Yamaha Electone BK-20A User manual

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Page
Introduction
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1
This
is
Your
Yamaha
Electone
BK-20A
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Keyboards
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The
Compass
of
the
Electone
BK-20A
............
——
-4
Tone
Levers
.........
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——
—————
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Tone
Levers
Registration...
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Effect
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Upper
Preset
Tones
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10
Effect
Controls
and
Selectors
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11
Sound-in-Motion
Tiamolo
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Auto
Rhythm
Section
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Auto
Basp/
Chord
System
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15
To
Fully
Enjoy
Your
Electone
---
MIHI
18
Care
of
Your
Electone
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Do
Not
Be
Alarmed
If
«HR
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21
Specifications
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Congratulations
upon
your
selection
of
this
Yamaha
Electone.
It
is
one
of
the
world’s
most
advanced
musical
instruments,
carefully
designed
and
built
to
provide
a
lifetime.of
musical
enjoyment.
To
make
sure
you
derive
the
most
from
its
generous
features
and
durable
IC
&
FET
circuitry,
please
read
this
manual
thoroughly
before
attempting
to
play.
Then
keep
it
handy
for
reference.
Use
it
to
develop
your
own
techniques
and
to
teach
others.
With
a
little
care
your
Electone
will
become
a
creative
center
of
family
enjoyment
for
decades.

This
is
your
Yamaha
Elecisi
Q Fite 16'
Percussive 235" (DI (B. Fiute e
Percussive
4'
(D
(D
Fiute
4’
Percussive Length © € Fiute 235"
Vibrato Speed @ (D Trombone 16"
Vibrato @ Q Brass 8' Master Volume Q)
Cello
4'
O
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Oboes
Power
Switch
(D
Celio
8’
©
€
strings’
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Music
Rest
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string
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Brush
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Rhythm
Section
Pedals (D
(D
Manual
Balance
Plt
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Sapisan
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Brilliance
‘oot
Switc
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Preset
Tone
Selectors
Expression
Pedal
()
QD Foot Switch Selectors
Q
Bass
Guitar
:
Lower
Manua!
@)
@
Bass
16’
|
i
Upper
Manual
€)
@
Pedal
Sustain
.
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A
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Cymbal
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@ Auto Bass Chord
4h Arman Preeet Ensemble ; Tremolo Selectors @)

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Keyboards
The BK-20A has three keyboards. The upper two are called "manuals" and the other, for the feet, composed
of “pedals.”
Upper Manual 44 keys — (3X'octaves)
Lower Manual 44keys — (3X'octaves)
Pedals 13 pedals (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 other, and bass notes on the pedals with either foot,
All keys and pedals 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 is called
an "octave."
One octave
UPPER
MANUAL
MANUAL
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A |
po” RI
PEDALS

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Lower manual
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: : Actual pedal notes sound one octave lower
than they are written in the musical score.
This is standard procedure for bass instru-
ments.

Tone Levers
A Rer PRP ioe RE SE a EA RS A ay TNS Seer ng a aii oo OTE i t Ro Seer ae te REST n)
To the left of both upper and lower manuals are a series of tone levers which control the voices (instrument
sounds) which will sound when the keys are depressed. They are divided into groups for upper, lower and
pedals, so that different registration can be set for each.
Upper Manual Levers 9 voices
Lower Manual Levers 5 voices
Pedals 2 voices
FLUTE FLUTE — FLUTE BRASS OBOE ^^ STRING
16 g 4 D 6 g 8 8"
BRUSH — FLUTE . — FLUTE HORN
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Exclusive
Yamaha
Tone
Lever
System
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Each lever provides two methods of contro!. 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.
Bear in mind that the total tone lever settings for
a particular manual will affect that manual's overall 1
volume.
This
will
be
an
expressive
aid
if
used
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Harmonics
The BK-20A has four different tonal harmonics, indicated by the numbers 16’, 8’, 4’ and 2%’. 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.
Similarly, 4" tones are one octave higher than the written note, and 24" tones one octave and a fifth above
the fundamental. -
ONE OCTAVE
AND A FIFTH
ABOVE
FUNDAMENTAL
ONE octave fF a ONE OCTAVE
BELOW 4 4 ABOVE
FUNDAMENTAL 4 "| FUNDAMENTAL
For example, if you press middle C, corresponding to the keys in the chart below will sound be produced.
_ Depressing MIDDLE C
E
1.
4 ————-—————
“pos
ln other words. the 16’ lever extends the lower manual a full octave as shown bv the dotted line in the

Tong
Levers
Registration
senema-
For the best result of your performance, you should always take into consideration the correlative tone
volume balance among the three keyboards i.e., upper manual, lower manual and pedals.
When you wish to emphasize the melody played on the upper manual, for example, the volume of the lower
manual and pedals should be kept under that of the upper manual; On the contrary, if you want to stress
the accompaniment part on the lower manual or pedals, the volume of that particular keyboard shouid be
adjusted relatively larger than the others.
Yamaha's unique variable volume control tone levers enable you to control this correlative tone volume
among three keyboards. Judge by your own ears and adjust the position of tone levers in advance. Each tone
lever slides continuously from off to full volume for sensitive balance control.
Three distinct stops also convenient to click your favorite tonal combinations into place for quick, easy,
(E A
easy settings.
© UPPER
FLUTE FLUTE FLUTE TROMBONE BASS . OBOE STRING STRING
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~———————
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SP
Effect Levers
These
levers
contro!
a
variety
of
effects
which
add
a
host
of
tonal
variations
to
the
Electone’s
voices.
Each
lever
works
in
the
same
way
as
the
tone
levers,
with
both
infinitely-variable
continuous
contro!
and
click-stop
settings.
€ Upper Percussive: 0006
Changing
the
beginning
of
some
or
all
notes
can
do
wonders
for
lively
selections.
Your
Electone’s
percussive
effects
provide
subtle
but
important
shading
at
the
moment
each
note
is
heard.
The
special
popping
4’
and
2X'
percussive
drive
can
be
smoothly
blended
into
all
upper
manual
tones
with
two
variable
levers
(4’
and
2%’),
and
a
separate
lever
Length
regulates
the
length
of
decay
for
these
effects.
With
percussive,
use
a
detached
fingering.
Each
note
should
be
played
cleanly;
slurred
notes
will
diminish
the
percussive
impact.
e Vibrato: DO
Vibrato is an emotional wavering applied to a tone most no-
ticeable in the trembling left hand of violinists and cellists. It
can
add
a
great
deal
to
the
emotional
depth
of
a
passage,
especially
string
voices.
The
Vibrato
lever
provides
continuous
adjustment
of
this
effect’s
depth
while
Vibrato
Speed
lets
you
continuously set the vibration speed.
© Repeat Speed: ©
Cuts
and
repeats
each
note
just
like
the
double-strumming
effect
of
a
mandolin.
The
lever
provides
continuous
speed
adjustment
to
create
a
full
variety
of
different
moods.
Affects upper manual notes only.

Ethan
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Attack
Wah
Wah:
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Provides
a
subtle
muting
effect
at
the
beginning
of
each
upper
manual
note.
It
works
on
successive
notes
even
if
the
first
is
held down.
@ Pedal Sustain: 0)
This
control
provide
continuous
adjustment
of
the
sustain
effect
on
the
pedals
concerned.
For
the
pedals,
this
is
the
only
sustain
control,
and
it
affects
all
pedal
tones
with
the
exception
of
Bass
Guitar
with
sustains
Automatically.
€ Pedal Cymbal: €
Provide
lively
brush
(hissing
snare
drum
brush)
and
cymbal
percussion
sounds
with each
lower
manual
or
pedal
note.
€ Organ Preset Ensemble: €)
This lever controls the effect which add the upper tone to
the upper preset tone (Accordion, Piano, Banjo, Vibraphone.)
(See page 10).

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CRUS
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To
the
left
of
the
lower
manual
are
eight
Upper
Preset
Tone
controls
(seven
tones
plus
Cancel).
These
on/off
switches
are
special
tonal
blends
that
most
closely
resemble
the
instruments
they
name
(Accordion,
Piano,
Hawaiian
Guitar,
Banjo)
as
well
as
three
special
preset
combinations.
These
selectors
have
two
characteristics
which
must
be
remembered.
Since
they
are
factory
preset,
they
automatically
cancel
all
other
upper
manual
tone
lever
settings.
This
lets
you
switch
back
and
forth.
In
addition,
precedence
is
to
the
right.
This
means
that
if
two
or
more
buttons
are
pressed,
the
one
to
the
right
wil!
take
effect.
To
switch
from
one
button
to
another
it is
not
necessary
to
first
press
the
cancel
button.

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Effect Gontrols and Selectors
Peach on eee ee ARE c Nd
€e Manual Balance : 6
This control governs the relative strength of the upper and
lower manuals. lt is normally left in the center position, but
can be shifted to stress the melody or accompaniment in a
selection or passage.
This contro! can also be used to compensate for a higher
number of total tone lever settings (which would ordinarily
result in higher volume) on one of the two manuals.
e Brilliance: @
With this single, continuously-variable contro! you manual
can pinpoint the degree of overall softness or [ drasa stressed
clarity desired for any mood of music.
é
© Reverb: @ d
Reverberation is the quality that makes your play- BRILLIANCE @ REVERB (D
ing sound full and rich, as if you were on the stage E
of a large hall or auditorium. This control is
continuous, so that the reverberatory effect can
be set to any degree of strength, as the music
requires.
€ Glide (Located to the feft of the lower manual and Expression Pedal) :
Turning the Glide tablet “ON” and depressing any key, all notes will sound slightly lower (approx. 100
cents) than the true pitch when the foot switch on the expression pedal is pushed to the left with your toe
on Expression Pedal. When the foot switch is released, the pitch will gradually return to normal. This effect
is suggested to be used when playing Hawaiian music.

The Electone's special throbbing tremolo is produced by a smaller-size Natural Sound een that really
spins just behind the tremolo speaker grille on the side of the cabinet.
On the BK-20A there are four tremolo selectors, located on the right side of the lower manual, each with
an on/off function They are complemented by a continuous tremolo speed contro! knob just above them.
€ Upper Voice (Main/Rotary) : @
Lets you divert upper manual tones from the main
to the tremolo speaker.
€ Lower Voice (Main/Rotary) : @
Does the same for lower manual tones.
@ Upper Flute Split: @
This tablet feeds only Flute tones of the upper
manual and upper preset buttons 1, 2, 3 to the
tremolo speakers. Combined with other upper
manual tones through the main speaker it creates a
rich, singing blend.
When the speed control is set.to its central position,
the Tremolo tablet will turn the speaker at seven
revolutions per second. The Chorus tablet will turn it
at one revolution per second.
Once either tablet is switched on, it takes several
seconds for the tremolo speaker to attain the standard
speed. This is also true when switching to a slower
speed (Tremolo to Chorus). If one of the other tre-
molo contro! tablets is switched on during this speed
“Change period, the speed variation will be heard in the
music.
lf you wish an instant tremolo or chorus sound, be
sure to switch on that tablet well in advance of one
of the speaker selectors. For special selections you
can use this speed variation by switching the speaker
AL
so
mntak
latar
TREMOLO
CHORUS
UPPER FLUTE SPLIT (Tremolo or Chorus)
Tremolo
e
LQ

--————— -—- -
This section provides eight catchy rhythms, each oj called forth by a simple button.
in addition to a combined volume and balance knob, tempo control and tempo indicator light, there are.
two other switches: ordinary Start and the exclusive Yamaha Synchro-Start which begins the rhythm
accompaniment on the first beat of a measure when the first lower manual or pedal note is struck. A foot
switch fitted on the expression pedal lets you cut and restart the rhythm at any point during play.
Tempo Indicator Lamp Synchro-Start
Tempo Control Rhythm Start
Volume
Control
Rhythm
Selectors
Balance Control
How to use the Auto Rhythm
6 Rhythm Start
For instant rhythm at the beginning of a selection. Push the rhythm
selector desired, get the beat set in your mind by watching the indicator
lamp, when set Synchro-Start switch on and then turn the Start switch on.
© Synchro-Start
Select the rhythm, switch on the Synchro-Start and begin to play once
you have the beat established. The rhythm will begin as soon as you =
strike a lower manual or pedal note. This switch permits you to lead in SYNCHRO-S
with a rhythm-free melody at first if so desired.
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€ Rhythm Stop (Foot Switch) : @
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. lt 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 only to find the rhythm still
canceled.
€ Tempo Control
The tempo of the Auto Rhythm section can be adjusted by a continuous
control knob. This is best accomplished by turning on the Synchro-Start
switch. Although no sound will be produced, the indicator lamp will flash each
quarter note letting you visually check the tempo while you adjust.
€ Volume Control
Use it to balance the volume of the rhythm section and the manuals.
This volume is then varied during the selection by the expression pedal, just
like that of the other tones.
VOLUME CONTROL
BALANCE CONTROL
VOLUME -@- BALANCE
€ Balance Control
This
control
lets
you
balance
the
low
rhythm
sounds,
such
as
drums,
and
the
high
sounds
(i.e.
cymbals)
according
to
your
mood
and
the
selection.
lt
can
make
a
big
difference
even
when
using
the
same
rhythm.
Turn
the
knob
to
the
right
to
accentuate
the
higher
(treble)
sounds,
to
the
left
for
lower
(bass).
If
you
accentuate
the
treble
sounds
the
rhythm
becomes
brighter
and
more
cheerful.
=
Check
the
playing
hints
for
specific
settings.

@
Instructions
for
Operation
of
“Auto
Bass/Chord”
Your
new
Yamaha
Electone,
Model
BK-20A,
is
equipped
with
a
lever
marked
"Auto
Bass/Chord"
(B
.
When
used
in
conjunction
with
the
"Automatic
Rhythm"
(see
page
13).
It
enables
you
to
play
just
about
any
-
combination
of
alternating
bass-chord
rhythms
simply
LITO
s~
s
(B)
Bass
Variation
Button
by
sustaining
(holding
down
constantly)
a
chord
on
the
lower
keyboard.
From
your
very
first,
simple
melody,
you
will
be
sounding
like
a
pro.
Here
is
all
you
have
to
do.
@ Move the Auto Bass/Chord
Move
the
"Auto
Bass/Chord"
lever
toward
you
@
.
You
have
®
wor
now
engaged
the
memory
system
and
deactivated
the
pedals
(as
OFF
long
as
this
lever
is
in
the
engaged
position,
you
cannot
play
your
ON
(XM.
BK-20A as a conventional organ).
(B BASS VARIATION
€
Select
one
of
the
automatic
rhythm
patterns
and
push
the
corresponding
button
down
until
it
clicks
and
stays
down
©).
(O Auto Rhythm Button
-15-

Ta mO o ARE REET ER l i
Immediately to the right of the rhythm button you will find two
rocker type switches (D) . Push the “on” side (right) of the one
marked "Synchro-Start" (the one marked simply "start" is to be
used when you wish to continue hearing the automatic rhythm even
after releasing your chord on the lower keyboard). Now, be sure you
have at least one stop for each: Upper Keyboard, Lower Keyboard,
and Pedal. You are now ready to play.
Form one of the following type of chords on the lower manual with
your left hand in any inversion:
Major Seventh
Minor Minor Seventh
(These are the only chord types for which the memory unit can
supply the proper bass note.) Play all the notes in the chord at the
same time. The unit should now be working. Adjustments may be
necessary to the “Tempo” and "Volume" knob to the left of the
"Automatic Rhythm" unit (See page 14).
Adjustments may also be required to balance the relative volume of
bass, chords, and solo (upper) keyboard; do this in the same way you
would if playing conventionally. When the first chord is played, the
unit will begin to operate on the downbeat, or first beat of the
measure. When the chord is released you will not hear any more
sound, but the unit is stil! operating within it's cycle. To start unit
on a downbeat again, when beginning a new song, it is necessary to
re-set the "Synchro-Start" switch © .
Bass Variation Buttons :
(D Synchro-Start Switch
Just below the "Auto Bass/Chord" lever are three "Bass Variation Buttons" (B) , marked 1 - 5 (left)
1-3-5 (center), and 1-7-5 (right). The numbers under the buttons correspond to the notes on the
musical scale in any given key and indicate what bass notes are available in the memory unit when a
particular button is depressed. The type of chord and the automatic rhythm used will determine the
actual note (and their sequence) that you hear.
There now follows a chart which indicates by scale step what bass notes will sound with each possible
combination (Note: for the unit to perform correctly, at least one but not more than one button should
be down in each section), “Bass Variation" "Automatic Rhythm".
Auto Bass/Chord

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Bass Variation Type of Chord “Rhythms Effected Bass Notes Played
Major pe Waltz, sana 15
OCC Minor Slow rock, Rhumba
Seventh
1.5
Minor Seventh
Explanation: This is the basic pattern and alternates the root (1) and fifth (5) in the bass regardless of
rhythm chosen for type of chord. The one exception is the “jazz rock” rhythm, which never
plays anything but the root in the bass.
Bass Variation Type of Chord Rhythms Effected Bass Notes Played
Major Swing, Waltz, Bossanova | 1.5
DO C Minor Slow rock, Rhumba ~J 1.3.5
5 Seventh
13.5 Minor Seventh
Explanation: This selector effects only the Slow Rock, Rhumba rhythms with which it will play a root (1),
third (3), fifth (5) pattern. All other rhythms function as with the (1.5) selector.
Bass Variation Type of Chord Rhythms Effected Bass Notes Played
Major Swing, Waltz, Bossanova 1.5
Slow Rock, Rhumba 1.3.5
LOC |.
=
Seventh
Swing,
Waltz,
Bossanova
1.5
: 1.7.5 Minor Seventh Bs Rock, Rhumba bes
Explanation:
This
selector
effects
only
the
Slow
Rock,
Rhumba
rhythm
when
a
seventh
or
minor
seventh
à
chord
is
being
played,
with
which
you
will
hear
the
root
(1),
seventh
(7),
and
fifth
(5)
bass
;
rootes.
When
playing
a
major
or
minor
chord
the
unit
will
perform exactly
as
it
does
with
:
the
second
“Bass
Variation"
selector
(1.3.5).
Remember,
the
Jazz
Rock
rhythm
is
not
affected
by
the
“Bass Variation"
selector,
it
plays
only the root (1).
TP A
ZJt
LECO

Other Controls
To
Fully
Enjoy
Your
Electone
„==
Master Volume :
Determine
the
maximum
volume
obtainable
by
depress-
ing the expression pedal.
Headphone Jack
Plug
a
headphone
set
(optional
accessory)
into
the
jack
under
the
keyboard
and
you
can
play
with
the
volume
as
high
as
you
like
without
disturbing
anyone,
even
in
the
middle
of
the
night.
External Input Jack (EXT IN)
Can
be
used
to
feed
any
sound
source
through
the
Electone
Natural
Sound
Speaker
radio,
record
player
or
tape
recorder.
Since
the
volume
of
these
sound
sources
is
not
affected
by
the
expression
pedal,
you
can
play
along
on
the
Electone
with
any
other
performance.
Tone Cabinet Sockets
This
socket
is
on
the
rear
panel.
Use
it
to
connect
a
Yamaha
Tone
Cabinet,
without
any
rewiring
required.
Yamaha
Cabinet
R-60B
housing
Yamaha
Natural
Sound
Speakers,
will
give
increased
tonal
power.