Casio GP-310 Review
We rated the Casio GP-310 a full 10/10 because of its stunning grand piano samples, heavy and responsive wooden key action, and powerful, clear 6-speaker system. This advanced digital piano serves pro players really well. As a whole, the Casios GP line both looks and sounds great. Other notable features in the GP-310 include onboard orchestral recordings and pro-grade sampling quality. We also love the key feel of these Celviano here at BestPianoKeyboards. The GP pianos are very expensive, but you get what you pay for, and this model meets its target audience well. Thatâs why we gave it a full 10/10!
We rated the Casio GP-310 a full 10/10 because of its stunning grand piano samples, heavy and responsive wooden key action, and powerful, clear 6-speaker system. This advanced digital piano serves pro players really well. As a whole, the Casios GP line both looks and sounds great. Other notable features in the GP-310 include onboard orchestral recordings and pro-grade sampling quality. We also love the key feel of these Celviano here at BestPianoKeyboards. The GP pianos are very expensive, but you get what you pay for, and this model meets its target audience well. Thatâs why we gave it a full 10/10!
Casio GP 310 Overview
 â(The instrument is) an astute combination of innovative and traditional elements that raise the bar for todayâs hybrid pianos.â –Â Sweetwater.comÂ
Many players donât think of a premium piano when they hear the brand name Casio, but I certainly do! The Casio GP line is a line of hybrid digital pianos with wooden keys and natural graded hammer action. The Casio GP-310 and GP-510 were both released at the same time, in late 2019, and both models are still going strong.Â
The Casio GP-310 is a console-style hybrid grand piano with wooded keys and real hammers.
The Celviano piano line was the direct result of a collaboration with renowned acoustic piano makers C. Bechstein and Casio. Both models have a full-sized keyboard with graded hammer action, a 6-speaker amplification system, and excellent onboard digital signal processing. These instruments are clearly professional-grade digital pianos. This Celviano hybrid line of pianos is so stunning that it even premiered with the Berlin Philharmonic. Said symphony welcomed Casio Celviano to the stage with a performance of Mozart’s Concerto #23âŠYou can read more about this premiere here!Â
A Brief History of Celvianos
Celviano pianos themselves have been around since the fall of 2015 when they released a piano that sought to recreate the action of a grand piano within a digital hybrid. The Celviano line of instruments boasts the same exact built as Bechsteinâs acoustic grands and is also made of identical materials. C. Bechstein is a German piano company that was originally founded by piano(forte) maker Charles Bechstein in the mid-1800s, in Berlin.
Bechsteins are rumored to have an even more stable scale than the world-famous Steinway grands. You can learn more about the differences between Bechstein’s (acoustic) grands and Steinways in the article here.Â
Now that you know far too much about the GP line and Celvianos, letâs delve into the Casio GP-310âs features!
FeaturesÂ
3 Stunning Grand Pianos
The Casio GP-310 has 3 stunning grand piano samples including:
- Berlin GrandÂ
- Hamburg Grand
- Vienna Grand
These grand piano sounds are just as good as those from the more well-known brands such as Yamaha. The samples were created in collaboration with C. Bechstein, a renowned instrument company that we mentioned above. All 3 pianos have 3 tonal variations, which gives you even more timbral colors to play with.
A Small but Quality Soundbank
Apart from the grand piano samples, the GP-310âs sound bank continues to impress. Some of the tones of this instrument include other keys such as organs and harpsichords, as well as electric pianos, and various pianos such as rock and jazz pianos. The non-keyboard sounds, which include strings and bass are quite good. The organ tones are the second most impressive.Â
A Well-Rounded Music LibraryÂ
The Casio GP-310 has a lovely 60-song music library which includes songs like âJe Te Veuxâ and âThe Entertainerâ as well as must-know repertoire like âLâarabesqueâ and movement 1 of âMoonlight Sonataâ.Â
This model also has 15 additional songs inside Concert Play which allows you to play with an orchestral backtrack.Â
Casios Natural Hammer Action: A Buttery Keyfeel
Casioâs natural hammer feel has real hammers inside which are made of a combination of synthetic material and resin. The Casio Celviano GP-310 Grand Hybridâs keys are made with solid spruce, which is sourced from Austria. Because of the combination of the âreal hammersâ and solid spruce keys, this digital piano has a unique, balanced high-quality feeling action.Â
MIDI Recorder, Audio Recording
This model has two ways to record: the MIDI recorder (which has space for 1 song with 3) tracks, and the audio recorder (which requires a USB flash drive). The instrument also has playback- and I would certainly expect it to, given the price point!
A Powerful 6-Speaker System
The 6-speakers in the Celviano pack a powerful punch. There are three sets of 2 speakers, all in different sizes. The 6 total speakers have the following measurements:Â
- 6.3-inch speakers (x 2)
- 3.9-inch speakers (x 2)
- 2-inch speakers (x 2)
Two of six of these speakers are 3-way. The speaker power measures: 30W x 2 + 20W x 2. This speaker system was designed to have richer bass tones so that the sound is more balanced and powerful. I keep using the word powerful to describe the system because I canât think of a better way to describe it! It is wonderful. Many hybrids Iâve tried have a 4-speaker sound system, but the more speakers the better.Â
New EQ User OptionsÂ
Casio has redone the EQ user settings on the GP-310 and 510 in order to make the piano more options than ever before.Â
Other Features:Â
- Split and layer function
- 17 tunings, stretch tuning
- 15-songs inside of concert play mode
- FX such as brilliance, hall simulator
- Headphone mode
- Backup for settings
- A stellar acoustic simulatorÂ
Casioâs GP-310 has the features one would anticipate, such as split, layer, an optimized headphone mode, backing tracks, and multiple tuningsâŠbut itâs FX, EQ options, and acoustic simulations are especially impressive.Â
Casio pianos have always excelled at acoustic simulations. The acoustic simulator inside of the Casio Celviano GP-310 Grand Hybrid includes string resonance, damper resonance, damper noise, a key-on action noise and key-off action noise, hammer response, and a lid simulator.
Side note: Acoustic piano simulator engines help recreate sounds and timbres that you would hear in a real acoustic piano. The bumps and clunks of the keys and hammers moving are an important part of the experience-…Especially if you are used to playing on acoustic grands rather than digital instruments. Casioâs Celvianos does a superb job of recreating the experience of playing a grand piano.Â
Specifications
- Weight: 173 pounds
- Dimensions:Â
- Height: 39.7 inches
- Width: 56.4 inches
- Depth: 19.2 inches
Who is it suitable for?
The Casio GP-310 is best suited for upper intermediate players, professional pianists, and those studying to be pro pianists. While some describe this instrument as mid-tier, I feel it is upper-mid-tier, leaning towards a professional grade. It goes without saying that this isnât a suitable piano for on-the-go musicians or experimental artists. Although, if you wanted to record a more synthy/ non-traditional sounding piece, you can connect the instrument to a DAW and record on the piano with the different sounds in your workstation.Â
The GP-310 In Action
For a better feel for the Casio GP-310, check out this all-playing, no-talking video by Kraft Music.
GP-310 Reviews
The Casio GP-310 has not been rated on Sweetwater or Guitar Center, so I had to do a deeper dive into the interwebs to find out the pros and cons from other pianists / those who had purchased this model. Hereâs what I found:Â
- This instrument is rated 4.6 / 5 stars on Googleâs user reviews
- One customer on a Casio forum had an issue with the keys making an odd noise upon release
- Customers love the variation in tone available on the GP-310, as well as the overall sound, touch and build
- Other professional piano review sites rated the instrument anywhere from a 4/5 to a 5/5. It was often described as âprofessionalâ, âhigh-caliberâ, âresponsiveâ and smooth-feelingÂ
While I was reading through the forums and reviews, I didnât find any deal breakers. It seems that the key noise issue isnât a common issue, and was likely just a flawed model.Â
Pros and Cons
Pros
- This model is relatively new and offers more tonal variations in their samples than most hybrids out there
- There is little to no key noise while playing
- It offers a realistic playing experience overall
- The speaker system is powerful and clear
- The sounds are excellent, especially the grand piano samples
- The built-in pedals feel smooth and support half-pedaling
- The natural hammer feel and solid spruce keys are heavy, responsive and the same size as that of an acousticsÂ
- Furthermore the keys are very balanced feeling
- The hybrid style of instrument saves you time and money since it requires far less maintenance than an actual grand
Cons
- Only one headphone jack
- The instrument isnât economical
- The higher-tier model sounds better
- This model isnât widely available, especially online
- Not many sounds for the price
- No textured keytops
I was a bit bummed to discover that the GP-310 lacks textured keys given the high price. It also only has one headphone jack, so late-night duets arenât going to be happening. Itâs also worth noting that the GP-310 doesnât have as clear of a speaker system, and its sounds are not the same as the GP510âs-theyâre a bit less polished and lack that je-ne-sais-quoi when you compare their side to side. Â Lastly, while the included sounds are still really, really good there are still less than 30 of them.Â
Comparable Instruments
For a step-up model consider: Casioâs GP-510 or GP1000
Casioâs higher GP-510 model has 36 sounds as opposed to the 310 models’ 26. This model looks sleeker, and its tones sound far more polished. It costs about $1,500 more give or take.
 Another similar option is the GP1000, but itâs a bit harder to find. In fact, the âGP1000â is a bit of a misnomer. This is a modified GP510 which is available only in Japan. It is nearly identical to the GP-510 but has only piano tones in the sound bank.Â
For models of other brands try: Kawaiâs NV5 or Yamahaâs CLP775 and their avant-grades
Kawais NV5âs and Yamahaâs Avante-Grands are significantly more expensive, at around $9,000+. The CLP-775 is probably closest in price (at about $5,000)Â
If the Casio GP-310 and the NV5 are way, way out of budget (which I totally get!), another option with a really great key feel for a much smaller price is the Roland FP line, such as the FP-30 or FP-50, which are both making big ripples in the music world. The FP-30 is only $700, and the FP-50 is about $1,300. Both of these models have a nice heavy action that suits intermediate players splendidly.Â
Casio GP-310 Quick ViewÂ
Keys | 88 full-sized (wooden) natural grand hammer action keys |
Touch sensitivity | Yes: 5 levels, off |
Sounds | 26 sounds / 3 grand piano tones |
Recording capabilities | MIDI recorder, Audio recorder |
Metronome | Yes: With adjustable volume control |
Polyphony | 256 notes |
Speakers | Yes: 6-speaker system |
Headphones | 1 standard headphone jack |
Accessories | Power adapter, Music rest, bench, and a hook for headphonesÂ
Some seller include a score book as well |
Price point | $4,299.99 |
Casio GP 310: Conclusion
In conclusion, the Casio GP 310 is a high-end digital piano that caters to top-tier pianists who are looking for a digital piano with authenticity. I was especially impressed with the richness and balance of the speakers. And while its no-nonsense setup with a minimalist soundbank isnât for everyone, it does an amazing job at catering to its intended audience- Serious classical pianists.Â
Music quote of the week:
 âI just want to get on stage and sing and be happyâ -Ronnie Spector
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