Kawai • Craftsmanship • Engineering • Innovation

In the KDP120, technology translates into practical use

The Kawai KDP120 is a model that balances technical components for daily home and educational use. Its official specifications feature Responsive Hammer Compact II action, triple-sensor hammer detection, 88-key Harmonic Imaging sampling, the SK-EX concert grand sound, 40W stereo amplification, and Bluetooth MIDI and app support. These are not just individual features, but a unified system that makes practice more controlled and musical.

Legacy of craftsmanshipA culture of piano building, material selection, and mastery since 1927.

Purposeful technologyWhen selecting a model, the RHCII touch, Grand Feel pedal system, SK-EX sound, and home audio balance should be evaluated together.

Global trustJapan-based development, international manufacturing, and a Kawai network spanning the world's major markets.

Official sources: Kawai Company History · Kawai Legacy · Kawai Products & Technologies

More than just a piano - Kawai KDP 120

Kawai is pleased to introduce the KDP120 digital piano – the newest member of the renowned KDP series and the successor to the much-loved KDP110. This updated model presents the improved Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action, the magnificent Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand sound, convenient Bluetooth® MIDI and USB-MIDI connectivity, support for the latest PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps, and a powerful amplification/speaker system. The KDP120 offers a great opportunity to experience top-tier Kawai digital piano quality at an affordable price.

Touch and Elegance

Realistic touch and movement: Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action

The KDP120's Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHCII) keyboard action has been designed to reflect the distinctive touch of an acoustic grand piano. Based on the highly acclaimed RH keyboard action, this system operates without spring mechanisms, and its durable structure ensures smooth and stable movement of the keys both upwards and downwards.

Furthermore, the improved cushioning material minimizes keyboard noise, creating a quieter playing environment. This combination makes the piano feel more natural, comfortable, and authentic, allowing performers to experience the genuine touch of a grand piano.

Weighted keys matching acoustic pianos

As with acoustic pianos, the RHCII keyboard action uses heavier hammers for bass notes and lighter hammers for treble notes. Graded weights are applied to match each note range, ensuring the keyboard provides a more realistic feel during play.

These subtleties allow for maintaining stability, especially during fortissimo (very loud) passages, while also enabling precise control during pianissimo (very soft) sections. Thus, a perfect playing experience is provided to meet the expectations of even the most demanding pianist.

Triple-sensor keyboard detection system

The Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHCII) keyboard action is equipped with a precise triple-sensor key detection system to provide a more realistic playing experience.

The addition of the third sensor increases response speed when repeatedly playing the same key. Unlike the two-sensor systems used in most digital pianos, this technology prevents the previous tone from being cut off when repeating the same note, allowing the sound to naturally layer.

Kawai's technology also tracks the release speed of each key, creating a wider range of expression between staccato (detached) and legato (smooth) playing. This system further emphasizes the expressive richness and subtle details of the sound.

And what about the sound? Royal Piano Sound: Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand

The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand is the next step in the evolution of the piano art. Known as "Japan's premier piano," this instrument appears on stages in concert halls and music institutions all over the world, earning universal acclaim for its magnificent tonal clarity and wide dynamic range.

The SK-EX is often the choice of professional pianists at prestigious international competitions such as Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rubinstein. Its stunning tonal quality and sensitive touch can be expressed in one word: unrivaled.

True character in every note

The KDP120 digital piano reproduces the beautiful sound of Kawai's highly acclaimed SK-EX concert grand. All 88 keys of this magnificent instrument have been carefully recorded, analyzed, and reproduced with complete accuracy using Advanced Harmonic Imaging technology.

Recording each key individually preserves the rich harmonic character of the SK-EX grand and ensures that the sound of every note played on the KDP120 is an accurate reproduction of the original acoustic source. This technology provides a realistic and expressive sound experience in every note.

Realistic Reverb Effects

The KDP120's powerful digital effects engine enhances the instrument's core sounds by adding reverb effects to performances. These effects mimic the experience in acoustic environments such as a recital room, live stage, or concert hall, making the music feel more alive and natural.

As a result, a rich and full piano tone is created, making performances sound astonishingly realistic and authentic.

Harmonic Imaging Technology

When playing a high-quality piano, the pressure applied to the keyboard affects not only the volume of the sound but also the unique tonal character of each note. Therefore, to create the realistic acoustic impression of the SK-EX concert grand, each key is recorded not only separately but also at various volume levels—from delicate pianissimo to powerful fortissimo.

The KDP120, with Kawai's patented Harmonic Imaging sound technology, provides an extremely detailed acoustic impression by ensuring smooth tonal transitions across each key and the entire dynamic range. This technology ensures the sounds change naturally and fluidly, making the performance feel even richer and more real.

Impressive Speaker System

(with Low Volume Balance function)

The KDP120's stereo speaker system, with a 40W power output, presents the beautiful sounds of the Shigeru Kawai grand with enough power to comfortably fill a medium-sized room.

Furthermore, if the volume level is lowered for late-night practice or to avoid disturbing family members, the Low Volume Balance function intelligently adjusts the keyboard touch and piano tone characteristics. This allows pianissimo passages to sound natural and fluid, maintaining high audio quality even at reduced volumes.

Digital Piano Versatility: Convenience and Flexibility

Distinguished by its elegant design, the KDP120 offers a range of convenient digital features that complement its original keyboard touch and rich grand piano sounds. Functions such as the selection of various instrument sounds, internal lesson songs, and the recording and playback of performances can be easily accessed from the unobtrusive side panel control block.

In addition, Bluetooth® and USB functionality ensure the instrument can easily connect to other devices, making learning, performing, and composition processes more flexible and comfortable.

Additional Sounds and Performance Modes

Complementing its realistic acoustic piano sounds, the KDP120 also offers a range of additional instrument voices, including electric piano, organ, harpsichord, vibraphone, and strings.

Furthermore, thanks to the Dual performance mode, it is possible to play two different sounds simultaneously, for example, acoustic piano and string ensemble. This creates richer and more complex sounds, increasing the performer's creativity and providing new sources of inspiration in music.

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Features