Kawai KDP75

Characteristics of the KDP75

The touch

Realistic touch and movement: Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard mechanism The KDP75's Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) keyboard action has been developed to reproduce the characteristic touch of an acoustic grand piano. Based on the popular RH keyboard action design, its springless mechanism and robust construction offer smooth up and down movements, while improved damping material helps reduce keyboard noise, resulting in a smooth, natural and very authentic piano playing experience.

Weight of keys on an acoustic piano

Just as acoustic pianos use heavier bass hammers and lighter treble hammers, RHC keyboard mechanics also use different hammer weights, adapted to each playing range. These details offer greater stability during fortissimo passages, while preserving the delicate control of pianissimo, to satisfy the demands of the most demanding pianists.

The sound of a grand piano: The grand concert piano Shigeru Kawai SK-EX

The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano was conceived as the next step in the evolution of the art of piano playing. Renowned as "Japan's first piano", it graces the stages of concert halls and musical institutions around the world, receiving universal praise for its exceptional clarity and dynamic range. The SK-EX has often been selected by professional pianists at such prestigious events as the Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Rubenstein International Piano Competitions. With its truly magnificent sound and wonderfully responsive touch, the SK-EX can be described by a single word: incomparable.

Additional sounds and play modes

Differences between the KDP75 and KDP120

The GX-2 is a classic-sized instrument with exquisite tonal quality.

The new standard in grand piano design is beyond imagination. It combines the latest technology with traditional craftsmanship. It is the application of knowledge and experience handed down from generation to generation. It is the very definition of Japanese piano design philosophy. A lightness of touch usually reserved for the largest pianos. Its rich, lively and expressive sound inspires creative passions. A new era of grand piano performance has begun.

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

The Millennium III Upright's action features components made from ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by infusing carbon fiber into our famous ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, enabling the creation of lighter action parts without compromising strength. The result is a more powerful, faster action offering greater control and stability than conventional all-wood actions. 

Elongated fingerboards made of fir

Fir is the ideal key material - light, yet extremely strong for its weight. It responds with minimal bending and exceptional consistency, conveying every subtle nuance of the pianist's interpretation while remaining stable through years of intensive use. The length of each key has been extended to facilitate playing and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The key shanks are also designed with a slightly higher profile for maximum rigidity and increased power.

Tone

NEOTEX key surfaces

Our exclusive NEOTEX key surface, made from cellulose fibers, offers a smooth, unobtrusive texture similar to natural ivory and ebony, as well as a semi-porous silica-filled surface to absorb natural oils and hand perspiration. Because NEOTEX is used for both black and white keys, key feel is consistent across the entire keyboard. NEOTEX resists cracking and fading over years of use, and is also resistant to static electricity, helping to prevent the build-up of unwanted dust. The result is a beautiful, durable key surface offering exceptional playability.

Rigid foundation for key travel

The hammer rail is the "backbone" of the piano's action. GX Series hammer rails are made of durable extruded aluminum with our exclusive double-beam design for added strength and stability. Both the hammer rail and wippens rail are permanently locked in place to preserve the careful tolerances of the action design and ensure consistent touch response throughout the life of the piano.

The entire surface of the hammer rail is finely notched to hold each hammer flange securely in place, ensuring optimum hammer alignment. The surface-mounted hammer flanges are made of PBT resin, allowing the action screws to remain tight without shrinking or swelling. All these meticulous design features form the rigid foundation of the GX series, guaranteeing precise key travel over time.

Solid spruce conical soundboard

The soundboard is the heart of a piano. Its role is to transform the vibrations of the piano strings into a rich, resonant sound. Kawai uses only solid quarter-grain spruce for the K series soundboards. Each soundboard is strategically tapered to maximize its tonal capacity. Only those that meet or exceed our strict quality standards are selected for use in our professional upright pianos.

Hybrid inner border (Rim Konsei Katagi)

The exclusive Konsei Katagi rim leverages different hardwoods to achieve the ideal sonic balance. For the inner rim, finely porous hardwoods are used to provide superior brilliance and projection of the high-frequency range of the sound spectrum. These are layered with wider-pore hardwoods that offer warmth and fullness to the sound. The synergy of structurally divergent hardwoods produces a powerful and pleasingly rounded sound, which is the hallmark of Shigeru Kawai grand pianos.

Vertically laminated bridge

The bridge performs the essential task of transferring the vibrations from the strings to the soundboard. GX series bass bridges are made from the highest quality hard maple or beech. Treble bridges are vertically laminated with 13 layers of maple and mogno for maximum strength and optimal sound energy transfer.

Specifications

Weight & dimensions

A maximum performance in a minimal size

The GL-20 delivers maximum performance with minimal footprint. With its advanced features from the GL series, it will undoubtedly exceed all expectations for a piano of its size.

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

The Millennium III Upright's action features components made from ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by infusing carbon fiber into our famous ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, enabling the creation of lighter action parts without compromising strength. The result is a more powerful, faster action offering greater control and stability than conventional all-wood actions. 

Extended Key Length

Longer keys make the game easier to play and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The benefits for the player are better control and more power with less effort.

Duplex ladders

The instrument's duplex scale system provides harmonics in the midrange and treble, adding depth and breadth to the overall sound.

Staples

The staples ensure precision in string alignment, spacing and angles to produce a more uniform tone and consistent vibratory length of each note.

Tone

Solid spruce conical soundboard

The soundboard is the heart of a piano. Its role is to transform the vibrations of the piano strings into a rich, resonant sound. Kawai uses only solid quarter-grain spruce for the K series soundboards. Each soundboard is strategically tapered to maximize its tonal capacity. Only those that meet or exceed our strict quality standards are selected for use in our professional upright pianos.

SOLID' (Stretcher Over-Lap Integrated Design)

The "SOLID" construction creates an exceptionally rigid foundation to support the tension of the strings. First, the windchest is mounted on the frame. Then, the windchest and yoke bar are integrated into a single structure, firmly anchored to the waistband. The extraordinary thickness of the yoke bar illustrates the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.

Specifications

Weight & dimensions

The grand-piano-style music rack with a robust finish

The grand piano-style music stand with sturdy finish is an exquisite and functional addition to grand piano design. Made from high-end materials, it exudes elegance while providing solid support for scores during performances. Adjustable to accommodate a variety of score sizes, this parchment holder offers pianists comfort and flexibility, making it a refined and practical enhancement to the grand piano experience.

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

The Millennium III Upright's action features components made from ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by infusing carbon fiber into our famous ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, enabling the creation of lighter action parts without compromising strength. The result is a more powerful, faster action offering greater control and stability than conventional all-wood actions. 

Extended Key Length

Longer keys make the game easier to play and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The benefits for the player are better control and more power with less effort.

Tone

Solid spruce conical soundboard

The soundboard is the heart of a piano. Its role is to transform the vibrations of the piano strings into a rich, resonant sound. Kawai uses only solid quarter-grain spruce for the K series soundboards. Each soundboard is strategically tapered to maximize its tonal capacity. Only those that meet or exceed our strict quality standards are selected for use in our professional upright pianos.

The hammers

Mahogany wood core and double felt hammers secured with T-shaped staples.

Mahogany hammerblocks are lightweight and extremely responsive. Found only on the finest pianos, mahogany is used for the hammer moldings on the entire range of K-Series professional upright pianos. All K-Series hammers are stapled in a T-shape to preserve their shape, and feature an additional inner layer of felt to support the creation of exceptional sound.

Full Duplex Scale

The "Full Duplex Scale", which encompasses both the upper and lower sections, is a remarkable feature that enhances harmonics in the treble range, adding captivating brilliance and rich sonority to the piano's tone. This innovative technology involves meticulous calculations and precise positioning of the strings to optimize their interaction with the vibrating main part of the strings, allowing specific harmonics to resonate freely and enhancing the instrument's sonic complexity. As a result, the piano's high notes are imbued with a vibrant, sparkling quality, captivating listeners with their expressive, dynamic character. The "Full Duplex Scale" opens up a world of sonic possibilities, enabling pianists to explore and create music with an instrument truly incomparable in its beauty and versatility.

Sostenuto pedals

The middle pedal is the sostenuto, as on a grand piano; the celestial/practical rail is operated by a lever under the low end of the keyboard. When depressed, it holds only the notes played at that moment, allowing subsequent notes to be played without sustain. This feature proves useful in complex musical passages where certain notes need to be held while others are played with different dynamics. By selectively sustaining certain notes, the sostenuto pedal enables pianists to create a nuanced, controlled sound, offering a wide range of expression and articulation in their performances. Its presence is an invaluable tool for pianists seeking to elevate their musical interpretations and enrich their playing experience.

The agraffes

Staples play an essential role in ensuring precision in the alignment, spacing and angles of the strings in a piano, leading to greater uniformity, improved tone, smoother tuning and a consistent "speaking length" for each note. These small but important metal pieces are strategically placed along the piano's soundboard to hold the strings in position and ensure their correct alignment. By holding the strings firmly in place, the clips prevent any unwanted vibration or sympathetic resonance that might disrupt the piano's overall clarity and tonal balance. What's more, staples contribute to smoother, more precise tuning, as they help stabilize string tension and maintain their proper spacing. As a result, pianists can enjoy a more balanced, harmonious sound across the entire keyboard, enabling greater precision and expression in their musical interpretations.

Weight & dimensions

Sometimes the best role for an instrument is obvious from the start. The GL-50 Conservatory Grand Piano has found its highest calling within musical institutions, where its versatile size is ideally suited to teaching studios and smaller recital spaces. At 6'2", it offers abundant tone quality and perfect bass resonance for professional teaching applications. The GL-50 has all the features that earned the GL Series MMR magazine's Global Music Industry "Product of the Year" award in 2016, including the revolutionary Action Millennium III with ABS-Carbon parts that promises unparalleled consistency of feel and control over time. And, like the GL-40, the GL-50 features the CORE system, which maximizes the reflective capabilities of the inner frame to deliver greater tonal resonance and power. Play the GL-50 and discover the flagship of the award-winning GL Series line.

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

The Millennium III Upright's action features components made from ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by infusing carbon fiber into our famous ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, enabling the creation of lighter action parts without compromising strength. The result is a more powerful, faster action offering greater control and stability than conventional all-wood actions. 

THE POWER OF THE PIANISSIMO

One of the most coveted attributes of a quality piano is a wide dynamic range: the ability to play not only thunderous fortissimos but also the most delicate and sensitive pianissimos. The technological superiority of the Millennium III action becomes most evident in its extraordinary ability to produce the perfect pianissimo. It may seem paradoxical, but the GL series technology shines brightest when it whispers.

RIGID FOUNDATIONS FOR THE TOUCH MOVEMENT

The keyframe rail is the central hub of a piano's operation. The keyframe rails in the GL series are made of durable extruded aluminum and combined with our advanced dual-beam technique, providing strength and stability. The hammer and jack rails are securely held in place to maintain the precise tolerances of the action design and ensure consistent touch throughout the piano's lifespan. The entire surface of the hammer rail is finely serrated to securely hold each hammer shank in place for optimal alignment. The hammer shanks are made of PBT resin, allowing the action screws to remain tightly secured without contraction or expansion. These meticulously designed features form the rigid foundations of the GL series, ensuring the precise motion of the keys over time.Carbon ABS is much stronger and more durable than wood, virtually impervious to the effects of humidity-related contraction and expansion. This unique combination of strength and stability allows the action components to transfer energy to the hammers with unmatched efficiency, power, precision, and nuance, delivering an exceptional playing experience. 

Tone

TAPERED SOUNDBOARD IN SOLID SPRUCE

The soundboard is the heart of a piano, responsible for transforming the vibrations of the piano strings into a rich and vibrant tone. Kawai uses only straight-grained solid spruce, quarter-sawn, for the soundboards of the GL series. Each soundboard is carefully tapered to optimize its sound-producing capabilities. Only soundboards that meet or exceed our strict quality requirements are selected to be installed in our GL series grand pianos.

TONALITY

Kawai grand pianos are renowned for their expressive tonality and expansive dynamic range, enabling pianists to effortlessly share and communicate their passion.

Duplex scale

DUPLEX SCALE SCALE

The instrument's duplex scale system provides harmonics in the midrange and treble, adding depth and breadth to the overall sound.

AGRAFFES

The staples ensure precision in string alignment, spacing and angles to produce a more uniform tone and consistent vibratory length of each note.

HARDWOOD BRIDGES

The bridges transfer the vibration of the strings to the soundboard. The bridges in the GL series are made of solid maple or beech and are carefully adjusted and fitted to the frame for perfect string pressure and optimal sound transfer.

SOLID' (Stretcher Over-Lap Integrated Design)

The "SOLID" construction creates an exceptionally rigid foundation to support the tension of the strings. First, the windchest is mounted on the frame. Then, the windchest and yoke bar are integrated into a single structure, firmly anchored to the waistband. The extraordinary thickness of the yoke bar illustrates the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.

THE C.O.R.E. SYSTEM

"CORE" is an acronym that stands for "Convergence for Optimum Reflected Energy." Convergence refers to how the points of strength, including the rim, frame, and soundboard, all come together towards a central point at the core of the instrument. This convergence creates the foundation for an extremely powerful "CORE" central core that maximizes the sound reflection capabilities of the inner rim, resulting in exceptional sound quality.

SOLID (STRETCHER OVER-LAP INTEGRATED DESIGN)

The "SOLID" construction creates an exceptionally rigid foundation to support the tension of the strings. First, the windchest is mounted on the frame. Then, the windchest and yoke bar are integrated into a single structure, firmly anchored to the waistband. The extraordinary thickness of the yoke bar illustrates the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.

EXTENDED FINGERBOARD LENGTH

Longer keys make the game easier to play and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The benefits for the player are better control and more power with less effort.

SLOW-CLOSE LID MECHANISM

Our slow-close lid mechanism incorporates a dual-damping system that protects fingers and the keyboard from potential damage caused by a sudden closure.

THE KEYBOARD TRAY WITH STEEL REINFORCEMENT.

The keyboard tray must be strong and stable in order to support the weight of the entire mechanics over time. GL Series keyboard trays are made from extremely robust hardwoods, laminated and reinforced with a steel support spar that increases the strength and rigidity of the keyboard tray to prevent any loss of energy.

V-pro frame

V-PRO FRAME

The frame is the acoustically neutral metal superstructure on which the strings are tensioned. All frames in the GL series are cast using the V-Pro process. The additional strength comes from the new frame design. The result is a highly robust, stable, and elegant frame.

SMALL DOOR WITH STEEL REINFORCEMENT

The 'little door' of a piano is that long horizontal piece of wood bordering the front of the notes. Because it's made of wood, this part can twist or bend with changes in humidity, causing the keys to jam. The 'small doors' of the GL series are reinforced by a steel rod that prevents these deformations. The keys move freely, with the 'small door' remaining straight and at a regular distance from the keys throughout the piano's life.

WINDCHEST AND TUNING PEGS

The pinblock on all GL series grand pianos is fully laminated with a minimum of eleven cross-banded layers of North American hard rock maple for maximum strength and balanced torque. The tuning pins are made from the finest carbon steel, threaded for maximum continuous rotation, and nickel-plated for enhanced appearance and long-term protection.

RESISTANCE

Strength enables a piano to maintain its integrity over time. GL Series pianos have the remarkable strength to thrive under the rigors of long-term use.

Specifications

Weight & dimensions

The outstanding feature of the Kawai MP11SE digital piano is its first-rate Grand Feel wood-key keyboard action, which faithfully recreates the natural movement and feel of an acoustic piano. The intuitive panel interface with independent sound sections and effects, and a wide selection of realistic electric pianos and subsidiary sounds make the MP11SE an excellent option for the serious pianist.

A powerful 4-channel MIDI master controller and triple-pedal unit add to its list of impressive features. Extraordinary sounds - including the magnificent sound of the famous Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand - are the final important elements of an outstanding stage piano for music professionals who will make no compromise on performance.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Grand Feel wooden-key keyboard, a category leader
• Stunning acoustic grand piano sounds from SK-EX, SK-5, and EX
• Large selection of realistic electric pianos and other sounds
• Wide range of Virtual Technician sound editing parameters
• Intuitive panel layout with separate sound and effects sections.
• Powerful features of the 4-channel MIDI master controller.
• 1/4" and XLR outputs, 1/4" inputs with Line In level slider
• Kawai-manufactured GFP-3 triple pedal unit.
• Sturdy metal chassis with polished black wooden side arms

Weight & dimensions