Yamaha P 250 Owners Manual

							P-25071
Edit Operation
Adjusting the Master Equalizer 
[MASTER EQ EDIT]
The P-250 enables you to set the Master Equalizer settings.
You can also set the EQ gain by moving the MASTER EQUALIZER sliders (page 38) on the panel. Regard-
less of the method you use, the latest gain setting is effective.
■Setting the Master Equalizer type
You can set the Master Equalizer parameters to the preset 
values.
Press the B [–]/[+] buttons to select from Mellow 3-1 
(mellow and round sound), Normal, Bright 1-3 (bright 
sound), and Edit. If you select “Edit,” the settings for the 
other parameters accessed via the [MASTER EQ EDIT] 
buttons become enabled. However, the position of the 
[MASTER EQUALIZER] sliders is used as a gain value. If 
you set the other parameters, this parameter is set to Edit.
■Adjusting the low range gain of the Master 
Equalizer [LowGain]
■Adjusting the low-middle range gain of the 
Master Equalizer [LowMidGain]
■Adjusting the middle range gain of the Mas-
ter Equalizer [MidGain]
■Adjusting the high-middle range gain of the 
Master Equalizer [HighMidGain]
■Adjusting the high range gain of the Master 
Equalizer [HighGain]
You can specify the gain of each band of Master EQ.Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to specify each gain level (–9 
to +9dB).
■Adjusting the low frequency of the Master 
Equalizer [LowFreq.]
■Adjusting the low-middle frequency of the 
Master Equalizer [LowMidFreq.]
■Adjusting the middle frequency of the Mas-
ter Equalizer [MidFreq.]
■Adjusting the high-middle frequency of the 
Master Equalizer [HighMidFreq.]
■Adjusting the high frequency of the Master 
Equalizer [HighFreq.]
You can specify the center frequency for each band of 
the Master Equalizer.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to specify the frequencies (Lo: 
32Hz to 2.0kHz; Lo Mid to Hi Mid: 100Hz to 10.0kHz; 
Hi: 500Hz to 16.0kHz).
•Refer to page 61 for general information on setting the parameters.
•Refer to pages 3—5 of the separate “Data List” for information on the default parameter 
settings.
•All parameters accessed via the [MASTER EQ EDIT] button are performance parame-
ters (page 30).
ELECTRONIC P
HIGH HI-MID
MASTER EQUALIZER VOICE/PERFORMANCE TEMPO SONG
LOW
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
TOPREC START/STOP
SYNCHRO STARTTRACK2MIDI OUT
ORGAN 2
102 G.PIANO 2
STRINGS
113 E.PIANO1
CHOIR
124 E.PIANO2
OTHER SETTINGLO-MIDMID
DOWN SONG SETTING UP
[MASTER EQ EDIT]
TIP
You can specify the gain in the range of –12dB through 
+12dB for MIDI input signal.The range of indication is also –
12dB through +12dB. 
						

							Adjusting the Master Equalizer [MASTER EQ EDIT]
72   P-250
Edit Operation
■Adjusting the low range resonance of the 
Master Equalizer [LowQ]
■Adjusting the low-middle range resonance 
of the Master Equalizer [LowMidQ]
■Adjusting the middle range resonance of the 
Master Equalizer [MidQ]
■Adjusting the high-middle range resonance 
of the Master Equalizer [HighMidQ]
■Adjusting the high range resonance of the 
Master Equalizer [HighQ]
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to set the Q for each band 
(0.1—12.0).
HighMidQ
LowMidQ MidQ
LowFreq. LowMidFreq. MidFreq. HighMidFreq. HighFreq.
HighGain
LowGain
TIP
If you set the Q to a lower value and the gain to a higher 
value, the sound may distort. In this case, raise the Q or 
lower the gain.
TIP
If you set the “EqualizerLock” parameter (accessed via the 
[OTHER SETTING] button to “ON,” the Master Equalizer 
settings will not be affected by performance recall or MIDI/
song playback. 
						

							P-25073
Edit Operation
MIDI [MIDI SETTING]
You can set detailed MIDI-related parameters, such as setting up the MIDI transmit and receive 
channels.
■About MIDI
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard format for data transmission and reception. It 
enables the transfer of performance data and commands between MIDI devices and personal comput-
ers.
Using MIDI, you can control a connected MIDI device from the P-250, or control the P-250 from a con-
nected MIDI device or computer.
Refer to  “Connecting External MIDI Equipment” on page 18 for more information on connecting MIDI 
devices.
[MIDI] connector
MIDI [IN]: Receives MIDI data.
MIDI [OUT]: Transmits MIDI data.
MIDI [THRU]: Transmits data received at the MIDI [IN] 
connector without modifying the data.
[TO HOST] connector
Use this connector to connect the P-250 to a computer.
The type of connecting cable varies depending on the 
computer. Refer to  “Connecting to a Personal Com-
puter” on page 19 for more information.
[USB] connector
Use this connector to connect the P-250 to a computer.
MIDIINTHRUOUT
TO HOST
USB 
						

							MIDI [MIDI SETTING]
74   P-250
Edit Operation
Press the [MIDI SETTING] button to enter MIDI Setting mode.
■Setting the MIDI transmit channel 
[MidiOutChannel]
This parameter enables you to specify the channel on 
which the P-250 transmits MIDI data.
Press the C [–]/[+] buttons to select the voice part (Main, 
Left, Layer, Left Layer), and press the D [–]/[+] buttons to 
specify a channel (Ch1—Ch16, Off: Not transmitted).
[MidiOutChannel] is a performance parameter (page 
30).
■Setting the MIDI receive channel 
[MidiInChannel]
You can specify which channel receives part.
Press the C [–]/[+] buttons to select a channel (Ch1—
Ch32), and press the D [–]/[+] buttons to select the MIDI 
receive part (Song, Main, Left, Layer, Left Layer, Key-
board, or Off).
[MidiInChannel] is a performance parameter (page 
30).
■Turning the Local Control On/Off 
[LocalControl]
“Local Control On” is a state in which the P-250 pro-
duces sound from its tone generator when you play the 
keyboard. In the “Local Control Off” state, the keyboard 
and the tone generator are cut off from each other. This 
means that even if you play the keyboard, the P-250 will 
not produce sound. Instead, the keyboard data can be 
transmitted via MIDI to a connected MIDI device, which 
can in turn produce the sound. The “Local Control Off” 
setting is useful if you wish to play an external sound 
source while playing the keys on the P-250.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to turn Local Control on or 
off.
[LocalControl] is a performance parameter (page 
30).
■Specifying keyboard performance or song data 
to be transmitted via MIDI [MidiOutSelect]
You can specify whether the data from your performance 
on the keyboard or song playback data (including demo 
songs) is sent via MIDI.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to select one of the following:
Keyboard ....... Data from your performance on the key-
board
Song .............. Song playback data
[MidiOutSelect] is a performance parameter (page 
30). •Refer to page 61 for general information on setting the parameters.
•Refer to pages 3—5 of the separate “Data List” for information on the 
default parameter settings.
P-ELECTRONIC PIANO
HIGH HI-MID
MASTER EQUALIZER VOICE/PERFORMANCE TEMPO SONG
LOW
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 LOCKCK1PREC START/STOP
NCHRO STARTTRACK2MIDI OUT
ORGAN 2
102 G.PIANO 2
STRINGS
113 E.PIANO1
CHOIR
124 E.PIANO2
OTHER SETTING
LO-MIDMID
DOWN SONG SETTING UP
[MIDI SETTING]
MIDI IN
TO HOST
Sound source A
Channels 1-16Por t A Port B
Sound source B
Channels 17-32 MIDI data
Used for song 
playbackUsed for song 
playback(When the channel 
setting is other 
than Song or Off)
Played from 
the keyboard
USB 
						

							P-25075
MIDI [MIDI SETTING]
Edit Operation
■Specifying the type of data received via MIDI 
[ReceiveParameter]
This parameter enables you to specify the MIDI data type 
the P-250 will receive.
Press the C [–]/[+] buttons to select the data type (Note, 
Control, Program, AfterTouch, PitchBend, SysEx), and 
press the D [–]/[+] buttons to specify On or Off.
■Specifying the type of data transmitted via 
MIDI [TransmitParameter]
This parameter enables you to specify the MIDI data type 
the P-250 will transmit.
Press the C [–]/[+] buttons to select the data type: (Note, 
Control, AfterTouch, Program, PitchBend, SystemReal-
Time, SysEx), then press the D [–]/[+] buttons to specify 
On or Off.
■Transmitting the initial settings on the panel 
[InitialSetup]
You can transmit the panel data, such as voice selection, 
to a connected sequencer. Before you record your play-
ing on the keyboard to a connected sequencer, it is use-
ful if you first send and record (at the beginning of your 
recording) the panel setup data for your performance 
during playback.
Press the B [+(YES)] button to start transmission.
■Executing Voice Data Bulk Dump [VoiceBulk-
Dump]
You can transmit the voice data specified in the “VOICE 
EDIT” menu (page 65) as MIDI bulk data.
Press the B [+] button to start the transmission.
You can interrupt voice data bulk dump transmission by 
pressing the B [
–(NO)] button.
•Refer to page 61 for general information on setting the parameters.
•Refer to pages 3—5 of the separate “Data List” for information on the 
default parameter settings. 
						

							76   P-250
Edit Operation
Other Settings [OTHER SETTING]
The P-250 enables you to set detailed parameters for touch, tuning, scale, etc.
Press the [OTHER SETTING] button to enter Other Setting mode.
■Selecting a touch response [TouchResponse]
You can specify a touch response (how the sound 
responds to the way you play the keys).
Press the D[–]/[+] buttons to select one of the following:
Light ............. With this setting, a soft touch can produce 
a loud sound. Each note will sound at a 
more even level.
Medium ........ Standard touch
Heavy ........... You must play with a stronger touch to 
make the sound louder. This is suitable for 
expressive performance from pianissimo 
to fortissimo.
Fixed ............. The volume level is fixed. The force with 
which you play will not affect the loud-
ness.
If you select “Fixed,” press the B [–]/[+] buttons to set the 
volume (1—127). 
[TouchResponse] is a performance parameter.
■Fine-tuning the pitch [Tune]
You can fine tune the pitch of the entire instrument. This 
function is useful when you play the P-250 along with 
other instruments or CD music.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to set the A3 pitch (427.0Hz 
to 453.0, in 0.1Hz steps).
■Selecting a tuning curve for a piano voice 
[PianoTuningCurve]
You can select a tuning curve for [GRANDPIANO1] and 
[GRANDPIANO2]. Select [Flat] if you feel the tuning 
curve of the piano voice does not quite match that of the 
other instruments.
Use D [–]/[+] to select one of the following:
Stretch ........... Tuning curve typical for piano
Flat ................ With this tuning curve, the frequency is 
doubled per octave over the entire range.
[PianoTuningCurve] is a performance parameter (page 
30).
•Refer to page 61 for general information on setting the parameters.
•Refer to pages 3—5 of the separate “Data List” for information on the 
default parameter settings.
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
[OTHER SETTING]
TIP
Difference between “TouchResponse” and “TouchSense” in 
the “VOICE EDIT” menu (page 66):
“TouchSense” specifies for each part how loud the sound is 
produced. The Note On velocity data transmitted via MIDI is 
always fixed, but the volume level changes.
“TouchResponse” specifies how sensitive the instrument is 
in response to your key strokes. When you play the key-
board with a consistent force, the Note On velocity data 
transmitted via MIDI change. 
						

							P-25077
Other Settings [OTHER SETTING]
Edit Operation
■Selecting a scale [Scale]
The P-250 enables you to select various scales. Equal 
Temperament is the most common contemporary piano 
tuning scale. However, history has known numerous 
other scales, many of which serve as the basis for certain 
genres of music. You can experience the tunings of these 
genres.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to select from the scales 
below.
Equal
One octave is divided into twelve equal intervals. This is 
currently the most popular piano tuning scale.
PureMajor/PureMinor
Based on natural overtones, three major chords using 
these scales produce a beautiful, pure sound. They are 
sometimes used for chorus parts.
Pythagorean
This scale, designed by Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher, 
is composed of only five pitches. The 3rd produces 
swells, but the 4th and 5th are beautiful and suitable for 
some leads.
MeanTone
This scale is an improvement on the Pythagorean scale 
in that the swell of the 3rd has been eliminated. It 
became popular during the late 16th century through the 
late 18th century. Handel used this scale.
WerckMeister/KirnBerger
These scales combine Mean Tone and Pythagorean in 
different ways. With these scales, modulation changes 
the impression and feel of the songs. These scales were 
often used in the era of Bach and Beethoven. They are 
also often used now to reproduce the music of that era 
on harpsichords.
If you select a scale other than Equal, you need to specify 
the root note. Press the B [–(NO)]/[+(YES)] buttons to 
select from C, C

, D, E , E, F, F
, G, A , A, B  , or B.
[Scale] is a performance parameter (page 30).
■Setting the split point [SplitPoint]
Set the split point on the keyboard that separates the 
right and left-hand sections.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to set the value (A-1 — C7).
[SplitPoint] is a performance parameter (page 30).
■Setting the key [Transpose]
The P-250’s Transpose function makes it possible to shift 
the pitch of the entire keyboard up or down in semitone 
intervals to facilitate playing in difficult key signatures, 
and to let you easily match the pitch of the keyboard to 
the range of a singer or other instruments.
For example, if you set the transposition amount to “5,” 
playing key C produces pitch F. In this way, you can play 
the song as if it were in C major, and the P-250 will 
transpose it to the key of F.
Press the C [–]/[+] buttons to select one of the following 
to transpose:
Master..........Any sound of the instrument (actual play-
ing, playback song)
Keyboard......Actual playing
Song.............Playback song
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to set the transposition 
amount from –12 (–1 octave) to 0 (standard pitch) to +12 
(+1 octave).
[Transpose] is a performance parameter (page 30).
■Specifying the depth of the soft pedal [Soft-
PedalDepth]
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to set the value (1—10).
[SoftPedalDepth] is a performance parameter (page 
30).
■Specifying the depth of string resonance 
[StringResonanceDepth]
This parameter is effective on the voice group 
GRANDPIANO1.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to set the value (Off, 1—10).
[StringResonanceDepth] is a performance parameter 
(page 30). •Refer to page 61 for general information on setting the parameters.
•Refer to pages 3—5 of the separate “Data List” for information on the 
default parameter settings. 
						

							Other Settings [OTHER SETTING]
78   P-250
Edit Operation
■Specifying the depth of sustain sampling for 
the damper pedal [SustainSamplingDepth]
This parameter is effective only on the voice group 
GRANDPIANO1.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to set the value (Off, 1—10).
[SustainSamplingDepth] is a performance parameter 
(page 30).
■Specifying the volume of the key-off sound 
[KeyOffSamplingDepth]
You can adjust the volume of the key-off sound (the sub-
tle sound that occurs when you release a key).
This is effective on the voice groups GRANDPIANO1, 
E.PIANO1, CLAVI., and HARPSICHORD.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to set the value (Off, 1—10).
[KeyOffSamplingDepth] is a performance parameter 
(page 30).
■Selecting a pedal function for vibraphone 
[VibraphonePedalMode]
This parameter enables you to select whether the sound 
is sustained (a) while you press the keys on the keyboard 
(“PianoLike”) or (b) while you press and hold down the 
sustain pedal, like playing a real vibraphone (“Normal”).
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to specify PianoLike or Nor-
mal.
[VibraphonePedalMode] is a performance parameter 
(page 30)
.
■Assigning the START/STOP function to a 
pedal [PedalStart/Stop]
If you assign the START/STOP function to a pedal and 
activate the function, the pedal function assigned to the 
pedal in the VOICE EDIT menu (page 69) is disabled.
Press the C [–]/[+] buttons to select a pedal (Pedal 2, 
Pedal 3, Pedal 4) to assign the function, and press the D 
[–]/[+] buttons to specify On or Off.
[PedalStart/Stop] is a performance parameter (page 
30).
■Selecting a type of pedal [Pedal Type]
A pedal connected to the PEDAL [1 (SUSTAIN)], [2 (SOS-
UTENUTO)], [3 (SOFT)], [4 (AUX)] connector may 
switch on and off differently. For example, some pedals 
turn on the effects when pressed, and others turn them 
off. Use this parameter to reverse this mechanism.
Press the C[–]/[+] buttons to select a pedal from Pedal 1, 
Pedal 2, Pedal 3, or Pedal 4, then press the D [–]/[+] but-
tons to specify Make or Break.
■Setting the point at which the pedal starts to 
affect the sound [HalfPedalPoint]
This parameter enables you to specify the point to which 
you must depress the pedal before the assigned effect is 
applied. (This setting applies to effects that can be 
assigned to each pedal, such as damper or sostenuto 
(page 69). Expression is not affected by this setting.) If the 
effect is an on/off type, this setting specifies the point at 
which the effect will be switched on or off.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to specify from –2 (effective 
with the shallowest press) to 0 to +2 (effective with the 
deepest press).
[HalfPedalPoint] is a performance parameter (page 
30). •Refer to page 61 for general information on setting the parameters.
•Refer to pages 3—5 of the separate “Data List” for information on the 
default parameter settings. 
						

							P-25079
Other Settings [OTHER SETTING]
Edit Operation
■Setting the pitch bend range [PitchBendRange]
This parameter specifies the amount of change that can 
be produced by the pitch bend function (Pitch, page 38), 
which smoothly varies the pitch. This parameter is effec-
tive only on the notes played on the keyboard.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to specify a range from 0 to –
12 (pitch is lowered by 12 semitones [one octave]).
[PitchBendRange] is a performance parameter (page 30).
■Assigning a function to the [SONG BAL-
ANCE] slider [SongBalanceAssign]
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to select one of the following:
Off ................. The slider does not work.
SongBalance .. Changes the level balance between song 
playback sound and notes played on the 
keyboard.
DualBalance .. Changes the level balance between the 
Main (Left) art and Layer (LeftLayer) part.
SplitBalance... Changes the level balance between the 
Main (Layer) part and Left (LeftLayer) part.
[SongBalanceAssign] is a performance parameter 
(page 30).
■Switching the speaker on/off [Speaker]
This switch turns the internal speakers on or off
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to select one of the following:
Normal
(HeadphoneSW) ... The speakers output sound only when 
the headphones are not connected.
On ...................... The speakers always output sound.
Off ...................... The speakers do not output sound.
■Locking the Master Equalizer settings 
[EqualizerLock]
This function prevents the Master Equalizer settings from 
being changed when a performance is recalled or during 
MIDI or song playback.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to turn this parameter on or off.
■Selecting items saved at shutdown 
[MemoryBackUp]
You can back up some settings, such as the voice selec-
tion and MIDI setting, so that they will not be lost after 
you turn off the power to the P-250.
•Memory songs (saved in the P-250’s memory), the Memory-
BackUp parameter (this parameter), and the CharacterCode 
parameter (page 55) are always backed up.
Press the C [–]/[+] buttons to select the desired item 
(Transpose, Equalizer, ReverbOnOff, SplitPoint, Main/
LeftVoice, SongSetting, MidiSetting, Other Setting), and 
press the D [–]/[+] buttons to select On or Off.
“Transpose” and “SplitPoint” in the “OTHER SETTING” 
menu are excluded.
■Restoring the normal (default) settings 
[FactorySet]
You can reset the P-250 to its normal (factory default) set-
tings (page 3 of the separate “Data List”).
•The “CharacterCode” parameter setting in the [Song 
File] menu does not change.
•The 
“MemoryBackUp” parameter setting (On/Off) 
(see above) is reset to its default setting.
•You can specify whether the files in storage memory 
are erased or retained.
Press the D [–]/[+] buttons to specify MemoryFileExcluded or 
MemoryFileIncluded, then press the B [+] button to execute.
Alternative method for restoring the normal settings
Press and hold down the white key on the right end (C7) 
of the keyboard, then press the [POWER] switch to turn 
on the power to the P-250. The files saved in storage 
memory are not erased.
If you wish to erase the files in memory at this time, press 
and hold down the right-most white key (C7) and black 
key (B
6), then press the [POWER] switch.
•Refer to page 61 for general information on setting the parameters.
•Refer to pages 3—5 of the separate “Data List” for information on the 
default parameter settings.
TIP
You can still adjust the [MASTER EQUALIZER] sliders and 
[MASTER EQ EDIT] parameters on the panel when [Equal-
izerLock] is set to “On.” 
						

							 MEMO 
80   P-250
Appendix