Product Review: Kawai MP11 SE – Stage Piano with Wooden Keys

The Kawai MP11 SE is a professional stage piano with wooden keys modeled after the action of a concert grand piano. If you are not afraid of the relatively high weight of 34 kg, you will get a professional stage piano with an authentic playing feel and first-class piano sounds.

Stately appearance

The Kawai MP11 SE looks very similar to the smaller MP7 SE. However, you can tell by the size of the casing that the top model has a lot more to offer. The authentic hammer action needs more space – and also weighs more than the keyboard of the MP7 SE.

The black finish and classic curved side panels keep the Kawai MP11 SE from looking bulky. Included accessories are a music stand and the GFP-3 triple foot pedal with optical sensors.

Premium sound and performance!

Let’s compare the MP11 SE to the Kawai MP7 SE some more, as the grand piano sounds are quite similar. If you test both instruments, you will not only notice the difference in feel. The MP11 SE also sounds a bit better – probably due to its upgraded audio converters at the audio output.

The “Grand Feel” mechanism uses long wooden keys with special weighting in the bass range, which allows a faithful reproduction of grand piano key resistance. The balance beam construction ensures correct key action, which the triple sensor system detects cleanly in every situation. The let-off mechanism and Ivory Touch surface provide a true grand piano feel and precise control of every dynamic nuance.

Focus on piano sounds

With 40 sounds, the sound selection is small but mighty. In contrast to its “little brother” MP7 SE, the 256-voice sound generation focuses on grand piano sounds and sounds from electric pianos, separated into different sections. Particular emphasis is put on vintage pianos such as Rhodes or Wurlitzer. However, there is no organ section. An additional “Sub” section provides basses, chromatic percussion sounds, as well as layer sounds from pads and strings.

Shigeru Kawai grand piano sounds

The new Shigeru Kawai grand piano sounds enhance the successor of the Kawai MP11 much more than the mere name change to include the letters “SE” would suggest. Even without additional reverb effects, you always have a very vivid and lively sound impression.

The SK-EX model is suitable for almost all types of music thanks to its versatile and balanced sound, while the EX model has a little more punch in the bass and brilliance in the treble. Moreover, the smaller SK-5 is not only a good choice for jazz and rock, but can also sound lyrical or even crisp. You can fine-tune the dynamic response of the piano sounds using the voicing function in Virtual Technician.

Versatile effects

The MP11 SE offers a wide range of great-sounding effects. For the electric pianos, you have four effect blocks available – a generous number. This allows the creation of authentic setups with chorus, flanger, amp simulation, and reverb. For both the piano and the Sub section, one effect plus reverb is all you need.

Next to standard options, the extensive selection of effect types lets you get creative and experiment with sound design. The EQ not only shapes bass and treble but offers two fully parametric mid-bands. This can change the overall sound of the instrument in a very specific way and helps solve acoustic problems.

Extensive MIDI keyboard features

Easily layer sounds by activating individual sound sections. Moreover, you can also quickly create splits. In addition to the three internal zones, the Kawai MP11 SE can also manage 4 external MIDI channels. This makes it a flexible command center even for more complex stage setups. However, the Kawai MP11 SE also looks good in the studio. Another handy feature: the control buttons of the built-in USB recorder allow remote control of a DAW.

Many functions, poor display

With Kawai MP11 SE, you can get creative: from the numerous effects to MIDI zones and sophisticated piano tuning. There are also plenty of customization options for the individual zones, from touch dynamics to dynamic range. However, the small display slows the editing process down a little. This makes the MP11 SE not as convenient as you would expect from an instrument of this class.

Conclusion: Professional without compromise!

For pianists who don’t want to make any compromises when it comes to the keyboard and the sound of their stage piano, Kawai offers the MP11 SE. While limited, the sound selection is of outstanding quality: acoustic and electric pianos are in the focus, with the latter also benefiting from the authentic effects and great amp simulation.

If you are looking for a wider selection of sounds beyond the typical keyboard instruments, you might be better off with other manufacturers such as Kurzweil, Korg, or Roland. However, none of these competitors match the excellent and comfortable feel of the Kawai MP11 SE keyboard.

During live performances, you will benefit from the built-in DI boxes, the versatile master EQ, and the extensive MIDI keyboard functions. And in the studio, the MP11 SE is a premium controller with top piano sounds.

Kawai MP11 SE – Overview

Available since: 11.2017
Concept: 88-key stage piano with Grand Feel hammer action
Sound generation: Harmonic Imaging XL, 88-key stereo sampling,  40 voices in 3 sections, 208 memories
Special features: 4-channel MIDI master controller functions, USB recorder/player for WAV, MP3 and MIDI
Manufacturer: Kawai