With the same Grand Feel wooden-key keyboard action, Harmonic Imaging XL sound technology, and advanced multi-part arranger/recorder features as the flagship CP1 grand, the Kawai CP2 is a remarkably powerful digital piano that is perfect for musicians of all types and skills.
Embracing many of the long-established principles associated with an acoustic piano, the Grand Feel keyboard action utilised by the CP2 combines realistic materials, motion, and mechanism to recreate the exceptional touch of the finest concert grand pianos.
All eighty-eight black and white keys are crafted entirely from long pieces of wood, with finely textured ivory and ebony-like surfaces applied to absorb moisture and assist control. Each wooden key pivots smoothly on a balance pin – the ends rising and falling to replicate the familiar ‘seesaw’ motion of an acoustic piano action. When pressed, the back of the key lifts, triggering a grade-weighted hammer to strike a pressure switch. The amount of force applied to this switch is then measured, and the corresponding note played with authentic tonal character and volume.
In addition to having the longest keys of any digital piano, Grand Feel keyboard actions also boast the longest key pivot length – matching that of a Kawai grand piano.
This improvement ensures a more evenly balanced key touch weight from front to rear, and is particularly beneficial when playing complicated chords with fingers positioned towards the back of the keyboard.
In addition to grade-weighted hammers, the Grand Feel keyboard action also features counterweights attached towards the front of the bass keys.
As with an acoustic piano, these finely balanced weights help to lighten the touch of the keyboard during pianissimo passages, while adding a feel of greater substance when playing with force.
The Grand Feel keyboard action also features 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.
In addition, 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 handsome CP2 features Kawai’s highly regarded Ivory Touch key surfaces as standard. This finely textured material gently absorbs fingertip perspiration and oils to assist playing control, and possesses a natural, matte finish that is smooth but not slippery.
Furthermore, this moisture is absorbed without dirt or grease permeating the surface, allowing the keytops to be wiped clean easily using just a damp cloth.
As one of the most authentic digital piano keyboard actions, Grand Feel even reproduces the ‘let-off’ characteristic of acoustic piano actions.
This subtle ‘notch’ sensation can be felt when playing the keys of a grand piano very gently, and may be used by experienced pianists to aid control when playing pianissimo passages.
The Kawai EX concert grand piano is widely regarded by professional pianists and piano technicians as one of the finest instruments within its class. Hand-built by Master Piano Artisans at the Shigeru Kawai Piano Research Laboratory in Ryuyo, Japan, each EX instrument undergoes a meticulous regulation and refinement process within a specially designed anechoic chamber.
Following this lengthy crafting period, the completed EX concert grand piano receives a final series of rigorous quality inspections, before eventually taking centre stage in the world’s most prestigious musical institutions and concert halls.
The beautiful sound of the Kawai EX concert grand piano is at the heart of the CP2, with all eighty-eight keys of this world-class instrument painstakingly recorded, meticulously analysed, and accurately reproduced as high-fidelity digital waveforms.
Recording each key individually in this way, preserves the rich harmonic character of the EX concert grand piano, and guarantees that the sound heard when playing any one of the CP2’s wooden keys is a faithful representation of the original acoustic source.
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 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 CL36 offers a highly detailed acoustic portrait, employing Kawai’s proprietary Progressive Harmonic Imaging sampling technology to ensure smooth tonal transitions across the keyboard and throughout the entire dynamic range.
Taking full advantage of its expanded sample memory, the CP2’s Harmonic Imaging XL standard extends the important attack portion of the piano sound by up to 120%, articulating the natural detail and resonance characteristics of each note more clearly, and improving the instrument’s organic tonal quality.
Alongside the classically voiced EX grand piano sound, the CP2 also showcases a selection of Jazz, Pop, and Modern variations suitable for a range of musical genres. A traditional Kawai upright piano sound is also included, for pieces that suggest a feeling of nostalgia, or call for a slightly more intimate tonal character.
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 CP2’s powerful Virtual Technician 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 and damper resonances. It is even possible to adjust the precise tuning, volume, and character of individual notes – all in real-time.
Complementing the instrument’s excellent Responsive Hammer keyboard action and Progressive Harmonic Imaging piano sounds, the CL36 also offers a variety of convenient digital features that further enhance one’s musical enjoyment. 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.
Hundreds of studio quality instrumental and vocal sounds, plus dozens of sound effects, offer the player a vast selection of sound choices from virtually every instrument family in the world.
In addition to exquisite acoustic pianos, players will discover amazing electric pianos, authentic pipe and drawbar organs, lush strings, thrilling woodwinds and brass, contemporary guitars and basses, drums and percussion and much more.
With powerful 256 note polyphony, up to four sounds can be combined together or assigned to individual sections of the keyboard, allowing advanced, multi-voice performances at the touch of a button.
The CP2 is equipped with modern USB connectors that not only allow the instrument to be connected to a computer for MIDI use, but also to load and save data to USB memory devices directly.
This latter USB to Device functionality allows favourite instrument settings, registrations, and memorable recorder songs stored within internal memory to be safely preserved on USB flash drives, or for standard MIDI files (SMF) downloaded from the internet to be played back and enjoyed using the instrument’s exquisite Harmonic Imaging XL sounds without additional hardware or cables.
USB memory devices can also be used to play back MP3 or WAV audio files, allowing musicians to learn the chords or melody for a new piece, or to simply play along with their favourite songs.
It is even possible to record entire performances (including external line-in and microphone audio) directly as MP3 or WAV audio files for sharing with family and friends, sending to band members, or casual listening away from the piano.
Cabinet Finishes
The CP2 is available in three attractive cabinet finishes: Premium Rosewood, Premium Satin Black, and Premium Mahogany, allowing musicians to coordinate their piano with a range of interiors.
* Cabinet finish availability dependent on market location.
