Yamaha P 250 Owners Manual

							P-25021
Connecting to External Devices
Basic Operation
Type of serial cables and pin assignments
Depending on the type of computer you connect, use 
one of the following serial cables:
Windows (with a 9-pin D-sub serial port)
8-pin mini DIN plug → D-sub 9-pin plug
(Yamaha CCJ-PC2 or equivalent)
Macintosh
System peripheral plug → 8-pin plug
(Yamaha CCJ-MAC or equivalent)
Pin assignment
The following diagram shows the pin assignments for 
each cable.
8 (CTS)
7 (RTS)
2 (RxD)
5 (GND)
3 (TxD) 1
2
3
4
8
5mini DIN 
8-pinD-sub 
9-pin
mini DIN 
8-pin2 (HSK i)
1 (HSK O)
5 (RxD-)
4 (GND)
3 (TxD-)
8 (RxD+)
7 (GP-)
6 (TxD+) 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8mini DIN 
8-pin
mini DIN 8-pinPin numbers (view from front)
D-sub 9-pin
14 5321
3467
8
5
29876 
						

							Connecting to External Devices
22   P-250
Basic Operation
3 MIDI connection (the computer’s 
MIDI interface or external MIDI inter-
face to the P-250 MIDI IN and OUT 
connectors)Local On/Off when a computer is connected
If the P-250 is connected to a computer, keyboard perfor-
mance data is generally sent to the computer, then returned 
from the computer to trigger the P-250 internal tone genera-
tor. If the Local Switch is set to “on,” the P-250 will play the 
song in unison, since the internal tone generator is receiving 
performance data from both the keyboard and the com-
puter.
Use the following setting as a guideline; specific instruc-
tions may differ depending on your computer and the soft-
ware used.
MIDI “Echo” is enabled on the software/computer
MIDI “Echo” is disabled on the software/
computer
MIDI “Echo” is a function that takes any data 
received via MIDI IN and “echoes” it (or transmits it 
as is) through MIDI OUT. In some software applica-
tions, this function is also called “MIDI Thru.”
TIP
Please use the appropriate MIDI interface for your com-
puter.
TIP
If you are using a computer that features a USB interface, 
connect the computer and the P-250 with a USB cable. 
P-250
MIDI
OUT
MIDI
IN MIDI [IN] MIDI [OUT]
Computer with 
MIDI interface
HOST SELECTMIDI PC-2 USBMac
• Using the computer’s MIDI interface
MIDI Interface
MIDI OUT
MIDI IN
MIDI [IN] MIDI [OUT]
Serial port
(modem or printer port), 
or USB portComputer
P-250
HOST SELECTMIDI PC-2 USBMac
• Using an external MIDI interfaceTIP
To transmit or receive System Exclusive data (page 75, 
page 31 of the separate “Data List”) such as with the Bulk 
Dump function, use the setting example below, making sure 
that MIDI “Echo” on the computer software is set to “off.”
TIP
The P-250 receives and responds to MIDI data from the 
computer application (sequencer), regardless of the Local 
On/Off setting on the P-250.
TIP
Refer to the owner’s manual for your software for specific 
instructions.
Echo Back On Local Off
Computer with
application software
Tone
GeneratorKeyboard
MIDI setting “LocalControl” : off
IN OUTUSB
OUT
INP-250
Echo Back Off Local On
Computer with
application software
Tone
GeneratorKeyboard
MIDI setting “LocalControl” : on
OUT
INUSBP-250 
						

							P-25023
Connecting to External Devices
Basic Operation
■Connecting Pedals
You can connect an optional foot switch (FC4, 
FC5), foot pedal (FC3), or foot controller (FC7) 
(instead of the included FC3 foot pedal) to the 
ASSIGNABLE FOOT PEDAL [1 (SUSTAIN)], [2 
(SOSTENUTO)], [3 (SOFT)], [4 (AUX)] jacks on 
the rear panel to control various parameters 
(page 69).
■Connecting headphones
You can connect headphones to the [PHONES] jack 
located on the front panel.
TIP
For more information on basic operation of the pedals and 
assigning the functions to them, refer to pages 39 and 69 
respectively.
TIP
Optional pedals:
Yamaha FC3 foot pedal
Yamaha FC7 foot controller
Yamaha FC4 foot switch
Yamaha FC5 foot switch
MIDI ASSIGNABLE FOOT PEDALINTOUT 4
AUX1
SUSTAIN2
SOSUTENUTO3
SOFT
Rear panel
foot switch
FC4 or FC5 foot pedal
FC3foot controller 
FC7
PHONES[PHONES] 
						

							24   P-250
Basic Operation
P-250 Quick Guide
■Listening to Demo and Preset Songs
For each voice group, the P-250 contains one demo song and one preset song that shows off the charac-
teristics of the voices. This section explains how to listen to demo and preset songs for the voice 
groups.
Listening to the demo songs
1Engage Demo Song mode.
Simultaneously press the [MIDI SETTING] button 
and the [OTHER SETTING] button.
The VOICE/PERFORMANCE button indicators flash in 
succession.
2Select a song and start playback.
Press the VOICE/PERFORMANCE button for the 
demo song that you want to hear.
The corresponding VOICE/PERFORMANCE button 
indicator lights up and playback starts.
Demo songs will play back consecutively from the 
upper-left VOICE/PERFORMANCE button until you 
stop playback.
To adjust the volume balance between song playback 
and keyboard, use the [SONG BALANCE] slider. 
(page 49)
3Stop playback.
Press the VOICE/PERFORMANCE button for the 
current demo song or press the SONG [START/
STOP] button.
4Exit Demo Song mode.
Press the [EXIT] button.
By pressing the [MIDI SETTING] and the [OTHER 
SETTING] buttons simultaneously, then press the A[–] 
or [+] button to get the [Piano Demo] display, you 
can hear the piano demo. The piano demo lets you 
compare the result of enabling/disabling each sam-
pling technology.
GRANDPIANO1 .... Stereo Piano (stereo sampling)
GRANDPIANO2 ....  Mono Piano (mono sampling)
E.PIANO1............... mezzo piano (dynamic sam-
pling, mezzopiano)
E.PIANO2............... mezzo forte (dynamic sam-
pling, mezzoforte)
E.PIANO3............... forte (dynamic sampling, forte)
CLAVI.  ................... with Sustain (with sustain sam-
pling)
HARPSICHORD ..... no Sustain (without sustain 
sampling)
VIBRAPHON .......... with KeyOff (with key-off sam-
pling)
ORGAN1 ............... no KeyOff (without key-off 
sampling)
ORGAN2 ............... with StringRes (with string res-
onance)
STRINGS ................ no StringRes (without string 
resonance)
TIP
To adjust the volume level
To adjust the volume level of the demo songs, use the 
[MASTER VOLUME] dial.
TEMPO SONG SONG BALANCE
MASTER VOLUME POWER
A
C EX.TRACKSSONG FILEPANEL LOCK
TRACK1
TOP SONG SELECT
KEYBOARD SONG
MIN
ON OFFMAXREC START/STOP
SYNCHRO START NEW SONGTRACK2MIDI OUT
DOWN SONG SETTING UP 
						

							P-25025
P-250 Quick Guide
Basic Operation
Listening to the preset songs
1Select the desired song.
Press the SONG SELECT [ ]/[ ] buttons to 
select the number of the tune you want to hear. 
The song number is displayed as [P-***].
2Start playback.
Press the SONG[START/STOP] button to start 
playback.
Adjusting the tempo
You can use the TEMPO [DOWN]/[UP] buttons to 
adjust the playback tempo as required. The default 
tempo (the song’s original tempo) is set when you 
press the [DOWN] and [UP] buttons simultaneously.
Press either SONG SELECT [ ]/[ ] button to 
return to the song selection screen.
3Stop playback.
When playback is complete, the P-250 automati-
cally stops and locates the top of the song. To stop 
playback in the middle of a song and locate the 
top of the song, press the [TOP] button. You can 
also pause playback by pressing the [START/
STOP] button.
Fast forward and rewind
You can perform the following operations while the 
song selection screen is displayed:
•Use the B [–]/[+] buttons to move back and forth 
(rewind and fast forward) through the song while 
the song is played or stopped.
•Press the SONG SELECT [ ] or C [–] button dur-
ing playback to restart playback from the top of 
the song.
•Press the SONG SELECT 
[] or C[+] button dur-
ing playback to start playback from the next song.
•Press the SONG SELECT 
[] or C [–] button 
while playback is paused in a song to locate the 
top of the song.
4Return to the main screen.
Press the [EXIT] button.
TIP
•You can also use the C [–]/[+] buttons to select a song 
after you press the SONG SELECT []/[ ] but-
tons.
•“P-000: NewSong” is a blank song provided so you can 
record your playing. (page 47)
•Use the “SongRepeat” parameter in the [SONG SET-
TING] menu to select repeat playback of all songs or 
repeat playback of a single song. (page 64)
NOTE 
In songs recorded at a free tempo, the actual number of 
bars occasionally may not match the number of bars indi-
cated on screen.
NOTE
Some preset songs contain song data recorded at a free 
tempo.
the bar number
TIP
You can also use the D[–]/[+] buttons to change the 
tempo.
TIP
Whenever you select a new preset song, the tempo is 
automatically reset to the song’s original value.
P-250ELECTRONIC PIANO
HIGH HI-MID
MASTER EQUALIZER VOICE/PERFORMANCE
LOW
MIDI SETTINGCHORUSREVERB SPLIT CONTRAST
XG8
16 B
YES NO
DBASS
157
PERFORM. FILE MASTER EQ EDIT
VARIATIONPERFORMANCEVOICE EDIT VIBES
GUITAR
146
SYNTH. PAD
135 E.PIANO3 HARPSI.
CLAVI.
ORGAN 1
EXIT
9B A 1 G.PIANO 1
ORGAN 2
102 G.PIANO 2
STRINGS
113 E.PIANO1
CHOIR
124 E.PIANO2
OTHER SETTINGLO-MIDMID
1 2, 3 
						

							P-250 Quick Guide
26   P-250
Basic Operation
■Selecting, Editing, and Storing a Voice
The P-250 features a large number of high grade piano, organ, and other voices. Follow the steps below 
to play your favorite voices, change the parameters, and store the edited voices.
1Make sure the Performance mode is turned 
off.
If it’s on, press the [PERFORMANCE] button to 
turn off the button indicator.
2Select a voice.
Press one of the VOICE/PERFORMANCE buttons 
(from [GRAND PIANO 1] through [XG]) to select 
your favorite voice. You can also switch between 
voices in the same group by pressing one of the 
VARIATION buttons [†]/[π] or A [–]/[+] buttons 
repeatedly.
3Play the keyboard.
4Change the voice.
You can change a voice in another group by 
pressing a VOICE/PERFORMANCE button. You 
can also play voices in Dual or Split mode. For 
more information, see pages 35 and 36.
5Apply the reverb effect.
Press the [REVERB] button repeatedly to toggle 
the reverb on and off. When the button indicator 
is off, the reverb is off. (See page 37.)
6Apply the chorus effect.Press the [CHORUS] button repeatedly to toggle 
the chorus on or off. When the LED is off, the cho-
rus is off. (See page 37.)
7Use the Master Equalizer.
By moving the MASTER EQUALIZER [LOW], 
[LO-MID], [MID], [HI-MID], [HIGH] controls, 
you can adjust the tonal quality. (See page 38.)
8Use the pitch bend and modulation wheels.
Moving either wheel up or down creates expres-
sive playing effects, pitch bend, modulation, etc. 
(See page 38.)
9Use the pedal.
When the FC3 foot pedal is connected to a jack 
on the rear panel, such as the [1 (SUSTAIN)] jack, 
it can be used to create expressive playing effects. 
(See page 39.)
10Use the Edit function.
Press the [VOICE EDIT] button, then press the A [–]/
[+] buttons to select an item to edit, then press the 
C [–]/[+] and D [–]/[+] buttons to edit tonal color.
11Store the edits.
Press the B [+(YES)] button to store the edited 
voice.
MODULATION PITCH
USB
HOST SELECTMMIDI THRUOPC-2TO HOSTUSB MacINPUTR L/MONOOUT          PUTR L/MONO
TEMPO SONG SONG BALANCE
MASTER VOLUME POWER
A
C EX.TRACKSSONG FILEPANEL LOCK
TRACK1
TOP SONG SELECT
KEYBOARD SONG
MIN
ON OFFMAXREC START/STOP
SYNCHRO START NEW SONGTRACK2MIDI OUT
DOWN SONG SETTING UP
8 
						

							P-25027
P-250 Quick Guide
Basic Operation
■Selecting, Editing, and Storing a Performance
A performance is a group of stored settings regarding the tone generator, MIDI, and so on. The P-250 fea-
tures 32 preset performances. You can select and play any of these performances. You can also change 
the parameters, and store the edits as a new performance.
1Load a preset performance.
Press the [PERFORM. FILE] button, then press the 
A [–]/[+] button to select “LoadFromMem.” Press 
the C [–]/[+] button to select “000:PresetPerfor-
mance,” then press the B [+(YES)] button. When 
the unit displays “Sure?-->,” press the B[+(YES)] 
button again.
2Make sure the Performance mode is turned 
on.
If it’s off, press the [PERFORMANCE] button. The 
button indicator blinks.
3Select the desired performance. 
Press the [EXIT] button, then press the VARIA-
TION [†]/[π] buttons to switch between Banks 
A and B (page 30), then press any of the VOICE/
PERFORMANCE [1] — [16] buttons to select the 
desired performance.
4Play the keyboard.
5Change the performance.
You can change a performance by pressing another 
VOICE/PERFORMANCE button. To select a perfor-
mance in another bank, press the VARIATION [†]/
[π] buttons to flash the [PERFORMANCE] indicator, 
then press the desired VOICE/PERFORMANCE button.
6Use the Edit function.
Press the [VOICE EDIT] button, then press the A [–]/
[+] buttons to select an item to edit, then press the C 
[–]/[+] and D [–]/[+] buttons to customize the voice.
7Store a performance.
You can store an edited voice as a performance 
(page 30).
Press the [PERFORM. FILE] button, then press the 
A [–]/[+] buttons to select “Performance,” and 
press the C [–]/[+] or VARIATION [†]/[π] but-
tons to select a location to store the performance. 
Finally, press the B [+(YES)] button.
■Editing a Voice and Storing It as a Performance
When you are editing the parameters of a selected voice, you may occasionally want to store the current 
settings of the P-250 as a performance. In this case, follow the steps below:
Edit the desired voice following the Steps 1-10 described in the “Selecting, Editing, and Storing a Voice” 
section. Then, proceed to Step 7 in the “Selecting, Editing, and Storing a Performance” section to store 
the settings the entire keyboard as a performance.
MIDI ASSIGNABLE FOOT PEDALAC INLETUOUT IN AUX4
SOSUTENUTO2
SUSTAIN1
SOFT3
9
P-250ELECTRONIC PIANO
HIGH HI-MID
MASTER EQUALIZER VOICE/PERFORMANCE
LOW
MIDI SETTINGCHORUSREVERB SPLIT CONTRAST
XG8
16 B
YES NO
DBASS
157
PERFORM. FILE MASTER EQ EDIT
VARIATIONPERFORMANCEVOICE EDIT VIBES
GUITAR
146
SYNTH. PAD
135 E.PIANO3 HARPSI.
CLAVI.
ORGAN 1
EXIT
9B A 1 G.PIANO 1
ORGAN 2
102 G.PIANO 2
STRINGS
113 E.PIANO1
CHOIR
124 E.PIANO2
OTHER SETTINGLO-MIDMID
76 5 
						

							28   P-250
Basic Operation
P-250 Design
This chapter explains the terms “Voice,” “Performance,” “Song,” and “Memory.”
■Voice
The P-250 features 45 preset voices and an XG voice set (equivalent to a single voice). You can combine 
any of these voices in Dual or Split mode and play them simultaneously on the keyboard. The diagram 
below illustrates voices in Dual and Split modes.
You can set the effects and various controls for each voice. These settings are automatically recalled 
when you select a voice. In Dual or Split mode, you can set the parameters for each combination of 
voices. For example, the same voice used in different voice combinations can have different parameter 
settings for each combination.
For a list of parameters, see page 58. For information on editing the parameters, see “Editing” on 
page 61 and “Voice Edit” on page 65.
XG
Fretless Bass
XG
Grand Piano 2
Grand Piano 1
Mellow Piano 1
Grand Piano 1
Rock Piano
Grand Piano 1
Honky Tonk
Piano
Grand Piano 1
Grand Piano 2
Grand Piano 1
XG
Grand Piano 1
Phaser E.Piano
1
Each voice (45 presets and an XG voice set) 
has parameters that you can access via the 
[VOICE EDIT] button.
These voices are used for the Left part.
Each combination of voices (45 preset voices 
and XG voices) has unique parameter settings 
in the [VOICE EDIT] menu.
These combined voices are used for the Left 
part and the LeftLayer part.
 
Left
LeftLayer
Left LeftLayer
Left LeftLayer
Layer Layer
Left part
Left part LeftLayer part 
						

							P-25029
P-250 Design
Basic Operation
mainpart
XG
XG
Fretless Bass
XG
Grand Piano 1
Rock PianoGrand Piano 1
Mellow Piano 2Grand Piano 2
Honkky Tonk
PianoMellow Piano 1
Grand Piano 1
Rock Piano
Grand Piano 1
Honky Tonk
Piano
Grand Piano 1
Grand Piano 2
Grand Piano 1
Each voice in a voice combination has 
its own parameter settings.
These voices are used for the Main part. • Non-Dual and non-Split mode
• Dual
• Split
• The right-handed area in Split mode is
  set to Dual.
• The left-handed area in Split mode is 
  set to Dual.
• Split Dual
Each combination of voices (45 preset voices and XG voices) 
has unique parameter settings in the [VOICE EDIT] menu.
These combined voices are used for the Main part and the 
Layer part.
Main
Main
Left Left Main
LeftLayer
Left Main
Left LeftLayer LeftLayer
Left LeftLayer
Layer Left Main
Left MainLayer Layer Layer Layer
Main part
Layer part
LeftLayer 
						

							P-250 Design
30   P-250
Basic Operation
■Performances
On the P-250, a “performance” refers to a group of settings that control the tone generator, MIDI, and so 
on. You can recall any of 32 performances from the panel by pressing just one button.
The performances are divided into two banks (A and B). Performances in Bank A are called A01-A16, and 
performances in Bank B are called B01-B16.
Refer to “Performance Operation” (page 41) for more information on recalling performances.
Performance parameters
Performance parameters are stored in a performance. You can edit these parameters and store them as a new performance.
Parameter menu Parameter functionParameter name on screen Reference page
Name Naming a performance (Performance name) 43
Voice Turning the reverb on/off N/A 37
Setting Dual or Split mode N/A 35—36
Selecting a voice 
*1N/A 34
[VOICE EDIT] Setting the octave *1Octave 65
Setting the volume level *1Volume 65
Setting the position of left and right channels *1Pan 66
Adjusting fine pitch offset between two voices in Dual 
mode 
*2Detune 66
Selecting the reverb type  ReverbType 66
Setting the reverb depth 
*1ReverbSend 66
Setting the chorus type ChorusType 66
Setting the chorus depth 
*1ChorusSend 67
Turning the chorus on/off  *2ChorusOnOff 67
Selecting the insertion effect type  *1Ins.Type 67
Setting the speed of the vibraphone vibrato effect *1 VibeRotorSpeed 67
Turning the vibraphone vibrato on/off  
*1VibeRotorOnOff 67
Adjusting the speed of the rotary speaker *1RotarySpeed 67
Adjusting the insertion effect depth *1Dry/WetBalance 68
Adjusting the brightness of the sound *1Brightness 68
Adjusting the resonance effect *1HarmonicContent 68
Adjusting the low-range frequency of the part EQ *1EQ LowFreq. 68
Adjusting the high-range frequency of the part EQ *1EQ HighFreq. 68
Adjusting the low-range gain (amount of boost/cut) of 
the part EQ 
*1EQ LowGain 68
Adjusting the high-range gain (amount of boost/cut) of 
the part EQ 
*1EQ HighGain 68
Setting the touch sensitivity  
*1TouchSense 68
Assigening the Pedal 1 function  *2Pedal 1 69
Assigening the Pedal 2 function  *2Pedal 2 69
Assigening the Pedal 3 function  *2Pedal 3 69
Assigening the Pedal 4 function  *2Pedal 4 69
Assigening the modulation wheel function  *2Modulation 69
Setting the MSB of the Send Bank Select message  *1SendBankMSB 70
Setting the LSB of the Send Bank Select message  *1SendBankLSB 70
Setting the Program Change message  *1SendPG# 70
Turning the Internal tone generator on/off  *1InternalTG 70