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what are user definable temperaments, is it more then what Roland is offering on their HP500 series by selecting different temperaments ?

If you're interested in what exactly you can change ( it's a lot ! ), you should check out the PDF with the manual for both CA65/95 on Kawai's website. They call it 'virtual technician' .
link: http://www.kawai.de/service/ca95_65_e.pdf

Concerning sound on the Kawai CA65 ( which I have as well ): I like it and so far I have never heard anything strange or annoying, although I have to say I'm a beginner and do not have a trained ear like some of you.

Hi, ap55, I think for scale tuning it is not much more than Yamaha's letting to select a few historical temperaments.

But as the manual for HP507 does reveal, you have the possibility to individually tune every single key (s. under stretched tuning p.43-44).

It would be the most flexible method for tuning on paper but not a very practical feature to quickly edit/choose between scales. I find KAWAIs approach more practicable, but there I am just missing the combination of stretching and scale tuning: Temperament Questions

As it seems all leading manufacturers have enough potential for improvements in this field.

My recent work (not yet published) along with other literature on temperaments showed the very importance of these features for baroque and early classical music.

I'm sending the mp3 recording i made today of keys being pressed to my kawai contact. I'm going to wait for his response before posting it on here. Its quite clear to me with certain keys the phenomenon can be heard. I'm in a unique position in that i played 2 ca95 models within an hour of each other in my home. I hope this is just bad luck for me with two models and doesn't effect anyone else but its very apparent once noticed... He has asked for the label details for my current ca95 to check any alterations in production.

My current description of the sound is like a microphone has been placed next to the key bed, recorded the keys being pressed down really hard and then mixed it unnaturally into the sample.. Its the same length whether keys are pressed down and released or held down... and i can hear it with or without headphones. Its the same with or without reverb.

UK PAUL UK,
I'M AGREE WITY YOU: the sound is like a microphone has been placed next to the key bed.
I HAVE AN ANSWER: IS IT POSSIBLE THAT AFTER USING THE headphones, WITHOUT headphones THE STRANGE NOISE DISAPPEARS?
Greetings, MIXIO

Haven't tried that... will give it a go tonight.

Hello everybody!

I have the same problem with my CA-65.When I trying to play the Grand Piano (setting by default) I hear a kind of noise with some keys like a clang or over resonance with both speakers and headphones. I tried all tips that you described here and many others without results. I'm waiting for some new system version or patch that can solve this issue. I thought in the beginning that it was a problem only with my unit, but now I can realize that it wasn't.
Otherwise I am very happy with my DP.
Cordially,
Alejo

Yes, there are several keys (above middle "C") on my Kawai CA95 that give off a strange raspy metallic sound, and, just haven't been able to completely edit this away with the "Basic Settings" or, the "Virtual Technician."

These perceived sounds appear to be with the samples, themselves.

So, you can either live with it, or, find another digital.

Yes I know :=(
The problem to get another DP is that I bought my Kawai CA-65 from Germany and I live in Sweden. it can be a lite expensive change HE HE HE!
The other thing is that I like my Kawai CA-65. It has a good keyboard feeling and beautiful design.
I think that it will be a new software version in short to solve this issue. I'm sure

I really don't hear anoying sounds like some of you. I do hear the key release and tapping sounds, but you can always turn that off if you don't like that. What sounds terrible to me is when you put it in 'Upright' mode . If you're used to the standard 'Grand piano' setting, it's almost as if they used an inferiour sound sample or a bad upright. But who puts it in 'Upright' mode anyway ?

I rather like the upright piano - it's nostalgic for me as I grew up playing an upright.

It's great for playing New Orleans style jazz, soul, and funk.

James
x

HELLO!
THE STRANGE NOISE reappeared IN MY CA65, is EVEN INCREASED. SO I HAVE DECIDED TO CALL SERVICE CENTER. THURSDAY will let you know IF THE PROBLEM WILL SOLVE. SERVICE CENTER THINKS THAT IS A DEFECT IN THE SPEAKERS. GOOD HOPE.
BUT I THINK IS NOT ONLY THIS, ALSO SOFTWARE PROBLEM. BYE.

Euhm, it seems to me THAT ON TOP OF THAT, YOU HAVE SOME PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC'S KEYBOARD !

WHAT ?!

( by the way, what is the consensus now; is the metallic sound part of the samples, or is it a fault on some units in the hardware - I'm a bit lost on that after all the Ca65 / ca95 posts) ?

Hi!

I don't know what it really is but the bad sound is very clear with some keys. It is a kind of a metallic sound or somethig like this. It sounds very awful.
I only hoppe for some solution to this issue.
We will see.

Hi!
Where did you call to? I'm in Sweden and I can't find a representative here. I bought my CA-65 from Germany.
Regards!

Yes, as it does sound "very awful" as you mention.

And, I have had the same issue with piano sounds that are not clear and very metallic or fuzzy. Read the thread, here:

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1983666/1.html

Not sure as of yet if this is a problem with the samples, or, speakers / soundboard / cabinet vibrations.

Hi Alejo,
Juhl-Sørensen has a department in Stockholm, and sell Kawai CA models. It might be worth a try to contact them?

See http://www.piano.se/digital/kawai/Kawaimodeller.htm

I bought my CA 95 from Juhl-Sørensen in Copenhagen, and they are very helpful.

I contemplated buying from Thomann, but chose Juhl-sørensen so I had support in Denmark. They had a price match guarantee, so I ended up with a relatively low price.

Regards,
Helge

Perhaps we can do a pol among CA-65/CA95 users.

In my understanding certainly not all owners experience problems ? Would be nice to know if it are just a few exceptions - however bad that is - and not part of the design and character of the CA series itself.

It would also be fair to potential buyers if it is only affecting certain units; now it may scare people off thinking all CA's are flawed. New thread proposal: " CA-65 / CA-95 poll: My unit is perfectly fine // My unit has a strange raspy sound or hum"

And than let's see how we fare. I hope happy owners with nothing to complain will also join in, cause there's always a bias on a forum for problem reporting vs satisfactory stories.

If there's any conclusion that I can get out of all stories, it is that Kawai may (that is a big may !) have to check their audio chain design , or components - like the amplifier / power supply / shielding and perhaps adjust some parts (on some units ?). The keybed and sound engine seem fine, just what comes out through the electrical system: power unit / amp / speaker system is not always as clean as it should be. At least that is what I understand from most postings and a bit from my own experience. Correct me if I'm searching in the wrong direction.

J

I don't doubt there are some odd artefacts within the samples - there always is with sampling. But I really think that is what this is all about. The numerous threads talking about what I would call characteristics (of Kawai DPs) rather than faults is getting a bit boring to be honest. For the record I have the MP10 and leaving aside personal preferences about pianos and the way they should and can sound, all is fine.

Cheers,

Steve