The Clavinova is a long-running line of premium digital pianos created by the Yamaha Corporation. They are similar in styling to an acoustic piano, but with many features common to various keyboards such as the ability to save and load songs, the availability of different voices, and, in more recent models, the ability to be connected to a computer via USB or wireless network for music production or interactive piano lesson programs.
All current (and many past) Clavinovas (CLP and CVP-Series) feature Yamaha's Graded Hammer technology, a mechanical system of small metal hammers, weighted to be similar to those of a real piano, which activates a digital pressure sensor that then translates into sound. This advanced technology has contributed to the success of the Clavinova as a more affordable substitute for an acoustic piano. The Graded action is intended to reproduce more accurately the varying weights of the hammers of an acoustic piano where the hammers vary in weight from the bass section to the treble. Higher-end models, such as the CVP-600 Series from 2012, incorporate real wood keys and linear grading for added realism.
The built-in synthesizer produces the sound. Early Clavinova models used FM synthesis. Later models use sample-based synthesis to produce the sound. Information comes in a MIDI or similar format either directly from the piano keyboard or from a stored source (from within the piano or via a computer or external sequencer). The synthesizer can imitate a large array of acoustic instruments, electronic instruments and other sound effects. Recent models of CVP Clavinova have hundreds of such voices. These usually include many types of pianos and organs, string, percussion, brass and woodwind instruments, as well as modern and vintage synthesizer sounds, sampled effects etc. The more recent CVP models also feature many accompaniment styles, ranging from traditional dance and classical orchestration, through to more modern club, pop, rock, big band and jazz styles.
As of August 2015, the current line of Clavinova CLP models are the CLP-500 series, and the current Clavinova CVP models are the CVP-700 series.
The various graded or progressively weighted keys are
Graded Hammer Standard (GHS), formerly Hammer Effect (HE)
Graded Hammer (GH or sometimes GHE), somewhat heavier than GHS. GH is also closer to the weight of real piano keys.
Graded Hammer 3 (GH3), like GH, but GH3 also swings back faster, like high quality piano keys. GH3 allows the player to feel the weight of the key when depressed a second time, even when the player has not completely released the key after the first push of the key and also performs as fast as an acoustic grand piano.
Graded Hammer 3X (GH3X) keyboard features an "escapement" mechanism that reproduces a slight clicking sensation near the bottom of the key travel. It has been designed in such a way that the click is discernible only on the lightest keystrokes, similar to the keyboard of a grand piano.
Natural Wood (NW) is graded like the GH3 but also uses spruce wood to make the feel even closer to that of the acoustic grand piano.
Natural Wood X (NWX) provides the real wooden keys of the NW keyboard, yet also has escapement, giving even more accurate feel.
88-key linear graded hammers provide 88 levels of gradation (each key has its own weight). With NWX, it has the most accurate feel of any of the Clavinovas, although also found on some NW keyboards.
From Yamaha Clavinova microsite. From Yamaha Product Spec page.
Tone feature matrix for 3 past generations and current models
From Yamaha Clavinova microsite. From Clavinova Spec page
From yamahapkowner.com and Clavinova microsite
CVP and CGP models
1985: CVP-3, CVP-5, CVP-7 - First CVP series Clavinova
1987: CVP-6, CVP-8, CVP-10, CVP-100MA, CVP-100PE
1989: CVP-30, CVP-50, CVP-70
1991: CVP-25*, CVP-35, CVP-45, CVP-55, CVP-65, CVP-75
1993: CVP-83, CVP-85, CVP-87, CVP-89
1995: CVP-49, CVP-59, CVP-69, CVP-79 - added LCD on all models except CVP-49, and introduced LCD buttons.
1997: CVP-92, CVP-94, CVP-96, CVP-98, CVP-555 - First modern design button LCD, Organ Combo (predecessor to Organ Flutes! voices).
1998: CVP-600
1999: CVP-103, CVP-105, CVP-107, CVP-109
2000: CVP-700
2001: CVP-201, CVP-203, CVP-205, CVP-207, CVP-209 - Introduced most of the current voice technologies, added first color display, and with the latest button setup.
2002: CVP-900
2003: CVP-202, CVP-204, CVP-206, CVP-208, CVP-210
2004: CVP-301, CVP-303, CVP-305, CVP-309, CVP-307, CVP-309, CVP-309GP - All models have current button display, first GH3 and NW keyboards. Added Mega Voices.
2008: CGP-1000
2008: CVP-401, CVP-403, CVP-405, CVP-407, CVP-409, CVP-409GP - Added Super Articulation.
2009: CVP-501, CVP-503, CVP-505, CVP-509 - Introduced several new keyboard technologies, added S. Articulation 2. Added free play styles.
2013: CVP-601, CVP-605, CVP-609, CVP-609GP - All models have S. Articulation and GH3, added touch screen and RGE sound engine.
2015: CVP-701, CVP-705, CVP-709, CVP-709GP - All models have color displays and synthetic ivory keycaps. Added VRM sound engine and escapement.
History reference.
1983: YP-40 - first Clavinova, world's first digital piano
1985: CLP-20, CLP-30
1986: CLP-40, CLP-45, CLP-50, CLP-55, CLP-200, CLP-300
1987: CLP-100, CLP-100MA, CLP-100PE, CLP-500
1988: CLP-250, CLP-550, CLP-650
1989: CLP-570, CLP-650W, CLP-670
1990: CLP-260, CLP-360, CLP-560, CLP-760
1992: CLP-121, CLP-122, CLP-123, CLP-124
1994: CLP-152S, CLP-153S, CLP-153SG, CLP-154S, CLP-155, CLP-157
1996: CLP-311, CLP-411, CLP-511, CLP-611, CLP-811, CLP-911
1997: CLP-555
1998: CLP-810, CLP-820, CLP-840, CLP-860, CLP-880
2000: CLP-920, CLP-930, CLP-950, CLP-955, CLP-970, CLP-970A
2001: CLP-910, CLP-990
2002: CLP-110, CLP-120, CLP-130, CLP-150, CLP-170
2003: CLP-115
2005: CLP-F01
2005: CLP-220, CLP-230, CLP-240, CLP-270, CLP-280, CLP-265GP, CLP-295GP
2008: CLP-320, CLP-330, CLP-340, CLP-370, CLP-380, CLP-S306, CLP-S308
2011: CLP-430, CLP-440, CLP-465GP, CLP-470, CLP-480, CLP-S406, CLP-S408 - Implemented RGE Sound Engine
2014: CLP-525, CLP-535, CLP-545, CLP-565GP, CLP-575, CLP-585 - Revised LCD, added VRM
*Uncertain, please help the wiki by finding correct data.
