Celviano Digital Pianos

We had this piano for at least 4 years now. The previous epionion review did a good job describing the good points of this as well as competing models but misrepresented some specs. I have to admit that Casio was not able to promote this vigorously and Yamaha dominates the market in USA. Also, I have to admit that model AP25 is obsolete now, but AP 28, AP24 and other similar models designated AP appear to be very similar to AP25. Thus I decided to put my take on AP25 and similar Casio's Celviano digital pianos.

It’s clearly a beginner’s piano but performs very admirably. My daughter plays on this daily and the piano is bulletproof despite all the abuse it gets. Once, I had to clean soda spill from the keyboard.

Below are the specs from the the manufacturer:

“Polyphony 64 note (max)

MIDI 16 Channel multi timbre; MIDI Compatibility "Musical Instrument Digital Interface" lets you connect with other MIDI instruments or devices for remote or synchronized performance.

Pedals 2 Soft/Sostenuto

Dimensions 1390 W x 470 H x 810 D mm; Weight 44.0 kg

5 Digital Effects

8 Built-in tones (grand piano 1 and 2, piano 1 and 2, electric piano 1 and 2, harpsichord and vibraphone).

8 Built-in demos of music.

Keyboard size and number of keys (88): These models have keyboards that are the same size as an acoustic piano, making them the best choice for use in place of a piano for practice and performances.

Keys with touch response (3 sensitivity levels, off): Touch Response Changes in volume dynamics can be controlled by the amount of pressure applied to keyboard keys, as with an acoustic piano.

Metronome

Naturally Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard: Keyboard mechanics simulate those of a grand piano to provide key touch that is amazingly close to that of an acoustic piano. The keyboard plays heavier for low notes and lighter for high notes, for key touch that is virtually identical to that of an acoustic piano.

Song Memory / Song Sequencer: Tunes played on the keyboard can be recorded to memory for later playback.

ZPI Sound Source: Zygotech Polynomial Interpolation Optimized data compression and a polynomial interpolation based waveform playback process combine to produce amazingly clear and realistic sounds.

Dual-element Waveform Stereo sampled piano timbres include separate samples for strong keyboard pressure and light keyboard pressure.”



The specs are a bit hype because only 3 tones (but not just one) have 64 polyphony and a few only have stereo sampling. However, the sound quality is surprisingly good and indistinguishable from real piano (to my ears at least). The 2x 20 W speakers built into heavy piano frame probably has a lot to do with that. The keys have a feel of a real thing. There are lots of advantages to digital piano in addition to no need to tune and available headphones. This piano interfaces very nicely with PC computers via MIDI interface and even with newer laptops without MIDI port (with an optional USB/MIDI interface). I have a number of educational software products that work great with this piano and are useful for children. I theory, with good software, there are no limitations to creativity.

I summary, I recommend Casio's Celviano digital pianos with no reservations whatsoever. They are cheaper that corresponding Yamaha models and appear to be problem free. They are hard to get though. Mine was shipped with high shipping cost.