Features
AiR Grand Sound Source
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 newly developed 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-700 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 new 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 offers 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*1 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.

*1 4 adjustment levels.

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.

Versatile features

• Audio Recording (44.1 kHz WAV Format / up to approximately 25 min. per song)
• 18 high-quality tones including stereo-sampled grand piano tones
• Digital effects: hall simulator (6 types x 4 positions), chorus (4 types), brilliance, DSP (preset for some tones)
• Lesson feature using 60 Music Library songs plus 10 user loaded songs
• Duet Mode enabling two people to play in the same range
• Recorder: 2 tracks x 1 song, approximately 5,000 notes
• 8 tone select buttons for instant access
• USB flash drive port
• LINE IN/OUT jacks(L/MONO, R for each)
• AUTO POWER OFF

Hear, Try and Compare the Casio AP700 Digital Piano in our showroom

Located in Leicester in the central Midlands and close to Coventry, Nottingham, Derby, Birmingham and Warwick we promise you that a visit to our specialist Digital Piano and Keyboard showroom will not disappoint. Try the full Casio range including the AP700 Digital Piano and compare it with Yamaha, Roland, Kawai and Korg all under one roof. Whatever your playing standard our knowledgeable and friendly experts will help guide you through the Piano buying process and make sure that you are buying the right instrument for your needs. As ex teachers we are ideally placed to advise and answer any questions you may have. Lifetime support and product tuition with ALL digital pianos.

We sell Digital Pianos and Keyboards. That's it. Nothing else. No distractions and nothing to steal our focus.