Yamaha P85 Instruction Manual

							Before Using
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
11
Before Using
Turning the Power On
1.Connect the AC adaptor to the power sup-
ply jack. 
2.Plug the AC adaptor into an AC outlet.
WARNING
Use ONLY a Yamaha PA-5D/PA-150 AC Power Adaptor (or other 
adaptor specifically recommended by Yamaha) to power your instru-
ment from the AC mains. The use of other adaptors may result in 
irreparable damage to both the adaptor and the P-85.
CAUTION
Unplug the AC Power Adaptor when not using the instrument, or 
during electrical storms.
3.Press the [STANDBY/ON] switch to turn on 
the power.
The power indicator located to the left of the [STANDBY/ON] 
switch lights up.
Pressing the switch again turns the power off.
CAUTION
Even when the instrument is turned off, electricity is still fl owing to the instrument at the minimum level.
When you are not using the instrument for a long time, make sure you unplug the AC power adaptor from the wall AC 
outlet.
Setting the Volume
Initially set the [MASTER VOLUME] slider about halfway between the 
“MIN” and “MAX” settings. Then, when you start playing, re-adjust the 
[MASTER VOLUME] slider to the most comfortable listening level.
TERMINOLOGYMASTER VOLUME:
The volume level of the entire keyboard sound
1.
2.
AdaptorAC outlet
3.
The level increases. The level decreases.
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							Before Using
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
12
Using the Pedal
[SUSTAIN] jack 
This jack is for connecting the included pedal (FC5). The pedal func-
tions in the same way as a damper pedal on an acoustic piano. Connect 
an optional pedal to this jack and press the pedal to sustain the sound.
An optional FC3 foot pedal or FC4 foot switch can also be connected to 
this jack. 
Do not press the footswitch while turning the power on. Doing this 
changes the recognized polarity of the footswitch, resulting in reversed 
footswitch operation.
If you connect an optional pedal of FC3, the half pedal function* can be 
used.
* half pedal function
While you playing the piano with SUSTAIN and if you need to delete the 
cloudy sound, release the foot from pedal to half position.
[PEDAL UNIT] jack 
This jack is for connecting an optional LP-5 pedal 
unit. When connecting the pedal unit, make sure 
to also assemble the unit on an optional keyboard 
stand (L-85/L-85S).
Make sure that power is OFF when connect-
ing or disconnecting the pedal.
Pedal Unit Functions
The optional pedal unit has three foot pedals that produce a range of 
expressive effects similar to those produced by the pedals on an acoustic 
piano.
Damper (Right) Pedal
The damper pedal functions in the same way as a damper pedal on an 
acoustic piano. When the damper pedal is pressed, notes sustain longer. 
Releasing the pedal immediately stops (damps) any sustained notes.
When you select the GRAND PIANO 1 voice on the P-85, pressing the 
damper pedal activates the instrument’s special “Sustain Samples” to 
accurately recreate the unique resonance of an acoustic grand piano’s 
soundboard and strings. A “half-pedal” effect lets you use the damper 
pedal to create partial sustain effects, depending on how far down you 
press the pedal.
Sostenuto (Center) Pedal 
If you play a note or chord on the keyboard and press the sostenuto 
pedal while the note(s) are held, those notes will sustain as long as you 
hold the pedal (as if the damper pedal had been pressed) but all subse-
quently played notes will not be sustained. This makes it possible to sus-
tain a chord, for example, while other notes are played “staccato.”
Soft (Left) Pedal
The soft pedal reduces the volume and slightly changes the timbre of 
notes played while the pedal is pressed. The soft pedal will not affect 
notes that are already playing when it is pressed.
FC5
LP-5
(optional)
L-85/L-85S
(optional)
NOTE
When you press the damper 
pedal here, the notes you play 
before you release the pedal 
have a longer sustain.
When you press the soste-
nuto pedal here while holding 
the note, the note will sustain 
as long as you hold the 
pedal.
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							Before Using
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
13
Using Headphones
Connect a set of headphones to one of the [PHONES] jacks.
Tw o  
[PHONES] jacks are provided.
You can connect two sets of standard stereo headphones. (If you are 
using only one set of headphones, you can plug them into either jack.)
CAUTION
To protect your hearing, avoid listening to the P-85 at a high volume level for 
long periods of time.
Music Rest
The P-85 includes a music rest that can be attached to the instrument by inserting it into the slot at the top of the control 
panel.
Speakers are built into the instrument at the bottom.
Though you can enjoy playing the instrument even when putting it on a desk or table, we recommend that you use an 
optional keyboard stand for better sound. 
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							Listening to the Demo Songs
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
14
Listening to the Demo Songs
Demo songs are provided that effectively demonstrate each of the voices.
1.Press the [STANDBY/ON] switch 
to turn the power on.
When the power is turned ON, the power indica-
tor located to the left of the 
[STANDBY/ON] 
switch lights up.
2.Adjust the volume.
Initially set the [MASTER VOLUME] slider about 
half way between the “MIN” and “MAX” settings. 
Then, when you start playing, re-adjust the 
[MASTER VOLUME] slider to the most comfort-
able listening level.
3.While holding down the [DEMO/SONG] button, 
press one of the voice buttons to listen to the demo 
songs.
The demo song will start. Demo songs provided for each voice will play back in 
sequence until you press the 
[DEMO/SONG] button.
Changing a Demo Song
You can change to another demo song during playback by pressing the 
SELECT 
[
QQ Q Q]/[WW W W] button. 
You can also change to another demo song during playback by pressing any one 
of the voice buttons.
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, use the TEMPO [gg g g]/[hh h h] but-
tons to change the playback tempo.
Demo Song List
•The demonstration pieces listed above are short rearranged excerpts of the original 
compositions.
•All other songs are original (© 2005 Yamaha Corporation).
4.Press the [DEMO/SONG] button to 
stop the voice demo.
Refer to the voice list on page 18 
for more information on the char-
acteristics of each preset voice.
The demo songs will not be trans-
mitted via MIDI.
NOTE
NOTE
Simply by pressing the [DEMO/
SONG] button, you can start the 
GRAND PIANO 1 demo song and 
the other demo songs provided 
for each voice will play back in 
sequence.
NOTE
Voice Name Title Composer
HARPSICHORD 1 Gavotte J.S. Bach
HARPSICHORD 2 Invention No. 1 J.S. Bach
Reference
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							Listening to the Piano Preset Songs
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
15
Listening to the Piano Preset Songs
The P-85 provides performance data for piano songs as well as voice demo songs, for your listening 
pleasure.
1.While holding down the [DEMO/SONG] button, 
press one of the C2–C## # #
6 keys to select a song to 
play back.
The number of each piano preset song is assigned to the C2–C#6 keys.
Refer to the Quick Operation Guide for details on key assignments.
The preset songs will play back consecutively in sequence until you press the 
[DEMO/SONG] button.
Press the 
SELECT [QQ Q Q] or [WW W W] button to change to the next piano song.
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, use the TEMPO [gg g g]/[hh h h] but-
tons to change the playback tempo.
2.Press the [DEMO/SONG] button to stop playback.
To continue playing other songs, see step 1 above.
TERMINOLOGY
Song:
On the P-85, performance data is 
called a “Song.” This includes 
demonstration tunes and piano 
preset tunes.
Preset:
Preset Data supplied with the 
internal memory of the P-85 
shipped from the factory.
The Preset Song List appears on 
page 34.
You can play the keyboard along 
with the preset song. You can 
change the voice playing on the 
keyboard.
When you select a different song 
(or a different song is selected 
during chained playback), an 
appropriate reverb type will be 
selected accordingly.
The piano preset songs are not 
transmitted via MIDI.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
C2C3C4C5C6
C#6
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							Using the Metronome
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
16
Using the Metronome
This instrument features a built-in metronome (a device that keeps an accurate tempo) that is con-
venient for practicing.
1.Press the [METRONOME] button 
to turn on the metronome.
Start the metronome.
Determine the time signature
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press one of the A0–D1 keys.
The first beat is accented with a bell sound and the rest with clicks.
Default set is 0/4 (A0). In this setting, clicks sound in all beats.
The time signature can also be changed by the following operation.
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press one of the voice buttons 
(GRAND PIANO 1–C.ORGAN 2).
Adjust the Tempo
The tempo of the metronome and song playback can be set from 32 to 280 beats 
per minute.
A number is assigned to each of the following keys.
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press a sequence of F3–D4 
keys to specify a three-digit number.
Select a number starting from the left-most digit. For example, to set the 
tempo “95,” press the F3 (0), D4 (9) and A#3 (5) keys in sequence.
KeyTime signature
A0 0/4
A#02/4
B0 3/4
C1 4/4
C#15/4
D1 6/4
TERMINOLOGY
Default setting:
The “Default setting” refers to the 
factory setting obtained when you 
first turn on the power to the P-85.
A0D1C0
2/4 0/43/44/45/46/4
F3D4
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							Using the Metronome
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
17
Increasing the tempo value in steps of one:
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press the F#4 key.
Decreasing the tempo value in steps of one:
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press the E4 key.
Increasing the tempo value in steps of ten:
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press the G4 key.
Decreasing the tempo value in steps of ten:
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press the D#4 key.
Resetting the tempo to default:
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press the F4 key.
The tempo value can also be changed by the following operation.
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, use the TEMPO [gg g g]/[hh h h] 
button to increase or decrease in single steps.
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press both TEMPO [gg g g]/
[
hh h h] buttons simultaneously to restore the default tempo.
Adjusting the volume
You can change the volume of the metronome sound.
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press one of the A-1–F#0 keys 
to determine the volume.
Pressing a higher key in the key range results in a higher volume, while pressing 
a lower key results in lower volume.
2.Press the [METRONOME] button 
to stop the Metronome.
G4(+10)E4(-1)
D#4(-10)F#4(+1)
F4 (default)
Metronome volume range:
A-1 (1)–F#0 (10)
Default setting: D#0 (7)
NOTE
A-1(1)F#0(10)
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							Selecting & Playing Voices
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
18
Selecting & Playing Voices
Selecting Voices
1.Press one of the voice buttons.
2.Adjust the volume.
Re-adjust the [MASTER VOLUME] slider for the most comfortable listening 
level during your performance.
To familiarize yourself with the 
characteristics of the voices, lis-
ten to the demo songs for each 
voice (page 14). 
TERMINOLOGY
Voice:
On the P-85, the term “voice” 
means “instrument sound.”
When you select a voice, an 
appropriate reverb type will be 
selected automatically (page 20).
NOTE
NOTE
Voice Name Description
Grand Piano 1Recorded samples from a full concert grand piano. Perfect for classi-
cal compositions as well as any other style that requires acoustic 
piano.
Grand Piano 2 Clear piano with bright reverb. Good for popular music.
E.Piano 1An electronic piano sound created by FM synthesis. Good for pop-
ular music.
E.Piano 2
The sound of an electric piano using hammer-struck metallic “tines.” 
Soft tone when played lightly, and an aggressive tone when played 
hard.
C.Organ 1This is a typical pipe organ sound (8 + 4 + 2). Good for sacred music 
from the Baroque period.
C.Organ 2This is the organ’s full coupler sound, often associated with Bach’s 
“Toccata and Fugue.”
StringsSpacious and large-scale string ensemble. Try combining this voice 
with piano in DUAL.
Harpsichord 1The definitive instrument for baroque music. Since the strings of a 
harpsichord are plucked, there is no touch response.
Harpsichord 2Mixes the same voice an octave higher for a more brilliant tone.
VibraphoneThe sound of a vibraphone played with relatively soft mallets.
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							Selecting & Playing Voices
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
19
Combining Voices (Dual)
You can play voices simultaneously across the entire range of the keyboard. In this way, you can 
combine similar voices to create a thicker sound.
1.Press two voice buttons simultaneously to engage 
Dual.
According to the voice button position on the panel, the voice on the left will be 
designated as Voice 1, and the other will be designated as Voice 2.
You can make the following settings for Voices 1 and 2 in Dual:
Setting the Octave
You can shift the pitch up and down in octave steps for Voice 1 and Voice 2 inde-
pendently. Depending on which voices you combine in Dual, the combination 
may sound better if one of the voices is shifted up or down an octave.
While holding down the
 [METRONOME] button, press one of the A4–D5 keys.
Setting the Balance
You can adjust the volume balance between two voices. For example, you can set 
one voice as the main voice with a louder setting, and make the other voice softer.
While holding down the [METRONOME] button, press one of the F#5–F#6 keys.
A setting of “0” produces an equal balance between the two Dual voices. Settings 
below “0” increase the volume of Voice 2 in relation to Voice 1, and settings above 
“0” increase the volume of Voice 1 in relation to Voice 2.
2.Press one of the voice buttons to exit Dual and 
return to the normal single-voice play.
Reverb in Dual
The reverb type assigned to 
Voice 1 will take priority. If the 
reverb assigned to Voice 1 is set 
to OFF, the reverb assigned to 
Voice 2 will be in effect.
NOTE
Voice 1A4 -1
Voice 2C5 -1
A#40 C#50
B4 +1 D5 +1
D5A4
Voice 2 Voice 1
C6 (0)
F#6 (+6)F#5 (-6)
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							Selecting & Playing Voices
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
20
Adding Variations to the Sound – Reverb
This control enables you to select four different types of reverb effect that add extra depth and 
expression to the sound to create a realistic acoustic ambience.
Selecting a Reverb Type
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press one of the G#6–C7 keys 
to select a reverb type.
Adjusting Reverb Depth
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press one of the F1–C#3 keys 
to adjust the reverb depth for the selected voice.
While holding down the 
[METRONOME] button, press the D3 key to set the 
reverb to the depth most suitable for the selected voice.
KeyReverb Type Description
G#6RoomThis setting adds a continuous reverb effect to the sound, similar to the 
acoustic reverberation you would hear in a room.
A6 Hall1For a “bigger” reverb sound, use the HALL 1 setting. This effect simulates 
the natural reverberation of a small-size concert hall.
A#6Hall2For a truly spacious reverb sound, use the HALL 2 setting. This effect sim-
ulates the natural reverberation of a large concert hall.
B6 Stage Simulates the reverb of a stage environment.
C7 Off No effect is applied.
C7
G#6
Reverb depth range:
0 (no effect)– 
20 (maximum depth)
NOTE
D3
The depth value increases as you press higher keys.
C#3: depth 20
F1: depth 0
The default reverb type (including 
OFF) and depth settings are dif-
ferent for each voice.
NOTE
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