SPECIAL MESSAGE SECTION This product utilizes batteries or an external power supply (adapter). DO NOT connect this product to any power supply or adapter other than one described in the manual, on the name plate, or specifically recommended by Yamaha. This product should be used only with the components supplied or; a cart, rack, or stand that is recommended by Yamaha. If a cart, etc., is used, please observe all safety markings and instructions that accompany the accessory product.
FCC INFORMATION (U.S.A.) 1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY THIS UNIT! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modifications not expressly approved by Yamaha may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product. 2. IMPORTANT: When connecting this product to accessories and/or another product use only high quality shielded cables. Cable/s supplied with this product MUST be used. Follow all installation instructions.
PRECAUTIONS PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING * Please keep this manual in a safe place for future reference. WARNING Always follow the basic precautions listed below to avoid the possibility of serious injury or even death from electrical shock, short-circuiting, damages, fire or other hazards. These precautions include, but are not limited to, the following: Power supply/AC power adaptor Water warning • Only use the voltage specified as correct for the instrument.
• Do not rest your weight on, or place heavy objects on the instrument, and do not use excessive force on the buttons, switches or connectors. Connections • Before connecting the instrument to other electronic components, turn off the power for all components. Before turning the power on or off for all components, set all volume levels to minimum.
Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha DGX-500/300 Portable Grand ™ ! You now own a portable keyboard that combines advanced functions, great sound and exceptional ease-of-use in a highly compact package. Its outstanding features also make it a remarkably expressive and versatile instrument. Read this Owner’s Manual carefully while playing your new DGX-500/300 in order to take full advantage of its various features.
Contents Panel Controls and Terminals ........................ 8 Selecting and Playing Songs ....................... 57 Setting Up....................................................... 10 • Selecting and Playing a Song .......................... 57 • A-B Repeat ...................................................... 58 • Melody Voice Change...................................... 59 • Changing the Tempo ....................................... 60 • Adjusting the Song Volume..............................
Panel Controls and Terminals ■ Front Panel q e r t y u u !3 !4 !5 !6 001 Live!Gnd 001 i o !0 !1 !2 w !8 !9 @0 @1 @2 @3 @4 @5 @7 q Power switch ([STANDBY/ON]) !0 [DICTIONARY] button w [MASTER VOLUME] dial This calls up the Dictionary function (page 50). This determines the overall volume of the DGX-500/300. !1 [METRONOME] button e [TOUCH] button This turns the metronome on and off. (See page 22.) Holding down this button allows you to set the Time Signature.
Panel Controls and Terminals !9 [SYNC STOP] button This turns the Sync Stop function on and off. (See page 43.) @0 [SYNC START] / [PAUSE] button This turns the Sync Start function on and off. (See page 40.) In the Song mode, it is used to temporarily pause song playback. (See page 59.) @1 [START/STOP] button When the Style mode is selected, this alternately starts and stops the style. (See page 39.) In the Song mode, this alternately starts and stops song playback. (See page 58.
Setting Up This section contains information about setting up your DGX-500/300 for playing. Make sure to read this section carefully before using the instrument. Power Requirements Although the DGX-500/300 will run either from an AC adaptor or batteries, Yamaha recommends use of an AC adaptor whenever possible. An AC adaptor is more environmentally friendly than batteries and does not deplete resources.
Setting Up Turning On the Power With the AC power adaptor connected or with batteries installed, simply press the power switch until it locks in the ON position. When the instrument is not in use, be sure to turn the power off. (Press the switch again so that it pops up.) • Even when the switch is in the “STANDBY” position, electricity is still flowing to the instrument at the minimum level.
Quick Guide Step 1 Voices 001 Live!Gnd 001 z z q w Playing the Piano Simply by pressing the [PORTABLE GRAND] button, you can automatically reset the entire DGX-500/300 for piano play. z Press the [PORTABLE GRAND] button. Playing along with the Metronome z Press the [METRONOME] button. 001 Live!Gnd x Play the keyboard. Want to find out more? See page 22. Want to find out more? See page 22.
Step 1 Voices Selecting and Playing Other Voices The DGX-500/300 has a huge total of 619 dynamic and realistic instrument voices. Let’s try a few of them out now... q Press the [VOICE] button. w Select a voice. 001 Live!Gnd 002 GrandPno e Play the keyboard. Want to find out more? See page 24. ● Panel Voice List No.
Quick Guide Step 2 Songs zx z xw 001 Live!Gnd 001 q xce Playing the Songs The DGX-500/300 is packed with a total of 100 songs, including three Demo songs that have been specially created to showcase the rich and dynamic sounds of the instrument. You can also try out the songs with the educational Lesson feature.
Step 2 Songs Playing the Disk Song This function lets you play songs contained on the included disk or on other song data disks. q Insert the disk. e To start or stop playing, press the [START/ STOP] button. Want to find out more? See page 75. w Select a desired User song. 101 Filename ● Song List No.
Quick Guide Step 3 Music Database 001 Live!Gnd 001 v z zb x Music Database Here’s a convenient feature that lets you instantly reconfigure the DGX-500/300 for playing in different music styles.
Step 3 Music Database Looking up Chords in the Dictionary The convenient Dictionary function teaches you how to play chords by showing you the individual notes. In the example below, we’ll learn how to play a GM7 chord...
Quick Guide Step 4 Lesson x z x 001 Live!Gnd 001 v z Using the Lesson Feature Songs 001 to 100 are specially designed for use with the educational Lesson feature. Lesson makes it fun and easy to master these songs. You can practice the left- and right-hand parts of each song individually: simply press the appropriate button, [L] (left) or [R] (right). The practice steps below apply to either hand. Lesson 1 — Timing . . . . . . . . .This lesson step lets you practice just the timing of the notes.
Step 4 Lesson Lesson 1 — Timing Grade This step lets you work on the timing of the notes. In Lesson 1, the particular note you play on the keyboard is unimportant. The DGX-500/300 checks your timing and how rhythmically “tight” your playing is. The DGX-500/300 has a built-in evaluation function that monitors your practicing and — like a real teacher — tells you how well you did each exercise. Four grades are assigned, depending on your performance: “OK,” “Good,” “Very Good!,” and “Excellent!.
Panel Display Indications The DGX-500/300 features a large multi-function display that shows all important settings for the instrument. The section below briefly explains the various icons and indications in the display.
Panel Display Indications r Measure These show the current measure during playback of a song or style. !1 8va / 15va Notes played outside the displayable area are indicated by octave marks (“8va” or “15va”). t Beat marks These marks (one large, three small) flash in sequence and in time with the song or style. The large arrow indicates the first beat of the measure. !2 Sync Stop indicator This appears when the Sync Stop function is turned on. (See page 43.
Portable Grand This convenient function lets you instantly call up the Grand Piano voice. Playing the Portable Grand Press the [PORTABLE GRAND] button. Doing this automatically calls up the special “Stereo Sampled Piano” Live! Grand voice. Using the Metronome 1 Call up the Tempo setting. Press the [TEMPO/TAP] button. Current Tempo value 068 TEMPO F t 2 Change the value. Use the numeric keypad to set the desired Tempo value, or use the [+]/[-] buttons to increase or decrease the value.
Portable Grand 3 Turn on the Metronome. Press the [METRONOME] button. 1 Indicates the beat number in the measure. To turn the Metronome off, press the [METRONOME] button again. Setting the Metronome Time Signature The time signature of the Metronome can be set to various quarter-note based meters. • The time signature changes automatically when a style or song is selected.
Playing Voices The DGX-500/300 features a total of 619 authentic voices — all of which have been created with Yamaha’s sophisticated AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) tone generation system. These include 480 XG voices, plus special Split voices, DJ voices and drum kits. The DGX-500/300 also has a Dual Voice function that lets you combine two different voices in a layer, and play the two together across the keyboard.
Playing Voices There are two ways to select voices: 1) directly entering the voice number with the numeric keypad, or 2) using the [+]/[-] buttons to step up and down through the voice numbers. ■ Using the numeric keypad Enter the digits of the voice number as indicated on the panel. For example, to select voice #109, press “1” on the numeric keypad, then “0”, “9.” For voice numbers beginning with zeroes (such as #042 or #006), the initial zeroes may be omitted.
Playing Voices Drum Kit Voice Chart (voices 123 - 134) When one of the 12 Drum Kit voices are selected you can play different drums and percussion instruments on the keyboard. 123 Std.Kit1 No. 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 Name Standard Kit 1 Standard Kit 2 Room Kit Rock Kit Electronic Kit Analog Kit Dance Kit Jazz Kit Brush Kit Symphony Kit SFX Kit 1 SFX Kit 2 LCD Std.Kit1 Std.Kit2 Room Kit Rock Kit Elct.
Playing Voices 2 Select one of the parameters for the Main and Dual voices. Press the [SETTING ▲] or [SETTING ▼] button, repeatedly if necessary, until the desired parameter’s name appears in the display. 104 M.Volume 001 3 Set the parameter’s value. Use the numeric keypad or the [+]/[-] buttons. (Refer to the parameter list below.) • The Dual Voice function is not available in the Lesson.
Playing Voices Split Voice Split Voices let you play two different instrument sounds from separate areas of the keyboard. For example, you can play a bass voice with your left hand and a piano voice with your right. Split Point Split Voice 1 Main Voice Call up a Split Voice. Press the [SPLIT] button. • The Split Point setting for the voice is the same as that of the Accompaniment Split Point. (See page 49.) 113 AcB/Pno 001 This instantly calls up the last selected Split Voice.
Playing Voices Transpose and Tuning You can also adjust the tuning and change the transposition (key) of the entire DGX-500/300 sound with the Transpose and Tuning functions. ■ Transpose • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Transpose determines the key of both the main voice and the bass/chord accompaniment of the selected style. It also determines the pitch of the songs.
Playing Voices ■ Tuning • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Tuning determines the fine pitch setting of both the main voice and the bass/chord accompaniment of the selected style. It also determines the pitch of the songs. This allows you to accurately match the tuning with that of other instruments. The Tuning settings can be adjusted over a range of ± 100 (approx. ± 1 semitone). 1 Select the Tuning function.
Playing Voices Pitch Bend Range The DGX-500/300 has a [PITCH BEND] wheel that lets you change the pitch of the voices in real time, as you play. The Pitch Bend Range parameter determines the amount that pitch is raised or lowered when using the [PITCH BEND] wheel. At the minimum setting, moving the [PITCH BEND] wheel up or down changes the pitch by a maximum of 1 semitone or half-step in either direction. At the maximum setting of 12, pitch is changed over a range of ± one octave (12 semitones).
Playing Voices Touch and Touch Sensitivity The Touch function gives you dynamic, expressive control over the voices, letting you determine how loud or soft the sound is by your playing strength. Turn the Touch function on or off as desired by pressing the [TOUCH] button. 000 TUNING 001 Indicates Touch function is on Touch Sensitivity lets you set how the DGX-500/300 responds to your playing strength, allowing you to customize this expressive function to suit your own playing style.
Effects The DGX-500/300 is equipped with a wide variety of effects that can be used to enhance the sound of the voices. The DGX-500/300 has three separate effect systems — Reverb, DSP, and Harmony — and each has many different effect types to choose from. Reverb The Reverb effect reproduces the natural ambient “wash” of sound that occurs when a instrument is played in a room or concert hall. A total of eight different Reverb types simulating various different performance environments are available.
Effects DSP The DSP effect section provides distortion and chorus effects, plus a wealth of other useful and dynamic effects for enhancing and changing the sound of the voices. Included among these miscellaneous effects are reverse gate reverb, phaser, rotary speaker, tremolo, echo, delay, distortion, equalization, and wah. A total of thirty-eight DSP types are available. 1 Select the DSP function. Press the right Overall button, repeatedly if necessary, until the dark bar indication appears next to DSP.
Effects Harmony The Harmony section features a variety of performance effects that enhance the melodies you play when using the accompaniment styles of the DGX-500/300. A total of twenty-six Harmony types are available. Trill, Tremolo and Echo types can be used even if accompaniment is off. There are five different Harmony Types that automatically create harmony parts (for notes played in the upper section of the keyboard) to match the accompaniment chords. 1 Turn on the Harmony effect.
Effects ■ Effect Types ● Reverb Types No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Reverb Type Hall 1 Hall 2 Room 1 Room 2 Stage 1 Stage 2 Plate 1 Plate 2 Off Display Name Hall1 Hall1 Room1 Room2 Stage1 Stage2 Plate1 Plate2 Off Description Concert hall reverb. Small room reverb. Reverb for solo instruments. Simulated steel plate reverb. No effect. ● DSP Types 36 No.
Effects ● Harmony Types No.
Selecting and Playing Styles The DGX-500/300 provides dynamic rhythm/accompaniment patterns (styles) — as well as voice settings appropriate for each style — for various popular musical categories. A total of 135 different styles are available, in several different categories. Each style is made up of separate “sections” — Intro, Main A and B, and Ending — letting you call up different accompaniment sections as you perform.
Selecting and Playing Styles Playing the styles The panel buttons below function as style controls. Pressing this button alternately enables and cancels the bass and chord accompaniment. (See below.) Pressing this button alternately enables and cancels the Sync Start function. (See page 40.) Pressing this button alternately enables and cancels the Sync Stop function. (See page 43.) 1 Pressing this button alternately starts and stops style playback. This controls the Intro and Ending sections.
Selecting and Playing Styles You can select the Main A or B section by pressing the appropriate button — [MAIN A/B] — before pressing the [START/STOP] button. (The display briefly shows the letter of the selected section: “MAIN A” or “MAIN B.”) Indicates selected section (Main A or B). MAIN A ■ Using Tap Tempo to Start This useful feature lets you tap out the speed (tempo) of the style and automatically start the style at that tapped speed.
Selecting and Playing Styles Starting with an Intro section Each style has its own two- or four-measure Intro section. When used with the auto accompaniment, many of the Intro sections also include special chord changes and embellishments to enhance your performance. To start with an Intro section: 1) Press the [MAIN/AUTO FILL] button — to select which section (A or B) is to follow the Intro. Indicates selected section (Main A or B). MAIN A 2) Press the [INTRO ENDING] button. Indicates Intro standby.
Selecting and Playing Styles 3 Change chords using the auto accompaniment feature. Try playing a few successive chords with your left hand, and notice how the bass and chord accompaniment change with each chord you play. (Refer to page 47 for more information on how to use auto accompaniment.) • The [ACMP] button can also be used to turn off and on the bass/ chord accompaniment while playing — allowing you to create dynamic rhythmic breaks in your performance.
Selecting and Playing Styles Sync Stop This convenient feature lets you stop (or pause) the style by releasing your fingers from the auto accompaniment area of the keyboard. Playing the chord again restarts the style. This is ideal for putting dynamic breaks in your performance — for example, stopping the rhythm and accompaniment briefly while you play a melodic break or solo with your right hand. 1 Press the [ACMP] button. To turn accompaniment on. Indicates that auto accompaniment is on.
Selecting and Playing Styles Changing the Tempo The tempo of style playback can be adjusted over a range of 32 - 280 bpm (beats per minute). 1 Call up the Tempo setting. Press the [TEMPO/TAP] button. Current Tempo value • When style playback is stopped and a different style is selected, the tempo returns to the default setting of the new style. When switching styles during playback, the last tempo setting is maintained. (This allows you to keep the same tempo, even when changing styles.
Selecting and Playing Styles MAIN/AUTO FILL (Main A/B and Fill-ins) While the style is playing, you can add variation in the rhythm/accompaniment by pressing the [MAIN/AUTO FILL] button. This switches between the Main A and Main B sections, automatically playing a fill-in pattern to smoothly lead into the next section. For example, if the Main A section is currently playing, pressing this button automatically plays a fill-in pattern, followed by the Main B section. (See below.
Selecting and Playing Styles Adjusting the Accompaniment Volume The playback volume of the style can be adjusted. This volume control affects only the accompaniment volume. The volume range is 000 - 127. 1 Select the Accompaniment Volume function. Press the left Overall button, repeatedly if necessary, until “ACMP VOL” appears in the display. Current Accompaniment Volume value 100 ACMP VOL 001 Indicates Accompaniment Volume is selected 2 Change the value.
Selecting and Playing Styles Using Auto Accompaniment — Multi Fingering When it is set to on (page 39), the auto accompaniment function automatically generates bass and chord accompaniment for you to play along with, by using Multi Fingering operation. You can change the chords of the accompaniment by playing keys in the auto accompaniment area of the keyboard using either the “Single Finger” or “Fingered” method.
Selecting and Playing Styles 48 Chord Name/[Abbreviation] Normal Voicing Chord (C) Display Major [M] 1-3-5 C C Add ninth [(9)] 1-2-3-5 C(9) C(9) Sixth [6] 1 - (3) - 5 - 6 C6 C6 Sixth ninth [6(9)] 1 - 2 - 3 - (5) - 6 C6(9) C6(9) Major seventh [M7] 1 - 3 - (5) - 7 or 1 - (3) - 5 - 7 CM7 CM7 Major seventh ninth [M7(9)] 1 - 2 - 3 - (5) - 7 CM7(9) CM7(9) Major seventh add sharp eleventh [M7(#11)] 1 - (2) - 3 - #4 - 5 - 7 or 1 - 2 - 3 - #4 - (5) - 7 CM7(#11) CM7(#11) Flatted fifth
Selecting and Playing Styles Setting the Split Point The Split Point determines the highest key for the auto accompaniment area. The accompaniment can be played with the keys up to and including the Accompaniment Split Point key. • This setting also affects the split point for the special Split voices. Split Point Auto accompaniment area 1 Select the Split Point control. Press and hold the [SPLIT] button until “S_POINT”appears in the display.
Selecting and Playing Styles Dictionary The Dictionary function is essentially a built-in “chord book” that shows you the individual notes of chords. It is ideal when you know the name of a certain chord and want to quickly learn how to play it. 1 • Pressing the [DICTIONARY] button automatically turns on the auto accompaniment. Press the [DICTIONARY] button. Dict. 001 2 Specify the root of the chord. Press the key on the keyboard that corresponds to the desired chord root (as printed on the panel).
Selecting and Playing Styles 4 Play the chord. Play the chord (as indicated in the display) in the auto accompaniment area of the keyboard. The chord name flashes in the display (and a “congratulations” melody is played) when the correct notes are held down. (Inversions for many of the chords are also recognized.) Dict. Auto accompaniment area 001 Indicates notes to be played. Flashes when correct notes are held. To leave the Dictionary function, press the [DICTIONARY] button again.
Selecting and Playing Styles Beautiful sounding harmonies can be built in this manner. The use of intervals and chords is one of the most important elements in music. A wide variety of emotions and feelings can be created depending on the types of chords used and the order in which they are arranged. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Writing Chord Names • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Knowing how to read and write chord names is an easy yet invaluable skill.
Using the Music Database If you want to play in a certain genre of music but don’t know which style and voice settings would be appropriate, simply select the desired genre from the Music Database. The DGX-500/ 300 automatically makes all appropriate panel settings to let you play in that music style! 1 Press the [M.D.B.] (MUSIC DATABASE) button. The MUSIC DATABASE menu appears in the display. 001 AlvFevr 001 2 • Press the [M.D.B.
Using the Music Database 82 Auto Accompaniment area 4 When you reach the point in the music indicated by the arrow above, press the [ENDING] button. The style plays an ending phrase in ritardando. When the ending is finished, the style automatically stops. You can also stop the style by using the [STOP] button.
Registration Memory Registration Memory is a flexible and convenient function that lets you instantly reconfigure virtually all settings of the DGX-500/300 with the touch of a single button. Simply save your favorite custom panel settings to one of the Registration Memory presets (up to sixteen are available) for future recall. Registration Memory Presets The DGX-500/300 has eight Registration Memory banks, each with two different presets (a total of sixteen) for your custom panel settings.
Registration Memory Recalling a Registration Memory Preset 1 Select the appropriate Registration Memory bank. 1 BANK 001 2 Press the desired Registration Memory preset button ([1] or [2]).
