Inspiration at your fingertips
Combining Kawai’s leading Grand Feel III wooden-key keyboard action, brand new SK-EX Competition Grand sounds with multi-channel sampling and resonance modelling, premium audio processing technologies, and a powerful 6-speaker output system, the CA701 grand piano playing authenticity at a competitive price.
- Industry leading Grand Feel III wooden-key keyboard action
- Shigeru Kawai exclusive SK-EX Competition grand piano sounds,
- Premium audio processing and speaker system
- 5″ LCD touchscreen display embedded within cheekblock
- Convenient Bluetooth® Audio and MIDI connectivity
- Contemporary upright cabinet design with SoftFall fallboard
Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Competition Grand piano sound
The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano was conceived as the next step in evolving the art of the piano.
The brand new SK-EX Competition Grand captures the sound of the latest generation SK-EX instruments, that in recent years have achieved success at the Chopin, Hamamatsu, and Sendai international piano competitions.
SK-EX Rendering sound engine
- In order to faithfully reproduce the stunning sound of a Shigeru Kawai grand piano digitally, Kawai has developed SK-EX Rendering. This special, piano-only sound engine focusses the Concert Artist’s DSP power, combining multi-channel, 88-key sampling with the latest resonance modelling technology to deliver pure acoustic piano authenticity. When SK-EX Rendering is selected for either the Competition Grand or Concert Grand sounds, players can choose five differently prepared piano characters including Classic, Romantic, and Vintage.
Multi-channel Sampling
- While digital pianos typically employ single-point stereo sampling, the SK-EX Rendering engine’s multi-channel sampling captures the sound from different points of the Shigeru Kawai concert grand.
This modern technique not only allows a broader range of tonal characteristics to be recorded and reproduced, but also improves the connection felt between the keyboard and piano sound, resulting in a more lively and authentic response to changes in dynamics.
Full Resonance Modelling
- This naturally expressive Shigeru Kawai sound is further enriched by newly developed resonance algorithms, which physically model the complex tonal interactions produced by the strings, dampers, and various other parts of an acoustic piano.
Unlike other resonance simulations, SK-EX Rendering generates resonances for the damper pedal and all 88 keys progressively (i.e. in gradual amounts, not simply on or off), allowing the Concert Artist to behave – and therefore be controlled – more like an acoustic piano.
Virtual Piano Artisan
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- The knowledge and skill of an experienced piano technician is essential to bring out the best of a fine acoustic piano. In addition to tuning each note, the technician also performs numerous regulation and voicing adjustments that allow the instrument to truly sing.
The CA701’s powerful Virtual Piano Artisan function simulates these refinements digitally, allowing discerning musicians to shape aspects of the selected piano’s character to suit their personal preferences.
Perform touch weight and voicing adjustments, regulate hammer and key release noises, and fine-tune string, damper, and cabinet resonances. It is even possible to adjust the precise tuning, volume, and character of individual notes – all in real-time.
- The knowledge and skill of an experienced piano technician is essential to bring out the best of a fine acoustic piano. In addition to tuning each note, the technician also performs numerous regulation and voicing adjustments that allow the instrument to truly sing.
Harmonic Imaging XL sound engine
Accompanying the dedicated SK-EX Rendering pianos, the CA701 also features the flexible Harmonic Imaging XL sound engine, which offers a broader selection of instrument voices, and the ability to combine sounds. Harmonic Imaging XL also showcases a selection of alternative acoustic pianos captured with full 88-key stereo sampling.
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Extra-long key length
Triple sensor key detection
88-key Graded Counterweights
Ivory & Ebony Touch key surfaces
Let-off Simulation
Speaker System
- The latest Concert Artist instruments feature high fidelity speaker systems that have been specially designed to deliver deep bass and crisp treble frequencies. The high specification CA701 boasts an improved 6-speaker output system, with lower range frequencies delivered through the underside of the instrument, and mid and high frequencies projected outward via top-mounted speakers and front-facing tweeters. The result is a broad, resonating tone that closely mirrors the immersive sound field of an acoustic grand piano.
Convenience and flexibility
- Complementing the instrument’s class-leading Grand Feel III keyboard action and stunning SK-EX Rendering piano sound engine, the CA701 also offers a strong selection of digital features that further enhance one’s musical enjoyment.
Full Bluetooth® V5 connectivity and USB audio record/playback allows musicians to extend the functionality of their piano, or play-along with their favourite artists, while the convenient metronome and integrated lesson functions, featuring classical etudes and Alfred course books, ensure that regular practise is both productive and engaging for aspiring pianists.