CLP-S408

The first Clavinova was created in 1983 to allow people to more conveniently enjoy the pleasure of playing a piano. From the first stages of development, Yamaha exercised its ingenuity to reproduce the sound and touch of a grand piano by developing a proprietary FM (Frequency Modulation) Sound Source, new keyboard mechanisms and other innovations. The YP-40 featured not only piano sound, but also the tone colors of 16 instruments including harpsichord, clavichord and guitar. It also provided the Stereo Symphonic Effect, allowing it to offer the power and feeling of depth of a performance in a concert hall or music club.

The CVP-7 was equipped with the piano Auto Bass Chord (ABC) function, the archetype of the highly regarded automatic accompaniment functions of today’s CVP Series. At the time, it was a revolutionary function that allowed a player to add an accompaniment simply by holding down chords with the left hand. It also had a ROM Music function that let players call up songs that they liked and play them like an orchestra or ensemble, expanding the fun of playing music. The Guide function, which uses guide lamps to indicate the next key to be struck, also made its debut in this model.

This model marked the first use of the Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) sampling method, which used data obtained by digitally recording the sound of actual musical instruments and processing them with proprietary technologies. This new sound source technology permitted the faithful reproduction of rich textures and beautiful lingering tones, beginning with the delicate sound startup at the moment the key of a grand piano is struck until the sound naturally attenuates.

Its sound source was the AWM Stereo Sampling method based on stereo recording. Creating sound based on data recorded from the left and from the right, it achieved the wide, deep, elegant and realistic tones of a grand piano. The CLP-760 brought further improvements to the AE (Action Effect) keyboard that had first appeared in 1986, which applied the principle of the hammer action of an acoustic piano. As a result, its touch was even closer to that of a grand piano.

The CVP-79A offered 192 different voices (including GM sounds), exceeding the basic assumptions regarding the capabilities of digital pianos. It also came with 100 accompaniment Styles, greatly expanding its breadth of performance expressiveness, and provided an even easier to use Guide function, an LCD display that helped players to make skillful use of its many functions, and an on-board Help function. Great care was taken not only with its functionality, but with its ease of operation.

The feel of grand piano keys when they are struck differs slightly between the bass keys and the treble keys. By introducing the GH (Graded Hammer) keyboard, the CLP-811 was able to reproduce this subtle difference. It also featured AWM Dynamic Stereo Sampling, which employs multi-sampling of the grand piano sound as it changes according to the force with which the keys are struck. This technology is also used by current Clavinova models. With enhanced sound and touch, the expressive force of the Clavinova advanced to a new level.

The CVP-98 was equipped with a large 320 by 240 dot LCD able to display voice, accompaniment Style and song names in a single convenient location. Since all of the important functions could be seen at a glance, the ease with which the instrument could be operated was significantly improved. It was also compatible with the XG format, a sound source standard advocated by Yamaha, and offered a richer choice of sounds, wider interchangeability and future expandability. It made truly dynamic play of music data possible.

As the first model in the CLP Series with a mini-grand piano cabinet, the CLP-555 gave Clavinova fans the authentic sound and touch of a grand piano, as well as a beautifully elegant shape. It also featured a craftsman-built cabinet with deluxe black lacquer finish. Along with the features and convenience of a digital piano, it brought the sound and elegance of the concert hall into owners' homes.

The CVP-600 built upon the success of the CLP-555 by also using a mini-grand piano cabinet. It gave players the genuine sound, touch and look of a grand piano, with a vast array of features that only a digital piano can offer. Proud owners appreciated the gleaming beauty of a traditional grand combined with the versatility of a leading-edge digital piano.

By combining sound sources such as Key-Off Sampling and String Resonance, which record changes in grand piano sound with the movement of the keys, the CVP-209 achieved the delicate change of sounds and sympathetic string resonances at the moment when a finger leaves the key. It also featured 870 sounds, including Premium Voices, which realistically reproduce the sounds of a variety of instruments. In addition, it was the first Clavinova to have a large color LCD with color icons and letters to clearly show notes, song names and accompaniment Styles.

The CLP-170 introduced the GH3 (Graded Hammer 3) keyboard, which was based on the GH keyboard but had three sensors, including Yamaha’s proprietary Damper Sensor. This enabled the player to use advanced grand piano techniques such as playing the same note repeatedly with perfect articulation. It was the first Clavinova with iAFC (instrumental Active Field Control), an advanced acoustic technology for reproducing sounds with breadth and depth, just like a stage performance, as well as the sympathetic string resonances that occur when the damper pedal is pressed.

The CVP-309 opened up new ways to enjoy an electronic piano by introducing Internet Direct Connection, for connecting the Clavinova directly to the Internet. This feature lets you select the piece you want to play from among the more than 4,000 pieces that are available, download the registration (sound, style, and effect settings) best suited to the piece, then listen to a sample performance or show the melody, chords or lyrics on the Clavinova display to enjoy playing or listening to the piece. This was also the first model to use the solid wood NW (Natural Wood) keyboard.

As the first Clavinova with a slim body, the CLP-F01 marked a new page in the history of the digital piano. It was not only a pleasure to play and look at, it was also easier to position in a room. With this emphasis on design, it was popular not only with individuals, but found widespread use in public facilities such as hotel lobbies.

In a cabinet finished so it appears to be a grand piano, you have all the diverse functions of the CVP Series. When you close the key cover, it encloses not only the keyboard, but the operating panel as well, providing the appearance of an acoustic piano. It also offers an actual piano soundboard along with state-of-the-art vibro-acoustic technology. Adding Yamaha’s highly effective iAFC technology, which delivers sound with the depth of a grand piano, the CGP-1000 achieves extremely realistic and richly resonant sound.

One of Yamaha’s finest CFIIIS full concert grand pianos was selected and tuned to the optimum condition. Pure CF Sampling uses all the sounds sampled from this single piano for the piano sound. The CLP-380 therefore produces sound with playing response highly faithful to the sound source. In addition, it is the first model in the CLP Series equipped with Internet Direct Connection, which lets you directly access a special website to select from a huge musical library. The CLP-380 was designed to combine the finest sound, touch and functions developed during the 25 years since the birth of the Clavinova.