Description

Kawai ES520 Digital Piano

The ES520 is a completely new mid-range portable digital piano model that affordably delivers incredible acoustic piano-like touch and tone in a surprisingly compact design. Kawai’s Progressive Harmonic Imaging sound technology along with our best-in-class Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action combine to create a high-performance instrument suitable for the home, studio, stage, or school.

The ES520 boasts some of the finest performance features and technology available in a mid-range instrument and is an excellent introduction to Kawai’s line of digital pianos. Wireless connection with Bluetooth MIDI and Audio supports a wide range of apps, including Kawai’s PianoRemote, as well as music streamed from a smartphone or tablet.  Standard MIDI, USB, and Line In/Out terminals provide for wired connections.  A collection of acoustic piano sounds, along with electric pianos, organs, strings, and other instrumental sounds support a wide range of musical styles.

Developed in collaboration with the audio experts at Onkyo, the ES520’s powerful stereo speaker system deploys the very latest audio processing and amplification technology for exceptional tonal clarity and richness.  Ideally suited for beginning piano players, recreational players, and gigging or studio musicians, the ES520 offers a grand piano-liketouch and tone in an attractive, lightweight design.  Add the matching optional HM-5 stand along with the F-302 triple pedal and the ES520 is transformed into a stylish addition to any room in your home.

HIGHLIGHT

• Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action with grade-weighted keys and triple-sensor system
• Progressive Harmonic Imaging sound technology with 88-key stereo sampling
• 34 authentic sounds, including acoustic pianos, electric pianos, organs, strings, bass etc.
• Motherboard and amplification developed in partnership with Onkyo, 40W speaker system
• Bluetooth MIDI and Audio functionality with aptX support for wireless communication and audio playback
• Standard MIDI, USB to Host/Device, Audio In/Out connectivity
• Support for latest PianoRemote control app for iOS/Android
• Intuitive control panel layout with high quality OLED display
• Stylish rounded case design and lightweight chassis weighing 32 lbs
• Modern HM-5 designer stand and F-302 triple pedal bar (optional accessory)
• Compatible with the GFP-3 portable triple pedal unit (optional accessory)

FEATURES

RESPONSIVE HAMMER COMPACT II (RHC II) WEIGHTED-KEY KEYBOARD ACTION

The new Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC II) action has been developed to reproduce the distinctive touch of an acoustic grand piano. The weight of the keyboard is appropriately graded to mirror the heavier bass and lighter treble hammers of acoustic pianos, with a smooth matte texture applied to each black and white key for enhanced playability. As with other Kawai digital piano keyboard actions, Responsive Hammer Compact II utilizes triple sensor hammer velocity detection, and features a springless mechanism that delivers a smooth and natural piano playing experience.

Despite its lightweight, compact design, the RHC II action allows experienced pianists to perform with confidence, playing fortissimo with power and certainty, while delicately controlling the softest, most gentle pianissimo passages.

SHIGERU KAWAI SK-EX AND KAWAI EX INSTRUMENTS REPRODUCED WITH HARMONIC IMAGING SOUND TECHNOLOGY

The ES520 digital piano captures the rich, expressive sound of the Kawai SK-EX and EX grand pianos, with all 88 keys of these exceptional instruments meticulously recorded, analyzed and faithfully reproduced using Progressive Harmonic Imaging™ sound technology. This unique process accurately recreates the broad dynamic range of the original grand pianos, affording pianists an extraordinary level of expressiveness ranging from the softest pianissimo to the strongest, boldest fortissimo.

The instrument’s built-in Virtual Technician feature allows various characteristics of these acoustic piano sounds to be shaped at the touch of a button, with settings to adjust string and damper resonance, in addition to subtle hammer, damper, and key release noises. This personalized piano sound is further enhanced with atmospheric reverberation effects, delivering a rich, vibrant piano tone with breathtaking realism and authenticity.

STRONG SELECTION OF ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENT SOUNDS

Complementing the realistic acoustic piano voices, the ES520 digital piano also features a strong selection of additional instrument sounds, ranging from electric pianos and drawbar and church organs, to string, choir, and mallet instruments, inviting musicians to add greater variety to their performances.

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.

WIDE RANGE OF CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS

The ES520 digital piano features a variety of standard connectivity options, with Line-level output jacks that allow the instrument to be enjoyed in larger settings such as churches and schools. Standard MIDI and USB to Host connectors ensure flexibility when using computers and other electronic instruments.

INTEGRATED BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY

In addition to standard MIDI jacks for connecting to other instruments, the ES520 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, ES520 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.

SPECIFICATIONS

Keyboard

• Responsive Hammer II action
• 88 keys
• Grade-weighted hammers
• Ivory Touch white key surfaces
• Let-off simulation

Sound Source

• Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI)
• 88-key stereo sampling
• 192 note maximum polyphony
• Damper Resonance
• String Resonance
• Virtual Technician (17 parameters)
  – Touch Curve (incl. User Touch Curve)
  – Voicing (incl. 88-key User Voicing)
  – Damper Resonance
  – Damper Noise
  – String Resonance
  – Key-off Effect
  – Fall-back Noise
  – Hammer Delay
  – Topboard Simulation
  – Decay Time
  – Minimum Touch
  – Stretch Tuning (incl. 88-key User Tuning)
  – Temperament (incl. User Temperament)
  – Temperament Key
  – Key Volume (incl. 88-key User Key Volume)
  – Half-Pedal Adjust
  – Soft Pedal Depth
• No. of Sounds: 34
• Reverb: 6 types
• Effects: 11 types + 4 combination effects + amp simulator

Music/Recording

• Metronome/Beats: 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 3/8, 6/8
• Recorder: 3 Songs, 1 Track, max. 5.000 Notes
• Drum Rhythms: 100 styles
• Demo Songs: 23 songs

Features

• Display: 128 x 64 pixel OLED
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth (Ver. 4.0; GATT compatible), Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI Specification compliant
• USB Audio Recorder Playback: SMF
• Virtual Technician app (iPad), PianoRemote app
• Bluetooth (Ver. 4.1; GATT compatible), Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI Specification compliant, Bluetooth Audio
• Other Features: Dual, Split, Four Hands, Transpose, Tuning

Sound System

• Sound System: 12 cm x 2 Full range speaker
• Amplifier: (8 x 12) cm x 2
• Power Consumption: 18 W (PS-154 AC adaptor)
• Output Power: 20 W x 2

Construction

• Pedals: F-10H pedal unit, Damper (with half-pedal support)
• Music Rack: Detachable type (included)
• Jacks: MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, Headphone 2 (1/4″,1/8 “ )Stereo jacks, Line Out 1/4″ L/MONO, R [unbalanced], Line In 1/8″ Stereo, USB to Host, USB to Device

Dimensions

• Height in cm: 145
• Width in cm: 134
• Depth in cm: 37.5
• Weight in kg: 14.5

Finishes

• Finishes: Black, White