The true grand piano experience
The Novus NV12 combines the expressive touch and nuanced response of a grand piano with the versatility of a hybrid instrument, delivering rich, natural sound through the innovative PentaDrive soundboard system.
Its grand piano-inspired cabinet features a three-position topboard and fully polished design, housing a complete grand piano keyboard action with real damper mechanism, seamlessly integrated with modern digital enhancements. For discerning pianists, the NV12 represents the pinnacle of hybrid piano design – where traditional craftsmanship and advanced technology meet in perfect harmony.
The Touch of a Grand Piano
Koichi Kawai designed and built the first complete acoustic piano action in Japan in the early 1900s. In the decades that have followed, Kawai engineers continue to pursue the company founder’s quest for perfection, pioneering the use of state-of-the-art materials and designs that advance the piano art form.
The Millennium III grand piano action found in today’s Kawai GX series instruments exemplifies Koichi’s philosophy.
This highly-coveted action incorporates components produced using ABS Carbon, an extremely sturdy and rigid composite material that allows these action parts to be stronger, lighter, and faster than their conventional wooden counterparts.
In addition, Kawai GX series grand pianos also utilise extended-length key sticks, providing greater control and a more even response from the front to the back of the playing surface.
As a hybrid piano, there are no metal strings inside the Novus for these hammers to physically strike when the keys are played, therefore their precise movements are instead captured using high-resolution optical sensors mounted above the action.
Millennium III Hybrid delivers all of the benefits of a premium Kawai grand piano action within a digital instrument. This feat of modern engineering allows pianists of every level to enjoy the unmatched feeling of playing an acoustic grand piano, regardless of the time of day, or the size of their home.
ABS hybrid hammers
The Novus NV12’s precision-engineered ABS hammers have been designed for structural stability and optimum keyboard touch-response.
Each individual hammer is grade-weighted to mirror the heavier bass and lighter treble hammers of an acoustic piano, ensuring that the NV12’s key touch-weight feels the same as a well-regulated acoustic instrument.
Optical hammer sensors
The precise movements of each hammer are measured using high-resolution optical sensors, providing greater accuracy than conventional key-based sensor systems.
This more advanced approach closely reproduces the mechanical flow of an acoustic piano, and allows rapid pianissimo passages with mordents or trills to be performed with greater fluency.
Unprecedented realism
There are no metal strings inside the Novus to require physical damping, as the instrument’s sound is produced digitally.
However, in order to reproduce every aspect of playing a grand piano, the NV12 retains the damper mechanism behind the keyboard action, with graded weights attached to each damper lever replicating the load of traditional wood and felt parts, as the keys and pedal are pressed.
The premier piano of Japan
The spirit of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano is at the heart of the Novus NV12. Widely regarded as ‘the premier piano of Japan,’ the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX graces the stages of concert halls and musical institutions around the globe, receiving universal acclaim for its magnificent tonal clarity and exceptional dynamic range.
Naturally expressive sound
In order to reproduce the stunning tonal qualities of the Shigeru Kawai concert grand piano digitally, the Novus NV12 incorporates Kawai’s latest SK-EX Rendering technology, and includes the new SK-EX Competition Grand piano sound, which was specifically recorded from the player’s perspective, and characterised by its bright, clear sound and distinctive attack. This new sound complements the warm tonal elegance of the existing SK-EX Concert Grand, with both piano types reproduced using Kawai’s advanced multi-channel SK-EX Rendering sound engine.
This advanced piano sound engine combines the well-established process of sampling with the modern approach of physical modelling, to produce a piano sound that is both rich in natural acoustic character, and dynamically responsive to the player’s musical desires.
PentaDrive soundboard system
The Novus NV12 introduces the innovative PentaDrive soundboard system – a groundbreaking, speakerless design that brings piano sound to life in a uniquely natural way. Instead of projecting audio from fixed points, five carefully positioned transducers energise a large 135 × 60 cm wooden soundboard, reinforced with four ribs to optimise resonance.
This approach allows the entire soundboard to vibrate, producing warm, resonant tones that radiate throughout the instrument, just like an acoustic piano. The result is an immersive, three-dimensional sound field with authentic projection and character – exclusive to the Novus NV12.
The look of a grand piano
In addition to housing the keyboard action, damper mechanism, and pedal system, the Novus NV12’s stunning cabinet incorporates a number of refinements that capture the presence and sophistication of a grand piano.
With its increased depth, elegantly rounded back, and luxurious ebony polish finish, the NV12 is designed to serve as the centrepiece of any room, while its thoughtful proportions and refined acoustic design ensure it remains a practical instrument for modern living spaces.
Further elevating its design, the NV12 features a newly refined centre column and pedal lyre, more open and graceful in appearance while remaining structurally robust.
In addition, the instrument’s substantial fallboard adopts the same construction and motion as a grand piano, incorporating Kawai’s Soft Fall system with dual-damping mechanism to ensure a smooth, ultra-slow closing action that protects both the instrument’s finish and the player’s hands.
The features of a digital piano
While the Novus NV12’s core features are unquestionably derived from an acoustic piano, the instrument neatly incorporates various additional technologies that provide the modern conveniences of a premium digital piano.
These features are primarily controlled through the NV12’s touchscreen LCD, which is discretely embedded within the instrument’s left cheekblock. This high resolution touchscreen allows sounds and settings to be adjusted from an attractive user interface simply by tapping or swiping the display with a finger.
For piano purists, the screen can be set to fade out automatically while playing, thus preserving the Novus’ classic appearance, and minimising any visual distraction to the performer.
Unlike an acoustic piano, the Novus NV12 provides a variety of options for connecting to other devices. The newly integrated USB-C port and built-in USB audio interface enables seamless, high-quality digital audio transfer to and from computers and smart devices via a single cable.
The NV12 even supports Bluetooth® MIDI and audio functionality, providing an effortless way to connect and enjoy smart devices wirelessly.
Headphone and audio jacks allow the instrument to be played in silence, or for the sound to be amplified for halls and other large settings.
PianoRemote app
The NV12's redesigned communication standard 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.