Yamaha Portatone PSR-48 User manual

YAMAHA
AUTHORIZED
PRODUCT MANUAL

Owner’s Guide
Spielanleitung
Mode d‘emploi
Manual de1 Propietario

Congratulations!
You are the proud owner of a Yamaha
PortaTone. Your PortaTone is a
high-quality musical instrument that
incorporates advanced Yamaha digital
technology and many versatile features. In
order to obtain maximum performance and
enjoyment from your PortaTone, we urge
you to read this Owner’s Guide thoroughly
while trying out the various features
described. Keep the Owner’s Guide in a
safe place for later reference.
1

CONTENTS
1. BEFORE YOU BEGIN
............... 4
Power Supply .............................
4
Using Batteries ........................ 4
Using an Optional Power
Adaptor
................................... 5
Remove the Protective Film .......
5
Setting Up the Music Stand ........
5
Taking Care of
Your PortaTone ...........................
5
2. NOMENCLATURE
...................... 7
Top
Panel Controls ..................... 7
Rear
Panel Connectors .............. 9
3. ENJOY THE
DEMONSTRATION
................... 10
4. SELECTING AND PLAYING
VOICES .................................... 11
Selecting
a Voice ...................... 11
Adjusting the Volume ................
12
Adding Effects .......................... 13
Transposition: Shifting Pitch
in
Semitone Steps .................... 16
Tuning: Fine Pitch Control ........
17
The SPLIT Mode: Separate Left-
and
Right-hand Voices ............ 18
5. USING THE ACCOMPANIMENT
SECTION
................................. 20
Rhythm Accompaniment ......
20
Selecting an Accompaniment
Style
......................................... 20
Adjusting the Accompaniment
Volume .....................................
22
Setting the Tempo ....................
22
Starting the
Accompaniment ........................
23
Starting the Accompaniment
with an introduction ..................
24
Adding Fill-ins .......................... 25
Stopping the
Accompaniment ........................
25
2

3
Auto Bass Chord
Accompaniment
....................
26
Single Finger
Accompaniment ........................ 26
Setting the Accompaniment
Volume ..................................
28
Setting the Tempo ................. 28
Selecting Playback of Specific
Parts
......................................
28
Fingered Accompaniment ........ 29
Solo Styleplay ...........................
32
6. PSR-48 PERCUSSION ......... 33
Manual Percussion with the
Percussion Pads
...................... 33
The Synchro Break
Function ................................ 34
The Custom Drummer .............. 35
Creating an Original Rhythm
Pattern ..................................
35
Playing Back Your Custom
Rhythm Pattern .....................
38
7. THE MUSIC
PROGRAMMER ....................... 38
Recording ................................. 39
Recording Accompaniment and
Performance
Simultaneously ...................... 39
Recording the Accompaniment
and Performance
Separately ............................. 41
Playback ................................... 42
8. MIDI FUNCTIONS
.......................
45
A Brief Introduction to MIDI ...... 45
The PSR-48 MIDI
Connectors ............................... 45
Simple MIDI Control ................. 46
MIDI Sequence Recording ....... 47
PSR-48 MIDI Settings
& Functions .............................. 48
9. OPTIONAL
ACCESSORIES ....................... 55
10. SPECIFICATIONS
...................
56

BEFORE YOU
BEGIN
Power Supply
Your PSR-48 will run either from batteries
or the optional power adaptor. Follow the
instructions below according to the power
source you intend to use.
Using Batteries
Six 1.5V SUM–1, “D” size, R-20 or
equivalent alkaline batteries (sold
separately) must first be installed in the
PSR-48 battery compartment.
1. Open the battery compartment cover
located on the instrument’s bottom
panel.
2. Insert the six batteries, being careful
to follow the polarity markings on the
inside of the compartment.
3. Replace the compartment cover,
making sure that it locks firmly in
place.
Caution:
1. When the batteries run down, replace them
with a compete set of six new batteries.
NEVER mix old and new batteries.
2. To prevent possible damage due to battery
leakage, remove the batteries from the
instrument if it is not to be used for an extended
period of time.
4

5
Using an Optional Power Adaptor
For AC Mains Power
Use ONLY a Yamaha PA-4 or PA-40 AC
Adaptor to power your instrument from the
AC mains. Refer to “Rear-panel Jacks” on
page 9 for more details.
Remove the Protective Film
Before using your instrument, please
remove the protective film covering the
display section.
Setting Up the Music Stand
Insert the two pegs protruding from the
bottom edge of the music stand into the
two holes located at the top of the PSR-48
control panel.
Taking Care of Your
PortaTone
Your PortaTone will remain in excellent
playing condition if care is taken
concerning the following.
1. When you use AC power, be sure to
use the optional AC Power PA-4/
PA-40 adaptor. Before use, read the
adaptor instructions carefully.
In particular, please note that in some
cases the PA-4 is provided with a
voltage selector, so confirm that this
selector is correctly set.

2. Connections made between the
PortaTone and any other device
should be made with both units
turned off.
3. DO not set the MASTER VOLUME
control at MAX when you connect the
PotaTone to a stereo system. Use the
stereo system’s volume control to
adjust the sound level.
4. Avoid placing the instrument in
excessively humid areas.
5. Do not subject the unit to physical
shock, and avoid placing anything
heavy on it.
6. The PortaTone should not be placed
in direct sunlight for a long time.
7. Do not place the instrument near any
heating appliance, or leave it inside a
car in direct sunlight for any length of
time. Direct sunshine can raise the
interior temperature of a car with
closed doors and windows to as high
as 80°C. Temperatures in excess of
60°C can cause physical and/ or
electrical damage not covered by
warranty.
8. Use a dry or damp cloth for cleaning.
9. When you aren’t using the PortaTone,
we recommend keeping it in the case
to protect it.
6

7
NOMENCLATURE
Top Panel Controls
POWER Switch (page 10)
MASTER VOLUME Control
(page 10)
AUTO BASS CHORD Selector
(page 18, 26 and 29)
ACCOMPANIMENT PART Buttons
(page 28)
ACCOMPANIMENT STYLE SELECT
Buttons
(page 21)
TEMPO Controls (page 22)
Accompaniment VOLUME Controls
(page 22)
CUSTOM DRUMMER Buttons
(page 35)
SUSTAIN 1, SUSTAIN 2 and
ENSEMBLE Effect Buttons
(page 13)
SOLO STYLEPLAY Button (page 32)
VOICE SELECT Buttons (page 11)

LOWER Button (page 18)
DUAL VOICE Button (page 14)
Voice VOLUME Buttons (page 72)
MUSIC PROGRAMMER Buttons
(page 40 and 45)
TRANSPOSE Buttons (page 16)
PITCH Buttons (page 17)
MIDI Button (page 50)
DEMONSTRATION Button (page 10)
SYNCHRO START Button (page 23)
START Button (page 23)
STOP Button (page 25)
SYNCHRO BREAK Button (page 34)
INTRO./ FILL IN Buttons
(page 24 and 25)
INTRO./ ENDING Button
(page 25)
Percussion Pads (page 34)
Percussion Variation Buttons
(page 34)
PITCH BEND Wheel (page 75)
Auto Bass Chord Keys (page 18)
Percussion Accent Key (>)
(page 37)
Percussion CANCEL Key (page 37)
ACCOMPANIMENT STYLE LIST
(page 21)
VOICE LIST (page 11)
ACCOMPANIMENT STYLE/ BEAT/
TEMPO/ VOLUME Display
(page 21,
22, 23 and 24)
VOICE/ PITCH/ TRANSPOSE/
VOLUME Display
(page 11, 12, 16 and 17)
8

Rear Panel Connectors
9
DC (9–12V) IN Jack
The DC output cord from the optional
Yamaha PA-4/ PA-40 Power Adaptor
should be plugged in here when the
PSR-48 is to powered from the AC
mains supply (refer to “Power Supply”
on page 4 for more details).
HEADPHONES/ AUX. OUT Jack
A standard pair of stereo headphones
can be plugged in here for private
practice or late-night playing. The
internal speaker system is automati-
cally shut off when a pair of
headphones is plugged into the
HEADPHONE jack. The HEAD-
PHONES/ AUX. OUT jack can also be
used to deliver the output of the PSR-
48 to a keyboard amplifier, stereo hi-fi
system, mixing console or tape
recorder. (refer to page 55)
*Use a relatively low MASTER
VOLUME control setting when
connecting the PSR-48 to a stereo
sound system. Use the stereo
system’s volume control to adjust
volume.
MIDI IN and OUT Connectors
The MIDI IN connector receives MIDI
data from an external MIDI device
which can be used to control the PSR-
48. The MIDI OUT connector transmits
MIDI data generated by the PSR-48
(e.g. note and velocity data produced
by playing the keyboard).
More details on MIDI are given in “MIDI
FUNCTIONS” on page 45.

ENJOY THE
DEMONSTRATION
To give you an idea of the PSR-48’s
sophisticated capabilities, it is
programmed with a demonstration
sequence which play automatically while
demonstrating a number of the
instrument’s voices.
1. Switch ON
Slide the POWER switch to the
ON position. The VOICE and
ACCOMPANIMENT displays will light
when the power is ON.
2.
Set an Initial Volume Level
Slide the MASTER VOLUME control
to a position about half way
between the "MIN" and "MAX"
setting. You can set this control for
the most comfortable volume level
after playback begins.
3. Press the DEMONSTRATlON Button
The demonstration music will begin
playing as soon as you press the
DEMONSTRATION button.
The demonstration will play
continuously, providing samples of
different voices and accompaniment
styles, until the DEMONSTRATION
button is pressed a second time or the
STOP button
is pressed.
10

* A different voice, tempo, transposition or
other parameter can be selected at any
time while the demonstration is playing
(refer to the appropriate sections of this
manual for instructions). Such changes,
however, will only remain in effect until
the next automatic voice.
SELECTING AND
PLAYING VOICES
Selecting a Voice
The PSR-48 provides two methods of
selecting any of its 100 voices:
1) Choose one of the 100 voices —
numbered “00” through “99" — shown
on the VOICE LIST then enter its
number using the numbered VOICE
SELECT buttons
To select
XYLOPHONE (number 12), for
example, first press “1” and then “2”.
The number “12” should then be
displayed on the VOICE display
2) The + and - buttons in the VOICE
SELECT group can be used to
increment (increase by one) or
decrement (decrease by one) the
current voice number. Press the +
button briefly to select the voice one
number higher than the current voice,
or the – button to select the voice one
number lower than the current voice.
If you hold the + or - button down,
the voice number will increment or
decrement continuously — simply
release the button when the desired
voice number has been reached.
11

The selected voice can now be
played on the instrument’s keyboard.
*
When the power is initially turned ON,
the PIANO 1 voice is automatically
selected and its number (“00") is shown
on the VOICE display
Adjusting the Volume
Adjust the MASTER VOLUME control
while playing to set the desired overall
volume level.
The VOICE VOLUME and buttons
can also be used to adjust the volume of
the selected voice in relation to the
accompaniment (to be described later).
Press the button to increase the
volume, or the button to decrease the
volume. The selected volume level will be
displayed on the VOICE/ PITCH/
TRANSPOSE/ VOLUME display while the
volume is being adjusted, and for
approximately 3 seconds after either
VOLUME button is released.
The volume range is from 1 to 9, with 1
being the lowest volume and 9 the
highest. The highest volume value can be
recalled at any time by pressing both the
VOICE VOLUME and
buttons
at
the same time (the volume is automatically
set to 9 whenever the power switch is
turned ON).
12

13
* The PSR-48 features 8-note polyphony,
so up to 8 notes can be played on the
keyboard simultaneously when the
automatic accompaniment, split,
ensemble, or dual voice features of this
instrument are not used. The above
mentioned features all reduce the
number of available notes.
Adding Effects
SUSTAIN:
The PSR-48 offers two sustain effects –
SUSTAlN 1 and SUSTAIN 2. Press the
SUSTAIN 1 or SUSTAIN 2 button
once
the corresponding indicator will light) and
totes played on the keyboard will decay
gradually after you lift your fingers from the
keys. Press the SUSTAIN 1 or SUSTAIN 2
button a second time (it’s indicator will go
out) to turn the sustain effect off. The
SUSTAIN 2 button produces a longer
sustain effect than the SUSTAIN 1 button,
although the actual length of the SUSTAIN
1 and SUSTAIN 2 effects varies from voice
to voice.
* SUSTAIN 1 and SUSTAIN 2 cannot be
selected simultaneously.
* The SUSTAIN effects cannot be applied
to accompaniment or rhythm.

ENSEMBLE:
The ensemble effect combines two slightly
pitch-shifted notes to produce a “thick,”
slightly wavering sound. Press the
ENSEMBLE button once (it’s indicator
will light) to turn the ensemble effect ON,
and a second time (the ENSEMBLE
indicator will go out) to turn the ensemble
effect OFF.
* The ENSEMBLE effect cannot be
applied to accompaniment or rhythm.
* When the ENSEMBLE effect is ON, the
number of notes that can be played
simultaneously is reduced by half.
DUAL VOICE:
The DUAL VOICE feature makes it
possible to select and play two different
voices simultaneously. To activate the
DUAL VOICE feature press the DUAL
VOICE button (the DUAL VOICE button
indicator will light). When the DUAL
VOICE feature is ON, the last two voices
selected will sound simultaneously. For
example, if you selected PIANO 1 and
then HARP, the PIANO 1 and HARP
voices will be combined. If you then select
the VIBES voice, HARP and VIBES will be
combined, and so on. Of course, if you
turn the DUAL VOICE feature OFF (by
pressing the DUAL VOICE button a
second time), only the last selected voice
will sound.
14

* DUAL VOICE cannot be applied to
accompaniment or rhythm.
* When DUAL VOICE is ON, the number
of notes that can be played
simultaneously is reduced by half.
* If DUAL VOICE is used when the SPLIT
mode is selected (see page 18), the
effect applies to both the upper and
lower voices.
PITCH BEND:
The PITCH BEND wheel located to the
left of the keyboard offers extra expressive
control by allowing you to manually “bend”
(raise or lower) the pitch of the selected
performance voice. Rotating the PITCH
BEND wheel away from you raises pitch,
while moving it toward you lowers pitch.
When released, the PITCH BEND wheel
automatically returns to the center (normal
pitch) position. The total pitch bend range
is approximately ±200 cents (100 cents =
one semitone).
* The PITCH BEND effect cannot be
applied to accompaniment or rhythm, or
the lower voice in the SPLIT mode.
15

Transposition: Shifting Pitch
in Semitone Steps
The PSR-48 TRANSPOSE function makes
it possible to shift the pitch of the entire
keyboard up or down in semitone intervals
up to a maximum of six semitones.
"Transposing" the pitch of the PSR-48
keyboard makes it easier to play in difficult
key signatures, and you can simply match
the pitch of the keyboard to the range of a
singer or other instrumentalist.
The
TRANSPOSE
and buttons
are used for transposition. Press the
button to increase the pitch of the
keyboard, or the button to lower the
pitch. The selected degree of transposition
wilI be displayed on the VOICE/ PITCH/
TRANSPOSE/ VOLUME display while
the TRANSPOSE
or button is
pressed, and for approximately 3 seconds
after either TRANSPOSE button is
released.
The transposition range is from –6 to 6,
with -6 corresponding to downward
transposition by 6 semitones, and 6
corresponding to upward transposition by
6 semitones (see chart below). 0 is the
"normal" keyboard pitch value. The normal
transpose value (0) can be recalled at any
time by pressing both the TRANSPOSE
and buttons at the same time (the
transpose value is automatically set to
0
whenever the power switch is turned ON).
16
Display
- 6
- 5
- 4
- 3
- 2
- 1
Transposition
-6semitones
-5semitones
-4semitones
-3semitones
-2semitones
-1semitone
Display
1
2
3
4
5
6
Transposition
+1 semitone
+2 semitones
+3 semitones
+4 semitones
+5 semitones
+6 semitones

Tuning: Fine Pitch Control
Pitch control makes it possible to tune the
PSR-48 over a ±50–cent range in
approximately 3-cent intervals. A hundred
"cents" equals one semitone, so the tuning
range provided allows fine tuning of
overall pitch over a range of approximately
a semitone. Pitch control is useful for
tuning the PSR-48 to match other
instruments or recorded music.
Press the PITCH button to tune up,
or the PITCH button to tune down. The
selected degree of tuning will be displayed
on the VOICE/ PITCH/ TRANSPOSE/
VOLUME display while the PITCH
or
button is pressed, and for
approximately 3 seconds after either
PITCH button is released.
The tuning range is from –16 to 16, with
–16 corresponding to downward tuning
by
approximately 50 cents (one quarter tone),
and 16 corresponding to upward tuning by
approximately 50 cents.
0 is the "normal" pitch value, at which the
A3 key (the A above middle C) produces
"concert pitch": 440 Hertz. The normal
pitch value (0) can be recalled at any time
by pressing both the PITCH
and
buttons at the same time (the pitch value
is automatically set to 0 whenever the
power switch is turned ON).
17

The SPLIT Mode: Separate
Left-and Right-hand Voices
The PSR-48 allows you to play two voices
at once —one with the left hand and one
with the right. The lower voice can be
p!ayed on the Auto Bass Chord keys, up
to one the "]" marking immediately above
the keyboard. The "]" marking is called the
SPLIT POINT.
1. Select the SPLIT Mode
Slide the AUTO BASS CHORD
selector to the SPLIT position.
2. Press the LOWER Button
The LOWER button LED will light,
indicating that is now possible to
select a voice for the lower keyboard
(i.e. the Auto Bass Chord key
section).
3. Select the Lower Voice
Select the lower voice using the
normal voice-selection procedure.
The number of the selected voice will
appear on the VOICE display
(if
the DUAL effect is selected, you can
select two voices one after the other).
Once the lower voice(s) has been
selected, the VOICE display will
revert to the upper voice number in
about 5 seconds.
18