Owner’s Manual Thank you for purchasing the Korg Digital Piano Concert NC-500/NC-300. To ensure long, trouble-free operation, please read this manual carefully.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Mains powered apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus. Clean only with dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings, install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
About Recorder data Since it is possible for the contents of memory to be accidentally lost, you should save important data on an external data filer (storage device) etc. Korg will accept no responsibility for any damages that may result from loss of data. Conventions in this manual This symbol indicates a caution. (☞p.**) This indicates a reference page. This indicates an explanation concerning a setting.
Table of contents Features .............................................. 5 Controls and Connectors .................. 6 Top Controls .............................................. 6 Lower Controls .......................................... 8 Getting Ready to Play ........................ 9 Getting Ready ........................................... 9 Using Headphones ................................. 10 Using the Music Stand ............................ 10 Using the INPUT Jack (NC-500 only) .....
Features ● Twenty-four high-quality sounds .............................................. (☞ p.17) A rich selection of high-quality expressive sounds, including two stereo concert grand pianos. You can use the Layered mode to play two sounds at the same time. ● Digital Effects ............................................................................. (☞ p.18) Includes a reverb effect that simulates concert-hall acoustics, and a chorus effect that adds depth and motion to the sound.
Controls and Connectors Top Controls 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1. POWER switch 8 10 9 11 ☞ p. 9) Turns the power on and off. ( 2. Headphone jacks ☞ p. 10) Each jack can be connected to a set of stereo headphones. ( 3. VOLUME knob Adjusts the output level of the internal speakers, the headphone jacks, and the OUTPUT jacks. ( p. 10) ☞ 4. TOUCH button Selects the touch curve of the keyboard sensitivity. ( ☞ p. 22) 5.
Illustration shows the NC-500. 15 16 On the NC-500 only 12 14 13 9. DEMO button Selects one of the eight sound demos. ( ☞ p. 12) 10. SOUND buttons Use the eight small buttons in this section, together with the BANK button, to select from among the piano’s 24 sounds (3 banks of 8 sounds). If you wish, you can use the Layered Mode ( p. 17) to play two sounds simultaneously. ☞ 11. BANK button Selects the sound bank. ( ☞ p. 17) 12. METRONOME button Turns the metronome on or off. ( ☞ p. 20) 13.
Lower Controls NC-500 1 2 3 4 5 7 6 8 NC-300 3 7 1 5 1. PEDAL jack The connection cable from the pedal pod (included) plugs into this socket. 2. SPEAKER jack (NC-500 only) The connection cable from the speakers in the NC-500 stand plugs in here. 3. AC IN connector ☞ p. 51, 53) The AC power cord (included) connects here. ( 4. SPEAKER switch (NC-500 only) Switches the NC-500's internal speakers on or off. 5.
Getting Ready to Play Getting Ready ■ Connect the power. Connect the socket end of the AC power cord to the piano’s AC IN connector. Then plug the other end of the power cord into a wall power outlet. ■ Raise the keyboard cover. (NC-500 only) Lift the front edge of the cover near the center of the keyboard, and slide the cover all the way back into the cabinet. To close the cover: Lift the cover in the same location, and gently pull it all the way out. Lower the front edge of the cover.
■ Adjust the volume. Turn the VOLUME knob to adjust the output volume. The VOLUME knob adjusts the level to the internal speakers, the headphones, and the OUPUT jacks. Turn the knob left to reduce the volume, or right to increase it. Setting the knob to the “0” position cuts of all sound output. Softer Louder Start with the knob in the “0” position and turn it slowly to raise the volume as desired. Using Headphones Twin stereo headphones jacks are located under the left side of the keyboard.
Using the INPUT Jack (NC-500 only) This jack lets you play an audio device (such as a CD or MD player) or an electronic instrument through the NC-500’s speakers and headphones, along with the sound of the NC-500. Use a stereo miniplug to make the connection. EM-1 OUTPUT NC-500 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Electronic Instrument CD player, MD player, etc. Using the OUTPUT Jacks Use these jacks to send the sound to an external sound system or to recording equipment.
Listening to the Demos Your piano includes 40 built-in demo songs: eight sound demos that demonstrate the expressive power of the instrument's various sounds, and 32 piano songs - well known piano pieces featuring the high-quality piano sounds of the NC-500/NC- 300. The piano songs can also be used for as practice excercises, and the scores for the piano songs are included. Listening to Sound Demos Sound Demos Title No. Sound switch 1 PIANO 1 KORG Original I Heard That Rhapsody T.
■ Selecting a Specific Sound Demo 1. Press DEMO. The DEMO button lights up, and the SOUND buttons begin flashing in order. 2. Press the SOUND button corresponding to the demo that you want to hear. (Refer to the list on the previous page.) The selected button will light up, and the demo will begin to play. When the piano finishes playing the selected demo, it automatically plays the next demo, and then continues to cycle through all demos in order.
Listening to Piano Songs Piano Songs C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 Title Composer No. Key 1 A0 "Prelude" The Well-Tempered Clavier,Book 1 J.S.Bach 2 A#0 Invention No.1 J.S.Bach 3 B0 Jesu,Joy of Man's Desiring J.S.Bach 4 C1 Sonata K.545 W.A.Mozart 5 C#1 "Turkish March" Sonana K.331 W.A.Mozart 6 D1 For Elise L.v.Beethoven 7 D#1 Piano Sonate Op.13-2 L.v.Beethoven 8 E1 A Maiden's Prayer T.Badarzewska 9 F1 "Arabesque" Op.100-2 F.Burgmuller 10 F#1 "La styrienne" Op.
■ Listening to All the Piano Songs in Order 1. Press PIANO SONG. The PIANO SONG button lights up, and the SOUND buttons begin flashing in order. If you do not select a song within three seconds, the piano automatically begins playing through the songs in order, starting with piano song #1, continuing to piano song #32, and then restarting again at #1. 2. To stop song play, press PIANO SONG once again. The PIANO SONG button goes dark and playback stops.
■ Using START/STOP to Stop and Restart Song Play(NC-500 only) 1. If you press START/STOP while the song is playing: playback stops. The PIANO SONG button remains lit. If you now wish to exit song playback mode and return to normal operation, press the PIANO SONG button so that the button goes dark. 2. Press START/STOP again to restart the song from the beginning. ■ Changing the Tempo 1. To adjust the tempo, turn the TEMPO knob while the song is playing or paused.
Playing the Instrument Selecting a Sound (Single Mode) Your digital piano offers you a choice of 24 high-quality sounds arranged in three banks, each containing eight sounds, as shown in the chart below. Each time the BANK button is pressed, it will change color to show the currently selected bank 1. Press one of the SOUND buttons . The button lights up. 2. Press the BANK button as necessary. Select one of the three banks.
■ Adjusting the Volume Balance of the Layered Sounds 1. While holding down the SOUND button of the sound you wish to make relatively softer, press the SOUND button of the other sound (the one you want to make louder) several times in succession. ■ Returning to the Single Mode 1. Press any one of the SOUND buttons. The button lights up and the piano returns to single mode. Using the Reverb and Chorus Effects The piano offers two built-in effects: reverb and chorus.
Using the Pedals Your digital piano offers three pedals, just as on a conventional piano. Use these pedals to add expressiveness to your performances. Soft Pedal Sostenuto Pedal Damper Pedal ■ Damper Pedal This pedal sustains the sound of the keys that you hit, so that the sound continues with a very slow decay after you release the key. Properly used, this pedal can add a rich, reverberant sound to your play.
Using the Metronome The piano includes a built-in metronome feature that you can use as an aid for practice. You can adjust the metronome’s beat, tempo, volume, and accentuate the first beat as described below. ■ Turning the Metronome On and Off 1. To turn the metronome on, press the METRONOME button. The button lights up, and the metronome begins playing at the tempo selected by the TEMPO knob. 2. To turn the metronome off, press the METRONOME button again. The button goes dark and the metronome stops.
1 3 6 8 + 0 2 4 5 7 9 A5 C5 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 Key Digit Key Digit C5 0 C#5 1 D5 2 D#5 3 E5 4 F5 5 F#5 6 G5 7 G#5 8 A5 9 C7 C8 Example: To set the tempo to 168, hold down the METRONOME button and press C#5 (1), then F#5 (6), and then G#5 (8). If you attempt to enter a value below 40 or above 200, the piano ignores the input and retains the previous tempo setting.
■ Changing the Standard Accent Sound to a Bell Sound 1. Hold down the METRONOME button and press ORGAN 2. The ORGAN 2 button lights up to indicate that the bell accent is selected. Standard Accent Sound Bell Sound + 2. To reset to the standard accent sound: hold down the METRONOME button and press ORGAN 1. The ORGAN 1 button lights up. When you hold down the METONOME button, the ORGAN button corresponding to the selected accent sound (standard or bell) lights up.
Transposing the Keyboard The transpose feature allows you to shift the pitch of the keyboard so that you can play in one key (such as the key of C) and have the sound come out in another key (such as the key of C#). This is useful if you want to avoid too many sharps and flats, or if you want to accompany someone in another key without changing the fingering that you are used to. You can transpose (shift) over a range of 11 semitones.
Adjusting the Pitch This feature allows you to make fine adjustments to the piano's overall pitch, so that you can correct for small pitch differences when playing with other instruments. The standard pitch (for the reference note A4) is 440Hz. You can use this feature to adjust up or down by as much as 12.5 Hz (from 427.5 Hz to 452. 5 Hz), in 0.5-Hz increments. 1. Hold down TRANSPOSE/FUNCTION and press key B5 or C6 as many times as necessary. Each time you press B5 the pitch drops 0.5Hz.
SOUND Button Temperament ORGAN 1 lit Werckmeister: Uses the Werckmeister III scale proposed in the late Baroque period by organist and musicologist Andreas Werckmeister, with the intention of enabling relatively unrestricted play in multiple keys. ORGAN 2 lit Kirnberger: Uses the Kirnberger III scale proposed in the Johann Philip Kirnberger in the early 18th century. This temperament is mainly used for tuning harpsichords.
Recording and Replaying Your Performances (NC-500 only) The NC-500’s built-in recorder makes it easy to record and replay your performances. Operation is as easy and intuitive as using a conventional tape recorder. The recorder lets you store performances for two parts. You can use these parts to record two completely unrelated pieces, or you may use them to separately record the left-hand and right-hand lines of a single piece. You can play the recorded parts back individually or in combination.
If the part does not currently contain recorded data... Press. Dark (No recorded data) Press. Flashing (Standing by to record) If the part already contains recorded data... Press. Lit solid (This part will play out while you are recording the other Press. Press. Flashing (This part is standing by to record.) Dark (This part will be silent while you are recording the other part.) When using Single mode, you can only record to one part at a time.
■ To pause the recording… You can pause your recording at any time. This feature is useful for recording a part a little at a time, etc. 1. If you want to pause the recording, press PAUSE. The PAUSE button lights up. The START/STOP button continues flashing. 2. To resume recording, first press the REC button, then press the PART button for the part you want to record. The button will flash. The part stands by to start recording. 3.
■ To Adjust the Volume Balance when Playing Two Parts... 1. Begin playback of both parts, and then hold down the TOUCH button and press the PART button of the part that you want to make relatively louder. Press the button several times, if necessary. + Press as many times as necessary. 2. To return to the original balance: Hold down the TOUCH button and press PART 1 and PART 2 at the same time. ■ Looping the Playback You can set the piano to play the recorded performance repeatedly.
Erasing the Recording ■ To Erase a Recorded Part... 1. With playback stopped, hold down TRANSPOSE/FUNCTION and press the PART button of the part that you wish to erase. The TRANSPOSE/FUNCTION button and the selected PART button both flash, indicating that the piano is waiting for you to confirm that you really want to erase the part. + If you change your mind and decide you do not want to erase the part, press TRANSPOSE/FUNCTION again to cancel. 2. To delete the part, press the same PART button.
MIDI What is MIDI? MIDI (for "Musical Instrument Digital Interface") is an internationally recognized standard that enables electronic instruments, computers, sequencers, and other such devices to communicate with one another. The MIDI standard supports transmission of various types of performancerelated data. ■ How Can I Use It? Your piano's MIDI capability allows you to control the piano from external devices, and to control external devices from the piano.
Default MIDI Settings The piano's default MIDI settings are as follows. These settings are automatically restored each time you turn the power on. Parameter Setting Send Channel 1 Receive Channels 1 to 16 Local On Omni Off Changing the MIDI Channel Setting The MIDI standard provides 16 channels for communication among devices. When you first turn the piano on, the base channel is set to channel 1. If you wish, you can change this setting. 1.
Using the Piano as a Multitimbral Tone Generator Your piano can also operate as a 16-part multitimbral tone generator. Connect a sequencer or similar MIDI control device to the piano, and then use that device to drive the piano's sound. 1. Connect one end of a MIDI cable to the MIDI IN jack on the piano, and the other end to the MIDI OUT jack of the sequencer or other device that you will use to control the piano. 2. Transmit the performance data from the controlling device.
Program Change MIDI program change messages are used to switch to different programs (different sounds or patches) on a remote MIDI device. Program changes make it possible for you to use the piano to switch among different setups on a remote MIDI device, or to use a remote MIDI device to select different sounds on the piano.
■ Enabling or Disabling Program Changes If you wish, you can disable the program change feature. If the feature is disabled, the piano will neither accept nor transmit program changes. To disable or re-enable the setting, proceed as described below. 1. Hold down TRANSPOSE/FUNCTION and press PIANO 2. + Pressing PIANO 2 toggles the setting between Enabled and Disabled. Setting PIANO 2 lamp Enabled Lit Disabled Dark When you turn the power off, the setting returns to Enabled.
MIDI Data Dumps (NC-500 only) You can use the MIDI data dump capability to save your recorded performances into a MIDI data filer or other external storage device. When you want to hear a saved performance again, you use this same feature to reload the data and settings back into the NC-500. To protect against accidental data loss, be sure to follow the instructions that come with your storage device. ■ Saving Data 1.
■ Reloading the Saved Data 1. Run a MIDI cable from the MIDI IN connector on the piano to the MIDI OUT connector on the data filer or (or other storage device) where the saved data is stored. 2. On the piano, hold down TRANSPOSE/FUNCTION and press STRINGS/CHOIR. + The two buttons begin flashing, indicating that the piano is now standing by to receive the data. If you want to cancel at this time without transferring the data: Press either TRANSPOSE/FUNCTION or STRINGS/CHOIR. 3.
Connecting to a Computer by USB (NC-500 only) What is USB? The USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an interface for connecting computers to peripheral devices. The NC-500 includes a USB connector that can be connected directly to your computer. You can use this connection to save important performance data to your computer. If you run appropriate sequencer software on the computer, you can also use this connection to play the NC-500 from your computer or to record from the NC-500 directly into your computer.
Driver Ports for the NC-500 USB MIDI Interface The driver side (computer side) implements a 2-in/2-out port configuration for the NC-500’s USB MIDI interface. Driver NC-500 MIDI IN Devices KEYBOARD Keyboard, pedals, etc. MIDI IN EXT IN MIDI OUT Devices SOUND Tone generator MIDI OUT EXT OUT ■ MIDI IN Devices KEYBOARD This port receives the MIDI messages generated by the piano; that is, the messages generated when you play the piano’s keyboard and using it’s pedals and control buttons.
Installing and Setting the Korg USB MIDI Driver On Windows XP Your piano includes a dedicated USB MIDI driver for Windows XP. If you are running XP, you can install this driver on your computer. The first time you connect the NC-500 to your computer’s USB port, Windows will automatically install its own default USB MIDI driver. To replace the default driver with the included KORG USB MIDI Driver for Windows XP, proceed as described follows.
2. Click the taskbar’s Start button to open the Start menu. In the menu, click on Control Panel. In the Control Panel, double-click on Sounds and Audio Devices to open the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog. Click the dialog’s Hardware tab. In the device list, click once on USB Audio Devices, so that it is highlighted. Then look directly under the list pane and confirm that KORG DIGITAL PIANO appears next to the Location: heading. Then click the dialog’s Properties button. 3.
5. The dialog now asks you to select search options. Click on Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install. Then click the Next button again. 6. The dialog now asks you to select the device driver to be installed. Click on Have Disk…, and then click the Next button. 7. Insert the CD-ROM that came with the NC-500 into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. Where the dialog says Copy manufacturer’s files from:, write in D:\Driver (assuming that your CD-ROM drive is Drive D).
If the CD-ROM drive on your computer is not drive D, then replace the “D” above with the appropriate drive letter. If the CD-ROM drive’s name is “E”, for example, then enter E:\Drive. 8. Be sure that Model is identified as KORG Digital Piano, and then click Next to start the installation of the driver. 9. If the warning shown below appears after you have started the installation, click Continue Anyway. 10. When installation is completed, the dialog shown below appears.
■ Uninstalling the Korg USB MIDI Driver for Windows XP 1. Click the taskbar’s Start button to open the Start menu. In the menu, click on Control Panel. In the Control Panel, double-click on Sounds and Audio Devices to open the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog. Click the dialog’s Hardware tab. In the device list, select KORG Digital Piano, and then click the Properties button. 2. In the KORG Digital Piano Properties dialog, click the Driver tab and then click the Uninstall button. 3.
■ Disabling the Requirement for a Digital Signature If your Windows XP system is set to block installation of driver software that does not carry a recognized digital signature, it will not allow you to install the Korg USB MIDI Driver for Windows XP. Use the following procedure to disable this requirement so that you can install the driver. 1. Click the taskbar’s Start button to open the Start menu. In the menu, click on Control Panel.
On Mac OS X If connecting the piano to a computer running Mac OS X, use the operating system’s default MIDI driver. The Mac OS X version must be 10.2 or higher. 1. Connect the NC-500 to the computer with a USB cable. 2. Turn on the power to the NC-500. 3. Open the Applications folder and then the Utilities folder, and doubleclick Audio MIDI Setup. 4. Click the MIDI Devices tab, and confirm that the NC-500 appears.
Troubleshooting If the piano does not seem to be working correctly, please go through the following list to see if you can identify and correct the problem. If you are unable to solve the problem after going through this list, please call your dealer or Korg service for advice. ■ Piano doesn’t turn on ❏ Check that the power cord is correctly connected to a piano and a properly functioning power outlet. (☞ p. 51, 53) ❏ Be sure that the POWER switch is turned on. (☞ p.
❏ Be sure that your computer’s USB capability is enabled. If you are using Windows XP: Open the Control Panel, click on System, click on the Hardware tab, double-click the Device Manager button, select Universal Serial Bus controllers, and check USB Root Hub. ❏ It is possible that the computer has not correctly recognized the NC-500. Go into the Device Manager (as described directly above) and check that the NC-500 has been recognized.
Specifications Keyboard Touch Control Keyboard Pitch Temperaments Tone Generator Polyphony Sounds Effects Demo Songs Metronome Recorder Pedals Connectors Controls Speaker On/Off Amp Output Speakers Power NC-500 NC-300 88 keys (A0 to C8), RH2 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 2) keyboard Light, Normal, Heavy Transposition, Fine Tuning Equal, Kirnberger, Werckmeister Stereo sampling 60 (Maximum) 24 (3 banks of 8) Reverb, Chorus (3 depths each) 8 sound demos, 32 piano songs Tempo, Beat, Accent, Volume 2 parts; 1
Assembling the NC-500 Piano Stand 2. Assemble the sideboards and speak er box. Warning Assembly must be carried out by at least two persons. Precautions To ensure saf e and correct assemb the f ollowing precautions. ly, please obser ve ❏ Be sure to use the correct parts at each step, be sure that parts are oriented correctly, and be sure to follow the steps in the order given below.
4. Connect the pedal cord(6) to the connector on the underside of the pedal unit. Checking the Finished Assembly ❏ ❏ Are any parts left over? If any parts are left, refer to the assembly diagram to see where they should go, and then assemble them into place. Be sure that all screws and fasteners are tight. Maintenance, Transport, and Disassembly 5. Run the cord along the roove g on the underside of the pedal unit as illustr ated below. Be sure that the cord is oriented correctly .
Montage du support de piano NC-500 2. Monter les planches latérales et la caisse à haut-parleurs. Avertissement Le monta ge doit être eff ectué par au moins deux personnes. Précautions Pour faire en sor te que le monta ge soit sûr et correct, prière d’obser ver les précautions suiv antes. ❏ Veiller à utiliser les pièces correctes à chaque étape, veiller à ce que ces pièces soient orientées correctement, et veiller à suivre les étapes dans l’ordre donné ci-dessous.
4. Brancher le cordon de pédalier (6) au connecteur se trouvant à la face inférieure du pédalier . Contrôle du montage terminé ❏ ❏ Reste-t-il des pièces ? S’il reste des pièces, se reporter au schéma de montage pour voir où elles doivent être, puis les mettre en place. S’assurer que toutes les vis et attaches sont bien serrées. Entretien, transport et démontage Contrôler périodiquement le suppor t monté , et ober ser ver les précautions suiv antes. 5.
Assembling the NC-300 Piano Stand 2. Assemble the sideboards and crossbeam. Warning Assembly must be carried out by at least two persons. Fit the ends of the crossbeam into the metal fittings on the two sideboards, lining up the screw holes at both sides. Fasten with the 4 screws (2 at each side)(3). Cover the top of each screw with a cap(2). Precautions To ensure saf e and correct assemb the f ollowing precautions.
4. Connect the pedal cord(5) to the connector on the underside of the pedal unit. Checking the Finished Assembly ❏ ❏ Are any parts left over? If any parts are left, refer to the assembly diagram to see where they should go, and then assemble them into place. Be sure that all screws and fasteners are tight. Maintenance, Transport, and Disassembly 5. Run the cord along the roove g on the underside of the pedal unit as illustr ated below. Be sure that the cord is oriented correctly .
Montage du support de piano NC-300 2. Monter les planches latér ales et la traverse. Avertissement Le monta ge doit être eff ectué par au moins deux personnes. Ajuster les extrémités de la traverse dans les fixations métalliques des deux planches latérales, en faisant coïncider les trous de vis des deux côtés. Fixer avec les 4 vis (2 de chaque côté) (3). Couvrir la tête de chaque vis avec un capuchon (2).
4. Brancher le cordon de pédalier (5) au connecteur se trouvant à la face inférieure du pédalier . Contrôle du montage terminé ❏ ❏ Reste-t-il des pièces ? S’il reste des pièces, se reporter au schéma de montage pour voir où elles doivent être, puis les mettre en place. S’assurer que toutes les vis et attaches sont bien serrées. Entretien, transport et démontage 5. Faire passer le cordon le long de laainure r de la face inférieure du pédalier comme illustré cidessous.
Operation of Piano Switches and Keys SOUND Switches The following table shows the action or setting that results when you hold down the button indicated along the left (TOUCH, REVERB, CHORUS, METRONOME, or TRANSPOSE/ FUNCTION) and press one of the SOUND buttons indicated along the top. PIANO 1 PIANO 2 E.
NC-500/NC-300 Digital Piano MIDI Implementation Implementation Chart MIDI Chart Function Basic Channel Default Changed Transmitted Recognized 1 — 1–16 1–16 Remarks 3 Default Modes 4/01/2004 Messages Altered 15–113 Note Numbers True Voice Velocity 9n, V=1–127 Note ON 0–127 21–108 9n, V=1–127 Note OFF Aftertouch Key's Channel's Pitch Bender 7 Control Change Volume *1 11 Expression *1 64 Damper Pedal 66 Sostenuto Pedal 67 Soft Pedal 91 Reverb *1 93 Chorus *1 120, 121 0
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONSUMERS This product has been manufactured according to strict specifications and voltage requirements that are applicable in the country in which it is intended that this product should be used. If you have purchased this product via the internet, through mail order, and/ or via a telephone sale, you must verify that this product is intended to be used in the country in which you reside.
