Tinkle a handcrafted digital piano courtesy of Roland and Karimoku

Roland has introduced two digital pianos in its Kiyola collection of merchandise. These pianos have been developed and designed in collaboration with Karimoku, the Japanese furnishings maker that has specialised in meticulous picket building since 1940.

Every of the brand new pianos, the KF-20 and KF-25, represents an expression of a conventional woodworking approach, paired with Roland’s audio and sonic experience and longstanding involving in creating an genuine grand piano really feel in a compact upright physique.

The Kiyola collection characteristic strong wooden cupboards and a novel grain sample that varies from mannequin to mannequin. The KF-20 was impressed by Hikimono craftsmanship, normally seen in small home gadgets like trays and bowls. Created utilizing a lathe, this turned wooden end has been utilized to the piano to create an instrument with a extra pure, curved end.

That is significantly evident within the KF-20’s legs, which flare elegantly as they descend from the physique of the piano, tapering to some extent harking back to mid-century furnishings design. The highest cowl can also be gently curved, giving all the instrument a mushy, delicate silhouette.

The KF-25 mannequin is extra angular. The inspiration right here got here from conventional Sashimono joinery, the artwork of interlocked timber with out the usage of nails. As Roland factors out, this system dates again to the eighth century Heian interval and nonetheless denotes nice ability in design and building. The joints are prominently displayed on the sting of the KF-25 cupboard.

Each pianos can be found in a spread of heat wooden finishes, and each include an identical ergonomic wooden bench, particularly designed to create the right taking part in posture, in addition to an identical three-pedal unit. Finishes for the KF-20 embody Gentle Oak, Sheer White, and Celadon Inexperienced (obtainable solely by way of MoMA’s retailer in New York). The KF-25 is obtainable in wealthy Smoked Oak.

Underneath the hood lies Roland’s newest piano modelling software program, able to extraordinary depth and nuance. The nice and cozy tones of the sound engine have been formed to match the pure finishes of the cupboard, with the keyboard incorporating accelerometers that detect the right velocity and quantity of each be aware.

The primary Kiyola piano was the Roland KF-10, which had a softer look replicated by the brand new KF-20, whereas the KF-25 has a extra angular look.

In response to Roland’s Kiyola mission chief Kazuhiro Kobu, ‘the objective was to consider the piano as an architectural object. Roland contributes deep experience in sound and digital engineering, whereas Karimoku brings a furnishings maker’s understanding of wooden, proportion, and the way objects inhabit a room.’

Roland Kiyola KF-20 and KF-25, from £3,803, obtainable from Roland.com