Kawai MP6, Brochure & Specs

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Let-off mechanism
Ivory Touch key surface
Key pivot point Hammer pivot point
Weighted hammer
Weighted hammer
Let-off mechanism
Wooden key
Balance pins Counter weight
Ivory Touch key surface
Embracing many of the long-established principles associated with an acoustic piano,
the MP10’s
RM3 Grand keyboard action combines realistic materials, motion, and
mechanism to recreate the exceptional touch of the world’s finest concert grand pianos.
All eighty-eight black and white keys are crafted entirely from long pieces of wood
which pivots smoothly on a central balance pin to replicate the familiar ‘seesaw’
motion of an acoustic piano action. When pressed, the back of each key triggers a
grade-weighted hammer to play the note while additional counter-weights are also
placed at the front of the bass keys, helping to lighten their heavier touch during
pianissimo passages.
The MP6’s RH action also features realistic key and hammer movement, with its rigid,
springless design providing a smooth, natural, piano playing experience. As with the
MP10 action, the weight of the keyboard is appropriately graded to mirror the heavier
bass hammers and lighter treble hammers of an acoustic piano, while structural
reinforcements within the action assembly ensure greater stability during fortissimo
and staccato passages.
Both keyboard actions are equipped with finely textured Ivory Touch surfaces to absorb
finger moisture and assist the playing control, while let-off simulation recreates the
subtle ‘notch’ sensation felt when softly playing the keys of a grand piano.
MP keyboard actions : inspired by eight decades of acoustic piano excellence
The Kawai EX concert grand piano is widely regarded by professional
pianists and piano technicians as the finest instrument of its class.
Hand-built by our distinguished Master Piano Artisans at the
Shigeru Kawai Piano Research Laboratory in Ryuyo, Japan, each EX
instrument undergoes a lengthy, meticulous process of regulation
and refinement within a specially designed anechoic chamber. The
completed EX piano then receives a final series of rigorous quality
inspections before eventually taking its place in the world’s most
prestigious musical institutions and concert halls.
The beautiful sound of the EX grand piano is at the heart of the
new MPs, with all eighty-eight keys of this world-class instrument
painstakingly recorded, analyzed, and reproduced as high-fidelity
digital waveforms.
Recording each key individually in this way – as opposed to
stretching the same tone over several different notes – ensures
that the rich harmonic character of the original EX grand piano is
preserved, and guarantees that the sound heard when playing one
of the MPs’ keys is a faithful representation of the acoustic source.
When playing the piano, the amount of pressure applied to the
keyboard affects both the volume of the sound produced and the
unique tonal character of each note. In order to gather a realistic
acoustic portrait of the EX grand piano, not only is each key recorded
individually, but also captured at various different strengths ranging
from gentle pianissimo to thunderous fortissimo. The new MPs offer
a highly detailed acoustic portrait, with smooth tonal transitions
across the keyboard and throughout the dynamic range.
MP acoustic piano sounds : the Kawai EX concert grand piano
Complementing their impressive variety of acoustic piano sounds,
both MP models also feature a selection of brand new electric pianos.
Classic tines, reeds, and clavs – each one lovingly sampled from
original vintage instruments to ensure their distinctive characteristics
are richly preserved.
The tonal character of an amplifier or speaker cabinet is an
important component of any vintage electronic instrument. The
MP10 and MP6 therefore feature an amp simulator function that
helps to bring a feeling of analog warmth to the raw electric piano
sound. The MP10 offers a selection of six different amp/speaker
cabinet types ranging from the crisp-clean Tweed Deluxe and classic
Jazz Combo, to the crunchier growl of a British Blues or UK Class
A. Both instruments allow direct access to the amplifier’s drive and
volume levels, in addition to dedicated tone controls. Simply select
your favorite EP sound, crank up the amp drive, and dig-into vintage
keyboard playing heaven.
In addition, the MP6 also includes an authentic tonewheel organ
simulator, allowing organ enthusiasts to adjust the position of all
nine drawbars individually for greater control over their favorite
classic tonewheel sounds.
New EPs, Tonewheel organs, and Vintage amplifier effects
Whether it’s balancing the levels of all four zones on the MP6, or
adjusting volumes for the individual MIDI and sound sections of the
MP10, the intuitive panel layouts and solid, smooth faders featured
on both instruments provide direct control over mixing internal and
external sound sources.
Further real-time adjustments are made possible using the
instruments’ four control knobs, with the MP10 allowing a variety
of parameters to be freely assigned for each section. When playing
acoustic piano sounds, for example, it may be desirable to have
direct control over Virtual Technician parameters such as voicing
and string resonance.
Then, when switching over to the electric pianos, performers will
undoubtedly appreciate having immediate access to the simulated
amplifier’s tone controls – momentarily boosting their mid-range in
order to cut through the mix for a solo.
It’s also possible to adjust the parameters of external devices by
assigning MIDI control change messages to each knob. Thanks to
their thorough MIDI implementation and comprehensive panel
controls, the MP10 and MP6 are ideally suited to the role of master
keyboard in a studio environment with both models featuring
assignable MMC buttons, allowing effortless integration with DAW
software and hardware.
Real-time parameter adjustments, direct panel control
The MP10 and MP6 are both equipped with USB ports that not only
allow the instruments to be connected to a Mac or PC for MIDI use, but
also to load and save data directly to USB memory devices. This ‘USB
to Device’ functionality allows customized sounds, SETUP memories,
and recorder songs stored in internal memory to be saved to USB for
future gigs, or even exchanged with other MP owners online.
USB memory devices can also be used to play back MP3 or WAV
audio files, and SMF song data, 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 record performances directly as MP3/WAV
audio or SMF song files for emailing to band members, casual
listening away from the keyboard, or further editing using an audio
workstation.
Furthermore, the MP10 also supports recording from external audio
sources such as amped guitars or vocals using the instrument’s
convenient LINE IN jacks. Adjust the input level from a dedicated
panel fader, select the preferred audio format, then press record –
the MP takes care of the rest. Produce crystal-clear digital recordings
of all your performances, without ever having to leave the keyboard.
USB connectivity, MP3/WAV record and playback