Yamaha P255 Manual

							Customizing with F unction Parameters
P-255 Owner’s Man ual41
1Press the [FUNCTION] button as many 
times as necessary to select the param-
eter you wish to set. 
Each time you press the  [FUNCTION] button, the 
parameter number shown  will increase by one. 
You can also decrease the number being shown by 
pressing the [-/NO] button with the [FUNCTION] 
button held down. 
If you take no action for three seconds with a 
Function parameter number being shown, the dis-
play will return to the previous screen. 
2Press the [-/NO] or [+/YES] button to 
enable parameter setting. 
Pressing the [-/NO] or [+/YES] button once shows 
the current setting for  the selected Function 
parameter. 
3Change the setting using the [-/NO] and 
[+/YES] buttons. 
If necessary, you can re store the parameter’s 
default setting by pressing the [-/NO] and 
[+/YES] buttons together. 
4Press the [FUNCTION] button to apply 
your new setting. 
After three seconds, the di splay will return to the 
previous screen. 
Using the Tuning setting, you can fine tune the pitch of the 
entire instrument. This can be  extremely useful when play-
ing your digital piano along with other instruments or 
recorded music. 
Using the [-/NO] and [+/YES] buttons, you can lower and 
raise the pitch of the A3 key in units of approximately 0.2 
Hz. The tuning value is shown as a two-digit number with 
one decimal place—in other words, no value is shown for 
the hundreds column. 
Example: 440.2 Hz is shown as “40.2” . 
 vaila ble settings: 414.8.0 to 466.8 (Hz)
 ult setting: 440.0 (Hz)
Hertz
Hertz (Hz) is the  unit of a udio pitch. The pitch of a so und is 
determined  by the freq uency of its so und wa ves. The Hertz  unit 
expresses this freq uency in terms of the n um ber of oscillations 
per second. 
Your digital piano supports a range of different tuning sys-
tems. While the Equal Temperam ent tuning system has now 
become standard for pianos, a wide number of other sys-
tems were developed over the centuries before it was 
adopted, and these systems invariably paved the way for the 
birth of new musical styles. By selecting different tuning 
systems, you can enjoy the unique harmonics of music from 
the corresponding periods. In total, your digital piano can 
replicate the following se ven different systems. 
Equal temperament
The range of pitches in each octa ve is di vided eq ually into 
twel ve parts, with each half-step e venly spaced in pitch. Today, 
this is  by far the most pop ular t uning system for pianos. 
Pure Major and Pure Minor
These two t uning systems preser ve the pu re mathematical 
inter vals of each scale, especially for triadic chords (comprising 
the root, third, and fifth). These characteristics can still  be heard 
today in v ocal harmonies—s uch as choirs and a cappella sing-
ing. 
Pythagorean
This tu ning system was de vised  by the famou s Greek philoso-
pher Pythagoras and is created from a series of perfect fifths, 
which are collapsed into a single octa ve. The thirds in this t un-
ing are not so smooth,  but the fo urths and fifths are  bea utif ul 
and s uita ble for some leads. 
Meantone
This tu ning system was created as an impro vement on the 
Pythagorean scale  by making the major third inter val smoother. 
It was especially popu lar from the latter part of the 16th cent ury 
to the end of the 18th cent ury, with Handel  being one of its most 
nota ble  users. 
Basic Function-param eter operations
• You cannot set Function parameters during song playback (page 21), 
recording (page 25), or file operations (page 30). 
F * .*
NOTE
40.0
Example: 
Condition when F.1 selected
Descriptions of Function parameters
F1 .  Tuning
• Audio song playback cannot be tuned. 
F2.  Tuning system settings
NOTE 
						

							Customizing with F unction Parameters
P-255 Owner’s Man ual42
Werckmeister
Kirnberger
The Werckmeister and Kirn berger tu ning systems impro ve the 
Meantone and Pythagorean t uning systems  by com bining them 
in different ways. Both are  uniqu ely characterized  by the way in 
which modu lation can change the n uances of m usical composi-
tions. Often  used in the eras of Bach and Beetho ven, they are 
still employed today to reprodu ce the music of those periods on 
the harpsichord. 
F2.1Tuning system
 vaila ble settings: 1 ... Eq ual temperament
2 ... P ure Major
3 ... P ure Minor
4 ... Pythagorean
5 ... Meantone
6 ... Werckmeister
7 ... Kirnberger
 ult setting: 1 ... (Equal temperament)
F2.2Base note
If you select a tuning system other than equal temperament, 
you will also need to specify the note on which it is based. 
(You can specify a base note for equal temperament, but 
this setting will have no effect. It is only relevant to other 
tuning systems.)
vaila ble settings: C, C #, D, E b, E, F, F #, G, A b, A, B b, and B
 ult setting: C
Examples of base notes as shown on display
The following parameters can be used to adjust the volume 
balance between the two selected Voices and make various 
other settings for Dual mode in order to best suit the piece 
you intend to play. Settings can be made for each combina-
tion of Voices as described below. 
1Activate Dual mode, select  the Voices you wish to 
use, and then use the [F UNCTION] button to select 
the Function parameter(s) you wish to set. 
2Change the setting(s) us ing the [-/NO] and [+/YES] 
buttons. 
Shortcut:
Yo u can j ump directly to F unction parameter F3 .1 b y pressing 
the [FU NCTIO N] bu tton with the Voice bu ttons for the two Dual-
mode Voices held down. 
F3.1Dual balance
This parameter can be used to optimize the volume balance 
between the layered Voices. For example, you could set it 
such that one Voice serves as  the main sound and the other 
provides a subtle accent or a textured after-sound. 
 vaila ble settings: 0 to 20 (The greater the  val ue, the lo uder the 
v ol ume of Voice 1; 10 represents an eq ual balance.)
 ult setting: Each com bination of Voices has its own defa ult. 
F3.2Dual detune
Use this parameter to slightly detune the two Voices relative 
to one another in order to thicken their combined sound. 
vaila ble settings: -20 to 0 to 20 (The more positi ve the v alue, the 
higher the pitch of Voice 1 and the lower the pitch of Voice 
2. The more negati ve the v alue, the higher the pitch of 
Voice 2 and the lower the pitch of Voice 1.)
 ult setting: Each com bination of Voices has its own defa ult. 
F3.3Voice 1 octave shift
F3.4Voice 2 octave shift
These parameters are used to raise or lower the pitch of 
each of Voice 1 and Voice 2 in units of one octave. In cer-
tain cases, this can enhance the combined sound of the 
Voices. 
 vaila ble settings: -1, 0, and 1
 ult setting: Each com bination of Voices has its own defa ult. 
F3.5Voice 1 effect depth
F3.6Voice 2 effect depth
Use these parameters to set the depth of the effect for each 
of Voice 1 and Voice 2. 
vaila ble settings: 0 to 20
 ult setting: Each com bination of Voices has its own defa ult. 
F3.7Reset
By pressing the [+/YES] button with this Function parame-
ter shown, you can reset all of the Dual mode settings to the 
defaults for the corresponding Voice combinations. 
F3.  Dual mode settings
F~ G A_
Hyphen (“-”) at 
top for sharp Hyphen (“-”) at 
b
ottom for flat
F # GA b
• The actual amount of detuning is great er for lower notes than higher notes—for 
example, ±60 cents for A-1 corresponds to ±5 cents for C7. (100 cents equal one 
semitone.)
• Refer to page 14 for details of what is meant by Voice 1 and Voice 2. 
• Refer to page 14 for details of what is meant by Voice 1 and Voice 2. 
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE 
						

							Customizing with F unction Parameters
P-255 Owner’s Man ual43
The following parameters can be used to adjust the split 
point and make various other settings for Split mode in 
order to best suit the piece yo u intend to play. Settings can 
be made for each combination of Voices as described 
below. 
1Activate Split mode, select  the Voices you wish to 
use, and then use the [F UNCTION] button to select 
the Function parameter(s) you wish to set. 
2Change the setting(s) us ing the [-/NO] and [+/YES] 
buttons. 
Shortcut:
Yo u can j ump directly to F unction parameter F4 .1 b y pressing 
the [FU NCTIO N] bu tton with the [SPLIT]  button held down. 
F4.1Split point
Use this parameter to set the location at which the keyboard 
is divided into the left and right sides. The key that defines 
the split point is included in the left side of the keyboard. 
 vaila ble settings: A-1 to C7 (entire key board)
 ult setting: F #2
Examples of split points as shown on display
F4.2Split balance
This parameter can be used to optimize the volume balance 
between the split Voices. Set tings can be made for each 
combination of Voices. 
 vaila ble settings: 0 to 20 (The greater the v alue, the lo uder the 
v ol ume of the right Voice; 10 represents an eq ual balance.)
 ult setting: Each com bination of Voices has its own defa ult. 
F4.3Right Voice octave shift
F4.4Left Voice octave shift
These parameters are used to raise or lower the pitch of 
each of the left and right Voices in units of one octave. This 
allows you to set the note ranges of each side of the key-
board to better suit the pieces you intend to play. Settings 
can be made for each combination of Voices. 
 vaila ble settings: -1, 0, and 1
 ult setting: Each com bination of Voices has its own defa ult. 
F4.5Right Voice effect depth
F4.6Left Voice effect depth
Use these parameters to set the depth of the effect for each 
of the left and right Voices. 
vaila ble settings: 0 to 20
 ult setting: Each com bination of Voices has its own defa ult. 
F4.7Damper pedal range
This parameter can be use to specify whether the damper 
pedal should affect both Voices (“ALL”), only the right 
Voice (“1”), or only the left Voice (“2”). 
vaila ble settings: ALL ( both Voices), 1 (right Voice only), and 2 
(left Voice only)
 ult setting: 1
F4.8Reset
By pressing the [+/YES] button with this Function parame-
ter shown, you can reset all of the Split mode settings to the 
defaults for the correspo nding Voice combinations. 
The following parameters can be used to assign the func-
tionality of the [PLAY/STOP] button to a pedal, adjust the 
depth of the damper pedal’s resonance effect, and make a 
range of other convenient settings. 
F5.1Pedal [PLAY/STOP] function 
If you have connected a pedal unit* (see page 12) to your 
digital piano, you can use this parameter to configure either 
the center or left pedal to operate in the same way as the 
control panel’s [PLAY/STOP] button. Note that when this 
functionality is assigned to a pedal, the pedal’s original 
function (i.e., soft or sostenuto) will be disabled. (*: Sold 
separately.)
 vaila ble settings: OFF, 1 (left pedal), and 2 (center pedal)
 ult setting: OFF
F5.2Damper-pedal resonance depth
Using this parameter, you can adjust the depth of the reso-
nance effect applied to certain Voices—specifically, Grand 
Piano, Live Grand, Ballad  Grand, and Bright Grand—when 
the damper pedal is operated. 
 vaila ble settings: 0 to 10
 ult setting: Differs for each Voice
F5.3Soft pedal effect depth
If you have connected a pedal unit* (see page 12), the soft 
pedal will slightly lower the volume and soften the timbre 
of notes played while it is being operated, and using this 
parameter, you can adjust the de pth of that effect. (*: Sold 
separately.)
 vaila ble settings: 1 to 10
 ult setting: 5
F4.  Split mode settings
• As an alternative to using the [-/NO] and [+/YES] buttons, the split point can be 
set by pressing the corresponding key.  You can also do this when Function 
parameter  F4.1 is not being shown by pressing the key with the [SPLIT] button 
held down (page 14). 
NOTE
F 2 F~2 E_2
Indicates a sharp 
key ( #).  Indicates a flat 
key (
b). 
F2 F#2E b2
F5 .  Pedal and special sound settings 
						

							Customizing with F unction Parameters
P-255 Owner’s Man ual44
F5.4String resonance depth
This parameter can be used to adjust the depth of the string 
resonance effect applied to  certain Voices—specifically, 
Grand Piano, Ballad Grand, and Bright Grand. 
 vaila ble settings: 0 to 10
 ult setting: 5
F5.5Damper-pedal sustain sample depth
Using this parameter, you can adjust the depth of sustain 
samples applied to certain  Voices—specifically, Grand 
Piano, Ballad Grand, and Bright Grand—when the damper 
pedal is operated. 
 vaila ble settings: 0 to 10
 ult setting: 5
F5.6Key-off sample volume
This parameter can be used to adjust the volume of the key-
off sound (i.e., a subtle sound produced when the keys are 
released) for certain Voices —specifically, Grand Piano, 
Ballad Grand, Bright  Grand, Stage E.Piano, Harpsichord, 
and Clavi. 
 vaila ble settings: 0 to 10
 ult setting: 5
F5.7Intro on/off status
Using this parameter, you can specify whether or not an 
intro section should be played  first of all whenever you start 
a rhythm track. 
 vaila ble settings: O N and OFF
 ult setting: O N
F5.8Ending on/off status
This parameter can be used to  specify whether or not an 
ending section should be played whenever you stop a 
rhythm track. 
 vaila ble settings: O N and OFF
 ult setting: O N
F6.1Metronome volume
Use this parameter to set the volume of the built-in metro-
nome. 
vaila ble settings: 1 to 20
 ult setting: 15
Shortcut:
You can j ump directly to F unction parameter F6 .1 b y pressing 
the [FU NCTIO N] bu tton with the [METRO NOME]  button held 
down. 
F6.2Rhythm playback volume
Using this parameter, you can balance the volumes of the 
rhythm track (page 20) and the sound produced by the key-
board. 
 vaila ble settings: 1 to 20
 ult setting: 16
F6.3Audio song playback volume
vaila ble settings: 1 to 20
 ult setting: 16
Shortcut:
You can j ump directly to F unction parameter F6 .3 b y pressing 
the [FU NCTIO N] bu tton while an a udio song is playing. The v ol-
u me of the song can then  be set  using the [-/ NO] and [+/YES] 
bu ttons. 
F6.4MIDI song playback volume
This parameter can be used to balance the volumes of the 
sound produced by the keyboard and a MIDI song that you 
are playing along with. 
 vaila ble settings: 1 to 20
 ult setting: 20
Shortcut:
You can j ump directly to F unction parameter F6 .4 b y pressing 
the [FU NCTIO N] bu tton while a MIDI song is playing. The  vol-
u me of the song can then  be set  using the [-/ NO] and [+/YES] 
bu ttons. 
F6.5Speaker on/off status
Using this parameter, you can specify whether the digital 
piano’s built-in speakers should also produce sound when 
external speakers are connected (page 34). 
 vaila ble settings:
O N (As long as headphones are not connected, the speakers will 
contin ue to produce so und.) 
OFF (The speakers will prod uce no sound.)
 ult setting: O N
F6.6AUX OUT volume control 
This parameter can be used to specify how the volume of 
audio output via the AUX OUT jack is controlled. When set 
to “1” (Variable), you will be able to adjust the volume 
using the [MASTER VOLUME] slider; when set to “2” 
(Fixed), the slider will have no effect and the volume will 
be fixed at the level set by Function parameter  F6.7. 
 vaila ble settings: 1 (Varia ble) and 2 (Fixed)
 ult setting: 1
F6.7Fixed AUX OUT volume
Using this parameter, you can set the volume to be used 
when Function parameter  F6.6 is set to “2” (Fixed). 
vaila ble settings: 0 to 20
 ult setting: 15
F6.  Volume settings
• When this parameter is set to “2” (Fixed ), the headphones volume will also be 
fixed at the level set by Function parameter  F6.7. 
NOTE 
						

							Customizing with F unction Parameters
P-255 Owner’s Man ual45
F6.8Touch sensitivity
This parameter can be used to  adjust the degree to which 
the digital piano reflects differences in the strength of your 
playing in the sound produced. 
 vaila ble settings: 1 ....... Soft: Makes it possi ble to produce lo ud 
so unds when playing softly.
2 ....... Medi um: Replicates the standard 
response of a piano.
3 ....... Hard: Requ ires the keys to be played 
quite hard in order to prod uce loud 
so unds.
OFF .. Fixed: All notes are prod uced at the 
same  vol ume regardless of how hard or 
soft you play. The fixed  vol ume can  be 
set using F unction parameter  F6.9.
 ult setting: 2
F6.9Fixed touch-sensitivity volume
Using this parameter, you can set the volume to be used 
when Function parameter  F6.8 is set to “OFF” (Fixed). 
 vaila ble settings: 1 (minim um vol ume) to 127 (maxim um vol ume)
 ult setting: 64
The following parameters can be used to make MIDI-
related settings and to also send them to other devices. For 
more information on MIDI , please refer to the MIDI Basics 
pdf manual (page 6). The MIDI settings described below 
affect not only the exchange of  MIDI data via the MIDI ter-
minals but also via the [USB TO HOST] terminal. 
F7.1MIDI send channel
In order for two MIDI devices to exchange data with one 
another, the MIDI send channel (1 to 16) on the sending 
device must match the MIDI r eceive channel on the receiv-
ing device. Using Function parameter  F7.1, you can set the 
MIDI channel on which the digital piano will send the data 
you produce by playing the keyboard. 
 vaila ble settings: 1 to 16 and OFF (no data sent)
 ult setting: 1
Voice 2 from Dual mode and the left Voice from Split mode 
will send data on the next channel after the one set  using this 
parameter. (Voice 1 and the right channel  use the channel set 
here.)  No data is sent  by any Voices when “OFF” is selected. Song data
Yo
ur digital piano does not normally send data contained in 
songs  via the [OUT] MIDI terminal. Howe ver, if yo u ha ve 
selected “1&2” as the MIDI song play back channels u sing Func-
tion parameter F7 .3 and play a non-protected MIDI song, data 
from channels 3 throu gh 16 will be sent. 
F7.2MIDI receive channel
In order for two MIDI devices to exchange data with one 
another, the MIDI send channel (1 to 16) on the sending 
device must match the MIDI r eceive channel on the receiv-
ing device. Using Function parameter  F7.2, you can set the 
MIDI channel on which the digital piano will receive data 
sent by another MIDI device. 
 vaila ble settings: ALL, 1 to 16, and 1&2
 ult setting: ALL
Meaning of “ALL” setting
If you set “ALL” for this parameter, all data will b e received from 
the sending de vice, regardless of its channel. This allows yo ur 
digital piano to play a m ulti-channel song from a seq uencer or 
the like. 
Meaning of “1&2” setting
If yo u set this parameter to “1&2” , your digital piano will recei ve 
and play only data sent on MIDI channels 1 and 2  by a 
seq uencer or the like. 
F7.3MIDI song playback channels
With this parameter shown on the display, you can use the 
[-/NO] and [+/YES] buttons to  select the playback channels 
for MIDI songs. 
 vaila ble settings: ALL and 1&2
 ult setting: ALL
When “ALL” is selected, all ch annels (1 to 16) will be 
played. If you select “1&2”, data on channels 1 and 2 will 
be played, but data on the other channels (3 to 16) will be 
sent to the connected MIDI device. 
F7.4Local control on/off status
Using this parameter, you can specify whether or not the 
digital piano’s internal tone generator is actually to produce 
sound in response to playing of the keyboard. Normally, 
you would have the tone generator respond to signals from 
the keyboard, and Local Control is said to be turned on in 
such a case. If you turn Local  Control off, the instrument’s 
tone generator will be essentially disconnected from the 
keyboard. In this condition, no sound will be produced in 
response to playing of the keyboard and no MIDI perfor-
mance data will be sent. However, the internal tone genera-
tor will respond to MIDI data received from another MIDI 
device. 
 vaila ble settings: O N and OFF
 ult setting: O N
• Changing the touch sensitivity has no effect on the weights of the keys. 
• The touch sensitivity setting applies to all Voices. However, certain Voices do not 
respond to differences in playing strength  and are not affected by this setting. 
Refer to the Voice List (page 51) for details.
• The fixed touch-sensitivity volume applies to all Voices. 
F7 .  MIDI function settings
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
• Your digital piano’s control panel settings and keyboard Voices are unaffected by 
program change messages received from other MIDI devices. 
• MIDI data is not received while playing demo tracks or performing file opera- tions. 
NOTE
NOTE 
						

							Customizing with F unction Parameters
P-255 Owner’s Man ual46
F7.5Program change on/off status
MIDI Program Change messages can be sent from one 
MIDI device to another in order to change its Voice. In 
other words, your digital piano could use a Program 
Change message to change the voice being used on a con-
nected device. (When a new Voi ce is selected using the con-
trol panel, the corresponding Program Change Number 
would be sent.) Meanwhile,  upon the receipt of a Program 
Change message from a connected MIDI device, your digi-
tal piano can change the Voice being used to play the 
received MIDI data (but not the Voice played via the key-
board). This parameter should therefore be set to “ON” if 
you wish to send and receive MIDI Program Change mes-
sages, thereby linking Voices on the digital piano with those 
on connected devices. If, however, you do not want to link 
Voices in this way, you should set this parameter to “OFF”. 
 vaila ble settings: O N and OFF
 ult setting: O N
F7.6Control change on/off status
MIDI devices use Control Change messages in order to 
inform each other of damper pedal operations, volume 
changes, and other actions associated with the expressive-
ness of a performance. In other words, your digital piano 
could send Control Change messages via MIDI to affect the 
sound of a performance being played on a connected 
device. (Whenever you operate the instrument’s damper 
pedal, it would send the corresponding Control Change 
messages.) Meanwhile, upon the receipt of a Control 
Change message from a connected MIDI device, your digi-
tal piano can change the sound of the MIDI performance 
being played (but not the sound being played using the key-
board). This parameter can be used to turn on and off the 
exchange of MIDI Control Change messages as appropri-
ate. 
vaila ble settings: O N and OFF
 ult setting: O N
F7.7Send initial setup
This parameter can be used as described below to send ini-
tial setup data—that is, the current state of control panel 
settings—to a connected sequencer or other device. For 
example, you could send this data before recording a per-
formance on the sequencer or  device, thereby saving the 
digital piano’s current settings at the beginning of the 
recording. In addition, you could also send this data to the 
tone generator of another instrument in order to configure it 
in the same way as the digital piano’s. 
1Set the control panel as required. 
2Connect the sequencer and  configure it to receive 
and record the initial setup data. 
3Use the [FUNCTION] button  to select Function 
parameter 
F7.7. 
4Press the [+/YES] button to send the data. 
The message “ End” will be shown when the data has 
been sent. 
Initial setup data contains the following settings. 

 ver b type and depth
 Effect type and depth
 Split point
 uning system ( F2.1)
 ual  balance ( F3.1)
 Relati ve Voice det une (F3.2)
 ual  balance ( F4.2)
 Certain pedal and special sound settings ( F5.2 to  F5.6)
Using your digital piano’s Backup function, you can save 
Voice selections, reverb type, and many other settings to 
ensure that they are retained when you turn off the instru-
ment. If turned on, this function will restore your previous 
settings automatically when you turn on your digital piano. 
If turned off, however, the settings stored in the instru-
ment’s internal memory will  be lost; accordingly, the corre-
sponding defaults (page 48) will be restored when you next 
turn it on. That said, performance data stored in the internal 
memory, the character code setti ng, and the on/off status of 
the Backup function will always be automatically retained. 
As described below, the Backup function can be turned on 
or off individually for different types of settings (i.e., Voice, 
MIDI, tuning, and miscellaneous). The corresponding 
Function-parameter settings will also be retained. 
F8.1Voice configuration backup
 vaila ble settings: O N and OFF
 ult setting: OFF
Data retained Voice selection
 On/off stat us of Dual mode and the corresponding Voices
 ual mode settings  F3.1 through  F3.6 (for each com bination of 
Vo i c e s )
 On/off stat us of Split mode and the corresponding Voices
 Split mode settings  F4.1 through F4.7  (for each combination of 
Vo i c e s )
 ver b type and depth (for each Voice)
 Effect type and depth (for each Voice)
 Damper-pedal resonance depth ( F5.2)
 Metronome v olume ( F6.1)
 uch sensiti vity settings, incl uding fixed vol ume ( F6.8 and F6 .9)
• Refer to the 
MIDI Reference  pdf manual for details of the MIDI Program Change 
Numbers associated with the instrument’s Voices. 
• Refer to the  MIDI Reference  pdf manual for details of the Control Change data 
supported by your digital piano. 
NOTE
NOTE
F8 .  Backup and other settings
• It can take several seconds to save the instrument ’s set-
tings. For this reason, any setting changed immediately 
before the digital piano is turned off may not be retained. 
NOTICE 
						

							Customizing with F unction Parameters
P-255 Owner’s Man ual47
F8.2MIDI configuration backup
 vaila ble settings: O N and OFF
 ult setting: O N
Data retained MIDI function settings  F7.1, F7 .2, and  F7.4 to F7.6
F8.3Tuning configuration backup
 vaila ble settings: O N and OFF
 ult setting: O N
Data retained Transpose setting (page 16)
uning ( F1.)
 uning system and  base note (F2.1 and  F2.2)
F8.4Miscellaneous backup
 vaila ble settings: O N and OFF
 ult setting: O N
Data retained Pedal and special so und settings F5.1 and  F5.3 to  F5.8
 Rhythm play back vol ume ( F6.2)
 udio song playback  vol ume ( F6.3)
 MIDI song play back vol ume ( F6.4)
v olume ( F6.7)
 MIDI song play back channels (F7.3)
F8.5Character code
If your digital piano cannot load an Import Song, there may 
be an issue with the character code used for the name of the 
corresponding file. This parame ter can be used to change 
the character code in such a case. 
 vaila ble settings: Int (International) and JA (Japanese)
 ult setting: Int
F8.6
F8.7Save, Load
As described below, your digital piano’s settings in addition 
to those songs recorded and/or stored on it (i.e., from User 
MIDI) can be saved on a USB flash drive as a single file 
(with a .bup file extension). Naturally, you can also read 
each of these files back into  the digital piano from a USB 
flash drive in order to restore its settings and songs. 
1Plug in a USB flash drive. 
2With the [FUNCTION] button  held down, use the 
[-/NO] and [+/YES] buttons  to select the required 
function. 
F8 .6.......... Save backup data
F8 .7.......... Load backup data
3The message “bUP” (Save) or “rSt” (Load) will be 
displayed when you press the [+/YES] button, fol-
lowed by the message “
n Y” (no/yes). Press the 
[+/YES] button to perform  the selected operation. 
(You will need to press once again to confirm your 
selection when loading.)  When the operation has 
been completed, the message “
End” will be 
shown. After loading backup data, the digital piano 
will automatically turn off and then back on. 
If you wish to cancel the Save  or Load operation, press 
the [-/NO] button. 
Backup file namesP-255.bu p
F8.8Auto Power-Off
Using this parameter, you can set the period of inactivity 
after which the Auto Power-Off function (page 10) will 
automatically turn off the digital piano. 
vaila ble settings: OFF, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, and 120 (min utes)
 ult setting: 30 (min utes)
F8.9Format USB flash drive
Refer to page 33 for a description of the formatting proce-
dure.
vaila ble settings:  n (no) and  Y (yes)
• Do not turn off the instrument while saving or loading 
backup data. Failure to observe this precaution may result 
in the permanent loss of important data. 
• Do not manually change the backup file name by using a  computer; doing so will render the file unloadable.
• When a USB flash drive is formatted, all of its content will be  deleted. Before formatting, therefore, ensure that the USB 
flash drive contains no irreplaceable data. 
NOTICE
NOTICE 
						

							Customizing with F unction Parameters
P-255 Owner’s Man ual48 To restore your digital piano to its factory settings, 
turn it on while holding down
 the rightmost key on the 
keyboard (C7). It should be  noted that this operation 
will cause all backup data stored in the instrument’s 
internal memory (including individual backup on/off 
settings made using Function  parameters) to be over-
written. User Songs and Impo rt Songs stored within 
internal memory  will be retained. 
Restoring factory settings
• You should never turn off the digital piano while the mes-
sage “ CLr” is shown on the display. Failure to observe this 
precaution may result in all song data (page 21), including 
Import Songs , being deleted. 
 Default settings The term “default settings” as used in th is manual refers to the settings from 
when you first turned on the digital pian o—that is, the settings applied before 
shipment from the factory. 
C7
NOTICE
NOTE 
						

							P-255 Owner’s Manual49
Display Messages
Press the [-/ NO]  button to clear messages. 
Message Description 
CLr
The digital piano is  being restored to its defa ult settings—that is, the settings from when it was first tu rned on. 
• You should never turn off the digital piano while the message “ Clr” is shown on the display. Failure to observe this 
precaution may result in all song data (page 21), including Import Songs, being deleted. 
conThe digital piano has  been connected to a comp uter and is  being  used with an application. Yo u will not  be a ble to 
operate the instr ument while this message is  being shown. 
E01
The character-code setting (page 47) is not s uita ble for the name of the song file yo u ha ve selected. Try changing the 
character code. 
The song cannot b e selected because the data format is not s upported  by yo ur digital piano or there is a pro blem with 
the data itself. 
N o USB flash dri ve can b e found or there is a prob lem with the one currently connected. Pl ug the USB flash dri ve o ut 
and  back in, and then repeat the operation yo u had b een attempting. If this message appears freq uently in the 
a bsence of other prob lems, the USB flash dri ve may  be  broken. 
Back up data cannot  be loaded, no b ackup data is a vailab le, or the  back up data has  been corr upted. 
E02The USB flash dri ve is write protected. 
E03The USB flash dri ve is nearly f ull or the n um ber of files and/or folders is more than su pported. 
E04
Playback or recording of an a udio song ended in fail ure. If yo u are  using a USB flash dri ve that has had data recorded 
and deleted m ultiple times, first ens ure that it contains no irreplacea ble data, format the flash driv e (page 33), and 
then plu g it out and  back in. 
EEEThere is a pro blem with the digital piano. Contact yo ur nearest Yamaha dealer or a uthorized distri butor for assistance. 
EndThe selected operation has  been completed. 
EnpThe digital piano’s internal memory or the USB flash dri ve is nearly f ull. Delete any  unnecessary files (page 33) to free 
u p some memory  before starting to record. 
FCL
The digital piano’s internal memory was formatted  beca use it was t urned off while performing an operation. The 
instr ument’s settings and any songs recorded or sa ved on it ha ve  been lost. 
• You should never turn off the digital piano while the message “FCL ” is shown on the display. 
ForThe USB flash drive is a bout to b e formatted. 
FULThe operation co uld not b e completed  becau se the digital piano’s internal memory or the USB flash dri ve is nearly 
f u ll. If this message is shown while recording, yo ur performance data may not  be correctly sa ved. 
n YThis message is shown to confirm whether or not yo u wish to proceed. 
n~YThis message is shown to confirm whether or not yo u wish to o verwrite or delete data or to format a USB flash driv e. 
ProThe selected song is protected or read-only; therefore, its data cannot  be deleted or o verwritten. If yo u need to modify 
a read-only file,  use a comp uter to remo ve the read-only restriction. 
UnFThe connected USB flash dri ve has not b een correctly formatted. Ensu re that the flash drive contains no irreplacea ble 
data and then format it (page 33). 
UocConnection with the USB flash dri ve was terminated du e to abnormal electric c urrent. Unpl ug the USB flash dri ve 
from the [USB TO DEVICE] terminal and then t urn the digital piano off and  back on. 
UU1Comm unication cannot b e established with the USB flash dri ve. Unpl ug the flash dri ve and then pl ug it b ack in. If this 
message is shown despite the USB flash dri ve ha ving  been correctly connected, the flash dri ve may  be  broken. 
UU2The connected USB flash dri ve cannot  be  used with you r digital piano or the n um ber of connected flash dri ves 
exceeds the s upported limit. Refer to the section “Working with USB flash dri ves” (page 30). 
---The control panel is locked (page 18). To  unlock it, press the [EFFECT] and [SOU ND BOOST]  buttons together. 
NOTICE
NOTICE
Appendix 
						

							P-255 Owner’s Manual50
Tr o ubleshooting
ProblemPossible cause and solution
The digital piano t urns off  unexpectedly.  This does not indicate a pro
blem—the A uto Power-Off f unction t urns off the 
instr ument after the set period of inacti vity. If necessary, yo u can deacti vate 
this fu nction to pre vent it t urning off the digital piano again (page 10).
The digital piano will not t urn on.  The instr
ument may not ha ve  been pl ugged in correctly. Ens ure that the power 
adaptor is sec urely connected to the digital piano and a domestic- use, AC wall 
socket (page 10). 
A click or pop can  be heard when t urning the digital 
piano on or off.  This type of noise can occ
ur when a de vice is charged and does not indicate a 
prob lem. 
N oise can  be heard coming from the digital piano.  N
oise may  be ca used  by interference when a mo bile phone in the v icinity of 
the instr ument is  used. Try t urning off any mob ile phone located close to the 
digital piano. 
N oise can  be heard coming from the digital piano’s 
bu ilt-in speakers and/or headphones when  using it 
with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod to uch app.  I
 n order to eliminate the risk of noise from other comm
unication when  using 
the instr ument with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod to uch, we recommend t urning on 
the de vice’s Airplane Mode. 
The o verall  vol ume is low or nothing can  be heard.  The digital piano’s master 
vol ume may  be t urned down. Try mo ving the [MAS-
TER VOLUME] slider to the right (page 11). 
If headphones are connected to the instr ument, try u nplugging them (page 
11 ) .  
The digital piano’s speakers are t urned off. Please t urn them b ack on (page 
44). 
If local control has  been t urned off, try t urning it  back on (page 45). 
The sou nd is distorted. The 
vol ume has  been set too high. 
 urn down the v olume  using the [MASTER VOLUME] slider (page 11). 
 ve the [EQ] sliders downward (page 17). 
 urn off the So und Boost f unction (page 18).
Pedals ha ve no effect.  The pedal cord may not 
be sec urely connected to the [SUSTAI N PEDAL] jack 
or the [PEDAL U NI
 T] terminal. With the digital piano t urned off, insert the 
cord’s pl ug sec urely into the correct jack or terminal. When f ully inserted, none 
of the metal section of the pl ug will b e visi ble (pages 11, 12). 
The pitch or tone of a Piano Voice so unds strange 
in a specific freq uency range.  The instr
ument’s Piano Voices ha ve  been caref ully designed to recreate the 
so unds of a real piano as faithf ully as possi ble. In certain freq uency ranges, 
therefore, harmonics may appear accentu ated or the pitch may not seem quite 
right; howe ver, this does not indicate a pro blem. 
The key board makes a mechanical noise when 
played.  Yo
ur digital piano’s key board has  been specially designed to sim ulate the feel 
of a real piano key board. E ven real pianos can make a mechanical noise when 
played, and this does not indicate a pro blem. 
The USB flash dri ve pl ugged into the digital piano 
freezes and/or stops working.  If a message has b
een shown on the display, refer to the section Display Mes-
sages (page 49) for more information. If no message has  been shown, the 
USB flash dri ve may b e broken.