Clavinova

Clavinova CVP-303 Player Piano

The Clavinova is a long-running line of digital pianos created by the Yamaha Corporation. The name is a portmanteau of the two words Clavier meaning 'keyboard instrument” and nova meaning “new”.[1]

It is similar in function to an acoustic piano but also includes many features common to various electronic keyboards, such as the ability to save/load songs and to play demo songs, including original Yamaha compositions, and the ability to play in a variety of voices.[2] More recent models can be connected to a computer via USB or wireless network for music production or interactive piano lesson programs.

In 2023, the Clavinova celebrated the 40th anniversary of its debut in 1983.[3]

Technical information

All current (and many past) Clavinovas (CLP and CVP-Series) feature Yamaha's “Graded Hammer” technology, a mechanical system of small metal hammers, weighted to be similar to those of an acoustic piano. These then activate a digital pressure sensor that then translates into sound. The graded action is intended to reproduce more accurately the varying weights of the hammers of an acoustic piano where the hammers vary in weight from the bass section to the treble. Higher-end models, such as the CVP-600 Series from 2012, incorporate real wooden keys and linear grading for added realism.

The built-in synthesizer produces the sound. Early Clavinova models used FM synthesis. Later models use sample-based synthesis to produce the sound. Information comes in a MIDI or similar format either directly from the piano keyboard or a stored source (from within the piano or via a computer or external sequencer). The synthesizer can imitate a large array of acoustic instruments, electronic instruments and other sound effects. Recent models of CVP Clavinova have hundreds of such voices. These usually include many types of pianos and organs, string, percussion, brass and woodwind instruments, as well as modern and vintage synthesizer sounds, sampled effects etc. The more recent CVP models also feature many accompaniment styles, ranging from traditional dance and classical orchestration to more modern club, pop, rock, big band and jazz styles.

As of July 2020, the current line of Clavinova CLP models is the CLP-700 series, and the current Clavinova CVP models are the CVP-800 series. In August 2017, Yamaha introduced a new line of tablet computer-enabled Clavinovas, the CSP series, which is designed for use with Yamaha's SmartPianist app to access and control features of the instrument.

Graded hammer

The various graded or progressively weighted keys are:[4]

  • Graded Hammer Standard (GHS), formerly Hammer Effect (HE) or Action Effect (AE)
  • Graded Hammer (GH or sometimes GHE), somewhat heavier than GHS. GH is also closer to the weight of real piano keys.
  • Graded Hammer 3 (GH3), like GH, but GH3 incorporate a third sensor, thus making the key respond more like "grand piano" behaviour. GH3 allows the player to trigger the sound when depressed a second time, even when the note is still decaying, and the player has not completely released the key after the first push of the key. This makes some techniques such as a soft legato "trill" easier to execute.
  • Graded Hammer 3X (GH3X) keyboard features an "escapement" mechanism that reproduces a slight clicking sensation near the bottom of the key travel. It has been designed in such a way that the click is discernible only on the lightest keystrokes, similar to the keyboard of a grand piano.[5]
  • Natural Wood (NW) is graded like the GH3 but also uses spruce wood to make the feeling even closer to that of the acoustic grand piano.
  • Natural Wood X (NWX) provides the keys of the NW keyboard, yet also has escapement, giving an even more accurate feel.
  • GrandTouch Keyboard has a longer key length. The longer distance between the edge of the key and its pivot point means that it requires less strength to push down.[6]
  • 88-key Linear Graded Hammers provide 88 levels of gradation (each key has its own weight). With NWX, it has the most accurate feel of any of the Clavinovas, although also found on some NW keyboards.

Keyboard "feel" feature matrix for current models

From Yamaha Clavinova microsite.[7] From Yamaha Product Spec page.[8]

Clavinova Series/Model GrandTouch Keyboard Graded Hammer 3 (GH3) Natural Wood Keyboard (NW) Synthetic Ivory Keytops 88-key Linear Graded Hammers Escapement Counterweighted
CLP Series
CLP-150 No No No No Yes No No
CLP-170 No Yes No No No No No
CLP-230[9] No Yes No No No No No
CLP-240[9] No Yes No No No No No
CLP-270 No Yes No No No No No
CLP-280 No Yes Yes No No No No
CLP-S306 No Yes No Yes No No No
CLP-S308 No Yes Yes Yes No No No
CLP-320 No No No No No No No
CLP-330 No Yes No No No No No
CLP-340 No Yes No Yes No No No
CLP-370 No Yes Yes Yes No No No
CLP-380 No Yes Yes Yes No No No
CLP-430 No Yes No No No No No
CLP-440 No Yes No Yes No No No
CLP-465GP No Yes No No No No No
CLP-470 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
CLP-480 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
CLP-S406 No Yes No Yes No No No
CLP-S408 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
CLP-525 No Yes No Yes No No No
CLP-535 No Yes No Yes No Yes No
CLP-545 No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No
CLP-565GP No Yes No Yes No Yes No
CLP-575 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
CLP-585 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CLP-625 No Yes No Yes No Yes No
CLP-635 No Yes No Yes No Yes No
CLP-645 No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No
CLP-665GP No Yes No Yes No Yes No
CLP-675 Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
CLP-685 Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CLP-695GP Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CLP-725 Yes No No Yes No Yes No
CLP-735 Yes No No Yes No Yes No
CLP-745 Yes No Yes Yes No Yes No
CLP-765GP Yes No No Yes No Yes No
CLP-775 [10] Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
CLP-785 Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CLP-795GP Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Clavinova Series/Model GrandTouch Keyboard Graded Hammer 3 (GH3) Natural Wood Keyboard (NW) Synthetic Ivory Keytops 88-key Linear Graded Hammers Escapement Counterweighted
CVP Series
CVP-305 No Yes No No No No No
CVP-307 No Yes No No No No No
CVP-309 No Yes Yes No No No No
CVP-401 No No No No No No No
CVP-403 No Yes No No No No No
CVP-405 No Yes No No No No No
CVP-407 No Yes Yes No Yes No No
CVP-409 No Yes Yes Yes No No No
CVP-409GP No Yes Yes Yes No No No
CGP-1000 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
CVP-501 No Yes No No No No No
CVP-503 No Yes No No No No No
CVP-505 No Yes No No No No No
CVP-509 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
CVP-601 No Yes No No No No No
CVP-605 No Yes No Yes No No No
CVP-609 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
CVP-609GP No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
CVP-701 No Yes No Yes No Yes No
CVP-705 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
CVP-709 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CVP-709GP No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CVP-805 Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No
CVP-809 Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
CVP-809GP Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Clavinova Series/Model GrandTouch Keyboard Graded Hammer 3 (GH3) Natural Wood Keyboard (NW) Synthetic Ivory Keytops 88-key Linear Graded Hammers Escapement Counterweighted
CSP Series
CSP-150[11] No Yes No Yes No Yes No
CSP-170[12] No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No

Tone feature matrix for three past generations and current models

From Yamaha Clavinova microsite.[13] From Clavinova Spec page.[14]

Clavinova Series/Model AWM Sampling CF Sampling CF-RGE Sampling CFX-RGE Sampling Half-damper Key-Off Samples String Resonance VRM iAFC Effect IAC Tri-Amped Quad-Amped
CLP Series
CLP-150 Yes No No No No Yes Yes No No No No No
CLP-170 Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No
CLP-270 Yes No No No No Yes Yes No Yes No No No
CLP-280 Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No
CLP-265GP Yes No No No Yes No No No No No No No
CLP-295GP Yes No No No Yes Yes No No Yes No No No
CLP-320 No 3 level No No Yes No No No No No No No
CLP-330 No 3 level No No Yes No No No No No No No
CLP-340 No 4 level No No Yes Yes Yes No No No No No
CLP-370 No 4 level No No Yes Yes Yes No No No No No
CLP-380 No 5 level No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes No
CLP-S306 No 3 level No No Yes No No No No No No No
CLP-S308 No 4 level No No Yes No Yes No No No No No
CLP-430 No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No
CLP-440 No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No
CLP-S406 No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No
CLP-465GP No No Yes No Yes Yes No No No Yes No No
CLP-470 No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No
CLP-480 No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No
CLP-S408 No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No
CLP-525 No No Yes No Yes Yes No No No Yes No No
CLP-535 No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No
CLP-545 No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No
CLP-565GP No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No
CLP-575 No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No
CLP-585 No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No
Clavinova Series/Model AWM Sampling CF Sampling CF-RGE Sampling CFX-RGE Sampling Half-damper Key-Off Samples String Resonance VRM iAFC Effect IAC Tri-Amped Quad-Amped
CVP Series
CVP-307 Yes No No No No Yes Yes No Yes No No No
CVP-309 Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No
CVP-401 Yes 3 level No No Yes Yes No No No No No No
CVP-403 No 3 level No No Yes Yes No No No No No No
CVP-405 No 3 level No No Yes Yes No No No No No No
CVP-407 No 4 level No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No
CVP-409 No 4 level No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No
CVP-409GP No 4 level No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No
CGP-1000 No 4 level No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No
CVP-501 No 3 level No No Yes Yes No No No No No No
CVP-503 No 4 level No No Yes Yes No No No No No No
CVP-505 No 4 level No No Yes Yes No No No No No No
CVP-509 No 5 level No No Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes No
CVP-601 No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No
CVP-605 No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No
CVP-609 No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No
CVP-609GP No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No
CVP-701 No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No
CVP-705 No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No
CVP-709 No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes
CVP-709GP No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes

History

Clavinovas and their immediate predecessors have been in production since 1983. [15]

Predecessors (YP and CV)

YP (CVP Predecessor)

  • 1983: YP-10, YP-20, YP-30, YP-40 – provided the "Stereo Symphonic effect" showing depth feeling to perform in concert halls and live houses, first pianos on the series.

CV (CLP Predecessor)

  • 1984: CV-100, CV-300

CVP and CGP models

  • 1985: CVP-3, CVP-5, CVP-7 – First CVP series Clavinova
  • 1987: CVP-6, CVP-8, CVP-10, CVP-100MA, CVP-100PE
  • 1988: CVP-20
  • 1989: CVP-30, CVP-50, CVP-70
  • 1991: CVP-25*, CVP-35, CVP-45, CVP-55, CVP-65, CVP-75
  • 1993: CVP-83, CVP-85, CVP-87, CVP-89
  • 1995: CVP-49,[16] CVP-59, CVP-69, CVP-79 – added LCD on all models except CVP-49, and introduced LCD buttons.
  • 1997: CVP-92, CVP-94, CVP-96, CVP-98, CVP-555 – First modern design button LCD, Organ Combo (predecessor to Organ Flutes! voices). Based on the PSR-8000 and PSR-740.
  • 1998: CVP-600
  • 1999: CVP-103, CVP-105, CVP-107, CVP-109. Based on PSR-740 and PSR-9000.
  • 2000: CVP-700
  • 2001: CVP-201, CVP-203, CVP-205, CVP-207, CVP-209 – Introduced most of the current technologies, added first color display, and with the latest button setup. Based on PSR-9000, 9000 Pro and PSR-2100.
  • 2002: CVP-900
  • 2003: CVP-202, CVP-204, CVP-206, CVP-208, CVP-210. Based on PSR-2100.
  • 2004: CVP-301, CVP-303, CVP-305, CVP-309, CVP-307, CVP-309, CVP-309GP – All models have current button display, first GH3 and NW keyboards. Added Mega Voices and based on Tyros/PSR-3000.
  • 2007: CGP-1000
  • 2007: CVP-401, CVP-403, CVP-405, CVP-407, CVP-409, CVP-409GP – Added Super Articulation, based on Tyros 2/PSR-S900.
  • 2009: CVP-501, CVP-503, CVP-505, CVP-509 – Introduced several new keyboard technologies, added S. Articulation 2. Added free play styles. Based on Tyros 3/PSR-S910.
  • 2012: CVP-601, CVP-605, CVP-609, CVP-609GP – All models have S. Articulation and GH3, added touch screen and RGE sound engine. Based on Tyros 4/PSR-S950.
  • 2015: CVP-701, CVP-705, CVP-709, CVP-709GP – All models have color displays and synthetic ivory keycaps. Added VRM sound engine and escapement. Based on Tyros 5/PSR-S970.
  • 2019: CVP-805, CVP-809, CVP-809GP. Based on Genos/PSR-SX900, with green lamp inside style control, registrations, and one touch settings buttons.
  • 2023: CVP-905, CVP-909, CVP-909GP. Based on Genos/PSR-SX900, with blue lamp inside style control, registrations, and one touch settings buttons.

CLP models

History reference.[17][18]

  • 1985: CLP-20, CLP-30
  • 1986: CLP-40, CLP-45, CLP-50, CLP-55, CLP-200, CLP-300
  • 1987: CLP-100, CLP-100MA, CLP-100PE, CLP-500
  • 1988: CLP-250, CLP-350, CLP-550, CLP-650
    CLP-650
    A picture of the CLP-650
  • 1989: CLP-570, CLP-650W, CLP-670
  • 1990: CLP-260, CLP-360, CLP-560, CLP-760
  • 1992: CLP-121, CLP-122, CLP-123, CLP-124
  • 1994: CLP-152S, CLP-153S, CLP-153SG, CLP-154S, CLP-155, CLP-157
  • 1996: CLP-311, CLP-411, CLP-511, CLP-611, CLP-811, CLP-911
  • 1997: CLP-555
  • 1998: CLP-810, CLP-820, CLP-840, CLP-860, CLP-880
  • 2000: CLP-920, CLP-930, CLP-950, CLP-955, CLP-970, CLP-970A
  • 2001: CLP-910, CLP-990
  • 2002: CLP-110, CLP-120, CLP-130, CLP-150, CLP-170
  • 2003: CLP-115
  • 2005: CLP-F01
  • 2005: CLP-220, CLP-230, CLP-240, CLP-270, CLP-280, CLP-265GP, CLP-295GP
  • 2008: CLP-320, CLP-330, CLP-340, CLP-370, CLP-380, CLP-S306, CLP-S308
  • 2011: CLP-430, CLP-440, CLP-465GP, CLP-470, CLP-480, CLP-S406, CLP-S408 - Implemented RGE Sound Engine
  • 2014: CLP-525, CLP-535, CLP-545, CLP-565GP, CLP-575, CLP-585 - Revised LCD, added VRM
  • 2017: CLP-625, CLP-635, CLP-645, CLP-665GP, CLP-675, CLP-685
  • 2018: CLP-695GP
  • 2020: CLP-735, CLP-745, CLP-765GP, CLP-775, CLP-785, CLP-795GP
  • 2021: CLP-725

CSP models

  • 2017: CSP-150, CSP-170
  • 2023: CSP-255, CSP-275, CSP-295, CSP-295GP

See also

References

  1. ^ "Clavinova - Yamaha - UK and Ireland". uk.yamaha.com. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  2. ^ "CLP-320 Owner's Manual" (PDF). p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Explore the Yamaha Music Europe Hub". Yamaha Music Europe Hub. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  4. ^ "Yamaha FAQ". Faq.yahama.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  5. ^ "CLP-535 - Overview - Yamaha - Other European Countries". Europe.yamaha.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Yamaha Clavinova CLP645 VS CLP675: What Is The Difference?". Reidys.com. 16 February 2020. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  7. ^ "About Clavinova > Feel :::: Clavinova - YAMAHA". Archived from the original on 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  8. ^ "Pianos - Yamaha USA". Usa.yamaha.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Yamaha Clavinova : CLP-240/230 Owner's Manual" (PDF). Ca.yamaha.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  10. ^ "CLP-775 - Ominaisuudet - Yamaha - Finland". Fi.yamaha.com. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  11. ^ "CSP-150 - Specs - Yamaha - Other European Countries". Europe.yamaha.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  12. ^ "CSP-170 - Specs - Yamaha - Other European Countries". Europe.yamaha.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  13. ^ "About Clavinova > Sound :::: Clavinova - YAMAHA". Archived from the original on 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  14. ^ "CVP-609 Digital Piano - Overview - Yamaha - United States". Usa.yamaha.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  15. ^ "クラビノーバの歴史 - ヤマハ – 日本". jp.yamaha.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2018-10-12. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  16. ^ "Yamaha Corporation - Global". Yamaha.com. Archived from the original on 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  17. ^ "Yamaha Clavinova Celebrates 30th Birthday – Digital Piano Range History Revealed —James Woodcock". Archived from the original on 2014-03-10. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
  18. ^ "Special Contents - Yamaha - Canada - English". Ca.yamaha.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.