Detailed Description
An Excellent Introduction To Kawai Digital Piano Quality
The KDP120 digital piano is the latest addition to Kawai’s highly-respected range of award-winning home instruments, combining an authentic weighted-key keyboard action and realistic grand piano sounds within an attractive, yet highly affordable package.
Featuring 88 grade-weighted keys, the KDP120 keyboard responds like a real acoustic action, while its rich concert grand piano sounds are guaranteed to inspire and impress. The instrument also features Bluetooth® connectivity, built-in lesson pieces, and a convenient song recorder, making the KDP120 an ideal choice for beginners seeking a starter instrument, or more experienced players looking for a second piano for silent practise with headphones.
Realistic Touch & Motion: Responsive Hammer Compact II Keyboard Action
The KDP120’s Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHCII) keyboard action has been developed to represent 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.
Acoustic Piano Key Weighting
Just as acoustic pianos utilise heavier bass hammers and lighter treble hammers, the RHCII keyboard action also employs different hammer weights, appropriately graded for each playing range.
Such details provide greater stability during fortissimo passages, while preserving delicate pianissimo control, to satisfy the demands of even the most discerning pianist.
Triple Sensor Key Detection
The Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action utilises an accurate triple-sensor key detection system for enhanced playing realism.
The added third sensor improves responsiveness when playing the same key repeatedly, and unlike conventional two sensor keyboard actions found in many digital pianos, allows the sound of a single note to be gradually ‘layered’ without the previous tone being lost.
Kawai’s action technology also monitors the speed at which each key is lifted, influencing the release character of piano sounds, and providing a greater range of expression between staccato and legato playing.
The Sound Of A Grand Piano: Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand
The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano was conceived as the next step in evolving the art of the piano. Earning a reputation as the ‘premier piano of Japan,’ it graces the stages of concert halls and musical institutions around the globe, receiving universal acclaim for its exceptional clarity and dynamic range.
The SK-EX has frequently been selected by professional pianists at such prestigious events as the Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rubenstein international piano competitions. With its truly magnificent tone and wonderfully responsive touch, the SK-EX can best be described with one word – incomparable.
True Character In Every Note
The KDP120 digital piano captures the beautiful sound of Kawai’s highly acclaimed concert grand piano, with all 88 keys of this exceptional instrument meticulously recorded, analysed and faithfully reproduced using advanced Harmonic Imaging technology.
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 KDP120’s weighted keys is a faithful representation of the original acoustic source.
Harmonic Imaging Technology
When playing a fine piano, the amount of pressure applied to the keyboard affects not only the volume of the sound produced, but also the unique tonal character of each note. Therefore, in order to construct a realistic acoustic portrait of the SK-EX concert grand piano, not only is each key recorded individually, but also at various different volumes, ranging from gentle pianissimo to thunderous fortissimo.
The KDP120 offers a highly detailed acoustic portrait, employing Kawai’s proprietary Harmonic Imaging sound technology to ensure smooth tonal transitions across the keyboard and throughout the entire dynamic range.
Realistic Reverberation
The KDP120’s powerful digital effects engine further enhances the instrument’s core sounds, applying additional reverberation effects that simulate the acoustic environment of a recital room, live stage, or concert hall, bringing performances to life. The result is a rich, vibrant piano tone that delivers breathtaking realism and authenticity.
The Variety Of A Digital Piano: Convenience & Flexibility
The elegant KDP120 also includes a variety of convenient digital functions to complement its authentic keyboard touch and rich grand piano sounds. A selection of different instrument voices, built-in lesson songs, and the ability to record and playback one’s performance are just some of the features accessible from the discretely placed cheek-block control panel, while Bluetooth® and USB functionality allow the instrument to be connected to other devices with ease.
Integrated Bluetooth® Connectivity
In addition to a USB-MIDI port for connecting to computers, the KDP120 also boasts integrated Bluetooth MIDI technology, allowing the digital piano to communicate with supported smart devices wirelessly.
Once paired with a phone or tablet laptop, KDP120 owners can easily control the instrument or display notated scores for built-in lesson songs using the dedicated PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps. Moreover, the instrument’s functionality can also be expanded using a broad range of 3rd party education, performance, and scoring apps – all without the need for additional adaptors or cables.
PianoRemote App
The KDP120 is compatible with Kawai’s latest PianoRemote control app for iOS and supported Android devices. This app connects to the piano wirelessly via the instrument’s integrated Bluetooth feature, providing an effortless way to change sounds, adjust settings, and enjoy the of built-in music content from an attractive user interface.
Built-In Lesson Function
The KDP120’s convenient lesson function allows aspiring pianists to study classical piano using a collection of Czerny, Burgmüller, and Beyer etudes, or learn time-honoured standards from the popular Alfred Basic Piano course books. The left and right hand parts of each etude or song can be practised separately, with the built-in metronome and adjustable tempo controls helping to improve timing and rhythm.
* Notated scores and Alfred lesson books sold separately.
PiaBookPlayer App
The KDP120 is also compatible with Kawai’s PiaBookPlayer score viewer app, allowing the notated scores for classical lesson etudes and various other pieces to be displayed on a smartphone or tablet via the instrument’s wireless Bluetooth connectivity.
The PiaBookPlayer app includes notated scores for over 370 pieces, and also supports hands-free page turning by using the piano’s configurable pedals.
Additional Sounds & Playing Modes
Supplementing its realistic acoustic piano voices, the KDP120 also offers a selection of additional instrument sounds, including electric pianos, organs, harpsichord, vibraphone, and strings.
The Dual playing mode also allows two different voices, such as an acoustic piano and a string ensemble, to be played together for a more complex sound that inspires even greater musical creativity.
Superior Headphone Experience
The KDP120’s Spatial Headphone Sound (SHS) technology enhances the depth and realism of the instrument’s sound when listening through headphones or earphones. The player can select one of three different acoustic presets that adjust the spatial positioning of the sound, while also helping to reduce auditory fatigue when using earphones or headphones for extended periods of time.
In addition, the KDP120 also allows players to select a variety of headphone types (Open, Semi-open, Closed, In-Ear, Canal, etc.) for an optimised listening experience.
Grand Feel Pedal System
Reinforcing the KDP120’s reputation as the most realistic digital pianos in its price range is Kawai’s Grand Feel Pedal System.
This unique feature replicates the position and individual weighting of the damper, soft, and sostenuto pedals of a Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert grand piano to further enhance the KDP120’s acoustic piano-like authenticity.
Generous Part Exchanges Available
Get in touch with us if you have an existing digital or acoustic piano that you’d like to part exchange with us, and we’d be happy to let you know how much it could be worth.
Reviews