Yamaha first introduced its TransAcoustic technology, known as the TA series, back in 2013. In basic terms, this eliminated the need for external speakers by turning the piano itself into a ‘loudspeaker’.
It is both an acoustic piano with strings AND a digital piano that is able to trigger samples. It is an instrument that is able to function as an acoustic and as a digital, as well as combine both properties to produce new and realistic sounds!
Original TA Series
The original U1TA and GC1TA pianos were the first stringed acoustic pianos to have volume control.
This was achieved through the use of specially designed electro-acoustic transducers – a device to convert digital sound data into energy. The transducers cause the soundboard to naturally vibrate.
In the same fashion, speaker cones allow digital voices (such as the Yamaha CFX concert grand piano sample) to be played using the pianos own soundboard as a ‘speaker’.
This ground-breaking technology allows you to combine the acoustic and digital properties of the instrument, using digitally sampled sounds alongside the natural acoustic piano.
You can also play along to pre-recorded tracks that are played through the soundboard and of course the Silent Piano technology is also a feature of the TransAcoustic series, meaning the player can use headphones, so as not to be disturbed by, or disturb others.
Updated TA2 Generation
Since this technology first arrived on the scene, improvements have been made so that the TA2 family has replaced the original TA.
The TA2 generation adds improved voices, Bluetooth, audio recording, integration with the Smart Pianist app, as well as a sample of the Bösendorfer Imperial Vienesse concert grand.
The Silent Piano technology has also had an upgrade. Silent Piano 2 allows the players to practice quietly using only the digital Voices but with the full tactile feedback of the piano action, which still moves fully except without the hammers striking the strings.
This upgraded silent feature also has an improved binaural CFX Voice, recorded using special microphones that hear like a person seated at the piano. This is so immersive that you’ll forget you’re wearing headphones altogether!
The silent mode is further enhanced by the Yamaha Virtual Resonance Modelling, which captures all the complex interactions of the strings, damper pedal, soundboard, rim and frame of an acoustic piano, reproducing the sensation of the entire piano vibrating for a full acoustic piano experience.
TA2 pianos are amazing for playing along to music because, via Bluetooth, they can wirelessly stream audio through their soundboards via smartphones or tablets.
The TA2 system can also record performances as MIDI internally or as audio onto an inserted USB stick.
The TransAcoustic TA2 system is available in Yamaha U1, YUS1, YUS3, and YUS5 upright pianos and GC1, C1X, and C3X grand pianos.
