User Manual Creative Prodikeys Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd.
Contents
Contents Introduction Introduction....................................................................................................................................................... i Package Contents ................................................................................................................................. ii System Requirements.......................................................................................................................... ii Getting More Information.....
Step 3: Selecting Music Scales ...................................................................................................... 3-3 Step 4: Selecting Instruments ....................................................................................................... 3-4 Step 5: Starting and Stopping Rhythms ..................................................................................... 3-4 Step 6: Playing the Melody .................................................................................
Step 4: Playing the Melody .......................................................................................................... Step 5: Stopping the Rhythm...................................................................................................... Learning To Play a Song......................................................................................................................... Step 1: Selecting the Learn Mode ......................................................................
Sustaining Notes............................................................................................................................. Changing the Octave .................................................................................................................... Shifting the Pitch of the Music Keyboard ............................................................................... Applying Environment Effects ...................................................................................
Introduction
Introduction Introduction Thank you for purchasing Creative Prodikeys™, another quality product from Creative Technology Ltd, the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products. We are confident that you will enjoy using this product. Creative Prodikeys is a revolutionary keyboard that consists of both a computer keyboard and a music keyboard with 37 touch-sensitive MIDI keys.
Package Contents System Requirements The following items are included in your package: ❑ Quick Start leaflet ❑ Creative Prodikeys keyboard ❑ Creative Prodikeys software installation CD Your Prodikeys requires at least: ❑ Intel® Pentium® 233 MHz (or similar class) processor ❑ Intel or 100% compatible motherboard chipset ❑ 64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended) ❑ 470 MB free hard disk space (700 MB for full installation) ❑ Microsoft® Windows® 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 or Windows XP ❑ an audio device (Sound B
Document Conventions Tip. This tells you about short cuts or hints relating to a feature. Note. This highlights additional or important information about a feature. Caution! This highlights proper usage of your product. Use this information to avoid risky situations. Warning! This warns you of possible hazards to yourself or your product, that may result in injury or damage.
1 About Your Creative Prodikeys
About Your Creative Prodikeys In this chapter, we will familiarize you with the different parts of your Creative Prodikeys, so that you can follow the instructions in the other chapters easily. Parts of Creative Prodikeys The 37 keys on the music keyboard are touch-sensitive; the harder you strike the keys, the louder the sound will be. Volume Control wheel Use this to adjust the volume. Pitch Bend wheel Use this to change the pitch of a music note quickly.
Removing the Music Keyboard Cover The music keyboard on your Creative Prodikeys is protected by a cover, which also acts as a palm rest as you type. To use the music keyboard, you will need to remove the cover. To remove the music keyboard cover: Press down the upper corners of the cover and slide it out, as shown below. Figure 1-2: Removing the music keyboard cover.
Maintaining Creative Prodikeys To maintain your Creative Prodikeys, use a damp cloth to clean only the exterior of Creative Prodikeys. Do not use any liquid or aerosol cleaners.
2 Setting Up Your Creative Prodikeys
Setting Up Your Creative Prodikeys This chapter tells you how to install and use your Creative Prodikeys hardware and software. Installing Hardware Connect your Creative Prodikeys to your computer’s PS/2 keyboard port as shown below. PS/2 keyboard port Creative Prodikeys is not hot-pluggable. You must turn off your computer before connecting or disconnecting Creative Prodikeys. PS/2 cable Computer Creative Prodikeys Figure 2-1: Connecting Creative Prodikeys to your computer.
Installing Software Starting the Software You can minimize the Creative Prodikeys software by pressing the Fun button on the Creative Prodikeys keyboard. You will need to install software for the Creative Prodikeys music keyboard to work properly. To install the software: 1. Insert the Creative Prodikeys software installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. An installation screen appears. If not, start Windows Explorer, right-click the CD-ROM drive icon, and then select AutoPlay. 2.
Configuring Power Management settings If you have enabled power saving or power management on your computer, you should set your monitor's power management properties to Never. You should also configure your screen saver to deactivate by moving your mouse.
3 Using Your Creative Prodikeys
Using Your Creative Prodikeys This chapter provides information on using your Creative Prodikeys. You will learn how to configure and interact with your Creative Prodikeys through the Creative Prodikeys software. Creative Prodikeys Modes Creative Prodikeys has 4 different modes as shown below. Impress mode Lets you create music instantly to impress your family and friends even if you do not have any music knowledge. This mode has 2 submodes: 1. Penta Tunes 2.
Creating Music Instantly with Penta Tunes In the Penta Tunes sub-mode, the white keys on the music keyboard can be switched from the usual seven-tone scale to a five-tone scale (pentatonic scale). With this five-tone scale, whatever music notes you play will produce a melody. The black keys on the music keyboard will be assigned to rhythms, effects and instrumental fill-ins, which you can use to enhance your melody. Follow the steps below to learn how to create music instantly in the Penta Tunes sub-mode.
Step 2: Selecting Music Styles Different music styles provide different sets of matching instruments, rhythms, effects and instrumental fill-ins for you to play with. To select a music style: 1. In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the Style button. Style button Figure 3-3 Step 3: Selecting Music Scales 2. In the dialog box that appears, click the music category you want. 3. Click the music style you want, and then click the Close button.
Step 4: Selecting Instruments Besides selecting a main instrument for your music keyboard, you can also select a second instrument that will be played together with your main instrument. To select a main instrument: Click the Instrument keys in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press the corresponding keys on your computer keyboard.
Step 6: Playing the Melody Now that the rhythm has started, press the white keys on the music keyboard to play the melody. Step 7: Adding Trill A trill happens when two music notes are played alternately at high speed, producing a vibrating effect on the sound. There are a few trill effects that you can use. Effects to Melody Notes To add an upper or lower trill effect: Press and release F1 or F2 on your computer keyboard while holding down white keys on the music keyboard.
Creating Music Mixes with Fun Tunes In the Fun Tunes sub-mode, you can create music mixes like a music DJ. Just select a music style for your mix and press the keys assigned to drums, bass, accompaniment, phrases, and sound effects on your music keyboard to create your music mix. Follow the steps below to learn how to use Fun Tunes. Step 1: Selecting the Fun Tunes Sub-mode To select the Fun Tunes sub-mode: In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the Impress button, and then click the Fun Tunes button.
Step 2: Selecting Music Styles for Your Mixes Different music styles provide different sets of drums, bass, accompaniments, phrases and sound effects for you to mix with. There are many styles for you to choose from. To select a music style: 1. In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the Mix button. Mix button Figure 3-9 Step 3: Creating Music Mixes 2. In the dialog box that appears, click the music category you want. 3. Click the music style you want, and then click the Close button.
Playing Music with Intelligent Chords In the (Easy Play) Intelligent Chord sub-mode, Creative Prodikeys automatically generates chords for you while you play. Follow the steps below to learn how to use this sub-mode. Step 1: Selecting To select the (Easy Play) Intelligent Chord sub-mode: In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the Easy Play button, and then click the Intelligent Chord button.
Step 2: Selecting the Type of Intelligent Chord You can choose from 3 Intelligent Chords — "Happy", "Sad" or "Neutral". To select the type of Intelligent Chord: Click the Happy, Sad or Neutral keys in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press the corresponding keys on your computer keyboard. Happy, Sad and Neutral keys Selecting "Happy" will play the major scale chords, "Sad" will play the minor scale chords and "Neutral" will play a combination of both chords.
To select a main instrument: Click the Instrument keys in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press the corresponding keys on your computer keyboard. To select a second instrument (or cancel the selection): Double-click the Instrument keys in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press the corresponding keys quickly twice on your computer keyboard. Instrument keys Figure 3-14 Step 5: Selecting Rhythms For the music style that you have selected, a matching set of rhythms will be made available.
Step 6: Selecting Tempos You can also click the Up or Down buttons beside the Tempo box in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press MINUS SIGN (-) or PLUS SIGN (+) on the computer keyboard to adjust the tempo. Step 7: Starting the Rhythm Depending on the type of song you are going to play, select the speed for the rhythm. To select a tempo: Click the Tempo keys in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press the corresponding keys on your computer keyboard.
Step 8: Playing the Melody Now that the rhythm has started, play your melody on the music keyboard. You will notice that chords will be generated automatically to blend with your melody. Step 9: Adding To make it more interesting, try adding rhythm fill-ins to create variations in your song. Rhythm Fill-Ins To add rhythm fill-ins: Click the Fill In button in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press ENTER on your computer keyboard.
Playing Music with Function Key Chords In the (Easy Play) Function Key Chord sub-mode, you play the chords by pressing the function keys (F1 to F12) on your computer keyboard. Follow the steps below to learn how to use this sub-mode. Step 1: Selecting To select the (Easy Play) Function Key Chord sub-mode: In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the Easy Play button, and then click the Function Key Chord button.
Step 2: Selecting the Key for Your Chords You can select the key for your chords. Selecting different keys will give you different sets of chords to play with. To select the key for the chords: Click the Key button in the Creative Prodikeys software.
Playing Music with Fixed Progression Chords In the (Easy Play) Fixed Progression sub-mode, you select and play along to a set of chords that will play repeatedly from chord to chord. This allows you to play your melody and have Prodikeys accompany you with a virtual band! Follow the steps below to learn how to use Fixed Progression Chords.
Step 2: Selecting Music Styles Different music styles provide different sets of fixed progression chords for you to play along with. To select a music style: Click the Style keys in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press the corresponding keys on your computer keyboard. The set of fixed progression chords will be displayed.
Step 5: Stopping the Rhythm When you have finished playing, you can stop the rhythm. To stop the rhythm: Click the Introduction/Ending button in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press SPACEBAR on your computer keyboard.
Learning To Play a Song In the Learn mode, you can learn to play a song at your own pace. You will be guided, by the Creative Prodikeys software, on the keys to press on your music keyboard. Follow the steps below to learn how to use this mode. Step 1: Selecting the Learn Mode To select the Learn mode: In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the Learn button. The Creative Prodikeys software should look similar to the figure below. Learn button Figure 3-27: Creative Prodikeys software in Learn mode.
Step 2: Selecting Songs For your lessons, you can learn the songs provided or learn your favorite songs by importing your own MIDI files. To select a song: 1. Click the Song button in the Creative Prodikeys software. Song button Figure 3-28 2. In the dialog box that appears, click the level of difficulty you want. 3. Click the song you want and then click the Close button.
Step 4: Starting the Lesson You are now ready to start your lesson! To start the Lesson: Click the Introduction/Ending button in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press SPACEBAR on your computer keyboard. Guiding markers Introduction/Ending button Figure 3-30 Follow the guiding markers (if available) in the Creative Prodikeys software to play the keys on your music keyboard. Step 5: Selecting Tempos If you feel that the speed of the song in the lesson is too fast or slow, you can adjust the tempo.
Step 5: Selecting the Music Score Display Type The music score in the Creative Prodikeys software can display music notes in the western Stave notation or the Chinese Jianpu numeric notation. To select the music score display type: In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the Display button. Display button Figure 3-32 Step 6: Stopping Lessons You can stop a lesson before it ends.
Performing with Intelligent Chords In the (Perform) Intelligent Chord sub-mode, Creative Prodikeys automatically generates the chords for you while you play. This sub-mode has more control options to make it easier for you to perform with your Creative Prodikeys. Follow the steps below to learn how to use the this sub-mode.
Step 2: Selecting the Type of Intelligent Chord You can choose from 3 Intelligent Chords — "Happy", "Sad" or "Neutral". To select the type of Intelligent Chord: Click the Happy, Sad or Neutral keys in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press the corresponding keys on your computer keyboard. Happy, Sad and Neutral keys Selecting "Happy" will play the major scale chords, "Sad" will play the minor scale chords and "Neutral" will play a combination of both chords.
Step 4: Configuring Voicesets You can create, configure and delete voicesets, except for the default one. To configure voicesets: In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the Settings button. Settings button Figure 3-37 Step 5: Selecting Music Styles Each voiceset lets you define 10 music styles that you can access quickly from the Creative Prodikeys software. Selecting a music style will select the instruments, rhythm, tempo and other settings defined for the music style.
Step 6: Selecting Instruments Each voiceset lets you define 10 instruments that you can access quickly from the Creative Prodikeys software. While playing, you can easily select and change to another main or second instrument. To select a main instrument: Click the Instrument keys in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press the corresponding keys on your computer keyboard.
Step 7: Selecting Rhythms and Tempos To define the rhythms and tempos for the quick access keys that appear in the Creative Prodikeys software for a voiceset, you need to configure the voiceset. See "Step 4: Configuring Voicesets". Each voiceset also lets you define 10 rhythms and 10 tempos that you can access quickly from the Creative Prodikeys software. While playing, you can easily select and change to another rhythm or tempo.
Step 8: Starting the Rhythm You are now ready to play! To begin, just start the rhythm. You can start the rhythm with or without an introductory rhythm pattern. To start the rhythm with an introductory rhythm pattern: Click the Introduction/Ending button in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press SPACEBAR on your computer keyboard. To start the rhythm without an introductory rhythm pattern: Click the Start/Stop button in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press ALT on your computer keyboard.
Step 11: Adding Rhythm Fill-Ins To make it more interesting, try adding rhythm fill-ins to create variations in your song. To add rhythm fill-ins: Click the Fill In button in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press ENTER on your computer keyboard. Fill In button Figure 3-43 Step 12: Stopping the Rhythm When you have finished playing, you can stop the rhythm with or without an ending rhythm pattern.
Playing Along with Imported Rhythmania or MIDI files Chords, rhythms and rhythm fill-ins selected in the Creative Prodikeys software will not work when imported sequence files are selected for playback. If you have some Creative Rhythmania or MIDI sequence files that you want to play along with, you can import them for use with Creative Prodikeys. To play along with imported sequence files: 1. In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the Sequence button. Sequence button Figure 3-45 2.
Performing with Function Key Chords In the (Perform) Function Key Chord sub-mode, you play the chords by pressing the function keys (F1 to F12) on your computer keyboard. This sub-mode has more control options to make it easier for you to perform with your Creative Prodikeys. Follow the steps below to learn how to use this sub-mode.
Step 2: Selecting the Key for Your Chords You can select the key for your chords. Selecting different keys will give you different sets of chords to play with. To select the key for the chords: Click the Key button in the Creative Prodikeys software.
Other Features of Creative Prodikeys Sustaining Notes This feature is only available for some instruments. In some modes of Creative Prodikeys, you can sustain notes played on the music keyboard. To enable (or disable) the sustain feature: Click the Sustain button in the Creative Prodikeys software, or press SHIFT on your computer keyboard.
Shifting the Pitch of the Music Keyboard In some modes within Creative Prodikeys, you can shift the pitch of all the keys on the music keyboard. To shift the pitch: 1. Click the Pitch Shift button in the Creative Prodikeys software. 2. In the dialog box that appears, click to select the number of semitones for the pitch to be shifted, and then click the Close button. You can also simultaneously press CTRL on the computer keyboard and press a key on the music keyboard to shift the pitch.
Applying Environment Effects An environment effect will make your music sound as if it was played in the selected environment, such as a concert hall or cave. To apply an environment effect: 1. In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the EAX button. 2. In the dialog box that appears, click to select an environment effect, and then click the Close button. This feature is only available with Sound Blaster Live! or Sound Blaster Audigy series audio devices.
Recording Your Music You can record the music that you have created, and use it for presentations and home video productions, or send it to friends to impress them! You can also save it as a MIDI file and edit it with a MIDI sequencer. To record your music: To play back WAV or MP3 files on your computer, you need a media player capable of playing such files. 1. In the Creative Prodikeys software, click the Record button. 2. Play your song on the music keyboard. 3.
A General Specifications
General Specifications This section lists the specifications of your Creative Prodikeys. General Specifications ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Standard IBM-compatible computer keyboard with 104 keys. Integrated music keyboard with 37 touch-sensitive MIDI keys. Pitch Bend wheel. Volume Control wheel. Internet Portal buttons. PS/2 connector for connecting to computer's PS/2 keyboard port.
B Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting This section provides solutions to problems you may encounter during installation or normal use. Problems with Sound Problems with Creative Prodikeys There is no sound when the keys on the music keyboard are pressed. The volume may be muted or set to the lowest level, or SoundFonts may be missing or unloaded. 1. Check that the volume is not muted or set to the lowest level. 2. Load the SoundFonts: 1. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel. 2. Double-click the AudioHQ icon. 3.
C Glossary
Glossary This section provides definitions and explanations of some of the uncommon terms used in this manual. Chord A chord is simply the combination of different music notes played together at the same time to produce a tone. There are many different types of chords. In a song, chords usually make up the background rhythm. On a piano or keyboard, chords are usually played with the left hand, while the melody is usually played with the right hand.
MIDI sequencer A MIDI sequencer is a computer program or an electronic device that lets you arrange and send MIDI messages to a MIDI synthesizer for playback. A MIDI sequencer can also record MIDI messages sent from a MIDI instrument and save them as a MIDI sequence file (.MID). Many musicians use MIDI sequencers to compose and rearrange their songs in MIDI format.
