An excellent introduction to Kawai digital piano quality

An impressive addition to Kawai’s digital piano line-up, the KDP120 features the Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action, beautiful Shigeru Kawai SK-EX grand piano sounds, convenient Bluetooth® and USB connectivity, and support for the latest PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps, delivering grand piano touch and tone at an affordable price.

An excellent introduction to Kawai digital piano quality

The KDP120 digital piano is the latest addition to Kawai’s highly-respected range of award-winning home instruments, combining an authentic weighted-key keyboard action and realistic grand piano sounds within an attractive, yet highly affordable package.

Featuring 88 grade-weighted keys, the KDP120 keyboard responds like a real acoustic action, while its rich concert grand piano sounds are guaranteed to inspire and impress. The instrument also features Bluetooth® connectivity, built-in lesson pieces, and a convenient song recorder, making the KDP120 an ideal choice for beginners seeking a starter instrument, or more experienced players looking for a second piano for silent practise with headphones.

Realistic touch & motion: Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action

The KDP120’s Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHCII) keyboard action has been developed to represent the distinctive touch of an acoustic grand piano. Based on the highly-regarded RH keyboard action design, its spring-less mechanism and sturdy construction delivers consistent upward and downward motion, while improved cushioning material helps to reduce keyboard noise, resulting in a smooth, natural, and highly authentic piano playing experience.

Acoustic piano key weighting

Just as acoustic pianos utilise heavier bass hammers and lighter treble hammers, the RHCII keyboard action also employs different hammer weights, appropriately graded for each playing range.

Such details provide greater stability during fortissimo passages, while preserving delicate pianissimo control, to satisfy the demands of even the most discerning pianist.

Triple sensor key detection

The Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action utilises 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 many digital pianos, allows the sound of a single note to be gradually ‘layered’ without the previous tone being lost.

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.

The Sound of a Grand Piano: Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand

The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano was conceived as the next step in evolving the art of the piano. Earning a reputation as the ‘premier piano of Japan,’ it graces the stages of concert halls and musical institutions around the globe, receiving universal acclaim for its exceptional clarity and dynamic range.

The SK-EX has frequently been selected by professional pianists at such prestigious events as the Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rubenstein international piano competitions. With its truly magnificent tone and wonderfully responsive touch, the SK-EX can best be described with one word – incomparable.

True character in every note

The KDP120 digital piano captures the beautiful sound of Kawai’s highly acclaimed concert grand piano, with all 88 keys of this exceptional instrument meticulously recorded, analysed and faithfully reproduced using advanced Harmonic Imaging technology.

Recording each key individually in this way, preserves the rich harmonic character of the SK-EX concert grand piano, and guarantees that the sound heard when playing any one of the KDP120’s weighted 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 the SK-EX concert grand piano, not only is each key recorded individually, but also at various different volumes, ranging from gentle pianissimo to thunderous fortissimo.

The KDP120 offers a highly detailed acoustic portrait, employing Kawai’s proprietary Harmonic Imaging sound technology to ensure smooth tonal transitions across the keyboard and throughout the entire dynamic range.

Realistic reverberation

The KDP120’s powerful digital effects engine further enhances the instrument’s core sounds, applying additional reverberation effects that simulate the acoustic environment of a recital room, live stage, or concert hall, bringing performances to life.

The result is a rich, vibrant piano tone that delivers breathtaking realism and authenticity.

Impressive speaker system (with Low Volume Balance feature)

The KDP120’s stereo speaker system delivers an impressive 40W of output, providing more than enough power to fill a medium-sized room with it's beautiful Shigeru Kawai grand piano sounds.

Moreover, when playing through speakers at a reduced volume setting (so as not to disturb family members), the KDP120’s Low Volume Balance feature intelligently adjusts keyboard touch and piano tone characteristics, allowing pianissimo passages to be played smoothly and more naturally.