Beyond Acoustic.
Moving Forward.

The NOVUS NV12 is Kawai's flagship hybrid digital piano, combining an authentic grand piano action, wooden soundboard speaker system and real pedal response with advanced digital sound technology.

Designed around a genuine Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action, a real grand piano damper mechanism, and the innovative PentaDrive wooden soundboard system, the NV12 delivers an exceptionally immersive playing experience inspired by the touch, response, and acoustic presence of a grand piano.

The NV12 is called a Hybrid Digital Piano because it combines genuine acoustic grand piano elements with advanced digital sound technology.

Its Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action and real mechanical damper system provide an authentic physical playing response, while the sound is generated digitally through Kawai's SK-EX Rendering engine, yet distributed via the PentaDrive wooden soundboard system.

The NV12 is ideal for:

• Serious and advanced pianists
• Professional musicians
• Piano teachers and students
• Composers and performers
• Pianists seeking an authentic grand piano action with digital flexibility
• Design-conscious buyers looking for a flagship instrument for premium living spaces

The NOVUS NV12 uniquely combines:

• A genuine Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action
• A real grand piano damper mechanism
• Contactless optical hammer sensing technology
• The exclusive PentaDrive wooden soundboard system
• Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand and Competition Grand piano sounds
• Advanced digital flexibility and connectivity
• A grand piano-inspired cabinet with an adjustable topboard

Together, these technologies create one of the most authentic and immersive grand piano experiences available in a digital instrument.

The NV12 combines a genuine grand piano action and mechanical damper response with the flexibility of modern digital technology.

Benefits include:

• Authentic grand piano touch and pedal response
• Silent practice with headphones
• Adjustable volume
• No regular tuning
• Modern connectivity and recording features
• A choice of premium piano sounds
• Greater flexibility for contemporary living environments

A traditional acoustic grand piano remains the appropriate choice for pianists who specifically prefer sound generated naturally by strings and a fully acoustic soundboard.

For pianists who prioritise authentic grand piano touch, silent practice, adjustable volume, and digital flexibility, the NV12 can be a compelling alternative to an acoustic grand piano.

However, it does not generate sound through acoustic strings. Pianists seeking a fully acoustic sound source and the natural resonance of a traditional grand piano may still prefer an acoustic instrument.

Both instruments belong to Kawai's premium NOVUS Hybrid Piano Series and combine genuine acoustic piano mechanics with advanced digital sound technology.

However, they feature different keyboard actions, cabinet concepts, and sound delivery systems.

NOVUS NV6

• Millennium III Hybrid upright piano action
• Genuine upright piano damper mechanism
• Ultra-slim upright-style cabinet
• High-performance multi-speaker system with wooden soundboard
• Ideal for apartments, studios, and modern living spaces
• Authentic upright piano touch with digital flexibility

NOVUS NV12

• Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action
• Genuine grand piano damper mechanism
• Grand piano-inspired cabinet with adjustable topboard
• Exclusive PentaDrive wooden soundboard system
• More expansive and immersive sound projection
• The flagship NOVUS experience

In short:

Choose the NV6 if you prefer the authentic touch and practicality of an upright-style hybrid piano.

Choose the NV12 if you are seeking a genuine grand piano action, a more immersive sound experience, and a compelling grand piano-inspired playing experience.

The NOVUS NV12 is a genuine hybrid digital piano.

While its sound is generated digitally, it incorporates an authentic acoustic grand piano action and a real mechanical grand piano damper system.

This gives the instrument a physical touch and pedal response that conventional digital piano actions cannot reproduce in the same way.

Yes. The NV12 features Kawai's Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action, providing the touch, weighting, repetition, and responsiveness associated with a premium acoustic grand piano.

Its extended wooden keys, individually graded hammers, optical sensing technology, and genuine damper mechanism provide exceptional control across a wide dynamic range.

The Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action is a genuine acoustic grand piano keyboard mechanism specially adapted for use within the NV12.

It combines extended wooden keys, advanced ABS Carbon components, individually graded hammers, and contactless optical sensing technology to provide precise control, rapid repetition, and a highly responsive playing experience.

The NV12 incorporates precision-engineered ABS Hybrid hammers that are individually graded in weight from bass to treble.

Their stable and lightweight construction supports the speed, control, and repetition characteristics of the Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action.

Because the NV12 does not contain strings, the movement of the hammers is tracked using high-resolution, non-contact optical sensors.

These sensors capture even the smallest hammer movements with exceptional accuracy, allowing the sound engine to respond instantly and naturally to every nuance of touch.

Unlike conventional digital instruments, the NV12 incorporates real mechanical components, optical hammer sensing, graded hammers, and a genuine damper mechanism.

This combination allows pianists to experience the natural inertia, repetition, control, and nuanced response associated with an acoustic grand piano action.

Yes. Unlike many digital instruments that recreate pedal behaviour entirely through electronic simulation, the NOVUS NV12 incorporates a genuine grand piano damper mechanism.

Although the instrument does not contain strings, this physical mechanism reproduces the natural pedal weighting and the mechanical interaction between the damper system and the keyboard action.

Because it is not merely simulated. The NV12 is one of the few hybrid instruments to incorporate a genuine grand piano damper mechanism. This allows advanced techniques such as half-pedalling and subtle tonal shading to feel remarkably natural and intuitive.

Absolutely. Because the NV12 incorporates a genuine grand piano action and real damper mechanism, techniques developed on the instrument support a natural transition to an acoustic grand piano.

Its realistic key movement, repetition, dynamic control, and pedal response make it an excellent instrument for long-term musical development.

Absolutely. Its authentic touch, nuanced dynamics, and precise pedal response make the NV12 particularly attractive for classical repertoire and advanced pianists seeking uncompromising expression.

At the heart of the NV12 are the sounds of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand and SK-EX Competition Grand pianos.

These internationally acclaimed instruments are reproduced using Kawai's advanced SK-EX Rendering sound engine, capturing their tonal character, dynamic range, and expressive detail.

SK-EX Rendering Technology is Kawai's advanced sound engine designed to reproduce the tonal depth, dynamic range, and expressive character of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano.

Every note is recreated with exceptional richness, nuance, and realism.

The NV12 combines advanced digital sound processing with the innovative PentaDrive wooden soundboard system to create a rich, immersive, and highly natural piano sound.

The result is a three-dimensional sound field with exceptional warmth, depth, and realism.

The exclusive PentaDrive system uses five transducers to energise a large wooden soundboard.

Rather than relying on conventional loudspeakers for its primary sound projection, the system allows the soundboard itself to vibrate and radiate sound throughout the room, creating a warm, resonant, and spatial listening experience inspired by an acoustic piano soundboard.

The PentaDrive system creates a more immersive and organic sound experience than traditional speaker systems.

It allows the instrument to project sound naturally throughout the room, producing an authentic sense of depth, resonance, and acoustic presence.

Conventional digital pianos typically project sound from fixed speaker positions.

The NV12's exclusive PentaDrive system uses five independently controlled transducers to energise a large wooden soundboard, allowing sound to radiate through the instrument with greater depth, warmth, and spatial presence.

Absolutely. The PentaDrive wooden soundboard system creates a rich, room-filling sound experience with remarkable depth and projection.

Its immersive sound field closely resembles the acoustic presence of a grand piano.

The NV12 includes:

• Bluetooth MIDI
• Bluetooth Audio
• USB-C audio interface
• USB to Host
• USB to Device
• Audio input and output connections
• MIDI connections
• Headphone outputs

This allows seamless integration with smart devices, music apps, learning tools, and recording environments.

Absolutely. The NV12 allows completely silent practice through headphones while preserving the authentic touch and response of its grand piano action.

This makes it ideal for apartments, family homes, and late-night practice sessions.

Yes. Bluetooth Audio allows you to wirelessly stream music directly from your smartphone or tablet and reproduce it through the NV12's PentaDrive soundboard system.

This makes the instrument equally enjoyable for music listening and play-along practice.

Yes. Bluetooth Audio connectivity allows you to stream music directly from your smartphone or tablet and play along with your favourite artists and recordings.

Yes. The PianoRemote App allows convenient wireless control of sounds, settings, and advanced features directly from your mobile device.

The integrated five-inch anti-glare touchscreen is discreetly embedded within the cabinet, preserving the NV12's elegant appearance. An Auto Display Off function allows the display to switch off automatically when not in use, ensuring the instrument maintains its refined, piano-like aesthetic.

The touchscreen provides quick access to sounds, settings, recording functions, and connectivity options through an intuitive and elegant interface.

Absolutely. Players can adjust a wide range of parameters, including touch curves, voicing, damper resonance, string resonance, temperament settings, and other Virtual Technician parameters to tailor the instrument precisely to their personal preferences.

Yes. The NV12's advanced connectivity and recording capabilities make it ideal for home recording, online lessons, content creation, and music production.

The NV12 does not require tuning because its sound is generated digitally and it does not contain acoustic strings.

However, it incorporates a sophisticated mechanical grand piano action and damper system, so occasional professional servicing or regulation may be beneficial depending on use and playing conditions.

Choose the NOVUS NV12 if you are looking for:

✓ Authentic grand piano touch and expression✓ Immersive, room-filling sound projection✓ Silent practice anytime✓ No tuning requirements✓ Modern connectivity and recording capabilities✓ Elegant grand piano-inspired design✓ The flagship NOVUS experience✓ A premium instrument that bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation

Yes. Although it incorporates a genuine grand piano action and grand-inspired cabinet, the NV12 has been designed to integrate beautifully into premium contemporary living spaces.

Its elegant proportions make it both a flagship musical instrument and a refined piece of furniture.

The NV12 reinterprets grand piano aesthetics for modern living.

Its gently curved cabinet lines, open-leg design, and elegant proportions create a contemporary appearance while preserving the timeless beauty associated with premium grand pianos.

The NV12 combines Kawai's Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action, genuine grand piano damper mechanism, PentaDrive wooden soundboard system, SK-EX Rendering technology, and grand piano-inspired cabinet.

Together, these elements make the NV12 the flagship of the NOVUS Series and its most immersive grand piano-inspired hybrid instrument.