Yamaha GC1 SH PE Baby Grand Silent fortepiano

Yamaha GC1 SH PE

A piano you can play any time you want, with the natural touch of an acoustic grand piano. The new Silent Piano from Yamaha, offering enhanced Silent functions and an even richer sound.
Silent functionality has been added to the GC1, a piano with the full resonant tone only a grand piano can possess, offering superior performance at an affordable price. This is an SH-type piano featuring a CFX sound source.

KEYBOARD
• Number of keys: 88
• Coverage of the white keys: Acrylic resin
• Coverage of the black keys: phenolic resin
• Cover the keyboard without lock

HOUSING
• Positions open flap: 2
• The legs with casters
• Number of Pedals: 3
• Finish: Polished Ebony

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
• Width: 149 cm
• Height: 101 cm
• Length: 161 cm
• Weight: 285 kg


• Yamaha Silent Piano features a range of unique technologies that allow them to offer a touch that is astonishingly close to that of an acoustic grand piano even when in "Silent" mode.
• The maximum simultaneous polyphony on the SH type is 256 notes. With the increase in maximum simultaneous polyphony CFX sampling and piano effects can be utilized more effectively for enhanced precision in sound reproduction.
• Large capacity (256MB) of wave memory - This increase in memory capacity enables the SH type to reproduce even the subtle difference in nuances brought by key touch and thus significantly increases the expressivity of performance.


Key sensors

Under each of the 88 keys is a Yamaha-unique continuous-detection grey-scale shutter key sensor. These sensors detect the movement of the keys continually, allowing natural musical expression even when the piano is in "Silent" mode. Since they do not come into contact with the keys, these sensors do not affect the feel of the keyboard in any way.


Hammer sensors

Yamaha’s Silent Piano is fitted with hammer sensors that allow even slow keystrokes or rapid trills that would be difficult for key sensors to detect to be read accurately. To ensure that they do not affect the feel of the keyboard in any way, Yamaha uses non-contact sensors.


Quick escape system

Silent Piano features a quick escape system that allows the sound muting mechanism to be fitted to a grand piano without sacrificing any of the playability or musical expression demanded of such instruments in an acoustic performance. This system allows optimal separation to be obtained between the hammers and strings by adjusting the distance between the hammers and strings, ensuring that the feel of the keyboard stays in the best possible condition whether playing acoustically or with the sound muted.


CFX Binaural Sampling

- For the first time ever the Silent Piano offers sound sampled from the Yamaha CFX full concert grand piano, supporting the beauty of its clear, vivid tones with the power of this renowned instrument.
- Yamaha’s first model with binaural sampling system, enabling reproduction of natural and three-dimensional sound.
- Binaural sampling system - a recording system in which microphones are installed in the ears of a dummy (see diagram) so that the sound can be reproduced the way it is heard by the player.
- When playing in "Silent" mode, the player feels as though the CFX sounds are coming directly from the piano.


Exclusive functions and superb operability of the SH type

• Metronome
The SH type has a built-in metronome that can be used in "Silent" mode so that players can listen to precise rhythm through headphones while they play.
• 19 tonal colours
19 voices, including harpsichord, pipe organ, strings, celesta and jazz organ provide a wide range of musical expression.
• Two recording systems (Built-in recorder and USB audio recorder)
- The performance can be recorded in two different ways. It can be recorded either directly to the built-in recorder of a piano, or to a USB audio recorder, in which case the data stored in USB flash memory in WAV format can be played on a PC as well.
- Using a built-in recorder is more convenient if the players wish to listen to the recorded piece immediately. It allows them to listen to the entire performance of a music piece or to go back and listen to a particular section of the piece.
- Since performances are saved in WAV format with a USB audio recorder, they can be recorded onto CDs or played on portable music players.
• Simple and easy switching to "Silent" mode with the press of a button
While the conventional grand Silent Piano requires lever operation for switching to "Silent" mode, SH type Silent Piano does it all via motor activation with a single press of a button.
• User-friendly control panel
Blue-lit control buttons on the front panel are easy to identify and provide superb operability. Moreover custom-made white pianos come with white control units.
• Open structured headphones that can produce clear, high-quality sound
- The headphones that come exclusively with SH type pianos are designed in a way that minimizes the strain on users after long hours of playing.
- These newly employed headphones contribute to the improvement of sound quality as well as to the reduction of fatigue during performance.