CASIO CTK-1550 (01) PDF Document

Please note the following important information before using the CASIO CTK-1550 with batteries:

• Never attempt to recharge batteries.

• Do not use rechargeable batteries.

• Never mix old batteries with new ones.

• Use recommended batteries or equivalent types (six commercially available AA-size batteries).

• Always make sure that positive (+) and negative (-) poles are facing correctly as indicated near the battery compartment.

• Replace batteries as soon as possible after any sign they are getting weak.

• Do not short-circuit the battery terminals.

• The product is not intended for children under 3 years.

You can use the number buttons and the [-] and [+] keys to change displayed numbers and settings on your CASIO CTK-1550.

Number Buttons:

• Use the number buttons to enter numbers and values.

• You must enter the same number of digits as the currently displayed value. For example, to enter tone number 004, you must input 0 → 0 → 4.

• Note that negative values cannot be input using the number buttons; use the [-] key instead.

[-] and [+] Keys:

• Use the [+] (increase) and [-] (decrease) keys to change the displayed number or value.

• Holding down either the [+] or [-] key will scroll through the settings.

• Pressing both the [+] and [-] keys at the same time will revert the setting to its initial default or recommended value.

Follow these steps to change various settings like volume, pitch, and more on your CASIO CTK-1550:

Step 1. Press the FUNCTION button (12).

Step 2. Press the FUNCTION button (12) repeatedly to cycle through the available parameters until you find the setting you want to change. You can also scroll backward through settings by holding down the FUNCTION button (12) and pressing the TEMPO V button (13).

Step 3. Once the desired parameter is displayed, use the 10-key pad (9) to change its setting.

The following parameters are available:

IMPORTANT: The tone and other parameters (except main volume, Tuning, LCD Contrast, and Auto Power Off) revert to their initial defaults when you turn the power on.

To get your CASIO CTK-1550 ready to play, first prepare the music stand by inserting it into the slot on the top of the keyboard. Then, you need to provide power using either an AC adaptor or batteries.

Using the AC Adaptor (Recommended)

Step 1. Make sure you are using only the specified AC Adaptor (AD-E95100L). Using a different type can cause a malfunction.

Step 2. Turn off the Digital Keyboard’s power.

Step 3. Connect the AC adaptor to the DC 9.5V terminal on the back of the keyboard and plug the other end into a household power outlet.

IMPORTANT: The AC adaptor will become warm to the touch after long use; this is normal. Avoid putting any load on the power cord to prevent breaking the wire.

Using Batteries

Step 1. Be sure to turn off the power before loading batteries.

Step 2. Prepare six commercially available AA-size batteries. Do not use oxyride or any other nickel-based batteries.

Step 3. Open the battery cover on the bottom of the Digital Keyboard.

Step 4. Load the six batteries into the compartment, making sure the positive (+) and negative (–) ends are facing correctly as shown in the illustration.

Step 5. Insert the tabs of the battery cover into the holes on the side of the compartment and close the cover.

A flashing battery indicator on the display means the battery power is low and the batteries should be replaced with new ones.

Step 1. Press the (Power) button (1). This turns the power on.

Step 2. To turn the power off, hold down the (Power) button (1) until the display goes blank.

Step 3. Try playing something on the keyboard. You can use the VOLUME button (2) to adjust the volume setting. The volume indicator will appear on the display to show the current level.

Note: Turning off the power causes the tone, rhythm, and other settings to return to their initial defaults, except for the main volume, Tuning, LCD Contrast, and Auto Power Off settings.

The CASIO CTK-1550 can play a demo of the dance music mode followed by the 100 built-in songs sequentially.

Step 1. Press the START/STOP, PLAY/STOP button (4) and the CHORDS, ACCOMP, PART SELECT button (5) at the same time. This will start playback of the demo songs, beginning with song number 000 (dance music demo song).

Step 2. To change to a different song while the demo is playing, use the [-] and [+] keys of the 10-key pad (9) to select the song number you want. You cannot use the number buttons for this.

Step 3. To stop the demo playback, press the START/STOP, PLAY/STOP button (4).

You can select from a variety of instrument sounds on your CASIO CTK-1550.

Step 1. Press the TONE button (6).

Step 2. Use the 10-key pad (9) to select the tone number you want. The corresponding tone number and name will appear on the screen.

Step 3. Try playing something on the keyboard to hear the selected instrument tone. If you select a drum set tone, different percussion instruments will be assigned to the keyboard keys.

To quickly select a grand piano tone and settings appropriate for piano performance, press the TONE button (6) and RHYTHM button (7) at the same time. This selects tone 001 GRAND PIANO.

In Dance Music Mode, you can combine and play multiple types of pattern phrases and apply effects to create dance music like a DJ.

Step 1. Press the DANCE MUSIC button (10).

Step 2. Use the 10-key pad (9) [-] and [+] keys to select a pattern.

Step 3. Press a pattern phrase switch on the left half of the keyboard. There are four parts (Drum, Bass, Synth 1, Synth 2), and each part has three pattern phrases assigned to different keys. Pressing a key starts pattern play.

Step 4. You can press other part pattern phrase keys to add more parts, change to a different phrase, or create other combinations.

Step 5. To stop a phrase, press the keyboard key that corresponds to the pattern phrase that is currently sounding. You can also use the START/STOP button (4) to start and stop pattern playback.

While in Dance Music Mode, you can apply effects by holding down one of the effect keys (FX1, FX2, FX3, FX4). You can also create build-ups using the auto build up switches on the keyboard.

To change the tone of the melody keyboard (right half), press the TONE button (6) and use the 10-key pad (9) to select a tone.

You can use the auto build up switches on the keyboard to apply effects and create build-ups that are characteristic of dance music. While a pattern is playing in Dance Music Mode, press one of the build up function keys.

Note: How an effect is applied changes randomly with each key press. The build up function is executed from the next note immediately after its key is pressed.

You can play back any of the built-in songs for listening or for play-along practice.

To Start and Stop Playback:

Step 1. Press the SONG BANK button (8).

Step 2. Use the 10-key pad (9) to enter the number of the song you want to play.

Step 3. Press the START/STOP button (4). This starts playback of the song.

Step 4. Press the START/STOP button (4) again to stop playback.

To Pause Playback:

Step 1. While a song is playing, press the PAUSE button (3). This will pause the playback.

Step 2. Press the PAUSE button (3) again to resume playback from the point where you paused it.

You can turn off the right-hand part or the left-hand part of a built-in song to practice playing along with the remaining part. This is called Part Select.

Step 1. Press the PART SELECT button (5) to select the part you want to turn off.

Each press cycles through the settings in this order:

• Right hand part off

• Left hand part off

• Both hand parts off

• Both hand parts on

Step 2. Press the START/STOP, PLAY/STOP button (4). This will start playback with the part you selected turned off, allowing you to play that part on the keyboard.

With Lesson Lite, notes appear on the display screen, and you can play them on the keyboard according to the on-screen instructions and the Voice Fingering Guide. The accompaniment will wait for you to play the correct note.

Step 1. Select the song you want to practice from the Song Bank.

Step 2. Press the LESSON LITE button (11).

Step 3. Play the notes on the keyboard as they appear on the display. The Voice Fingering Guide will use a voice to announce which finger you should use, and the on-screen notation will show you which notes to play.

Step 4. To stop the lesson, press the LESSON LITE button (11) again or the START/STOP button (4).

If you complete the lesson, a score (“Bravo!” for a pass or “Again!” to try again) will appear on the screen.

Auto Accompaniment adds a backup group that plays along with you automatically based on the chords you play with your left hand.

Playing the Rhythm Part Only:

Step 1. Press the RHYTHM button (7).

Step 2. Use the 10-key pad (9) to select the rhythm number you want.

Step 3. Press the START/STOP button (4) to start the rhythm.

Step 4. Play along with the rhythm. To stop, press START/STOP (4) again.

Playing All Parts with Chords:

Step 1. Start the Auto Accompaniment rhythm part as described above.

Step 2. Press the ACCOMP button (5). This enables chord input on the accompaniment keyboard (the left section of the keyboard).

Step 3. Use your left hand to play chords on the accompaniment keyboard. This will add bass and harmony parts to the rhythm.

Step 4. Play the melody with your right hand as you play different chords with your left hand.

Step 5. Pressing the ACCOMP button (5) again returns to rhythm-only accompaniment.

You can choose from five different chord input modes on your CASIO CTK-1550.

Step 1. Hold down the CHORDS button (5) until the chord input mode selection screen appears on the display.

Step 2. Use the 10-key pad (9) [-] and [+] keys to select the chord input mode you want.

The available modes are:

• FINGERED 1, 2, and 3: You play chords on the accompaniment keyboard using their normal fingerings.

• CASIO CHORD: Use simplified fingerings to play major, minor, seventh, and minor seventh chords.

• FULL RANGE CHORD: You can use the full range of the keyboard to play both chords and the melody.

You can make your performances more interesting and lively using these features.

Varying Play with a Fill-in:

While playing with Auto Accompaniment, press the SYNCHRO/FILL-IN button (3). This will play a one-measure fill-in (variation) and then return to the normal Auto Accompaniment pattern.

Starting Play with Synchro Start:

With Synchro Start, Auto Accompaniment will start as soon as you play a chord on the keyboard.

Step 1. While Auto Accompaniment is stopped, press the SYNCHRO/FILL-IN button (3).

Step 2. Play a chord on the keyboard. This will start the Auto Accompaniment play.

You can connect the CASIO CTK-1550 to a commercially available stereo system, amplifier, or recording device.

Step 1. Obtain a commercially available connection cord. The cord should have a stereo standard plug on one end and a plug that matches the input jack of your external device on the other end.

Step 2. Turn off the external device before making connections.

Step 3. Connect the stereo standard plug of the cord to the PHONES/OUTPUT jack (22) on the back of the keyboard.

Step 4. Connect the other end of the cord to the input jack of your external device.

Step 5. Turn down the volume levels on both the Digital Keyboard and the external device.

Step 6. Turn on the Digital Keyboard first, and then turn on the external device.

If the notes sound distorted from the external equipment, lower the Digital Keyboard’s volume setting.

Perform the following procedure to return the CASIO CTK-1550’s stored data and settings to their initial factory defaults.

Step 1. Turn off the Digital Keyboard.

Step 2. While holding down the SONG BANK button (8) and the [0] 10-key button (9) at the same time, press the (Power) button (1).

You will be able to use the Digital Keyboard in a short while after its system is initialized.

If your CASIO CTK-1550 will not turn on, please try the following:

• Check that the AC adaptor is properly connected. If you are using batteries, make sure they are facing correctly.

• Replace the batteries with new ones or switch over to AC adaptor power.

There are two common reasons for this:

• If the keyboard outputs a loud sound and then suddenly powers down, the batteries may be weak. Replace the batteries with new ones or switch to AC adaptor power.

• If the keyboard powers down after 30 minutes of non-use, this is because the Auto Power Off feature is triggered. This is normal operation to conserve power.

If the display keeps going out or is flashing, it indicates that the battery power is low. You should replace the batteries with new ones or switch over to AC adaptor power.

If there is no sound when you press a key, please check the following:

• Adjust the main volume setting.

• Check if something is plugged into the PHONES/OUTPUT jack on the back of the keyboard. If so, unplug it to enable the speakers.

• Turn the power off and then back on to initialize all settings.

If notes keep sounding, you can try these solutions:

• Turn the power off and then back on to initialize all Digital Keyboard settings.

• If using batteries, they may be weak. Replace the batteries with new ones or switch to AC adaptor power.

Most settings on the CASIO CTK-1550 revert to their default values when the power is turned off. If your setting has changed unexpectedly, it may be due to the power being cycled. Additionally, weak batteries can cause settings to reset. Try the following:

• Adjust the main volume setting again.

• Turn the power off and then back on to initialize all settings.

• Replace the batteries with new ones or switch to AC adaptor power.