Detailed Description
Visually, the NV12 makes an immediate impression with its redesigned cabinet that extends approximately one-third deeper than the NV10S, featuring a gently curved rear body and a three-position topboard lid – enhancing both acoustic projection and aesthetic appeal. The centre column retains the signature polished silver pedal rods, but now features an open design that gives the instrument a lighter, less bulky presence. In addition, the NV12 is the first Novus instrument to incorporate a real grand piano music shelf, allowing players to adjust the angle and position of the music rest, or remove it entirely, for greater flexibility and authenticity.
At the heart of the NV12 lies the all-new PentaDrive soundboard system – a groundbreaking audio design enabled by the instrument’s deeper cabinet and opening topboard. This approach eliminates conventional speaker drivers entirely. The result is a natural, immersive experience, with sound that resonates throughout the entire instrument, and closely mirrors the projection of an acoustic grand piano.
Like the NV6, the NV12 incorporates a range of digital enhancements derived from Kawai’s flagship CA901 digital piano. These include the latest SK-EXCompetition Grand piano sound, which possesses a bright, clear tonal character and distinctive attack. This new sound complements the warm elegance of the existing SK-EX Concert Grand, allowing pianists to enjoy the contrasting colours of each. The NV12 also features an improved 5″ touchscreen with a new anti-glare surface for enhanced visibility, plus the option to turn off the display after inactivity to minimise distractions while playing. Other upgrades include Bluetooth® MIDI and Audio v5 for faster, more stable wireless communication, and a USB-C port with a built-in audio interface and power delivery supporting modern device connectivity.
With its bold new cabinet, breakthrough acoustic technology, and refined digital performance, the Novus NV12 represents a major evolution in hybrid piano design – realising the vision of the true grand piano experience.
Millennium III Hybrid grand piano keyboard action, with optical hammer sensing system
The NOVUS NV12 is the first digital piano to incorporate Kawai’s leading acoustic grand piano keyboard action technology, renowned for its extended spruce key sticks, and innovative ABS Carbon components that are stronger, lighter, and more dimensionally stable than conventional wooden parts.
The specially adapted Millennium III Hybrid keyboard action utilised by the NV12 replaces traditional felt hammers with new ABS equivalents that are individual graded in weight from bass to treble, while high-precision optical sensors take the place of metal strings, accurately reading the subtle movements of each hammer as the corresponding keys are played.
Grand Piano Damper Mechanism for authentic pedal control
In addition to featuring a full acoustic grand piano keyboard action, the NOVUS NV12 is the first hybrid instrument to also incorporate a real grand piano damper mechanism. While there are no strings inside the NV12 to require physical damping, this unique feature replicates the true weighting of a grand piano damper pedal, while also mechanically easing the keyboard action’s touch weight as the pedal is pressed.
PentaDrive Soundboard – no speakers
At the heart of the NV12 lies the all-new PentaDrive soundboard system – a groundbreaking audio design enabled by the instrument’s deeper cabinet and opening topboard. This approach eliminates conventional speaker drivers entirely, instead using five carefully positioned transducers to channel energy onto a large wooden soundboard, producing a rich, full-bodied tone. The result is a natural, immersive experience, with sound that resonates throughout the entire instrument, and closely mirrors the projection of an acoustic grand piano.
Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano reproduced with latest SK-EX Rendering sound technology
The magnificent tone of Kawai’s flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano is at the heart of the NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano. Widely regarded as the ‘premier pianos of Japan’, Shigeru Kawai instruments grace the stages of concert halls and musical institutions throughout the world, and are prized for their tonal clarity and exceptional dynamic range.
In order to faithfully reproduce the stunning sound of a Shigeru digitally, Kawai has developed SK-EX Rendering – a brand new piano sound engine that blends multi-channel, 88-key sampling with the latest resonance modelling technology. Multi-channel sampling captures the sound from different points of the Shigeru Kawai concert grand piano, allowing a broader range of tonal characteristics to be reproduced, and providing a more lively, authentic response to changes in dynamics. This naturally expressive sound is further enriched by newly developed resonance algorithms, which physically model the complex tonal interactions produced by the strings, pedals, and various other parts of an acoustic piano, giving players the impression that they’re sitting at a living, breathing instrument.
Alternative acoustic piano sounds and a strong selection of additional instrument voices
In addition to the latest SK-EX Rendering piano sound engine, the NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano also incorporates Kawai’s highly regarding Harmonic Imaging XL technology, showcasing a variety of alternative acoustic piano sounds and a strong selection of additional instrument voices. The Kawai EX full concert grand piano has frequently been selected by professional pianists in such prestigious events as the Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rubinstein international piano competitions, while the Shigeru Kawai SK-5 chamber grand and Kawai K-60 upright, allow performers to enjoy the contrasting tonal characteristics of various different piano sizes and voicing configurations.
Supplementing these realistic acoustic piano voices, the NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano also features an excellent selection of additional instrument sounds, ranging from electric pianos and drawbar and church organs, to strings, human choirs, and even atmospheric synth-style pads, 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 4Hands playing modes divide the keyboard into two independent sections.
Virtual Technician adjustments to personalise the instrument’s character
The NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano’s Virtual Technician feature allows various characteristics of the selected acoustic piano, electric piano, or harpsichord sound to be shaped from the instruments’ touchscreen display, with settings to adjust voicing and regulation, string, damper, and cabinet resonances, and subtle hammer, damper, and key release noises. It is even possible to adjust the precise tuning and volume of individual notes, before storing one’s favorite instrument configuration to memory.
Integrated Bluetooth® MIDI/Audio and USB-C Audio connectivity
In addition to standard MIDI jacks for connecting to other instruments, the NOVUS NV12 hybrid 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, NV12 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 any additional cables. In addition the USB-C Audio interface lets you directly connect digitally to your recording devices for high quality audio recording or video taking.
* Availability of Bluetooth function dependent on market location.
Premium audio hardware
The NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano is one of the first Kawai musical instruments to utilise specialist components designed for high-end audio reproduction.
With cutting-edge technologies the NV12’s optimised power amplifiers reproduce the Shigeru Kawai grand piano sound with stunning clarity, richness, and power, while the high-performance headphone amplifier ensures the finest quality listening experience, even when playing in privacy.
Full-colour touchscreen display for intuitive, button-less operation
The NOVUS NV12 features a full-colour 5” anti-glare touchscreen display. Discreetly embedded within the left cheekblock, this high resolution touchscreen allows sounds and settings to be selected from an attractive user interface with the swipe of a finger. The display can also be set to turn off automatically while playing, thus preserving the NV12’s acoustic piano-like appearance, and minimising any visual distraction to the pianist.
PianoRemote app
The NV12 allows the user-friendly touchscreen interface to also be accessed via the dedicated PianoRemote app for iOS and supported Android devices. The app connects to the piano wirelessly via the Novus’ integrated Bluetooth, providing an effortless way to change sounds, or enjoy the vast array of built-in music content from the comfort of an armchair.
Kawai partner apps
Register your new Kawai piano and receive a 3 month free trial with Kawai’s three partners, Zapiano, Skoove and Tomplay!
Zapiano
With Zapiano® you can experience interactive piano courses specifically for adults, tailored to your musical taste and playing level. Zapiano® offers comprehensive support, personal video feedback, live streams, and exclusive access to the Zapiano® community.
Skoove
Discover the magic of the piano with the Skoove online piano learning app. Get real-time, interactive feedback and join millions of piano lovers who are making progress every day with Skoove.
Tomplay
Tomplay offers you the opportunity to make music alongside high-quality recordings from professional musicians at various playing levels. Immerse yourself and experience a world of over 70,000 interactive sheet music scores.
Generous Part Exchanges Available
Get in touch with us if you have an existing digital or acoustic piano that you’d like to part exchange with us, and we’d be happy to let you know how much it could be worth.
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