Model Overview

For pianists who want the versatility of a digital instrument combined with the soul of a grand piano, the Kawai Novus NV12 is revolutionary. Whether you’re pursuing the intimacy of a gentle melody or the thunder of a concert hall, it’s designed for those times when you sit down to play and want to be transported. The NV12 offers a playing experience that is alive, human, and intensely personal thanks to its realistic grand piano action, creative speakerless soundboard, and state-of-the-art digital features. It’s an invitation to immerse yourself in music, not just a piano.

Action

Millennium III Carbon Fibre Action

Kawai’s Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action, an engineering marvel that replicates the feel of their best acoustic grands, is at the core of the Kawai Novus NV12. Lightweight and stiff, the carbon fiber-reinforced ABS resin keys have a responsive feel that moves with your fingers. The action’s extended spruce key sticks and high-resolution optical sensors record every touch, whether you’re whispering delicate passages or hammering out powerful chords. Light keystrokes and smooth trills will come as easily as from a $100,000 Shigeru Kawai as the accuracy of the sensors can detect even the slightest hammer movement. NV12’s novel damper system, which is a rarity among digital pianos, also simulates the dynamic response of an acoustic grand by redistributing the key weight when the pedal is pressed, providing unprecedented realism.

Sound/Tone

The Kawai Novus NV12 redefines hybrid piano excellence, recreating the spirit of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand, a concert grand piano of first choice for discerning events like the International Chopin Piano Competition. Its cutting-edge SK-EX Rendering sound system with top-flight resonance modeling and multi-channel 88-key sampling captures the shining brightness of the SK-EX Competition Grand and the nuanced elegance of the SK-EX Concert Grand. The revolutionary PentaDrive sound system, with five transducers driving an oversized wooden soundboard, offers full-bodied, unamplified acoustic projection without the need for traditional speakers. With its soft pianissimos through loud fortes, NV12’s high dynamic range offers a concert-hall-quality experience. With the Discrete SpectraModule™ headphone amplifier and three user-controllable listening modes—Normal, Wide, and Forward—the NV12 offers immersive, tailored sound for every performance or practice.

Connectivity

The NV12 is expressive and interconnected. The piano can be used as a high-fidelity speaker for play-along sessions thanks to its built-in Bluetooth® MIDI and Audio, which supports SBC and AAC codecs and allows you to stream your favorite pop, jazz, or classical music through its colorful soundboard. MIDI In/Out, 1/4″ Line Out (L/MONO, R), USB-to-Host, USB-to-Device, and 1/8″ Line In ports guarantee smooth setup integration. The cheekblock’s 5-inch color touchscreen is responsive and easy to use, much like your smartphone. Choosing from the SK-EX, EX, SK-5, or upright piano tones is made simple by new features like the “Recently Played Tones List,” “Recommended Tones List,” and “Favorite Tones List.” Better yet, you can control these settings directly from the music stand using the dedicated PianoRemote app on your tablet or smartphone, allowing you to concentrate on the music.

Notable Features

• The SK-EX Rendering Piano Sound Engine uses resonance modeling and multi-channel sampling to produce a rich, concert hall sound.
• The Millennium III Hybrid Grand Piano Action combines high-resolution optical sensors with carbon fiber-reinforced keys to provide unparalleled control.
• Real Grand Piano Damper Mechanism: Provides a realistic touch by simulating acoustic pedal dynamics.
• The Onkyo-powered speakerless soundboard speaker system projects rich, organic tones.
• 5′′ Color Touchscreen: Interface akin to a smartphone with playlist-style tone selection.
• PianoRemote App: Use your device to operate the piano remotely for smooth operation.
• Concert Tuner Function: 21 programmable parameters for creating custom tones, such as release time and hammer noise.Wireless connectivity for streaming and app integration is provided by Bluetooth® MIDI and Audio.
• For customized listening, there are three headphone modes: Normal, Wide, and Forward.
• Soft Fall Fallboard: Elegant and safe with a slow-closing lid.
• 256-Note Polyphony: Easily manages challenging passages.
• Onboard Recorder: plays, records, and overdubs MP3/WAV/SMF files to USB.
• Comprehensive Piano Music Library: Pre-installed tunes and instructional resources.
• The polished ebony cabinet has a small footprint and a sleek, grand-inspired design.

Here at Merriam Music, we have chosen one of the best current Kawai models to add to the offerings in our digital piano showroom.

Kawai NV12 Owner’s Manual

• [English] NV12 Owner’s Manual