Kawai ES8 Piano Complete Buyers Guide - Everything You Need To Know!

[@constiffpiano2684]

I love how everyone adores the sound of these Kawai digital pianos :D

[@eunamour]

This is really helpful! I am a classical pianist and bought ES8 recently ( I have an upright piano as well ) . I’ve compared this keyboard to Roland FP / HP series, Yamaha CLP 645 and many other digital pianos, literally spent months on deciding. Also I was very torn between Roland and Kawai (liked yamaha for the sound but the keys..) but now I am very happy with my decision and purchase. :) I actually found ES8 through your channel and I liked the sound of it very much, a lot better than Roland for sure! I’d recommend this for classical pianists. Thanks for introducing such a decent digital piano ☺️ Also, I think ES8 is better than CN37 as well. the keys feel a little smoother and the sound is better as well. personal preference !

[@eddyvideostar]

Grace: What do you mean, that "the keys feel a little smoother"?

[@Starritt_Piano]

Grace Ji hello!!! I study classical piano too but also have an interest in Jazz and composition. I’ve done the same thing as you-I bought an ES8 for my student flat and I have a Yamaha U1 upright at home. I found that the problem with build in sequencers is that it’s very difficult to structure practise time as the creation is all at the fingertips, and as a result I may not learn or maintain my repertoire as quick ... When I’ll compose more regularly I may invest in another keyboard that’s probably smaller just to get some ideas down onto usb. In the meantime I’m looking into purchasing a Mac laptop with windows packages on to connect the ES8 up and input notes. I am completely blind by the way, and thank you for your lovely comment 😊🎹🎶

[@svensmusicrelaxationandvis3988]

Awesome review! :) Do you still recommend it in 2020?

[@Starritt_Piano]

I have a Kawai ES8 and it’s an incredible practise tool ... I find it has a light action but I love how you can adjust the touch and load it to memory registration with the preferred sound settings. I find it easy to structure the practise because I don’t have to get hung up on track sequencing like on other synths, but when Kawai release their next ES edition I would like more sequencing expansion and other features found in Yamaha P515 to meet with the competition. Also Bluetooth would make things a lot easier, but I still want them to keep the button control operation as touch screen is virtually inaccessible to use.

[@clownfishxd4523]

the keys are too heavy for me, is there anyway to make them less weighted?

[@DonAmos_stories]

''you can adjust the touch and load it to memory'' They keys can be preset to have a heavier or a lighter feel?

[@dksktm]

can you tune it to 423hz ?

[@namakudamono]

Excellent job Tony!

[@JoergPelzer]

I bought some months ago the ES8 and the longer I play it, it is addictive so great sound and feel! Really great feature is the audio in for playalong with backing tracks from mobile devices. Amazing is the easy to use USB connection where I just record my own playing to a stick and carry the music in a second with me. in super high quality. for transport I bought additional the ES110 that's all I need :-)

[@pranavjayaprakasanut]

I have been asking my parents for a digital piano. I had been playing on a keyboard for many years. But i find that i am not able to improve much on that. BUT ALL parents care about is my grades and tell me to buy whatever i want after getting "job" 😭😭

[@bmp72]

Had an ES8 now for more than 3 years, never knew about the amp simulator... Another sound not be overlooked is the upright piano, really nice for blues. Funny how this completely different sound changes how the keyboard feels to me, I know it is the same but somehow with the upright it feels different. I love my ES8 ! Will there be a 9 ?

[@НиколайШироков-ж2я]

Verry beatiufull sounds.thanks

[@cristiannunez2117]

❤

[@mutt1112]

ok I'm sold

[@otheo-gaming]

How was the name of the channel chosen?

[@basilandrigsby]

Thanks for the excellent video. Es8 looks fantastic. One question is can the sounds be held on a change? Ie if I change from Stings to piano can the strings be sustained with pedal under the piano until I let of the pedal, or does the sound cut out?

[@bonnersmusic]

Thank you very much! Yes if you change from one sound to another with the Sustain Pedal depressed, then the sound that you were on before the change will continue to sustain until you lift your foot off the pedal.

[@basilandrigsby]

Thanks. That’s great news!

[@gumtree7177]

Hi when you set up details of affects and keyboard and amp affect can you save that whole set up ? To use and play the tone keys anytime the unique tone you made? Will it save it ? For later use ?

[@wolfgangbraun2492]

Does the song starting @3:43 (SK-5 Demo) have a name? Sounds great :)

[@oliverose55]

Hey, this song is called Glasgow Love theme, by Craig Armstrong. It was in the movie, Love Actually.

[@wolfgangbraun2492]

@@oliverose55 Thanks so much :)

[@NicolaLarosa]

Not sure if it's the song but I love the SK-5 tone, even more than the larger pianos.

[@foxandfamily4963]

How does the ES8 compare to the KDP110?

[@dekzan]

How much better than the ES7 ? Just the 3 sensors keys ?

[@hugobite]

Thank you Borners for the awesome demo. I would like to know... Is there any drum kits/percussion sound voice on the ES8? So we can record our own beats/drum pattern...?

[@Starritt_Piano]

hugo probo no unfortunately, you probably would either need to record using the rhythm section Beats or connect the instrument to software on a computer. There is a voice setting, bass with a ride symbol for jazz, but no true percussion or drum kit voices built in.

[@namakudamono]

@@Starritt_Piano While not directly accessible from the panel, it should be possible to select the ES8's Rhythm Section sounds, including the different drum kits via a MIDI loopback cable.

[@Starritt_Piano]

namakudamono is it a loopback cable connected to a computer? Is that a square midi to usb cable and would this work with notation and sequencing software if I wanted to use ES8 as midi controller? Just checking so I know what I really need, but I guess a few years down the line I’ll get something more portable for composing with if I do it more regularly 😊

[@namakudamono]

@@Starritt_Piano By loopback cable, I was thinking of a single MIDI DIN cable connected to the MIDI OUT and MIDI IN. You would essentially send a MIDI command to the ES8 itself, telling the instrument to select a MIDI sound (for example a drum kit) as listed in the owner's manual. PianoManChuck explains this trick in one of his Kawai MP7 videos. However, if you're using a computer, it should also be possible to send the correct MIDI Program Change number from a DAW/sequencing program, allowing you to select the drum kit and then record your own drum rhythm tracks. It may take a little research and trial and error, but should be possible.

[@robertstrong8966]

Thank you for this fine demonstration. This Kawai ES8 wins my vote for best sound (most true to fine acoustic grand). It has knocked my previous favorite, Roland, down to 2nd. I propose an audio comparison challenge, believing this Kawai ES8 could well fool blind judges: Have a fine 7' or 9' grand, just tuned, and also the ES8 both unseen (perhaps behind a closed curtain, in a theater / auditorium). Have an audiences of "judges" with keypads to enter their votes for real grand, or the digital. Patch the ES8 into quality stereo speakers and a subwoofer (to closely as possible approximate the volume and presence of the grand), with speakers placed in same area behind the curtain with the acoustic grand. Then have pianist play short, SAME demo on both grand and digital. No doubt some keypads will enter votes in error both ways: some will attribute the digital as the acoustic, and the acoustic as the digital. But the grand must be perfectly tuned--beating unisons immediately identify an acoustic grand in any comparison demo. __ This challenge was done between a real Pipe Organ, and it's rank equivalent in an Allen Digital Organ--and the audience was stumped. Majority Keypads voted the Allen, when pipes had sounded, and a few, vice-versa. But what most shocked the audience was that the Allen was voted best sound over all--it beat the pipe organ, to Allen's delight of course. (I have no affiliation with Allen--but did buy an Allen 3 Manual Digital organ, after this demo!) I had to eat crow, as one who declared, "digital organ tone can never equal nor truly copy real, wind blown pipes." YES IT CAN! __ I heard this Kawai sound so fine as to fool me--I'd have believed it was a fine acoustic grand, had there been only audio with no video. KUDOS to Kawai, and to the Gent's fine demo!

[@JesusPiano]

Hi Toni, which store is closest from an airport? Which airport? How far from airport and in which store are you? If combination is easy enough and if I find a cheap enough fligh etc, I think im going to visit you guys

[@nezkeys79]

Why do all stage pianos sound terrible in the middle? I mean the highest octave and the bass notes here sound fantastic

[@johnnulf624]

nezkeys79 I’ve been observing the same thing just with keyboards in general. The middles sound thinner and more digital. If you figure it out let me know. Seems you have a similar ear to mine so I’d like to hear your recommendations in terms of keyboards and amp systems.

[@nezkeys79]

@@johnnulf624 middle aged ears XD

[@JackTorcello]

Where is the serial number on the ES8 please?

[@MattStormage]

How does it compare to CN39?

[@miniskirt9738]

I know that they have the same action RH3

[@eddyvideostar]

Bonners: Please change the heading from: "Everything," to something like, "Many things..." For this is similar to the Yahama board, where one viewer was freaked out by this -- especially, when the *demo vid was inadequate!*

[@EpicPianoArrangements]

No offence but I've had 2 of them BUGGER UP on me in 6 months. One of the ES8s stopped working after about 6 months and repeated notes were muted to the point where it was unplayable, and a second one we bought had inconsistencies when playing repeated notes, as if the clarity, and mellowness would change on each repetition despite playing consistent volume. I wouldn't recommend it - 2 buggered in less than a year? Nope.

[@mmvsn]

Is there anything on this that makes it better than MP7-SE if you don't exactly need the onboard speakers?

[@KuroiPK]

mmvsn it depends on you use case. If you need a stage piano and you are more classical trained the MP7-SE is probably your best bet for you. Another good brand for stage pianos are Nord Piano. And if you don’t need the mobility (and have the money to burn) i would say that Kawai NV10 or the Yamaha N1 are the best on the market right now. Also the Kawai CA78 and C98 are very similar to the MP7 but with speakers and cabinet design.

[@KuroiPK]

The MP11SE is also the big brother of the MC7SE

[@mmvsn]

@@KuroiPK Thanks for the reply. I'm mostly looking for a piano that's suitable for studio use but can still be fun for casual playing (with headphones or external speakers). The Nords are very expensive so I've been interested in the MP7SE model. MP11SE is a bit too big to get out of the way when necessary.

[@KuroiPK]

mmvsn true Nord is quite expensive, but still quality. I like every action from Kawai I tried so far, they try to emulate acoustic pianos as close as points. Between the biggest difference between the MP7 and MP11is the actions, one is wooden and has a more realistic feel (that’s also the reason why the MP11 is larger, and heavier). Would recommend you to test those two in a store, if you actually care that much about the action, if you are accustomed to acoustic one you will probably notice a bigger difference. But for the price of both models I don’t really think you can go wrong.

[@bonnersmusic]

That entirely depends on what you plan on using it for. You can compare these two models specifications here on the Kawai Website. They both have the same keyboard action, but of course the MP7SE is designed as a stage instrument whereas the ES8 is designed to be used at home as well as live. The ES8 is certainly more flexible as an instrument if you ever plan on using it at home without need for additional amplification. Many also find that they do not need hundreds of sounds to choose from, so the ES8 represents great value and is more convenient for multiple uses.

[@johnvalk]

Is it really worth upgrading my es7 to an es8? I am as well a classical as jazz player, really better sound, responsive action worth upgrading, speakers?

[@dekzan]

I have the same question. I like the ES7 so much, amp could be louder.

[@JitinMisra]

@@dekzan I have the p515, sometimes I wish I got the es8 lol

[@baldheadtim02]

The worst feature on this is that the line out jacks are not controlled by the volume slider -- which makes using it on stage with an external amplifier difficult. Not too bad for solo / duo work but not great in a band situation. Likewise burying the EQ in menus is not as good for live work than having dedicated sliders.

[@rafalm9187]

Isn't mp series better for your needs?

[@daanstam4692]

@@rafalm9187 just use a simple mixer in front of the PA just for the keys. It's very common to do it that way

[@gtizzle101]

Can this be used as a midi controller as well?

[@joeritchie8653]

Yes they can. That is why I am looking at it.

[@ivanfrangugic8355]

sk ex sample?

[@nogamenolife705]

ES8 V MP11SE? I have been torn between the two for months now and cant make a decision. Speakers don't bother me as i have a pair of LS50 Wireless but the sound is most important factor to me. Anyone got any advice?

[@bringbackshaming]

I have the same problem as well, I’m thinking the mp11se is better cause of better touch and more options for changing the sound.

[@alanwingate7508]

Do you think that the ES8 is to far advanced for a beginner

[@makerealitygreatagain8809]

Something synthetic sounding about it.

[@Darkosa1234]

This piano sounds plain amazing from line-outs, but what about it's speakers? I know they won't do much in terms of volume, but how about fidelity?

[@fkh3556]

I don't like them... You are better off with some 150 $ monitor speakers...

[@demiani6237]

I tried the roland FP 90 and was disappointed with the piano sound. Is this this better than the roland and the yamaha p 515 would you say?

[@clownfishxd4523]

it has much better sound but the keys are so heavy