A special feature of many mid-range and high-end digital pianos is the let-off simulation, which gives advanced pianists very precise control over their play.
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A special feature of many mid-range and high-end digital pianos is the let-off simulation, which gives advanced pianists very precise control over their play.
Piano beginners will probably not even notice whether a digital piano keyboard is built with or without a let-off simulation. In fact, the mechanism – while intercepting the key travel – is not an “obstacle” that requires a great deal of effort to overcome. However, the escapement and its position allow the pianist to play finely controlled nuances, especially during quiet passages.
The word “simulation” already indicates that it replicates a detail of the action of an acoustic piano. This detail comes from the modern double-escapement repetition action, which evolved from the first double-escapement action invented by Sébastian Érard in the mid-19th century.
The double-escapement action is a complex decoupling of key and hammer. Simply put, it ensures that the hammer is ready to play immediately after a note is struck, even before the key has fully returned to its resting position. There are two ways to trigger the note:
This is also known as a repetition action.
The let-off point is particularly noticeable when playing pianissimo and wanting to apply as little force to the hammer movement as possible. It hence allows you to strike the keys in a controlled manner. Even a short keystroke is enough to send the hammer quickly but less forcefully to the virtual string.
Product descriptions and manuals sometimes use the term escapement (action/mechanism) instead of let-off simulation or mechanism.
On a digital piano, the let-off point is created by an inconspicuous mechanical device. Here, too, you must overcome a small resistance located further down the key travel. A tripple sensor system (3 sensors), which scans the key travel, is important for transmitting the velocity values for Note On- and Note Off-action:
Action 1: The key moves completely from sensor 1 to sensor 2 – the sound is triggered, and the velocity measurement determines how forcefully the key is struck.
Action 2: The key is not released completely but stops somewhere in the key travel. Now the note is struck again (repeated), and sensor 3 transmits the data for the new velocity measurement.
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