The CASIO VA-10 is an electronic musical instrument designed for both beginners and those looking for a portable and versatile keyboard with vocal effects. It offers a wide range of sounds, rhythms, and digital effects, including a unique Pitch Sensor and Harmony Arranger.
Function Description:
The VA-10 serves as a compact electronic keyboard with 32 mini keys and 6-note polyphony (max), though some tones are limited to 3-note polyphony. It features a "Tone Bank" with 100 preset tones, including various instruments like piano, trumpet, violin, and sound effects such as emergency alarm and car horn, as well as percussion sounds like rock drum.
It includes 12 "Auto-Rhythms" with patterns ranging from ROCK to 16 BEAT and SAMBA, allowing users to adjust the tempo. A "FILL-IN" button can be used to insert fill-in patterns into the rhythm.
A key feature is the "Digital Effect Bank," which provides 60 different digital effects, including reverb, delay, pitch shifter, ensemble, chorus, flanger, tremolo, vibrato, panning, distortion, and vocoder. These effects can be applied to both the keyboard's built-in tones and sounds input through the included headset microphone. Users can adjust effect parameters using the "EFFECT CONTROL" button and dedicated pads, and store up to 10 custom effects in "Effect Memory" (User Bank).
The "Vocoder" effect allows users to use their voice as a keyboard tone, creating unique vocal synthesis. The "Pitch Sensor" is another innovative feature, enabling users to "play the keyboard" by humming into the microphone. The keyboard detects the pitch of the voice and plays the selected tone at that pitch.
The VA-10 also has "Real-Time Memory" for recording up to 1,300 notes played on the keyboard. This recorded melody can then be enhanced with the "Harmony Arranger," which automatically adds accompaniment chords from four available patterns. The "Melody Quantize" function helps correct recording errors, including Pitch Sensor distortion and off-beat notes.
For entertainment and learning, the device comes with six original built-in "Demo Tunes," each pre-programmed with its own tone, effect, and tempo settings.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Number of keys: 32 (mini)
- Polyphony: 6-note (Max)
- Preset tones: 100
- Auto-rhythms: 12 (ROCK, DISCO, 16 BEAT, SWING 2 BEAT, SWING 4 BEAT, SAMBA, BOSSA NOVA, BEGUINE, TANGO, MARCH, SLOW ROCK, WALTZ)
- Digital Effects: 60 preset effects (including NON EFFECT), with 2 parameters for most effects (1 parameter for some). Provides storage of up to 10 user effects.
- Pitch Sensor: Detects microphone input pitch and reproduces the corresponding note from the built-in sound source (monophonic).
- Hand percussions: 5 pads, 2 variation buttons (A/B)
- Demonstration tunes: 6 original tunes
- Memory: 1 track, real-time memory, up to 1,300 notes (approx.)
- Harmony Arranger: Adds Auto-Accompaniment chords to a melody stored in Real-Time Memory. Four progression variations are available for each melody.
- Built-in speakers: 8 cm dia x 2 (output = 1W + 1W)
- Terminals: Output jack (output impedance: 50Ω, output voltage: 4V(RMS)MAX), AC adaptor jack (DC 9V), Mic input jack (input impedance = 1kΩ, sensitivity = 10mV)
- Power source: 3-way AC/DC power sources:
- AC: 100, 117, 220 or 240 (±10V) 50/60 Hz with optional AC adaptor AD-5.
- DC: 6 AA size (SUM-3/R6P) manganese dry batteries. Battery life: approx. 2 hours (SUM-3) / 5 hours (AM3).
- Car battery: Requires optional CA-5 car adaptor.
- Auto-power off: Automatically switches power off approximately 6 minutes after the last keyboard operation.
- Power consumption: 6.7W
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 564 x 245 x 63 mm (22 3/16" x 9 5/8" x 2 1/2")
- Weight: 1.6kg (3.5lbs) including batteries
- Standard accessory: Headset mike
Usage Features:
- Quick Start Guide: The manual provides a quick start section to help users set up the keyboard and try out basic functions and effects immediately.
- Microphone Use: The included headset microphone allows for hands-free singing while playing the keyboard. It connects to the MIC input jack.
- Effect Control: The "EFFECT CONTROL" button, in conjunction with dedicated pads, allows for real-time adjustment of effect parameters, offering customization of sounds.
- Memory Back-Up: Real-Time Memory and Effect Memory retain their contents as long as power is supplied (via AC adaptor or batteries). This ensures that custom settings and recorded melodies are not lost upon power off.
- Power Options: The VA-10 can be powered by 6 AA batteries, an optional AC adaptor, or an optional car adaptor, providing flexibility for different environments.
- Demo Mode: A dedicated DEMO mode allows users to listen to the pre-programmed demonstration tunes, showcasing the instrument's capabilities.
- Rhythm Adjustment: TEMPO buttons allow for fine-tuning the speed of auto-rhythms across 26 levels.
- Pitch Sensor Guidance: The manual offers advice on how to use the Pitch Sensor effectively, including suitable tones and humming techniques.
Maintenance Features:
- Battery Precautions: Detailed instructions are provided for installing batteries, emphasizing correct polarity, avoiding mixing battery types, and removing batteries during extended periods of non-use to prevent leakage and damage.
- Power Supply Advice: Users are advised to use genuine CASIO AC adaptors with the correct voltage and to ensure the unit is switched off before connecting/disconnecting power sources.
- Memory Data Safety: To prevent loss of Real-Time Memory and Effect Memory contents, users are advised to ensure batteries are not dead and to connect the AC adaptor when replacing batteries.
- Auto Power Off: The keyboard features an auto-power off function after approximately 6 minutes of inactivity to conserve power.
- Cleaning: The keyboard should be cleaned with a soft cloth dampened in a weak solution of water and a neutral detergent, avoiding lacquer, thinner, or similar chemicals.
- Environmental Care: Users are cautioned to avoid exposing the unit to heat, humidity, direct sunlight, or strong impact to prevent malfunctions.
- Troubleshooting Guide: A comprehensive troubleshooting chart helps users diagnose and resolve common issues such as no sound, memory loss, or interference, suggesting remedies like checking connections, replacing batteries, or adjusting settings.
- No Modification Policy: Users are explicitly warned against attempting to modify any parts of the unit, as it is a precision instrument and tampering can cause malfunction.
Need help?
General
To Next Page
