Kawai CA97 Hybrid Digital Piano

A digital piano that will transform enthusiastic players into accomplished pianists, and modest rooms into grand concert halls. This is the ambitious philosophy behind Concert Artist digital pianos – premium instruments that capture the essence of playing a magnificent concert grand piano, and inspire musicians to realise their true artistic potential.

Highlights

• Exclusive Soundboard Speaker system
• New samples of Shigeru Kawai concert and chamber grand pianos
• Harmonic Imaging XL sound technology w/88 key piano sampling
• 80 premium instrument & vocal sounds
• Grand Feel II action with wooden key action
• Let-off
• Triple Sensor Detection
• Ivory and Ebony Touch Key surfaces
• USB audio – play/rec MP3 and WAV files
• USB to Device & USB to Host
• 256 polyphony (max.)
• Built-in Alfred, Czerny, Beyer and Burmuller lesson songs
• Grand Feel Pedal system
• Concert Magic and Hymn Player functions
• Built-in classical piano music – 2 hrs.

Touch

The touch of a grand piano: Grand Feel II wooden key action - Embracing many of the long-established principles associated with an acoustic piano, the Grand Feel II keyboard action utilised by the CA97 combines realistic materials, motion, and mechanism to recreate the exceptional touch of the finest concert grand pianos.

All eighty-eight black and white keys are crafted entirely from long pieces of wood, with finely textured ivory and ebony-like surfaces applied to absorb moisture and assist control. Each wooden key pivots smoothly on a balance pin – the ends rising and falling to replicate the familiar ‘seesaw’ motion of an acoustic piano action. When pressed, the back of the key lifts, triggering a grade-weighted hammer to strike a pressure switch. The amount of force applied to this switch is then measured, and the corresponding note played with authentic tonal character and volume.

The longest keys, the longest pivot length - In addition to having the longest keys of any digital piano, Grand Feel keyboard actions also boast the longest key pivot length – matching that of a Kawai grand piano.

This improvement ensures a more evenly balanced key touch weight from front to rear, and is particularly beneficial when playing complicated chords with fingers positioned towards the back of the keyboard.

88-key graded counterweights - In addition to grade-weighted hammers, the Grand Feel II action also features graded counterweights attached towards the front of all 88 keys.

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.

Triple Sensor Detection - The Grand Feel II keyboard action also features an accurate triple-sensor key detection system for enhanced playing realism.

The added third sensor improves responsiveness when playing the same key repeatedly, and unlike conventional two sensor keyboard actions found in most stage pianos, allows the sound of a single note to be gradually ‘layered’ without the previous tone being lost

In addition, Kawai’s action technology also monitors the speed at which each key is lifted, influencing the release character of piano sounds, and providing a greater range of expression between staccato and legato playing.

Ivory & Ebony Touch key surfaces - The exceptional CA97 features Kawai’s highly regarded Ivory Touch white key surfaces as standard.  This finely textured material gently absorbs fingertip perspiration and oils to assist playing control, and possesses a natural, matte finish that is smooth but not slippery.

To complement these premium white keys, Kawai has also developed Ebony Touch, an all-new black key material that reproduces the finely-textured grain and rich lustre of real ebony wood.  The result is a keyboard surface that looks and feels as luxurious as some of the world’s finest grand pianos, inspiring musicians of all levels to become better pianists.

Let-off simulation - As the most authentic digital piano keyboard action, Grand Feel II even reproduces the ‘let-off’ characteristic of acoustic piano actions.  This subtle ‘notch’ sensation can be felt when playing the keys of a grand piano very gently, and may be used by experienced pianists to aid control when playing pianissimo passages.

In addition, the Grand Feel II action supports playing notes from the let-off point (sometimes referred to as playing ‘off the jack’), allowing the most advanced piano techniques to be performed.

Sound

The Sound of a Grand Piano: Three world-class instruments Earning a reputation 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 outstanding tonal clarity and exceptional dynamic range.

The new Concert Artist models capture the magnificent tone of two Shigeru Kawai instruments, the flagship SK-EX Concert and medium-sized SK-5 Studio grand pianos, allowing musicians to enjoy the contrasting properties of each. In addition, the CA97 also features 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 are faithfully reproduced with full 88-key sampling using the latest Harmonic Imaging™ sound technology, to establish a new standard in digital piano tonal quality.

Full 88-key stereo piano sampling - The rich sound of the SK-EX, SK-5, and EX grand pianos is at the heart of the CA97, with all eighty-eight keys of these world- class instruments painstakingly recorded, meticulously analysed, and accurately reproduced as high-fidelity digital waveforms. 

Recording each key individually in this way – as opposed to stretching the same tone over several different notes – preserves the grand pianos’ unique harmonic character, and guarantees that the sound heard when playing any one of the CA97’s wooden keys is a faithful representation of the original acoustic source.

Harmonic Imaging technology - When playing a fine piano, the amount of pressure applied to the keyboard affects not only the volume of the sound produced, but also the unique tonal character of each note.  Therefore, in order to construct a realistic acoustic portrait of each grand piano, not only is each key recorded individually, but also at a wide variety of different volumes, ranging from gentle pianissimo to thunderous fortissimo.

The CA97 offers a highly detailed acoustic portrait, with Harmonic Imaging XL technology ensuring smooth tonal transitions across the keyboard and throughout the entire dynamic range.

Extra long sampling (HI-XL) - Taking full advantage of its expanded sample memory, the CA97’s Harmonic Imaging XL standard extends the important attack portion of the piano sound by up to 120%, articulating the natural detail and resonance characteristics of each note more clearly, and improving the instrument’s organic tonal quality.

Acoustic piano variety - Alongside the classically voiced SK-EX, SK-5, and EX grand piano sounds, the CA97 also showcases a selection of Jazz, Pop, and Modern variations suitable for a range of musical genres.  Traditional Kawai upright piano sounds are also included, for pieces that suggest a feeling of nostalgia, or call for a slightly more intimate tonal character.

Personalized piano adjustments - The knowledge and skill of an experienced piano technician is essential to bring out the best of a fine acoustic piano. In addition to tuning each note, the technician also performs numerous regulation and voicing adjustments that allow the instrument to truly sing.

The CA97’s powerful Virtual Technician function simulates these refinements digitally, allowing discerning musicians to shape aspects of the selected piano’s character to suit their personal preferences.

Perform touch weight and voicing adjustments, regulate hammer and key release noises, and fine-tune string, damper, and cabinet resonances.  It is even possible to adjust the precise tuning, volume, and character of individual notes – all in real-time.

Soundboard Speaker system - The CA97 features a high fidelity 6-way speaker system that has been specially designed to deliver deep bass and crisp treble frequencies, while also incorporating the latest version of Kawai’s highly-regarded Soundboard Speaker system.

This unique audio technology embraces the rich, harmonic qualities of wood, channelling sound energy onto a traditional soundboard in order to produce a natural, organic tone. Long wooden ribs securely attached to the soundboard further broaden the frequency range and volume of the resonating sound, resulting in a remarkably authentic playing experience that immerses the performer, and faithfully reproduces the tonal ambience of an acoustic piano.

Features

The variety of a digital piano: Convenience & flexibility - Complementing the instrument’s class-leading Grand Feel II keyboard action and stunning Harmonic Imaging XL grand piano sound, the CA97 also offers a strong selection of digital features that further enhance one’s musical enjoyment. 

USB audio recording and playback, Dual, Split, and Four Hands keyboard modes, and a rich assortment of customisable instrument voices add greater variety to players’ performances, while the convenient metronome function and integrated classical etudes and Alfred course books ensure that regular practise is both productive and engaging for aspiring pianists.

Rich sound selection - Supplementing the beautiful acoustic piano voices, the CA97 also features an excellent selection of additional sounds, ranging from electric pianos and drawbar or church organs, to strings, human choirs, and synth pads, inviting musicians to add greater variety to their performances.

Furthermore, the Dual playing mode also allows two different sounds, such as grand piano and strings, to be layered together, while the Split and Four Hands modes divide the keyboard into two independent sections. The volume balances and other settings for each playing mode can also be easily adjusted using the instrument’s intuitive panel controls.

Flexible USB connectivity - The Concert Artist is equipped with modern USB connectors that not only allow the instrument to be connected to a computer for MIDI use, but also to load and save data to USB memory devices directly.

This latter USB to Device functionality allows favourite instrument settings, registrations, and memorable recorder songs stored within internal memory to be safely preserved on USB flash drives, or for standard MIDI files (SMF) downloaded from the internet to be played back and enjoyed using the instrument’s exquisite Harmonic Imaging XL sounds without additional hardware or cables.

MP3/WAV Playback & Record - USB memory devices can also be used to play back MP3 or WAV audio files, allowing musicians to learn the chords or melody for a new piece, or to simply play along with their favourite songs. It is even possible to record entire performances (including external line-in audio) directly as MP3 or WAV audio files for emailing to family and friends, or casual listening away from the piano.

Built-in lesson & finger exercises - The CA97’s convenient lesson function allows aspiring pianists to learn piano with classical Czerny, Burgmüller, Beyer, Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin etudes, or a collection of songs from the popular Alfred’s Basic, Adult, and Premier course books.

With a strong emphasis on acoustic piano realism, the Concert Artist also features traditional finger exercises, scales, and warm-up drills, and includes companion books for all classical scores to further aid one’s piano development.

* Included score books dependent on market location.

* Alfred lesson books sold separately.

Grand Feel Pedal System

Reinforcing the Concert Artist’s reputation as the most realistic digital piano is Kawai’s Grand Feel Pedal System. This unique feature replicates the individual weighting of the damper, soft, and sostenuto pedals of the SK-EX and EX concert grand pianos to further enhance the CA97’s acoustic-like authenticity.

Moreover, it is also possible to adjust the half-pedal sensitivity of the damper pedal, and effectiveness of the soft pedal using specially engineered Virtual Technician parameters, allowing pianists to personalise the instrument’s response to match their individual pedalling technique.

iPad connectivity & apps - Connecting the CA97 to an iPad using a USB cable or wirelessly allows players to extend the instrument’s functionality with a wide range of education, performance, and scoring apps.

A dedicated Virtual Technician app is also freely available, providing an enjoyable way to learn about and adjust the Concert Artist’s various characteristics from an attractive touch interface.

* Quicco Sound mi.1 Bluetooth MIDI device required for wireless connectivity.

Premium headphone experience - The CA97’s Spatial Headphone Sound (SHS) technology enhances the depth and realism of the instrument’s sound when listening through headphones or earphones. The player can select one of three different acoustic presets that adjust the spatial positioning of the sound, while also helping to reduce auditory fatigue when using earphones or headphones for extended periods of time.

In addition, the CA97 also features a dedicated, high fidelity headphone amplifier, utilising the same premium hardware found in audiophile music devices. This technology significantly improves sound quality when using headphones, and allows players to select a variety of headphone types (Open, Semi-open, Closed, In-Ear, Canal, etc.) for an optimised listening experience.

Design

Grand Feel design: Character & purpose - Sitting down at the Concert Artist, the first thing that strikes the player is the instrument’s flat fascia and tall upper board, giving the impression of a traditional grand piano and immediately elevating the musical aspirations of the performer.

The distinctive KAWAI logo – representing over 85 years of acoustic piano crafting excellence – adorns the CA97’s fallboard, its metallic finish glimmers in the light, capturing the graceful movements of the player’s hands below.

The instrument’s broad music rest is designed to accommodate the most ambitious musical works, with smoothly rounded edges and simulated leather lining the base.

As with a grand piano, the viewing angle of the Concert Artist’s music rest can be adjusted to suit the performer’s playing position, or laid flat for convenience when notating scores or sketching musical ideas.

Subtly concealing its impressive digital features, the Concert Artist’s main control panel is discreetly embedded within the piano’s left cheek block. This helps to preserve the instrument’s grand appearance, and allows performers to enjoy the simple pleasure of playing music without the distraction of flashing lights and rows of buttons.

And for added convenience, the CA97’s USB and dual headphone jacks are separated from the instrument’s main connections panel, mounted beneath the keyboard in an accessible position, yet hidden from the player’s eye-line.

Cabinet Finishes - The CA97 is available in three attractive cabinet finishes: Premium Rosewood, Premium Satin Black, and Premium Satin White, allowing musicians to coordinate their piano with a range of modern interiors.

 

Warranty

The world's finest line of digital pianos now has the industry's best warranties to back them up.

5 Year Limited Warranty on Parts and Labor

In The Box

• New Kawai CA97
• Padded Bench w/ Compartment
• Music Rack
• Power Cord
• Manual
• Factory Warranty Certificate
• LP's Trade Up Program