Yamaha Electone BK-4B User manual

Welcome to: the musical world of Yamaha. We at Yamaha appreciate
your confidence in Yamaha products, and we will do everything
we. can to make sure your new purchase, the Yamaha Electone
BK-4B, provides a lifetime of enjoyment.
Please read this manual. thoroughly to be sure you are familiar
with every. feature, and with all the many ways you can use each
one. With proper care and a little time together, you and. your
Electone can become lifelong partners in musical creativity.

Contents
Page
Keyboards. secu RR eLEZREUR deal qe Bua ded a RV 2
This is Your Yamaha Electone BK4B L.a. aulan. 3
The Tone Levers ......... 0c. cece ee eee e ee xx is i siu 4
Vibtato:^ uu rossa ted wane e a ie des s ne 5
Pedal -Sustained espar sehen ee save de BER ade DH 5
Reverb iss enden cs RUE. NO I AES 5
Spacious Sound. soe eck ww Seed acento b ERA 6
Auto Rhythm Section ......... 00... cece eee eee nee 7
Auto Bass/Chord Fun Blocks ........... 0000 cece ee cues 8
Expression Pedal ....... 0.0... cc cece eee cece se 10
Headphone Jack ... 0... . ccc eee 10
Exts In. Jack s oov dened, ee bee ev ok ineat creen 10
Care of Your Electone ........... cc cece eects 11
Do not Be Alarmed If ..... 0... 0.0... ccc eee eee 12
Playing the Electone ............ 000 e cece ee ee eee nee 13
Specifications: 4 1. à eed veces teet gerer Gd ea arala 14

Keyboards
The BK-4B has three keyboards. The upper two are called “manuals” and the lower one, played with the
feet, "pedals." They have keys and octaves as follows:
Upper Manual 44 keys (3% octaves)
Lower Manual 44 keys (3 octaves)
Pedals 13 keys (1 octave)
The Electone is designed to permit playing the melody on the upper manual with the right hand, the chords
on the lower manual with the left hand, and bass notes on the pedals with the left or right foot.
All keys are arranged in the traditional keyboard method: two black keys, three black keys. Each white
key has a name (from A to G), and the blacks are sharps or flats. "C" is always the white key just below
the left black key in the two-black-key group. Any complete set of seven white keys and five black
keys is called an ‘‘octave.”’
ABCDEFG
Same pattern ' Same pattern
(1 Octavel (1 Octave)
Manual
Y
“C" is always at the bottom of the group of two black keys.
Pedals
The
pedals
follow
the
same
pattern;
only
their
shape
is
different.
Both end pedals are ''C':

This is Your Yamaha
Electone BK-4B
@ Lower Manual Tone Lovers Q Music Rost
Vibrato Lever
> Upper Manual Tone Levers
DARoll-top Fallboard
@Power Switch
eee ol) Sees me epee sm tom ee
. Lll NI DENM a aN Se SSS eee ee eee
) Pedals | @®Upper Manual @ Pilot Lamp
®overb Balanco Control Lower Manual @ Spacious Sound
Reverb Control Selector
Auto Bass/Chord Fun Blocks lA. Pedal
Peds! Tone Lever GRhythm Foot Switch
| @Pedal Sustain Lever ® Seventh. Chord. Foot Piston
Auto Rhythm Section (D Minor Chord Foot Piston
-3-

The Tone Levers
To the left of the upper and lower manuals are
series of tone levers which control the Electone
voices which will sound when the keys are de-
pressed. They are divided into groups for upper,
lower and pedals, so that different registrations
can be set for each.
Upper Manual Levers © 5 voices
Lower Manual Levers Q 3 voices
Pedal Lever O 1 voice
Each lever provides two methods of control. One
is by continuously moving the lever from off to
full, to achieve the exact setting for that tone, and
thus balancing the overall tone setting with perfect
precision. Each lever also has two easy-to-feel click
stops, at 1/3 and 2/3 positions. This lets you
refind any setting with mathematical precision and
no guesswork in a matter of seconds.
PITCHES OR FOOTAGES
The BK-4B has two different pitch levels, indicated
by the numbers 16' and 8'. These are standard
organ abbreviations showing the tone's pitch in
relation to the fundamental (written note). An
8' tone will sound just as it has been written. A
16' tone (meaning that the wave length of the
vibrations are twice as long as 8', or half as fast)
will provide a tone exactly one octave lower than
the written note.
(max.
volume)
ONE OCTAVE
BELOW
FUNDAMENTAL
FUNDAMENTAL
NOTE: When the Auto Bass/Chord section is used, the tone color of the lower manual voices will
change from Horn to Piano, and from Cello to Guitar.

Vibrato
Vibrato is a waving of the tone. You will see
violin and cello players use it freely by an oscillat-
ing motion of the left hand. It increases the
emotional quality of the violin tone. This vibrato
lever € produces the same vibrato effect.
Pedal Sustain |
This control @ provides continuous adjustment
of the sustain effect on the pedals and allows the
pedal note to continue to sound a few seconds
after you have released it.
(full effect)
Reverb
These
continuous
controls
@
@
let
you
add
a
fullness
to
your
playing
much
like
the
acoustics
of
a
concert
hall.
Use
Reverb
to
compensate
for
deadend
dull
acoustics
(due
to
furniture,
rugs,
drapes,
etc.).
REVERB REV- BALANCI
ontinuously increases
strength: of reverb «

Spacious Sound
This
function
produces
the
same
feeling
as
a
revolving
speaker.
The
Yamaha
exclusive
Spacious
Sound.
A
world's
first,
this
new
system
is
an
exclusive
development
of
the
outstanding
Yamaha
electro-acoustic
technology,
incorporated
in
the
Electone
BK-4B.
Successfully
incorporating
the
essential
sound
quality
of
the
Yamaha
rotary
speaker
tremolo
effect,
this
new
effect
is
achieved
solely
through
special
electronic
circuitry,
adding
full,
rich
musical
expression
to
your
music.
SLOW
SPACIOUS
i
i
i
i
i
SPACIOUS : SPACIOUS
SOUND SOUND | SOUND
|
LOWER | UPPER |
Spacious Sound is available in two speeds. Use SLOW
for stately, liturgical selections, FAST for popular num-
bers. Works on Upper, Lower or both manuals, according
to which of the three selectors you choose.
LOWER SELECTOR
Use this selector to apply the Spacious Sound to the lower e e
manual
tones.
LOWER
"UPPER
UPPER SELECTOR
Use this selector to apply the Spacious Sound to the upper
manual tones. The use of upper and lower selectors
together will apply the Spacious Sound to the whole organ.
SPEED SELECTOR
Combined with either or both selectors, this selector
determines the speed of the Spacious Sound. Set on
FAST for (tremolo effect), SLOW for (chorus effect).

Auto Rhythm Section
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VOLUME 8 BALANCE — TEN PO: SYNCH 30-START
1
——
Tempo
Indicator
Lamp
Synchro-Start
-
-
Tempo
Control
Rhythm
Start
»
— Volume Control
ey - Rhythm Selectors
Balance Control
This section has 8 different rhythm accompaniments, each with its own selector button. There are also
rhythm Volume, Tempo and Tone Balance controls, a tempo indicator lamp and two start switches.
To use the rhythm section, first push the desired selector button (or buttons — you can combine rhythms).
Then switch on normal Start. The rhythm will begin and you can adjust the tempo, volume and tone
balance. Now switch the Start button back off and you are ready. If the Start button is switched on,
the rhythm will begin immediately. You can also leave it off and switch on Synchro-Start instead. This
will automatically begin the rhythm the instant a lower manual note or a pedal note is played, letting
you lead in with a melody or introductory notes on the upper manual first,
SOFT LOUD
SLOW FAST
VOLUME -@- BALANCE TEMPO
RHYTHM STOP (FOOT SWITCH) (p
This switch is located in the expression pedal housing to the left of
the pedal. Once the rhythm is on, push this switch once to instantly
stop it, once again to restart. It lets you stop and restart the rhythm
in the middle of a selection without using your hand.
NOTE: After the foot switch has been used, be sure it is reset to normal
after you finish playing your selection, and then make sure
both Start and Synchro-Start switches are off. Otherwise you
may turn on one of the switches in the middle of a new number Expression Pedal
only to find the rhythm still canceled.

Auto Bass/Chord Fun Blocks
The BK-4B is equipped with a "Fun Block” section of five buttons which can be used in conjunction with
the Auto Rhythm section (see p. 7). It enables you to play a variety of alternating bass chord rhythms
and implies that the pedal and chords automatically match the melody notes, simply by holding down
either a single lower manual key or a lower manual chord, according to which fun block button you press.
From your very first keyboard attempt, the auto bass chord feature will let you sound like a pro, making
full rhythmic use of the lower manual and pedals. Here is how it works.
REVERB REVERB BALANCE
NORMAL SINGLE. FINGERED CONSTANT MEMORY
A CHORD
Choro
SINGLE FINGER CHORDS (THE EASY PLAY WAY)
e Set the tone levers for the tones you want on the lower manual both Piano and Guitar sounds are avail-
able); use either or both levers to adjust the Auto Bass Chord tone color and volume in the normal way.
Match the setting of the Pedal tone lever to the lower manual tones.
Select a rhythm pattern and push the corresponding button down until it clicks and stays down.
Set the Rhythm Start switch on.
Adjust the rhythm tempo and volume.
Press the Single Finger Chord button.
Now, if you press a C key on the lower manual, a C major chord will play in an alternating pattern which
matches the rhythm pattern and tempo set.
As long as the key is held down the bass chord rhythm
will continue, but will stop as soon as the key is
released. If the Minor Chord (left) foot piston «D
is depressed at this time, the chord will change to a
minor (i.e., from C major to C minor). Releasing the
Minor Chord foot piston will change the chord back
to major.
If the Seventh Chord (right) foot piston ® is depressed C Chord
at this time, the chord will change to a seventh (i.e.,
from C major to C seventh). Releasing the Seventh
Chord foot piston will change the chord back to major.
If.both foot pistons are held down at the same time, a
minor seventh chord will result (i.e., from C major to
C minor seventh).
In other words, a combination of one lower manual
-R-

key and the two foot pistons permits the creation of
either major, minor, seventh or minor seventh chords.
NOTE:
The
bass
note
will
play
the
root
and
fifth
of
any
chord
pressed,
except
when
the
Jazz
Rock
rhythm
is
used;
in
that
case
the
bass
sounds
the
root
only.
FINGERED CHORDS
*
Select
the
rhythm
and
set
both
its
tempo
and
volume
as
explained
above.
* Depress the Fingered Chord button.
*
Play
a
desired
chord
(major,
minor,
seventh
or
minor
seventh)
on
the
lower
manual.
Now
as
long
as
you
hold
that
chord
it
will
play
ac-
cording
to
the
rhythm
and
tempo
you
have
set.
The
foot
pistons
have
no
effect
when
the
Fingered
Chord
button
is
pressed.
|f
the
Single
Finger
Chord
and
Fingered
Chord
buttons
are
both
pressed,
the
Single
Finger Chord takes precedence.
CONSTANT
*
Select
the
rhythm
and
set
both
its
tempo
and
volume
as
explained
above.
*
Depress
the
Constant
button
and
either
Single
Finger
Chord
button
or
the
Fingered
Chord
button.
* Press the desired key on the lower manual. As long
as this key is held down, the chord, as well as a pedal
note the same as the root of the chord, will sound as
if
they
were
held
down
during
normal
play
(i.e.,
without
any
rhythm
pattern).
As
soon
as
this
key
is
released the chord stops.
MEMORY
This button can be used in conjunction with the Single
Finger Chord button only. Press both buttons and set
the
rhythm
(including
tempo
and
volume)
as
explained
above. Now, when a lower manual key is held down the
bass chord rhythm will play according to the rhythm
set, but will also continue to play even when the key
is released.
The memory function also has another use. When this
button is depressed along with both the Single Finger
Chord and Constant buttons, it provides a continuing
bass chord just as when the latter two buttons are used
alone. In this case, however, the bass chord will con-
tinue to sound even after the key is released.
As with Single Finger Chord play, the Minor and
Seventh Chord foot pistons can be used to temporarily
alter the chord.
-0-
Minor Chord Foot Piston
'| Seventh Chord Foot Piston
C Major Chord

NORMAL
This
button
cancels
the
other
Fun
Blocks,
returning
the
lower
manual
and
the
pedals
to
normal
playing
functions. f
NOTE:
The
Flute
8'
voice
is
not
affected
by
the
Auto
Rhythm
rhythm
pattern.
If
it
is
set
on
it
will
sound
continuously
for
any
key
held
down.
Use
it
to
soften
the
mood
of
the
Auto
Bass
Chord
ac-
companiment.
;
Expression Pedal
This
pedal
is
extremely
important
for
adding
emotion
to
your
playing.
The
pedal
is
balanced
to
stay
in
any
position
once
set.
Rest
the
entire
right
foot
on
the
pedal
and
relax
it,
pressing
with
the
toe
to
increase
volume,
with
the
heel
to
decrease
it.
Headphone Jack
A Yamaha headphone set (optional) can be plugged
into the jack under the keyboard. With the
headphone connected, the speaker is automati-
cally shut off, allowing you to play or practice
at any volume level without disturbing anyone.
Ext. In Jack
You can connect a tape recorder, record player
or radio to it and then play through the Electone
amplifier and speaker. When connecting other
equipment, however, be sure to match impedances;
the Ext. In jack has an impedance of 30Kohms.
Signals entering through the Ext. In jack are not
regulated by the expression pedal.
-10-

Care of Your Electone
In
general
you
should
treat
your
Electone
with
the
same
care
you
would
give
any
fine
musical
instrument.
However,
the
following
points
are
suggested
to
assure
optimum
enjoyment.
1, Be sure to use your Electone only on the correct voltage.
If any changes are required, please consult your Yamaha Electone service agent,
2. if any trouble develops, contact your service agent,
Never touch the circuits or the internal elements of the Electone yourself,
3, When you have finished playing, be sure to turn off the power switch.
4. In order to clean the keys, tabs, etc., use a damp cloth.
Never apply organic solvents such as alcohol, for they will damage the materials,
5. Do not expose the Electone cabinet to the direct rays of the sun, This can bleach the
finish and lead to separation along the joints, It is also best to choose a location free
of humidity and currents of heated air.
6. Be careful not to strike or scratch the cabinet with a hard object,
7,
In
opening
and
closing
the
fallboard,
grasp
the
front
lip
with
both
hands
and
slide
it
gently
in
its
groove,
Never
attempt
to
raise
the
fallboard
directly
upwards.
Do
not
place
heavy
objects on
it,
-jl-

Do not Be Alarmed If...
1. The Electone does not operate when the power switch is turned on; check the following:
è Is the plug fully inserted into an AC outlet (the same as you use for a lamp, etc.)? Reinsert it to be
sure. i
è |s there power coming from that outlet? Unplug the Electone and plug in a lamp; then see if the
lamp will light. If it does not, the problem is probably in your home's electrical system. Check your
fuses or circuit breakers.
* |f you find that there is power in the outlet, but the Electone does not play, unplug the cord and
call your nearest Yamaha dealer. There are NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS in the Electone.
2. A note should sound the instant you turn on the switch.
This merely indicates norma! operation consequent to a surge of electricity in the main amplifier.
3.
Only
one
note
is
produced
even
when
two
pedals
are
depressed
simultaneously.
In
order
to
achieve
tonal
clarity,
the
Electone
is
designed
so
that
a
note
is
electronically
supressed
the
instant
the
next
note
is
struck.
1f
two
pedals
are
struck
simultaneously,
only
the
higher
one
sounds.
4. Occasional unpleasant static occurs.
In the majority of such cases, the cause can be traced to the turning on or off of refrigerators, washing
machines, electric pumps or other household appliances. Electrical fault in a neighboring outdoor neon
sign may also be to blame.
When the cause is a home appliance, connect the Electone to an outlet as far as possible away from the
offending appliance. This phenomenon, although annoying, poses no danger to the Electone circuitry.
If the cause is a fault in a neon or fluorescent lighting fixture, it should be repaired. When the cause
is unknown, or in case of doubt, contact your Yamaha dealer.
-12-

5. The Electone at times reproduces radio or TV sound signals.
This can occur when there is a powerful radio or TV transmitter, or an amateur radio operator located
in the vicinity. If the situation is.distracting, contact your Yamaha dealer.
6. Sound rattling (sympathetic vibration) occurs.
All
materials
have
critical
resonance
frequencies
at
which
they
vibrate.
Since
the
Electone
produces
continuous
tones,
it
is
normal
that
some
will
cause
windows,
shelves,
etc.
to
rattle.
7. Pedal notes sound too high, and upper manual notes too low.
This
feeling
may
be
especially
strong
for
players
who
switch
from
the
piano,
because
of
the
difference
in
tonal
construction.
Each
piano
note
is
a
combination
of
complicated
harmonics,
and
can
be
heard
only in its interaction with the surroundings. But Electone harmonics are multiples of the integral
(base) tone, and the instrument cannot be tuned in the same way as a piano.
Playing the Electone
First
turn
on
the
power
switch.
No
warm-up
period
is
required.
The
power
is
on
when
the
pilot
lamp
is
on;
the
Electone
operates
quietly.
This
lamp
also
indicates
whether
the
Electone
is
on
when
not
in
use.
Next,
set
up
a
registration
(set
all
the
levers
and
controls
you
wish
to
use
for
the
upper
and
lower
manuals
and
the
pedals).
Select
tone
combinations
according
to
suggestions
in
the
music
you
are
going
to
play,
or
experiment
with
your
own
combinations.
Remember
that
the
registration
noted
on
any
sheet
of
music is
no
more than
a
suggestion,
and
your
idea may
well
be even
more
suitable.
By
the
same
token,
do
not
be
alarmed
if
you
have
a
piece
of
music
with
no
registration
for
your
organ.
With
a
bit
of
imagination
you
can
approximate
the
registration
for
a
different
organ,
going
on
to
improvise
on
your
own.
This
will
be
an
ever-new
source
of
creative
enjoyment
as
you
become
more
and
more
familiar
with the various Electone
controls
and
effects.
-1$-

Specifications
KEYBOARDS
Upper Manual 44 keys f ~ c4
(3X octaves)
Lower Manual 44 keys F~ c3
(3% octaves)
Pedals 13 keys Ci~C
(1 octave)
TONE LEVERS
Upper Manual Flute 16'
Trombone 16'
Flute 8'
Oboe 8'
String 8'
Lower Manual Flute 8'
Horn 8’
(or Piano”)
Cello 8'
(or Guitar*)
Pedals Bass
*
It becomes so with ABC.
EFFECT LEVERS
Vibrato
Pedal Sustain
EFFECT CONTROLS
Reverb
Reverb Balance (Upper/Lower)
EFFECT SELECTORS
Spacious Sound Upper
Spacious Sound Lower
Spacious Sound Slow/Fast
ABC FUN BLOCKS
ABC Selectors
Normal
Single Finger Chord
Fingered Chord
Constant
Memory
Minor Chord Foot Piston
Seventh Chord Foot Piston
AUTO RHYTHM SECTION
Rhythm Selectors
March Jazz Rock
Waltz Rhumba
Swing Bossanova
Slow Rock Samba
Rhythm Controls
Rhythm Start
Synchro-Start
Rhythm Stop (Foot control)
Tempo
Volume
Tone Balance
Tempo Indicator Lamp
OTHER CONTROLS
Expression Pedal
Power Switch
OTHER FITTINGS
Pilot Lamp
Headphone Jack
External Input Jack^
Roll-top Fallboard
Music Rest
Matching Bench
SPEAKER
Yamaha JA-3055A 30cm (12")
CIRCUITRY
Solid State (Incl. (Cs and FETs)
Output Power: 15 Watts (RMS)
Power Consumption: 40 Watts
Power Source: AC, 50/60Hz
DIMENSIONS
Width: 111cm (434)
Depth: 56cm (22")
Height: 90cm (35%"")
WEIGHT 55kg (121 Ibs.)
FINISH American Walnut Grain
Specifications subject to change without notice.
-14-

) YAMAHA
NIPPON GAKKI CO., LTD. HAMAMATSU, JAPAN
(OMS) (D 50 € Printed in Japan 5575