Kawai • Craftsmanship • Engineering • Innovation
Converting sensor data into musical expression
In a digital piano, a key is not just a switch; it is a mechanical-sensor system that measures the performer's velocity, timing, and note-repetition behavior. Kawai utilizes solutions such as Responsive Hammer, Grand Feel, and Millennium III Hybrid across various series. In hybrid Novus models, the movement of the actual acoustic action can be tracked with high-precision optical sensors.
Official sources: Kawai Company History · Kawai Legacy · Kawai Products & Technologies
Keyboard Systems in Kawai Digital Pianos
As a world-class acoustic piano manufacturer, Kawai considers the tactile “feel” of the piano to be the most important feature of every performer's experience. Without a keyboard that responds to every movement of the performer's finger, it is impossible to create the desired sound and expression. For this reason, Kawai engineers have focused on creating keyboard systems that provide acoustic-level refinement and response in digital pianos as well.
Wooden-Key Action
Kawai’s wooden-key action has been recognized for many years as the system that provides the most natural and realistic touch in any digital piano. All 88 keys are crafted from real wood to create a natural and rich feel, just like a grand piano.
These keys have extra length, which gives the pianist greater control and expressive possibilities. The pivot point located in the center of the keys enables the movement of both ends and lifts the hammers from the back of the key. This is the same mechanism as in an acoustic grand piano and is found only in Kawai’s wooden-key systems.
Thus, this system offers the performer the level of expression and control obtained only in grand piano action mechanisms, creating the ultimate experience for pianists.
Kawai’s The Grand Feel (GF) and Grand Feel II (GFII) are the latest in Kawai’s long line of wooden key actions. In addition to the aforementioned attributes, both actions offer graded hammers, key counterweights, “Ivory Touch” key surfaces (white keys), Let-off and triple sensor key detection. Both actions offer the longest key length of any Kawai digital piano. The GFII action also adds “Ebony Touch” key surfaces (black keys) along with improvements in the hammer weights.
Grand Feel Compact (GF-C) Key System
As the name suggests, the Grand Feel Compact (GF-C) key system has been developed to offer the industry-leading realistic finger weight and touch of the Grand Feel keyboard systems in a more compact size.
Long wooden keys have been retained for all 88 black and white keys, and the movement of the keys is achieved through the seesaw mechanism used in acoustic grand pianos for centuries.
Despite its smaller size, by extending the pivot point of the GF Compact keys, it ensures more stable and consistent finger weight even when playing the back of the keys. This feature gives the pianist a maximum expression and control experience, even in a portable size.
The RM3II key system is a previous-generation action that offers features similar to the Grand Feel (GF) system. This system includes features such as a center pivot mechanism, graded hammers, key counterweights, “Ivory Touch” surfaces (for white keys), a Let-off mechanism, and triple sensor key detection.
AWA PROII is an even earlier generation of wooden-key system. It also carries the aforementioned mechanical design features and is equipped with graded hammers and key counterweights.
Both systems provide pianists with an expressive, precise, and natural keyboard experience and retain the primary advantages of Kawai wooden-key pianos.
Spring-less technology and sturdy construction ensure that the keys behave in a stable and smooth manner during both upward and downward movement, ultimately providing the pianist with a natural, realistic, and high-quality playing experience.
The RHC system has been developed based on the principles of the RHIII action and is ideal for portable digital pianos in particular, thanks to its more compact and lightweight package. For example, the ES110 model integrates perfectly with this system, creating comfortable playing opportunities at home, on stage, or for practice.
