The stage piano for pianists

Visit also our special MP website: http://www.kawaimp.com

The best keyboard action available in a stage piano

The MP11 utilises Kawai’s latest Grand Feel wooden-key keyboard action, which draws upon 85 years of acoustic piano craftsmanship to provide an exceptionally realistic playing experience. As with a grand piano, all eighty-eight black and white keys are crafted from long pieces of wood, pivoting on a central balance pin in a smooth, seesaw-like motion. The Grand Feel keys are longer than any other digital piano keyboard action, with the pivot point distance extended to match that of a Kawai grand piano. When the front of a key is pressed down, the rear rises, throwing a hammer which plays the note. These hammers are graded in size and weight, replicating the heavier bass and lighter treble notes of an acoustic grand piano, while additional counter-weights embedded within the lower keys help to lighten their touch during pianissimo passages. The Grand Feel keyboard action is equiupped with a 3 sensor system per key and even reproduces the subtle let-off sensation felt when playing the keys of a grand piano very softly, satisfying the expectations of even the most discerning pianists. Finally, the Grand Feel keyboard action features Kawai’s Ivory Touch key surfaces as standard. This finely textured material gently absorbs moisture to assist playing control, and possesses a natural, matte finish that is smooth, but not slippery.

PIANO section: The ultimate pianos for Concert, Pop, and Jazz

The MP11 captures the beautiful sound of Kawai’s highly acclaimed hand-built concert grand piano, with all 88 keys of this exceptional instrument meticulously recorded, analysed and faithfully reproduced using proprietary Harmonic Imaging™ XL technology. This unique process accurately recreates the broad dynamic range of the original grand piano, affording pianists an extraordinary level of expressiveness ranging from the softest pianissimo to the strongest, boldest fortissimo. With separate categories for Concert, Pop, and Jazz playing, the MP11 offers the finest selection of high quality acoustic piano sounds ever compiled for a Kawai instrument, with a separate category devoted entirely to upright and mono pianos. Moreover, Kawai’s unique Virtual Technician feature allows various characteristics of the selected acoustic piano sound to be shaped at the touch of a button or the turn of a knob, with parameters to adjust voicing and regulation, string and damper resonances, and subtle hammer, damper, and key release noises.

E.PIANO section: Vintage EPs, twin effects, and amp simulation

The MP11 features a selection of incredible vintage electric piano sounds, each with their own distinctive characteristics. Enjoy their natural, organic sound, or pass the signal through a wide variety of classic effects stomp boxes, before plugging into one of the five classic amp and speaker cabinets – complete with realistic microphone character and position modelling.

SUB section: High quality strings, pads, basses and more

The MP11’s SUB section features high quality strings, pads, basses, and other useful sounds that are ideal for creating splits and custom zones, layering with acoustic or electric pianos, or for playing individually, at the front of the mix. Additional Bell, Air, and Voice layers bring greater depth to the sound, with flexible ADSR parameters and resonance/cut-off controls all adjustable directly from the panel’s assignable control knobs.

MIDI OUT section: Four zone master keyboard controller

The MP11 features a new, improved MIDI OUT section with four independent zones for controlling external devices, or integrating into the studio as a master keyboard. Use the assignable panel knobs to send CC# to connected hardware, or the recorder transport buttons to control a DAW without touching a mouse or leaving the piano. The MP11 even includes LINE IN jacks and a dedicated panel fader to adjust the level of connected devices, such as that old expander module or semi-weighted synth that you just can’t live without, or a laptop running software instruments.

Intuitive operation, large LCD, real-time assignable control knobs

The MP11’s control panel is clearly arranged and easy to use, with related functions grouped together and placed where you’d expect to find them. A large LCD display and four assignable control knobs, allow several parameters to be adjusted directly in real-time, without getting lost in menus – concentrate on playing, rather than trying to remember which button does what.

208 Setup memories: enough for the busiest stage musician

The MP11 allows every single customised sound, knob position, fader level, and adjustable parameter to be stored in memory as a SETUP, and recalled at the touch of a button. With over 200 SETUP memories, the MP11 is ideal for busy stage musicians who like to plan several shows ahead, before going out on the road.

USB to Device functionality, with MP3/WAV/SMF file recording and playback

The MP11 is equipped with 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 ‘USB to Device’ feature allows customised sounds, SETUP memories, and recorder songs stored in internal memory to be saved to USB for posterity. USB memory devices can also be used to play back MP3 or WAV audio or SMF MIDI files, allowing performing musicians to play along with professional backing tracks, or simply learn the chords or melody for a new piece. It is even possible to save performances directly as MP3, WAV, or SMF files for emailing to band members, casual listening away from the keyboard, or further editing using an audio workstation.