Yamaha P85 Instruction Manual

							Selecting & Playing Voices
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
21
Transposition
The 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 a song as 
though it were in C major, and the P-85 will transpose it to the key of F.
Setting the amount of transposition
While holding down the 
[DEMO/SONG] and [METRONOME] buttons, press 
one of the F#2–F#3 keys to set the desired amount of transposition.
To transpose the pitch down (in semitone steps)
While holding down the 
[DEMO/SONG] and [METRONOME] buttons, press 
any key between F#2 and B2.
To transpose the pitch up (in semitone steps)
While holding down the 
[DEMO/SONG] and [METRONOME] buttons, press 
any key between C#3 and F#3.
To restore the normal pitch
While holding down the 
[DEMO/SONG] and [METRONOME] buttons, press 
the C3 key.
Fine tuning of the Pitch
You can fine tune the pitch of the entire instrument. This function is useful when you play the P-85 
along with other instruments or CD music.
Setting the Pitch
To raise the pitch 
(in steps of roughly 0.2 Hz):
Hold down the A-1, B-1 and C0 
keys simultaneously and press 
any key between C3 and B3.
To lower the pitch 
(in steps of roughly 0.2 Hz):
Hold down the A-1, B-1 and C#0 
keys simultaneously and press 
any key between C3 and B3.
To restore standard pitch:
Hold down the A-1, B-1, C0 and 
C#0 keys simultaneously and 
press any key between C3 and B3.
TERMINOLOGY
Transpose:
Changing the key signature. On 
the P-85, transposing shifts the 
pitch of the entire keyboard.
Transposition range:
F#2 (-6 semitones)– 
C3 (normal pitch)– 
F#3 (+6 semitones)
NOTE
F#3F#2
0 -1 -2 +1 +3 -4
-3 -5 +2 +4 +5
-6+6
TERMINOLOGY
Hz (Hertz):
This unit of measurement refers to 
the frequency of a sound and rep-
resents the number of times a 
sound wave vibrates in a second.
Default setting:
The “Default setting” refers to the 
factory setting obtained when you 
first turn on the power to the P-85.
Setting range: 427.0–453.0 Hz
Standard pitch: 440.0 Hz
NOTE
C1C2C3B3C0A-1B-1
C1C2C3B3A-1B-1
C#0
C1C2C3B3C0A-1B-1
C#0
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							Selecting & Playing Voices
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
22
Touch Sensitivity
You can adjust the volume level that changes depending on how fast or strong you hit the keys. 
The following four settings are available.
Setting the Touch Sensitivity Type
While holding down the 
[DEMO/SONG] button and the [METRONOME] but-
ton, press one of the A6–C7 keys to select the desired touch sensitivity.
KeyTouch Sensitivity Description
A6 FIXEDThe volume level does not change at all regardless of whether you play 
the keyboard soft or hard.
A#6SOFTThe volume level does not change much when you play the keyboard soft 
or hard.
B6 MEDIUM This is the standard piano touch response (default setting).
C7 HARDThe volume level changes very widely from pianissimo to fortissimo to 
facilitate dynamic and dramatic expression. You have to hit the keys hard 
to produce a loud sound.
The touch sensitivity settings may 
have little or no effect with 
C.ORGAN 1, 2 and Harpsichord 
1, 2 voices that are not normally 
responsive to keyboard dynam-
ics.
Default setting: B6
NOTE
C7A6
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							Recording Your Performance
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
23
Recording Your Performance
The ability to record and play back what you’ve played on the P-85 keyboard can be an effective 
practice aid.
The P-85’s Song Recorder allows the recording of one User song.
Recording a performance
1.Make all the initial settings.
Before you begin to record, select the voice you want to record (or voices if you 
will be using Dual mode). Make any other desired settings (reverb, tempo, etc.) 
as well. You might also want to set the volume.
You can also adjust the playback volume using the 
[MASTER VOLUME] slider.
2.Press the [REC] button to engage Record Ready 
mode.
The [REC] lamp will flash.
You can turn on the metronome in this step, and adjust the tempo by using the 
TEMPO [gg g g]/[hh h h] buttons. (Range: 32–280)
Record Ready mode can be disengaged before recording by pressing the 
[REC] 
button again.
3.Start recording.
Recording will begin automatically as soon as you play a note on the keyboard 
or press the 
[PLAY] button.
The 
[REC] lamp will light, and the [PLAY] lamp flashes at the current tempo 
while recording.
TERMINOLOGY
Recording vs. Saving:
The format of performance data recorded on a cassette tape differs from that of data recorded on 
the P-85. A cassette tape records audio signals. The P-85 “saves” information regarding note tim-
ing, voices, and a tempo value, but not audio signals. When you play back recorded songs, the 
P-85 produces sound based on the saved information. Therefore, recording on the P-85 may be 
more accurately called “saving information.” However, this book often uses the word “recording” 
because it seems to make more sense.
When the instrument is playing 
back a demo song or preset 
song, Record mode cannot be 
engaged.
NOTE
Recording capacity
P-85 can record up to 65KB 
(approximately 11,000 notes).
NOTE
If the metronome was on when 
you started recording, you’ll be 
able to keep time with the metro-
nome while recording, but the 
metronome sound will not be 
recorded.
NOTE
For more recording information, 
see page 24.
NOTE
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							Recording Your Performance
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
24
4.Press either [REC] or [PLAY] button to stop record-
ing.
When recording is stopped, the [REC] lamp and the [PLAY] lamp flash to indi-
cate that the recorded data is being saved to the instrument automatically. After 
the data is saved, the 
[REC] lamp will turn off and the [PLAY] lamp will light.
CAUTION
Do not turn off the power of the instrument when the lamps are fl ashing. Doing so 
may prevent saving of the song data which you have recorded.
Play back the recorded performance
Press the [PLAY] button to play back the recorded performance. To stop playback in the middle of a 
song, press the [PLAY] button again.
While holding down the [METRONOME] button, use the TEMPO [gg g g]/[hh h h] but-
tons to change the playback tempo.
Both the [REC] lamp and the 
[PLAY] lamp will begin to flash 
when the recorder memory is 
almost full. If the memory 
becomes full, recording will stop 
automatically. (All recorded data 
up to that point will be retained.)
You can save the recorded data 
to a computer. You can also load 
the recorded data back from a 
computer and play it back on this 
instrument (page 27).
NOTE
NOTE
The user song recorder records the following data:
Data in addition to the notes and voices you play is recorded.
• Notes played
• Voice selection
• Pedal (Sustain/Soft/Sostenuto)
• Reverb depth
• Dual mode voices
• Dual balance
• Dual octave shift
• Tempo
• Reverb type (including OFF)
Pressing the [REC] button to start 
recording, then pressing the 
[PLAY] button to stop recording 
will erase all previously- recorded 
data.
You cannot re-record in the mid-
dle of a song.
NOTE
NOTE
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							Recording Your Performance
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
25
Changing the Initial Settings (Data recorded at the 
beginning of a song)
The initial settings (data recorded at the beginning of a song) can be changed after the recording.
For example, after recording, you can change the voice to create a different ambience or adjust the 
song tempo to your taste.
You can change the following initial settings.
1.Press the [REC] button to engage Record Ready 
mode.
The [REC] lamp will flash.
2.Change the settings via the panel controls.
For example, if you wish to change the recorded voice from [E.PIANO 1] to 
[E.PIANO 2], press the [E.PIANO 2] button. When you wish to change the 
damper/soft pedal depth, press and hold the pedal.
Be careful not to press the 
[PLAY] button or a key on the keyboard, either of 
which will start recording and erase all previously-recorded data on the selected 
part.
3.Press the [REC] button to exit Record mode.
Be careful not to press the [PLAY] button or a key on the keyboard, either of 
which will start recording and erase all previously-recorded data.
• Voice selection
• Dual mode voices
• Sustain/soft pedal depth
• Tempo
23 
						

							Connecting MIDI Instruments
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
26
Connecting MIDI Instruments
The P-85 features MIDI IN/OUT terminals, allowing you to connect the P-85 to other instruments 
and devices—including computers—and take advantage of the various performance and recording 
capabilities in MIDI applications.
Connecting MIDI [IN] [OUT] terminals
MIDI [IN] [OUT] terminals
Use MIDI cables to connect external MIDI devices to these 
connectors.
About MIDI
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard format for data transmis-
sion/reception. It enables the transfer of performance data and commands between 
MIDI devices and personal computers. Using MIDI, you can control a connected MIDI 
device from the P-85, or control the P-85 from a connected MIDI device or computer.
MIDI Capabilities
MIDI functions enable you to transfer performance data between MIDI devices.
CAUTION
Before connecting the instrument to other electronic components, turn off the power of all the 
components.
●Transferring performance data to and from another 
MIDI device
●Transferring MIDI data to and from a computer
Since MIDI data that can be 
transmitted or received varies 
depending on the type of MIDI 
device, check the “MIDI Imple-
mentation Chart” to find out what 
MIDI data and commands your 
devices can transmit or receive.
The MIDI Implementation Chart is 
included in the Data List, which 
can be found at the Yamaha 
website (See page 7).
NOTE
You cannot transmit the voice 
demo songs and the piano preset 
songs from the P-85 to another 
MIDI device.
For MIDI connections, use a stan-
dard (optional) MIDI cable, avail-
able at most musical instrument 
stores.
NOTE
Instrument
MIDI [OUT] terminal
MIDI cables
(optional) MIDI [IN] terminal MIDI [OUT] terminal MIDI [IN] terminal
MIDI device
Instrument
Computer USB terminal
USB-MIDI 
interface 
(optional) MIDI [OUT]
terminal MIDI [IN] 
terminal
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							Connecting MIDI Instruments
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
27
Connecting a Personal Computer
By connecting a computer to the MIDI terminals, you can transfer data between the P-85 and the 
computer via MIDI.
CAUTION
When connecting the P-85 to a computer, first turn off the power to both the P-85 and the com-
puter before connecting any cables. After making connections, turn on the power to the com-
puter first, then to the P-85.
Connecting the USB port on the computer to the 
P-85 via an optional USB-MIDI interface (such as the 
Yamaha UX16)
Use a USB-MIDI interface device to connect the USB port on your computer to the P-
85’s MIDI terminals. You must install the USB-MIDI interface (such as the UX16) 
driver. For more information, refer to the user’s manual that came with the USB-MIDI 
interface device.
Transferring Data between the Computer and the Instrument
You can save backup data of this instrument, such as recorded songs, etc., to a computer, as well as 
load the saved data back to the instrument from the computer.
To transfer the backup data, you must first download Musicsoft Downloader (free soft-
ware) from Yamaha website at the following URL, and install it on your computer. 
http://music.yamaha.com/download/
Please visit the URL above to get the information on the computer system requirement 
for Musicsoft Downloader.
For more information on transferring data, please refer to “Transferring Data Between 
the Computer and Instrument (for unprotected data)” in the Help file that came with 
Musicsoft Downloader.
CAUTION
Do not turn off the power to this instrument or unplug the instrument during data transmission. 
Otherwise, the data being transmitted will not be saved. Furthermore, flash memory operation 
may become unstable, causing the entire memory to be erased when you turn the power to the 
instrument on or off.
CAUTION
Do not rename the backup file on the computer. If you do so, it will not be recognized when 
transferred to the instrument.
Initializing the settings
Turn off the power to the instrument. Then turn the power on while holding the C7 
key (right-most key on the keyboard). When you initialize the settings, all data, exclud-
ing the recorded dada loaded from a computer, will be initialized and reset to the fac-
tory default settings.
CAUTION
Do not turn off the power to this instrument while it is initializing the data in its internal memory 
(that is, while the [REC] and [PLAY] button indicators are flashing).
When the P-85 is used as a tone 
module, performance data with 
voices that are not found on the 
P-85 will not be played correctly.
NOTE
You must install a software appli-
cation on the computer to be able 
to transfer MIDI data between the 
P-85 and a computer.
NOTE
Instrument
Computer USB terminal
USB-MIDI 
interface 
(optional) MIDI [OUT]
terminal MIDI [IN] 
terminal
Backup Data
The following data will be stored 
in flash memory on this instru-
ment. This data will be kept after 
you turn off the power to the 
instrument.
•Metronome volume
•Metronome tempo
•Touch sensitivity
•Tuning
•Recorded performance data
The backup data file is automati-
cally named “NPP88.BUP”.
Keep in mind that the [REC] and 
[PLAY] indicators are lit when 
Musicsoft Downloader is being 
used.
Before you use this instrument, 
close the Musicsoft Downloader 
window and quit the application.
If this instrument somehow 
becomes disabled or malfunc-
tions, turn off the power to the 
instrument, then perform the ini-
tialization procedure.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
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							MIDI Functions
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
28
MIDI Functions
You can make detailed adjustments to MIDI settings.
MIDI Transmit/Receive Channel Selection
In any MIDI control setup, the MIDI channels of the transmitting and 
receiving devices must be matched for proper data transfer. 
This parameter enables you to specify the channel on which the P-85 
transmits or receives MIDI data. 
Setting the Transmit Channel
While holding down the [DEMO/SONG] and [METRONOME] buttons, press 
one of the C1–E2 keys.
Setting the Receive Channel
While holding down the [DEMO/SONG] and [METRONOME] buttons, press 
one of the C4–F5 keys.
Local Control ON/OFF
“Local Control” refers to the fact that, normally, the P-85 keyboard controls its internal tone gener-
ator, allowing the internal voices to be played directly from the keyboard. This situation is “Local 
Control On,” since the internal tone generator is controlled locally by its own keyboard. 
Local control can be turned OFF, however, so that the P-85 keyboard does not play the internal 
voices, but the appropriate MIDI information is still transmitted via the MIDI OUT terminal when 
notes are played on the keyboard. At the same time, the internal tone generator responds to MIDI 
information received via the MIDI IN terminal.
While holding down the [DEMO/SONG] and [METRONOME] buttons, press the 
C6 key. Pressing the C6 key repeatedly toggles between Local Control On and 
Off.
In Dual, Voice 1 data is transmit-
ted on its specified channel and 
Voice 2 data is transmitted on the 
next greater channel number rela-
tive to the specified channel. In 
this case, no data is transmitted if 
the transmit channel is set to 
“OFF.”
ALL:
“Multi-timbre” Receive. This 
allows simultaneous reception of 
different parts on all 16 MIDI 
channels, enabling the P-85 to 
play multi-channel song data 
received from a music computer 
or sequencer.
1+2:
“1+2” Receive. This allows simul-
taneous reception on channels 1 
and 2 only, enabling the P-85 to 
play 1 and 2 channel song data 
received from a music computer 
or sequencer.
Program change and other like 
channel messages received will 
not affect the P-85’s panel set-
tings or the notes you play on the 
keyboard.
Data for the demo song and 
piano preset songs cannot be 
transmitted via MIDI.
NOTE
C1C4
E2F5
11 14 16 9
56810121315
OFF3 1
74211 14 16 9
56810121315
1+2ALL3 1
742
Transmit Channel
(C1–E2)Receive Channel
(C4–F5)
Default setting: ON
C6
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							MIDI Functions
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
29
Program Change ON/OFF
Normally the P-85 will respond to MIDI program change numbers received from an external key-
board or other MIDI device, causing the same numbered voice to be selected on the corresponding 
channel (the keyboard voice does not change). The P-85 will normally also send a MIDI program 
change number whenever one of its voices is selected, causing the same numbered voice or pro-
gram to be selected on the external MIDI device if the device is set up to receive and respond to 
MIDI program change numbers. This function makes it possible to cancel program change number 
reception and transmission so that voices can be selected on the P-85 without affecting the external 
MIDI device.
While holding down the [DEMO/SONG] and [METRONOME] buttons, press 
the C#6 key. Pressing the C#6 key repeatedly toggles between Program Change 
On and Off.
PROGRAM CHANGE
Data format: [CnH] -> [ppH]
CnH = Program event (n = channel number)
ppH = Program change number
•When program change reception is turned OFF, no program change data is transmitted or 
received. 
•When you specify a program change as a number in the range of 0–127, specify a number 
that is one less than the program change number listed above. For example, to specify pro-
gram change number 1, you would specify a value of 0.
Default setting: ON
Voice Name MSB LSB P.C.#
Grand Piano 1 0 122 1
Grand Piano 2 0 112 1
E.Piano 1 0 122 6
E.Piano 2 0 122 5
C.Organ 1 0 123 20
C.Organ 2 0 122 20
Strings 0 122 49
Harpsichord 1 0 122 7
Harpsichord 2 0 123 7
Vibraphone 0 122 12
P.C.# = Program Change number
C#6
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							MIDI Functions
P-85 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
30
Control Change ON/OFF
Normally the P-85 will respond to MIDI control change data received from an external MIDI device 
or keyboard, causing the voice on the corresponding channel to be affected by pedal and other 
“control” settings received from the controlling device (the keyboard voice is not affected). The P-
85 also transmits MIDI control change information when the pedal or other appropriate controls 
are operated. 
This function makes it possible to cancel control change data reception and transmission so that, 
for example, the P-85’s pedal and other controls can be operated without affecting an external 
MIDI device.
While holding down the [DEMO/SONG] and [METRONOME] buttons, press 
the D6 key. Pressing the D6 key repeatedly toggles between Control Change On 
and Off.
For information on control 
changes that can be used with 
the P-85, refer to the MIDI Data 
Format section in the Data List, 
which can be found at the 
Yamaha website (See page 7).
Default setting: ON
NOTE
D6
28