Hi Nigel,

I've not had it from new.

Like you, I was amazed to think of a digital piano being designed without a "permanent" memory - hence my initial question. I couldn't believe it when my registrations disappeared every day.

However it seems that it is indeed the case that this model only has a memory of 80mins (not timed mine exactly but I've known it keep the settings for 2 hours).

I have actually been inside it as one of the monitor speakers was vibrating on E4, obviously something like a minute piece of dust as I couldn't see it but a blow with a can of air sorted it. Therefore it will be a simple job to swap the battery, but I don't think it will change anything.

Have you got a Technics piano?

Regards,

Mike.

After reading the PR804 manual I was amazed to find that what you say is correct and the memory does discharge after 80 mins so is as designed. I find this a very strange design choice but it certainly does look like saving and loading from floppy is all you can do. I'd just never encounted another keyboard with this sort of limitation before.

No, I don't actually have Technics piano myself.

Hi,

It does seem very strange - although I have to admit I'm getting used to using the floppy drive now to load my MIDI files and matching registrations in one go.

Many thanks,

Mike.

Hello Everyone,

I have the Technics PR900 piano which has always only held 80 minutes of settings without a save or backup of some sort.

I've also had Technics keyboards since the KN650 and ALL have used the same method.

The pianos usually have much the same programming as the keyboards, so it's worth looking to see whether you have a CUSTOM STYLE COPY facility on it somewhere. Here's a quote from my KN7 manual:-

"20 settings (STYLE) including COMPOSER patterns can be stored in the CUSTOM memory area of the RHYTHM GROUP, one MEMORY (BANK) at a time. The patterns stored in CUSTOM are retained even when the power to this instrument is turned off. You can use them during your performance, just like the present rhythms."

This is a good way to save all your favourites as once you are in the Custom Style mode, the songs load within seconds.
If I'm playing for dancing, this is where I save the evening's programme.

Good luck!

Audrey

Hi Maverick,

Hi Maverick,

Try again Ray!!!!!!
Hi Maverick,by now you are starting to realise the advantage in using the floppies.
It is useful when you find a registration you like and now you can keep it on floppy and recall when you desire.
Nigel, please with respect, a digital piano is never just a keyboard. There is a marked difference, firstly they are extremely heavy to cart around to gigs, secondly you do not need any additional equipment to produce quality sound, (mine is 240 watts, 804 is 120 watts output).
On a serious note, all Zoners please spare a thought for The people in Victoria, Australia who have been affected by the bushfires raging in that State. (I know there are quite a few Zoners in that State). It has been declared the worst disaster of any kind in our Countries history with latest report of 131 dead, 800 homes lost including two complete townships wiped out, and these numbers will rise daily as searches continue.
It makes one feel so helpless to be able to assist from a distance by just offerring money, when hundreds of the victims have no idea where they are going to sleep tonight, or for many weeks to come.
Ray

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Ray The Saint

Re. the 80 Minute memory retention question. If I remember correctly, the volatile memories' content, is maintained by a large capacitor - not a battery. This means that when the instrument is switched off, the capacitor will slowly discharge and eventually, there will be insufficient energy left in the capacitor, to maintain the memory content. This explains the limited back-up time of around 80 minutes.

I believe the design concept to be quite sound in this respect, since alternative long-term storage is also provided - Floppy disk, SD Card, possible Hard Disk expansion on some models and even a link to PC.....

There is another possible reason for using a Capacitor, rather than an internal re-chargeable battery, to provide memory back-up. Whilst a battery would provide virtually permanent back-up for the volatile memory - as it does in a PC for the real time clock etc. - these batteries do have a limited life. However, a Capacitor will have a much longer life than a rechargeable battery and should not require replacement, during the life of the instrument. Changing the battery in a PC is a relatively simple procedure, compared to doing so in some of the Keyboard instruments.......

Hi Bill,

Mine doesn't have an SD slot, that would be nice. It has a PC connection alright, but I found this not so good.

I don't mind the floppies really - just seem so sllloooooow compared to what we are continually spoiled with these days.

As for capacitors - well, they are the cause of many problems on Yamaha Clavinovas (not only do they fail, they leak and destroy the PCB tracks). I hate electrolytic capacitors and are the cause of much damage in car radios, ecus and everything else in between - guessing they're electrolytic, which I'd bet my last pound they are. I'd much rather have a NiMH battery than a cheap cap.

Many thanks,

Mike.

Hi Mike,
The back-up capacitors used in this case, are of the Tantalum type. They are 1 Farad 5.6 Volt and are connected to the 3v3 DC supply line. I have never yet known a capacitor of this type to leak, since they use a solid dielectric. And of course, they are very low voltage types and not subject to the 'strains' imposed on the higher capacity electrolytic types, commonly used in power supplies.