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Hello!
You already own a helluva piano, don’t you?
Do you remember the magical moment when you first played it? I hope it has brought you hours, days, and years of enjoyment.
Did the recent announcement of the brand-new Yamaha CVP-900 series make your ears prick up? And, are you wondering whether it’s worth upgrading from your older CVP-709/609/509/409, etc?
That’s what I’m going to talk about in this article.
If you’re the owner of a Yamaha CVP-809 and you’re wondering what the benefits are of upgrading to a CVP-909, you can read my blog specifically about it here.
13m
Watch Chris explaining the benefits of upgrading from an older CVP model to the new Yamaha CVP-909.
Firstly, let’s talk about the fundamentals of upgrading from an older CVP to a CVP-909. You’re going to get a significant upgrade in the number of Voices & Styles.
It’s important that you don’t put too much meaning into the actual number of additional Voices & Styles – although it’s substantial even from CVP-709 with 300 new Voices and 75 additional Styles.
What has more meaning is the type of Voices & Styles that these additional ones are. They’re mostly newer, cutting-edge ones using Yamaha’s phenomenal Super Articulation technology.
These are Voices that have only been seen so far on Yamaha’s famous flagship keyboard; the Genos.
The upgraded Voices are the most practical ones too, i.e. the ones you’ll tend to use day after day – not the ones that are hidden away on page 7 of your Voice category but Voices that you’ll see featured proudly on page 1. I’m talking about the pianos, the organs, the guitars, and, perhaps most strikingly, the orchestral strings.
Needless to say, if you play any arrangements or songs using strings on your CVP, with the new CVP-909, you’re going to feel like you’ve sacked your usual orchestra and replaced them with a team of world-class, incredibly skilled, Royal Academy Of Music-trained super-musicians.
This rich new selection of top-shelf Voices alone that you’ll have on the CVP-909 represents a significant upgrade from your older CVP.
But, here’s the thing I really want you to keep in mind: This gluttonous feast of new Voices are the primary ingredients in the CVP-909’s accompaniment Styles. Here’s why that’s important:
Playing a classic 60s hit by The Shadows? You’ll think Hank Marvin has just waltzed in the room waving his fiesta red Stratocaster around. Playing “Stranger on the Shore”? Prepare yourself for the most lifelike reincarnation of Acker Bilk’s Clarinet ever produced by a Clavinova!
The Styles on the CVP-909 take on a new lease of life thanks to this, frankly, mega upgrade to its Voice library.
As you’d expect, compared to your CVP, there is a refreshing new selection of Styles on the CVP-909 too, including many from the Yamaha Genos. In fact, so many of them from Genos that it’s, in effect, like you’re transplanting a Genos into your Clavinova.
So, if you’ve ever fancied changing to a Genos, with the CVP-909, that’s almost exactly what you’ll have!
Those are the Voice & Style upgrades that you can expect when changing your CVP-709 for a CVP-909. But there are still many more upgrades to learn about.
The next upgrade is not one that you’ll hear rhapsodised about very often because it’s a little, well, unglamorous. But you, being a discerning Yamaha Clavinova player, are somebody that I have no doubt will recognise its importance!
It’s to do with the percussion. The percussion, of course, is fundamental to the accompaniment styles. On CVP-909, for the first time, you will experience Yamaha’s groundbreaking REVO drums technology.
REVO drums are the most lifelike recreation of a living, breathing drummer that we’ve ever seen on a digital piano. REVO drums will even steal your girlfriend and never drive you home after a gig. (Okay, not that last bit). But, let me tell you why REVO drums will change the way you play.
On your CVP, as good as you might think the percussion & drums sound, in reality, they’re somewhat one-dimensional. Let me explain.
When you trigger a Style to begin playing, you’ll likely hear a snare drum being played on a repeat. The same generated sample plays over and over without variation.
Sure, it compliments the backing music satisfactorily, but it’s actually rather linear and robotic.
Enter the revolutionary REVO drums! Here’s why they matter (and please pre-warn anyone around you that you’re about to do something a bit erratic):
I’d like to clap your hands.
Yep, you heard me correctly. Please clap your hands together and listen very carefully to how it sounds.
Now, clap them five times in a row. Did every clap sound the same? No, it didn’t. Every sound was of a clapping hand but no two were the same, right?
You’ve just realised the importance of REVO drums.
When a real-life drummer plays their drum kit, there are almost infinite variations each time they strike it. Every tom-tom, hi-hat, and most importantly, snare drum have their own characteristics and nuances.
REVO drums replicate this by taking nearly 28 samples of each piece of the drum kit and never plays the same two samples back-to-back, giving you an ultra-realistic, imperfectly perfect human-like drummer on your Clavinova.
The REVO drums technology will transform your performances when using the auto-accompaniments.
What’s more, all the Styles you play on your CVP regularly are present on the CVP-909 and will also receive the REVO drums makeover. So, expect all your favourite songs to be uplifted by the CVP-909 too!
I’ll finish on two other features that I know CVP owners will enjoy on the new CVP-909.
There is the Chord Looper feature, which allows you to program and cycle pre-recorded chord sequences. It’s absolutely ideal for songwriting or making live performances a little more off-the-cuff sounding, e.g. you can play a 9th chorus of ‘Sweet Caroline’ should you feel the audience wants it.
Do you own an iPad, iPhone, or similar? The CVP-909 might be a good time for you to start exploring the brilliant & free Yamaha Smart Pianist app, which is a really exciting way to integrate your smart devices with your Clavinova.
10mWatch Chris demonstrate the Yamaha Smart Pianist app with the P-S500 Smart Piano.
Finally, an honourable mention of the improved fascia on the new CVP-909. It’s a gorgeous brushed aluminium finish – borrowed from Yamaha’s world-class professional hi-fi department. It’s an aesthetically pleasing upgrade to the frontage of your CVP, and it’s a noticeable touch of premium quality.
As an owner of an older model of CVP, you have hopefully become aware that the upgrades you will experience when changing to the new CVP-909 are rich and significant.
You will have the pleasure of already knowing how to operate a CVP-909 as the touchscreen system remains unaltered. However, under the hood, the new Yamaha CVP-909 will give you fresh and exciting changes to boost your Clavinova playing.
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Comments:
I really would like to upgrade from the cvp709 to the cvp909 the only thing that stops me is the playlist versus the music finder. I have also a Genos, so I’m familiar with both. I like to freeze a piano on my left hand the playlist does not allow me to do this because it ties up with the preset no,1 which is an inconvenience unlike the cvp709 that’s the only obstacle I have ps. I’m an experienced player! If you can help with this I would much appreciate it.
What about voices on a pipe organ? Have they been expanded or made esier to vary and store at all? Thanks
“In case you’re wondering, if you’re an owner of a Yamaha CVP-609, all of the above applies to you too”
Really?
I just purchased the 809GP a year ago, after having had the 709GP. Magnificent difference and worthy upgrade. However, The basic sound engine of the 909GP and pedal/key action seems to be the same as the 809. So I wonder if someone with the 809 would really see a major difference with the 909. Thoughts ? Thx!