Product Description
Three world-class grand pianos in a single instrument
Get the sounds of the highly acclaimed concert grand pianos: the Shigeru Kawai EX, the legendary EX and the two-metre model, the Shigeru Kawai SK-5 in your very own home. Play these fantastic grand pianos on the first class “Grand Feel II” wooden-key action and discover the natural sound provided by the newly developed speaker system or with our new SHS headphone technology.
Grand Feel II wooden-key action with Ebony and Ivory Touch key surfaces and ‘Let-Off’ mechanism
The CS8 digital piano utilises Kawai’s latest Grand Feel II wooden-key keyboard action, which draws upon over 85 years of acoustic piano craftsmanship to provide an exceptionally realistic playing experience. As with a grand piano, all 88 black and white keys are crafted entirely from lengths of wood, pivoting on a central balance pin in a smooth, seesaw-like motion. The Grand Feel II keys are longer than any other digital piano keyboard action, with the pivot point distance matching 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 metal hammers have been micro-engineered to optmise their centre of gravity, and are graded in size and weight to replicate the heavier bass and lighter treble notes of an acoustic grand piano. The forward and backward movements of each hammer are precisely measured using triple-sensor technology, providing faster key repetition, improved responsiveness, and enhanced playing realism.
In addition to grade-weighted hammers, the Grand Feel II action also features counterweights placed within each key. 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 II keyboard action 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 II keyboard action features Kawai’s Ebony and Ivory Touch key surfaces. These finely textured materials gently absorb moisture to assist playing control and possess a natural, matte finish that is smooth, but not slippery.
Kawai 3 grand piano sounds
Shigeru Kawai SK-EX, SK-5, and Kawai EX instruments reproduced with Harmonic Imaging XL 88-key sampling
The CS8 digital piano captures the magnificent tone of Kawai’s flagship full concert Shigeru Kawai SK-EX, and medium-sized Shigeru Kawai SK-5 grand pianos. Widely regarded as the ‘premier pianos of Japan’, Shigeru Kawai instruments grace the stages of concert halls and musical institutions throughout the world, and are prized for their exceptional tonal clarity. In addition, the CS8 features the distinctive sound of Kawai’s highly acclaimed EX concert grand piano, which has frequently been selected by professional pianists for such prestigious events as the Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rubinstein international piano competitions, among others. All three instruments have been carefully recorded, meticulously analysed and faithfully reproduced with full 88-key sampling using the latest Harmonic Imaging™ XL sound technology. This unique process accurately recreates the broad dynamic range of the original grand pianos, affording pianists an extraordinary level of expressiveness ranging from the softest pianissimo to the strongest, boldest fortissimo.
Strong selection of additional instrument sounds
Supplementing the realistic acoustic piano voices, the CS8 digital piano also features an excellent selection of additional instrument sounds, ranging from electric pianos, drawbar and church organs, to strings, human choirs, and even atmospheric synth-style pads, inviting musicians to add greater variety to their performances. Furthermore, the Dual-playing mode allows two different sounds, such as grand piano and strings, to be layered together, while the Split and Four-Hands modes divide the keyboard into two independent sections. The volume balances for each playing mode can be adjusted quickly and easily using the real-time panel controls.
Kawai CS8 digital piano
Virtual Technician adjustments to personalise the instrument’s character
The CS8 digital piano’s Virtual Technician feature allows various characteristics of the selected acoustic piano, electric piano or harpsichord sound to be shaped at the touch of a button, with settings to adjust voicing and regulation, string, damper and cabinet resonances, and subtle hammer, damper and key release noises. It is even possible to adjust the precise tuning and volume of individual notes, before storing one’s personalised instrument configuration to memory.
USB to Device functionality, with MP3/WAV file recording and playback
The CS8 digital piano is equipped with USB connectors that not only allow these instruments 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 instrument settings or recorded songs stored in internal memory to be saved to USB for posterity, or standard MIDI files (SMF) downloaded from the internet to be conveniently played back without additional hardware. 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 save performances as MP3 or WAV files for emailing to friends and family, listening to on the move, or for further editing using an audio workstation.
Wide range of connectivity options
The CS8 digital piano features a variety of connectivity options, with Line-level output jacks that allow the instrument to be enjoyed in larger settings such as churches and schools. Standard MIDI and ‘USB to Host’ connectors ensure flexibility when using computers and other electronic instruments, while the stereo Line-in connector provides a convenient method of mixing in audio from a laptop, tablet or other digital device.
