Casio Celviano (AP series) digital pianos include upright piano models with cabinet-style design, authentic hammer action with simulated ivory key-tops, and resonance of a fine Grand Piano that allows for an authentic piano playing experience. .
Introduction
Celviano series pianos are console styled pianos available in the classic design. If you always wanted to own a traditional upright piano, but with all the benefits of a digital piano, then the Celviano series piano is something that you should consider.
When the Celviano series was first launched, it didn’t quite take off the way Casio would have wanted it to, especially when compared with the popular Privia piano series.
Over the years, Casio upgraded the models in the Celviano series and improved the piano sounds on these pianos so that it will appeal to the serious piano players.
The Casio Celviano series is surely going to make you sit up and take notice, not just with its features but also because of the beautifully designed furniture style cabinet.
Who Is It For?
- This is for everybody who wants to own a digital piano, with the classic upright design, but wants something affordable.
- This is perfect for learning (for those who are really serious about learning to play the piano) and even for practicing as the keyboard feel is excellent, courtesy the “Ivory Touch” weighted graded keyboard.
- The Overall packaging and finish is also good and can be a nice piece of furniture in your living room.
- Rich grand piano tones for classical music, Other Grand piano tones intended for jazz and pop music
- USB to host, connection to App
- Adjustable Touch-sensitive : 3 levels
- These come with sliding key cover to keep the piano dust-free.
- You get a library of several songs that you can learn to play.
- The Duet Mode makes it possible to connect two headphones so that two people can play/practice together.
- Built-in recorder lets you record your ideas.
- Hammer, damper, String Response. Lid simulator
- 26 built-in tones, 20W + 20W speakers, 256 Polyphony
- Audio And MIDI Recording, USB Midi
- Casio AP620 on zZounds
Casio Celviano AP-470 Digital Piano
A recent model, the AP-470 features better touch and sound quality, comes with Ivory Touch Hammer action keyboard.
It features 256-note polyphony, Duet function, 2 headphone connections, USB/MIDI connection, built-in speakers, and more. However, it doesn’t come with any accompaniments.
Currently, The Casio AP-470 does come across as one of the best digital pianos in the sub-$1500 price range.
The AP-470 Celviano features Tri-Sensor scaled hammer-action keyboard II, Ivory Touch keys, and excellent piano sounds. With 256 notes polyphony, it is possible to play complex arrangements without worrying about notes dropping off.
The piano features Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II, ebony and ivory simulated keys, Hammer Response adjusts as per the characteristics of different types of piano tones and the register of the keyboard being played.
Adjustments on the piano can also be made using Casio’s Chordana Play for Piano app. You can change the various settings (and even save them for later recall).
- Pros: Great sound quality, New Model
- Cons: Expensive, No Accompaniments
Watch: Casio Celviano AP-470 digital piano: video reviewIf you are looking for more than just basic set of piano sounds and a better looking and more solid piano, then you can consider the Casio AP-470 for more sounds, additional features and better sound/touch.
Casio Celviano AP-270 Digital Piano
The Casio AP-270 is the entry-level model in the Celviano series and features authentic sounds and action, minus the many other features which most other digital pianos have. It may lack the finesse (only to some extent) but its a value-for-money product.
192-note polyphony. Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II and simulated ebony and ivory keys for realistic piano action, powerful 8W＋8W speakers. Upright design with a 3-pedal unit suitable for traditional piano pedaling.
Casio AP-270 Piano demo Features: 22 high-quality tones, 192 note polyphony, 2-track recorder, various digital effects, built-in songs for learning, connection to App (Chordana Play for Piano Special Site), duet mode, MIDI Recorder, slide-type keyboard cover.
Casio Celviano (AP Series): Guide
The Celviano AP series pianos from Casio (the company also calls these grand hybrid pianos) include upright pianos with fully weighted keys and a design that is high on aesthetics. These are basically cabinet pianos (upright pianos), with the rich resonance and keyboard touch of a real piano.
Casio today has a great line up of digital pianos, and if you always wanted to own a real piano but could not afford one, a Casio Celviano could be a nice alternative.
Compared to a Roland or a Yamaha digital piano, the keys on a Casio piano are a bit lighter, which is not really a bad thing. Some people just prefer slightly lighter keys (they are fully weighted though).
Here are some of the important features and functions that are available on a Casio Celviano piano.
Elegant Design – An elegant and refined look, available in a brown rosewood or cherry finish, that would complement the decor of your room.
Superb Sound – Vastly improved sound source and samples provides all the rich resonance of a fine grand piano.
Authentic Piano Feel – A spring-less graded hammer action system that provides a keyboard touch that is similar to the one used by grand pianos.
Increased polyphony – 256 note polyphony (on the top models); play the most difficult pieces, with high-speed passages, that require intensive damper pedal operations – all without any problem.
In addition you also find other features like Lesson play, Music Library, Digital Effects, and Metronome.
Ease of Use
Usability has never been an issue with most of the Casio digital pianos, so same applies here as well. Its easy to access all the features, sounds and rhythms, and your selections can be seen on the LCD screen.This one also comes with a pull down keyboard cover that not only adds a nice look and also protects the keyboard, its not mentioned in the specs and its difficult to make it out from the images/videos.
Value-for-Money
Nothing beats the Casio when it comes to the value-for-money proposition and you get the best of everything in one instrument.Even if you are an experienced musician and own a synth or stage piano, this one can be an excellent piano for the family, where you or your children can come and play together.
If you have played on a cheaper Casio piano before, you may already have some misconceptions about this brand, but this model is different. The sound is much better and on par with other brands at this price.
The Casio Celviano piano series definitely seem to offer a good package, considering their price and the number of features that are thrown in, in an attractive package.
There are feedback from users, saying that they don’t have the best piano sound, or in some cases, some users even say that they are not built to last.
If you look at it price-wise, there is no beating it. I would agree that the sounds may not be top-notch, especially their non-piano sounds, but they have reasonable sounds and look like an upright piano.
But then, there is no other alternative in this price range, from any other brand. So if you really plan to upgrade from a portable keyboard to a digital piano, this can be a really good option.
What could have been better?Connoisseurs will argue that the piano sounds are not of topmost quality and we agree with it to some extent. But the fact is that overall, the piano sounds are good and if you hear it through good headphones, the piano samples sound bit better.
There are very few buttons on a Celviano piano, and most of the functions on the piano can be selected using a combination of these buttons and the appropriate key on the piano. This can make it a bit difficult to remember the proper combinations until you have got a complete hang of all the functions. Until then, you will have to keep referring the user-manual.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
The top Casio Celviano pianos are styled after an actual acoustic pianos, features a single-piece keyboard cover, sturdy side panels, and rounded edges on the sides of each key. More importantly, you can adjust the acoustics of the piano.
Casio Celviano: AP Series Pianos
Here are the popular models in this series:
Casio Celviano AP-700
The AP-700 offers top quality construction, graded hammer keyboard (realistic ebony and ivory textures) & brilliant sounds. Berlin Grand sound developed in collaboration with C. Bechstein, more grand pianos, string and damper resonance, mechanical sounds, and other subtle nuances.
Casio Celviano AP-650 Digital Piano
The Casio Celviano AP-650 provides additional features like styles, more voice, LCD screen, powerful amplifier and dedicated buttons for selecting most features. Surprisingly for this package, things like pitch-bend and modulation wheel are missing, not a big deal if you are going to play the piano but it would have been a good addition.
It features hammer action keyboard (Ebony- and ivory-textured keys), 250 tones, 180 rhythms, 256 note polyphony, duet mode, panel-lock function, 2-headphone connections, 3-pedal unit, SD-card slot, extensive accompaniment feature, rhythm editor, 17-track sequencer, USB (midi).
A couple of downsides: If you like to play with more of non-piano sounds, you will miss the pitch-bend control. Secondly, even cheaper models nowadays come with bigger displays; this one comes with a slightly smaller LCD display.
However, If you want an affordable piano for learning or for practicing on top of the excellent accompaniments, this piano is a good fit.
Leave a Reply