EVOLVING THE STAGE PIANO

Designed to meet the needs of professional studio and live musicians, the first MP9000 prototype was unveiled at the winter NAMM Show in 1998, and launched the following year. Since its introduction, the MP range has enjoyed continued success, with each generation showcasing Kawai’s finest keyboard and sound technologies.

Yet despite numerous hardware upgrades, software improvements, and cosmetic changes, the MP series has always remained true to its early origins: an uncompromising stage piano for professional studio and live musicians, that delivers the most authentic touch, the most realistic sound, and the most articulate control available.

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MP9500

MP9000

: The MP9000 was launched in late 1999 to critical acclaim, establishing the MP mark as the stage piano of choice for professional musicians.; Its realistic keyboard action, high quality sounds, and intuitive control interface set the standard for other instruments to follow, while a sleek design and metallic gray hood gave the board a modern, futuristic appearance.

Action	Enhanced AWA Grand
Sound	Harmonic Imaging
Polyphony	max. 64 notes
No. of Sounds	16 sounds
No. of Effects	21 effects / 7 reverbs
No. of Zones	INT + EXT (upper/lower)
Display	16 x 2 characters LCD
Dimensions	147 x 44 x 19 cm
Weight	34 kg

“Very classy, solidly built, and extremely luxurious.”Sound On Sound Magazine (Jan 2001)

“As a stage piano it has very few rivals.” Keyboard Player Magazine (Sep. 1999)

PREV
MP9000

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MP4

MP9500

: The MP9500 was launched in early 2002, improving upon the MP9000’s core features while retaining the same form factor (albeit with a new silver hood) and similar interface.; The number of internal sounds was quadrupled to 64, with the ability to assign sounds to any of the four zones, which could now be freely set to internal or external modes.

Action	AWA Grand Pro
Sound	Harmonic Imaging
Polyphony	max. 64 notes
No. of Sounds	64 sounds
No. of Effects	21 effects / 7 reverbs
No. of Zones	4 zones (INT or EXT)
Display	16 x 2 characters LCD
Dimensions	147 x 44 x 19 cm
Weight	32 kg

“I really can't praise the MP9500 highly enough – I love this instrument.”Sound On Sound Magazine (Feb 2003)

“Top class – convincing as a master keyboard,
the benchmark in terms of piano feel.” Tastenwelt Magazine (May 2002)

PREV
MP9500

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MP8

MP4

: Launched in early 2005, the MP4 (originally codenamed MP3000) was the first MP instrument to utilise plastic keys, allowing a lighter, more compact body and a lower price.; The MP4 offered many of the MP9500’s best features, while raising the polyphony to 96 notes. It also introduced a revised panel interface and a USB port for connecting to computers.

Action	Advanced Hammer Action IV
Sound	Harmonic Imaging
Polyphony	max. 96 notes
No. of Sounds	64 sounds
No. of Effects	20 effects / 7 reverbs
No. of Zones	4 zones (INT, EXT)
Display	16 x 2 characters LCD
Dimensions	136 x 34 x 17 cm
Weight	20.5 kg

“The MP4 offers the best true piano action in its class.”Keyboard Magazine (March 2006)

“Live or in the studio, the MP4 sets a new standard
for mid-ranged stage pianos.” Tastenwelt Magazine (May 2005)

PREV
MP4

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MP8II

MP8

: After much anticipation, the MP8 finally arrived in mid 2005, with significantly upgraded specifications, a simplified model name, and a black, brushed- metal hood.; The number of internal sounds was quadrupled once again to 256, with polyphony bumped to a massive 192 notes. Zones could now control both internal and external sources at the same time, with the new SETUP memory concept to store the instrument’s complete configuration.

Action	AWA Grand Pro
Sound	Harmonic Imaging
Polyphony	max. 192 notes
No. of Sounds	256 sounds
No. of Effects	20 effects / 7 reverbs
No. of Zones	4 zones (INT, EXT, BOTH)
Display	16 x 2 characters LCD
Dimensions	147 x 44 x 19 cm
Weight	32 kg

“Find one, play it, and try not to want it.”Sound On Sound Magazine (Nov 2005)

“A great instrument with excellent sound quality,
and the finest keyboard available in a stage piano.”Tastenwelt Magazine (Dec 2005)

PREV
MP8

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MP10

MP8II

: Launched in mid 2007, the MP8II featured Kawai’s latest keyboard and sound technology with new piano samples and improved resonances, while retaining the design and interface of the original, much loved MP8.; A software update for original MP8 owners was also made freely available, adding some of the MP8II’s new features, where possible.

Action	AWA Grand Pro II
Sound	Harmonic Imaging II
Polyphony	max. 192 notes
No. of Sounds	256 sounds
No. of Effects	22 effects / 7 reverbs
No. of Zones	4 zones (INT, EXT, BOTH)
Display	16 x 2 characters LCD
Dimensions	147 x 44 x 19 cm
Weight	35 kg

“The MP8II is at that crème de la crème
level of digital pianos.”Keyboard Magazine (Aug 2008)

PREV
MP8II

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MP10

MP5

: Launched alongside the MP8II in mid-2007, the MP5 retained the compact form-factor of its predecessor, but with a sleek, dark hood and improved panel interface.; Aside from XLR jacks, the MP5 offered identical feature and sound specifications as the larger MP8II, with 192 note polyphony, 256 sounds, and new acoustic resonance effects.

Action	Advanced Hammer Action IV-E
Sound	Harmonic Imaging II
Polyphony	max. 192 notes
No. of Sounds	256 sounds
No. of Effects	22 effects / 7 reverbs
No. of Zones	4 zones (INT, EXT, BOTH)
Display	16 x 2 characters LCD
Dimensions	136 x 34 x 17 cm
Weight	20.5 kg

“This is an awesome stage piano
the realistic hammer action is truly superb.”Mixdown Magazine (Aug. 2007)

“No other stage piano can match the price:
performance ratio offered by the MP5.”Keyboards [Germany] (April 2007)

PREV
MP5

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MP6

MP10

: Launched in late 2010, the MP10 featured the RM3 Grand keyboard action and UPHI sound technology from the flagship ‘Concert Artist’ models, along with a selection of brand new acoustic and electric piano sounds.; With a fresh design and panel layout, the MP10 introduced the concept of independently controlled sections, instead of the traditional four zone approach utilised by previous MP instruments.

Action	RM3 Grand action with Let-off
Sound	Ultra Progressive Harmonic Imaging
Polyphony	max. 192 notes
No. of Sounds	27 sounds
No. of Effects	25 effects / 7 reverbs
No. of Zones	3 sections (PIANO, E.PIANO, SUB)
Display	128 x 64 pixel LCD
Dimensions	138 x 43 x 19 cm
Weight	32 kg

“The MP10 focuses on the important things in a pianist's life:
quality piano sounds and a superb keyboard.”Keyboards [Germany] (Feb. 2011)

“One of the nicest stage pianos I’ve played.
The keyboard action is magnificent.”Keyboard Magazine (Mar 2011)

PREV
MP10

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MP11

MP6

: Launched shortly after the MP10 in late 2010, the MP6 offered a refined design that maintained the 4-zone panel layout of the MP5 and previous ‘classic’ MPs.; It featured the next generation Responsive Hammer keyboard action, improved Progressive Harmonic Imaging sound technology, and a variety of new EP samples (complete with amp simulator) derived from the latest flagship MP10.

Action	Responsive Hammer (RH) action with Let-off
Sound	Progressive Harmonic Imaging
Polyphony	max. 192 notes
No. of Sounds	256 sounds
No. of Effects	23 effects / 7 reverbs
No. of Zones	4 zones (INT, EXT, BOTH)
Display	16 x 2 characters LCD
Dimensions	136 x 35 x 18 cm
Weight	21.5 kg

“The MP6 is a compelling choice,
and a leader in its price-class.”Keyboard Magazine (March 2011)

“The MP6 is excellent proof why Kawai’s
stage pianos have such a good reputation.” Keyboards [Germany] (August 2010)

PREV
MP6

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MP7

MP11

: Launched in early 2014, the expanded MP11 featured the Grand Feel keyboard action and Harmonic Imaging XL sound technology from the flagship ‘Concert Artist’ models, and included the F-30 triple pedal unit.; Building upon the concept of its predecessor, the MP11 maintained the three independently controlled sound sections, while expanding the MIDI section to four zones. The overall panel layout was refined, resulting in improved, more consistent operation.

Action	Grand Feel (GF) action with Let-off
Sound	Harmonic Imaging XL
Polyphony	max. 256 notes
No. of Sounds	40 sounds
No. of Effects	129 effects / 6 reverbs
No. of Zones	3+1 sections (PIANO, E.PIANO, SUB, MIDI)
Display	128 x 64 pixel LCD
Dimensions	138 x 45 x 19 cm
Weight	32.5 kg

“With the MP11 Kawai brings a first-class stage piano to the market
which delivers excellent features for pianist-oriented musicians.”Tastenwelt Magazine (March 2014)

“A sturdy construction including a wooden keyboard, the most important sounds for
live operation and many detailed functions make the MP11 a top stage piano.” Amazona.de (July 2014)

PREV
MP11

MP7

: Launched a few months after the MP11 in mid-2014, the MP7 debuted a sleek new design that combined the display and knob interface of the MP11 with the familiar (yet considerably upgraded) 4-zone control system of ‘classic’ MPs.; The MP7 featured the updated triple-sensor Responsive Hammer II keyboard action, and used the same Harmonic Imaging XL piano samples and sound engine as its big brother, the MP11.

Action	Responsive Hammer II (RHII) action with Let-off
Sound	Harmonic Imaging XL
Polyphony	max. 256 notes
No. of Sounds	40 sounds
No. of Effects	129 effects / 6 reverbs
No. of Zones	4 zones (INT, EXT, BOTH)
Display	128 x 64 pixel LCD
Dimensions	135 x 34 x 17 cm
Weight	21.0 kg

“The Kawai MP7 is an excellent choice as a 'Swiss Army Knife' for live gigs.
It's hard to get a better stage piano for this price right now.”Tastenwelt Magazine (May 2014)

“Anyone looking for a stage piano should definitely take a closer look at the MP7.” KEYS (September 2014)