42-4041.fm Page 1 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Cat. No. 42-4041 OWNER’S MANUAL Please read before using this equipment.
42-4041.fm Page 2 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose this product to rain or moisture. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN. ! CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
42-4041.fm Page 3 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM FEATURES Your Optimus MD-1200 Electronic Keyboard is a state-of-the-art musical instrument that offers you a vast array of sounds. You can choose from 200 different musical instruments or sound effects and 100 rhythms, as well as automatic accompaniments and percussion sounds.
2-4041.fm Page 4 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Synthesizer Function — lets you create up to 32 of your own original tones. Tune Function — lets you adjust the pitch of your keyboard so you can play in tune with other instruments. Transpose Function — lets you instantly change the key of music, even when you are playing. Tempo Control — lets you speed up or slow down the tempo of any selected music pattern. Fill-In Rhythm — lets you insert a short variation into any auto-rhythm.
42-4041.fm Page 5 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM CONTENTS Preparation .............................................................................................................. 7 Connecting Power .............................................................................................. 7 Using Batteries ............................................................................................ 7 Using AC Power .......................................................................................
42-4041.fm Page 6 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Special Features ................................................................................................... Changing Keys ................................................................................................. Tuning the Keyboard ........................................................................................ Using Touch Response .....................................................................................
42-4041.fm Page 7 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM PREPARATION Note: To connect a MIDI device, see “Making the MIDI Connections” on Page 41. To connect a sustain pedal, see “Using a Sustain Pedal” on Page 31. CONNECTING POWER You can power your MD-1200 from either: • internal batteries (see “Using Batteries”) • standard AC power using an optional AC adapter (see “Using AC Power” on Page 8) Cautions: • Use only fresh batteries of the required size and recommended type.
42-4041.fm Page 8 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Using AC Power You can power your MD-1200 from standard AC power using a 9-volt AC adapter (not supplied) and a Size M Adaptaplug. Cautions: You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 9 volts DC and delivers at least 800 mA. Its center tip must be set to negative and its plug must fit the MD-1200's DC 9V jack. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage the MD-1200 or the adapter.
42-4041.fm Page 9 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM • Once you set the volume, do not increase it. Over time, your ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause discomfort might still damage your hearing. CONNECTING AN EXTERNAL AMPLIFIER To amplify your MD-1200’s sound, you can connect it to an external amplifier (not supplied) using an audio cable (not supplied) with a 1/4-inch (6.35-mm) plug. To connect an external amplifier to your keyboard, insert the cable’s 1/4-inch (6.
42-4041.fm Page 10 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM OPERATION (Partial Control View) VOLUME DEMO VOLUME POWER MODE BASIC OPERATION 1. Slide VOLUME to MIN (minimum). Important: To prevent hearing damage, always set the MD-1200’s volume to MIN before you turn it on. 2. To turn on the MD-1200, press POWER. The POWER indicator lights and the display turns on. Note: To save power, the keyboard automatically turns off after about 6 minutes if you do not press a key.
42-4041.fm Page 11 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Tone Number/Name Chord Symbol Tempo Keyboard The tone number and name appear at the top of the display. The middle row shows the chord symbol, the tempo in beats per minute, the number of the measure playing and the beat count in each measure. The treble and bass clefs to the right of the display show the notes as they play. The bar graph shows the sound level on each of the 16 channels (see “Using the Mixer” on Page 22).
42-4041.fm Page 12 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Notes: No. • You can select the next highest or lowest numbered tone by simply pressing + or – on the keypad. 149 PAD ENS 2 150 SEQUENCE 1 151 SEQUENCE 2 • The names of tone numbers 000– 127 are marked to the right of the MD-1200’s display. The names for tone numbers 128–167 appear in the table below. Memory locations 168–199 are reserved for custom tones that you create (see “Using the Custom Tone Synthesizer” on Page 24).
42-4041.fm Page 13 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM REVERB LAYER SPLIT TONE Drum Pads USING THE DRUM PADS To turn off REVERB, press REVERB so no indicator appears on the display. The MD-1200 has six drum pads that you can use to play percussion sounds independent of the keyboard keys. Simply tap on a drum pad to play the percussion sound currently assigned to it. USING SPLIT To change the drum pad sounds, use the mixer function to change the tone assigned to Channel 10.
42-4041.fm Page 14 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM For example, if you set the split point to be F below middle C, F3 appears. Note: You can change the split point at any time. 6. Play both the low and high-end keys to hear the selected split tones. To select a different low-end tone, enter the three-digit number for the new lowend tone while the SPLIT indicator is on the display.
42-4041.fm Page 15 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM 1. If the SPLIT or LAYER indicator is on, press SPLIT or LAYER to turn it off. 2. Enter the number for the high-end base tone on the keypad. 3. Press SPLIT so the SPLIT indicator appears. 4. Enter the number for the low-end base tone. 5. Press SPLIT so the SPLIT indicator disappears. 6. Press LAYER so the LAYER indicator appears. 7. Enter the number of the layered tone for the high-end keys. 8. Press SPLIT. The SPLIT indicator appears. 9.
42-4041.fm Page 16 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM TEMPO SYNCHRO/ENDING INTRO VARIATION/FILL-IN NORMAL/FILL-IN 2. To select a different rhythm, choose an auto-rhythm from the 100 RHYTHMS list and enter its twodigit number on the keypad. For example, to select 8 BEAT BALLAD 2 (No. 05), press 0 then 5. • You can also adjust the tempo by first pressing TEMPO . or ., then entering the desired number of beats per minute in three digits (040 to 255), or by holding down + or – on the keypad.
42-4041.fm Page 17 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Using INTRO The MD-1200’s INTRO feature lets you start the selected auto-rhythm with a light, 3- to 8-measure introduction that blends easily into the selected rhythm. The keyboard adds a 1- to 2-measure variation in the rhythm. To return to the normal rhythm, press NORMAL/FILL-IN. To stop the auto-rhythm, press START/ To start a rhythm with an introduction, select and enter the rhythm, then press INTRO.
42-4041.fm Page 18 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM ACCOMP VOLUME Free Session — lets you play the melody using the entire keyboard while the MD-1200 plays accompaniment based on your auto-rhythm selection (see “Using FREE SESSION” on Page 21). Notes: • After you press the auto accompaniment keys when using concert chord or standard fingering, the MD1200 plays the same chord until you press other accompaniment keys to play a different chord or you press START/ STOP.
42-4041.fm Page 19 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Concert Chord The concert chord method lets beginning keyboard players easily select and play a chord. The number of accompaniment keys you press determines the type of chord that plays. This table shows the type of chord that plays when you press one, two, three, or four accompaniment keys at the same time.
42-4041.fm Page 20 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Standard Fingering The standard fingering method uses standard formations of three or four notes, and lets the experienced musician play a wider variety of accompaniment chords. You can play these 15 chord types on your MD-1200, in any key, using the standard fingering method.
42-4041.fm Page 21 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Follow these steps to start standard fingering auto accompaniment. 1. Set MODE to FINGERED. 2. Select and enter an auto-rhythm. (See “Selecting/Playing an AutoRhythm” on Page 15.) 3. To start the auto-rhythm before your auto accompaniment, press START/ STOP or INTRO. To synchronize the start of the selected auto-rhythm with your accompaniment, press SYNCHRO/ ENDING. 4.
42-4041.fm Page 22 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM FREE SESSION MIXER CURSOR ENTER RHYTHM Follow these steps to use the keyboard’s free session feature. 1. Press RHYTHM. 2. Select and enter an auto-rhythm. 3. Press TONE. 4. Select and enter the desired tone for the melody. You can use any of the preset and custom tone features, as well as the preset auto-rhythm features. 5. Press FREE SESSION. The FREE SESSION indicator, the autoaccompaniment tone name and number, and the tempo appear. 6.
42-4041.fm Page 23 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM This chart shows the parts assigned to each channel.
42-4041.fm Page 24 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM 5. To edit other channels, press or to return to the channel selection screen and repeat Steps 2–4. To exit the edit mode, press MIXER. The display shows the performance status of the channels as edited. Editing the Parameter You can change the settings of six parameters such as tone, volume, and pan (relative position of the tone between the left and right speaker channels) for the selected channel. Follow these steps to edit the parameters. 1.
42-4041.fm Page 25 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM SYNTH Notes: • You cannot use tones 160–167 (drum set tones) as base tones. • The preset tone you use as the basis for a user tone is not changed. • The tone locations 168–199 are not empty (before you store user tones there). They initially contain duplicate versions of tone numbers 128– 159. The user tone you store in any of those locations replaces the existing tone.
42-4041.fm Page 26 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Notes: • A new or revised user tone replaces the existing user tone. • Layer, split, auto accompaniment, demo tune play, and MIDI functions are all disabled while the keyboard is in the Custom Tone Synthesizer mode. 1. Select the preset tone (except 160– 167) you want to use as a basis for your user tone. 2. Press SYNTH. The keyboard enters the Custom Tone Synthesizer mode and the first parameter (PCM Set) appears on the display.
42-4041.fm Page 27 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Touch Sensitivity (TchSense) (–64 to +63) — Controls changes in the volume of the tone depending on how hard you strike the keys. You can specify more volume for stronger striking and less volume for lighter striking, or you can specify 00 to set the same volume regardless of how hard you strike the keys. Pan (Pan) (–64 to +63) — Controls the relative position of the tone between the left and right speaker channels.
42-4041.fm Page 28 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Hints on Creating a User Tone • Use a preset tone that is similar to the one you are trying to create. When you already have a general idea of the tone you are trying to create, it is a good idea to start with a similar preset tone. If you want to use a layered tone, start out with a 2DCO tone. • Determine the most important parameter. The PCM Set and Amp Envelope Set parameters are the major factors that determine the overall tone characteristic.
42-4041.fm Page 29 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM SPECIAL FEATURES TRANSPOSE/ TUNE/MIDI TOUCH RESPONSE Chord Buttons CHANGING KEYS The MD-1200 automatically selects the key of middle C each time you turn it on. For added flexibility as you play, the MD-1200 lets you change (transpose) the musical key. Follow these steps to change keys. 1. Repeatedly press TRANSPOSE/ TUNE/MIDI until 00 Trans appears on the display.
42-4041.fm Page 30 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM 3. Within 5 seconds, press + or – to raise or lower the keyboard's pitch. Each time you press the key, the number on the display increases or decreases by 1 (cent). Notes: • The MD-1200 automatically resets the tuning pitch to the default value of 00 (cents) each time you turn off the keyboard. • Memory playback uses the pitch with which the memorized tune was recorded. • Auto accompaniment uses the currently set pitch.
42-4041.fm Page 31 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Setting the Pitch Bend Range You can adjust the bend range of pitch controls from 1 to 12 semitones. Note: The keyboard automatically selects a bend range of 2 semitones the first time you turn it on after connecting power. Each time you turn it on after that, it recalls the last selected bend range. To connect a sustain pedal to your MD1200, insert the plug on the pedal’s cord into ASSIGNABLE JACK on the back of the keyboard.
42-4041.fm Page 32 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM USING THE MEMORY The MD-1200 lets you record up to two separate songs in memory for later playback. You can use either of two methods to record a song — real-time recording (you record as you play) or step recording (you enter notes and chords one-by-one). You can record on each of the MD1200’s six tracks separately. Besides notes, each track can have its own tone number.
42-4041.fm Page 33 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM • Pressing FREE SESSION while recording with a free session accompaniment turns off the accompaniment; however, the keyboard continues playing the last chord played before FREE SESSION was turned off. You can change the chord by specifying a different one using the appropriate method (Fingered, Concert Chord, etc.) as determined by the MODE setting. Follow these steps to record as you play. 1. Repeatedly press MEMORY until Rec. No. appears.
42-4041.fm Page 34 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM after you select Track 1 Note: Press in Step 3 to use the drum pads. That way, you can also start recording by playing a drum pad. This data is stored on Track 1 along with the the notes you played: • tone number • rhythm number • rhythm controller (INTRO, NORMAL/ FILL-IN, etc.) operations • pitch bender operations • Memory contents are saved as long as power is supplied to the keyboard.
42-4041.fm Page 35 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM • You can set the volume and pan position of the playback tracks using the mixer. This setting data is output through MIDI OUT. beginning of the recording up to where you want accompaniment to start. Then enter only the chords (no rests). • The entire keyboard functions as a melody keyboard during playback, regardless of the MODE setting. Follow these steps to record chords with step recording. 1. Press MEMORY appears.
42-4041.fm Page 36 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM 9. When you finish recording, press MEMORY, STEP, or START/ STOP. To play back the song, press START/ STOP. Notes: • To correct entry mistakes, see “Editing Memory Contents” on Page 39. • When you record on a track that already contains data, the keyboard automatically locates the end of the previous recording — measure, beat, or clock (1/48 of a beat) — and adds your new entry to it.
42-4041.fm Page 37 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Correcting Mistakes Before finishing your step recording entry, you can move the entry point back to correct the data you entered. However, this operation deletes all data after the point where you make corrections. 1. Before you press MEMORY, STEP, or START/STOP to end recording, press . This moves the entry point back one “space.” tones on these tracks and build a full ensemble of instruments.
42-4041.fm Page 38 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM 7. Press START/STOP to end recording. 7. Use 1–9 to enter the length of the note or rest. This data is stored on the selected track in addition to the notes you played: 8. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 to enter more notes. • tone number • optional pedal operations • pitch bender operations • drum pad operations Step Recording 1. Repeatedly press MEMORY until Rec. No. appears. 2. Within 5 seconds, use + or – to select a song number. 3.
42-4041.fm Page 39 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Changing the Navigation Track After you record, the display shows the contents of the last recorded or edited track. To display a different track, repeatedly press TRANSPOSE/TUNE/MIDI until Bend appears, then press until Navi. Tr. appears. Then press + or – until the track you want appears on the display. EDITING MEMORY CONTENTS You can recall and change individual notes and parameter settings (such as tone number) in memory contents.
42-4041.fm Page 40 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Editing Techniques and Display Contents Deleting All Data in a Specific Track Key Pressure (Velocity) — Use the keyboard, number buttons, or + and – to adjust the key pressure. To change the key pressure using the keyboard, be sure to turn on touch response. 1. Press MEMORY until Rec. No. appears. Within 5 seconds, use + or – to select a song number. Pitch — Enter a new note on the keyboard or use + or – to change to the next higher or lower note.
42-4041.fm Page 41 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM USING MIDI Your MD-1200 includes a feature called MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) — the universal standard for sending and receiving performance data between all types of electronic musical instruments, regardless of manufacturer.
-4041.fm Page 42 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Cautions: • Always turn off power to your MD1200 and the other MIDI device before you connect or disconnect MIDI cables. • As you make the cable connections, be sure to align the MIDI cable pins with the matching holes on the MIDI OUT and IN terminals. If you have trouble plugging in the cable, do not force it! You might damage the plug or the instrument.
42-4041.fm Page 43 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Here is the data that can be sent and received with this keyboard and the corresponding control number. Effect Control Number Bank Select 0, 32 Volume 7 Pan 10 Expression 11 Hold1 (Sustain) 64 Sostenuto 66 Soft Pedal 67 RPN (Registered Parameter Number) 100/101 Data Entry 6/38 Use the Bank Select setting to select the MD-1200’s tone groups to be changed by the Program Number message.
42-4041.fm Page 44 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM System Exclusive controls fine tone adjustments unique to a particular system. Basically, the system exclusives are unique to a particular system; however, there are “universal” system exclusives that are common among devices produced by individual manufacturers. reverb function. yy determines the type of reverberation effect. yy Value Reverb 00 Room 01 Stage 02 Hall 0F Off These are the system exclusive messages supported by this keyboard.
42-4041.fm Page 45 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM GM Mode on/off (Default: Off): set to on when you want to have the keyboard receive GM data from another MIDI device. Turning GM mode on automatically turns CHORD off, since GM mode and MIDI In Chord Judge cannot be used at the same time. Set to oFF to turn GM mode off. The tone, volume and other parameter settings of each channel are initialized. When playing received MIDI data, bass tones are lowered one octave and the piccolo tone is raised one octave.
42-4041.fm Page 46 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Importing Data Follow these steps to import dumped data from another device. 1. Repeatedly press TRANSPOSE/ TUNE/MIDI so the display shows BulkSnd?. 2. Within 5 seconds repeatedly press or so the display shows BulkRcv?. 3. Within 5 seconds, press to prepare the keyboard to receive data. 4. Start the send operation on the sending device. See the owner’s manual that comes with the connected device for details.
42-4041.fm Page 47 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Control Change — This feature sends data on various controllers, each having its own number. For the details of each parameter, see “MIDI Data” on Page 42. Program Change — This feature changes the preset sounds. Each sound number corresponds to a program number between 0 and 127. System Exclusive — This feature sends special signals unique to the MD1200. For details, see “MIDI Data” on Page 42.
42-4041.fm Page 48 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM TROUBLESHOOTING If the MD-1200 is not performing as it should, these suggestions might help. If you still cannot solve the problem, take the keyboard to your local RadioShack store for assistance. Trouble No sound, even if keys are pressed. Possible Cause Remedy The keyboard has turned off automatically. Turn POWER on again. Volume is turned down. Turn up the volume. Headphones are connected. Disconnect headphones. Power supply problem.
42-4041.fm Page 49 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM CARE AND MAINTENANCE Your Optimus MD-1200 Electronic Keyboard is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for your MD-1200 so you can enjoy it for years. Keep the MD-1200 dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits. Use and store the MD-1200 only in normal temperature environments.
42-4041.fm Page 50 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM SPECIFICATIONS Number of Keys ...................................................................................................... 61 Drum Pads ................................................................................................................ 6 Polyphonic Sound ............................................................................... 24-note (Max.) Preset Tones ............
42-4041.fm Page 51 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Mixer Function Channels .......................................................................................................... 16 Parameters .................................. Program change number, volume, expression, pan, coarse tuning, fine tuning, on/off/solo MIDI .................................................... 16 multi-timbre receive, GM Level 1 standard Transpose ...............................................................
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42-4041.fm Page 53 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Legend: 1. Tone number 2. Maximum polyphony 3. Digital Controlled Oscillator 4. Range type 5.
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42-4041.fm Page 60 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Limited One-Year Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
