Technology
Wooden Key Actions
Kawai's award-winning keyboard actions — from wooden-key grand feel mechanisms to responsive hammer designs — give players complete freedom of musical expression.
The Ultimate in Feel
Kawai's award-winning digital piano actions have long been known for their quality construction and authentic feel. As one of the world's premier builders of acoustic pianos, Kawai has long understood the importance of an instrument's touch to the player. Without a keyboard action that responds perfectly to an artist's commands, a piano can never create the precise sound that the artist seeks.
Kawai has created two types of digital piano actions — ones with traditional wooden keys and ones with plastic keys.
Wooden-Key Actions
Kawai's wooden-key actions have long been heralded for providing the finest touch found on any digital piano. All 88 keys are made entirely of wood to ensure the natural feel of a grand piano. These actions feature extra-long wooden keys for greater control, plus a mechanical design similar to that found in Kawai's acoustic grand pianos.
The extended length of the wooden key allows for a pivot point in the middle of the key, pushing the hammers in an upward motion from the back of the key (the same as a grand piano action). This critical element provides the player with a level of expression and control normally found only in grand piano actions.
Grand Feel (GF) and Grand Feel II (GFII)
The latest in Kawai's long line of wooden key actions. Both offer graded hammers, key counterweights, "Ivory Touch" key surfaces, Let-off and triple sensor key detection, and the longest key length of any Kawai digital piano. The GFII also adds "Ebony Touch" key surfaces.
Grand Feel Compact (GF-C)
Designed to reproduce authentic touch weight characteristics of the Grand Feel actions within a smaller form factor. Retains the long wooden key sticks and 'seesaw' mechanism.
RM3II
Earlier version offering many of the same attributes as the GF action, including the center pivot mechanical design, graded hammers, key counterweights, "Ivory Touch" key surfaces, Let-off and triple sensor key detection.
AWA PROII
Earlier version wooden-key action with the mechanical design, graded hammers and key counterweights.
Plastic-Key Actions
These actions use an industry-standard design where the pivot point is placed at the back of the key. They utilize a hammer component under the keys that creates mechanical movement and feel similar to an acoustic piano. The hammer weights are “graded” — bass keys are heaviest, gradually becoming lighter moving up the keyboard.
Responsive Hammer (RHII and RHIII)
Latest versions featuring "Ivory Touch" key surfaces, triple sensor key detection, and Let-off. The RHIII adds key counterbalancing.
Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC)
Reproduces the distinctive touch of an acoustic grand piano with spring-less technology. Designed along the RHIII principles in a more compact and lightweight package.
AHAIV-F
Earlier version action with graded hammers, offering superior touch in entry-level Kawai digital pianos.
Action-to-Instrument Reference
Use the table below to identify which action is found in each Kawai instrument.
| Action | Instruments |
|---|---|
| GF | CS10, CS7, CP1, CP2, MP11, MP11SE |
| GFII | CA97, CA67, CS8, CS11, CA78, CA98 |
| RM3II | VPC1 |
| AWA PROII | CE220 |
| RHII | MP7, CS4, CP3 |
| RHIII | CN25, CN35, ES8, CN27, CN37, MP7SE |
| RHC | ES110 |
| AHA IV-F | ES100, KDP90, KCP90, CL26 |
Feel the Difference
Try Kawai's wooden-key actions for yourself at an authorized dealer near you.
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