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.
