Casio to Release Upgraded CELVIANO Grand Hybrid Digital Pianos That Deliver Even More Expressive Power

Tokyo, September 3, 2019 — Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced today that it will release two new digital pianos in the CELVIANO Grand Hybrid lineup—the GP-510 and GP-310. Both new instruments combine the advantages of digital and acoustic pianos, providing robust bass tones that make for more powerful and dynamic performance while delivering the playability of a grand piano.

In 2015, Casio introduced the CELVIANO Grand Hybrid lineup with the release of the GP-500 and GP-300 digital pianos, which delivered an experience like that of a grand piano, including the tone, keys, and playing comfort. Casio developed the AiR Grand Sound Source, which recreates the beautiful tone and rich resonance of a grand piano, and provided the sound profiles of three historic grand piano styles—the Berlin Grand, Hamburg Grand, and Vienna Grand. Among these, the Berlin Grand sound was developed in collaboration with C. Bechstein, a piano maker with a history of over 160 years. Its transparent and elegant tone is popular with many pianists around the world.

The new GP-510 and GP-310 are built with an enhanced sound source and audio system to support improved performance. The updated AiR Grand Sound Source even more precisely analyzes changes in volume and tone characteristics from pianissimo to fortissimo, delivering a smoother and more natural playing comfort even closer to that of a grand piano. The upgraded Grand Acoustic System, which faithfully represents the way grand piano sound emanates from above and below the soundboard, features improved downward-facing speakers, delivering dynamic expression from rich, deep bass tones to dazzling mids and highs.

Like the GP-500 and GP-300, the new models employ the Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard. It combines spruce wooden key material as used in C. Bechstein grand pianos and an action mechanism that delivers the ideal hammer movement, a factor which has a major impact on the playing response of a grand piano.

Casio also announced today the release of the CELVIANO AP-710, which features the AiR Grand Sound Source.

Main Features of the GP-510, GP-310 and AP-710

Thoroughly refined sound and resonance reminiscent of a grand piano

■ AiR Grand Sound Source realizes three different historic grand piano sound profiles

Multi-dimensional Morphing smoothly transforms sound waves and realizes tonal changes based on both time passage and intensity. Even during a gradual crescendo from pianissimo to fortissimo, the technology allows even and natural changes in tone color.

Moreover, the String Resonance System, designed to deliver the string resonance of a grand piano, controls the amount and combination of resonance according to the playing situation. By producing resonance that fits each of the 88 keys, the technology enables natural and comfortable performance.

By combining these two technologies, the new models each offer the sounds of three grand piano styles. The Berlin Grand is known for its elegant clear sound and resonance, which gives each performance a rich, lyrical melodic color, while the Hamburg Grand delivers gorgeous power and strength with plenteous string resonance. The Vienna Grand offers deep, calm bass along with a soft and beautiful sound.

■ Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard enables even more delicate expression (GP-510 and GP-310)

The GP-510 and GP-310 feature keys made from high-quality spruce, which is also used in grand piano keyboards. The keys are also finished in the same way as on a grand piano. Since this makes them more familiar to the pianist, fingers are less likely to slip or fatigue. The new models also boast a unique action mechanism that delivers the right hammer movement, which has a big impact on the playing response of a grand piano. The mechanism conveys delicate finger nuances more accurately, and enables dynamic touch to translate directly into expressive power.

■ Grand Acoustic System generates a space of three-dimensional sound (GP-510 and GP-310)

The Grand Acoustic System not only faithfully represents the way grand piano sound emanates from above and below the soundboard, but also, thanks to careful positioning of six speakers and the creation of sound pathways, delivers three-dimensional sound with tonal elongation, expansion and depth. Casio also improved the downward-facing speakers, delivering dynamic expression from rich, deep bass tones to dazzling mids and highs.

Special playing experience for a digital piano

■ Scene feature enables pieces to be played with the optimal sound (GP-510)

The Scene feature consists of 15 preset types for different composers such as Chopin and Liszt, as well as musical genres such as jazz and easy listening. The presets combine the best optimal tones, reverberation, and effects for the type of piece being played. Users can also create and save their own presets.

■ Concert Play offers an experience like playing with an orchestra

The spectacular sound of a live orchestra is recorded in a high-quality digital format. By playing the piano together with the recorded orchestra, users can enjoy the feeling of performing at an orchestral concert. The technology can also be used in practice, as it allows the tempo to be slowed, and also features rewind, fast forward, and repeat playback of A-B sections.

■ Hall Simulator provides the experience of performing in a special venue such as a concert hall

The Hall Simulator allows the pianist to enjoy the immersive sound found in different types of venues such as an Amsterdam church or a classical concert hall in Berlin. It also enables users to switch between the Player’s Position, which provides a sense of playing a real grand piano, and three types of Listener’s Position, which gives the pianist the effect of listening to the performance from the audience.

【C. Bechstein】

Since Carl Bechstein founded the Pianoforte production facility in Berlin in 1853, the name Bechstein has stood for the highest class of upright and grand pianos. C. Bechstein pianos have been appreciated by many famous composers and artists for their finest quality of sound and touch for many years. In the 21st century, C. Bechstein is still recognized as one of the world’s leading piano manufacturers.

Specifications

• CELVIANO is a registered trademark or trademark of CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. in JAPAN and other countries.
• Other company and product names are generally registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies.