Kawai F-350B Digital Piano Pedal Board

Overview

The Kawai F-350B is an essential accessory for owners of the ES-110B digital piano who require a more traditional piano performance experience. Unlike portable sustain switches, this unit is designed to be integrated into the HML-1 designer stand, creating a stable and aesthetically cohesive piano furniture piece.

It features three pedals finished in a metallic sheen, mimicking the layout and functionality found on high-end acoustic grand pianos. While it is categorized as a pedal board, its primary function is to extend the MIDI control capabilities of the ES-110B specifically for classical and advanced piano techniques.

Functionality and Key Features

The F-350B introduces a full triple-pedal setup to the digital stage piano. The primary features include:

• Damper Pedal: Standard sustain functionality for ringing notes.
• Sostenuto Pedal: Allows for specific notes to be sustained while subsequent notes remain unaffected.
• Una Corda Pedal: Also known as the 'soft pedal', it modifies the tonal character and volume of the output.

Note that this unit requires the Kawai HML-1 stand for mounting; it is not designed to be used as a standalone floor-based unit without the corresponding structural support.

Sound and Character

While the F-350B itself does not generate sound, it triggers the internal sound engine of the Kawai ES-110B to produce specific acoustic simulations. By using the una corda and sostenuto functions, players can access the more nuanced tonal layers of the ES-110B’s sampling, allowing for greater expressive control during complex passages that would be impossible with a single sustain pedal.

Target Audience

The F-350B is aimed at piano students and experienced players who use the ES-110B in a home or studio setting. It is particularly suited for those transitioning from acoustic pianos to digital instruments, as it maintains the standard physical distance and resistance between the three pedals. It is less suited for touring musicians who do not use a fixed stand setup, as it is a permanent installation piece.

Market Context

Within the wider music gear market, the F-350B sits alongside other specialized expression and control tools. While guitarists might look to pedals like the Boss DD-3T for delay or the Digitech Whammy Ricochet for pitch shifting, the F-350B is a utilitarian control surface. It is more closely related in spirit to keyboard expression tools like the Yamaha FC7, though it is proprietary to the Kawai ecosystem.