Piano News

News from the Kawai Piano Factory, Japan.

"The World's Most Precise Piano action"

ABS-Carbon

For the Millennium III Action, Kawai scientists developed a new material called AB S_Carbon, created by the infusion of carbon fibre into ABS material. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and light weight-properties that moved Kawai to make the action parts lighter without sacrificing strength. The lighter design makes the Millennium III Upright Action exceptionally fast and effortless. The repetition and ease of playing is superb.

Micro-Engineer Design

The Millennium III action features several core components that are redesigned with lighter mass and structural enhancements to optimize speed, repetition and control. Every exact detail of the action was analyzed and adapted to create an intimate interface between the artist and music. While the key weight is comparable to most other high-end upright actions, the ease of expression is extraordinary.

In a few words, the engineers reasoned that the parts must be made stronger before they could be made lighter. The infusion of carbon fiber into ABS increases the strength of material by 90% Additional power was a natural byproduct of adding carbon fibre to ABS material. In short, the player is able to produce more power with less effort. It also gives better control and offers the player unparalleled control for pianissimo playing.

Congratulations to the KAWAI team on their 80th anniversary!!

Beijing Chooses KAWAI; The National Centre for the performing arts in beijing conducted a worldwide search for pianos for its music spaces. They chose Kawai: no other Japanese brand was purchased. Now, with 17 Kawai pianos, including a handcrafted shigeru kawai concert grand ex, it is ready for all forthcoming cultural events.

The experts in China chose Kawai for:

• finest quality materials
• innovation and investment in technology
• patented Millenium III action
• Kawai heritage of craftsmanship
• the best of Japan outperforming Europe

Fellow Rotary Members Hans Heshusius , President Austral Piano World, and Hirotaka Kawai, President Kawai , meet up at Kawai Piano Company's 80th Birthday Dinner.

New arrivals at Austral Piano World:

QRS "Pianomation" is a multi-media entertainment system that turns any piano into a player piano. Pianomation can play piano solos as well as music with accompanying instruments and vocals. Pianomation patent-pending technology makes it even possible for you to experience the thrill of a live concert by watching your favorite musicians on their concert dvd's as the music is being played on your piano.

Better Design Technology

Today's player piano systems are based on solenoids and plungers that are computer-activated keys. The design and construction of the solenoids and plungers is an important consideration when choosing your entertainment system. Pianomatiom has long been considered the gold standard in the industry for player technology, and with good reason.

Pianomation used specially designed solenoids and plungers that eliminate problems found in competitive systems.

Unparalleled Music Selection

At Austral Piano World we believe that Pianomation has astonishing sound realism, and there are about about 3000 selections in every genre imaginable from classical to Jazz to your favorite up to the minute pop artists. Whether you're in the mood for contemporary favorites like Elton John, modern classics like Frank Sinatra or music icons like Fats Waller, you'll find plenty to choose from, with new titles added monthly.

News just in:

Petrof Pianos

Now available , imported direct from CZech Republic in Europe, All models on our new web page. The ceaseless efforts of the five generations of the Petrof's has borne fruit. The oldest existing piano made by Antonin Petrof is marked with the opus number '258'. Bearing in mind Antonin Petrof's business tactics, this does not necessarily mean that it really was the 258th instruments produced at Petrof. Nevertheless, the founder of the factory is unlikely to have envisaged the opus number 600,000 which was reached recently. 140 years is a very long time, but one thing has never changed: as it was years ago, the manufacture of pianos in hradec Kralove is inseparably connected with love for, and loyalty to, the company and also with the world of art and music, so that it becomes an integral part of culture and goes beyond all boundaries. Petrof boast another unique feature: the tradition of a company which has always been Czech. Tradition is binding.

Also from QRS : " Pianomation"

If you don't have any rolls, don't worry, QRS supports its Pianomation products with the highest quality music library in the industry. We offer over 3000 selections in our CD library, made up entirely of live performance recordings. And only QRS offers you patent-pending SyncAlong audio capabilities. SyncAlong enables your piano to play along with selected original artists' CDs, bringing your favorite artists' music to life in your very own home.

A Sample selection of some of the famous recording artists that can perform their music via Pianomation in your very own home:

Tony Bennett All Time Greatest Hits, Chris Botti When I Fall In Love, Michael Buble It's Time, Nat King Cole The World of Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin The Ultimate Bobby Darin, Ella Fitzgerald The Best of the Songbooks, Diana Krall The Look of Love, Dean Martin Italian Love Songs , Johnny Mathis 16 Most Requested Songs, Glenn Miller Greatest Hits, Frank Sinatra's Reprise-The Very Good Years,Frank Sinatra Greatest Love Songs, Rod Stewart It Had to be You, Barbra Streisand Barbra Streisand's Memories , Cocktails with Cole Porter, The Beatles; 1967-1970 Elton John, Greatest Hits.Norah Jones, Come Away With Me, Barry Manilow Ultimate Manilow, Harry Connick Jr. Harry for the Holidays, the list goes on and on. Contact us if you require further information, we would be only too happy to send or email it to you. Price per disk $79.-

Pianomation control unit; fitted to grand piano.

NEW ALLIANCE-Quality result

Recently Austral Piano World has formed a strategic alliance with Moutrie-Schumann Piano Factory. Our Schumann pianos are manufactured there; adhering to strict European Design Rules, incorporating the latest German-Technology. The best available parts are used, such as traditional Real Wooden Actions, beautifully constructed Iron Frames, fully agraffed to give a better tuning stability.

All Schumann Grand and Upright Pianos have Solid high grade spruce soundboard's, from which eminates a warm clarity of tone, mellow and powerfull when required. It has been said that in some instances these pianos and grand pianos are as good as or even outshine some of their more expensive counterparts.

The cost factor of production presently is still quiet low, as the main factory is located in Nanjing, China. Using the latest state of the art machinery, some imported from Germany, these pianos are crafted under the guidance of highly qualified piano engineers, advised by their German peers.

The results are so stunning, that some of our clients prefer these pianos over certain Japanese brands. Fundamentally this is a good piano to go for various reasons; space, budget,sound quality, new, but you don't want the problem of an inferior product .This is why Austral Piano World has chosen this product, after much research and consultation world wide.

For more information on the Schumann Range, please refer to our Upright or Grand Piano Pages. All models are shown there, including the pricing, or come and see them at our Showroom in East Ivanhoe.

You may now have quality German Sound, from a Schumann, without the price tag!!!

The Schumann Piano Factory

PIANO RECORDING SYSTEM PR-1

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

You've never seen anything like the Kawai PR-1...a complete system that allows you to mic and record any acoustic piano, or connect to any external sound system! Special microphones are the secret to the PR-1 control module. These unique mics attach to any grand or upright piano and then connect directly to the PR-1 control module.

With the built in CD recorder you can make CD recordings directly from your acoustic piano.

Your recordings can then be played on any CD player and you can make copies and share with your friends, family and other musicians. Imagine the possibilities for piano teachers, students, church musicians, choral directors, schools, churches, theaters....even home hobbyist who want to make a CD to share or keep.

The Kawai PR-1 serves double duty as an easy-to-use miking system to connect an acoustic piano to any sound system. There's no need to purchase expensive and complicated sound equipment. Simply use the output jacks on the back of the PR-1 to send your piano's sound to any sound system, recording console or home theatre system. The built in reverb can even make you sound as if you're playing in a concert hall.

The PR-1 input jacks allow you to record an incoming audio signal to CD. This further expands your CD possibilities by recording vocals and other instruments along with your acoustic piano.And to top it of, the PR-1 can detach from the microphones to become a portable CD player capable of playing any commercial released CD.

PR-1 Specifications

Microphones: 2 Proprietary MIC's with Built in Pre amps

CD Functions: Song record, Song Play, Transport Controls, Record Start Timer, Finalize, Song- Delete

Reverb: 6 Types, Lever Control

EQ and Sound Control: 10 EQ presets, User EQ, Stereo Field, Noise Gate, Anti-Howling

Controls: Master Volume, CD Volume, MIC Volume, Line In Volume, Input Level, Select (Line/MIC)

Jacks: Piano MIC Input (2), Stereo Line In, Stereo Line Out, XLR Out (2), Foot switch, Headphone

Accessories: 3m MIC Cables (2) MIC Mounting Bands, AC adaptor

Options: 15M MIV Cables, F-1M Foot switch

You can place it directly on top of your piano or grand piano.

This small investment only $1,295.-

We can ship it out to you direct, please refer to our "contact us" page.

EDUCATION

KAWAI AND THE ROLE OF SUPPORTING YOUNG TALENTS

In Australia Kawai has taken an active role in supporting music education by sponsoring music camps and piano competitions that provide exciting opportunities for outstanding young pianists to achieve their very best.

The Kawai Piano Schools, conducted within the Pan Pacific Music Camps held at Collaroy in Sydney, give young people of all ages, and their teachers, an opportunity to improve their musical skills in the company of others who share their interest.

Australian Music Examinations Board

AMEB (NSW) CHOOSES KAWAI Pianos

With the completion of brand new studios in Sydney, AMEB (NSW) conducted a thorough examination of pianos available in the market. Recommendations were sought from its head of music and its keyboard examiners. The result? AMEB Australian Music Examinations Board (NSW) chose no fewer than 12 Kawai pianos.

For performers, teachers and players at all levels, Kawai is the piano of the future.

Kawai has built a strong relationship with Suzuki Talent Education. Through international recognized courses based on teachings of Dr Suzuki, teachers from all over Australia and New Zealand have given fast numbers of children the opportunity to learn a musical instrument with a simple methodology. The Suzuki highlight of the year is the gala performance at the Sydney Opera House, where young pianists win the hearts with astonishing recitals at the Kawai concert grand.

Kawai's involvement continues with piano sponsorship of the McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge, which each year showcases up and coming young pianists, ready to springboard to a professional career.

In Australia and New Zealand, Kawai works closely with a wide range of educational institutions to provide the finest instruments - from a classroom of digital pianos at secondary school to a handcrafted instrument for the college hall or university sound studio - from Scotch College Melbourne to Scots College Sydney, from Queensland Conservatorium to Auckland University, Ascham School to University of Western Australia educators are finding that Kawai has the range of instruments, personal service and competitive drive to meet and exceed their requirements.