Are you looking for an acoustic piano that can record and play and connect you to your home theater? This piano can do other amazing things as well. In this Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano review, I’ll list all its features and specs to help you see if it’s the right piano for you.
A Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid piano is a real acoustic piano equipped with state-of-the-art computer technology, high-performance solenoids, and fiber-optic sensing systems. It can record a piano performance accurately and play it back, complete with all the nuances and expressions of the original performance.
With such capabilities, this hybrid piano can be considered a high-quality reproducing piano. Whatever is played on its keys can be recorded and then played back. You can save what you have played in its internal memory or through a USB flash drive. This piano can also be used as a midi controller.
Read on to learn more about the Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano, its features and specs, and everything you need to know to see if it’s the piano you are looking for.
About the Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano
Hybrid Pianos
All Yamaha Disklavier pianos are hybrid pianos. This means they are true acoustic pianos, but at the same time, they are equipped with high-tech electronic components to enhance their function and performance. A typical Yamaha Disklavier will come with state-of-the-art technology, high-performance solenoids, and a fiber-optic sensing system.
Record and Playback Feature
What’s attractive with this piano is that it can record and playback whatever is played on its keys with all the nuances you have expressed while playing the music piece. So, if you play a piano piece and then play it back, it’s as if you are again hearing yourself playing.
Its ability to produce the exact sounds that you have played is remarkable. Your piano playing is stored in the piano’s internal memory or a USB thumb drive. You can also use it as a midi controller. Hooking it up to your PC or laptop or your android and playing it with headphones are some of the things you can do with this hybrid piano.
Combination of Acoustic Piano Elements and Actions with Digital Technology
It is considered a hybrid piano because it combines acoustic piano elements and actions with digital instruments or technology. Another way of looking at it is that it is an acoustic piano enhanced by an amplifier and some speakers in place of a soundboard and a set of strings.
Hybrid Technology Started in 1982
This hybrid technology started in 1982. After over 30 years of continuous innovations and refinements, we now have an acoustic piano that can record and faithfully reproduce whatever is played on its keys. You can even stream the playback wirelessly over the internet anywhere in the world.
Yamaha is already producing its 7th generation of the Disklavier piano. This is the Disklavier ENSPIRE which replaces the Disklavier E3. It is the only factory-installed, fully integrated reproducing piano that can do two things: play music on its keys and record the piano playing simultaneously.
Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano Models
There are three models of the Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano:
- ENSPIRE PRO
- ENSPIRE ST
- ENSPIRE CL
An upgrade is also available. This is the DKC-900 Upgrade Kit. A Yamaha ENSPIRE hybrid piano price usually starts at $24,000 plus, which is quite reasonable considering its attractive features.
Key Features of the Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano
You will be amazed at the ability of the Yamaha Disklavier hybrid piano to reproduce exactly what you have heard in the original piano performance. This is possible because of the many features that are integrated for this purpose. This hybrid piano also has some remarkable features that you will like:
1. Accurate Reproduction of the Original Performance
All Yamaha Disklavier hybrid pianos can record piano performances exactly as they were played and then play them back, complete with the nuances and expressions of the original performances.
2. New Piano Soft Audio Format
This audio ensemble includes solo piano music pieces to full orchestra recordings, consisting of vocals and live instruments, synchronized to the piano performances.
3. Self-calibrating Record and Playback System
The sensing system of the Yamaha Disklavier hybrid piano is integrated completely with the playback section of the system. It is also self-calibrating because it is automated and integrates both the playback and the sensing system in the process of calibration.
4. Hundreds of Built-in Songs
This hybrid piano has 500 built-in songs and over 6,000 performances that can be downloaded and played live or on-demand video concerts.
5. Proprietary Video Sync Technology
You will be able to sync your recordings of piano concerts, recitals, and rehearsals and play them back on this hybrid piano. This piano makes any live musical performance come to life. You can save them and then share them with family and friends.
6. More Life-like Performances
No two pianists can play the same type of piano piece the same. This is the power of a Yamaha Disklavier hybrid piano. It features two patented systems that work together to reproduce the intangible and subtle human variations that no other reproducing pianos can do.
The Optical Sensor System of the Disklavier constantly measures the subtle movements of the key, pedal, and hammer. And then, AcuPlay Technology translates these details in real-time and fine-tunes them, so each note is authentically produced.
7. Accurate Capturing of Key and Hammer Articulation
The presses and releases of a piano artist are very subtle. This determines the quality of the sound produced. The Disklavier hybrid piano is the only reproducing piano that can accurately measure both key attack and key release.
It can accurately capture the articulation of the performance with its 256 pedal positions and up to 1,024 dynamic levels of key and hammer.
Other Standard Features of the Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano
The Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid piano comes with a long list of features. Aside from the key features mentioned above, this hybrid piano also comes with the following standard features:
- USB audio recording function
- New Premium Piano Radio – use it to stream PianoSoft Audio content, with hundreds of videos and 30 channels of music directly to this piano 24/7. It can stream live performances from a concert stage to your living room.
- WPS Wi-Fi adapter – use it to wirelessly connect directly to the controller app or through a wireless network
- Quiet Please – turn the Quite Mode on and you will be able to control the volume of the piano at your desired level. The piano turns into a completely digital instrument and the sound is produced through its speakers or through your headphones.
- Connect with your Mobile – you can connect the Disklavier hybrid piano to your smartphone, laptop or tablet, wirelessly so you can quickly access the ENSPIRE Controller app.
Again, what does the Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano offer? Apart from having state-of-the-art computer technology, high-performance solenoids, and fiber-optic sensing systems, the Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano can record your piano performance and play it back for you later.
Full Specs of the Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano
As I have already mentioned before, the Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano is available in three different models:
- ENSPIRE PRO
- ENSPIRE ST
- ENSPIRE CL
The table below gives the detailed specifications of each:
| Section/Part | ENSPIRE PRO | ENSPIRE ST | ENSPIRE CL |
| Record/Playback System | Fully integrated, high-resolution | Fully integrated, high-resolution | A fully integrated playback system |
| Supported File Formats | XP and Standard MIDI, MP3, WAV 500 built-in songs | Standard MIDI, MP3, WAV | Standard MIDI, MP3, WAV, Analog-MIDI |
| Recording Format | XP MIDI, Standard MIDI, Audio WAV, Audio Sync, Video Sync | Standard MIDI, Audio WAV, Audio Sync, Video Sync | n/a |
| Streaming video service | Free with radio subscription | Free with radio subscription | (free with radio subscription) |
| Streaming radio service | More than 30 channels | More than 30 channels | More than 30 channels |
| Key Release Velocity | 1,024 levels | 128 levels | 128 levels |
| Keying Velocity | 1,024 levels | 128 levels | 128 levels |
| Incremental Pedaling | 256 levels | 128 levels | 128 levels |
| Drive System Sensor type | Magnetic solenoid sensor | n/a | n/a |
| Sostenuto Sensor type | On/Off detection system | On/Off detection system (grand models only) | n/a |
| Damper and Shift Pedal Sensor type | Continuous grayscale | Movement Reproduction | n/a |
| Key Sensor type | Continuous grayscale | Continuous grayscale | n/a |
| Hammer Sensor type | Continuous grayscale | Shutter type | n/a |
| Sensor System | Non-Contact Optical | Non-Contact Optical | n/a |
| DSP servo feedback system | AccuPlay (key, hammer, pedal, and key drive system) | Standard (key and pedal) | n/a |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | 256 notes | 256 notes |
| Voices | 480 ensemble voices with 12 Drum Kits | 480 ensemble voices with 12 Drum Kits | 480 ensemble voices with 12 Drum Kits |
| Playable Digital Voices | 16 (binaural CFX Concert Grand for headphones) | 6 playable digital voices (binaural CFX Concert Grand for headphones) | n/a |
| Built-In Songs | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Available Songs | 9,000 | 9,000 | 9,000 |
| Listening Mode | Quiet mode and Silent mode with motorized muting system | Quiet mode and Silent mode with motorized muting system | Quiet mode and Silent mode with motorized muting system |
| Audio connectivity | Analog audio IN x 2, analog audio OUT x 4, digital coax OUT (2CH) | Analog audio IN x 2, analog audio OUT x 4, digital coax OUT (2CH) | Analog audio IN x 2, analog audio OUT x 4, digital coax OUT (2CH) |
| MIDI connectivity | 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT, USB TO HOST | USB TO HOST, 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT (grand models only), | 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT, USB TO HOST |
| Data connectivity | LAN, USB TO DEVICE x 3 | LAN, USB TO DEVICE x 3 (uprights x 2) | LAN, USB TO DEVICE x 3 (uprights x 2) |
| Headphone connectivity | 1/8” mini stereo | 1/8” mini stereo | n/a |
| Compatible storage media | USB Flash Memory (up to 128GB) | USB Flash Memory (up to 128GB) | USB Flash Memory (up to 128GB) |
| Control integration | iOS/Android app Mac/PC browser MusicCast app Custom API | iOS/Android app Mac/PC browser MusicCast app Custom API | iOS/Android app Mac/PC browser MusicCast app Custom API |
| Integrated speakers | Yamaha MSP3 powered monitors x 2 | Yamaha MSP3 powered monitors x 2 | Yamaha MSP3 powered monitors x 1 |
| Available models | C3X C5X C6X C7X S3X S5X S6X S7X CF4 CF6 CFX | GB1K GC1 GC2 C1X C2X U1 YUS1 YUS5 | GB1K |
| DSP servo feedback system | AccuPlay (key, hammer, pedal, and key drive system) | Standard (key and pedal) | n/a |
| Auto-calibration and real-time auto-adjusting playback | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion: Yamaha Disklavier Hybrid Piano
The Yamaha Disklavier hybrid pianos are actually true acoustic pianos. They are extra special because they also have the most advanced computer technology, fiber-optic sensing systems, and high-performance solenoids. That is why they are considered hybrid pianos.
With the additions of these high-tech features, these pianos can record piano performances very accurately and then play them back with all the nuances and the expressions you heard from the original performances. If you have the budget for it, this piano is really worth considering.
