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Kawai announces new Novus NV10S & NV5S hybrid pianos
Kawai Japan is pleased to announce the NV10S and NV5S, the latest additions to Kawai’s Novus series of premium hybrid pianos, and the successors to the award-winning NV10 and NV5 respectively. These updated models retain the industry-leading Millennium III grand and upright piano keyboard actions, and unique real damper mechanism of their predecessors, while upgrading a number of sound, delivery, and operation characteristics.
The Novus’ improved SK-EX Rendering multi-channel sound engine features enhanced acoustic piano samples, with new Virtual Technician parameters to precisely control the attack, release, and sustain characteristics of each piano. The updated NV10S and NV5S retain the high fidelity audio processing and powerful amplification of the original pianos, while improving the instruments’ overall speaker systems. The NV10S benefits from a larger bass speaker and optimised upward-facing speaker placement, resulting in a warmer, more rounded sound, while the NV5S’s TwinDrive soundboard speaker transducers have also been upgraded, broadening the range of reproducible high frequencies for an even more acoustic-like listening experience for both the player and their audience.
As with their predecessors, the NV10S and NV5S incorporate a 5" touchscreen display discretely embedded in the instruments’ left cheekblock, with the touchscreen’s updated hardware and software adopting the same system design and user interface introduced with the CA99 and CA79 digital pianos. This improved UI is optimised for pianists, and provides easier access to additional sound and functions that inspire musical creativity. The latest series models retain the convenient Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio functionality of the original instruments, with added support for the advanced aptX algorithm allowing high quality audio to be streamed through the pianos’ superb amplifier and speaker systems wirelessly, with minimal latency. Finally, as with all new Kawai instruments, the NV10S and NV5S fully supports the latest PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps for iOS and compatible Android devices, providing an effortless way to control the instruments wirelessly from a smartphone or tablet, or to study the notated scores for many of the built-in classical etudes and piano pieces from the comfort of an armchair.
Millennium III Hybrid acoustic piano keyboard actions, with optical hammer sensing system
The Novus NV10S and NV5S incorporate Kawai’s leading acoustic grand and upright piano keyboard action technologies, renowned for the pioneering use of extended spruce key sticks and innovative ABS Carbon components that are stronger, lighter, and more dimensionally stable than conventional wooden parts. The specially adapted Millennium III Hybrid keyboard actions utilised by the NV10S and NV5S replace traditional felt hammers with modern ABS equivalents that are individual graded in weight from bass to treble, while high-precision optical sensors take the place of metal strings, accurately reading the subtle movements of each hammer as the corresponding keys are played.
In addition to featuring full acoustic grand and upright piano keyboard actions, the Novus NV10S and NV5S also incorporate real acoustic piano damper mechanisms. While there are no strings inside the NV10S and NV5S to require physical damping, this unique feature replicates the true weighting of an acoustic piano damper pedal, while also mechanically easing the keyboard action’s touch weight as the pedal is pressed – an important acoustic piano characteristic that only Novus instruments are able to reproduce.
Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano reproduced with SK-EX Rendering sound technology
The magnificent tone of Kawai’s flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano is at the heart of the Novus NV10S and NV5S hybrid pianos. Widely regarded as the ‘premier pianos of Japan’, Shigeru Kawai instruments grace the stages of concert halls and musical institutions throughout the world, and are prized for their tonal clarity and exceptional dynamic range.
In order to faithfully reproduce the stunning sound of a Shigeru digitally, Kawai has developed SK-EX Rendering – a piano-focussed sound engine that blends multi-channel, 88-key sampling with the latest resonance modelling technology. Multi-channel sampling captures the sound from different points of the Shigeru Kawai concert grand piano, allowing a broader range of tonal characteristics to be reproduced, and providing a more lively, authentic response to changes in dynamics. This naturally expressive sound is further enriched by advanced resonance algorithms, which physically model the complex tonal interactions produced by the strings, damper, and various other parts of an acoustic piano, giving players the impression that they’re sitting at a living, breathing instrument.
Premium audio processing, amplification, and speaker technologies
Developed in collaboration with Onkyo, one of Japan’s leading premium audio equipment manufacturers, the Novus NV10S and NV5S hybrid pianos utilises specialist components designed for high-end audio reproduction. With state of the art technologies such as 1-bit DSD processing, dual DAC signal conversion, and exclusive DIDRC circuitry, the Novus’ optimised power amplifiers reproduce the Shigeru Kawai grand piano sound with stunning richness and clarity.
This high-fidelity sound is delivered through the Novus instruments’ powerful speaker systems, which have been designed to reproduced the three dimensional sound fields of their respective acoustic pianos. The NV10S utilises a custom 7-speaker output system, with lower-range bass frequencies transmitted from the underside of the instrument via a large woofer, and higher frequencies projected outward and towards the player using four top-facing speakers and two dome tweeters. Meanwhile, the NV5S’s speaker system features Kawai’s exclusive TwinDrive soundboard technology, with lower-range sound energy channelled onto a real wooden soundboard, and higher frequencies delivered through top and front-facing speakers. The resulting sound generated by both the NV10S and NV5S provides a remarkably authentic playing experience that immerses the performer, and faithfully reproduces the tonal ambience of an acoustic piano.
The latest Novus instruments also incorporate the high-performance Discrete SpectraModule™ headphone amplifier, which combines with Kawai’s Spatial Headphone Sound (SHS) technology to guarantee the finest quality and most engaging listening experience, even when playing in privacy.
Integrated Bluetooth® MIDI and Audio connectivity, 5" touchscreen LCD display
In addition to standard USB and MIDI jacks for connecting to computers or other instruments, the NV10S and NV5S also feature integrated Bluetooth® MIDI and Audio technology that allows these instrument to communicate with supported smart devices wirelessly. Once paired to a phone, tablet, or laptop, Novus owners can enjoy a wide variety of exciting music-related apps that enhance their learning and playing experience, or stream high quality, low-latency aptX audio directly through the instruments’ premium amplifier and speaker systems without the need for any cables.
The NV10S and NV5S hybrid pianos feature a full-colour 5" touchscreen display embedded within the instruments’ left cheekblock. This screen can also be set to fade out automatically while playing, thus preserving the Novus’ acoustic piano-like appearance, and minimising any visual distraction to the performer. The latest Novus instruments adopt the communication system established with the CA99/CA79 digital pianos, allowing all functions of the piano to also be controlled via a smartphone or tablet running Kawai’s dedicated PianoRemote app for iOS and Android.
Stunning ebony polish cabinet designs with Soft Fall fallboard
The Novus NV10S and NV5S’ strikingly beautiful grand and upright piano-like cabinets are finished from top to bottom in a luxurious ebony polish finish, with gleaming silver-chrome fittings. Their classic appearance is refined and refreshed by gently curved edge lines and elegantly tapered legs that lift and modernise the instruments’ presence. Both Novus models also incorporate the ultra-slow Soft Fall fallboard closing system from Kawai’s premium acoustic instruments, protecting the player’s hands and the piano’s luxurious finish from any harm that a jarring close might cause.
Despite housing an acoustic piano keyboard action and damper mechanism, the NV10S and NV5S are remarkably compact instruments, occupying a depth of just 65 cm and 46 cm respectively – far smaller than their respective grand or upright piano counterparts. The slim profile of these instruments allows pianists to enjoy a highly-authentic, acoustic piano playing experience, in confined spaces previously limited to a standard digital piano.
The finest acoustic piano keyboard actions, real acoustic piano damper mechanisms, stunning multi-channel grand piano sounds, premium audio, amplification, and speaker technologies, modern Bluetooth and touchscreen convenience, and strikingly beautiful ebony polish cabinets.
The Kawai Novus NV10S and NV5S: Hybrid instruments that deliver the true acoustic piano experience.
Novus NV10S: Main Features
- Millennium III Hybrid grand piano keyboard action with optical hammer sensing system
- Real grand piano damper mechanism for true key and pedal weighting
- SK-EX Rendering sound engine with multi-channel piano sampling
- Premium audio processing and amplification technologies
- High-fidelity 7-speaker delivery system for enhanced depth and clarity
- Integrated Bluetooth® MIDI and audio with low-latency aptX support
- Modern 5" LCD touchscreen display with intuitive swipe operation
- Support for Kawai’s latest PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer iOS/Android apps
- Flexible Virtual Technician function with 21 adjustable parameters
- Convenient WAV/MP3 file record and playback via USB memory
- Stunning ebony polish cabinet design with Soft Fall fallboard system
Novus NV5S: Main Features
- Millennium III Hybrid upright piano keyboard action with optical hammer sensing system
- Real upright piano damper mechanism for true key and pedal weighting
- SK-EX Rendering sound engine with multi-channel piano sampling
- Premium audio processing and amplification technologies
- High-fidelity delivery system with TwinDrive soundboard + 6 speakers
- Integrated Bluetooth® MIDI and audio with low-latency aptX support
- Modern 5" LCD touchscreen display with intuitive swipe operation
- Support for Kawai’s latest PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer iOS/Android apps
- Flexible Virtual Technician function with 21 adjustable parameters
- Convenient WAV/MP3 file record and playback via USB memory
- Stunning ebony polish cabinet design with Soft Fall fallboard system
For more information about the Novus NV10S and NV5S hybrid pianos, please refer to the product pages below:
https://www.kawai-global.com/product/nv10s/
https://www.kawai-global.com/product/nv5s/
Kawai announces new KDP75 digital piano
Kawai Japan is pleased to announce the KDP75 digital piano, the latest addition to the affordable KDP series of digital pianos, and the successor to the extremely popular KDP70. This updated model features an improved Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard action, superb Shigeru Kawai SK-EX grand piano, convenient USB-MIDI connectivity with support for the latest PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps, and an impressive amplifier/speaker system, delivering an excellent introduction to Kawai digital piano quality at an affordable price.
Main Features
- Improved Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard action with triple sensor hammer detection
- Authentic Shigeru Kawai SK-EX grand piano sounds with full 88-key sampling
- USB-MIDI for flexible connectivity with a range of devices
- Support for Kawai’s latest PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps
- Built-in Burgmüller, Czerny, Beyer etudes and Alfred lesson songs
- Impressive 18W stereo amplifier and speaker system with Low Volume Balance feature
- Enhanced SHS headphone sound with headphone type settings
- Compact cabinet available in Embossed Black and Embossed White finishes
Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard action with hammer velocity detection
The KDP75’s Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) keyboard action has been developed to reproduce the distinctive touch of an acoustic grand piano. Based on the highly-regarded RH keyboard action design, its spring-less mechanism and sturdy construction delivers consistent upward and downward motion, while improved cushioning material helps to reduce keyboard noise, resulting in a smooth, natural, and highly authentic piano playing experience.
Unlike most instruments in its class that generate sounds based on key velocity, the KDP75’s realistic keyboard action design measures the velocity of the weighted hammers that are thrown when playing each key. This preferred method replicates the mechanism of an acoustic grand piano more authentically, allowing performers to play with a greater range of musical expression.
Flagship Shigeru Kawai concert grand piano reproduced with 88-key sampling
Connected to this responsive keyboard action is the rich, expressive sound of Kawai’s celebrated Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano – widely regarded by professional pianists and piano technicians as one of the finest instruments within its class. All 88 keys of this exceptional instrument have been meticulously recorded, analysed and faithfully reproduced as high-fidelity digital waveforms. Recording each key individually in this way preserves the rich harmonic character of the SK-EX concert grand piano, and guarantees that the sound heard when playing any one of the KDP75’s weighted keys is an accurate representation of the original acoustic source.
Kawai’s advanced Harmonic Imaging sound technology ensures seamless expression when playing from gentle pianissimo to thunderous fortissimo, without sudden changes in sound, while the impressive 192 note polyphony allows complicated passages that utilise the damper pedal to be enjoyed without notes ‘dropping out’ unexpectedly.
USB-MIDI connectivity, App Support, Impressive speaker & headphone sound
The KDP75 offers a variety of useful features to complement its realistic weighted-key touch and authentic grand piano sounds. Convenient USB-MIDI functionality allows the instrument to be connected to supported smart devices, using Kawai’s latest PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps for iOS/Android to select and adjust sounds, or display notated scores for classical etudes and pieces.
The KDP75 features an impressive 18W amplifier and speaker system, with a new Low Volume Balance feature that intelligently adjusts characteristics of the piano for optimal expression when playing at low volume levels. In addition, the advanced Spatial Headphone Sound (SHS) technology, enhances the depth and realism of sounds heard through headphones or earphones, while also helping to reduce auditory fatigue when listening for extended periods of time.
A realistic weighted-key keyboard action, stunning Shigeru Kawai grand piano sounds, and a variety of convenient features – all housed within an attractive compact cabinet. Introducing the KDP75: An excellent introduction to Kawai digital piano quality at an affordable price.
For more information about the KDP75 digital piano, please refer to the product page below: