MUMBAI: Casio America, Inc., a leading manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, is encouraging families and friends worldwide to celebrate the upcoming holiday season together by playing the classics on Casio's new Compact grand piano – the CGP-700.  Whether consumers are hosting their annual family dinner or simply spending a quiet evening in with loved ones, Casio's CGP-700 offers a more affordable and portable option to the grand piano while still providing everlasting musical memories for consumers during the most wonderful time of the year.

"One of my beloved holiday memories is gathering around the piano with my family and singing along to our favorite songs," said Casio's electronic musical instrument division VP Stephen Schmidt. "Our new compact grand piano, the CGP-700, embodies those emotional experiences and provides an easy way for families and friends to come together during the holidays for endless entertainment."

The new compact grand piano features Casio's world-class Tri-Sensor 88-note scaled hammer action keyboard with simulated ebony and ivory keys. The company's superior engineering has resulted in a more affordable and portable alternative to a grand piano, while still encompassing that memorable and authentic feel that consumers desire. In addition, the scaled hammer action captures every detail of a performance and provides the weight and resistance of an actual grand piano.

The CGP-700 also features Casio's latest technological achievement, the Color Touch Interface, which includes a premium icon-based 5.3" touch display with 168,960 pixels. This bright, clear and easy-to-use interface enables users to choose tones, select rhythms, split and layer sounds, and more. Instrument tones and rhythms are organized by category and selective use of color offers a clear view of the current selection as well as other choices that are available.

A unique three-way sound system with 40 watts of total amplification is incorporated in the product as well. Four speakers are located in the top of the CGP-700 providing a rich stereo experience, and two additional speakers are located in the included stand to assist with bass and drums sounds.

Casio's CGP-700 also offers the following:

·         Stereo concert grand piano with four (4) dynamic levels.

·         550 built in-tones including newly developed ones for guitars, basses, strings, brass, organs and more

·         200 new rhythms utilizing new drums and percussion

·         Direct buttons for Grand Piano, transpose and performance registration functions

·         New insert and system effects engine

·         Two (2) headphone jacks on the front panel

·         Stereo audio recording and playback via USB

·         ¼" Line outputs, USB MIDI

·         The CGP-700 is now available at music dealers nationwide for an MSRP of $1,099.