GB1K SC3 SILENT Piano SILENT pianos are genuine acoustic pianos equipped with Yamaha’s advanced silencing technology. When the keys are played in SILENT Mode, the hammers are stopped immediately before striking the strings so that the piano itself generates no sound. Sensors installed below the keys decipher how the keys are played and relay the data to the digital tone generator, which generates sampled sounds that can be heard through a pair of headphones. By allowing players to play a true acoustic piano sound under normal circumstances, or to put on headphones and play in SILENT Mode to avoid disturbing others, SILENT Piano makes any time a good time to sit down at the piano. This piano is a full acoustic piano and can be played as a normal acoustic piano, then switch to Silent Mode. Wear a pair of good quality Yamaha headphones that are included, to listen to Yamahas CFX Concert Grand Piano or the Bösendorfer with Yamaha's specialised Binaural Sampling and Virtual Resonance Modelling. The Silent System is fully compatible with apps on your tablet device, use Yamaha Smart Pianist to control the piano. Bluetooth Audio/Midi connectivity or even plug in a USB for recording. The accuracy of the Articulation Sensor System can be used also for the most precise recording it is the most accurate digital conversion reading you can get on the market today. The GB1K, Yamaha's most compact grand, is a popular choice for locations where space is relatively limited, providing a full, resonant tone comparable to that of many substantially larger models. The Frame The frame in a piano must be able to withstand a total string tension in excess of twenty tons; not only does the frame work to support the string tension, but it has a profound effect on the instrument’s sound. Yamaha makes its own frames, relying on a method of casting referred to as “vacuum process,” the world’s first such technique developed over many years in creating some of the best piano frames. This is a major reason that Yamaha is able to ensure reliable quality when crafting our pianos. Seasoned for Destination Yamaha specifically seasons every piano for its destination. The tuning stability, finish and overall musical integrity are enhanced over the long life expected of a fine piano. LID PROP SAFETY CATCH The GB1K is equipped with a lid prop stopper to prevent your fingers from being caught when the piano lid closes unexpectedly. SOFT-CLOSE FALLBOARD The fallboard is fitted with a soft-landing mechanism, freeing you from the worry of it shutting on your fingers unexpectedly. Articulation Sensor System. SILENT pianos feature Yamaha’s newly developed Articulation Sensor System, which accurately interprets how actual pianos respond to the movements of pianists’ fingers, which are relayed from the keys through the action, causing the hammers to strike the strings. With Yamaha’s proprietary algorithm, the system delivers high-precision simulations of the movements of the hammers at the moment they strike the strings, reproducing every piano sound exactly the way the player intended. These sensors are non-contact, so they do not impact the feel of the piano. Grand pianos feature sensors on the hammers for more accurately detecting and deciphering a wider range of key motion (e.g., slow keystrokes, quick trills) when the hammers actually strike the strings. Like the key sensors, the hammer sensors are non-contact, so they do not impact the touch of the piano. Grand Expression Modeling. Grand Expression Modelling is a new feature that faithfully reproduces the tonal variation originating from the inner workings of the piano, such as the way the hammers strike and the dampers contact the strings in response to the player’s touch. This feature detects the force and acceleration of the keystrokes and changes the audio output accordingly in real time, providing the player with the ability to explore subtle tonal nuances, even in TransAcoustic or SILENT mode. Voices of Yamaha and Bösendorfer grands. Introducing two newly sampled concert grand piano voices from Yamaha and Bösendorfer, both popular choices in concert halls around the world. First is the CFX, Yamaha’s flagship concert grand piano, which has earned high acclaim among the world’s most renowned pianists for its robust, resplendent, richly expressive tone. Second is the Imperial from Bösendorfer, a time-honored Viennese piano brand with a passionate following. The Imperial is known for its abundance of color and natural, warm feeling. Yamaha faithfully reproduces the unique characteristics of these concert grand pianos by carefully recording the entire tonal range of each of the 88 keys, making minute adjustments to capture the most harmonious tone