Kawai Novus NV12 Hybrid Piano in Polished Ebony

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The NV12 is the latest addition to the Novus range, and successor to the award-winning NV10S hybrid piano. This new  model elevates the Novus concept to new heights, combining a larger, grand piano-inspired cabinet with a revolutionary sound system, while retaining the acclaimed Millennium III Hybrid grand piano keyboard action and real damper mechanism of its predecessor.

Visually, the NV12 makes an immediate impression with its redesigned cabinet that extends approximately one-third deeper than the NV10S, featuring a gently curved rear body and a three-position topboard lid – enhancing both acoustic projection and aesthetic appeal. The centre column retains the signature polished silver pedal rods, but now features an open design that gives the instrument a lighter, less bulky presence. In addition, the NV12 is the first Novus instrument to incorporate a real grand piano music shelf, allowing players to adjust the angle and position of the music rest, or remove it entirely, for greater flexibility and authenticity.

At the heart of the NV12 lies the all-new PentaDrive soundboard system – a groundbreaking audio design enabled by the instrument's deeper cabinet and opening topboard. This approach eliminates conventional speaker drivers entirely. The result is a natural, immersive experience, with sound that resonates throughout the entire instrument, and closely mirrors the projection of an acoustic grand piano.

Like the NV6, the NV12 incorporates a range of digital enhancements derived from Kawai's flagship CA901 digital piano. These include the latest SK-EXCompetition Grand piano sound, which possesses a bright, clear tonal character and distinctive attack. This new sound complements the warm elegance of the existing SK-EX Concert Grand, allowing pianists to enjoy the contrasting colours of each. The NV12 also features an improved 5" touchscreen with a new anti-glare surface for enhanced visibility, plus the option to turn off the display after inactivity to minimise distractions while playing. Other upgrades include Bluetooth® MIDI and Audio v5 for faster, more stable wireless communication, and a USB-C port with a built-in audio interface and power delivery supporting modern device connectivity.

With its bold new cabinet, breakthrough acoustic technology, and refined digital performance, the Novus NV12 represents a major evolution in hybrid piano design – realising the vision of the true grand piano experience.

New Features & Improvements

The NOVUS NV12 is the first digital piano to incorporate Kawai's leading acoustic grand piano keyboard action technology, renowned for its extended spruce key sticks, and innovative ABS Carbon components that are stronger, lighter, and more dimensionally stable than conventional wooden parts.

The specially adapted Millennium III Hybrid keyboard action utilised by the NV12 replaces traditional felt hammers with new ABS equivalents that are individual graded in weight from bass to treble, while high-precision optical sensors take the place of metal strings, accurately reading the subtle movements of each hammer as the corresponding keys are played.

In addition to featuring a full acoustic grand piano keyboard action, the NOVUS NV12 is the first hybrid instrument to also incorporate a real grand piano damper mechanism. While there are no strings inside the NV12 to require physical damping, this unique feature replicates the true weighting of a grand piano damper pedal, while also mechanically easing the keyboard action's touch weight as the pedal is pressed.

At the heart of the NV12 lies the all-new PentaDrive soundboard system – a groundbreaking audio design enabled by the instrument's deeper cabinet and opening topboard. This approach eliminates conventional speaker drivers entirely, instead using five carefully positioned transducers to channel energy onto a large wooden soundboard, producing a rich, full-bodied tone. The result is a natural, immersive experience, with sound that resonates throughout the entire instrument, and closely mirrors the projection of an acoustic grand piano.

The magnificent tone of Kawai's flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full concert grand piano is at the heart of the NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano. Widely regarded as the 'premier pianos of Japan', Shigeru Kawai instruments grace the stages of concert halls and musical institutions throughout the world, and are prized for their tonal clarity and exceptional dynamic range.

In order to faithfully reproduce the stunning sound of a Shigeru digitally, Kawai has developed SK-EX Rendering – a brand new piano sound engine that blends multi-channel, 88-key sampling with the latest resonance modelling technology. Multi-channel sampling captures the sound from different points of the Shigeru Kawai concert grand piano, allowing a broader range of tonal characteristics to be reproduced, and providing a more lively, authentic response to changes in dynamics. This naturally expressive sound is further enriched by newly developed resonance algorithms, which physically model the complex tonal interactions produced by the strings, pedals, and various other parts of an acoustic piano, giving players the impression that they're sitting at a living, breathing instrument.

In addition to the latest SK-EX Rendering piano sound engine, the NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano also incorporates Kawai's highly regarding Harmonic Imaging XL technology, showcasing a variety of alternative acoustic piano sounds and a strong selection of additional instrument voices. The Kawai EX full concert grand piano has frequently been selected by professional pianists in such prestigious events as the Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rubinstein international piano competitions, while the Shigeru Kawai SK-5 chamber grand and Kawai K-60 upright, allow performers to enjoy the contrasting tonal characteristics of various different piano sizes and voicing configurations.

Supplementing these realistic acoustic piano voices, the NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano also features an excellent selection of additional instrument sounds, ranging from electric pianos and drawbar and church organs, to strings, human choirs, and even atmospheric synth-style pads, inviting musicians to add greater variety to their performances. Furthermore, the Dual playing mode also allows two different sounds, such as grand piano and strings, to be layered together, while the Split and 4Hands playing modes divide the keyboard into two independent sections.

The NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano's Virtual Technician feature allows various characteristics of the selected acoustic piano, electric piano, or harpsichord sound to be shaped from the instruments' touchscreen display, with settings to adjust voicing and regulation, string, damper, and cabinet resonances, and subtle hammer, damper, and key release noises. It is even possible to adjust the precise tuning and volume of individual notes, before storing one's favorite instrument configuration to memory.

In addition to standard MIDI jacks for connecting to other instruments, the NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano also boasts integrated Bluetooth MIDI and Audio technology that allows the instrument to communicate with supported smart devices wirelessly. Once connected to a phone, tablet, or laptop, NV12 owners can enjoy a wide variety of exciting music-related apps that enhance their learning and playing experience, or stream audio from songs and videos through the instrument's speakers without any additional cables. In addition the USB-C Audio interface lets you directly connect digitally to your recording devices for high quality audio recording or video taking.

* Availability of Bluetooth function dependent on market location.

The NOVUS NV12 hybrid digital piano is one of the first Kawai musical instruments to utilise specialist components designed for high-end audio reproduction.

With cutting-edge technologies the NV12's optimised power amplifiers reproduce the Shigeru Kawai grand piano sound with stunning clarity, richness, and power, while the high-performance headphone amplifier ensures the finest quality listening experience, even when playing in privacy.

The NOVUS NV12 features a full-colour 5" anti-glare touchscreen display. Discreetly embedded within the left cheekblock, this high resolution touchscreen allows sounds and settings to be selected from an attractive user interface with the swipe of a finger. The display can also be set to turn off automatically while playing, thus preserving the NV12's acoustic piano-like appearance, and minimising any visual distraction to the pianist.

Hear, Try and Compare the Kawai Novus NV12 Hybrid Piano in our showroom

Located in Leicester in the central Midlands and close to Coventry, Nottingham, Derby, Birmingham and Warwick we promise you that a visit to our specialist Digital Piano and Keyboard showroom will not disappoint. Try the full Kawai range including the Novus NV12 Hybrid Piano and compare it with Yamaha, Roland, Casio and Korg all under one roof. Whatever your playing standard our knowledgeable and friendly experts will help guide you through the Piano buying process and make sure that you are buying the right instrument for your needs. As ex teachers we are ideally placed to advise and answer any questions you may have. Lifetime support and product tuition with ALL digital pianos.

Do you live with a 40 mile radius of Leicester?

If so then you qualify for Keysounds VIP delivery service. Our own van 2 man delivery goes beyond a standard delivery. With allocated time slots we can delivery at a convenient time for you. All new Pianos are delivered boxed and assembled at your home by our experts. We will also remove all packaging for recycling.

We sell Digital Pianos and Keyboards. That's it. Nothing else. No distractions and nothing to steal our focus.

What is the Kawai NV12?
The Kawai NV12 is the flagship hybrid piano in Kawai’s NOVUS series, combining a full acoustic grand piano action with advanced digital sound technology to deliver one of the most realistic playing experiences available.

What makes the NV12 a hybrid piano?
The NV12 combines a real grand piano keyboard action and damper mechanism with digital sound generation, giving you the true feel of an acoustic grand piano without strings or tuning requirements.

Does the Kawai NV12 have a real grand piano action?
Yes, it features Kawai’s Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action with real wooden keys, extended key length, and a full grand damper mechanism for unmatched realism.

How realistic is the NV12 compared to an acoustic grand?
The NV12 is designed to closely replicate an acoustic grand piano, with real mechanical components, optical hammer sensing, and authentic pedal weighting, making it one of the most realistic hybrid instruments available.

What piano sounds are included?
The NV12 includes the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand and SK-EX Competition Grand sounds, powered by the SK-EX Rendering engine with multi-channel sampling and resonance modelling.

Does the NV12 use traditional speakers?
No, the NV12 uses Kawai’s PentaDrive soundboard system, which uses transducers to vibrate a real wooden soundboard, producing a rich, natural sound similar to an acoustic piano.

How does the NV12 sound compared to a digital piano?
The NV12 produces a more natural and immersive sound because the entire wooden soundboard resonates, rather than relying on traditional speakers.

Does the Kawai NV12 support Bluetooth?
Yes, the NV12 supports Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, allowing wireless connection to apps and streaming music through the instrument.

Can I play silently with headphones?
Yes, the NV12 allows silent practice with headphones while maintaining a high-quality, spatial audio experience.

Does the NV12 have recording features?
Yes, it supports MIDI and audio recording via USB, and includes a built-in USB audio interface for direct recording to devices.

Does the NV12 have a touchscreen?
Yes, it features a built-in anti-glare touchscreen display for controlling sounds, settings, and advanced features.

Is the NV12 suitable for advanced players?
Yes, the NV12 is designed for serious pianists and professionals who want the closest possible experience to a concert grand piano with modern digital flexibility.

Why would you choose the NV12 over a digital piano like the CA901?
You would choose the NV12 if you want the closest possible experience to an acoustic grand piano, as it uses a full grand piano action and real damper mechanism rather than a simulated digital action. It also produces sound through a real wooden soundboard instead of traditional speakers, giving a more natural tone and projection. The CA901 is a top digital piano, but the NV12 sits above it as a true hybrid instrument focused on maximum realism.

Is the NV12 better than a standard digital piano?
For players prioritising realism, the NV12 offers a significantly more authentic touch and sound thanks to its real mechanical action and soundboard system, while digital pianos focus more on affordability and convenience.

Does the NV12 require tuning?
No, the NV12 does not require tuning because it produces sound digitally, even though it uses real acoustic piano components for touch and feel.

Who is the NV12 best suited for?
The NV12 is ideal for advanced players, professionals, and serious musicians who want the feel of a grand piano combined with silent practice, connectivity, and low maintenance.