AiR Grand Sound Source

More natural sustain for more beautiful chord resonance. More sensitive expressiveness for pianissimo sounds, especially when playing extremely softly.

*AiR = Acoustic & Intelligent Resonator

Three Legendary Pianos

The storied tradition of the piano, an instrument with a long history going back to the 1700s, lives on today in three superb pianos. CASIO exhaustively researched and analyzed the tonal characteristics of these three full concert grand pianos, made in Berlin, Hamburg, and Vienna. We drew upon the full range of our digital technologies to express the tone color of these grand pianos in the AiR Grand Sound Source. It is now possible to enjoy to the fullest the magnificent sound of these historic pianos, beloved by Liszt, Debussy, and other musical giants, in a single digital piano.

Berlin Grand sound was developed in collaboration with C. Bechstein.

When speaking of the C. Bechstein piano, Claude Debussy declared, “Piano music should only be written for the Bechstein.” This history of C. Bechstein pianos begins with the company’s founding by Carl Bechstein in Berlin in 1853. Now, Casio has joined in collaboration with this renowned piano maker to develop the “Berlin Grand” tone, a balanced, elegant sound with a clearly defined shape. To create its exquisite clarity of tone and vibrancy, we analyzed the tone color of the ultimate C. Bechstein masterpiece, the D282. The resulting sound, which meets with the approval of even C. Bechstein master piano maker Werner Albrecht, has been incorporated into the CELVIANO AP-710 as “Berlin Grand.”

Keyboard System

Natural Playing Feel Approaching That of a Grand Piano Firm Touch That Converts the Player’s Thoughts into Sound

Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II, with a grand piano’s unique sounding timing

The difference between the sound structures of a grand piano and a digital piano appears as a difference in timing, from the moment the instrument is played until the sound is audible. The Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II responds by incorporating a system with three sensors that detect touches of the keys sequentially.

Simulated ebony and ivory keys with optimal fingertip fit for playing ease

The simulated ebony and ivory keys offer the luxurious feel and texture as well as the smooth touch of a grand piano keyboard. The minutely detailed crimp surface finish inhibits finger slippage due to sweat and gives the sensation of a perfect fingertip fit, even when playing for extended periods.

Lid Simulator* reproducing the sound effects resulting from an open lid

The sound volume and quality change when the lid on a grand piano is raised or lowered. The Lid Simulator reproduces the same acoustic effects for enhanced enjoyment with a digital piano. The acoustic effects of opening and closing the lid are simulated in fine detail. The piano sound you are seeking as you play is always available for your enjoyment by selecting the degree to which the lid is raised or lowered.

*The Lid Simulator setting value remains unchanged, regardless of whether the lid on the piano body is open or closed.

An unprecedented evolution of the digital piano

String Resonance resonator achieving deep, rich resonance with 88 keys

The sound produced by an acoustic piano is not only the sound associated with the keys that are struck. Other strings with frequencies closely associated with those producing the sounds resonate as well, adding their sound to give the music a uniquely rich resonance. In ordinary digital pianos, this string resonance effect is reproduced virtually with strings. The Multi-dimensional Morphing AiR sound source takes a different approach, however, by adopting a “string resonance” system incorporating a stereo resonance simulator for all 88 keys. The resonance of the 88 keys is reproduced completely and naturally. The resonance realized by playing a single tone is differentiated from that realized by playing a chord to reproduce the resulting variations in resonance in a natural manner. This even enables players to achieve varying resonances, controlling them at will by the strength of their touch, and thus to realize performances with the unique expressiveness of an acoustic piano.

Key Off Simulator reproducing tonal variations resulting from finger release

The lengths of the reverberations and expressions a piano produces vary depending on the speed at which players release their fingers after touching the keys. The new keyboard system incorporates a Key Off Simulator that reproduces these nuances resulting from key release naturally. Authentic reverberations that feel just like those of a grand piano are expressed as a result.

Damper Resonance* achieving a more naturally beautiful resonance than a pedal

The deep, beautiful resonance resulting from the use of a damper pedal is also reproduced naturally by a stereo resonance simulator installed on all 88 keys, an approach that differs from conventional simulated reproduction employing effect processing. The attention to detail goes so far as to simulate the resonance created by the lifting of the dampers themselves when the pedal is pressed.
A continuously variable system has been adopted for the damper pedal, moreover, reproducing even the subtle changes in reverberation that occur in response to the delicate pressure exerted by partial pedal operation. This enables players to employ pedal operation to achieve gracefully expressive performances.

*4 adjustment levels.

Action Sound System

A grand piano also generates several types of mechanical sounds, which are an important part of the playing experience. Casio has sought to provide a more realistic simulation by reproducing the sounds of these mechanisms. Three types of operating sounds are included, and the volume of each can be set independently or turned off.

*Damper Noise, Key On Action Noise and Key Off Action Noise

Hall Simulator

The Hall Simulator function simulates the differing acoustic characteristics of world-famous concert halls, from pure reverberation with outstanding tonal transparency to free-spirited, dazzling reverberation. An advanced equalizing system assures the pianist’s full enjoyment of vital piano sound.

Concert Play

High-quality audio data recordings of 10 live orchestra performances are installed. Pianists can play along with the recordings and enjoy the feeling of participating in a magnificent performance. Musical scores of the concerts are bundled.