Kawai CA-99 digital piano

Grand Feel III wooden-key action

All eighty-eight black and white keys are crafted entirely from long pieces of wood, rather than a plastic shell with wooden sides. This ensures the weight of each key is distributed evenly throughout the length, and guarantees an efficient transfer of movement energy when the note is struck. In addition to grade-weighted hammers, the Grand Feel III action also features metal counterweights, attached beneath each key, and graded across the length of the keyboard. As with an acoustic piano, these additional weights help to balance the touch of the keyboard during pianissimo passages, while providing a feeling of greater substance and solidity when playing with force. The keys are topped with Kawai’s premium Ivory & Ebony Touch surface materials, with the smooth, matte finish of the white keys complementing the finely textured wood grain on the blacks. These characteristics are not only beneficial in aiding finger control, but also contribute to the overall impression of playing a high quality, authentic piano.

The magnificent sound of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand

The CA99's primary piano sound comes from Kawai’s flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand , with all 88 keys recorded, meticulously analysed, and accurately reproduced as high-fidelity digital waveforms. Recording each key individually preserves the grand piano’s unique harmonic character, guaranteeing a faithful representation of the original acoustic source. Additionally, the SK-EX is also captured at a variety of different volume levels from pianissimo to fortissimo, which allows an accurate acoustic portrait of the instrument to be assembled using Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging XL technology, resulting in smooth tonal transitions across the keyboard and throughout the entire dynamic range. The naturally expressive Shigeru Kawai sound is further enriched by advanced resonance algorithms which physically model the complex tonal interactions between the strings, dampers, and various other parts of an acoustic piano. These resonances are generated for all 88 keys progressively, allowing the Concert Artist to behave just like an acoustic piano. Employing Kawai's latest SK-EX Rendering engine, the CA99 utilises multi-channel sampling to capture the sound from different parts of the piano. This technique not only allows a broader range of tonal characteristics to be recorded and reproduced, but also further improves the connection felt between the keyboard action and piano sound. The powerful Virtual Technician feature simulates these careful refinements digitally, allowing performers to shape aspects of the piano’s tonal character and playability to suit their unique personal preferences.

Premium sound system by Onkyo

Developed in collaboration with Onkyo, the CA-99 features premium processing and amplification systems to deliver best-in-class audio quality. It has powerful 6-speaker delivery system that utilises premium driver units and custom-engineered diffuser panels which help to expand the pianos’ tonal projection in all directions. These additional components create a 360° sound field around the instrument, ensuring a natural piano sound for both the player, and those listening elsewhere in the room. In addition to conventional speakers, the CA-99 also incorporates Kawai’s latest TwinDrive soundboard speaker system. This unique acoustic projection technology harnesses transducer components to channel sound energy onto a real wooden soundboard, resulting in an even richer, more organic piano tone that faithfully reproduces the ambience of an acoustic piano.

Integrated cheekblock touchscreen display

The main control panel is discreetly embedded within the pianos’ left cheekblock to preserve its attractive acoustic piano-like appearance. The large 5" touchscreen display features a modern user interface that is optimised for pianists, while providing easy access to additional sounds and functions that inspire musical creativity. Adjustments to the Virtual Technician and other settings are automatically recalled every time the instrument is powered on, while the display itself can also be set to gently fade out while playing in order to aid concentration.

Enhanced headphones experience

One of the many benefits of owning a digital piano is the ability to connect a pair of headphones, allowing players to enjoy the instrument without disturbing others. The CA99’s Spatial Headphone Sound (SHS) technology subtly enhances the depth and realism of the pianos’ sound when listening through headphones, and helps to reduce auditory fatigue when playing for extended periods of time.

Bluetooth connectivity

The latest Concert Artist instruments feature built-in Bluetooth MIDI connectivity, allowing the pianos to communicate with smart devices wirelessly, and be enjoyed with a wide variety of music-related apps. Moreover, Bluetooth Audio capability also enables the sound from songs and videos to be played through the instruments’ Onkyo amplifier and speaker systems without any additional cables. APT-X is supported as well for highest audio quality.

PianoRemote App

The CA99’s redesigned communication standard allows the user-friendly touchscreen interface to also be accessed via the dedicated PianoRemote app for iOS and supported Android devices. The app connects to the piano wirelessly via the Concert Artists’ integrated Bluetooth, providing an effortless way to change sounds, or enjoy the vast array of built-in music content from the comfort of an armchair.