NAMM 2023: Digital Piano News

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) convention is one of the most anticipated events of the year for music enthusiasts and industry professionals. The NAMM 2023 was held from Thursday, April 13, 2023, to Saturday, April 15, 2023.

It is where the latest and greatest musical instruments and equipment are showcased and where industry trends are unveiled. The NAMM 2023 show was an exciting event, especially for digital piano enthusiasts.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what’s new in the digital piano world.

News Digital Pianos

The NAMM show was at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. The convention center is located in the heart of Anaheim, just minutes away from Disneyland and other popular attractions. The NAMM convention is one of the largest music industry trade shows in the world, with thousands of attendees from around the globe coming to see the latest and greatest musical instruments and equipment.

Many big names of the digital piano were showing at NAMM. Let’s check out what’s new in the digital piano realm.

Yamaha CVP-909 and Yamaha CVP-909GP

The Yamaha Clavinova CVP-909 and CVP-909GP are the latest models in Yamaha’s Clavinova CVP series of digital pianos. These instruments are designed to provide the experience of playing a grand piano, with advanced features that allow players to explore a wide range of musical styles and genres.

yamaha cvp-909gp and cvp-909

Here are some details about the CVP-909 and CVP-909GP, as well as their improvements over the previous CVP-809 and CVP-809GP models –

Sound Quality

The CVP-909 and CVP-909GP feature Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial concert grand piano samples. These samples were recorded using Yamaha’s latest sampling technology, which captures the sound of a grand piano with remarkable accuracy and depth. The samples provide a more authentic and natural sound, allowing players to experience the full range of nuances and expressions in their playing.

Key Action

Both new models feature Yamaha’s GrandTouch Keyboard, which has three sensors, and the white keys are made of solid natural wood. This keyboard action provides a more realistic playing experience, with a responsive and tactile feel that mimics the touch of a grand piano. The GrandTouch keyboard action also features an escapement mechanism that simulates the feel of a grand piano hammer returning to its original position after striking a string.

User Interface

The CVP-909 and CVP-909GP offer a new color touchscreen user interface. The touch screen provides a more intuitive and user-friendly interface, allowing players to access and adjust settings with ease. The touch screen also provides access to Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app, which allows users to control the instrument from their smartphone or tablet.

Design

The CVP-909GP, the grand piano model, features a redesigned cabinet that is more elegant and refined than its predecessor, the CVP-809GP. The CVP-909GP also presents a new acrylic music stand that enhances the overall appearance of the instrument.

The CVP-909, the console piano model, features a more compact and streamlined design, making it easier to fit into smaller spaces.

Connectivity

The CVP-909 and CVP-909GP have advanced connectivity options, including USB Audio, MIDI, and Bluetooth. These connectivity options allow players to access a wide range of digital content, including sheet music, apps, and streaming services. The CVP-909 and CVP-909GP also come with USB audio recording and playback, allowing players to record and play back their performances with ease.

Overall, the Yamaha Clavinova CVP-909 and CVP-909GP represent a significant improvement over their predecessors, the CVP-809 and CVP-809GP. With their advanced features, improved sound quality, and enhanced user interface, these instruments provide an exceptional playing experience unmatched by other digital pianos in their class.

Casio PX-S7000

casio px-s7000

The Casio PX-S7000 is a new addition to the Privia lineup. The digital piano was released in 2022. In the NAMM 2023 show, Casio featured the PX-S7000 Stage, which was the first time showing the PX-S7000 at NAMM.

PX-S7000 is available in three beautiful colors:

  • Harmonious mustard
  • White
  • Black

PX-S7000 Keyboard

The PX-S7000 features a fully weighted 88-key keyboard with Casio’s Smart Hybrid Hammer Action Keyboard. It simulated ebony and ivory key textures for a realistic playing experience. The hybrid hammer action uses the weight of the hammer like a grand piano. It responds with resistance according to how soft or strong you play the keys.

Sound Technology

The piano features a variety of high-quality sounds, including 400 tones and 50 arpeggiator types. The sound engine is powered by Casio’s proprietary Multi-Deimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source technology. It provides the rich and detailed sound of a grand piano.

Casio PX-S7000 Design and Connectivity

The PX-S7000 has a slim and stylish design, measuring 9.5 inches (242 mm) in depth and weighing only 32.6 lbs (14.2 kg). It comes with a matching colored 3-pedal unit and a stand.

Its innovative Piano Position function allows you to select the acoustic settings depending on your piano location. Regardless it is against a wall or in the center of a room, you can enjoy high-quality sound anywhere.

You can connect the PX-S7000 to external devices via USB, MIDI, Bluetooth, and audio output, allowing for a wide range of performance and recording options.

Overall, the Casio PX-S7000 is a versatile and high-quality digital piano. It offers a range of features and connectivity options for home and professional use.

Kawai CA401 and Kawai CA501

kawai CA405 and CA501

In NAMM 2023, Kawai unveiled new Concert Artist CA401 & CA501 digital pianos. These are the latest top-notch additions to the popular Concert Artist series. The CA401 and CA501 are successors to the highly esteemed CA49 and CA59.

Main Features

  • Sound: Stunning KI-EX Competition Grand Piano sounds use new sample data recorded from the player’s perspective.
  • Key action: Class-leading Grand Feel Compact wooden-key keyboard action. It reproduces the authentic touch weight characteristics and the familiar seesaw mechanism like acoustic grand piano actions.
  • Control panel: The redesigned control panel has a more intuitive button layout that complements the large, high-resolution OLED display.
  • Integrated Bluetooth® MIDI and audio using the latest v5 standards
  • Flexible Virtual Technician function with intuitive Smart Mode feature
  • Built-in Burgmüller, Beyer, Chopin, Czerny etudes, and Alfred lesson songs
  • Support for Kawai’s latest PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps for iOS/Android
  • Attractive, modern cabinet design available in three different wood finishes

The CA501 model also includes additional features:

  • High-performance sound delivery and speaker systems with 360° diffuser panels
  • WAV/MP3/MIDI file record and playback via USB memory

These updated features make the CA401 and CA501 attractive options for professional musicians and piano enthusiasts.

Technology Integration

One of the most significant developments in the digital piano world is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies into pianos. These technologies enable pianos to “learn” from the playing styles of individual musicians and provide customized feedback, guidance, and performance suggestions.

Piano manufacturers are also incorporating other technological advancements, such as touchscreens, wireless connectivity, and virtual reality capabilities, into their digital pianos.

Summary

Overall, the digital piano world is evolving rapidly, with manufacturers incorporating new technologies and features into their instruments, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with digital pianos.

In the wake of the NAMM 2023 convention, we can expect to see new products and technologies being introduced to the market and potentially influencing the direction of the digital piano industry. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, the latest digital pianos offer something for everyone.

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) announced the NAMM 2024 dates: January 25–28, 2024, at Anaheim Convention Center.

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