Kawai MP11SE - Best Digital Piano Review (2023)

The Kawai mp11se is said to be the most accurate keyboard, the most accurate sound, and the deftest control. Even while others can assert that they are “the finest,” only one can be said to be sincere. Class-leading Wooden-key keyboard movement with a grand feel wonderful SK-EX, SK-5, and EX acoustic grand piano sounds Realistic electronic pianos and other sounds are abundantly available.

Ranking

Best Overall

1st

General Overview of Kawai MP11SE

The Kawai MP11SE (SE stands for “Second Edition”) is going to be tough to beat if you’re shopping for a new stage piano. And it will be broken down precisely what you can expect from this piano in this post, as well as how it sounds and feels and if it’s truly worth the additional cost over the standard Kawai MP11.

The first thing to determine whenever a well-known digital piano receives an upgrade of any type is what was modified and, finally, whether it is worthwhile to pay the extra money for the new product. Let’s start by discussing the Kawai MP11SE’s specific changes for the time being. To begin with, there has been a little aesthetic adjustment.

Editor Rating: 9.5/10

Features	Rating
Performance and sounds	9.4
Connectivity	9.3
Build Quality	9.4
Value for money	9.5

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Instead of the more brown or rosewood end caps seen on the Kawai MP 11, the side panels on the MP11SE are now polished ebony. From an aesthetic sense, I enjoy the way the original MP11’s side panels seem. However, the MP11SE’s ebony panels are unquestionably a good enhancement. The sound is far more crucial than appearance, and the Kawai MP11SE’s piano tones have improved significantly.

The concert piano part of this piano now offers three distinctly different piano sounds. Shigeru Kawai SK5 a mid-sized grand piano with a more personal tonal character, Shigeru Kawai EX Concert Grand the SK-EX, which is brand-new to the MP11SE noted on the Shigeru Kawai review. Kawai EX Concert Grand is a full-size concert piano; this is also brand-new to the MP11SE.

The Shigeru Kawai EX Concert Grand, which is mentioned above, was a forerunner to this. The Kawai EX Concert Grand sound, which was a piano voice included with the original MP11, should be mentioned. The triple pedal unit is the last significant modification to the MP11SE. Now, the old triple pedal unit for the MP11 was made by Fatar. But now, Kawai has made their own pedal unit.

The triple pedal unit that comes with the MP11SE actually uses optical sensors when the pedal is being pushed. On top of that, the pedals themselves are graded, just like a graded keyboard. As a result, pressing on each pedal will result in a somewhat distinct sensation. Overall, switching to a pedal unit with graded pedals in addition to optical sensors will result in a playing experience that is much better and more in line with what you would anticipate on an acoustic piano.

Kawai MP11SE, 88 Keys Stage Piano

Class-leading Grand Feel wooden-key keyboard action
Stunning SK-EX, SK-5, and EX acoustic grand piano sounds
Strong selection of realistic electric pianos and other sounds

You may enjoy Kawai’s Grand Feel piano action with the MP11SE. Long wooden keys may be found on this keyboard. The pivot point length is identical to that inside a conventional grand piano, which is an essential point to notice. And what this does is offer the pianist greater control over how their performance is expressed (far more than they would receive if they were performing on another instrument).

The Pitch bend and modulation wheels on the Kawai MP11SE are now located on your extreme left. The master volume and the volume for Line Input are located next to that. A CD player, a phone, or an MP3 player would be examples of line input. Because the sound from the device could finally be played through the MP11SE’s speakers, this is particularly wonderful if you wanted to jam out to other music.

We already spoke about the Piano Section, the E-Piano (Electric Piano) Section, and the Sub Section. Now, the Kawai MP11SE’s middle panel houses the LCD screen and four knobs that surround it. The items that are now displayed on the LCD screen are controlled by these knobs. Additionally, this panel has “backlighting”, so you won’t have to worry about it being visible at night. It makes it simple to read while you’re practicing late at night.

Also check: Best Beginner Digital Pianos & Keyboards 2024

Your setup buttons are located next to the LCD screen and the knobs. They assist you in effectively storing your settings like splits, layers, EQ, and more. Now that the Kawai MP11SE has an extremely excellent and potent equalization built inside of it, you can alter the piano’s sound more easily. You may modify the piano’s tone, for instance, by changing the EQ setting.

When you’re performing with instruments or singing with singers in different keys, the transpose button is fantastic. Four MIDI zones are located right next to that part, as you can see. The MP11SE is a potent MIDI controller that can manage up to four MIDI sound modules, all of which may be activated and deactivated using the MIDI zone buttons, which are situated on the piano’s right side. The MP11SE has extra capabilities including the ability to record your performance.

If you’re learning to play a piece and need to hear it again to judge what you performed well and incorrectly, this is obviously incredibly beneficial. These recordings were made in the format of an uncompressed wave file.

Additionally, you may capture your performances onto a USB stick that is inserted into the piano’s front. After that, you might broadcast your performance to the whole globe via the Internet. You can also distribute it on a CD by creating an empty disc and burning it. Both the XLR outputs and the quarter-inch jack outputs are located on the rear of the Kawai MP11SE.

Stage performers in particular benefit greatly from XLR outputs since they may connect directly to a mixing desk or stage box without the requirement for a DI box in between. The GFP-3 triple pedal unit port is the last one. Along with the USB to HOST port, you also have the expression pedal and second footswitch ports (a computer, for example).

Three MIDI sockets are also included (In, Out, and Thru). Using the Virtual Technician to Adjust. Now, there is a very popular program called Virtual Technician, which is essentially a Kawai-branded app and gives you control over your digital piano’s sound, touch, and general tuning qualities.

By adjusting a variety of parameters on your digital piano, you can effectively play the role of your own piano technician and make the sound more realistic. The Kawai MP11SE now has Virtual Technician incorporated right into the piano, which is cool. You may now include mechanical sounds that you’d hear if you were playing on an acoustic piano with the click of a few buttons. You want to hear exactly what actual hammers would make if they struck real strings, then. Or do you desire to hear what it might sound like to press a piano pedal whilst playing an acoustic instrument?

You may modify each of them using the onboard settings. There are a total of 22 settings that may be adjusted: Touch Curve (incl. User Touch Curve), Voicing, Damper Resonance, Damper Noise, String Resonance, Undamped String Resonance, Key-off Effect, Fall-back Noise, Hammer Delay, Top board Simulation, Decay Time, Minimum Touch, Stretch Tuning (incl. 88-key User Tuning), Temperament (incl. User Temperament), Temperament Key, Key Volume (incl. 88-key User Key Volume), Half-Pedal Adjust, Soft Pedal Depth, Brilliance, Stereo Width, Key-off Noise (E.Piano), and Key-off Delay (E.Piano).

Features

The Kawai MP11SE is a grand Feel wooden-key keyboard motion that leads the industry.
Wonderful SK-EX, SK-5, and EX acoustic grand piano sounds.
Realistic electronic pianos and other sounds are abundantly available.
A range of sound editing options for Virtual Technician.
With distinct sound portions and effects, the intuitive panel makes the Kawai MP11SE price to be worth it.
4-channel MIDI master controller capabilities that are robust are on the keyboard.
It boasts XLR and 1/4″ outputs, as well as Line In level faders on the 1/4″ inputs.
MP11SE Kawai’s new GFP-3 triple pedal unit includes a sturdy metal chassis and side arms that have been polished black.

Sounds

So now, let’s take a little time to discuss the sounds on the Kawai MP11SE. So first, everything is broken up into two categories: Acoustic Piano Sound, Electric Piano Sound. Of course, you can discover electric piano sounds in places like Fender Rhodes pianos, Reed pianos, Electric Grand Pianos, and more. You may discover voices like strings, pads, vibraphones, and much more in the Sub Section.

You may layer and divide the keyboard on this stage piano, just as on many others. Actually, you can combine up to three voices. In terms of dividing the keyboard, you could potentially do it such that your right hand played the bass or organ or any number of other instruments while your left hand played an electronic piano. Very imaginative, logical, and enjoyable.

Specifications

The Kawai MP11SE Keyboard has some key attributes to it like; Grand Feel movement, grade-weighted hammers, and 88 wooden keys – White key surfaces with Ivory Touch. – Counterweights – Triple sensor key detection – Let-off simulation. The pedal for the instrument has; a GFP-3 triple pedal unit, Damper (with half-pedal support), Soft, and Sostenuto, all pedals on Kawai MP11SE support progressive pedaling. The Piano Sound which makes the Kawai sound unique has a Harmonic Imaging XL (HI-XL), an 88-key stereo sampling, SK-EX, SK-5, EX recording, and 256-note maximum polyphony.

The Piano Resonance is Damper Resonance, String Resonance, and Undamped String Resonance. The Piano can be adjusted with Virtual Technician (22 parameters), Touch Curve (incl. User Touch Curve), Voicing, Damper Resonance, Damper Noise, String Resonance, Undamped String Resonance, Key-off Effect, Fall-back Noise, Hammer Delay, Top board Simulation, Decay Time, Minimum Touch, Stretch Tuning (incl. 88-key User Tuning), Temperament (incl. User Temperament), Temperament Key, Key Volume (incl. 88-key User Key Volume), Half-Pedal Adjust, Soft Pedal Depth, Brilliance, Stereo Width, Key-off Noise (E.Piano), Key-off Delay (E.Piano).

Kawai MP11SE, 88 Keys Stage Piano

Class-leading Grand Feel wooden-key keyboard action
Stunning SK-EX, SK-5, and EX acoustic grand piano sounds
Strong selection of realistic electric pianos and other sounds

The Kawai MP11SE has the following software features; Internal Recorder, Total Memory of approximately 90,000 notes, No. of Songs 10 songs, 1 part, Metronome, Time Signatures, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 3/8, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8, 12/8, Drum Rhythms, 100 patterns, External Connectivity required on the MP11SE Kawai are; Bluetooth, USB, Audio Recorder, Record/Playback, MP3, WAV.

Other Functions on the Kawai MP11SE are Overdubbing, Line In the recording, and App Functions. Also, there are several connector Jacks on the Kawai MP11SE such as; Headphone, 1 x 1/4″ Stereo jack, MIDI, MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, MIDI THRU, USB to Host, and USB to Device.

Powering The Kawai MP11SE requires; XLR FIXED (L, R) [balanced] + ground lift switch, FSW, DAMPER/SOSTENUTO/SOFT (for GFP-3), EXP + EXP type switch, Power Supply, Power Consumption, 20 W. You would need the included Accessories for operating the Kawai MP11SE; Power cable, Bench, Headphones, and Sheet Music. The Kawai MP11SE also comes with the following: Warranty Card, owner’s Manual, Music Rest, and GFP-3 triple pedal unit (with half-pedal support).

Pros

The Kawai MP11SE is a grand Feel wooden-key keyboard motion that leads the industry.
It has Wonderful SK-EX, SK-5, and EX acoustic grand piano sounds.
The Kawai MP11SE is realistic electronic piano and other sounds are abundantly available.
The Kawai MP11SE has a range of sound editing options for Virtual Technicians.
It comes with distinct sound portions and effects, the intuitive panel.
4-channel MIDI master controller capabilities that are robust are on the Kawai MP11SE.
There are XLR and 1/4″ outputs, as well as Line In level faders on the 1/4″ inputs.
Kawai’s new GFP-3 triple pedal unit includes a sturdy metal chassis and side arms that have been polished black.

Cons

The Kawai MP11SE differs slightly from an acoustic piano.
The Kawai MP11SE weighs too much.
The Kawai MP11SE is somewhat pricey.

Competition

Many businesses are competing with one another to outperform the opposition in order to maintain their leading position in the market. The contest’s keyboards are;

Kawai-ES110 Portable Digital Piano vs Digital Piano Kawai MP11SE

The Kawai-ES110 Portable Digital Piano offers Unbeatable Value with Kawai Tone and Touch. 192-note Polyphony, Split Modes, Built-in Stereo Speaker System, Bluetooth MIDI Points, and 88-key Digital Stage Piano with Responsive Hammer Compact Action.

Kawai ES110 88-Key Digital Piano with Speakers - Gloss Black

88-key Digital Stage Piano with Responsive Hammer Compact Action
Built-in Stereo Speaker System
Bluetooth MIDI pts

Roland Premium 88-Key Digital RD vs Digital Piano Kawai mp11se

The Roland RD-2000 offers unsurpassed performance on stage and in the studio because of its dual independent sound engines, quality action, and cutting-edge controller capabilities. This next-generation piano elevates the established stage piano series to new heights of inspiration and creativity by fusing advanced piano technology with extensive contemporary control.

The software’s new sounds join the newest piano models currently included and the classic RD stage piano series that can be purchased on Roland’s Axial website in version 1.50. One Roland RD-2000 Digital Stage Piano is included with your order, together with an owner’s handbook, a power wire, and a damper pedal. A piano stand is not included. Dimensions of the piano are 55-5/8″ W x 5-9/16″ H x 14-1/2″ D, it weighs 47 lbs. 14 oz., has a graphic LCD display with 256 x 80 dots, an 88-note hammer action keyboard, and its power supply will automatically adapt to changing line voltages.

Additional sounds and a second Supernatural-based sound engine with 128 voices for electric pianos (compatible with RD-800 Live Sets). New-generation RD stage piano with two separate sound engines and contemporary controller features | Nine sliders and eight knobs for real-time sound and effect control.

Roland RD-2000 Premium 88-key Digital Stage Piano,Black

Your purchase includes One Roland RD-2000 Digital Stage Piano | With Owner’s manual, Power cord & Damper pedal | Piano stand not included
Piano dimensions – 55-5/8” W x 5-9/16” H x 14-1/2” D | Weight – 47 lbs. 14 oz. | Display – Graphic LCD 256 x 80 dots | Weighted keyboard – 88-note hammer action | Power supply will automatically adjust to different line voltages
Second Supernatural-based sound engine with 128-voice polyphony for electric pianos and additional sounds (compatible with RD-800 Live Sets)

Kawai MP7SE 88-key Master Controller vs Digital Piano Kawai MP11SE

The Kawai MP7SE 88-key Master Controller is a Masterful Stage Piano for an Incredible Price. Stage piano with 256 voices, an onboard song recorder, a damper pedal unit, and 88 keys with weighted responsive hammer III action.

Kawai MP7SE 88-Key Stage Piano and Master Controller

88-key Stage Piano with Weighted
Responsive Hammer III Action
Onboard Song Recder

Nord 88-Key Keyboard Monitors Adjustable vs Digital Piano Kawai MP11SE

Kawai Hammer Action with Ivory Touch on the Nord Grand 88-Note. The 88-note, premium weighted Kawai hammer-action keybed with Ivory Touch is a highlight of the Nord Grand. It includes three highly developed sensors that record the hammer motions with incredible precision, giving the instrument the fluid and organic sensation of playing an acoustic grand piano.

The keybed on the Nord grand vs Kawai MP11SE has an ideal feel and authenticity thanks to the inclusion of an Ivory Touch surface. The lightweight Nord Grand, with its incredible capabilities and intuitive user interface, not only offers an exceptional playing experience but also a classy new take on the stage piano series.

The Nord Grand Keyboard is equipped with specific knobs and buttons for all the crucial tasks needed during a live performance. It is possible to instantly create Layers and Splits, apply effects, or change the instrument’s key. Two sound portions can be separated across the keyboard or mixed in a layer. Specific effects, a Volume Pedal, and/or a Sustain Pedal can be applied to each of the sound parts.

Nord Grand 88-Key Keyboard Bundle with Nord Piano Monitors...

Bundle Includes: Nord Grand 88-Note Kawai Hammer Action with Ivory Touch, Nord Piano Monitor V2 Active Stereo Speakers (Pair), Nord Keyboard Stand, Adjustable X-Style Keyboard Bench, 2 x 1/4 TRS to 1/4 Inch TRS Cable (6-Feet)
Performance: The Nord Grand Keyboard has dedicated knobs and buttons for all essential functions required in a live performance situation. Creating Layers and Splits, adding effects or transposing the instrument can be accomplished on the fly
Piano Section: The Nord Grand contains a wide selection of unique Grand, Upright, Electric and Digital pianos from the exclusive Nord Piano Library

Kawai ES920 88-key Digital Piano vs Digital Piano Kawai MP11SE

Unbeatable Value and Kawai Tone and Touch. 256-note Polyphony, Onboard Stereo Speaker System, Bluetooth Audio/MIDI, Responsive Hammer III Action, and Dual Split Modes on an 88-key Digital Stage Piano.

Kawai ES920 88-key Digital Piano - Black

88-key Digital Stage Piano with Responsive Hammer III Action
Onboard Stereo Speaker System
Bluetooth Audio/MIDI

Conclusion

A fantastic digital piano with superb appearance, feel, and sound is the Kawai MP11SE. With two Shigeru piano sounds (SK-EX and SK-5) and an optical triple pedal unit with graded pedals, this stage piano’s Second Edition is a small upgrade over the MP11’s Original Edition. The MP11SE is a pricey device that may function as a potent MIDI controller, but it might be well worth the cost. The Kawai MP11SE review that the piano is very durable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When Was the Kawai MP11SE Released?

2014. Launched at the beginning of 2014, the upgraded MP11 included the F-30 triple pedal unit in addition to the Grand Feel keyboard motion and HI-XL sound technology from the top-tier “Concert Artist” models. The bulk of Kawai digital pianos are produced in the company’s plant, which is likewise situated in Indonesia’s Karawan province. Some Kawai digital pianos may also be created in a different production facility located in Shanghai, China, depending on the instrument’s intended market.

2. Is the Kawai MP11SE Portable?

The portable Stage Digital Pianos from Kawai are the MP11SE and MP7SE. The “kind” of the instrument on which these logos are placed makes a difference. Only Kawai grand pianos bear the “K. KAWAI” brand insignia.

3. Is Kawai a Good Digital Piano?

Thanks to the remarkable quality of its acoustic grand and upright pianos, Kawai has maintained its position as one of the most recognizable names in the piano business ever since it was founded. The business has carried over the same quality to its digital offerings.

4. How Long Does a Kawai Piano Last?

According to our study, the usually used Kawai piano from Japan is between 20 and 30 years old. This stage of a piano’s existence is one of change for the instrument. Piano specialists are aware that a piano’s latter years may necessitate significant reconditioning.

5. How Long Do Kawai Upright Pianos Last?

20 to 30 years old. The majority of Kawai pianos have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, or even longer with proper maintenance. In general, upright pianos lose value quite rapidly. Even if really ancient uprights are only worth pennies on the dollar, it is still feasible to sell them for a few hundred dollars. Uprights made by Steinway, Yamaha, and Kawai are often more expensive.

Kawai MP11SE – Best Digital Piano Review (2024)