News
Kawai announces new MP11SE & MP7SE stage pianos
Kawai Japan is proud to announce the MP11SE and MP7SE, the latest additions to the highly regarded MP Series of professional stage pianos, and successors to the popular MP11 and MP7 respectively. These special edition models retain the core functionality of the original instruments, while adding new 88-key sample sets for the flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert and mid-sized SK-5 Studio grand pianos. In addition, the MP11SE includes a brand new, high-quality GFP-3 triple pedal unit, while the MP7SE incorporates Kawai’s class-leading Responsive Hammer III plastic-key keyboard action. Rounding off the upgrades, these enhanced MPSE instruments also possess a remodelled side arm design, matching the classic styling and luxurious black polish finish of the leading VPC1 virtual piano controller.
MP11SE: The Pianist’s Stage Piano
Main Features
- Class-leading Grand Feel wooden-key keyboard action
- Stunning Shigeru Kawai SK-EX, SK-5, and Kawai EX concert grand piano sounds, with full 88-key sampling
- Strong selection of realistic tine, reed, FM electric piano sounds, and other subsidiary sounds
- Wide variety of Virtual Technician and other sound editing parameters for flexible manipulation
- Intuitive panel interface with independently adjustable sound sections and assignable control knobs
- Powerful 4-channel MIDI master controller functions for advanced zone/split creation
- 1/4" unbalanced and XLR balanced outputs, 1/4" inputs with Line In level fader
- Brand new GFP-3 triple pedal unit, engineered and manufactured by Kawai
- Sturdy metal chassis with black polish wooden side arms
Product Overview
The MP11SE has been developed to offer the most realistic concert grand piano playing experience within a portable stage instrument. Built around the class-leading Grand Feel wooden-key keyboard action, the MP11 is the only stage piano to feature real wooden keys for all 88 black and white notes, with an extended key pivot length matching that of a Kawai acoustic grand piano. This superb keyboard action is partnered with Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging XL sound engine, which delivers stunning reproductions of the flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert and mid-sized SK-5 Studio grand pianos, in addition to the venerable Kawai EX concert grand and K-60 upright pianos, and a number of tonal variations voiced for different musical genres. Alongside these authentic acoustic pianos are a selection of lovingly sampled tine, reed, and FM electric pianos, and an assortment of subsidiary sounds for use in layers and splits.
The MP11SE’s intuitive panel layout separates the acoustic piano, EPs, and subsidiary sounds into independently controllable sections that can be layered, split, or zoned with an additional MIDI section supporting up to 4 channels. The instrument’s countless Virtual Technician, sound edit, reverb, effects, and amp simulation parameters allow every aspect of the sound to be manipulated and tweaked in real-time from the four assignable control knobs, while the 200+ SETUP memories provide a convenient way to store and immediately recall complete instrument configurations at the touch of a button.
As the pianist’s stage piano, the MP11SE includes a sturdily-built triple pedal unit providing full Damper, Sostenuto, and Soft pedal control. This brand new GFP-3 pedal unit has been engineered and manufactured by Kawai, and utilises optical sensors for each pedal to ensure smooth and accurate progressive pedal control without the need for periodic recalibration.
The MP11SE’s professional appearance and rock-solid build quality inspires confidence within the pianist. Its reinforced base and metal chassis ensures the premium wooden-key keyboard action inside remains secure and stable, even when performing the strongest fortissimo passages, while the classically styled ebony polish side arms further reinforce the MP’s rich acoustic piano heritage.
MP7SE: The Performer’s Stage Piano
Main Features
- Class-leading Responsive Hammer III plastic-key keyboard action
- Stunning Shigeru Kawai SK-EX, SK-5, and Kawai EX concert grand piano sounds, with full 88-key sampling
- Strong selection of realistic electric piano, organ, synth lead/pad, brass/wind, guitar/bass, etc. sounds
- Authentic Tonewheel organ simulator with adjustable drawbars, percussion, and C/V controls
- Wide variety of Virtual Technician and other sound editing parameters for flexible manipulation
- Intuitive panel interface with four independently controllable zones, each with assignable effects
- Powerful MIDI 4-channel master controller functions for advanced zone/split creation
- 1/4" unbalanced outputs, 1/4" inputs with Line In level fader
- High-quality F-10H single pedal unit, engineered and manufactured by Kawai
- Sturdy metal chassis with black polish wooden side arms
Product Overview
The MP7SE has been developed to provide an excellent concert grand piano playing experience, while offering a broad selection of additional sounds for greater musical flexibility. This instrument features the class-leading Responsive Hammer III plastic-key keyboard action, which offers premium features such as triple-sensor note detection, let-off simulation, and Ivory Touch key surfaces. In addition to grade-weighted hammers, the RHIII action also incorporates counterweights embedded within each key, helping to balance the touch weight during pianissimo passages, while adding a feeling of greater substance when playing with force. As with its bigger brother, the MP7SE features Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging XL sound engine, and includes the same Shigeru Kawai SK-EX, SK-5, Kawai EX, and K-60 samples, and authentic electric piano sounds. In addition, the MP7SE also features a special Tonewheel organ mode which allows all nine drawbars to be individually adjusted directly from the panel, including full percussion and chorus/vibrato settings, and parameters to adjust key-click level and tonewheel leakage. The flexible MP7SE also boasts an impressive selection of synth leads/pads, brass, wind, and choir sounds, and authentic basses and guitars, ensuring that performers can cover almost any musical genre from a single instrument.
With the emphasis on real-time control, the MP7SE’s intuitive panel layout allows up to four sounds to be freely layered, split, or assigned to specific key zones. Each zone provides an independent effects block, with the MAIN zone offer a secondary effects block and additional amp simulator module. The MP7SE retains all of the MP11SE’s Virtual Technician and sound editing functionality, while also offering additional controls and parameters specifically for organ and synth performance. As with all MP stage piano, specific adjustments can be quickly stored to each individual SOUND memory, with 256 SETUP memories available to store and retrieve full instrument configurations.
The MP7SE includes the high-quality F-10H single pedal unit, which is also engineered and manufactured by Kawai, and features the same precise optical sensor system for smooth progressive pedalling. Like the MP11SE, the MP7SE’s expression pedal input supports pedals from all major brands, with a convenient switch to select the plug’s ring/tip configuration.
Despite its compact size, the MP7SE retains the same rock-solid build quality that has become a hallmark of MP instruments for nearly 20 years. As with its larger sibling, the MP7SE’s wood and metal construction is designed for the stage, yet its classic appearance and polished side arm design ensure that this flexible instrument is also suitable for the home or studio musician.
Class-leading keyboard actions, stunning acoustic piano sounds, intuitive real-time control, and excellent build quality.
The new Kawai MP11SE and M7SE: Professional stage pianos for performers who do not accept compromise.
For more information about the MP11SE and MP7SE stage pianos, please refer to the product pages below:
http://www.kawai-global.com/product/mp11se
http://www.kawai-global.com/product/mp7se