Yamaha P 250 Owners Manual

							P-25041
Basic Operation
Performance Operation
■Selecting a Performance
1
Load a preset performance file.
Press the [PERFORM. FILE] button, then press the 
A [–]/[+] buttons to select “LoadFromMem.” Press 
the C [–]/[+] buttons to select the desired perfor-
mance file, then press the B [+(YES)] button.
If you wish to select a preset performance file that has 
its performance parameters already set, press the C [–]/
[+] buttons to select “000:PresetPerformance”.
2The unit enters Performance mode (if the 
unit was in another mode).
Press the [PERFORMANCE] button. 
3Select the desired performance.
Press the [EXIT] button, then use the VARIATION 
[†]/[π] buttons to switch between Banks A and 
B. Then press one of the VOICE/PERFORMANCE 
buttons to select the desired performance.
VOICE/PERFORMANCE TEMPO SONG SONG BALANCE
MASTER VOLUME
MIDI SETTINGCHORUSREVERB SPLIT CONTRAST
XG8
16 B
YES NO
D A
CBASS
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
EX.TRACKSSONG FILEPANEL LOCK
TRACK1
TOP SONG SELECT
KEYBOARD SONG
MINMAXREC START/STOP
SYNCHRO START NEW SONGTRACK2MIDI OUT
ORGAN 2
102 G.PIANO 2
STRINGS
113 E.PIANO1
CHOIR
124 E.PIANO2
OTHER SETTING
DOWN SONG SETTING UP
2 331311
    CAUTION
If the [PERFORMANCE] button indicator is flashing, the 
currently-selected performance may not match the perfor-
mance name displayed on the LCD.
TIP
Performance OFF ...... You can select a voice using the 
VOICE/PERFORMANCE buttons.
(The button indicator turns off.)
Performance ON  ....... You can select a performance using 
the VOICE/PERFORMANCE  buttons.
(The button indicator flashes or lights up.)
Press the [PERFORMANCE] button repeatedly to toggle 
between Performance mode on and off. 
TIP
To display the voice names for all parts, press the A [+] but-
ton in the performance screen.
TIP
To check the name of the currently-selected performance 
file, press the A[–] button. As long as you hold down the A 
[–] button, the performance file name remains on the 
screen.
TIP
To turn Performance mode off while keeping the perfor-
mance parameter setting as is, press and hold down the B 
[– (NO)] button and press the [PERFORMANCE] button 
while the performance screen is displayed. At this time, if 
you press only the [PERFORMANCE] button (without hold-
ing down the B [– (NO)] button), the previous performance 
setting (that existed before Performance mode was turned 
on) is retained.
Performance file
Performance
Main
VOICE EDIT   onLayerMIDI Setting
A01 A02
A16
B01 B02 B03 B04
A04
A03
B16 
						

							42   P-250
Basic Operation
Handling Performance Files 
[PERFORM.FILE]
The following parameters are provided for the performance files:
■Basic Operation for the Performance File
A message (information or confirmation dialog) sometimes appears on the LCD to facilitate operation. 
Refer to the “Message List” on page 82 for an explanation of each message, the appropriate actions to 
take, and troubleshooting information.
1Access the Performance File menu.
Press the [PERFORM. FILE] button.
To close the Performance File menu during the proce-
dure, press the [EXIT] button once or twice.
2Select the desired parameter.
Press the [PERFORM. FILE] or A [–]/[+] buttons 
repeatedly to display the option desired from the 
following list:
•Performance
•Perf.Name
•SaveToMemory
•LoadFromMem.
•DeleteFile
•RenameFile
3Set the parameter or execute the command.
Use the B [–(NO)]/[+(YES)], C [–]/[+], D [–]/[+], 
and [VARIATION] [†]/[π] buttons.
For more information regarding specific details of this 
procedure, refer to the corresponding section below.
4Close the Performance File menu.
Press the [EXIT] button.
Operation Parameter name Reference page
Storing a performance “Performance” 43
Renaming a performance “Perf.Name” 43
Saving a performance file in storage memory “SaveToMemory” 44
Loading a performance file from storage memory “LoadFromMem.” 44
Deleting a performance file from storage memory “DeleteFile” 45
Renaming a performance file “RenameFile” 45
VOICE/PERFORMANCE TEMPO SONG SONG BALANCE
MASTER VOLUME
MIDI SETTINGCHORUSREVERB SPLIT CONTRAST
XG8
16 B
YES NO
D A
CBASS
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
EX.TRACKSSONG FILEPANEL LOCK
TRACK1
TOP SONG SELECT
KEYBOARD SONG
MINMAXREC START/STOP
SYNCHRO START NEW SONGTRACK2MIDI OUT
ORGAN 2
102 G.PIANO 2
STRINGS
113 E.PIANO1
CHOIR
124 E.PIANO2
OTHER SETTING
DOWN SONG SETTING UP
3
1, 223 43 
						

							P-25043
Handling Performance Files [PERFORM.FILE]
Basic Operation
■Storing a Performance 
[Performance]
Refer to page 42 for information on the 
basic operation of performance files. 
The following steps are supplement for 
Step 3 on page 42.
3-1Select a performance.
Use the C[–]/[+] buttons and VARIATION [†]/[π] 
buttons to select the performance from 32 settings.
3-2Execute the operation.
Press the B [+(YES)] button located next to “Set?-->.”
During the operation, “Executing” is displayed on the 
screen. When the operation is complete, “Completed” 
is displayed.
■Renaming a Performance 
[Perf.Name]
Refer to page 42 for information on the 
basic operation of performance files. 
The following steps are supplement for 
Step 3 on page 42.
3-1Rename the performance.
To move the cursor (a small underline), use the C 
[–]/[+] buttons.
To insert a space, press the C [–]/[+] buttons 
simultaneously.
To select a character on the cursor, press the D [–]/
[+] buttons.
To delete the selected character, press the D [–]/
[+] buttons simultaneously.
You can use up to 20 characters to create a perfor-
mance name.
3-2Execute the operation.
Press the B [+(YES)] button located next to “Set?-->.”
During the operation, “Executing” is displayed on the 
screen. When the operation is complete, “Completed” 
is displayed.
    CAUTION
If you edit a performance from the preset performance file 
(“PresetPerformance.PER”), storing the performance by the 
procedure described above will overwrite the existing per-
formance data in the performance file without any warning. 
To avoid overwriting, first change the performance file name 
using the “RenameFile” parameter (page 45).
Main
VOICE EDIT   onLayerMIDI Setting
A01 A02
A16
B01 B02 B03 B04
A04
A03
B16
Performance file
Performance
    CAUTION
If you change the name of a performance from the preset 
performance file (“PresetPerformance.PER”) using the pro-
cedure described above, the performance will overwrite the 
existing performance data in the performance file without 
warning. To avoid overwriting, first change the performance 
file name using the “RenameFile” parameter (page 45).
TIP
About the performance name on-screen...
You can change the type of characters used to display the 
performance name on-screen using the “CharacterCode” 
(page 55) parameter, which you can access via the [SONG 
FILE] button. (The selected LCD character type will be used 
to display song file and performance.) 
						

							Handling Performance Files [PERFORM.FILE]
44   P-250
Basic Operation
■Saving a Performance File 
to Storage Memory 
[SaveToMemory]
Refer to page 42 for information on the 
basic operation of performance files. 
The following steps are supplement for 
Step 3 on page
  42.
 
3-1 
Name the performance file. 
To move the cursor (a small underline), use the C 
[–]/[+] buttons.
To insert a space, press the C [–]/[+] buttons 
simultaneously.
To select a character on the cursor, use the D [–]/
[+] buttons.
To delete a character, press the D [–]/[+] buttons 
simultaneously. 
You can use up to 58 characters for a performance file 
name. If the name is longer than the screen, use the C 
[–]/[+] buttons to move the cursor and scroll the 
name. 
3-2 
Execute the operation. 
Press the B [+(YES)] button located next to “Exe-
cute?-->.” 
“Sure?” is displayed on screen. Press the B [+(YES)] 
button again to confirm the operation. (To cancel the 
operation, press the B [–(NO)] button.)
During the operation, “Executing” is displayed on the 
screen. When the operation is complete, “Completed” 
is displayed.
If storage memory contains one or more performance 
files, and you save a new performance file, the perfor-
mance files are automatically sorted alphabetically 
and renumbered. ■
 Loading a Performance 
File from Storage Memory 
[LoadFromMem.] Refer to page 42 for information on the 
basic operation of performance files. 
The following steps are supplement for 
Step 
 3
  on page
  42. 
3-1 
Select a performance file. 
Use the C [–]/[+] buttons to select the desired per-
formance file to load. 
3-2 
Execute the operation. 
Press the B [+(YES)] button located next to “Exe-
cute?-->.” 
“Sure?-->.” is displayed on screen. Press the B [+(YES)] 
button again to confirm the operation. (To cancel the 
operation, press the B [–(NO)] button.)
During the operation, “Executing” is displayed on the 
screen. When the operation is complete, “Completed” 
is displayed. 
 CAUTION
 
Do not turn off the power to the P-250 while the screen dis-
plays “Executing.” Otherwise, the data currently held in stor-
age memory may be lost. 
TIP
 
Performance File Title
•You can change the type of characters on screen using 
the “CharacterCode” (page 55) parameter in the “SONG 
FILE” menu.
(The selected LCD character type will be used to display 
song files and performance files.) 
•When you later select a saved performance file, the 
name with an extension “.PER” will appear. 
 CAUTION
 
If the currently-displayed file name uses a character type 
that is different than the character type used when you cre-
ated the file, you may be unable to access the file. 
 CAUTION
 
Do not turn off the power to the P-250 while the screen dis-
plays “Executing.” Otherwise, the data currently held in stor-
age memory may be lost. 
TIP
 
The performance file that has been recalled from storage 
memory at the time of shutdown will remain recalled next 
time you turn on the unit. 
						

							 
P-250 
45  Handling Performance Files [PERFORM.FILE] 
Basic Operation
 
■
 
Deleting a Performance File 
[DeleteFile]
 
You can delete a performance file in storage 
memory. (You cannot delete a preset perfor-
mance or the current performance file.)
  Refer to page 42 for information on the 
basic operation of performance files. 
The following steps are supplement for 
Step  
3 
 on page
  42.
 
3-1 
Select a performance file to delete. 
Use the C [–]/[+] buttons to select a performance 
file. 
3-2 
Execute the operation. 
Press the B [+(YES)] button located next to “Exe-
cute?-->.” 
Follow the instructions on screen. ■
 Renaming a Performance 
File [RenameFile] You can change the performance file name in 
storage memory. (You cannot change the name 
of a preset performance file.) Refer to page 42 for information on the 
basic operation of performance files. 
The following steps are supplement for 
Step 
 3
  on page
  42. 
3 
Rename the performance file as described in 
the [SaveToMemory] section (page 44). 
After you rename a performance file, all performances 
are sorted alphabetically and renumbered. 
 CAUTION
 
Do not turn off the power to the P-250 while the screen dis-
plays “Executing.” Otherwise, the data currently held in stor-
age memory may be lost. 
TIP
 
Deleting the performance file does not erase the currently-
loaded performance.
After you delete a performance file, the subsequent perfor-
mance file numbers are updated automatically. 
 CAUTION
 
Do not turn off the power to the P-250 while the screen dis-
plays “Executing.” Otherwise, the data currently held in stor-
age memory may be lost. 
TIP
 
Use “CharacterCode” in the “SONG FILE” menu to change 
the type of characters on screen. (The selected LCD char-
acter type will be used to display song files and perfor-
mances.) 
						

							 
46    
P-250 
Basic Operation
  Song Operation  ■
  Recording Songs  This chapter explains how to record your playing using the P-250 recording function.
You can, for example, play back what you played on the keyboard. You can also record just one part, then 
practice the other part while playing back the recorded the part.
Also, since you can record up to 16 tracks separately, you could record each part separately to build a 
song.
Recording vs. Saving:
The format of data recorded on a cassette tape differs from that of data recorded on the P-250.
A cassette tape records audio signals. On the other hand, the P-250 “saves” information regarding note 
timing, voices, and a tempo value — but not audio signals. When you play back recorded songs, the P-
250 produces sound based on the saved information.
Therefore, recording on the P-250 may be more accurately called “saving information.” However, this 
book often uses the word “recording,” or if re-recording over existing data, “overwriting.”
A message (information or confirmation dialog) sometimes appears on screen to facilitate operation. 
Refer to the “Message List” on page 82 for an explanation of each message, the appropriate actions to 
take, and troubleshooting information. 
TIP
 
An alternative way to record: 
You can record your performance (audio data) to a cassette 
tape recorder or other recording device via the [OUTPUT] 
connector. (page 17) 
TIP
 
When the P-250 enters recording mode while Performance 
mode is on, Performance mode is temporarily turned off. 
(page 41) The performance parameter settings remain the 
same. 
						

							 
P-250 
47  Song Operation 
Basic Operation
  ■
  Recording a New Song 
Recording 
1 
Select “NewSong” for recording. 
Press the SONG SELECT [ ]/[ ] buttons 
simultaneously. 
2 
Select a voice. 
Select a voice (or voices) for recording. (page 34) 
Set other parameters, such as reverb and chorus.
Adjust the [MASTER VOLUME] slider to set the vol-
ume level to suit your preference. You can also use the 
slider to adjust the level during playback.
When the settings are complete, press the SONG 
SELECT [ ] or [ ] button to return to the “NewS-
ong” screen.
 
3 
Enter record mode and select a recording 
track.
To select Track 1: 
Press and hold down the [REC] button and press 
the [TRACK 1] button.
The [TRACK 1] and [START/STOP] indicators flash 
in red. 
To select Track 2: 
Press and hold down the [REC] button and press 
the [TRACK 2] button.
The [TRACK 2] and [START/STOP] indicator flash 
in red. 
To select a track from Track 3 through 16: 
Hold down the [REC] button, then use the B [–]/
[+] buttons to select a recording track (3—16).
 While holding down the [REC] key, press the 
[EX.TRACKS] button.
The [EX.TRACK] and [START/STOP] indicators 
flash red.
(To stop recording, press the [REC] button again 
or press the [STOP] button.) 
Record Standby screen 
Set the tempo, if necessary.
Press the TEMPO [DOWN] or [UP] button to set the 
tempo. If the Record Standby screen does not appear, 
press the SONG SELECT [ ] or [ ] button. 
4 
Start and stop recording. 
Recording begins automatically as soon as you 
play a note on the keyboard. 
(Optional) Press the SONG [START/STOP] button to 
start recording.
The Recording screen indicates the current measure 
number. 
Recording screen
                                                      Recording bar number
VOICE/PERFORMANCE TEMPO SONG SONG BALANCE
MASTER VOLUME
MIDI SETTINGCHORUSREVERB SPLIT CONTRAST
XG8
16 B
YES NO
D A
CBASS
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
EX.TRACKSSONG FILEPANEL LOCK
TRACK1
TOP SONG SELECT
KEYBOARD SONG
MINMAXREC START/STOP
SYNCHRO START NEW SONGTRACK2MIDI OUT
ORGAN 2
102 G.PIANO 2
STRINGS
113 E.PIANO1
CHOIR
124 E.PIANO2
OTHER SETTING
DOWN SONG SETTING UP
23
4, 5 4, 51
NOTE
If you select a song other than “P-000:NewSong” and 
record on a track that already contains data, the existing 
data on that track will be lost.
TIP
Set the tempo in Step 3.
TIP
See page 50 for more information on recording in Dual/Split 
mode.
TIP
If the “ClickOnOff ” parameter in the “SONG SETTING” 
menu is set to on, the click sound will be heard.
TIP
When you press the SONG [START/STOP] button during 
recording, recording is paused. To resume recording, press 
the SONG [START/STOP] button again or play a note on 
the keyboard.
TIP
When you press the [REC] button, recording pauses. 
						

							Song Operation
48   P-250
Basic Operation
To stop recording, press the [TOP] button. The 
P-250 locates the top of the song.
When the track is 1 or 2, the flashing red light 
changes to a steady green light. (Record mode is auto-
matically cancelled.)
5Play back the recorded song.
Press the SONG [START/STOP] button to play 
back the recording.
When playback is complete, the P-250 automatically 
stops and locates the top of the song. To stop playback 
in the middle of a song, press the [TOP] button. You 
can also pause playback by pressing the [START/
STOP] button.
6Save the recorded song.
When you turn off the power to the P-250, the 
recorded performance data will be lost. If you wish to 
keep the recording, save the data using the 
“SaveToMemory” parameter (page 54) in the “SONG 
FILE” menu.
Re-recording part of a song
This section explains how to record part of a song 
again.
1Pause the song at the beginning of the part 
you wish to re-record.
To move through the measures, use the B [–]/[+] but-
tons while the playback screen is displayed, or play 
back the recording and press the SONG [START/
STOP] button to locate a point slightly prior to the 
beginning of the part you wish to re-record.
2Select a voice or voices for recording, if nec-
essary.
Repeat Step 2 on page 47. Repeat Step 1 on page 47 if 
you wish to change the previous settings.
3Select the recording method (Start/End).
Press and hold down the [REC] button, and press 
the C [–]/[+] buttons repeatedly to specify how 
the recording should start. Press the D [–]/[+] but-
tons repeatedly to specify how the recording 
should end.
While you are holding down the [REC] button, the fol-
lowing recording method selection screen appears.
Starting methods (start):
Norm (Normal)— The existing data will be erased 
after re-recording starts.
Key On— Data that exists prior to the point where 
you start playing will not be erased.
Ending methods (End):
Replace— The data after the point you stop recording 
will also be erased.
Punch Out— The data after the point you stop record-
ing will not be erased.
Then, resume Step 3 on page 47.
TIP
To erase recorded data from a track, use the “Channel 
Clear” parameter in the “SONG SETTING” menu (page 63).
TIP
Press one of the SONG SELECT [ ] or [ ] buttons 
once to return to the recording or song selection screen 
during song recording or playback.
TIP
If you are not satisfied with the recording and wish to record 
again, specify the same song and track and repeat these 
steps. The original recording will be overwritten by the new 
recording.
TIP
If the playback screen is not displayed, press the SONG 
SELECT [ ] or [ ] button.
TIP
If you cancel recording by pressing the [REC] button, 
recording stops at the point at which you press the button. If 
you cancel recording by pressing the [TOP] button, the 
P-250 locates the top of the song. 
						

							P-25049
Song Operation
Basic Operation
■Other Recording Techniques
Adding data to or recording over 
an existing song
The previous section explains how to record your per-
formance from the beginning by selecting a blank “P-
000:NewSong.” You can also add data from your play-
ing to or overwrite existing songs (such as preset songs 
[P-001—016], commercially-available music data, or 
your old recorded performances).
1Select a song for recording (P-***).
Select one of the preset songs (P-001—016) instead 
of “P-000: NewSong” as described in Step 1 of 
“Recording” on 
page 47. To select a song from previ-
ously-recorded data, see Steps 1 and 2 on page 51.
To continue recording, follow the procedure described 
in “Recording a New Song” on page 47.
Changing the voice or tempo 
after recording
You can change the voice or song tempo after record-
ing. For example, you can change the voice to create 
a different ambience, or adjust the song tempo to suit 
your taste. You can also change these elements in the 
middle of a song.
1Select the song you wish to edit by using the 
SONG SELECT [ ]/[ ] buttons.
2To change the voice or tempo in the middle 
of the song, specify the measure using the B 
[–]/[+] buttons.
3Change the settings (voice, reverb, etc.).
For example, if you wish to change the recorded Stan-
dard E.Piano voice to DX E.Piano1, use the VOICE/
PERFORMANCE buttons and the A [–]/[+] buttons to 
select E.Piano2.
When the setting is complete, press one of the SONG 
SELECT [ ]/[ ] buttons to return to the song 
selection screen.
4Press and hold down the [REC] button and 
select the track to change.
The indicator for the selected track lights up in red.
You can change the tempo setting at this point, if you 
wish.
At this point, do not play the keyboard or press the 
[START/STOP] button. Otherwise, recording will start, 
erasing the recorded data.
5Press the [TOP] or [REC] button to exit record 
mode.
Adjusting the volume balance 
between playback and the sound of 
your playing by using the [SONG 
BALANCE] slider
While recording multiple parts into tracks one by one, 
you can adjust the volume balance between the play-
back of the recorded parts and your current perfor-
mance.
1Move the [SONG BALANCE] slider to the left 
or right to make the adjustment.
NOTE
If you record on a track that already contains data, the exist-
ing data on the track will be lost.
    CAUTION
This operation is effective only when “RecMode” (page 48) 
is set to “Start:Norm.”
TIP
For information on the data you can edit, in addition to the 
voice and tempo, refer to “Types of recorded (written) data” 
on page 50.
TIP
Change the tempo in Step 4.
    CAUTION
The edited settings (except for the tempo setting) will be 
saved in memory. You will not be able to restore the previ-
ous settings. Proceed with caution!
TIP
You can change the function assigned to the [SONG BAL-
ANCE] slider by setting the “SongBalanceAssign” parameter 
(page 79), which is accessed via the [OTHER SETTING] 
button.
SONG BALANCE
KEYBOARD SONG
Your playing volume will 
be lower.The song playback vol-
ume will be lower. 
						

							Song Operation
50   P-250
Basic Operation
Recording in Dual or Split mode
When you record in Dual or Split mode, the P-250 
records each voice onto a separate track. The follow-
ing table shows how tracks are assigned to each 
voice.
In the following example, Tracks 1, 2, and EXTRA 
TRACK “n” have been selected for recording.
The variable “n” represents a track number from 3 
through 16.
If “n+1,” “n+2,” and “n+3” exceed 16, TRACKs 1, 2, 
and 3 are used.Types of data recorded
Data recorded in the tracks:
•Note data (notes you play)
•Voice selection
•P-250 pedals and modulation wheel on/off
•Reverb depth “ReverbSend”
•Chorus depth “ChorusSend”
•Insertion effect depth “Dry/WetBalance”
•Sound brightness “Brightness”
•Resonance effect setting “Harmonic Content”
•Equalizer’s low-range frequency setting “EQLow-
Freq.”
•Equalizer’s low-range gain setting “EQLowGain”
•Equalizer’s low-range frequency setting “EQLow-
Freq.”
•Equalizer’s low-range gain setting “EQLowGain”
•Voice octave setting “Octave”
•Voice volume level “Volume”
•Stereo image of each voice “Pan”
•Fine pitch adjustment between two voices (Dual 
only) “Detune”
•Volume level changes for each voice with 
response to the way you play “TouchSense”
•Voice transpose setting “Transpose”
•Scale
•Soft pedal depth
•String resonance depth
•Sustain sampling depth
•Key-off volume “KeyOffSamplingDepth”
•Modulation
•Pitch bend
•Pitch bend range
Data shared by tracks
•Tempo
•Time signature
•Reverb type
•Chorus type
•Insertion effect type
*You can change all data except for note data 
including “Octave” and “Transpose”, after 
recording.
*You can change the time signature while play-
back or recording is stopped, at the top of the 
song, or at a position reached by pressing the B 
[–]/[+] buttons.
    CAUTION
When you record multiple parts into tracks one by one, or 
when you record new data over an existing song (see 
page 49), the existing data will be erased. Proceed with 
caution!
Assigned recording tracks
TRACK1 TRACK2EXTRA 
TRACKn
↓↓ ↓
Main TRACK 1 TRACK 2 TRACK n
Layer TRACK 3 TRACK 4 TRACK n+2
Main TRACK 1 TRACK n
Left TRACK 2 TRACK n+1
Main TRACK 1 TRACK n
Left TRACK 2 TRACK n+1
Layer TRACK 3 TRACK n+2
LeftLayer TRACK 4 TRACK n+3
TIP
A switch between Dual and Split mode in a song will not be 
recorded.
Tracks to be recorded
Dual
Split
Split Dual