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-160 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-160 in order to take full advantage of its various features.
Contents Panel Controls and Terminals ........................ 6 Talking ............................................................ 40 Setting Up......................................................... 8 Dictionary ....................................................... 41 Power Requirements ............................................8 Turning On the Power...........................................8 Accessory Jacks ...................................................9 Selecting and Playing Styles...
Panel Controls and Terminals ■ Front Panel e q t 000 y GrandPno !0 i 116 w r !7 !1 !2 !3 !4 !5 !6 q Power switch ([STANDBY/ON]) w [MASTER VOLUME] dial This determines the overall volume of the PSR-160. e [Dict.] (DICTIONARY) button This calls up the Dictionary function (See page 41). r LESSON [L] (Left) and [R] (Right) buttons These call up the Lesson exercises for the corresponding hand (left or right) for the selected song. (See page 35.
Panel Controls and Terminals !4 [INTRO/ENDING] ([ REW]) button When the Style mode is selected, this is used to control the Intro and Ending functions. (See page 45.) When the Song mode is selected, this is used to rewind during song playback. When song playback is stopped, it is used to reverse to specific measure numbers in the song. (See page 32.) !5 [MAIN/AUTO FILL] ([ FF]) button When the Style mode is selected, this is used to change auto accompaniment sections and control the Auto Fill function.
Setting Up This section contains information about setting up your PSR-160 for playing. Make sure to read this section carefully before using the instrument. Power Requirements Although the PSR-160 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 z w 000 GrandPno 116 q z q Playing the Piano Simply by pressing the [Piano] button, you can automatically reset the entire PSR-160 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 21. Want to find out more? See page 20. ● Panel Voice List No.
Step 1 Voices Selecting and Playing Other Voices The PSR-160 has a total of 100 dynamic and realistic instrument voices. Let’s try a few of them out now... q Press the [VOICE] button. w Select a voice. 002 000 HnkyTonk GrandPno e Play the keyboard. TEMPO 116 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 q zx 000 xw GrandPno 116 xc z Playing the Songs The PSR-160 is packed with 100 songs, including 5 special Demo songs. Playing the Demo songs Demo songs (001 - 005) showcase the sophisticated features and stunning sound of the PSR-160. Let’s play the Demo songs now, starting with 001... Playing a single song Naturally, you can also individually select and play back any of the PSR-160’s songs (001 - 100). z Press the [SONG] button. z Press the [DEMO] button.
Step 2 Songs ● Song List No. 001 002 003 004 005 006 007 008 009 010 011 012 Changing the volume of the song This lets you adjust the volume balance between the song and your keyboard performance. q Press the [OVERALL] button, until ACMP/SONG VOLUME is indicated by the dark arrow in the display. 013 014 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 024 025 026 027 028 110 SONG VOL MEASURE -04 w Use the [+]/[-] buttons to adjust the song vol- ume.
Quick Guide Step 3 Auto Accompaniment zb x 000 GrandPno 116 cv m 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-160 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). 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 116 v z z Using the Lesson Feature All of the PSR-160’s songs can be used 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-160 checks your timing and how rhythmically “tight” your playing is. The PSR-160 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.
Getting Started — Playing the Demo Songs The PSR-160 has a variety of Demo songs, specially recorded to showcase the dynamic sounds and rhythms and give you an idea of what you can do with the instrument. 1 First, turn on the power. Press the [STANDBY/ON] button. 2 Set the Volume. Initially, turn the [MASTER VOLUME] control about a third of the way up. You can adjust the control for optimum level once the songs start playing. 3 Press the [DEMO] button. All five songs will play back in sequence.
Panel Display Indications The PSR-160 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. w Overall function bar u Song/Voice/Style name indicator 002 and number q Indicators Virtual e Notation MEASURE 003 t Measure/Tempo y Chord q Indicator These bars indicate the operating condition of the PSR-160, as shown below: Using the numeric keypad selects voice numbers.
Portable Grand This convenient function lets you instantly call up the Grand Piano voice. Playing the Portable Grand Press the piano-shaped [Piano] button. 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 selects the Song mode, calling up song #006, “Für Elise” — which can be played instantly by pressing the [START/STOP] button.
Portable Grand 3 Turn on the Metronome. Press the [METRONOME] button. 1 Indicates the beat number in the tempo/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, style and DJ GAME for playing contemporary dance music. Playing the DJ 1 Press the [DJ] button. DJvoice1 098 MEASURE 001 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.
Selecting and Playing Voices The PSR-160 features 100 authentic voices that have been created with Yamaha’s sophisticated AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) tone generation system. Many of these voices also have special preset characteristics or embellishments. The voices are divided into various categories depending on their characteristics or the effects used. Selecting and Playing a Voice 1 Press the [VOICE] button. Voice name and number 000 GrandPno TEMPO 116 2 Select the desired voice number.
Selecting and Playing Voices ■ Using the numeric keypad Enter the digits of the voice number as printed on the panel. For example, to select voice #042, press “0” on the numeric keypad, then “4.”, “2.” For voice numbers beginning with zeroes (such as #042 or #006), the initial zeroes may be omitted. 042 Fr.Horn TEMPO 116 ■ Using the [+]/[-] buttons Press the [+] button to select the next voice number, and press the [-] button to select the previous voice.
Selecting and Playing Voices Harmony voices (#059 - #068) automatically add a one-, two- or three-note harmony to the original voice. Split voices (#069 - #073) feature two separate voices, each playable from opposite sections of the keyboard — the lower voice playable up to B2 and the upper voice from C3 (middle C). Sustain voices (#074 - #078) have a special sustained release for playing slower or legato passages.
Selecting and Playing Voices One Touch Setting The powerful One Touch Setting (OTS) feature lets you instantly and automatically call up an appropriate voice and other settings when you select a style or song. In other words, when One Touch Setting is active, selecting a desired style or song also automatically selects the best suited voice and Multi Pad bank. 1 Press the [VOICE] button. 000 GrandPno TEMPO 116 2 Select the One Touch Setting voice (#000). Use the numeric keypad or [+]/[-] buttons.
Selecting and Playing Voices Transpose and Tuning You can also adjust the tuning and change the transposition (key) of the PSR-160 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 and the Multi Pads.
Selecting and 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 and the Multi Pads. This allows you to accurately match the tuning with that of other instruments. The Tuning settings can be adjusted over a range of ± 50 (approx. ± 0.5 semitones).
Selecting and Playing Songs The Song mode features 100 special songs that have been created using the rich and dynamic sounds of the PSR-160. The songs are generally for your listening enjoyment; however, you can also play along with them on the keyboard. The songs of the PSR-160 can also be used with the powerful Lesson feature (page 34), a convenient tool that makes learning songs fun and easy. Selecting and Playing a Song 1 Press the [SONG] button.
Selecting and Playing Songs 4 Stop the song. Press the [START/STOP] button. Melody Voice Change The PSR-160 lets you play a melody on the keyboard along with each of the songs, either with the original melody voice or one of your own selection. The convenient Melody Voice Change feature takes this one step further — it lets you replace the original voice used for the melody of the song with the panel voice of your own selection.
Selecting and Playing Songs Changing the Tempo The tempo of song playback can be adjusted over a range of 40 - 240 bpm (beats per minute). 1 Press the [TEMPO/TAP] button. Current Tempo value 120 TEMPO MEASURE 2 -04 Change the value. Use the numeric keypad to set the desired Tempo value, or use the [+]/[-] buttons to increase or decrease the value. The PSR-160 also has a convenient Tap Tempo function that allows you to “tap” a new tempo in real time. (See page 44.
Selecting and Playing Songs Adjusting the Song Volume The playback volume of the song can be adjusted. This volume control affects only the song volume. The volume range is 000 - 127. 1 Select the Song Volume function in the Overall menu. Press the [OVERALL] button, repeatedly if necessary, until “SONG VOL” appears in the display. Current Song Volume value 110 SONG VOL Indicates Song Volume is selected 2 MEASURE -04 Change the value.
Selecting and Playing Songs A-B Repeat This useful function is ideal for practicing and learning purposes. It allows you to specify any phrase of a song (between point A and point B) and repeat it — while you play or practice along with it. 1 While playing back a song, set point A (the start point). Select and play back the desired song. (See page 29.) Then, while the song is playing back, press the [A-B REPEAT] button once at the start point of the phrase to be repeated.
Song Lesson The Lesson feature provides an exceptionally fun and easy-to-use way to learn how to read music and play the keyboard. All of the 100 songs of the PSR-160 can be used with these educational features. Lesson lets you practice the left- and right-hand parts of each song independently, step by step, until you’ve mastered them and are ready to practice with both hands together. These practices are divided into four Lesson steps, as described below.
Song Lesson 2 Select the part you wish to work on (left or right) and the Lesson step. If you want to work on the right-hand part, press the [R] button; to work on the left, press the [L] button. Pressing either button repeatedly cycles through the available Lesson steps in order: Lesson 1 → Lesson 2 → Lesson 3 → Off → Lesson 1, etc. The selected Lesson step is indicated in the display.
Song Lesson Lesson 1 — Timing This lesson step lets you practice just the timing of the notes — any note can be used, as long as you play in rhythm. Pick a note to play. For the left hand, use a note in the auto accompaniment section or play the appropriate left-hand note; for the right, play a note above F#2. Simply concentrate on playing each note in time with the rhythmic accompaniment. 1 2 Select one of the songs. Select Lesson 1.
Song Lesson Lesson 2 — Waiting In this lesson step, the PSR-160 waits for you to play the correct notes before continuing playback of the song. This lets you practice reading the music at your own pace. The notes to be played are shown in the display, one after another, as you play them correctly. 1 2 Select one of the songs. Select Lesson 2. Press the [L] or [R] button (repeatedly, if necessary) until Lesson 2 is indicated. • Depending on the selected song, the rhythm part may be muted for Lesson 2.
Song Lesson 3 Play the appropriate part with the song. After the lead-in, the song starts automatically, and the appropriate notes appear in the display. In Lesson 3, listen carefully to the un-muted part, and play the muted part yourself. Lesson 4 — Both Hands Lesson 4 is a “Minus One” practice essentially the same as Lesson 3, except that both the left- and right-hand parts are muted — letting you play and master both hands at the same time.
Song Lesson Grade The Lesson feature has a built-in evaluation function that monitors your practicing of the Lesson songs, and just like a real teacher, it tells you how well you did each exercise. Four grades are assigned, depending on your performance: “OK,” “Good,” “Very Good,” and “Excellent.” When the Talking function (page 40) is on, the PSR-160 also “announces” your grade. Excellen on 1 Select the Grade function.
Talking This feature “talks” to you through the speakers, “announcing” the Grade comments as well as the titles of the Lesson steps and the names of certain functions. TALKING on 1 Select the Talking function. Press the left Overall button, repeatedly if necessary, until “TALKING” appears in the display. TALKING on Indicates Talking function is selected 2 MEASURE -04 Set Talking to on or off as desired. Use the [+]/[-] buttons to set Talking to on or off.
Dictionary The Dictionary feature 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 Press the [Dict.] button. Dict. TEMPO 116 ACMP ON 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. 8va TEMPO 3 116 ACMP ON Pressing this key selects the root G.
Selecting and Playing Styles The PSR-160 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 (with 2 Fill-ins), and Ending — letting you call up different accompaniment patterns as you perform.
Selecting and Playing Styles Playing the Accompaniment When the Style mode is active, the panel buttons below the function as style controls. Pressing this button switches between the Main A and Main B sections, automatically adding a fill-in pattern before changing the section. (See page 46.) Pressing this button alternately enables and cancels the bass and chord accompaniment. Pressing this button alternately enables and cancels the Sync Start function. (See page 44.
Selecting and Playing Styles ■ 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. Simply tap the [TEMPO/TAP] button four times (or three times for a 3/4 time style), and the accompaniment starts automatically at the tempo you tapped. You can also change the tempo while the accompaniment is playing by tapping the [TEMPO/ TAP] button twice at the desired tempo.
Selecting and Playing Styles Starting with an section First, press the [MAIN/AUTO FILL] button, repeatedly if necessary, to select which section (A or B) is to follow the Intro. Next, press the [INTRO/ENDING] button to set the Intro to standby. INTRO≥A TEMPO 116 Indicates that Intro is on, and will be followed by the Main A section. To actually start the Intro section and accompaniment, press the [START/ STOP] button.
Selecting and Playing Styles 4 Stop the style. You can do this in one of three ways: ■ Pressing the [START/STOP] button The rhythm/accompaniment stops playing immediately. ■ Using an Ending section Press the [INTRO/ENDING] button. The style stops after the Ending section is finished.
Selecting and Playing Styles 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.
Selecting and Playing Styles Using Auto Accompaniment — Multi Fingering 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 ACMP section of the keyboard using either the “Single Finger” or “Fingered” method. With Single Finger you can simply play a one-, two- or three-finger chord indication (see Single Finger Chords below).
Selecting and Playing Styles • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What is a Chord? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The simple answer: Three or more notes played simultaneously is a chord. (Two notes played together is an “interval” — an interval being the distance between two different notes. This is also referred to as a “harmony.”) Depending on the intervals between the three or more notes, a chord can sound beautiful or muddy and dissonant.
Selecting and Playing Styles • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Writing Chord Names• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Knowing how to read and write chord names is an easy yet invaluable skill. Chords are often written in a kind of shorthand that makes them instantly recognizable (and gives you the freedom to play them with the voicing or inversion that you prefer).
Selecting and Playing Styles Multi Pads These convenient pads let you instantly trigger various musical and rhythmic phrases as you play the PSR-160. There are a total of 40 different sounds or phrases (10 banks, with four pad sounds for each bank). The phrases play back at the same speed as the Tempo setting, and they also change harmonically along with the accompaniment chords (both in the Style and Song modes). 1 Select the Pad function in the Overall menu.
MIDI The PSR-160 also features MIDI terminals, allowing you to interface the PSR-160 with other MIDI instruments and devices. Receives MIDI data from the connected sending device. Transmits MIDI data (keyboard performance) to the connected device.
Troubleshooting Problem Possible Cause and Solution When the PSR-160 is turned on or off, a popping sound is temporarily produced. This is normal and indicates that the PSR-160 is receiving electrical power. When using a mobile phone, noise is produced. Using a mobile phone in close proximity to the PSR-160 may produce interference. To prevent this, turn off the mobile phone or use it further away from the PSR-160. The sound of the voices or rhythms seems unusual or strange.
Voice List The following voices can be selected when the Voice mode is active, or when the Voice Change function is on. They can also be selected by a connected MIDI device; the corresponding bank select messages are: MSB = 00H, LSB = 70H. When selecting voices via MIDI: * The Harmony voices (#059 - #068) and Echo voices (#079 - #088) are sounded without the respective harmony and echo effects.
Voice List The following voices cannot be directly selected from the panel controls; they are special voices programmed into the songs of the PSR-160 and are selected automatically in song playback. However, they can be selected by a connected MIDI device; the corresponding bank select messages are: MSB = 00H, LSB = 00H.
Drum Kit List • Each percussion voice uses one note. • The MIDI Note # and Note are actually one octave lower than listed. For example, the “Bass Drum 2” (Note# 36/Note C1) corresponds to (Note# 24/Note C0). • Voices with the same Alternate Note Number (*1 … 2) cannot be played simultaneously. (They are designed to be played alternately with each other.
Style List & Multi pads ● Style List No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Style Name 8BEAT 8Beat Pop 8Beat Uptempo 8Beat Standard 8Beat Shuffle Folkrock Pop Rock Crystal Pop 8Beat Medium 16BEAT 16Beat Shuffle 16Beat Pop BALLAD 8Beat Ballad Epic Ballad Piano Ballad Soul Ballad Slow Rock 6/8 Ballad Harp Arpeggio 1 Harp Arpeggio 2 Harp Arpeggio 3 Music Box DANCE Dance Pop Techno Eurobeat Hip Hop 70s Disco No.
MIDI Implementation Chart YAMAHA [ PSR-160 ] Model PSR-160 Date:26-JAN-2000 Version : 1.0 MIDI Implementation Chart Transmitted Recognized Remarks Function...
MIDI Implementation Chart NOTE: *1 Depending on the selected voice, the transmitted velocity value may differ, even for notes played with identical strength. *2 MSB can be used to change the voice for the Melody or Rhythm. MSB=00H :Melody Voice MSB=7FH : Rhythm Voice LSB: Refer to Voice list. *3 For program change values, refer to the voice list. Program change and other like channel messages received will not affect the PSR-160 panel settings or what is being played on the keyboard.
Specifications Keyboard 49 standard-size keys (C1 - C5) Power supply Adaptor: Batteries: Display Large multi-function LCD display (backlit) Setup STANDBY/ON MASTER VOLUME : MINI-MAX Yamaha PA-3B AC power adaptor Six “D” size, SUM-1, R-20 or equivalent batteries Dimensions 924 x 317 x 107 mm (36-3/8" x 12-1/2" x 4-1/4") Weight Panel controls Overall, SONG, VOICE, STYLE, DEMO, POTABLE GRAND, DJ, METRONOME, Dict., L, R, TEMPO/TAP numeric keypad (0 - 9, +,-) 4kg (8 Ibs., 13 oz.
Index Misc. M V +/- buttons........................................24 Main A/B......................................... 46 Melody voice change ...................... 30 Metronome...................................... 21 MIDI ............................................... 52 MIDI Implementation Chart ........... 58 MIDI, about .................................... 52 Minus One....................................... 34 Multi Fingering ............................... 48 Multi Pads .........................
Limited Warranty 90 DAYS LABOR 1 YEAR PARTS Yamaha Corporation of America, hereafter referred to as Yamaha, warrants to the original consumer of a product included in the categories listed below, that the product will be free of defects in materials and/or workmanship for the periods indicated.
For details of products, please contact your nearest Yamaha or the authorized distributor listed below. Pour plus de détails sur les produits, veuillez-vous adresser à Yamaha ou au distributeur le plus proche de vous figurant dans la liste suivante. NORTH AMERICA CANADA Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. 135 Milner Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario, M1S 3R1, Canada Tel: 416-298-1311 U.S.A. Yamaha Corporation of America 6600 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, Calif. 90620, U.S.A.
M.D.G., EMI Division, Yamaha Corporation © 2000 Yamaha Corporation V540070 00?PO???.