceable
parts inside. Do not use the device if covers, protectors or optical components are missing or damaged.
CAUTION!
Possible hearing damage
Using headphones for a prolonged period and at high volume can cause hearing damage. Avoid using the device at high volume,
especially when using headphones.
NOTICE!
Operating conditions
This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid
direct sunlight, heavy dirt, and strong vibrations. Only operate the device within the ambient conditions specied in the chapter
‘Technical specications’ of this user manual. Avoid heavy temperature uctuations and do not switch the device on immediately
after it was exposed to temperature uctuations (for example after transport at low outside temperatures). Dust and dirt inside
can damage the unit. When operated in harmful ambient conditions (dust, smoke, nicotine, fog, etc.), the unit should be main‐
tained by qualied service personnel at regular intervals to prevent overheating and other malfunction.
NOTICE!
External power supply
The device is powered by an external power supply. Before connecting the external power supply, ensure that the input voltage
(AC outlet) matches the voltage rating of the device and that the AC outlet is protected by a residual current circuit breaker.
Failure to do so could result in damage to the device and possibly the user. Unplug the external power supply before electrical
storms occur and when the device is unused for long periods of time to reduce the risk of electric shock or re.
NOTICE!
Risk of re due to incorrect polarity
Incorrectly inserted batteries may destroy the device or the batteries. Ensure that proper polarity is observed when inserting bat‐
teries.
NOTICE!
Possible damage by leaking batteries
Leaking batteries can cause permanent damage to the device. Take batteries out of the device if it is not going to be used for a
longer period.
Intended use
Safety instructions
MK-201
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NOTICE!
Possible staining
The plasticiser contained in the rubber feet of this product may possibly react with the coating of your surface and after some
time cause permanent dark stains. In case of doubt, do not put the rubber feet directly on the surface and use a suitable underlay
if necessary, i.e. felt-pad oor protectors or similar.
Safety instructions
keyboard
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3 Features
The keyboard is characterized by the following features:
n61 keys with touch velocity
nLCD display
n64-voice polyphony
n480 sounds
n160 Styles
n140 songs
n140 demo songs
n16 performance memory locations
nRecord and playback function
nLayer and Split mode
nPiano mode
nMetronome
nReverb and Chorus eects
nDSP eect
nSequencer
nTranspose and octave functions
nBattery operation possible
nSpeaker: 2 × 2.5 W
nConnections: USB MIDI, sustain pedal, headphones / external audio devices, Aux
In, microphone
nAutomatic shuto
nOperating system: Windows® 8 and later, Mac OS X® 10.8 and later
Features
MK-201
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4 Assembly instructions
Unpack and check carefully there is no transportation damage before using the unit.
Keep the equipment packaging. To fully protect the product against vibration, dust
and moisture during transportation or storage use the original packaging or your
own packaging material suitable for transport or storage, respectively.
Set up the device in the desired location.
The device can be powered by batteries or with the included AC adapter.
NOTICE!
Possible damage by leaking batteries
Leaking batteries can cause permanent damage to the device.
Take batteries out of the device if it is not going to be used for a longer
period.
NOTICE!
Risk of re due to incorrect polarity
Incorrectly inserted batteries may destroy the device or the batteries.
Ensure that proper polarity is observed when inserting batteries.
Inserting batteries
1. Turn the volume control counterclockwise to the minimum before inserting
the batteries into the keyboard. This is to protect the speakers from damage.
2. Open the battery compartment cover on the underside of the device and
insert six AA size batteries. Pay attention to the correct polarity.
Always use batteries of the same type and do not use new and used batteries
at the same time.
3. Reattach the battery compartment cover and snap it into place.
Power adapter
1. Make sure that the device is turned o before you connect it to the power
supply or disconnect it.
2. Turn the volume knob counterclockwise to minimum before connecting the
keyboard to the power supply. This is to protect the speakers from damage.
3. Connect the cable from the power adapter outlet to the input socket [DC IN] on
the rear panel of the keyboard.
4. Plug the power adapter into a properly wired mains wall outlet.
Voltage supply
Assembly instructions
keyboard
10

5 Connections and operating elements
1
Main switch. Turns the device on and o.
2[VOLUME]
Rotary control to adjust the overall volume
3[LESSON]
Button to activate the learn mode
Overview
Control panel
Connections and operating elements
MK-201
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4[CHORD REF. L/R]
Press and hold the button for two seconds to open the chord directory.
Learn mode: Press the button repeatedly to choose the hand ( ‘L’ , ‘R’ or both) you want to play with.
5[FADE]
Press the button to activate / deactivate the fade in / fade out of the currently playing style.
6[TEMPO] /
Buttons for adjusting the tempo.
Press and simultaneously to reset the Tempo to the default setting.
7[CHORD MODE]
Style mode: Press the button to activate / deactivate the chord detection mode. Press the button repeatedly to choose
between ‘FINGERED’ or ‘FULL RANGE’ .
Song mode: Press the button to turn the auto accompaniment on if you want to record your piece with style accompani‐
ment.
8[INTRO / ENDING]
Press the button to add an intro or ending to the currently playing style.
9[FILL A]
Press the button to play the Fill In Pattern ‘A’ (ll bars).
10 [FILL B]
Press the button to play the Fill In Pattern ‘B’ (ll bars).
11 [SYNC START]
Button to activate / deactivate the sync-start function
12 [START / STOP]
Button for starting / ending a style or song
13 [STORE] / [BANK]
Hold down the button and press one of the [M1]…[M4] buttons to select the memory location on which you want to save
your settings.
Press the button to call up the Performance Memory menu. Press the button repeatedly to switch between the banks.
14 [M1]…[M4]
Performance Memory menu: Press one of the buttons to call up the memory location with the settings saved on it.
Quick Settings menu: Press one of the buttons to call up the sound setting that corresponds to the current style.
15 [Q.S.]
Button to call up the Quick Settings menu
16 [PLAY] / [RECORD]
Button to call up the Recording mode
Press and hold the button for two seconds to play the recording.
Connections and operating elements
keyboard
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17 [LAYER]
Button to activate / deactivate the Layer mode.
18 [SPLIT]
Button to activate / deactivate the split mode
19 [SUSTAIN]
Button to activate / deactivate the Sustain eect.
20 [SOUND]
Button to call up the sound mode
Press [SOUND] and [STYLE] simultaneously to activate / deactivate the Demo mode.
21 [STYLE]
Button to call up the style mode
Press [SOUND] and [STYLE] simultaneously to activate / deactivate the Demo mode.
22 [SONG]
Button to call up the song mode
23 [PIANO]
Button to call up the piano mode
24 [METRO]
Button to activate / deactivate the metronome.
25 [TRANSPOSE]
Button to call up the Transpose mode
26 [DSP]
Button to activate / deactivate the DSP eect.
27 [FUNCTION]
Button to call up the Function menu
28 [0]…[9]
Numeric buttons to select a value or parameter.
/
Buttons for setting a value or parameter
Press and simultaneously to reset the current parameter to the default setting.
29 Display
Connections and operating elements
MK-201
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30 LED [RECORD]
Flashes while the user song is being recorded
31 LED [PLAY]
Flashes while the user song is being played
32 ‘SOUND / STYLE / SONG / DEMO / LR12’
Displays the number of the sound, style, song, demo and the selected hand.
33 LED [TOUCH]
Lights up when the velocity sensitivity is being adjusted
34 LED [SUSTAIN]
Lights up when a Sustain pedal is connected
35 ‘REC’
Recording display.
36 Treble clef (right hand)
37 Bass clef (left hand)
38 ‘MEASURE’
Time signature display
39 ‘BEAT’
Beat display within the bar
40 ‘TEMPO’
Tempo display
41 Chord display
42 ‘MEMORY / Q.S.’
Memory location display 1 to 4 and Quick Settings
Display
Connections and operating elements
keyboard
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43 ‘FINGERED / FULL RANGE / FADE / A/B’
Display of ngering, fade and A / B
44 Note display
45 ‘LESSON 123 / L/R’
Learning mode display for left and right hand
46 ‘LAYER / SPLIT / DSP’
Display of layer mode, split mode, and DSP
47 [USB]
USB interface to connect a computer
48 [SUSTAIN]
Sustain pedal connection socket
49 [PHONES/OUTPUT]
Output socket for connecting headphones, an amplier, stereo system, mixer or recording device, designed as ¼" phone
jacks, unbalanced
50 [AUX IN]
Input sockets for connecting external audio devices such as MP3 player, designed as 3.5 mm jack sockets, unbalanced
51 [MIC IN]
Input socket for a microphone, designed as 1/4" jack socket, unbalanced.
The signal of the connected microphone is reproduced via the built-in loudspeakers of the keyboard.
52 [DC IN]
Input socket for the 12 V plug-in power supply
Rear panel connections
Connections and operating elements
MK-201
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6 Connection options
You can connect the keyboard to a PC for data exchange via the USB interface.
Use a current operating system still supported by the provider to avoid tech‐
nical diculties.
Use the connection socket [SUSTAIN] to connect a sustain pedal to the keyboard.
Use the output socket [PHONES/OUTPUT] to connect headphones to the keyboard.
Connecting headphones (not supplied) to the output mutes the speakers.
Never operate the headphones at high volume as this can permanently damage your
hearing.
Use the [PHONES/OUTPUT] socket to connect the keyboard to an amplier, stereo
device, mixing console or recording device.
Computer via USB-MIDI
Sustain pedal
Headphones
External audio devices
Connection options
keyboard
16

Use the [AUX IN] connection socket to connect a, for example, CD or MP3 player to
the keyboard. So you can playback music through the internal speakers of the key‐
board and simultaneously play along to it. Connect the cable to the [AUX IN] connec‐
tion socket on the rear panel of the keyboard, and the other end of the cable to the
output of the respective audio device.
Use the connection socket [MIC IN] to connect a microphone to the keyboard.
NOTICE!
To prevent damage to the speakers, turn the volume down to ‘Mini‐
mum’ before you connect a microphone to the keyboard. Disconnect
the microphone from the keyboard when it is not in use.
CD / MP3 player
Microphone
Connection options
MK-201
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7 Operating
7.1 Turning the keyboard on / o
1. Press to turn the keyboard on.
ðThe display shows ‘Loading!’ .
2. Press again to turn the keyboard o.
To prevent damage to the speakers, turn the volume down to ‘Minimum’
before you switch the keyboard on.
If the display keeps blank when you turn the keyboard on, check the power
supply.
7.1.1 Automatic shuto
When the keyboard is not being used for 30 minutes, it switches o automatically. To
turn it back on again, press .
You can deactivate the automatic switch-o or set the desired time for the keyboard
to switch o automatically (30 minutes, 60 minutes) in the function menu (see .
7.2 Adjusting the volume
Use the rotary control [VOLUME] to set a pleasant volume.
1. Turn the [VOLUME] control clockwise to increase the volume.
2. Turn the [VOLUME] control counter-clockwise to decrease the volume.
Operating
keyboard
18

7.3 Demo pieces
The keyboard oers several demo pieces. The demo songs show the sound and the
pitch range of the keyboard.
1. Press [SOUND] and [STYLE] simultaneously to activate the Demo mode.
ðAll demo songs are repeated continuously. The display shows the currently
playing demo piece.
2. Use the numeric buttons or / on the numeric keypad to select a demo
track you want.
The demo list is available for download on the product page of our homepage
www.thomann.de.
3. Press the [SOUND] and [STYLE] buttons simultaneously again or [START/STOP]
to stop playback and exit the Demo mode.
In demo mode, only the [START / STOP], [TEMPO], / , [0]...[9] and
/ buttons on the numeric keypad as well as the [VOLUME] con‐
trol can be operated.
7.4 Using the Sustain pedal
By using a Sustain pedal, you can make your playing more expressive and let tones
linger after you lift your ngers from the keys of the keyboard. The sustain eect is
activated when you step on the pedal and deactivated when you release it.
1. Connect a sustain pedal to the connection socket on the back of the keyboard.
2. Alternatively, press [SUSTAIN] to activate the built-in sustain.
ðThe display shows ‘SUSTAIN’ .
3. Press [SUSTAIN] again to disable the built-in sustain.
Operating
MK-201
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7.5 Sounds
The keyboard oers a total of 480 sounds. This allows you to play a sound with your
right hand.
1. Press [SOUND] to activate the Sound mode.
ðThe display shows the ‘SOUND R1’ indicator and the currently selected
sound.
2. Use the numeric buttons or / of the numeric keypad to select the desired
sound.
The sound list is available for download on the product page of our homepage
www.thomann.de.
7.5.1 Layer mode
With the layer mode you can set the "layering" of sounds.
1. Press [LAYER] to activate the Layer mode.
ðThe display shows the ‘SOUND R2’ indicator, ‘LAYER’ and the currently
selected sound.
2. Use the numeric buttons or / of the numeric keypad to select the desired
sound.
The sound list is available for download on the product page of our homepage
www.thomann.de.
3. Press [LAYER] again to disable the Layer mode.
Operating
keyboard
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