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- Debut of Yamaha Clavinova CLP-800 Series Digital Pianos Newly Developed Tone Generator Chip and Sound System Reproduce Grand Piano Sound, Expressiveness, and Playability
Newly Developed Tone Generator Chip and Sound System Reproduce Grand Piano Sound, Expressiveness, and Playability
Debut of Yamaha Clavinova CLP-800 Series Digital Pianos
Yamaha Corporation announces the release of the Clavinova CLP-800 Series, the newest in its CLP Series of Clavinova digital pianos.
![[ Image ] Yamaha Digital Piano Clavinova CLP-895GP](/en/news_release/files/news/24071601/images/2407160101.jpg)
![[ Image ] CLP-875PE](/en/news_release/files/news/24071601/images/2407160102.jpg)
The Clavinova CLP Series aims to replicate the sensations and experience of playing an acoustic grand piano on digital instruments by combining the latest digital technology with the craft of acoustic piano-making cultivated over more than 120 years.
The new CLP-800 Series starts with a design philosophy that takes a holistic view of the various elements of the piano—such as sound, acoustics, keys, pedals, and form—and then organically introduces unique Yamaha technologies to produce more dynamic tone and expressiveness, rich resonance, and exceptional playability.
In addition to a newly developed tone generator chip that enables a wider range of playing styles used in classical music, a new sound system produces rich resonance to simulate the feel of a grand piano and offer a more authentic playing experience. With keys that offer improved touch and control, and new GrandTouch™ pedals that more closely resemble the feel of grand piano pedals, CLP-800 Series digital pianos can accurately reproduce even the finest nuances of performance. The exterior design has also been updated to give pianists the strong impression they are playing a grand piano, making it even easier to become immersed in performance. The pianos also offer convenient features exclusive to digital pianos, like Bluetooth® connectivity* and a new Volume Limiter function to protect your hearing.
1. Newly developed tone generator chip offers improved sound quality and expressiveness
The interaction and interplay of the hammers, dampers, and strings inside a grand piano responds to the pianist's touch to create a limitless range of tonal expression. With our newly developed tone generator chip, we have succeeded in designing an algorithm that simulates the physical phenomena happening inside the piano when it is played, while also improving the piano's sound. This has sparked the further evolution of Yamaha's Grand Expression Modeling technology, which enables rich tonal variation, allowing pianists to produce differences in tone even when playing the same note at the same volume, based on the pianist's chosen style of performance and precise calculations of how a grand piano would respond physically.
2. New sound system envelops pianists in clear, grand piano-like sound
When a pianist plays a grand piano, they cause the entire body of the instrument to reverberate, and they become enveloped in the textured, clear resonance. To replicate this experience, CLP-800 Series digital pianos feature acoustic components, such as diffusers, that help spread the sound in all directions, a horn structure that takes advantage of indirect sound reflected off walls, and an acoustic configuration that includes upward-facing speakers. High-end models (CLP-895GP/885/875) also feature Grand Acoustic Imaging technology, which reproduces the sound image and sound field of a grand piano. To achieve this, we optimized the placement, orientation, and volume balance of the speakers in the low, mid, and high frequency ranges based on our analysis of the sounds emitted by the components of grand pianos to fully immerse the surrounding space in sound. Pianists can enjoy that same pleasant feeling of being enveloped in sound that they would experience while playing a grand piano.
3. Playability enhanced by keyboard improvements and new GrandTouch pedals that more closely resemble grand piano pedal feel
CLP-800 Series digital pianos feature new GrandTouch pedals, which replicate the resistance on the toes when the pedals are depressed and how the resistance lessens as the toes are lifted. This makes it easier to hold the pedals in mid-stroke and express delicate nuances in sound, exactly as intended. High-end models (CLP-895GP/885/875) feature improved GP Response Damper pedals, which support more accurate half-pedaling, bringing the pedaling experience of the new series that much closer to the grand piano.
The key sensor algorithm has also been improved, allowing the piano to detect differences in key depth. This makes it possible for pianists to perform using an even wider range of playing techniques and styles. GrandTouch-S™ keyboards, found on the CLP-865GP/845/835/825 models, are more responsive than ever thanks to further optimization of the weights of the hammers.
4. New design that makes pianists feel like they're sitting in front of a grand piano
The design of the CLP-800 Series has been renewed to better convey the piano's warmth and sense of calm presence, based upon serious consideration of the relationship between the piano playing experience and the design of the instrument. The many gentle curves in the shape of the body, including the sweeping curves of the side arms, give you the strong impression that you are playing a grand piano. CLP-895GP/865GP/875/845 models are also equipped with a music stand which is roughly the same width as that of a grand piano. Pianists can immerse themselves in performance while enjoying a playing experience that feels just like sitting in front of a grand piano.
Color variations* include: Polished Ebony and Polished White, for an elegant, high-end piano feel; Black, Dark Rosewood, and White, which are recognized as classic piano colors; and a new sixth color, White Birch, meant to mesh with contemporary interior design trends.
5. Convenient features that offer new ways to enjoy playing the piano
All models come equipped with Bluetooth functionality* that allows the user to play audio from their smart device through the piano speakers and connect wirelessly using the free Yamaha Smart Pianist app. The app can be used to configure and control the piano or display musical notation for built-in songs. It can even create song data from imported PDF scores and play it back, helping the player get a better feel for songs during practice. The Smart Pianist app supports and enriches piano practice with a wide range of features.
Features that provide a more comfortable playing experience include binaural sampling, which will make the experience so pleasant and immersive that you'll forget you're wearing headphones, as well as newly added functionality designed to protect your hearing from loud sound over the speakers or headphones, caused by accidentally turning up the volume too high. The CLP-800 Series also supports the optional FC35 pedal unit, allowing even small children to use pedals while playing.
Development Background
The Clavinova is a long-selling digital piano sold worldwide for over 40 years now, beginning with its debut in 1983. It is available in three different series: the CLP Series, which aims to replicate grand piano playing feel, making it perfect for piano lessons; the CSP Series, which connects with smart devices to make playing easier than ever; and the multifunctional CVP Series.
With the new CLP-800 Series, we redefined core themes of piano design by asking the question: What elements are required to replicate the experience of playing the grand piano? The answer we arrived at included three elements: (1) the ability to produce a variety of pleasant tones, allowing pianists to express themselves as intended, (2) filling the space surrounding the piano with resonant, high-quality sound, and (3) creating a visual impression during performance that is similar to that of a grand piano, making the pianist feel as if they were sitting in front of a grand piano. To achieve such a design, we adopted a holistic view of the various elements which comprise the piano—such as sound, acoustics, keys, pedals, and form—and then aimed to organically introduce unique Yamaha technologies to produce sound, expressiveness, and playability that would all come together to accurately replicate the playing experience of a grand piano.
The result is a series of digital pianos that come far closer to the overall feel and playing experience of a grand piano, from the visual impression when sitting at the piano to the tone, sound, and playability. Through these new products, we aim to convey the joy and pleasure of piano playing to even more people around the world.
Product Information
- Model availability, color variations, and functionality varies by country and/or region. Color variations also vary by model. Please see the product website for details.
- The content of the press release is accurate as of the date of publication, but please note that it may be subject to change following publication.
- Product names, company names, etc. in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of this company and other companies.
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