Casio GP-500 Celviano Grand Hybrid 88 Key Digital Piano Overview:

SoundThree Legendary PianosTheir individual character and tone faithfully recreatedCELVIANO Grand Hybrid reproduces even subtle nuances of the world’s most respected pianos. Three pianos that originate in Berlin, Hamburg and Vienna were chosen for this project. Casio has painstakingly researched and analyzed the unique characteristics of each piano. CELVIANO Grand Hybrid delivers brilliant sound of these pianos reproduced with Casio’s advanced technology. It will provide the experience of owning three of the finest pianos on earth.Berlin [ Berlin Grand ]A balanced, elegant sound. Ideal for playing impressionistic music. Notable for its clear, ringing tone across the entire range.Hamburg [ Hamburg Grand ]A brilliant, rich sound. Loved by pianists for its wide range of expression. Well suited for various playing styles and genres.Vienna [ Vienna Grand ]Noted for its impressive low range. Great for both soft and vigorous playing with its warm tone. An ideal instrument for music from the classical period.Sound Development in CollaborationThe Berlin Grand sound was developed in collaboration with C. Bechstein. Casio sought a clear, balanced and elegant sound for CELVIANO Grand Hybrid. D282, C. Bechstein’s ultimate masterpiece, is the model Casio intensively studied to achieve the goal. Mr. Albrecht, Service Director and Master Piano Maker at C. Bechstein, visited Casio R&D to supervise the sound development process through the final modification.About C. BechsteinSince Carl Bechstein founded the Pianoforte production facility in Berlin in 1853, the name C. Bechstein has stood for the highest class of upright and grand pianos. C. Bechstein pianos have been appreciated by many famous composers and artists for their finest quality of sound and touch for many years. In the 21st Century, C. Bechstein is still recognized as one of the world’s leading piano manufacturers.AiR Grand Sound SourceMore natural sustain for more beautiful chord resonance. More sensitive expressiveness for pianissimo sounds, especially when playing extremely softly.The CELVIANO Grand Hybrid incorporates AiR Grand Sound Source, a system using Casio’s state-of-the-art sound technologies. It includes many impressive features. Multi-dimensional Morphing delivers smooth changes between soft and strong playing. Acoustic Simulator reproduces the characteristics of sounds produced by acoustic grand pianos. The authenticity generated by the AiR Grand Sound Source ensures a pure piano experience.Multi-dimensional MorphingOn an acoustic grand piano, the volume and quality of sounds change from the time the keys are struck until they die away. Casio’s Multi-dimensional Morphing technology enables natural, smooth transitions in sound volume and tone based on the power of the keystroke. This technology contributes to more expressive performances.Resonance SystemThe various types of resonance in a grand piano are crucial to the playing experience. The CELVIANO Grand Hybrid incorporates String Resonance, which exposes the harmonic relationships between various strings when keys are struck. Also Damper Resonance reproduces the resonance occurring when a damper pedal is pressed. In the case of the GP-500BP, Open String Resonance and Aliquot Resonance add realism. CASIO’s Resonance System reproduces the resonance of both the strings and sound board of a grand piano by selecting, controlling and synthesizing according to performance conditions.Action Sound SystemA grand piano also generates several types of mechanical sounds, which are an important part of the playing experience. CASIO has sought to provide a more realistic simulation by reproducing the sounds of these mechanisms. Four types of operating sounds are included, and the volume of each can be set independently or turned off.Key Off SimulatorThe lengths of the lingering sounds produced by a grand piano vary depending on the speed at which players release their fingers after pressing the keys. In a similar fashion, CASIO’s Key Off Simulator controls the length of these sounds based on the key’s release speed. This enables players to express delicate nuances when playing staccato and legato.Hammer ResponseThe timing of a grand piano’s sound varies subtly depending on which keys are being played, even when the keys are struck with the same force. To achieve optimal authenticity, CASIO has installed appropriate settings for each of the three grand piano tones. The sound production timing can also be adjusted to suit the player.Grand Pedal SystemBy continuously sensing and detecting the position of the damper pedal, CASIO’s Grand Pedal System enables fine-tuning of the damping volume and note length depending on the degree of pedal depression. In addition, the Half Pedal Position function permits adjustment of the depression position at which the damping effect comes into play according to the player’s preference. The Action Sound System’s Damper Noise and Pedal Action Noise features, in the case of the GP-500BP, reproduce even subtle operating sounds like that experienced with an acoustic grand piano.Grand Acoustic SystemCASIO has developed a new dedicated speaker system for the CELVIANO Grand Hybrid that reproduces the characteristics of sound emanating upwards and downwards from an acoustic grand piano. The four-channel audio system incorporates six speakers, carefully positioned in a structural design that releases sound outward from the interior of the body. The system delivers the same sound field experience a player would enjoy while playing an acoustic grand piano.Adjustable Lid Position & Lid SimulatorThe CELVIANO Grand Hybrid’s design includes a top panel that can be manually raised and lowered. The lid’s position not only physically affects the sound coming from the upper speakers, but also works in conjunction with the “Lid Position” setting to accurately duplicate the characteristics of the adjustable lid on an acoustic grand piano.The volume and timbre of sound produced by a grand piano change depending on the degree to which the lid is open or closed. The Lid Simulator simulates these acoustic effects digitally. Pianists can select among four settings for opening and closing stages and enjoy playing music with the piano sound effect of their choice.*The Lid Simulator’s setting value remains unchanged, regardless of whether the piano’s top board is open or closed.Hall Simulator & Listening PositionTwelve types of Hall Simulator are included; each one based on careful analysis of the acoustic characteristics of a world-famous concert venue. Each space has a total of four Listening Position settings. For example, the pianist can simulate the experience of hearing the piano from a seat in the audience, as opposed to the playing position.Volume Sync EQVolume Sync EQ is especially useful for quiet playing at home and other times when you want to keep the speaker volume low. This function balances the sound at low volumes by adjusting the sound quality in the low and high registers. The result is a constantly pleasant playing experience, no matter where the volume is set.Headphone ModeHeadphone Mode automatically creates a spacious sonic image while wearing headphones, recreating the feeling of playing an acoustic piano. With the experience of wearing headphones significantly enhanced, pianists can enjoy playing naturally and feeling the sound field of a traditional grand piano.TouchYour performance demands authenticityIt begins at the first touchThe player’s movement is transformed into music with many important factors. The most tangible factor is the keys. CELVIANO Grand Hybrid delivers authenticity from the first touch. The revolutionary new Natural Grand Hammer Action keyboard is made with full-length, wooden keys. Its new mechanism incorporates real hammers that follow the same path of motion as in a concert grand piano. When the lid is lifted, you can see the hammers in motion through a clear panel as you play. Going beyond a standard acoustic mechanism, this new action allows faster note repetition than acoustic pianos, while maintaining a true piano touch.Natural Grand Hammer Action KeyboardFor an authentic piano touch, CASIO has developed a new keyboard system called the “Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard”. This keyboard system features full-length wooden keys as well as hammers that follow the same path of motion as in a concert grand piano. CELVIANO Grand Hybrid features keys that are manufactured using exactly the same materials as acoustic grand piano. Careful attention is paid not only to finish of the surfaces of the keys but also to the quality of the wood employed for the key beds. This combination of an outstanding action mechanism and superior-quality key materials further enhances the sensation of playing an acoustic grand piano.1. Original Tri-Sensor action mechanismThe core of CELVIANO Grand Hybrid’s keyboard performance is created by Casio’s proprietary action mechanism. This mechanism includes a hammer movement modeled from a grand piano and three sensors, which accurately capture a performer expression from the keys. Since there are no physical strings, Casio’s action is able to exceed the performance characteristics of a grand piano, providing superior playability that enables pianists to perform such actions as trills and repetitive notes with ease.2. Keyboard surface materialsThe use of acrylic for the white keys and phenol for the black keys — the same materials that modern grand pianos employ. This creates a welcome and familiar touch. Pianists will feel comfortable and confident on the keys of CELVIANO Grand Hybrid.3. Fulcrum distance from keysThe position of the fulcrum with respect to the keys is exactly the same as with a grand piano. This contributes to stable playing performance, since the touch is never heavier or lighter depending on the position at which a finger strikes a key.The keyboard is made of the same high-quality Austrian spruce as the keyboards on C. Bechstein grand pianos. Careful attention is paid to drying and processing of this high-quality material before keyboard construction begins.The keyboard is developed to ensure superior piano performances by considering each of the 88 keys independently and how they perform together as a single unit. Perfection of the keyboard is pursued as well through attention to such factors as load changes and key return speeds.Beyond simply detecting the overall force of a key being played, the entire travel of the key is precisely modeled after the behavior of a grand pianoThe Grand Hybrid experience goes far beyond playing pianoPlay a legendary spaceCELVIANO Grand Hybrid includes a Hall Simulator featuring numerous world-class performance venues. Using advanced analysis and signal processing, CASIO has recreated the acoustic characteristics of renowned concert halls, opera houses, cathedrals and other performance spaces around the world. You can instantly select one of these settings, creating an immersive atmosphere for your performance.Play with a symphony orchestraCELVIANO Grand Hybrid’s Concert Play feature gives you the role of solo pianist with an orchestral performance. The sound system plays the orchestral part accompanying you. Works by Tchaikovsky, Pachelbel, Smetana and others are featured. The tempo of these pieces can be slowed down to facilitate practice.Play a moment in timeThe GP-500BP model has an additional feature allowing the player to design or select Scenes. You will enjoy customizing your own Scenes by selecting a type of piano, a Hall Simulation and any desired effects. CASIO has also created several inspirational preset Scenes. These thoughtfully designed examples let you interact with the history of piano music. Select the name of a famous composer, and you will be presented with an instrument customized to suit their music and a venue where their music might have been performed.Concert PlayPlaying with an orchestra is an extraordinarily thrilling event. Concert Play feature demonstrates orchestral performance for a pianist to enjoy an experience of playing as a soloist accompanied by a full orchestra. 15 pieces of music are built in. When you practice, a convenient playback function offers capabilities of play, pause, fast-forward, rewind and A-B segment repeat. Using a Slow Mode, the tempo of these pieces can be slowed to 80% of normal speed as needed.SceneAvailable with the GP-500BP. This feature provides the most suitable sound environment to the music performers select to play. The Scene can be created by various combinations of tones, effects and reverberation levels. 15 different Scenes were designed as preset settings according to such themes as composer, musical genre and venue. Users can also customize Scenes and register up to ten of favorite settings.Versatile featuresAudio RecorderCELVIANO Grand Hybrid pianos have the ability to record performances on USB flash memory available on the market as stereo audio files (44.1 kHz, stereo .WAV format). Recordings can be stored or played back on a computer or transferred to CDs or other media. The piano’s built-in full playback function permits use of such features as pause, fast-forward, rewind and A-B segment repeat.*Software available on the market may be required for producing CDs.