Welcome to the world of piano playing with the AP-270 BK from Casio, which boasts all of the features needed to produce a high-quality upright and grand piano sound. Despite being the basic model in the Celviano range, this digital piano with its matt black woodgrain finish comes with relatively lavish features that provide the foundation for a convincing sonic repertoire. As an exceptional addition for models in this price range, the AP-270 also comes with Split, Layer, and Duet functions, while the authentic feel of the Ivory Touch keyboard provides the most harmonious of playing experiences from the very first note – an experience that keeps on giving, even over longer playing sessions. Users will quickly be able to locate their favourite upright or grand piano sounds, and can also record their own performances using the built-in recorder.
The Casio AP-270BK Celviano not only looks like a piano, it also plays like a piano, and boasts 22 onboard sounds including two grand piano sounds which have to be heard to be believed. But let's start with the Ivory Touch keyboard, which features a special coating to keep contamination out while allowing moisture in, so that the keys remain pleasantly dry and easy to grip even after long practice sessions. The keyboard also features a scaled hammer action, which makes the low notes feel heavier to play than the high notes, as encountered with a real piano. Even when playing chords and using effects and pedals at the same time, the 192 notes of polyphony available with the Casio AP-270BK ensure that performances sound perfectly natural every time. For quiet practice sessions that won't disturb the neighbours, musicians also have access to two headphone jacks, which can be used in place of the two 8W speakers.
The AP-270 BK from Casio is an electric piano that gives beginners a solid grounding in every way. The clearly arranged control panel to the left of the keyboard provides various setting options such as reverb and chorus effects, and also includes a metronome for practising. The built-in music library contains 60 songs, while the Duet Mode allows teachers and students to share the keyboard and work together on a melody at the same pitch, and as mentioned above, song recording is possible courtesy of the built-in recorder. By connecting the AP-270 BK Celviano to a computer using a standard USB cable, users can load MIDI data into the instrument's music library or save their recorded songs to the computer's hard drive.
The Japanese company Casio was founded in 1946 and initially became famous for its electronic calculators and wristwatches. The company released its first electronic musical instrument back in 1980, since which several decades of experience have poured into the production of keyboards, synthesizers, and digital pianos, including classics such as the CZ synth series and the digital pianos of the Celviano and Privia series. Casio's core corporate philosophy is to contribute to society through its creative products.
The Casio AP-270 BK Celviano is screwed together once on assembly. Weighing in at just 36.6kg, the instrument is ready to play as soon as it has been connected up to the power supply using the included cable. In addition to the basic functions, the digital piano can also be operated in Split mode, in which different sounds are assigned to different areas of the keyboard. The Layer function in turn allows two sounds, such as piano and violin, to be played simultaneously simply by pressing a single key. As the AP-270 comes fully equipped with a base and sheet music holder, the only things users will need to purchase separately are a piano bench and, where necessary, a set of headphones, which will then give them free rein to play undisturbed. Users who tend to forget to switch off their instrument after long playing sessions will also benefit from the automatic shutdown function, which can be activated as desired.