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Introduction
TransAcoustic™ Technology and TA Mode
New Yamaha Technology: TransAcoustic™
• Acoustic pianos utilize a mechanism in which hammers strike the strings, and the vibrations from the strings
are then transmitted to a soundboard which emits sound. The idea of using a vibration speaker to vibrate the
soundboard is not new in the piano world, and actually dates back to the 1990s.
• To date, piano manufacturers from around the world have released pianos with vibration speakers attached.
However, Yamaha maintains the belief that the acoustic tone of the piano must not be altered by the attachment
of vibration speakers, and the company has devoted itself to developing a vibration speaker-equipped piano that
would meet these expectations.
• We have successfully developed a technology that offers both acoustic tone and resonant sound produced by
vibration speakers – TransAcoustic™.
Three Characteristics of TransAcoustic™ Technology And “TA Mode”
1. The vibration speaker contains a coil and a permanent magnet. The coil section, comparatively light at only a
few grams, is attached to the soundboard, and the heavier permanent magnet, which weighs approximately two
kilograms, is attached to the bracing. The vibration speaker is not attached to the soundboard, nor does it press
against it or exert any load on it, and thus does not affect the tone of the instrument.
2. Soundboards undergo small changes in shape too small to be seen when exposed to changes in ambient
temperature and humidity, almost as if they are alive. However, the vibration speaker is a precision device. In
a worst case scenario, the speaker can be damaged when it is moved. Yamaha engineers resolved this issue
through separating the vibration speaker from the soundboard, and inserting a link mechanism that absorbs
changes in shape
*1
.
3. Just as every person has a different face, the soundboard reverberation characteristics of each piano differ.
Yamaha utilizes unique capabilities to test play each piano and adjust the digital signals applied to its vibration
speaker before shipping, so that all TransAcoustic™ pianos play with the same reverberation.
• Yamaha has labeled the performance status that comprises the combined techniques of its new TransAcoustic™
technology as “TA mode.”
Combining TransAcoustic™ and Silent Piano™
• With its extensive piano knowledge, Yamaha has taken great care in the placement of its vibration speakers. While
the bridge transmits string vibration to the soundboard the bracing serves to convey the vibrations to the entire
soundboard as quickly as possible. This bridge, along with the bracing, transmits the vibrations from the vibration
speaker directly, causing the entire soundboard to vibrate equally, which results in sound with more depth.
• “TA mode,” which utilizes TransAcoustic™ technology, plays a similar role in the silencing mode of the Silent
Piano™. Players can choose to use one of the two modes, both modes simultaneously, or neither. Turning the
instrument on and removing the headphones will allow the player to play in TA mode
*2
. While enjoying the
sounds of TA mode, the player can then use the silencing mode switch to overlay or eliminate the sound of the
strings.
*1 This is intended to prevent damage to the vibration speaker, not to make eliminate the need for regular maintenance.
*2 Refer to the relevant page for information on operation.
