Kawai CA59 Digital Piano

The CA59 digital piano captures the magnificent tone of Kawai’s flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano. Widely regarded 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 exceptional tonal clarity. In addition, the CA59 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.

As with an acoustic grand piano action, the keys rest on a metal balance pin and move with a smooth seesaw-like motion, while the extended pivot length ensures a consistent, evenly-balanced touch weight – even when playing towards the back of the key. The Grand Feel Compact action also incorporates grade-weighted hammers, bass region counterweights, and let-off simulation for added authenticity, while its accurate triple-sensor key detection system allows rapidly repeated notes such as trills to be performed smoothly, without unnatural breaks in sound.

The CA59 digital piano is equipped with USB connectors that not only allow this instrument to be connected to a computer for MIDI use, but also to load and save data to USB memory devices directly. This “USB to Device” feature allows instrument settings or recorded songs stored in internal memory to be saved to USB for posterity, or standard MIDI files (SMF) downloaded from the internet to be conveniently played back without additional hardware.

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 performances as MP3 or WAV files for emailing to friends and family, listening to on the move, or for further editing using an audio workstation.

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 for each playing mode can also be adjusted quickly and easily using the real-time panel controls.

The CA59 digital piano’s Virtual Technician feature allows various characteristics of the selected acoustic piano, electric piano, or harpsichord sound to be shaped at the touch of a button, with settings to adjust voicing and regulation, string, damper, and cabinet resonances, and subtle hammer, damper, and key release noises. It is even possible to adjust the precise tuning and volume of individual notes, before storing one’s personalized instrument configuration to memory.

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 performances as MP3 or WAV files for emailing to friends and family, listening to on the move, or for further editing using an audio workstation.

In addition to standard MIDI jacks for connecting to other instruments, the CA59 digital piano also boasts integrated Bluetooth MIDI and Audio technology that allows the instrument to communicate with supported smart devices wirelessly. Once connected to a phone, tablet, or laptop, CA59 digital piano owners can enjoy a wide variety of exciting music-related apps that enhance their learning and playing experience, or stream audio from songs and videos through the instrument’s speakers without additional cables.

The CA59 Concert Artist comes with a lesson function allowing budding pianists to practice the piano using a selection of built-in song books and finger exercises. The left and right hand parts of each piece can be practiced separately, adjusting the tempo to perfect difficult passages, before being recorded for self-evaluation. Lesson books included in the CA59 are the first year’s lesson songs from Aldred Publishing’s Basic Piano Course 1, Premiere Course 1 and Adult Course 1. The CA59 also includes Burgmuller’s 25 Etudes Faciles, Czerny’s 10 Opus 139, Bach Inventionen, and the Chopin Walzer.