RRP £5523
ACOUSTIC TRANQUILLITY
The sound of hammers striking strings, resonating through solid spruce. Warm vibrations that illuminate a room, leaving its audience enchanted. The natural voice of an acoustic piano is truly unmistakable.
A fine piano entices musicians to perform with spontaneity and passion, yet such unbridled expressiveness may not always be appropriate. Indeed, in certain environments, an acoustic piano can prove disruptive; the diligent tones of children practising scales are unlikely to be welcomed by other family members wishing to watch television, while even the most gentle, soothing Chopin preludes have the potential to irritate neighbours if performed after an acceptable time.
Fortunately, AnyTimeX3 instruments incorporate an acoustic muting feature with powerful digital audio components, allowing pianists to continue enjoying the distinctive feeling of a traditional piano, while listening discreetly using private headphones. The AnyTimeX3 models come with newly developed Kawai SH-9 headphones. These are specially matched to the internal sound source of the instruments.
 
TONE
With the acoustic components muted, KAWAI AnyTimeX3 pianos employ a unique digital technology, developed and refined at the Shigeru Kawai Research & Development Laboratory in Ryuyo, Japan, calling upon the finest hand-crafted KAWAI SK-EX and EX Concert Grand pianos to deliver an unmistakably warm, authentic tone. Placed inside a purpose-built anechoic chamber, free of audio reflections, the rich sounds of this world class instruments are meticulously analysed and recorded by our Master Piano Artisan pioneers. The acoustic portrait of each note is later transformed into a highly precise three dimensional digital representation, employing KAWAI's proprietary Harmonic Imaging™ technology. This unique process faithfully reproduces the broad dynamic range of the original grand pianos, while also providing the source for a rich selection of additional high-quality instrument sounds.
 
IHSS SENSOR SYSTEM
A fine acoustic piano entices musicians to perform with enthusiasm, spontaneity and passion. Yet, the satisfaction that one enjoys when hammers strike the strings is often diluted by traditional piano silencing techniques. Sensors located below the keyboard struggle to accurately interpret the subtleties of musical expression, which is why AnyTimeX3 pianos integrate sensors within the fine workings of the piano action, reading the precise movements of each hammer. Whether performing rapid passages that demand the same key be played repeatedly before returning to its natural starting position, or pianissimo pieces desiring the very softest of key strokes, the Integrated Hammer Sensing System (IHSS) represents the elaborate nuances of every note. Pianists can finally enjoy the convenience of absolute privacy, without sacrificing the responsive touch and authentic expression of a traditional acoustic piano.
 
DIGITAL CONVENIENCE
The control box is placed below the keybed. Digital operation greatly extends the capabilities of the ATX3L piano beyond that of a traditional acoustic instrument, with convenient transpose and tuning facilities, a metronome and a selection of high fidelity sounds suitable for various musical occasions. Dual headphone sockets provide greater flexibility for academic institutions, while other connectors allow a range of creative music-making opportunities.
 
PROGRESSIVE HARMONIC IMAGING (PHI)
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 realistic acoustic portraits of the SK-EX and EX concert grand pianos, not only is each key recorded individually, but also at various different volume levels, ranging from gentle pianissimo to thunderous fortissimo. The new K-15 ATX3L offers a highly detailed acoustic portrait, employing Kawai’s unique Progressive Harmonic Imaging sampling technology to ensure smooth tonal transitions across the keyboard and throughout the entire dynamic range.