Piano Keyboard Reviews (2021)

Roland keyboards

Roland Keyboards & Digital Pianos: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

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Roland keyboards and digital pianos are prized for their excellent features, sounds, and rhythms, which is why many professionals, intermediate players, and novice pianists play one of their models at some point in their music journey. 

If you are a potential customer or a loyal customer, you may have a question or two (or more!) regarding Roland keyboards. In this article, we’ve gathered a series of questions and answers that Roland customers have for this world-renowned piano and keyboard company. 

  • How Do I Contact Roland Support?
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The Piano is a fairly recent invention! video

Roland support is available from Monday to Friday, from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm. You can contact them via their contact number (323) 890-3740. You can also send in your query via their online email support system. You will get a response within 24 working hours by a member of their customer care support staff. 

If you are interested in ordering parts or have any repair issues, you can contact Roland’s Parts and Service department at (323) 890-3771. This department is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

  • Where are Roland Digital Pianos Made?

Roland is a Japanese manufacturing company of electronic musical instruments. The founder – Ikutaro Kakehashi founded the company in Osaka on April 18, 1972. However, the company’s headquarter was relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

 Apart from Japan, the company has its factories in various parts of the world, including Taiwan, Malaysia, and the United States. Its testing laboratory is located in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, and the main offices are in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. 

  •  How Much Is a Roland Digital Piano?
There isn’t any fixed price when it comes to Roland digital pianos. The price of each Roland digital piano varies depending on its size, design, model, and overall features. Generally, the price of a Roland digital piano starts as low as $400 and can go to as high as $20,000. 

Beginners can consider purchasing a digital piano within the price range of $500 - $900. Low-priced digital pianos come with basic features, apt for first-timers. Since they are inexpensive, they are great for first-time pianists for practicing and brushing up on their piano skills. Intermediate and advanced/professional pianists can go for slightly expensive Roland pianos, ranging from $1200 to $19000. 

  • Where to Buy Roland Digital Pianos from?

There are plenty of online and offline sources from where one can buy Roland digital pianos. One of the most popular websites where you can find an extensive range of Roland pianos is Amazon.com. 

If you want to get Roland pianos at a more reasonable price, visit eBay.com and Etsy.com to utilize their amazing sales offers. 

You can also purchase Roland pianos directly from a Roland store in the UK, USA, Japan and a number of Middle Eastern Countries. Shopping in-store will give you an edge as you get to compare the prices and qualities of different digital pianos. Plus, you can play the piano to assess its overall playability –whether or not the keys are easy to press, the sound they produce, if the keyboard is tuned or not, how difficult or smooth it is to play, etc. 

  • How to Turn on a Roland Digital Piano?

First and foremost, you will need to use both your hands to open the lid of the piano. Make sure that you do it from the edge of the lid and push it away from yourself. 

Once you have opened the lid, you will need to press the “switch on” button. After a short while, you can play the piano. Check that it’s working properly by pressing each key. This will also let you know whether any of the keys are faulty and need to be repaired. To change the volume, use the volume buttons – press [+] to increase the volume and press [-] to lower the volume. This will change the volume of the speaker of your keyboard or the volume of your earphones/headphones, but ensure that these devices are properly connected to adjust the volume. 

  • How to Turn off a Roland Digital Piano?

Once you are done playing a Roland digital piano, you can turn off the instrument by pressing the “turn off” switch. Next, gently hold the piano lid from its right and left corners and gently lower it down using both your hands. 

Be vigilant while closing the lid to avoid getting your fingers pinched between the lid and the panel. If a small child is using the piano, make sure that they close the lid with the assistance of an adult. 

  • How to Fix Keys on a Roland Keyboard?

For a DIY Roland key repair, you will need to turn off the keyboard first. Next, loosen the screws on the back and the rear side of the keyboard with the help of a screwdriver.

Look for the broken key and carefully extract it out. Check whether the white hammer, the one that ensures the movement of the keys, is broken or not. If it is, replace it with a new one. Once the new hammer perfectly fits in its place, slide in the new key that is perched over the hammer. Now, tightly screw the back cover of the keyboard on and turn it on to play the instrument! 

  • How to Replace the Hammer in a Roland Digital Upright Piano?

To successfully replace the hammer in a Roland digital upright piano, follow the tutorial below:

  • How to Repair a Roland Digital Piano?

Your Roland piano may act up for a bunch of reasons. Being equipped with DIY repair skills will allow you to fix the problem (whatever it may be) at the earliest. In case your piano doesn’t turn on, check the rechargeable battery or the adapter, which could be dead or damaged. If a replacement is needed, look for these parts online on Amazon or order them from the Roland Company. 

If the keyboard turns on but produces no sound, make sure that the volume is on. Even then, if the instrument produces no sound, check the headphone jack and the speaker cable. If everything is fine, then the culprit could be dead keys. In that case, you will need to replace them with new ones.

If the buttons on your keyboard are not functioning, it is likely that a “panel lock” is on. Turn off the panel lock by turning off both the volume and the keyboard. As you turn the power back on, the panel lock will be off, and the buttons should function. 

  • How to Clean a Roland Keyboard?

One of the most popular ways to clean Roland keyboards is by using a cleaning solution. Take a bowl and mix 2 drops of a dishwashing liquid in some water. Take a clean, dry cloth that is also soft and white in color. Dip it in the solution and gently clean all the keys with it. Doing so will help eliminate dust or fingerprints (if any) on the keys. 

Once you have cleaned the keys individually, take another dry cloth, and wipe off the excess that may be on the keyboard. You can also use a commercial cleaning and maintenance spray bottle to clean your Roland digital keyboard.

We hope we’ve answered most of your FAQs; for more information, you can visit the official website of Roland and discover more about the company. 

How to Buy a Used Piano: The Only Guide You Need

Roland Go: Keys Review (2021): A Solid Entry-Level Keyboard by an Industry Leader

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Roland GO:KEYS 61-key Music, Creation Keyboard with Integrated Bluetooth Speakers (GO-61K)

Please click image for more info

The Roland Go: Keys is so easy to use, it’ll help you create music even if it’s your first time with a piano.

The innovative Loop Mix function allows you to produce any kind of music and the touch control lets you play around with your own recorded looped sounds.

Record your performances with the in-built recorder and play it back to find out what needs to be fixed. Connect to MIDI through Bluetooth. Sync your Roland Go: Keys with your phone or tablet and mix your own sounds with your favorite tunes online.

See Reviews & More for Roland Go Keys
Quick Navigation
Quick Overview of the Roland Go: Keys
Video Overview of Roland Go
Roland Go: Keys Specs
Roland Go: Keys Features
Who the Roland Go: Keys Most Suitable for?
What’s Included with the Roland Go: Keys Piano?
Additional Accessories to Consider 
Pros of the Roland Go: Keys
Roland Go: Keys YouTube Tutorials
Roland Go: Keys Manual
Roland Go: Keys vs. Yamaha P71
Sweetwater's Roland Go Keys Review
Summary

Price

The Roland Go: Keys costs around USD 320, which is quite reasonable considering it comes with touch-sensitive keys (not weighted though). It is ideal for those who have begun taking an interest in music and don’t have a massive budget.


For those who have an even tighter budget, they can find a used version of the same keyboard at around USD 285.

See Reviews & More for Roland Go Keys

Quick Overview of the Roland Go: Keys

Apart from the Loop Mix function, the Roland Go: Keys offers a range of different sounds and recorder to take your music to the next level. With the Bluetooth connectivity feature, you can download your favorite tunes and learn how to play them on the piano. If you’re a novice, you can even download your piano lessons on your phone and easily play along.

This compact instrument weighs a mere 8.6 lbs and is battery-operated, so you can take your music with you wherever you go. Whether you’re playing on the streets, at a local club or your cousin’s bar mitzvah, you can easily take the Roland Go: Keys with you.

he Roland Go: Keys comes with 500+ sounds taken from the Roland synth models. The category buttons allow you to use sounds that imitate pianos, strings, bass, etc., so you can create your own one-man band.

See Reviews & More for Roland Go: Keys

Video Overview of Roland Go

Roland Go: Keys Specs

Here is a quick look at the main specs of the Roland Go: Keys. Consider this to be a checklist that’ll help you tick off the specs you’re in search of. It’ll also help you discover any bonus specifications in the instrument:

Specification

Description

Keys

61-key non-weighted keyboard- regular-sized keys 


Touch-sensitive keys

Weight

Weighs around 8.6 lbs (making it one of the lighter options available)

Display

LCD Display screen

Synthesizer

154 preset songs, including touch tutor, chord study, and chord progression practice songs

Jacks & Ports

Pitch modulation feature available

MIDI connectivity through USB

Comes with 1 headphone jack

Single pedal input

Power

Operated by 6 AA batteries

Features

Complete synthesizer action available

Built-in speakers

Bluetooth available offering compatibility with smartphones and tablets

Roland Go: Keys Features

Here is a look at the main features of the Roland Go: Keys:

  • The Loop Mix

Loop Mix essentially works in such a way that allows users to trigger loop phases from the keyboard and build up their own music so that it sounds more professional. It can help you incorporate the sounds of other instruments, such as drums and bass. 

The instrument also offers touch performance pads that can help you play around with and manipulate your own sounds until they sound perfect. 

  • Bluetooth

You can easily connect your smartphone or tablet to your keyboard with the Bluetooth function. Look up your favorite sounds and stream them through your keyboard’s speakers. Play piano instrumental of your top 5 songs and become the next musician to look out for on YouTube. 

The MIDI function is better utilized by mid to pro-level players. Convert the format of your music with the help of MIDI and incorporate it with pre-existing music. 

  • Portability

This lightweight instrument weighs a mere 8.6 lbs! It has built-in speakers, so you can play your music anywhere, from the subway to your living room. Take it on camping trips and midnight barbecues. If you don’t want to disturb your neighbors while you practice, simply plug in your headphones in the headphone jack to mute the sound. 

  • Wide Range of Sounds 

This piano is packed with over 500 high-quality sounds that you can play straight out of the box. These sounds have been taken from some of Roland’s most highly acclaimed synthesizers, which allows you to choose from a whole list of quality instruments. This includes a selection of responsive drums, bass instruments, realistic sounding strings, a large range of synths and so much more. This makes it a highly versatile instrument that allows you to take your songs to a whole new level by incorporating numerous sounds into your loop mix jams! 

  • ScratchX Compatibility

This Roland piano is believed to be the perfect companion for ScratchX. ScratchX is a free educational programming language and an online community mainly targeted at children. By combining this platform with the Go Keys ScratchX extension, children can create interactive games, stories, and animations, which is a great way for them to explore and expand their creativity.

  • Subscription to Skoove

When you purchase the Roland Go: Key, you don’t just get an amazing, high-quality keyboard, but you also get a 3-month Skoove subscription. Skoove is a great learning application that teaches you how to play your favorite songs on the piano via your computer or phone. It teaches music theory in a super fun, engaging manner where you get to learn all the songs that you really want to learn. The application also gives a tutorial on how to read notes and play different scales and chords. The best part is that the app is completely free for three months after you register. 

  • One-Touch Control 

A great feature of the Roland Go: Keys is that it includes a one-touch control that helps you manipulate the sounds of your loops and create exactly the kind of music that you really want.

Who the Roland Go: Keys Most Suitable for?

With the simple functions and easy-to-understand interface, the Roland Go: Keys is a fantastic beginner keyboard. Whether your child in high school wants to join a rock band or you want to busk in the subway and share your music with the world, the Roland Go: Keys is perfect for you.

The price range makes it fairly affordable for nearly anyone with an interest in music. Despite being lightweight, the Roland Go: Keys feels luxurious and is the ideal stepping-stone to the full, 88-key piano.

What’s Included with the Roland Go: Keys Piano?

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The Roland Go: Keys package comes with the following items:


  • 61-key keyboard 
  • In-built Bluetooth speakers
  • AC adaptor 
  • User manual 
  • Safety use guide 
  • Power supply unit

Additional Accessories to Consider 

Here is a list of the main accessories that you will need before you’re ready to start creating music on your Roland Go: Keys:

Piano Bench & Stand 

In order to play the piano, you actually need a surface to play it on. A piano bench will ensure that you’re sitting at the right height to play your instrument on. 

Headset 

Even if you plan on playing your music for the public, you’ll need to practice for which you need a decent headset. Most pianists prefer headphones over earbuds since they’re noise-cancelling and more comfortable (although they may hurt your ears slightly after prolonged use).

AA Batteries

You’ll need 6 of these and some spares to play your instrument. Backups are important, especially if you’re performing live.

Pros of the Roland Go: Keys

PROS

  • Lightweight and compact size make it easy to take anywhere, and play with a cord or battery power
  • Offers fun features, such as the Loop Mix to help you release your musical creativity 
  • Easy-to-use interface (ideal for beginners)
  • In-built tunes to inspire you to create your own new sounds 
  • Touch-sensitive keys. 

cons

  • No option to save your Loop Mix sounds
  • Limited sound selection 
  • No quick access buttons
  • No split function. 

Roland Go: Keys YouTube Tutorials

Check the out the following YouTube videos that will help you begin playing on the Roland Go: Keys piano and also help you understand its features:

Roland Go: Keys Manual

To learn more about the features of the Roland Go: Keys, along with a detailed user manual and instruction guide, you can check out the following links:

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Roland Go: Keys MANUAL

Roland Go: Keys vs. Yamaha P71

Many buyers often get stuck when it comes to choosing between the Roland Go: Keys and the Yamaha P71. With both instruments being from renowned brands and offering a range of features, it becomes difficult to determine which one is the right choice. Here’s an overview of their basic features to help you decide between the two:

Cost

The Yamaha P71 costs around USD 400, whereas the Roland Go: Keys costs around USD320. This is not a significant price difference so we’ll walk you through some other differences in their features to help you make your decision. 

Number of Keys 

The Yamaha P71 has a full 88 keys, unlike the Roland, which has 61 keys. This means that for the more advanced players, the Yamaha appears to be the better option. If you intend to play certain types of music, such as classical, you will need the full 88-key piano. 

Weight 

The Roland Go: Keys weighs (8.6 lbs) nearly half that of the Yamaha P71 (25 lbs). This makes it more portable and easy to carry around. That being said, 25 lbs is also quite light for a full keyboard, which means that either one will be suitable if you want to take your music with you wherever you go. 

Polyphony 

Polyphony is a measure of an instrument’s ability to play multiple sounds at the same time. The Roland Go: Keys has a polyphony number of 128, whereas the Yamaha has a number of 64. Since the greater the number, the more sounds you can play simultaneously, it appears that the Roland Go: Keys wins in this category. 

Duo Function

The Yamaha P71 comes with a duo function or a split mode that allows the keyboard to be split into half. This means that two players can play the piano at the same time, and each gets 44 keys. This is a great option when it comes to piano lessons as the instructor and the student can play at the same time. The Roland Go: Key, on the other hand, doesn’t come with this feature. 

Both instruments have different features to offer and in the end, it comes down to what specifications you’re looking for and what factors are more important. If having an ultra-lightweight instrument is a must, then the Roland Go: Keys is ideal. If you need a full 88-key keyboard, then the Yamaha is better.

Sweetwater's Roland Go Keys Review

Summary

The Roland Go: Keys is a solid entry-level piano with a range of features that are ideal for beginner-level pianists. Its compatibility with platforms, such as ScratchX, makes it a great keyboard for children to help them jam along with their favorite nursery rhymes and understand how to read and play the piano. 

Just remember that while starting out with a 61-key keyboard will help you get the hang of piano basics, if you’re truly interested in music, this keyboard can’t be your lifelong companion. At some point, you will need to advance to a full 88-key instrument, but until then, the Roland Go: Keys is a good starting point.

Roland GO:KEYS 61-key Music Creation Piano Keyboard with Integrated Bluetooth Speakers (GO-61K)

Roland Go Keys (click image for more info)

See Reviews & Price for Roland Go: Keys 

How to Fix Dead Keys on a Yamaha Keyboard?

Best Roland Keyboard & Digital Piano (2021): Complete Guide to an Iconic Brand

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Roland is one of the industry-leading names when it comes to keyboards and digital pianos.

The company is known for some of the most amazing, well-crafted, and finest keyboards that musicians have ever seen. Roland has produced a wide variety of high-quality keyboards and pianos that are popular for their realistic sound and amazing user experience.

Roland also produces a wide range of keyboards, from entry-level keyboards to excellent portable keyboards to stage pianos and synthesizers – so whether you’re a beginner-level musician or a professional stage performer, you’ll find a Roland instrument to suit your needs.

This detailed guide is all about Roland – from the company’s history, what has made them giants in the keyboard industry, and the best Roland keyboards and digital pianos.

Quick Navigation
Background on Roland
Roland’s Digital Piano and Keyboard Series
Portable Keyboards
Roland GO Series and E-X Series
Portable Digital Pianos
Console Digital Pianos
Stage Pianos
Synthesizers
Arrangers & Workstations
Features of Roland Digital Pianos and Keyboards
Roland Sound Generation
Sound Engine
Built Quality
Innovation
Value
Pros and Cons of Roland Digital Pianos and Keyboards
Roland Digital Piano & Keyboard YouTube Tutorial Videos 
Conclusion

Background on Roland

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Roland Corporation came into being in 1972. Although it is not as old as other market leaders like Yamaha, it has made a place for itself among the musicians. It is a Japanese company that manufactures electronic equipment, electronic musical instruments, and software. It is headquartered in Hamamatsu, with factories in Japan, USA, and Taiwan.

Roland isn’t in the game for nothing. It has manufactured a number of musical instruments that have left lasting impacts on music. The Juno-106 synthesizer, TR-909 drum machines, and TB-303 bass synthesizer are among some of the Roland products that took the market by storm. Most of the high-end keyboards and pianos today are equipped with MIDI connectivity. However, can you guess who developed this feature? You guessed that right! It was Roland who developed the MIDI, which is used to synchronize electronic instruments that have been manufactured by companies other than Roland itself. According to certain surveys and experts, Roland has contributed to shaping electronic music more than any other company in history! Now, that is definitely something.

Roland doesn’t just manufacture keyboards and pianos. It offers a huge range of products that include digital pianos, synthesizers, electronic drum systems, accordions, guitar synthesizers, amplifiers, DJ gear, and recording products. In short, Roland caters to all possible needs that a musician may have!

Let’s have sneak-peek into how exactly Roland came into being.

It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehash in 1972. Initially, he worked part-time for a watch repair company but soon started his own watch repair business by the name, Kakehashi Watch Shop. After its massive success, he decided to take his love for music commercials. First, he learned the basics of radio, and soon, he started working on repairing broken radios at his watch repair shop. He soon got hit by tuberculosis and had to spend 3 years in the hospital. During his time in the hospital, he assembled a receiver using a cathode ray tube, so that he could receive the first-ever television signals in Japan – and he did!

After getting healthy and well, he started his own electronic repair shop. His business flourished. Now he was adamant about pursuing his interest in music. He developed the first prototype of a keyboard-based instrument. He didn’t like the sound of it, and hence, he never commercialized it. Later in 1959, he developed a Hawaiian Guitar Amplifier. Finally, in 1960, he set the foundation of Ace Electronic Industries. He developed an organ (later came to be known as the Technics SX601). The development had the company become a huge name in the industry. Kakehashi developed several other instruments, but due to continuous expenditure and capital infusions, he soon lost most of his share in the company. Ace was acquired by Sumitomo Chemical. Leaving 18 years of hard work behind, Kakehashi resigned, and just after a month, laid the foundation of the Roland Corporation.

The first ever product that Roland produced was the rhythm box, TR77. The first synthesizer by the company was also a first for Japan. It offered 10 preset tones that allowed the users to add portamento, growl, and vibrato. It is one of the most prominent milestones that Roland achieved early on. Ever since then, Roland has continued to come up with fantastic musical instruments. Despite being fairly new than other market leaders, it has enjoyed a fair share when it comes to success!

Roland’s Digital Piano and Keyboard Series

Today, Roland has a huge series of products. When we say there is something for everyone, we mean it. Let’s have a look at what the company has in store for its users.

Portable Keyboards

As you can tell by the name, portable keyboards are for aspiring musicians who are fond of traveling around with their keyboards. Roland portable keyboards are smaller in size and hence, have a fewer number of keys instead of 88 keys. The keys feature the basic synch-action. These keyboards are ideal for beginners, so you can’t expect them to be loaded with too many features. They’re plastic-made and extremely light in weight, serving as a blessing for musicians who’re on the move quite often.

Roland GO Series and E-X Series

Roland GO:KEYS 61-key Music Creation Piano Keyboard with Integrated Bluetooth Speakers (GO-61K)

The Roland portable keyboards consist of the Roland GO: Series and E-X Series.

The keyboard models that the Roland GO: series comprise of include the Roland GO: Keys Music Creation Keyboard and Roland GO: Piano Digital Keyboard. They fall in the price bracket of $300 to $400, which is pretty affordable. The GO: Piano has basic features and an impressive sound engine and a very affordable price. It is one of the best keyboards for beginners out there. If you’re looking for an 88-key keyboard, you can opt for an 88-key variant of the same keyboard at a slightly higher cost.

The GO: Keys is a unique product that offers better performance and greater functionality.  Being extremely user-friendly, anybody who has never used a keyboard before can take advantage of it and enjoy some real music!

The Roland E-X Series comprises of two portable arranger keyboards; E-X20 and E-X30. The E-X20 didn’t create as much hype as that of the E-X30. They range from $250 to $300 in price. The sound of the E-X Series is superior as compared to other keyboards in a similar price bracket. The realistic sound, a high-quality sound engine, and the arranger features are what make the Roland E-X Series portable keyboards such a hit in the market!

Portable Digital Pianos

Roland, Premium Portable Piano, 88-key (FP-90-BK), FP-90

If you’re looking for a beginner-level keyboard to actually learn to play the piano, you might want a keyboard that is a level ahead of the Roland portable keyboards. It is where the Roland portable digital pianos step in. With superior sound quality and fully-weighted keys with hammer action technology, these keyboards produce a more realistic sound, as compared to the Roland GO and E-X Series.

The Roland portable digital pianos consist of the FP-series. The models include FP-10, FP-30, FP-60, and FP-90. Ranging from $500 to $2000, it includes models suitable for both beginners and professionals. The Roland FP-series feature Standard Hammer Action (PHA-4) keys and a high-quality SuperNATURAL sound engine. These features make the Roland FP-series one of the best by Roland.

Console Digital Pianos

As you can tell by the name, these pianos aren’t meant to be carried around. They’re more like heavy, furniture-style cabinets that are a lot similar to grand and upright pianos. Though they aren’t portable at all, they offer excellent sound quality! A console digital piano is an ideal choice for you if you’re looking for a great piano that you can practice on in the comfort of your home.

Roland offers multiple options in this category, including the RP-series, F-series, HP-series, DP-series, LX-series, Kiyola series, and GP-grand series.

Ranging from $1000 to $1600 in price, the RP and F-series offer pianos that are much more advanced than Roland portable pianos. The models that fall in this category are the F-140R, RP-102, and RP-501. All digital pianos in the RP-series feature a fairly traditional cabinet. The F-series is more towards modern and slim designs. All models in both of these series are equipped with PHA-4 Standard keyboards and SuperNATURAL sound engine. So, great and professional sound quality is assured.

The Roland HP and DP-series range from $1800 to $2500. The models included in these series are HP-601, HP-603, DP-603, HP-605, HP-702, and HP-704. These keyboards offer an excellent and realistic sound. They feature attractive, high-end designs and are equipped with great quality speakers. They’re cabinet-style digital pianos. They’re more like an upgrade of the RP and F-series. The SuperNATURAL sound engine is more advanced, and the keyboard is equipped with PHA-50 action instead of the PHA-4 (HP-702 is an exception, though).

Roland LX-series costs $2500 to $5000. It includes advanced console keyboards for professional musicians. The series includes LX-7, LX-17, LX-705, LX-706, and LX-708.

The keyboards in LX-series feature highly advanced sound technology, PureAcoustic Piano Modeling, that ensures that the sound produced is highly professional and realistic. They also feature the Hybrid Grand Keyboard, which is a level ahead of the PHA-50.  The 8-speaker set, coupled with the Acoustic Projection System, ensures that you get to enjoy something truly and magically impressive!

The Kiyola series keyboards range from $4000 to $5000. The only model in this series in the Kiyola KF-10. The Kiyola series is a series of luxury console keyboards. They feature a handcrafted wooden cabinet that makes the keyboard look super-stylish and modern. The design is extremely ergonomic, so you can enjoy the utmost comfort all the while you’re playing it. The PHA-50 keyboard and the SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling technology offers users a truly great piano playing experience!

GP-Grand series, as the name suggests, is a series of advanced grand pianos that range from $5000 to $12000. Comprising of the GP-607, a mini-size grand piano and the GP-609, a full-size grand piano, the series is nothing but grand in the truest of its senses. Featuring the best quality PHA-50 keyboard and SuperNATURAL sound engine, the sound quality of the GP-Grand series will not disappoint you.

Stage Pianos

Roland RD-2000 Premium 88-key Digital Stage Piano

Roland has a great much to offer to the professional stage performers with its RD and V-Combo series. The Roland RD-series ranges from $2000 to $3000 and is ideal for intermediate to professional-level musicians. The Roland RD-2000 comes with a PHA-50 keyboard. It comprises of not one, but two sound engines, the SuperNATURAL and the V-Piano. This hybrid technology enhances the quality of the sound by several folds. It features numerous control buttons, knobs, and faders that allow the user to mix and modify the sound as per their preference. With more than 1000 onboard sounds, the RD-2000 is an ideal option for stage performers.


The V-Combo series is on the more affordable side of the scale, ranging from $1000 to $1500. It includes the models VR-09, VR-700, and VR-730. The VR-700 has been discontinued. The Roland V-Combo series features the waterfall-style keys that produce a highly expressive sound. The numerous control buttons, knobs, and tone bars allow the user to change the settings in whatever way they like!

Synthesizers

It was due to its synthesizers that Roland was able to bounce back in the 1980s. They’re a particularly useful tools for sound designers and producers. Instead of weighted keys, synthesizers are equipped with synth-action keys. These instruments focus on playability instead of realism.

The JD-series ranges from $500 to $2000 in price. The models that are included in this series are the JC-Xi and JD-XA. Roland mixed their true digital sound with analog sound to produce a highly versatile instrument. The keyboards in the JD-series are super-fun to use.

Juno-DS is also a series of synthesizers that Roland is very popular for. The price bracket is between $700 to $1000. It comprises of three models; JUNO-DS61, JUNO-DS76, and JUNO-DS88.

These synthesizers offered dual-mode chorus and a very rich saw wave. These modern synthesizers offer great performance and excellent flexibility. They’re entirely digital in features. However, the modulation features work just like classic synthesizers. They’re equipped with an onboard vocoder and features many sounds and instruments that offer the user a great variety!

Arrangers & Workstations

Workstations are designed for studio use. They have bulky bodies; hence, they are not at all portable. Their sonic capabilities and power make the Roland workstations ideal for stage performers and music creators. It is just one instrument that offers the users with nearly all the features and capabilities that a musician would want.

Roland offers a massive variety when it comes to workstations. The FA-series, Fantom series, BK-series, and E-A series.

The FA-series offers three models; FA-06, FA-07, and FA-08. These are all mid-range workstations. They’re equipped with more than 2000 sounds and are powered by the high-quality SuperNATURAL sound engine. What makes this series the top choice is its control scheme. Another prominent feature is the high-resolution color screen. The 16-tone studio set and 16-track sequencer are other add on that make these workstations so great.

Fantom series comprises of more premium workstations, ranging from $3000 to $4000. The Fantom-6, Fantom-7, and Fantom-8 are the three models in this series. The Fantom series offers excellent expandability of sound palettes. Moreover, the analog filter is also a promising feature that the synthesizers in this series come with.

The BK-3 and BK-5 of the BK-series cost between $700 to $1350. The 16-track sequencer, mixing tools, and essential effects, all add up to make the BK-series one of the finest in the market today. The actual strength of these synthesizers lies in their excellent sound quality.

The E-A series comprises of Roland E-A7 along with other models. The E-A7 combines the arranger formula with the features of a workstation and sampler, making it a great arranger/ workstation hybrid. It comes with 1500 tones and numerous backing styles. The dual-screen displays all the necessary information and provides great control over the instrument. The E in the model name denotes the expandability that is one of the most prominent features.

Features of Roland Digital Pianos and Keyboards

Roland digital pianos and keyboards stepped into the market later than other manufacturers like Yamaha and Casio, but it made its place in quite a short time. However, what features contribute to the popularity of Roland Digital pianos and keyboards and sets them apart from the other keyboard options?

Roland Sound Generation

The quality and realism of the sound of a keyboard are what make it stand out. To achieve the required realism in the sound it produces, a keyboard must have enough space allocated specially for the sample memory. Other keyboard manufacturers have struggled to find the right balance between quality and compression, but Roland hit the jackpot! Roland incorporated the modeling technology into their instruments. Roland added a hybrid element to the mix instead of trying to capture audio snapshots of different intensities. The end result was an excellent, realistic sound that needed only a few changes to achieve the level of greatness!

Sound Engine

The SuperNATURAL sound engine, which is present in most of the Roland keyboards and pianos, produces great quality sound as well. This sound engine takes the revolutionary hybrid approach and offers great flexibility and quality in sound.

The Roland RD-2000 features the V-Piano sound technology, which is yet another revolutionary development when it comes to sound technology.

Built Quality

The built quality of Roland instruments is another feature that makes its products to stand out among its competitors. The keyboards and pianos are not just good looking but extremely sturdy. They are sure to last forever if taken care of properly.

Innovation

Roland continues to equip its instruments with newer and better features. It takes an out-of-the-box approach and ensures that its users get to enjoy the maximum benefit at the best prices!

Value

Although you may not find Roland keyboards and pianos cheap, when you compare them to the instruments by Yamaha and Casio, you will see how relatively affordable they are. They offer excellent value for money, providing the largest range of features at the lowest possible cost!

It looks like Roland is truly dedicated to satisfying the users, regardless of what their skill level is. The innovative features, and more importantly, the affordability are surely some of the major factors that account for the popularity of Roland keyboards and pianos.

Pros and Cons of Roland Digital Pianos and Keyboards

Pros

  • Available in a wide price range
  • Offers a variety of options for all users regardless of skill level
  • Great sound quality
  • Stylish and durable
  • Innovative features
  • Great value for money

Cons

  • Cheaper keyboards and pianos by Roland are too basic, as compared to other beginner level keyboards
  • Roland may have a greater number of features, but manufacturers like Yamaha and Casio also offer premium quality

Roland Digital Piano & Keyboard YouTube Tutorial Videos 

Below are the links to some YouTube tutorials that will help you find the way around the most popular Roland instruments.

Conclusion

Roland keyboards and digital pianos have received hype and attention for a reason - for people who’re looking for an excellent combination of great features and impressive price, Roland is a top option.

Whether you want a portable keyboard or a grand piano, Roland has it all. Whatever your instrument needs are, Roland seems to know them and is all up to cater to them with the massive range of products under its belt!

Now that you know about all of Roland’s products, making a decision based on your skill level and budget will be a lot easier.

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Roland Juno DS88 VS Yamaha MX88: Features, Pros & Cons, and How to Choose

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Roland JUNO-DS 88-Key Lightweight Weighted-Action Keyboard with Pro Sounds
Yamaha MX88 88-Key Weighted Action Synthesizer

Roland and Yamaha are two of the most respected piano manufacturers in the world, and in this comprehensive review we compare two of their popular models: Roland Juno DS88 vs Yamaha MX88.

Since both models have superb qualities found typically in upscale pianos, many piano enthusiasts have a hard time pointing out which is a better choice. In this article we make that a little easier by comparing features, advantages and disadvantages, and some questions to ask to help you might the right choice for you!

Quick Navigation
Roland Juno DS88 vs Yamaha MX88 Specifications Compared
Major Similarities Between Roland Juno DS88 VS Yamaha MX88
Major Differences Between Roland Juno DS88 VS Yamaha MX88
Roland Juno DS88 Summary
Major Features
Pros and Cons
Yamaha MX88 Summary
Major Features
Pros & Cons
Roland Juno DS88 and Yamaha MX88 Comparison
Conclusion

Roland Juno DS88 vs Yamaha MX88 Specifications Compared

The table below shows the comparison of Roland Juno DS88 and Yamaha MX88 specs:

Specification

Roland Juno DS88

Yamaha MX88

Cell
Roland JUNO-DS 88-Key Lightweight Weighted-Action Keyboard with Pro Sounds
Yamaha MX88 88-Key Weighted Action Synthesizer

Keys

Weighted-action, feel-G 88-key keyboard

Full-size 88-key keyboard

Jacks Included

Headphone jack, DC jack, pedal hold jack, pedal control jack, MC input jack, EXT input jack, phone jack

Headphone jack, sustain pedal jack, expression pedal jack, and stereo mini jack

Screen

Graphic LCD 256 x 80 dots

LED lights and a backlit screen

Songs

8 tracks

+1000 songs

Accompaniment Styles

Cell

205

Polyphony

128

128, 16-part multitimbral

Reverb & Chorus Settings

5 reverb settings, 3 chorus settings, and 8 mic reverb types

41 reverb settings and 44 chorus settings

Demonstration Mode

Cell

151 voices, 388 XGlite voices, and 29 featured voices

Accessories Included

Owner’s manual, leaflet “using the unit safely,” AC adapter, and power cord

Owner’s manual, and AC adapter

Cell
See Reviews & More for Roland Juno DS88
See Reviews & More for Yamaha MX88

Major Similarities Between Roland Juno DS88 VS Yamaha MX88

The major commonality between the Roland Juno DS88 and Yamaha MX88 is they are both synthesizers with 88 number of keys. These are professional instruments for use in the studio or on stage. They are of higher quality than typical keyboards. Plus, they also allow you to alter the sounds of the devices with great precision as you may want. Thus, they are a better choice than keyboards, especially if you want a musical device for your studio or professional practice.

The Roland Juno DS88 and Yamaha MX88 also have a great number of real-time controllers. They also make excellent master keyboards for DAW – Digital Audio Workstations. You can also transfer both audio and MIDI via the built-in USB port of the back panel of the instruments. Both the devices have special reverb and chorus settings that can be played with to get excellent vocal performances.

Roland JUNO-DS 88-Key Lightweight Weighted-Action Keyboard with Pro Sounds
Yamaha MX88 88-Key Weighted Action Synthesizer

Major Differences Between Roland Juno DS88 VS Yamaha MX88

On the price front, the Yamaha MX88 is slightly more expensive than the Roland Juno DS88. The former is €22 costlier than the Roland Juno DS88.

While they have the exact number of keys, the devices vary in the types of keys they boast. Juno DS88 features a weighted-action, Roland Ivory Feel-G keyboard while the Yamaha MX88 boasts fully-weighted graded hammer standard keys. The “ivory feel” of Roland Juno means the keys are slightly more textured. Not only do they feel great, but they reduce the chances of your fingers from slipping while playing the piano. When it comes to the sound engine, the Yamaha MX88 has a motif sound engine while Juno DS88 has a specialized Juno engine, which is Juno-Di compatible.

Ronaldo Juno DS88 also weighs heavier (35 lbs.) than the Yamaha MX88, which weighs up to 30.6 lbs. only. The former is shorter in height (5.68”) and wider (55.75”) than its counterpart, which is 6.6” tall and 51.9” wide.   

As compared to other piano models from the MX range, the MX88 has a relatively small screen. That said, the screen is wide and clear enough. You can easily navigate through the sounds without any hesitance. On the other hand, Roland DS88 has a big screen on which texts appear in white on a dark blue background. Even though the screen is not massive by today’s pianos’ standards, but it makes the navigation a satisfactory experience.

The Yamaha MX88 also features amazing recording and editing tools. It also offers “HALion Sonic SE” and “Groove Agent SE,” which offer a wide array of terrific instruments, grooves, and electronic drums. That’s not all. It also has a high-end AmpSimulator, which increases the amps of the instrument. On the other hand, Juno DS88 offers none of these or anything like these features.  

Roland Juno DS88 Summary

Roland JUNO-DS 88-Key Lightweight Weighted-Action Keyboard with Pro Sounds

Major Features

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Simple Interface and Design

The Roland Juno DS88 boasts a simple yet effective layout. With no complexities involved, the digital device is easy to navigate. You can easily steer through all its features without any trouble. On top of all, it has a neat, sharp LCD graphic display, which is also easy to operate. The neat design and friendly interface makes the piano a great model for regular practice.

A Wide Library of Sounds

One of the best features of the Roland Juno DS88 is that it allows free access to a massive library of sound options. Visit the Roland website, and you get the entire Juno sound bank with hundreds of sound samples. With a vast amount of sound effects, the Roland Juno DS88 gives you a lot of scope for creativity. You can experiment with as many music genres as you want and play all sorts of unique piano tones.


The default, built-in effects include reverb, chorus, phaser, delay, and lots more. Some other interesting effects are the pitch shifter and piano reverberation filter.

Portable

The Roland Juno DS88 makes for a great portable piano. Since its lightweight and has a compact size, it can be carried around in vehicles or on foot. Because of its maximized mobility, this piano model is great for gigs. Not only that, but its portability makes it easy to play around the house, as well. You will just need to connect it to a power source, and you’re good to go.

Excellent Functions and Modes

The Roland Juno DS88 boasts many functions; the synthesizer has an inbuilt playback function that lets you use typical audio records in a WAV arrangement. This allows you to practice and jam your favorite songs just as you want. Furthermore, the piano allows you to play more than one sound effect with just one key. In this way, you can produce new and exciting music. The most amazing feature of the DS88 is its wireless USB that connecting to your piano is made super easy using an app, letting you connect it with your mobile phone – Android or iPhone.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Velocity-sensitive keys
  • User-friendly interface
  • MIDI enables you to record and playback your music
  • Provide realistic sounds
  • Allow you to produce innovative music
  • Offer external storage with a USB flash drive
  • Diverse sound effects, Auto-Pitch, and Vocoder
  • DAW mode available and USB compatibility available
  • Feature phrase pads for improved performance

Cons

  • The LCD display is too small
  • Lacking in the speaker quality

The Bottom Line

The Roland Juno DS88 is known for its manageability. It has a convenient size, which makes it easy and comfortable to move around. Considering this, the digital device is perfect for those performing at gigs or playing in local clubs or pubs. While it is a great option for solo players, it can be used by those playing in a band. Its additional sounds and sound layers help create adequate music for an entire band.  


Remember that the Roland Juno DS88 is for serious players. It is not for beginners just starting out to play the piano. It’s designed specifically for professionals or experienced pianists.

See Reviews & More for Roland Juno DS88

Yamaha MX88 Summary

Yamaha MX88 88-Key Weighted Action Synthesizer

Major Features

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Easy to Play

Owing to the Graded Hammer Standards, the Yamaha MX88 is super easy to play. It’s heavy in the bass range, but as you go up the treble keys, it becomes light and nice to play. All in all, it offers a well-balanced experience to the player. Even if the keys absorb moisture, you won’t face any slipping issue, even for prolonged practice or performance sessions.

Lightweight

One look at the product and you might think that it is super heavy. However, that’s not the case at all. It is, in fact, lighter than the Roland Juno DS88, so you can imagine how easy it is to transfer this device from one place to another.


You can easily carry or mount it up on a stand – without any help. Unlike many synthesizers, the digital device not only is featherweight but offers a great many features.

Incredible Sound Quality

The Yamaha MX88 produces great music – there are no two ways about it. The outstanding sound quality is what makes this digital device worth the price. You can play any kind of song you want from its amazing music options and enjoy any music genre from classical to hip hop to rock to lots more.


When playing this instrument, you will have 16 different sounds to pick from. The best part is you can easily move from one sound to another with just a click of a cursor without having you go to the main menu. What’s amazing is, you won’t hear any break offs while switching from one piece of music to another.

Dual Modes and Tones of Features

The MX88 features two types of modes – layer mode and split mode. The layer mode allows you to play two or more sounds simultaneously. The fascinating bit is the layer mode lets you combine 16 sounds at the same time. On the other hand, the split mode lets you play different sounds (on the left and right side of the instrument) simultaneously.


Other than these modes, the MX88 has hundreds of rhythm patterns that are divided into sections such as rock, R&B, jazz, electronic, world, and orchestral. With this instrument, you also get a USB audio and MIDI interface, DAW control, and an FM synthesizer app for free.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Refined fully weighted keys
  • Extensive range of songs, rhythms, and effects
  • Feature DAW interface and USB audio interface
  • Outstanding sound quality
  • Include approximately 999 arpeggiator patterns
  • Easy to use and accessible functions
  • Best for editing, arranging, and manipulating music  

Cons

  • Lack of a built-in speaker
  • A few of the sampled sounds are obsolete
  • Lack MIDI sequencer on-board

The Bottom Line

The Yamaha MX88 is distinguished by its massive song library that has all sorts of genres, making it no less than a gem for serious music players. The device is specifically aimed at professional musicians who may as well want a workstation keyboard. The large song library is fit for all sorts of gigs. The instrument also has an editing feature, which makes it a great choice for professional musicians who want to produce innovative music for their audiences. It’s also a touring piano so you can easily carry it around.

See Reviews & More for Yamaha MX88

Roland Juno DS88 and Yamaha MX88 Comparison

Conclusion

While the Roland Juno DS88 and Yamaha MX88 are somewhat similar, they still vary in many ways – features, pros and cons, and price value. That being said, both digital devices are great for professional pianists or musicians. Because of their size and portability, the Roland Juno DS88 and Yamaha MX88 are both convenient choices!

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Roland FP 30 Review (2021): Best Price-to-Value for a High-End Piano?

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Roland FP-30 88-key Portable Digital Keyboard with Power Amplifier and Stereo Speakers

Please click image for more info

In this comprehensive Roland FP 30 review, we cover one of the few keyboards that the high-end keyboard company Roland sells for less than $1,000. With an excellent price to value ratio, the Roland FP-30 provides an experience that is anything but entry-level.

Known for its compact and portable design and powerful performance, the Roland FP-30 is one of the best options if you’re looking for a budget piano to polish your piano skills before investing in a more expensive, acoustic piano.

The FP-30 by Roland is also known for its excellent portability. It’s extremely lightweight, making it a great option for musicians who are usually on the go. The Roland FP-30 is a great keyboard for both home and stage use!

Let’s have a look at the power-packed Roland FP-30 in detail:

See Reviews & More for Roland FP-30
Quick Navigation
Overview of Roland FP-30
Roland FP-30 Video Overview
Roland FP-30 Specs
Who is the Roland FP-30 is Most Suitable For?
What's Included with the Roland FP-30
Roland FP-30 Features
Pros & Cons of the Roland FP-30
The Roland FP-30 YouTube Tutorial Videos
Roland FP-30 Manual
The Roland FP-30 vs. Yamaha P125
Sweetwater's Roland FP-30 Review
Summary

Overview of Roland FP-30

Roland FP-30 88-key Portable Digital Keyboard with Power Amplifier and Stereo Speakers

Unlike most entry and intermediate level keyboards, the Roland FP-30 is an 88-key digital piano that allows you to enjoy the experience of playing a full-sized acoustic piano. The progressive hammer action keys of the Roland FP-30 come with an Ivory Feel that makes your piano playing experience truly emotional and satisfying. The keys are touch-sensitive. The sensitivity level can be adjusted at 5 different levels to suit your requirements.

The design has been kept simple and elegant that makes the Roland FP-30 a visual treat. Weighing on 31 pounds, it is a perfect choice for musicians who are on the road often. The front of the keyboard features the controls and buttons, which is the only distraction on, otherwise, flawless, smooth and elegant finish!

The Roland FP-30 is equipped with technologies that you will only find in advanced, higher-level keyboards. Among many, some of the notable features include harpsichord and Celeste samples, Harmond-style Jazz Organ presets, and its ability to turn pages via the Bluetooth. The twin-piano mode, split keyboard, and Metronome, along with 8 basic rhythm patterns and 35 voices, are some of its typical features.

With the Roland FP-30, you’re in for a big deal! Priced similar to entry-level keyboards but equipped with features that are more commonly found in professional keyboards makes the Roland FP-30 a massive catch for musicians, beginners and intermediate-level players alike!

Roland FP-30 Video Overview

A ten-minute Roland FP-30 video demonstration with Alicia Baker from Kraft Music.

See Reviews & More for Roland FP-30

Roland FP-30 Specs

The specifications of the Roland FP-30 are listed below:

Specification

Description

Keys

88, fully-weighted keys

Keyboard

PHA-4 Standard Keyboard with Ivory Feel and Escapement

Touch Sensitivity

5 types, Off

Songs

SuperNATURAL Piano Sound

Polyphony

128 notes

Modes

Split, Duo (Twin Piano), Dual

Recorder

1 track MIDI recorder (3 songs)

Songs

30 built-in songs

Piano Simulation

Damper Resonance, String Resonance, Key Off Resonance

Metronome

8 rhythm styles

Speakers

2 speakers (2cm x 12cm)

Amplifiers

11W + 11W

Connection

USB to Device, USB to Host, headphone jack x 2, Bluetooth 4.0, Sustain Pedal jack

Dimension

51.2 inches x 11.2 inches x 5.8 inches

Weight

 31 pounds

Who is the Roland FP-30 is Most Suitable For?

Considering the number and quality of its features, the Roland FP-30 is not just suitable for beginners but is a great choice for performing players and for the use in music classrooms. Its features are unlike any of the other entry-level keyboards. Starting from 88 keys to SuperNATURAL Piano Sound, the Roland FP-30 is nothing short of a power pack!

Its compact design makes it a perfect choice for on-the-go musicians. It weighs only 31 pounds, which makes it super easy and convenient to carry it along while you’re on the move.

If you look at the price, the Roland FP-30 falls in the category for entry-level keyboards, but when you evaluate its features, the Roland FP-30 features literally everything you’ll need in a keyboard for your stage performance! So, it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner trying to learn to play the piano or an intermediate-level performer, the Roland FP-30 will suit you best!

What's Included with the Roland FP-30

As a buyer, you’ll be interested to know what comes with the package. The Roland FP-30 comes as a complete package. The package includes an Owner’s Manual, a Music Rest, an AC adapter, a Damper pedal, and a power cord for connecting the AC adapter. You don’t have to worry about buying the basic accessories out of your pocket when you’re purchasing the Roland FP-30.

Roland FP-30 Features

When we say the Roland FP-30 is packed with powerful features, we actually mean it. It has all the features that contribute to enhancing your keyboard playing experience. Let’s have a look at its features in detail.

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Design

The Roland FP-30 has a super compact design that makes it fit for smaller spaces. You can even put it on a desk or a table without any problems. The size of this digital keyboard is smaller than other portable keyboards with a width of 51.2 inches, depth of 11.2 inches, and a height of 5.9 inches. Weighing only 31 pounds, the Roland FP-30 is surely a great catch for musicians who like to travel with their keyboards.


The left side on the top surface of the keyboard features the control panel with 13 buttons. The buttons on the panel include volume control, song recorder, Metronome, and instrument categories. The function of each key is marked inconspicuously above them. The headphone jack is recessed into the front panel. You will find the USB MIDI connectors and USB memory on the rear side of the control panel. All in all, all the control buttons and accessories have been arranged to keep the design of the keyboard as compact as possible. The clean design is what gives the Roland FP-30 a fresh and appealing look.

Keyboard

The Roland FP-30 consists of 88 progressive hammer action keys, which means that the keys on the low-end are heavier, and the ones on the high-end are lighter - just like an acoustic piano. The hammer action keys with Ivory Feel help users enjoy the experience of an acoustic piano at a much lower price.


The keyboard is PHA-4 Standard. PHA-4 Standard keyboard is the 4th generation action that the company just developed. PHA-4 action produces less noise and has an improved mechanism is particular. It also features a 3-sensor key detection system. As a result, the Roland FP-30 produces precise sound and delivers an authentic playing experience.


The keys are touch-sensitive, which means that the sound produced when you hit the key as hard as you hit them. The sensitivity level can be adjusted as per your preferences. Unlike most digital pianos that offer 3 sensitivity settings, the Roland FP-30 offers 5 options (Super Heavy, Heavy, Medium, Light, Super Light, and Fixed) that can meet your needs more precisely. If you want consistent sound, you can choose the fixed setting.


Ivory keytops, a reliable hammer action, and the 3-sensor technology provide you with an incredibly realistic feel of a professional acoustic piano!

Sound

The Roland FP-30 features the well-known SuperNATURAL modeling technology. Most digital pianos available today feature multi-layered samples that are recorded in different dynamics to ensure that appropriate sound is played in accordance with the force the under strikes the keys.


However, SuperNATURAL modeling technology uses full-length samples as in an acoustic piano. Hence, there is a smooth transition between notes, samples, and velocities. It is the reason why the Roland FP-30 produces such a fine sound.


The Roland FP-30 also features stretched tuning that makes the pitch of low-end notes lower and that of high-end higher, such as in an acoustic piano.


All in all, the Roland FP-30 produces rich and bright sound!


The sound-related features do not end here. Apart from the amazing piano sounds, the Roland FP-30 also offers other instrument sounds as well, which will help you unleash your creativity!


128-note polyphony won’t have you worried about having your notes cut-off when you’re playing challenging pieces or in the Dual Mode.

Speakers

The Roland FP-30 features two 2cm x 12 cm speakers with 2, 11 Watt amplifiers that deliver natural and rich sound with great bass response and resonance. The speakers are powerful enough for small performances.

Modes

The FP-30 by Roland features two modes; split-mode and dual-mode. Split-mode allows the user to play a different sound on each of the 2 sections that split-mode creates. The dual-mode allows layering two different instrument sounds. Whenever you play the Roland FP-30 in dual-mode, two instrument sounds are played at the same time.


The Twin Piano or the Duet Play is another interesting feature of the Roland FP-30 that splits the keyboard into two parts with the same pitch ranges, allowing two players to sit side by side and play together.

Recording Playback

This digital piano by Roland features a 1-track MIDI recorder, allowing you to record your performances in the internal memory or USB drive and listen to it later. Not only does the Roland FP-30 allow you to playback of your own recorded sounds, but you can enjoy 30 in-built songs along with any MIDI and EAV files from your USB flash drive.

Connectivity

You can connect two headphones to the Roland FP-30 at the same time. The USB to Host port allows you to connect your keyboard to your computer. Bluetooth MIDI allows you to connect your keyboard to your laptop or tablet wirelessly. USB to Device port makes it possible for you to connect a USB flash drive to your the Roland FP-30.

Pros & Cons of the Roland FP-30

The pros and cons of the Roland FP-30 are listed below:

PROS

  • Excellent key action
  • Gig-friendly
  • Incredible SuperNATURAL sound engine
  • Powerful speakers
  • 35 built-in instrument sounds
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Can play MIDI and WAV files from a USB flash drive

cons

  • It is a bit heavier than its competitors
  • Not much sound customization is possible
  • No Line-Out jacks
  • No lesson function

The Roland FP-30 YouTube Tutorial Videos

To understand how to use the Roland FP-30, you can always take some help from the YouTube tutorial videos. Some of the most helpful YouTube videos for the Roland FP-30 are listed down below:

Roland FP-30 Manual

You can go through the official user manual on the Roland website. Simply follow the link:

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ROLAND FP-30 MANUAL

The Roland FP-30 vs. Yamaha P125

The Roland FP-30 and the Yamaha P125 are both great pianos in the category of stage pianos. However, despite being great in many aspects, they differ from one another in numerous aspects.

KEYS

The Roland FP-30 features keys with an ivory top that feel nice and offer an excellent grip, whereas the Yamaha P125 has standard plastic and matte keys, giving the Roland FP-30 a clear win in this regard.

OUTPUT

The Yamaha P125 has the edge over the Roland FP-30 with its Line-Out sockets that the Roland FP-30 lack. The only output that the Roland FP-30 has is the headphone jack.

SOUND QUALITY

The Roland FP-30 comes with the SuperNATURAL sound engine, which delivers a superior sound quality. Although the sound quality of the Yamaha P125 is great too, the Roland FP-30 wins by a slight margin in this regard.

weight

The Roland FP-30 weighs 2kgs more than the Yamaha P125. While it doesn’t sound like a significant difference, when you’re packing up after a long, tiring jam, the difference can feel a lot!

CONNECTIVITY

The Roland FP-30 has Bluetooth connectivity that not many keyboards in this price range have, giving the Roland FP-30 a significant benefit over the Yamaha P125.

After comparing the Roland FP-30 and the Yamaha P125, we can conclude that among the two, the Roland FP-30 is best for home use while the Yamaha P125 is more suitable for gigging!

See Reviews & Price for Roland FP-30

Sweetwater's Roland FP-30 Review

Summary

The Roland FP-30 is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a digital piano that delivers an experience that is close to that of an acoustic piano. Not many keyboards in this price range are equipped with such incredible features. In our opinion, the Roland FP-30 is worth all the praise and hype!

Roland FP-30 88-key Portable Digital Keyboard with Power Amplifier and Stereo Speakers

Roland FP-30 (click image for more info)

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