Yamaha PortaSound PSS-780 User manual

YAMAHA
SarlaScuna.
mH SS- 780
/MUSIC.STIITION
OPERATING MANUAL English Version

INTRODUCTION
Congratulations
on
your
purchase
of
the
Yamaha
PortaSound
PSS-780!
You
now
own
one
of
the
most
sophisticated
portable
electronic
keyboards
available.
Controlled
by
an
advanced
microcomputer,
the
PortaSound
PSS-780
offers
far
more
musical
enjoyment
and
versatility
than
any
other
instrument
in
its
class.
In
fact,
it
gives
you
the
fun
and
functions
of
a
whole
host
of
digital
music
machines,
namely
...
e
An
electronic
keyboard
offering
100
high-quality
preset
voices
using
the
famous
Yamaha
FM
sound
source.
@
A
digital
synthesizer
that
lets
you
alter
any
of
the
preset
voices
to
taste
and
save
up
to
five
of
these
edited
versions.
@
A
versatile
rhythm
machine
using
32
percussion
instru-
ments,
PCM
recorded
for
breath-taking
realism.
With
100
basic
rhythm
patterns
featuring
three
intros/fill-ins
and
one
ending
each,
you
have
an
amazing
400
rhythm
vari-
ations
at
your
disposal.
What's
more,
you
can
even
play
percussion
by
hand
like
a
drummer
and
record
your
own
onginal
Custom
Drummer
pattern.
@
Asophisticated
automatic
accompaniment
system
giving
you
Single
Finger
Chords,
automatic
bass,
chords
and
orchestra,
automatic
Duet
and
orchestration
capabilities.
@
A
simple
but
very
useful
sequencer
offering
unique
mu-
sical
possibilities:
You
can
digitally
record
up
to
five
melodies
and
chord
progressions
each
and
play
them
back
any
time
at
the
touch
of
a
button.
@
A
highly
advanced
MIDI
controller
and
multi-timbral
MIDI
sound
source.
Used
as
a
controller,
the
PortaSound
can
play
a
number
of
external
MIDI
instruments
simul-
taneously
on
various
channels.
As
a
sound
source,
it
will
perform
several
voices
as
well
as
percussion
independently
at
the
same
time.
Read
this
manual
carefully
while
playing
your
new
Porta-
Sound,
and
you
will
be
able
to
make
full
use
of
its
many
fantastic
features
in
no
time.
ABOUT
THIS
MANUAL
One
look
at
your
new
PortaSound
PSS-780
tells
you:
this
is
an
advanced
instrument
with
a
great
variety
of
func-
tions.
Though
this
is
true,
don’t
let
the
large
number
of
buttons
fool
you
—
the
PSS-780
is
actually
very
easy
to
use.
As
you
can
see
from
the
INDEX
ILLUSTRATION
on
p.6,
the
controls
are
all
organized
in
easy-to-understand
functional
groups.
Once
you
get
to
know
them,
you
will
have
no
trouble
operating
your
PortaSound,
making
it
do
exactly
what
you
want
it
to,
To
get
acquainted
with
your
new
keyboard
and
have
fun
with
it
from
the
start,
please
read
PART
I
first.
You
can
then
use
the
INDEX
ILLUSTRATION
to
look
up
information
on
buttons
or
functional
groups
you
are
especially
interested
in
right
away.
Otherwise,
continue
with
PART
II.
This
manual
is
structured
into
three
main
parts.
The
shortest
and
simplest
one,
PART
|
—
GETTING
TO
KNOW
THE
PSS-780,
gives
you
all
the
information
you
need
to
play
your
new
instrument,
making
use
of
its
most
basic
features.
It
also
shows
you
how
you
can
listen
to
the
pre-programmed
DE-
MONSTRATION
song.
The
functions
mentioned
shortly
in
the
QUICK
GUIDE
illus-
tration
of
PART
I
are
explained
in
greater
detail
in
PART
II.
Particularly
if
you
already
have
some
experience
with
digital
keyboards,
the
QUICK
GUIDE
will
enable
you
to
use
these
functions
immediately.
On
the
other
hand,
if
you
are
a
total
newcomer,
reading
the
next
part
will
make
operations
clearer
to
you.
PART
I]
—
BASIC
FEATURES
contains
a
systematic
overall
introduction
of
WHAT
YOUR
PortaSound
CAN
DO,
followed
by
detailed
explanations
of
most
PortaSound
functions.
It
tells
you
all
about
voice
and
style
selection,
effects,
Hand
Per-
cussion,
the
Auto
Accompaniment
features
and
the
Song
Memory.
Each
section
starts
out
with
a
short
Overview
giving
you
a
general
idea
of
the
respective
functions.
You
can
then
try
them
out
right
away
by
following
the
steps
described
under
Operation.
Note
that
in
the
text,
bold
print
indicates
basic
Operational
steps,
while
the
regular
print
below
it
gives
all
the
necessary
explanations.
Therefore,
you
can
simply
follow
the
instructions
in
bold
print
when
you
want
to
get
to
know
a
feature,
and
read
the
details
and
Points
to
Remember
later.
Finally,
PART
HI
shows
you
how
to
use
those
ADVANCED
FEATURES
that
require
a
bit
of
specialized
know-how
—
the
Digital
Synthesizer
section
to
create
your
own
FM
sounds,
and
the
MIDI
functions
for
communication
with
other
MIDI
instruments,
sequencers
and
computers.

CONTENTS
PRECAUTIONS—TAKING
CARE
OF
YOUR
PORTASOUND
..........-.00000+
1
GONTROL
PANELS
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2
PART I
QUICK GUIDE
INDEX
ILLUSTRATION
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6
PART
11
BASIC
FEATURES...
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7
WHAT
YOUR
PortaSound
CAN
DO...
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7
Voices,
Rhythm
and
Auto
ACCOMPANIMENE
..........
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eseestsenenens
7
Headphone
.......cccceccsecccesesesesssesssevseseecseeesseeseseaesenenentrssanesserseresanesscasenseneneranenesenees
8
Connecting
the
PSS-780
to
Your
Stereo...
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teen
etree
tennessee
teeneneens
8
VOICE/MELODY
SECTION
..........cecccesccsssscsesseresenesseneeenecssnesseseresnsesnarersesase
senses
8
SELECTING
A
VOICE
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8
PITCH
BEND
Wheel
........cccccecccesecstsstetenerscsesssessssrenssensnensreersseaeesnerenenatiseseesenaeees
10
PARAMETER
CHANGE
SettingS
.......cccccccsesesescsesesseereseeserensterssresssesasenarenesessenes
10
TRANSPOSE
[9]
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11
TUNING
(a)
cccccccccccccccceescececcsseessscsesessestscseecssseassenenenssseesesisecnensnersssensesieenerteeeens
11
MELODY
VOLUME
[8]
oc.
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11
RHYTHM
MACHINE
FUNCTIONS
.......0...
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13
STYLE
SELECT—Choosing
the
RAYth
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teers
rsneeeenresseeerenees
13
RHYTHM
CONTROL
.........
cece
a)
TEMPO
voeececccccccceccescssesscsscsecsecsecseeeeseseeescsessassacsesseseeeaeneesesaersessessassassarseseseeenenesgee
14
BEAT
Display
.......c:cccccccccssssessesccescssscsesscenenerereeecseaenerenersnaeenasenssseneenesseesnsenenenenentg
14
Changing
the
Rhythm
Style
During
Performance...
a
14
HAND
PERCUSSION
ue
ccc
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15
CUSTOM
DRUMMER
......cccccccecceteeecteescrecaeesseeseeeersesseneetseeesnessertieaersasssteneenseees
16
AUTO
ACCOMPANIMENT
FEATURES
1.0...
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18
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Gicheckbd
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tan
aguaineabelassnagediesebesits
18
ORCHESTRATION...........
..
18
A)
Single
Finger
Chords
...........ccseeeeteeree
aw
19
B)
Single
Finger
Auto
ACCOMpaniMeNt
.......-.
eset
teeeestetesereeeetecerttetiees
20
C)
Fingered
Auto
ACCOMPANIMEN
.........
eects
teteeseeeenetenetstntnee
tenets
tatterees
20
DUET...
.ceccccccccsssscecssssccssssssesssssscerssscesensccessssessaconeseversssceaseseendcaeeeestaassnessasetseaassiacneas
21
SONG
MEMORY.
....0..0cccccccccccccccccceeeneeseeecsastsseeesesssessesenseneenesesseretaseatensinesesnsnaes
22
MELODY
Memory
we
CHORD
Memoty
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24
PART
11
ADVANCED
FUNCTIONS
1.
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26
DIGITAL
SYNTHESIZER
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26
FM
SYNTHESIS
BASIC
COURSE
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.
26
1)
Voice
Parameters
and
Values......
..
26
2)
A
Bit
of
FM
Theory.............04
..
26
3)
Creating
SOUS...
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tesenissesesnesenenciseeetetens
aa
27
SYNTHESIZER
PARAMETERS.
........:.cccccssscsceseeetteeeteeereetetsniarseseeesaeneseeteneseeneranes
29

IUD Di iscieicecceceeseet edeasaescevesens ‘
What is MIDI?.....
MIDI MODE fel .......0....
Keyboard Assign MODE [22]
Transmitted Data ..............00
Memory Bulk Dump.
Received Data..........c.cceescseeseeeee
Sound Source Mode [99].................
Transmitted Data ..........cccececsseeeee
Received Data
MIDI RECEIVE CHANNEL FILTER [d]
TRANSMIT CHANNEL [8] Selection
MIDI CONNECTION EXAMPLES
PRECAUTIONS — TAKING CARE OF YOUR PORTASOUND
SE a I eT CSET ST
Your new PortaSound is a fine musical instrument — and should be treated as such.
Handle it with care and common sense, and it will give you years of enjoyment.
e Location
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or other sources of heat.
Never leave it inside a car where it can get very hot. Vi-
bration, excessive dust, cold, low or high humidity can
also cause malfunction.
e@ Handling
Avoid rough handling. Don’t drop or jolt the PortaSound
as this can damage the internal circuitry. Pressing too
hard on keys or controls may lead to malfunctions. When
cords are plugged into the rear panel jacks, pay particular
attention not to apply excessive force to them since this
may damage the terminals.
e Adaptors
Use only the power adaptor described in the POWER
section. Disconnect the AC adaptor when not using your
PortaSound.
e Batteries
+ When not using your PortaSound for long periods, be
sure to remove the batteries to avoid damage through
battery leakage.
* Replace weak batteries before they run down com-
pletely.
- Always replace all batteries with new ones.
- Do not use different kinds of batteries at the same time.
«In case electrolyte has leaked into the battery com-
partment, wipe it off completely before installing new
batteries.
+ Never disassemble, heat or throw discarded batteries
into a fire. Dispose of them properly.
e@ Cleaning
Clean the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Using chemical
solvents will damage the finish.
Interference Through Electromagnetic Fields
Do not use your PortaSound close to television sets or
other equipment receiving electromagnetic signals as this
could cause interference noise in the other appliance.
Service and Modifications
Your PortaSound contains no user serviceable parts.
Opening it or tampering with it in any way can lead to
electrical shock as well as damage. Of course, any resulting
damage will no longer be repaired free of charge. Refer
all servicing to qualified YAMAHA personnel.

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POWER
switch
@
TEMPO/PARAMETER
&
VALUE
display
VOLUME
slider
@
VALUE
buttons
AUTO
ACCOMPANIMENT
group
®
VOICE/STYLE
SELECT
group
3a
MODE
selectors
tia
VOICE
switch
3b
ORCHESTRATION
buttons
14b
STYLE
switch
SONG
MEMORY
11ic
Number
buttons
4a
CHORD
bank
selectors
@
DIGITAL
SYNTHESIZER
group
4b
MELODY
bank
selectors
12a
Voice
BANK
selectors
4c
RECORD
button
12b
STORE
button
VOICE
LIST
12c
Synthesizer
Parameter
selectors
STYLE
LIST
12d
DIGITAL
SYNTHESIZER
flowchart
EFFECT selectors
VOICE/STYLE number display