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THE MOST REALISTIC SOUND

The MP11SE’s Grand Feel keyboard delivers the most authentic playing experience available in a stage piano. However, an incredible action counts for almost nothing if the sound quality doesn’t measure up. Fortunately, superb sound is another area where the MP11SE truly shines, with a hand­picked selection of premium voices to cover every stage pianist’s needs.

Stunning acoustic pianos, cherished vintage EPs, and inspiring subsidiary voices – the three essential sound categories, organised as independent sections. The MP11SE features more sample memory than any previous Kawai instrument, with a powerful digital signal processor providing some of the most realistic reverbs, resonances, and effects heard in a stage board.

SOUND
SECTIONS

The MP11SE’s onboard sounds are organised into three independent sections: PIANO, E.PIANO, and SUB. Each sound section features a hardware volume fader, effects and reverb controls, and four distinctive voice categories, with tonal variations for each type.

Separating the core sounds in this way allows each section to be played and adjusted freely, almost as if it was a self-contained instrument. This unique approach simplifies the creation of layers, splits, and key ranges, while preventing effects and other settings applied to one section from accidentally influencing another.

“Sound control is
more intuitive and
immediate.”

Aotani-san, Project Leader

FULL INTERVIEW

STUNNING ACOUSTIC PIANOS

STUNNING ACOUSTIC PIANOS

The PIANO section showcases Shigeru Kawai SK-EX, SK-5, and Kawai EX grand piano sounds, voiced and miked for a wide range of musical periods and styles. A traditional upright is also provided for songs that evoke a feeling of nostalgia, or simply call for a slightly more intimate tonal character. And for playing in a live band setting, additional mono piano sounds ensure that the MP11SE will cut through even the heaviest of mixes.

THE SOUND OF A GRAND PIANO

THE SOUND OF A GRAND PIANO

The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano is widely regarded by professional pianists and piano technicians as one of the finest instruments within its class. Hand-built by Master Piano Artisans at the Shigeru Kawai Piano Research Laboratory in Ryuyo, Japan, each SK-EX instrument undergoes a meticulous regulation and refinement process within a specially designed anechoic chamber.

Following this lengthy crafting period, the completed SK-EX concert grand piano receives a final series of rigorous quality inspections, before eventually taking centre stage in the world’s most prestigious musical institutions and concert halls.

TRUE CHARACTER IN EVERY NOTE

TRUE CHARACTER IN EVERY NOTE

The beautiful sound of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano is at the heart of the MP11SE, with all eighty-eight keys of this world-class instrument painstakingly recorded, meticulously analysed, and accurately reproduced as high-fidelity digital waveforms.

Recording each key individually in this way – as opposed to stretching the same tone over several different notes – preserves the rich harmonic character of the SK-EX concert grand piano, and guarantees that the sound heard when playing any one of the MP11SE’s wooden keys is a faithful representation of the original acoustic source.

RICH, DYNAMIC, & EXPRESSIVE

RICH, DYNAMIC, EXPRESSIVE

When playing a fine piano, the amount of pressure applied to the keyboard affects not only the volume of the sound produced, but also the unique tonal character of each note. Therefore, in order to construct a realistic acoustic portrait of the SK-EX concert grand piano, not only is each key recorded individually, but also at various different volume levels, ranging from gentle pianissimo to thunderous fortissimo.

The MP11SE offers a highly detailed acoustic portrait, with Harmonic Imaging XL technology ensuring smooth tonal transitions across the keyboard and throughout the entire dynamic range.

EXTRA-LONG SAMPLING

With expanded sound memory, the MP11SE boasts the largest sample size of any Kawai digital piano . This ‘eXtra Long’ standard of Harmonic Imaging technology extends the important attack portion of piano sounds by up to 120%, articulating the natural detail and resonance characteristics of each note more clearly, and improving the instrument’s organic tonal quality overall.

Harmonic Imaging XL
Harmonic Imaging XL
Harmonic Imaging
Harmonic Imaging

CHERISHED VINTAGE EPS

CHERISHED VINTAGE EPS

The E.PIANO section features a treasure trove of authentic tine, reed, and modern electric pianos. Warm, creamy, smooth, slick, dark, or gritty... whatever the style or sound, the MP11SE’s vintage EPs are guaranteed to get any player’s fingers moving. A couple of crunchy clavs are also provided to cover most funk needs, while the electric grand – lovingly sampled from Kawai’s own EP308, with all its imperfections – delivers that trademark striking pop sound.

INSPIRING SUBSIDIARY SOUNDS

INSPIRING SUBSIDIARY SOUNDS

Complementing the MP11SE’s stunning acoustic pianos and vintage EPs, the SUB section contains additional ‘bread and butter’ sounds that add depth to the performance. Premium quality strings and soothing pads are ideally suited for layering, while the rich electric and acoustic bass sounds are perfect for left-hand splits. Finally, a choice selection of harpsichord and mallet voices complete the line-up, for those occasions that require a specific sound.

NEW AUDIO ENGINE

POWERFUL AUDIO ENGINE

Expanded sound memory allows the MP11SE to deliver some of the finest multi-layered, 88-key, extra-long samples available in any stage piano. However when combined with the instrument’s powerful audio processor, sonic realism is elevated to another level. This advanced hardware is responsible for enriching the core sounds with subtle resonances that enhance playing authenticity, and reverbs that build depth and character.

The MP11SE’s effects system has also been optimised to take full advantage of this additional processing power. While most stage pianos offer a handful of effects and limited control, the MP provides over 100 effects (sorted by category), with a wide range of tweakable parameters. Effects can be applied to each sound section independently, with EPs afforded two separate effects blocks for greater flexibility.

“I’m very proud of the effects engine.”
Matsunaga-san, DSP ProgrammerFULL INTERVIEW

SKILFUL VIRTUAL TECHNICIAN

The knowledge and skill of an experienced piano technician is essential to bring out the best of a fine acoustic piano. In addition to meticulously tuning each note, the technician also performs numerous regulation and voicing adjustments that allow the instrument to truly sing.

The MP11SE’s Virtual Technician parameters simulate these refinements digitally, allowing performers to shape various aspects of the acoustic piano sound’s character to suit their personal preferences. Perform touch weight and voicing adjustments, regulate subtle hammer and key release noises, and fine-tune string, lid, and damper resonances – all in real-time.

Virtual Technician parameters are also available for electric pianos, allowing an instrument to sound worn and tired, or brand new and factory fresh.

VOICING

This parameter adjusts the overall tonal character of the piano throughout the dynamic range, from a soft, mellow sound, to a very dynamic, bright sound.

STEREO WIDTH

This parameter adjusts the width of the stereo image of the piano sound, from a very narrow, compressed character to very broad, expansive tone.

STRING RESONANCE

This parameter adjusts the volume of the resonance heard when the strings of held notes vibrate sympathetically with other notes in the same harmonic series.

DAMPER RESONANCE

This parameter adjusts the volume of the resonance heard when the damper pedal is pressed, allowing all strings of all notes to vibrate freely.

KEY-OFF EFFECT

This parameter adjusts the prominence of the note’s release characteristics when a key is lifted very slowly or very quickly.

DAMPER NOISE

This parameter adjusts volume of the noise that is heard when the damper pedal is pressed as the damper head touches and releases the strings.

HAMMER DELAY

This parameter adjusts the perceived delay of the hammer striking the string after a key is pressed when playing with pianissimo.

FALL-BACK NOISE

This parameter adjusts the volume of the noise that is heard when a key is released as the keyboard action returns (i.e. ‘falls back’) to its neutral position.

TOP-BOARD POSITION

This parameter adjusts the position/angle of the piano’s topboard, affecting both the ‘openness’ and volume of the tone produced.

BRILLIANCE

This parameter adjusts the overall brightness of the piano sound, independently of the main Voicing parameter.

KEY-OFF NOISE

This parameter adjusts the volume of the noise that is heard when the keys of an electro-mechanical, harpsichord or bass instrument are released.

KEY-OFF DELAY

This parameter adjusts the delay time after a key is released before the Key-off Noise of an electro-mechanical, harpsichord, or bass instrument is heard.

* For demonstration purposes, some parameters are recorded with exaggerated values.

SKILLFUL VIRTUAL TECHNICIAN

CLASSIC AMP SIMULATIONS

The tonal character of an amplifier or speaker cabinet is an important comp­onent of any vintage electrical instrument. The MP11SE therefore includes an amp simulator within the E.PIANO section, helping to fatten the sound with nostalgic analogue warmth.

In addition to the five distinctive speaker cabinet types, the MP11SE’s also provides extensive control over the amplifier's drive and volume levels, in addition to dedicated frequency and tone adjustments. It’s even possible to select the kind of microphone used to mic the amp, along with axis positioning and ambiance levels. For vintage keyboard enthusiasts, the MP11SE’s infinitely tweakable amp sim is icing on the EP cake.

CLASSIC AMP SIMULATIONS

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‘S. CASE’ TYPE

‘S. CASE’ TYPE

This simulation is modelled on the popular ‘suitcase’ type speaker/amplifier, commonly used for vintage electric pianos from the 60s and 70s, and known for its warm, round tonal character.

In this demo example, the amp sim drive is set to a minimal level, with a slight increase in low EQ. A dynamic mic is selected in the ‘off axis’ position.

‘M. STACK’ TYPE

‘M. STACK’ TYPE

This simulation is modelled on a British valve guitar amplifier commonly used by rock bands, and known for its ‘crunchy’ tonal character.

In this demo example, the amp sim drive is set to approximately 50%, with a flat EQ. A dynamic mic is selected in the ‘off axis’ position, with extra ambiance.

‘J. COMBO’ TYPE

‘J. COMBO’ TYPE

This simulation is modelled on a popular Japanese solid-state amplifier favoured by many musicians for its clean, yet powerful sound.

In this demo example, the amp sim drive is set to approximately 20%, with a generous amount of low EQ. A dynamic mic is selected in the ‘off axis’ position.

‘F. BASS’ TYPE

‘F. BASS’ TYPE

This simulation is modelled on an American valve bass amplifier that subsequently became popular for guitar, harmonica, and other instruments due to its rich tone.

In this demo example, the amp sim drive is turned off, but mid and high frequencies are increased. A dynamic mic is selected in the ‘off axis’ position without any ambiance.

‘L. CABI’ TYPE

‘L. CABI’ TYPE

This simulation is modelled on a valve amplifier and speaker enclosed within a wooden cabinet, originally intended for drawbar organ sounds.

In this demo example, the amp sim drive is set relatively low, with boosted high EQ and cut low EQ. A dynamic mic is selected in the ‘off axis’ position, with extra ambiance.

ULTRA-REALISTIC REVERB

After adding effects, adjusting the virtual technician, plugging-in to an amp sim, and tweaking the sound, another piece of the sonic jigsaw involves placing the instrument in an appropriate acoustic setting by applying realistic reverb.

The MP11SE’s redeveloped reverberation modelling allows players to position them-selves within one of six environments, ranging from a small practise room to an inspirational grand cathedral. The desired reverb depth can be freely adjusted for each sound section, adding detail and realism that bring performances to life.

ULTRA-REALISTIC REVERB

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ROOM

ROOM

This reverb type recreates the acoustic ambiance of a standard sized family room, with furnishings and a relatively low ceiling resulting in limited reverberation.

LOUNGE

LOUNGE

This reverb type recreates the acoustic ambiance of a piano lounge or a small jazz club. It evokes a warmer, more intimate atmosphere than that of a standard room.

SMALL HALL

SMALL HALL

This reverb type recreates the acoustic ambiance of a small hall, capable of accommodating approximately 50-100 people, and typically used for classical music recitals.

CONCERT HALL

CONCERT HALL

This reverb type recreates the acoustic ambiance of a large concert hall or theatre. Such environments are typically purpose built for musical appreciation, giving performances a grand, impressive quality.

LIVE HALL

LIVE HALL

This reverb type recreates the acoustic ambiance of a live hall or stage, typically used for pop and rock concerts. While very large, the reverberation characteristic is noticeably different to that of a concert hall.

CATHEDRAL

CATHEDRAL

This reverb type recreates the acoustic ambiance of a large cathedral. Such buildings are typically constructed from stone, with very reflective surfaces and tall ceilings producing a long, distant reverb character.

FLEXIBLE SOUND EDITING

In addition to the various effects, reverb, amp simulator, and Virtual Technician parameters, the MP11SE also provides a comprehensive range of sound editing controls. Direct access to resonance and cut-off, along with full DCF/DCA attack, decay, sustain, and release parameters allow stock sounds to be adjusted to taste.

Octave layering and detuning are useful for ‘thickening’ the sound, while additional vocal, bell, and air sample layers can be applied to add varying degrees of texture to the instrument’s core voices.

FLEXIBLE SOUND EDITING

EFFECTIVE EQ

With the desired sounds selected and their characteristics adjusted, the final step is to tailor the overall audio content using equalisation. This important process can enhance particular qualities of a tone, reduce aspects that may be less pleasant, or remove specific frequencies altogether.

The MP11SE’s global EQ controls provide immediate access to a powerful four-band graphic equaliser, with two of the mid-range bands adjustable as a parametric EQ. Alterations are made directly from the panel using the instrument’s four control knobs, with fine-grain adjustments reflected in real-time via the large LCD display.

For touring performers, the MP11SE also supports EQ Offsetting, which is explained in greater detail on the Features page.

EFFECTIVE EQ

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