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 may also use “household” type batteries. Some of these may be rechargeable. Make sure that the battery being charged is a rechargeable type and that the charger is intended for the battery being charged.
PRECAUTIONS PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING * Please keep these precautions 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: • Do not open the instrument or attempt to disassemble the internal parts or modify them in any way.
Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha PSR-280 PortaTone! 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 PSR-280 in order to take full advantage of its various features.
Contents Panel Controls and Terminals ........................ 6 Selecting and Playing Songs ....................... 50 Setting Up......................................................... 8 • Selecting and Playing a Song .......................... 50 • A-B Repeat ...................................................... 51 • Melody Voice Change...................................... 52 • Changing the Tempo ....................................... 53 • Adjusting the Song Volume..............................
Panel Controls and Terminals ■ Front Panel e r u q w u o @0 !9 !3 !4 !5 !6 !7 !8 q Power switch ([STANDBY/ON]) w [MASTER VOLUME] dial This determines the overall volume of the PSR-280. e [TOUCH] button This turns the Touch function on and off. (See page 28.) Holding down this button allows you to adjust the Touch Sensitivity setting. (See page 28.) @1 !1 @2 @3 @4 i [DEMO] button This is used to play the Demo songs. (See page 12.
Panel Controls and Terminals !4 [SYNC STOP] button This turns the Sync Stop function on and off. (See page 39.) !5 [SYNC START] / [ PAUSE] button This turns the Sync Start function on and off. (See page 36.) In the Song mode, it is used to temporarily pause song playback. (See page 52.) !6 [START/STOP] button When the Style mode is selected, this alternately starts and stops the auto accompaniment. (See page 35.) In the Song mode, this alternately starts and stops song playback. (See page 51.
Setting Up This section contains information about setting up your PSR-280 for playing. Make sure to read this section carefully before using the instrument. Power Requirements Although the PSR-280 will run either from an optional 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 Accessory Jacks ■ Using Headphones• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • For private practicing and playing without disturbing others, connect a set of stereo headphones to the rear panel PHONES/OUTPUT jack. Sound from the builtin speaker system is automatically cut off when you insert a headphone plug into this jack.
Quick Guide Step 1 Voices w w z 000 GrandPno q z q Playing the Piano Simply by pressing the [Piano] button, you can automatically reset the entire PSR-280 for piano play. z Press the [Piano] button. Playing along with the Metronome z Press the [METRONOME] button. 000 GrandPno x Play the keyboard. Want to find out more? See page 20. Want to find out more? See page 20. ● Panel Voice List No.
Step 1 Voices Selecting and Playing Other Voices The PSR-280 has a huge total of 256 dynamic and realistic instrument voices. Let’s try a few of them out now... q Press the [VOICE] button. w Select a voice. 002 BritePno 000 GrandPno e Play the keyboard. Want to find out more? See page 23. Playing with the DJ Feature The exciting new DJ feature gives you a full variety of dance and DJ sounds — letting you create your own real-time mixes and groove along with various contemporary rhythms.
Quick Guide Step 2 Songs zx xq 000 GrandPno xc r w z Playing the Songs The PSR-280 is packed with a total of 105 songs, including five User songs to which you can record your own performances, plus 100 songs that not only showcase the high-quality sound of the PSR-280 but can also be used with the educational Lesson feature. Playing the Demo songs Demo songs (001 - 010) showcase the sophisticated features and stunning sound of the PSR-280. Let’s play the Demo songs now, starting with 001...
Step 2 Songs Recording Your Own Song Much like a multi-track tape recorder, the PSR-280 lets you play and record the individual parts of your own song in real time. q Select the desired User song (101 - 105) for recording. e Start recording by playing a melody on the keyboard. The PSR-280 starts recording as soon as you play the first note on the keyboard. 102 User 2 w Simultaneously hold down the [RECORD] button r To stop recording, press the [START/STOP] button.
Quick Guide Step 3 Auto Accompaniment x zb 000 GrandPno c vm n z Using the Auto Accompaniment The powerful yet easy-to-use Auto Accompaniment features give you professional instrumental backing for your performances. Simply play chords with your left hand — and the PSR-280 automatically produces appropriate bass, chord and rhythm backing.
Step 3 Auto Accompaniment 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... Keys for entering the chord type (C3 — B4) Keys for entering the chord root (C5 — B5) c Specify the chord type of the chord (in this case, M7). v Play the notes of the chord as indicated in the Learning how to play a specific chord Example: keyboard diagram in the display.
Quick Guide Step 4 Lesson x x 000 GrandPno v z 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 PSR-280 checks your timing and how rhythmically “tight” your playing is. The PSR-280 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 PSR-280 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 u Chord When a song (with chords) is being played back, this indicates the current chord root and type. It also indicates chords played in the ACMP section of the keyboard when the Style mode and auto accompaniment are on. i Song/Voice/Style name and number, Tempo This portion of the display indicates the name and number of the currently selected song, voice, or style.
Portable Grand This convenient function lets you instantly call up the Grand Piano voice. Playing the Portable Grand Press the [Piano] button. • When the [Piano] button is pressed, One Touch Setting (page 25) is automatically turned on. Doing this automatically cancels any other mode or function, and resets the entire instrument for playing the special “Stereo Sampled Piano” Grand Piano voice. It automatically calls up song #051 (Melody in F) and style #086 (Stride).
Portable Grand 3 Turn on the Metronome. Press the [METRONOME] button. 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.
DJ This exciting feature lets you instantly call up a dynamic DJ voice and style for playing contemporary dance music. Playing the DJ 1 Press the [DJ] button. 000 DJgame 1 Doing this automatically resets the entire instrument for playing the specially programmed DJ song and voice. 2 Turn on the Lesson feature, and select a Lesson step. Lesson steps 1 - 3 can be used with DJ play. Press either the [L] or [R] button, repeatedly if necessary, until the desired Lesson step is called up.
Playing Voices The PSR-280 features a total of 256 authentic voices — all of which have been created with Yamaha’s sophisticated AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) tone generation system. These include 128 General MIDI voices, plus special Split voices, DJ voices and drum kits. The voices are divided into various instrument categories, and many of the voice names are printed on the panel for convenience. For a complete list of available voices, see page 77.
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 About Panel Voices and GM Voices Keep in mind that the PSR-280 has two separate sets of voices: 128 Panel voices and 128 GM (General MIDI) Voices. The GM Voices can also be used for optimum playback of GM-compatible song data. This means that any GM song data (played from a sequencer or other MIDI device) will sound just as the composer or programmer intended.
Playing Voices Transpose and Tuning You can also adjust the tuning and change the transposition (key) of the entire PSR-280 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 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. Touch Sensitivity lets you set how the PSR-280 responds to your playing strength, allowing you to customize this expressive function to suit your own playing style. 1 Select the Touch Sensitivity control.
Effects The PSR-280 is equipped with a wide variety of effects that can be used to enhance the sound of the voices. The PSR-280 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 left 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 PSR-280. A total of twenty-six Harmony types are available. Tremolo, Trill and Echo effects 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 32 No.
Effects ● Harmony Types No.
Auto Accompaniment The PSR-280 provides dynamic rhythm/accompaniment patterns — as well as voice settings appropriate for each pattern — for various popular music styles. A total of 100 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.
Auto Accompaniment Playing the Accompaniment The panel buttons below function as accompaniment 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 36.) Pressing this button alternately enables and cancels the Sync Stop function. (See page 39.) 1 This controls the Intro and Ending sections. (See pages 36, 38.
Auto Accompaniment 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 auto accompaniment and automatically start the accompaniment at that tapped speed.
Auto Accompaniment 2) Press the [INTRO/ENDING] button. Indicates Intro standby. INTRO≥A To actually start the Intro section and accompaniment, press the [START/STOP] button. Using Sync Start with an Intro section You can also use the Sync Start function with the special Intro section of the selected style. To use Sync 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).
Auto Accompaniment 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 42 for more information on how to use auto accompaniment.) • The [ACMP ON/OFF] 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.
Auto Accompaniment Sync Stop This convenient feature lets you stop (or pause) the auto accompaniment by releasing your fingers from the auto accompaniment section of the keyboard. Playing the chord again restarts the auto accompaniment. 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 [SYNC STOP] button.
Auto Accompaniment 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 120 TEMPO 2 • When accompaniment 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.
Auto Accompaniment About the Fill-in Patterns If you press the [MAIN/AUTO FILL] button before beat 4... ...a fill-in pattern plays immediately until the end of the measure... 1st measure beat 1 2 3 4 If you press the [MAIN/AUTO FILL] button here, after beat 4... ...and the Main A or B section begins here. 2nd measure 1 2 3 4 ...a fill-in pattern plays from here... 3rd measure 1 2 3 ...and the Main A or B section begins here.
Auto Accompaniment Using Auto Accompaniment — Multi Fingering When it is set to on (page 35), 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 section of the keyboard using either the “Single Finger” or “Fingered” method.
Auto Accompaniment 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) 1 - 3 - b5 C(b5) Flatted f
Auto Accompaniment Setting the Split Point The Split Point determines the highest key for the auto accompaniment section. 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 section 1 Select the Split Point control. Press and hold the [ACMP ON/OFF] button until “S_POINT”appears in the display.
Auto Accompaniment 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 [Dict.] button automatically turns on the auto accompaniment. Press the [Dict.] button. Dict. 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). Dict.
Auto Accompaniment 4 Play the chord. Play the chord (as indicated in the display) in the auto accompaniment section of the keyboard. The chord name flashes in the display (and a “congratualtions” melody is played) when the correct notes are held down. (Inversions for many of the chords are also recognized.) Dict. Indicates notes to be played. Flashes when correct notes are held. To leave the Dictionary function, press the [Dict.] button again.