The TransAcoustic is the absolute choice for the modern professional musician, unwilling to sacrifice any of the true touch of the piano, while enjoying the convenience of digital reproduction with a warmth and realism as never heard before, utilising the resonance of the piano soundboard to project the digital sound.
The most popular upright piano in the world, the Yamaha U1 is the ideal choice for schools, studios, and beginner students looking for a piano that they can grow into as a musician, carrying them all the way through their studies. At 121cm, it is the first upright piano in Yamaha's range that we would consider a professional standard. It is a reliable and brilliant design of piano that has proven its quality for generations.
On this page you will find a demo video of the U1, specially recorded in our showroom, and some more information regarding the features and construction methods unique to the U series and TransAcoustic pianos.
What is a TransAcoustic piano?
In the TransAcoustic piano Yamaha have designed an ingenious instrument that allows pianists to enjoy all of the convenience of Yamaha’s SILENT technology without a reliance on the less authentic speaker driven digital piano sound. Instead, when the TransAcoustic technology is engaged, transducers convert audio signals into vibrations, and then relay them to the soundboard of the piano. The soundboard amplifies the vibrations and the entire piano vibrates sympathetically, meaning the sound that reaches the ear is as rich as that of the acoustic piano.
In TransAcoustic mode, you can easily control the volume of the piano while still maintaining the richness of sound from the soundboard, making quiet practice far more natural and satisfying.
Silent Practice
For practicing in complete silence, the SILENT piano technology is built into every TransAcoustic piano, allowing for silent practice and playing on headphones. As with the SILENT pianos, the digital sample sound heard has been expertly recorded using Binaural Sampling and Grand Expression modelling, meaning even with headphones on the piano playing experience retains authenticity.
Blend Acoustic and Digital Instruments
An often unutilised but truly superb feature of the TransAcoustic pianos, is the ability to blend the digital instrument sounds with the true acoustic sound of the piano. When blending the acoustic piano sound with the digital CFX concert grand piano sound for example, the power and dynamics of the piano is majestically transformed to the level of a piano far larger than what you are actually playing. Furthermore, blending other interesting instrument sounds like strings and pads, can add an emotional depth of sound previously unavailable for recording and performance.
Bluetooth
Enjoy the TransAcoustic piano even when you’re not playing it! By casting music from your smart device via the built in Bluetooth connectivity, you can transform your piano into a state of the art hifi system and enjoy your favourite recorded music through the resonance of the piano soundboard. When music is playing, you can also still play the piano at the same time, allowing for effective practice and maintaining of collaborative skills, which can often be lacking when piano is its nature a relatively unportable and solitary instrument.
Connectivity
This built in Bluetooth can also used for midi connectivity, meaning the TransAcoustic piano can be connected wirelessly to the Yamaha Smart Pianist app, making navigation through the piano's features even easier via a smart device. The Midi and Line Outs also available, mean that the piano has all connectivity necessary for plugging into teaching apps, audio interfaces and notation software, making it the ultimate recording and compositional tool.
Yamaha U1
Without doubt our biggest seller in upright pianos, the Yamaha U1 likely the best performing 121cm piano in the world, with sufficient string length and soundboard to handle quite advanced repertoire, it will carry students all the way through the grading system.
Solid Soundboard
Quality materials in the solid spruce wood soundboard, hammer felt and strings combine to produce the tonal qualities that have made Yamaha the piano industry leaders.
Build Quality
Sturdy construction and unrivalled durability make the U series the first choice of instrument for institutions and professionals alike, being able to easily withstand heavy use and large repertoire for many decades.
Made In Japan
Manufactured in Japan in the traditional method with no synthetic materials.
