Updated with sounds to match its unparalleled feel.

The Kawai MP8II is a professional stage piano with authentic acoustic-style action and high-fidelity sounds fueled by Kawai's legendary expertise in crafting exceptional grand pianos. The acclaimed AWA PROII action is an innovative key design using real wooden keys with hammers and many characteristics from Kawai's legendary acoustic concert grand pianos. The action is appropriately graded for each playing range with bass key counter-balancing, and correctly located pivot points. By emulating both the weight and movement of their grand piano actions, the Kawai AWA PROII delivers an unmatched feel and response that satisfies the demands of even the most discerning pianist.

The authentic sound of the MP8II begins with the world renowned KAWAI EX Concert grand piano. Placed inside an anechoic chamber, free of audio reflections, the rich sound of this world-class instrument is meticulously analyzed and recorded by Kawai's master piano artisans. The acoustic portrait of each note is later transformed into a 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 piano, while also providing the source for a rich selection of additional high-quality instrument sounds.

Professional features Studio quality reverb, and professional digital effects, including distortion, pedal wah, and variable-speed rotary speaker simulation, can be individually applied to each zone, and precisely adjusted in real-time using 4 analogue control knobs. In addition, this area also provides direct access to a 4-band graphic equalizer and advanced tone control envelope parameters, and even allows continuous controller information to be transmitted to an external MIDI device. With powerful features such as these, Kawai is gaining a reputation as the piano of choice among professional stage artists.

Total control
As a MIDI master keyboard, the MP8II fulfills the requirements of a professional stage performer, whether in the studio or on tour. The 88-key keyboard can be divided into 4 independent zones, with each zone able to play either internal voices, trigger external MIDI devices, or control both simultaneously, for a maximum playback of 8 sounds. Separate fader sliders allow the levels for each zone to be controlled intuitively, in realtime, with a variety of additional functions and assignments available at the touch of a button, from one of the 256 programmable setups.

Kawai MP8II Professional Stage Piano Features:

• 88 wooden keys with AWA Grand Pro II mechanics
• 192 note polyphony
• Harmonic Imaging Sound Technology
• 256 sounds
• 4 keyboard zones
• 4 Midi real-time CONTROLLER
• 7 reverbs: Plate, Reverb 1, Reverb 2, Stage 1, Stage 2, Room 1, Room 2
• 20 effects: chorus, flanger, celeste, ensemble, delay 1-4, auto pan 1-2, tremolo 1-2, phaser 1-2, rotary 1-2, auto wah, pedal wah, enhancer, overdrive
• 256 memory setups
• 16 character x 2 line LCD with backlight
• Pitch bend and modulation wheels
• Master volume
• 4 independent zone volumes
• Individual zone on/off controls
• 4 realtime edit controls
• 4 control mode switches
• Menu and effects navigation controls
• Transpose controls
• Metronome controls
• L/MONO/R 1/4" out jacks
• L/R XLR Out jacks
• Headphone jack
• Connections: MIDI in, Out and Thru; USB connection
• F-20 double expression pedal with help Damper function and sustain
• Dimensions (L x D x H): 57.71" x 17.40" x 7.44" (146.6 x 44.2 x 18.9 x cm)
• Weight: 70.54 lbs. (32 kg)

A grand piano you can move by yourself! Order now!

Kawai MP8II Professional Stage Piano

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It was well worth the wait...

Posted by Tuck N Roll from Louisiana on Apr 20, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: recording/proforming artist

Reviewer's Play Style: classic, jazz, indi, trance

Kawai is one of the top 5 piano producers in the world, and they've figured that if they were going to make a profesional stage keyboard, it would have to have a sound to trump all other keyboards. THEY DID IT!!! For years I would go into the local piano/music shop and play all the grands, but when the owner introduced me to the MP8ii, I would go right back to it every time I came in. Not only the sound, but even the acction beat many of the pianos I've played on. The only thing it lacks is a sequencer, but as for as proformance stands, it's a steal!!

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Kawai MP8-II

Posted by Brian from Rhode Island on May 7, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: several years of lessons with Lois

Reviewer's Play Style: 13th - 21st century

At 70 pounds, it's not unmanageable, but if I were a gigging musician I wouldn't want to have to lug it about on a daily basis. That notwithstanding, it's a fine instrument. The action comes oh-so-close to that of an acoustic piano. The keyboard sounds range from good (harpsichord) to remarkable (some of the pipe organs). By the way, the quality and selection of pipe organ sounds on this 'board are unparalleled. The piano sounds definitely hold their own against the competition, And the drawbar-style sounds are generally top-notch (although lacking the versatility of, say, Roland's "virtual drawbar" feature). The real surprise for me was the brass/wind section, which sounded utterly natural and free of the "digititis" that colors so many synthesized instruments. (I had no intention of playing brass or wind sounds when I got the 'board, but they're so compelling I find myself needing to work them into the mix.)

Overall, the MP8-II offers the wide variety of keyboard sounds I sought plus an unexpectedly good collection of other instrumental voices (there's even one called "Ian's flute" for those who live in the past). What a bonus! Moreover, it's tremendously easy to tailor the sounds and effects to my preferences. Highly recommended, although the lighter, less costly Kawai MP5 will give you almost identical features.

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Best Stage Piano So Far!

Posted by andyisfatfree from Columbus,oh on Mar 3, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: Blues, Jazz, some pop and oldies

Any digital piano can't really compete with acoustic piano, it's a statement, specially the feeling on your finger as you play. I try many acoustic piano, such as Petrof, Baldwin, Yamaha, Kawai, Stainway & Sons, and many more from europe. I also try Roland FP-7, Yamaha CP300, Roland RD-700, and the Yamaha Nocturne N100 which look so sleek and sounds so good with it's build in speaker. But I found this Kawai MP8II has more realistic feel on the keys, I'm sure one of the reason is the wooden keys, I'm so worried that the piano sounds will bored me as all of the digital sampling is always like that, I do have to tweak it a little tho', but when you set, you will enjoy the feeling on the keys, oh, I don't care with other sounds, which actually sounds pretty darn good too. The Design is bulky, kind a ugly, until you play it, then you understand the beauty of it. is like drinking an old port wine, ugly bottle with no label but the embossed from the glass bottle. Suprisingly I can say that it will take sometimes to get bored from the piano sounds, it's really good so far, on the other hand I only had it for a week, so who knows. The layout of the keyboard is so simple, not much to learn, specially if you knows workstation, or computers in general. What I can say is the satisfaction I get when I play on this keyboard, this is probaly as close as you can get to the acoustic piano.

Cons: So heavy .... well it's wooden keys :)

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A Happier ROLAND user.

Posted by Lauren's 88 Fingers from Rehoboth Beach, DE on Jan 25, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Contemporary,Pop

The KawaiMP8II is impressive in appearance--and weight! I surmise I anticipated a different touch/response with the wooden keys. The best sounds I encountered were the various church organs. The rest of the sounds to me, were pretty standard material. I have been playing my Roland RD700 more than the Kawai--it's easier to layer sounds and it weighs a lot less! I

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Kawai MP8II Professional Stage Piano

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