Grand Feel II wooden-key action with Ebony & Ivory Touch key surfaces, counterweights, and ‘Let-Off’ mechanism

The CS11 and CS8 digital pianos utilise 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 eighty-eight black and white keys are crafted entirely from long pieces 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 & 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.

Shigeru Kawai SK-EX, SK-5, and Kawai EX instruments reproduced with Harmonic Imaging sound technology

The CS11 & CS8 digital pianos capture the magnificent tone of Kawai’s flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert, and Shigeru Kawai SK-5 medium-sized 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 CS11 & CS8 also feature the distinctive sound of Kawai’s highly acclaimed EX concert grand piano, which has frequently been selected by professional pianists in 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 Harmonic Imaging™ 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.