GEM Prp800 - User Manual

The GEM Prp700 and Prp800 are digital pianos designed for students, recreational players, and professionals, offering high musical quality and stylish design. They utilize DRAKE™ technology, developed in Italy, to produce excellent tonal characteristics.

Function Description

The Prp700/800 digital pianos serve as a comprehensive musical instrument with a wide range of features for playing, learning, and recording.

Sound Generation: The core function is to produce piano sounds, offering 32 presets (stereo/mono PCM samples and physical modeling sounds), each with a variation. These sounds can be played individually, layered, or split across the keyboard. The DRAKE™ technology, a 32-bit, 50-MIPS processor with a programmable software architecture, allows for real-time implementation of various algorithms, including Wavetable and Physical Modeling. This enables the creation of highly realistic sounds, replicating famous vintage instruments like Rhodes™, Wurlitzer™, and Clavinet™. Acoustic piano sounds are generated by combining sample playback with Natural String Resonance, Damper Physical Model, and Advanced Release Technology.
Keyboard Control: The 88-key graded hammer action keyboard provides a realistic piano feel. The TOUCH parameter allows users to adapt the keyboard's response to their playing style by selecting different dynamic curves (Hard, Normal, Soft) or a Fix dynamic value, which can be programmed from 0 to 127.
Effects Processing: The pianos include four reverb types (Stage, Hall 1, Hall 2, Room) and four effects (Delay, Tremolo, Phaser, Chorus). These can be assigned to presets, and their send values can be customized for main, layer, or split sections. An internal equalizer can also be turned ON or OFF.
Recording and Playback: A built-in sequencer allows for recording up to two tracks with 20,000 events. Users can record in overdub or replace modes, and a metronome guide can be used during recording. The sequencer also features a song library of 50 popular piano songs, which can be used for learning and training.
Learning Tools: The song library allows users to mute left or right-hand parts, enabling focused practice. The tempo of library songs can be adjusted, and a Marker Loop play mode allows for looping between two user-defined points within a song.
MIDI Functionality: The instrument supports MIDI In, Out, and Thru connections, allowing it to interact with other MIDI devices or computers. MIDI channels can be configured for main, layer, split, and common sections. MIDI transpose and MIDI filter functions (for program change, control change, or both) are available.
USB Connectivity: A USB port allows for connection to a computer, supporting PC1 and PC2 modes.
Physical Modeling Enhancements:
- Natural String Resonance (NSR): This technology reproduces the complex harmonics of a piano's soundboard. It simulates the sympathetic resonance of undamped strings, where the sound of one note influences others, creating a richer, more realistic tone.
- Damper Physical Model (DPM): This model simulates the sympathetic resonance created when the damper pedal is depressed, allowing strings to vibrate freely.
- Advanced Release Technology (ART): This replicates the unique sound of a piano string being stopped by a damper, accurately simulating how different frequencies dissipate over time, producing a distinctive harmonic "ring."
- FADE - Filter Algorithm Dynamic Emulation: This technology addresses the challenge of reproducing complex harmonic and dynamic changes based on key velocity. Instead of velocity switching, FADE uses a single sound source per note and a database to construct real-time harmonic content, providing seamless transitions from pianissimo to fortissimo without audible steps.

Usage Features

Control Panel: All functions are easily accessible via the control panel.
Volume Control: A volume slider adjusts the overall piano volume.
Headphone Connectivity: Headphones can be connected for private practice, disabling the internal speakers on the Prp800.
Demo Listening: The instrument includes 16 demo songs to showcase its sound variety.
Preset Selection: Presets are recalled by pressing dedicated buttons, with an illuminated red LED indicating the selected sound.
Preset Variation: Each preset has a variation, accessible via the VARIATION button.
Layering Presets: Users can layer two sounds by pressing their respective preset buttons simultaneously.
Split Keyboard: The keyboard can be split into two parts, with an appropriate bass sound automatically assigned to the left section.
Balance Adjustment: In layer mode, the BALANCE/DATA buttons allow for adjusting the volume balance between the two layered sounds.
Reverb and EFX Editing: Reverb and effect types can be changed, and their send levels can be customized for different sections of a layered or split sound.
Transpose Function: The global pitch of the piano can be transposed by +/- 12 semitones.
Metronome: A built-in metronome with adjustable tempo, time signature, accent, and volume assists with practice and recording.
Song Library Navigation: Songs from the internal library can be selected using BALANCE/DATA buttons or directly from the piano keyboard.
Recording Modes: The sequencer supports overdub and replace recording modes for each track.
Start-Up Mode: Users can choose between factory or user-defined start-up settings.
MIDI Dump: Song data recorded in the piano can be saved to an external MIDI sequencer.

Maintenance Features

Safety Instructions: The manual provides detailed safety and installation instructions, emphasizing proper grounding, ventilation, and avoiding exposure to water or heat sources. It also warns against operating at high volumes for extended periods.
Qualified Service: Users are advised not to attempt servicing the product beyond user-maintenance instructions and to refer all other servicing to qualified personnel.
Modification Warning: The manual explicitly states that modifying the instrument can compromise safety standards and warranty.
Troubleshooting: The manual implies that if the product does not operate normally, exhibits a marked change in performance, or has been damaged, it should be serviced by qualified personnel.
Data Preservation: Generalmusic is not responsible for data lost or destroyed due to improper use or modifications.
Software Updates: The "Technical specifications are subject to change" note suggests that Generalmusic may modify technical specifications without prior notice, implying potential for future updates or revisions to existing units.