Roland’s RP102 has been a staple of the home digital piano market since its release in late 2017. The least expensive home digital piano with 88 weighted key touch from Roland, the RP102 has been a popular alternative to other best-sellers like the Yamaha YDP-144 and Kawai KDP75.
With the recent announcement of an update to the RP102 in the form of the new Roland RP107 SKU, we knew we needed to do a video and write a quick blog post about it, sharing everything we know at this point.
RP107 have not shipped to North America at this point, but we expect them to start hitting store shelves soon.
Why was the Roland RP102 Popular?
As we mentioned in the intro, the RP102 has been Roland's most basic 88-key weighted action digital piano. By the home piano, we mean that the RP102 has an integrated stand and built-in triple pedal system with damper, soft and sostenuto pedals.
Roland PHA-4 Action
The RP102 has a fairly basic 12-watt speaker system to keep the cost down, but otherwise, it has some really strong points going for it, making it an especially attractive option for the price. For one, it has the PHA-4 Standard Keyboard action, which in our opinion, is the top action available in this price range.
Bluetooth MIDI & Roland Apps for iOS & Android
Despite a fairly bare-bones on-board feature set, when used in conjunction with Roland's apps, the full General MIDI II sound bank was unlocked, giving the user access to hundreds of sounds including synthesizers, electric pianos, guitars and a host of drum rhythms.
And as an early adopter of Bluetooth MIDI, connecting to a smart device to access the apps was easy.
Roland SuperNATURAL Piano Engine
The RP102 also boasts a very nice sound generator with Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Sound. While the speaker system isn’t robust enough to maximize the sound engine when playing acoustically, it sounds fantastic when playing with headphones with a lush grand piano sound, due in part to the built-in Headphones 3D Ambience effect.
What’s Improved on the Roland RP107?
New BMC Sound Chip
The first key improvement featured on the new RP107 is the inclusion of Roland’s BMC sound chip. This advanced new chip is also being featured throughout the new FP series instruments, as well as the upcoming Roland F107.
Not only does this chip offer increased complexity on acoustic piano tones and all sounds frankly, but it also doubles the polyphony from 128 notes to 256. So, we can safely expect the RP107 to sound better than the RP102.
Bluetooth Audio
While the connector jacks have remained the same with the RP107, Bluetooth Audio has been added which is a very exciting addition given the price point that the RP107 will be available at.
Bluetooth Audio allows you to stream music directly from a device and playback the music through the RP107’s built-in speaker system, whether for playing along with or simply listening to.
16-Watt Speakers
Roland has given the speaker system on the RP107 a modest bump in power output, from 12 watts to 16 watts in total coming from the amp.
Combined with the BMC, this extra bit of power is sure to have a larger-than-normal effect on the overall quality of the sound.
Roland Piano App
Roland’s Piano Every Day app had many great features, but the user interface was clunky and met with many complaints. Fortunately, Roland took the criticism to heart and addressed the issues thoroughly, resulting in the new Roland Piano App.
When using the RP107 in conjunction with the Roland Piano App, you can remote control all of the features of the RP107 from the convenience of your smart device thanks to Bluetooth connectivity with a beautiful new interface. Everything from the metronome, touch sensitivity, twin piano, master tuning, and everything else, while also greatly expanding the functionality by adding additional sounds, sheet music via the Roland Cloud and rhythms.
Closing Thoughts
While the RP102 was a highly relevant instrument during its run, there’s no question that the RP107 is a welcome arrival, and serves as a meaningful advancement with some very notable improvements, particularly with regard to sound. Roland’s warranty coverage is always great so that’s a confidence booster as well.
If you’re looking for a very capable yet affordable home digital piano with slick cabinet styling that also happens to come with everything you need in the box, including a piano bench, music rest and power supply, the Roland RP107 is set to be a compelling option that should be on your wishlist waiting for checkout, picking up where the RP102 left off.
The Roland FP-30X is easily one of the single most popular 88-key digital pianos currently on the market, known for its killer combination of key touch, piano sound, features, connectivity, portability and very reasonable price point.
Now, if you’re considering the FP-30X and are in the midst of research, there’s a chance that very specific questions about this piano have come up in your mind, the answers to which aren’t readily apparent in the FP-30X’s marketing literature, specs sheets or various online piano reviews.
Fortunately for you, we’ve scoured the internet and created this Roland FP-30X FAQ - compiling the 12 most commonly asked questions. In today’s article and companion video, we’ll be providing answers to these commonly asked questions to help fill in the missing pieces of your research.
Roland FP-30X FAQ - 12 Most Commonly Asked Questions
FAQ #1: What is the Difference Between the FP-30 and FP-30X?
First of all, we have done a video on this exact question over on our YouTube channel, where we go through every detail point by point. If you want a super in-depth breakdown, we’d recommend checking that video out.
But to quickly summarize, Roland has improved in several areas with the FP-30X that are very meaningful. For one, they’ve upgraded the sound chip architecture to Roland’s new BMC chip which is able to render a far more complex version of the SuperNATURAL piano sound engine - the improved sound quality is easily apparent when playing the FP-30 and the FP-30X side-by-side even though the amplifier power is the same.
Secondly, courtesy of the new BMC chip, the polyphony has been doubled from 128 to 256 notes. Thirdly, they’ve added 1/4” line outputs which is a huge deal as it firmly establishes the FP-30X has a gigging option for professionals and means no more messing with the headphone outputs. Number four, Bluetooth audio has been added to the mix as well.
Finally, the FP-30X also adds a built-in USB audio interface which is going to be a really nice bonus for anyone working with DAW software.
As you can see, to call the FP-30X an improvement over the FP-30 would be a grand understatement.
FAQ #2: What Does the USB Audio Interface Do?
The built-in USB audio interface allows you to transfer audio information directly from your FP-30X to a DAW without the need for an external audio interface. This cuts down on additional gear and clutter in your workspace.
FAQ #3: Is the Roland FP-30 Digital Piano Discontinued?
Yes, the FP-30 is technically discontinued and the FP-30X is its replacement. Roland does not overlap production when a new model replaces an older model as you see in other industries, such as video game consoles for example.
This means that when you’re doing research, be sure to include the “X” in your searches to ensure you are in fact learning about the FP-30X as opposed to the FP-30.
While Roland is no longer manufacturing or shipping FP-30s, you can most definitely still find them on the second-hand market.
FAQ #4: How much does the FP-30/FP-30X Cost?
How much is the FP-30X versus the FP30? As is typically the case with new models, there has been a price increase with the FP-30X, in this case, by around $100 USD in most markets.
The exact cost will depend on your geographic region, but in general, an increase of $100 USD can be expected.
FAQ #5: Does the Roland FP-30X have MIDI?
The answer here is another “yes”. Virtually, all modern digital pianos work on a MIDI-based framework, meaning that the signals that the keys send to the tone generator are all based on MIDI language.
Most digital pianos and keyboards are built in a way that allows you to externalize MIDI information to both send and receive said information with other devices. The FP-30X has both Bluetooth MIDI and USB Flash Drive MIDI.
FAQ #6: Is the FP-30X Good for Beginners?
The answer to this question is an emphatic "Absolutely." Of course, this needs to be considered within the context of affordability and budget. If you’re comfortable in the price range of the FP-30X, it’s without question a fantastic option for beginners.
If you’re working with a budget in a lower price range, there are still a number of 88-key weighted action digital pianos available that will also be fine for a beginner starting piano lessons.
Why is the FP-30X a fantastic beginner option if the budget allows? Most significantly, because of the presence of Roland’s excellent PHA4 Standard action (also found in the more expensive FP-60X) - the top key action available in the price in our opinion here at Merriam Pianos due to its triple sensor, escapement, adjustable touch sensitivity and ivory feel key tops.
Add in a great piano tone, speaker system, multiple connectors, features like split, twin piano, transpose and metronome, compatibility with education apps, included damper pedal (sustain pedal) and the option to add the KSC-70 keyboard stand and KPD-70 triple pedal unit, all of which adds up to an incredible total package.
FAQ #7: Does the Roland FP-30X have Weighted Keys?
The Roland FP-30X most definitely has weighted keys. If you’re not familiar with the concept of weighted keys, it essentially means that the keys are designed to replicate the weighting of an acoustic piano key in terms of how much force the player has to provide to get the key in motion.
You’ll probably hear piano teachers or people you know with piano experience harping on the fact that the digital piano you choose needs to have weighted keys if you’re serious about learning piano. This is because weighted keys are necessary to learn the nuances and sense of control necessary to play an acoustic piano.
FAQ #8: Does the FP-30X Come with a Music Stand?
The FP-30X (and all FP-X series portable digital pianos) ships with a free plastic music stand (sometimes called music rest) in the box.
It’s lightweight, easily removable, and can definitely accommodate standard sheet music and music books.
FAQ #9: How Do You Connect the Roland FP-30X to a Computer?
There are two ways to connect the FP-30X to a computer. The first way is through a standard USB cable, and this is going to be the most stable method. Simply plug one end of the cable into the USB port on the FP-30X, and the other end into the USB port on your computer, which results in a MIDI connection.
If your computer is Bluetooth enabled, you can also connect wirelessly via the FP-30X’s Bluetooth MIDI function.
FAQ #10: How Do You Record On the FP-30/FP-30X?
The FP-30X has an internal USB audio connection, so you can record audio information (WAV) directly to a DAW by simply connecting via a USB cable. The FP-30 doesn’t have this feature, so to record to a DAW, you’ll have to use the headphone jack to run a splitter that then runs a 1/4” jack into an external USB audio interface.
Secondly, on both pianos, you can record MIDI files wirelessly via various apps available for Android and iOS
Thirdly, both pianos have basic internal recorders that can be activated with the press of a button (further instructions are available in the owner’s manual here.)
FAQ #11: How Do You Connect the Roland FP-30x to Bluetooth?
The first step to connecting your FP-30X to a device via Bluetooth is to ensure that the Bluetooth MIDI connection is actually turned on. To turn the connection on, hold the function button and press the lowest A - this turns the Bluetooth function on.
Next, press and hold the function button until it starts to blink in a blue color. From there. launch the Piano Every Day app on your Smart Device. The app will automatically begin searching for a piano, and shortly after the FP-30X will appear which you can select.
Once connected, you can start using all of the various features of the Roland Piano Every Day and Piano Designer apps. You can also navigate and control the various functions and sounds of the instrument through your Smart Device, easily scrolling through various grand piano, synthesizer and electric piano sounds (the e-piano sounds are especially nice.)
Apps like Apple’s Garageband and others that offer arranger keyboard-like functionality are also accessible.
FAQ #12: Is the FP-30/FP-30x Good or Live Performances?
The FP-30 was certainly capable of being used as a performance instrument, but it wasn’t ideally or particularly suited for this purpose.
The various upgrades to the FP-30X make it a much more capable performance instrument, especially with regards to the upgraded polyphony and of course, the inclusion of discreet 1/4” outputs meaning no messing around with adapters is the biggest reason why the FP-30X is a legit performance instrument.
The build quality and overall durability were already present with the FP-30, but these improved features take it one step further.
Roland FP-30X FAQ - Wrap-Up
We hope this article covering the top 12 Roland FP-30X FAQ has been helpful. Stay tuned for more entries in this series where we’ll cover other Roland instruments such as the Roland FP-90X, as well as instruments from other manufacturers such as the Yamaha P-125, Kawai ES-120 (coming soon), and Casio PX-S1100.
The FP-90X is the follow-up to the Roland FP90 and the flagship portable piano of Roland’s beloved FPX series and is without question one of the most powerful and capable all-in-one portable digital pianos currently on the market.
Continuing our series on the top FAQ for popular pianos, we ran the Google analytics to find out the top 10 Roland FP-90X FAQ.
Whether you’re new to exploring the FP-90X or deciding whether or not to pull the trigger, our hope is that having these questions answered all in one place will be helpful. Check out our full digital piano review of the FP-90X for a more in-depth look at the overall performance of the FP-90X.
Let’s get started!
Top 10 Roland FP-90X FAQ
FAQ #1: How Much Does the FP-90X Cost?
Up first in our Roland FP-90X FAQ - the price.
In Canada, The FP-90X currently runs for $3,499.99 for the slab on its own (includes DP-10 damper pedal), and up to just under $4,200 if adding the KSC-90 wooden designer keyboard stand and KPD-90 3-pedal board. The floating 3-pedal unit RPU-3 is an option as well, as is the more portable KS-20X stand.
In the United States, you can currently find the FP-90X for around $2,500 for the slab, or around $3,200 for the entire bundle.
This does make the FP-90X more expensive than its main competitors, namely the Kawai ES-920 and Yamaha P-515, but the FP-90X justifies its heftier price tag with its more advanced key action, piano sound engine and speaker system (more on this under question 2).
FAQ #2: Is the FP-90X Worth the Money?
This is a great question because there are a number of very capable slab digital pianos that cost a lot less than the FP-90X, such as the Kawai ES-920 and Yamaha P-515 mentioned above, as well as Roland’s own FP-60X is quite a bit less. Here’s exactly why for some people, the FP-90X is absolutely worth the extra money.
First of all, Roland’s PHA50 action has a longer pivot length than the actions in the instruments mentioned above meaning it offers a deeper sense of control, plus it also offers a wood/plastic hybrid key construction for durability, a triple sensor, escapement and nicely textured keytops. Even if you’re a classical pianist, you’ll feel at home with this action.
The second reason is the PureAcoustic Piano Modeling sound engine, which is currently Roland’s most advanced sound engine and the same one they use in their top-of-the-line LX series home digital upright pianos. The FP-90X is the only portable Roland digital piano to feature this remarkable sound engine, which also happens to deliver limitless polyphony on acoustic piano tones and offers extensive editing capabilities like damper resonance, string resonance, and soundboard type.
Finally, there’s the speaker system. The FP-90X is equipped with a 4-speaker system with two mains and two tweeters for clarity, boasting a robust 60 watts of power that easily outguns its competitors. For gigs, you can actually fill a medium-sized with the FP-90X without the need for an external amp.
We should also mention the mic input, as well as the tactile equalizer with sliders as additional great value adds.
FAQ #3: When Were the FP-90 and FP-90X Released?
The original FP-90 came out in the fall/winter of 2016, and the newly updated FP-90X first hit North American store shelves during the winter of 2021.
Roland tends to average 4-year product cycles with their models, whereas some are updated faster, and in the case of the FP-90X, there was closer to a 5-year FP-90 run before its release.
FAQ #4: What are the Weight/Dimensions of the Roland FP-90X?
This is actually a really important question, especially if you’re thinking about the FP-90X has a portable, gigging stage piano. The overall unboxed dimensions of the FP-90X are a width of 5.2”, depth of 15.3” and height of 5.4”.
FAQ #5: What are the Differences Between the FP-90 and FP-90X?
This is a pretty important question for folks who might already have an FP90 and are wondering if the FP90X is worth the upgrade, or for people who might still have an opportunity on an FP90 so they have to choose between the two.
The first upgrade is a major speaker enhancement, with the FP-90X receiving a redesigned, upgraded speaker system. Secondly, the FP-90X also receives the new BMC sound chip, which delivers far more complexity to the PureAcoustic Ambience modeling engine and the SuperNATURAL engine.
Both pianos use the PHA-50 keys, so this stays the same, but the 90X includes the new My Stage feature, which offers a whole bunch of very nice Piano Designer presets.
Lastly, Roland has included a built-in USB audio interface, and this will come in very handy for those who need a fine instrument for some studio or production work.
The well-liked LCD screen, music rest and dual headphone jacks return from the FP-90.
FAQ #6: PHA-50 - Which Portable Models Have It?
The PHA50 was until recently Roland’s most advanced action (since usurped by the Hybrid Grand action) and is only found in a couple of models that could be considered portable.
The FP-90X is the only FPX series piano to feature the PHA-50, with the Roland FP-30X and FP-60X featuring the PHA-4.
The RD-2000 and FANTOM-08 are the only other portable options that feature the PHA-50, however, calling the workstation FANTOM-08 portable is using the term ‘portable’ loosely. All three of these pianos are quite heavy, and that’s a result of the wooden componentry in the PHA-50 - there’s really no way to keep the weight down with a wooden action.
FAQ #7: How do you Take Apart the Roland FP-90X?
*Disclaimer: Don’t do this! That’s the official answer because if you do take apart your FP-90X, your warranty will be voided should you ever have a warranty claim, and this is clearly articulated in the owner’s manual.
If you’re willing to take the risk, the innards of pretty much every Roland product are very well organized, so if you do open it up by removing the screws on the side, you’ll find that everything is well laid out and easy to service.
FAQ #8: How do you Connect the FP-90X to Bluetooth MIDI?
The first step to getting Bluetooth MIDI going on the FP-90X is to make sure Bluetooth is turned on. To do this, press the function button, and Bluetooth is the first option that pops up so toggle that to make sure it’s on.
From there, start the pairing process, and you can do so by holding the Function key, and then you can pull up the Bluetooth menu from your smart device and select the FP-90X.
The Piano Every Day app has recently been replaced by the new simply titled Roland Piano App, which is simply great as it allows you to navigate all the sounds of the instrument like grand piano tones, synths, e pianos etc. as well as control features like the metronome, touch sensitivity and playback while also expanding the specs of the piano to include rhythms and educational features.
FAQ #9: How Do You Connect the FP-90X to a Computer?
To connect your FP-90X to a computer, simply plug one end of a USB cable into the FP-90’s USB connector and the other end into your computer. This gives you both a MIDI and Audio connection
FAQ #10: What Digital Pianos Compare Well to the FP-90X?
It’s good to have an idea as to some of the other options you’ll be running into when deciding on an instrument. Surprisingly, there aren’t too many legitimate comparable options to the FP-90X. This is due to the fact that there aren’t too many instances where musicians find themselves in situations where a high-end acoustic grand-focused keyboard with speakers and a premium action are needed.
As a result, the FP-90X falls into a niche category as a portable keyboard capable of a high-end acoustic and electric piano experience, without the full array of synthesizer-like features one would get with a traditional stage piano.
That said, this category is growing, and as we mentioned earlier in this article, the main competitors to the FP-90X are the Yamaha P-515 and Kawai ES-920.
Casio enters this conversation now as well with the recently released PX-S6000 and PX-S7000.
Closing Thoughts
Thanks for reading and/or watching! We hope that this top 10 Roland FP-90X FAQ will serve as a helpful reference for you on your piano shopping journey.
The upper mid-range part of the home digital piano market has been increasingly popular over the last few years with families, adult beginners and experienced pianists who need a versatile practice instrument.
The Casio AP710 vs Roland HP702 are two popular options in this category, and they happen to be priced close together in most markets as of recently. That said, they’re very different musical offerings, so we’re going to do an in-depth comparison for you here.
Both are 88-key weighted action home digital pianos with very nice grand piano sounds, solid actions and cabinetry offering great warranty coverage that won’t look out of place in a living room.
This comparison wouldn't really have been all that appropriate had we tackled it a year or 18 months ago because the AP710 was priced considerably above the HP702. This is no longer the case, and the price gap between these two pianos has shrunk.
Let’s start with a comparison of the sound engines.
Casio AP710 vs Roland HP702 - Digital Piano Sound Comparison
Roland HP702 Sound Specs
Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling
Starting with the Roland, the HP702 uses some of Roland's more recent technology as it’s equipped with the SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling engine, making it the least expensive home digital piano from Roland to feature full piano modeling.
Piano modeling technology is an approach to sound that synthesizes all of the aspects of the piano sound in real-time, as opposed to a sample-based piano tone engine that triggers a recording of a real piano. Every aspect of the piano sound, including how you’ve engaged the pedals and a whole multitude of adjustable parameters like duplex scale, hammer noise, damper resonance, single note volume, single note character, single note tuning, key off noise, damper noise, soundboard type, key off-resonance, cabinet resonance, hammer response, full-scale string resonance and more are all generated via a series of algorithms.
Thanks to the OLED screen and intuitive layout, you won’t need to study the owner’s manual to get the hang of editing the parameters.
You can find versions of this technology throughout the upper half of Roland’s lineup in models like the Roland HP704, the FP90X, and their entire flagship LX line.
The default tone is a very nice rendering of a concert grand piano, and there are a number of other nice piano category tones as well, all of which have limitless polyphony. Roland’s Headphones 3D Ambience feature enhances the experience when playing with headphones.
Non-Piano Sounds
The HP702 has a great selection of 324 total onboard sounds, and once you’ve moved passed acoustic piano tones, the polyphony comes in at 384 notes, which is still very powerful.
The core sounds are excellent, whether that’s electric pianos, strings or organs, but much of the 324 sounds come from the General MIDI 2 sound bank.
Dual Speaker System
In terms of the speakers, the HP702 is equipped with dual downward-facing speakers. The specs sheet looks a little underwhelming when you see that the speaker power is only 28 watts, however, the design is so good that these speakers are still very solid.
Casio AP710 Celviano Sound Specs
Casio’s Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR Grand Sound Source
Flipping over to the Casio Celviano Series AP710, things get very different here. The AP710 is using Casio’s AiR grand sound source which is a sample-based engine complimented by resonance modeling engines that fill in certain areas of the sound.
There’s a C. Bechstein tag right on the front of the piano due to the presence of the C. Bechstein D282 concert grand piano sample set (Berlin grand), but it’s important to note here that the full C. Bechstein collaboration occurs with Casio’s Grand Hybrid Series grands where the action is also co-designed by Bechstein (it’s a more basic Casio action here.)
In addition to the Berlin grand, there are two additional high-quality sample sets of legendary pianos here with the Hamburg grand (Hamburg Steinway) and Vienna Grand (Bosendorfer). One of the chief appeals of the AP710 is these three core concert grand piano samples, all of which sound great and distinct from one another.
Polyphony is 256 notes so that’s also very strong.
Like with the HP702, the user is given quite a bit of additional control over the sound with access to some reverb engines with the Hall simulator, Brilliance, as well as other resonance simulators like Damper Resonance, String Resonance and more. There are also effects like Chorus and DSP for non-acoustic piano tones.
Non-Piano Sounds
The AP710 does not have the GMII bank built-in, so the total number of sounds is quite a bit less than the HP702 at 28 sounds.
Now, it’s important to keep in mind here that all 28 of these tones are core sounds, and in this case, they all happen to be very high quality and generally on par with the HP702.
Of course, if you need lots of sounds, the HP702 is the obvious choice here, but if you’re mostly focused on acoustic piano, this won’t matter.
6 Speaker System
The AP710 has a killer 6-speaker system, with a very robust 60 watts of output. While there’s not a direct linear relationship between rated power output and total volume with amplifiers, there’s no question that with more than double the rated power on the AP701 that it packs much more punch than the HP702.
The treble presentation is also much better on the AP710 courtesy of its 6 speakers, as is the overall clarity of the tone.
Overall Sound Comparison Impressions
The clarity of the AP710 is just undeniable, especially compared to the HP702. There’s just a more direct and more clear presentation of the treble and the upper mids on the AP710. The presence of those extra speakers and more power amplifier is making a big difference here.
Due to the three concert grand samples on the AP701, there’s also a greater variety in the character of the acoustic piano tones.
The HP702’s SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling is undoubtedly high-powered and complex, but the speaker/amplifier combination here isn’t able to coax out the full potential of the sound engine. In Roland’s higher-end digital pianos with the same engine, the speaker configurations are strong enough to maximize the sound engine.
That said, with some tweaking and time with the Piano Designer feature, this sound engine can be better optimized for its specific speakers, so if you go the Roland route, we’d recommend exploring this.
And there’s no doubt that some folks are going to prefer Roland’s approach to the sound here given how different the modeling approach sounds from a sample-based approach.
Casio AP710 vs Roland HP702 Digital Piano Action - Tri-Sensor vs PHA-4
Both pianos boast actions with triple sensors, so that important box for folks looking for an accurate and responsive action is checked. That said, the weighting and physical feel of the two actions is quite different.
Key Weighting
The AP701’s Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II keys are weighted exactly 55 grams, both in terms of their static and dynamic weight, with static weight referring to the amount of weight required to get the key in motion, and dynamic weight referring to the weight required to keep the key in motion.
On the HP702’s PHA-4 Standard Keyboard action, the dynamic weight is the same as the Casio action, but the static weight is about 10 grams heavier, and this creates a pretty stark difference in the feel of these two actions with the Casio action feeling lighter and shallower.
Key Escapement
The AP710’s Tri-Sensor action does not feature an escapement sensation, whereas the HP702’s PHA4 action does. Escapement is the unique mechanical effect a grand piano action has, and in theory, allows for faster repetition speed.
When combined with the heavier weighting, the PHA4 feels a little more substantial and the sense that you can dig into it more.
Textured Key Tops
Both piano actions have textured simulated ebony and ivory keys, and this is a big plus because the keytops absorb moisture from the player's fingers, and provide a good just the right combination of grip and glide.
Yamaha’s GHS action, found on popular models like the YDP-144, does not have any texture on the keytops and can lead to the keys being too grippy in certain playing situations for example.
Action Wrap-Up
Both of these actions are popular, well regarded, and can be found on models throughout each manufacturer’s lineup including the Casio Privia and Celviano digital pianos, as well as Roland’s FP and RP series.
We personally prefer the PHA4 action overall due to it’s meatier feel and escapement feature, but your mileage may vary.
Connectivity - Audio In/Out, Bluetooth, MIDI and Additional Features
Bluetooth & MIDI
A pretty significant difference between these two pianos from a connectivity standpoint is that the Roland HP702 is equipped with Bluetooth ver 4.0 technology, offering both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio. This makes connecting with Roland’s Piano Every day app or streaming music from your smart device a breeze.
The AP710 doesn’t offer any Bluetooth functionality, so you’ll have to use a cable to connect to a smart device or computer to send and receive MIDI files. If that wireless Bluetooth connection is important, this could of course be a deal breaker.
Other Connector Ports
Aside from missing Bluetooth, the AP710 is fairly well equipped from a connectivity standpoint for a home-based digital piano with USB to host, a USB flash drive, MIDI in and out, dual headphone outputs, a L/MONO, R line in, L/MONO, R line out jacks and a port for the AC adaptor.
The HP702 is virtually the same except that the line-in is a stereo mini.
Additional Features
Both pianos have quite a bit going for them in terms of additional features, including great built-in music libraries. The AP710 has a library of 60 songs, and you can adjust the tempo and isolate right and left-hand parts, while the HP702 has a whopping 392 songs, many of which are popular piano etudes, exercises and the Roland Piano Masterpieces.
The AP710’s offers Casio famous Concert Play feature which allows you to play along with an orchestra recording, while both pianos cover staples like duet mode (twinpiano on the HP702), transpose and a metronome.
Both pianos also feature built-in MIDI recorders as well as Audio recording/playback (WAV format). Both also have built-in triple pedal systems (damper, sostenuto and soft) and beautiful cabinet designs and built-in key covers.
The AP710 is available in Black, while the HP702 is available in 4 finishes - Charcoal Black, Dark Rosewood, Light Oak, and White.
Final Thoughts
We’ll sum up our final thoughts on the Casio AP710 vs Roland HP702 here as such; the biggest highlight of the AP710 is the three beautiful grand piano patches paired with the powerful 6-speaker system and 60 watts of power.
If you’re intending on using your piano almost exclusively for playing acoustic piano music and you’re not going to be using headphones primarily, the Casio AP710 is going to offer an excellent playing experience for the price. The action is solid, and with a triple sensor on board, you’re going to get very accurate triggering if you’re working with VSTs in any capacity.
On the Roland side, you've got an instrument with modern updates like Bluetooth connectivity, very extensive sound editing capability, as well as tons of onboard sounds and a robust music library. We prefer the PHA4 action overall, and if you’re going to be playing with headphones a lot of the time, this critical deficiency in comparison to the AP710 becomes moot.
We hope this comparison has been helpful. Another great option in the category to consider would also be the Kawai CN-301, so add that one to your wishlist to check out as well.
A traditionally niche category that has been seeing some increased visibility over the past few years is the class of home digital pianos that essentially represent the entry point to the high-end quality tier.
Roland's HP704 and Kawai's CN39 digital piano are two great examples of this type of instrument. Similarly priced and essentially geared towards the same end user, this is a comparison that many piano shoppers have been faced with.
With that in mind, we’re going to do a detailed comparison of the Roland HP704 vs Kawai CN39 by diving into their sound engines, speaker systems, actions and connectivity. These are both killer pianos, but one is likely to stand out over the other at the end of the day.
Roland HP704 vs Kawai CN39 - Digital Piano Sound Comparison
Digital Piano Sound - Sampling vs Modeling
When it comes to the sound engines, we’ve essentially got a comparison of the two types of approaches to digital piano sound process - sampling vs modelling.
The HP704’s SuperNATURAL piano sound engine is using modelling meaning piano tone is generated in real-time via a series of algorithms, while the CN39’s Progressive Harmonic Imaging is a sample-based engine built around an 88 individual note stereo sample of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano.
Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Modelling Engine
When we first set up the HP704 out of the box and got playing, we felt there was a need to tweak the sound a little bit via Roland’s Piano Designer. Many modern digital pianos offer the user the ability to edit the character of the sound to their liking, and the HP700 series pianos are no different.
In this case, all we did was turn the brilliance down a little bit and adjusted the voicing, but the scope of parameters you can adjust here is vast and you won’t even necessarily need the owner’s manual for a tutorial - single note volume, single note tuning, single note character, key off-resonance, soundboard type, key off noise, hammer noise, full-scale string resonance, duplex scale, damper noise, damper resonance etc.
Kawai has the luxury of being able to record on the world’s finest concert grand pianos to use as the basis for their digital piano sound engines with the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX. Each note is recorded individually in stereo, and when the player presses a key, this sample is triggered.
You also have extensive control of the CN39’s sound via Kawai’s Virtual Technician feature which offers the user control of many of the same parameters as the HP704. We also tweaked the PHI engine by softening the low EQ for this review.
Check out the video to hear some side-by-side comparisons of the piano tone.
Polyphony Comparison
Both pianos are loaded in terms of polyphony - the CN39 has 256 notes on all tones which is very strong. The HP704 though manages to go even further with full limitless polyphony on the acoustic piano tones, and an almost unheard-of 384 notes on all non-acoustic piano tones.
Needless to say, you’re not likely to run out of polyphony on the CN39, and it would be virtually impossible to do so on the CN39.
Initial Sonic Observations
What are the big differences we’re hearing here? The lower register warmth coming off of the CN39 is quite a bit rounder than what the HP704 is producing. We’ve tried to edit them to minimize this difference, but it seems to be inherent to the sound engines.
For one, the SK-EX is just a really warm piano. There's so much lower range color that the SKEX emanates, and that’s been very nicely captured here. Dovetailing with this is a stronger sense of cabinet resonance that the CN39 is producing as well.
Speakers and Amplification
From a speaker standpoint, the CN39 has two down-facing main speakers and two upward-facing tweeters. The speakers, amps and signal processing were built in conjunction with Japanese audio company Onkyo.
The HP704 has a similarly configured powerful four-speaker system as well, however they are positioned so that the sound is more dispersed as opposed to directed right at your ear.
The total wattage on the HP704 is very robust at 60 watts, while the wattage is still good on the CN39 at 40 watts. The extra strength on the HP704 really becomes apparent in the mid-range with a deeper level of presence.
Roland spends an inordinate amount of time perfecting their speaker box designs, while Kawai’s emphasis is on signal processing. Despite two different areas of focus, we ultimately end up with two great sets of speakers here.
Different Tonal Experiences
After spending some time with both pianos, we would describe the overall sound of the CN39 as quite similar to a Steinway, while the HP704 more closely resembles the more intimate tone of a Bosendorfer.
If there was one weak link with many Roland digital pianos of the past, it was that the dynamic range always felt a little bit compressed. They've hugely improved on that in recent years, and the HP704 really attests to this as it's easy to get a nice intimate sound in the low volume range, and then totally dig in and get some power at higher volume levels.
That said, the CN39 still has a wider dynamic range overall, as well as in terms of the tonal variation that it's capable of.
Other Sounds - Electric Pianos and Organ Simulation
Once we move past the acoustic piano patches, the HP704 also uses a sample-based approach at this point so the differences between the two engines are not as pronounced. Both pianos are loaded in terms of quantity of sounds with 324 on the HP704 and 355 on the CN39.
The assortment of classic electric pianos is great on both, though we would have to give the nod to the HP704 overall in this category. On the other hand, when it comes to organ simulation, we feel like the CN39 has the HP704 beat pretty handily.
Pipe organs are another story, with the HP704 clearly the victor in this regard with some absolutely killer pipe organ patches.
Sonic Wrap-Up
Both pianos are delivering impressive sound engines and speaker systems to the mix. To our ears, the acoustic piano tone is warmer and has a wider dynamic and tonal range on the CN39, but the HP704 has a more powerful speaker system and thus a fuller sound with better acoustic projection.
And since we’re looking at two very different approaches to sound here, most people are going to listen to both side by side and instinctively have a preference.
Lastly, we should mention that both pianos have some added technology that enhances the experience when playing with headphones - Headphones 3D Ambience with the HP704, and Spatial Headphone Sound with the CN39.
Roland HP704 vs Kawai CN39 - Keyboard Action Comparison
Roland’s PHA-50 Keyboard Action
The HP704 is using Roland’s PHA-50 action while the CN39 is outfitted with Kawai’s Responsive Hammer III (RHIII) action. Both actions are found in several models throughout each manufacturer's product lineups and are highly regarded in the industry.
The PHA-50 features a longer key stick than the PHA4 action found in the HP702, and it uses a wood core to improve the dynamic resistance of the key. Roland products in general are known for durability, and the PHA50 certainly attests to this by being able to withstand some very intensive use.
There’s a stabilizer pin right at the very back of the key just like on an acoustic piano which helps with long-term stability, and it’s also nicely cushioned.
It boasts a triple sensor for accurate MIDI output, escapement and textured white and black keys that are a pleasure to play on.
Kawai’s Responsive Hammer III Action
The Kawai Responsive Hammer III action is entirely plastic based with no wood componentry, but otherwise specs out similar to the PHA-50 with a triple sensor, escapement and textured keytops.
This is the top plastic key action Kawai makes before jumping to wood-based actions, and is known for its excellent repetition speed and responsiveness.
It’s so well regarded that you can actually purchase an enhanced version of the Nord grand stage piano outfitted with the RHIII action instead of the basic Nord action it normally comes with.
How Do They Compare?
We generally find that the PHA-50 feels more natural when playing contemporary music where the dynamic range and finesse required are not as precise as what’s required when playing an exposed classic piece, for example.
The RHIII seems to offer more control in the lowest dynamic ranges - velocities that are quite difficult for digital piano actions to pull off. This is pretty consistent with Kawai actions in general, and as a result, it’s actually not as fun to play as the PHA50 if you’re playing pop or other contemporary styles.
The PHA-50 hits the bottom of the key bed a little bit harder than what you'd expect on a real acoustic piano, whereas this sensation is more true to an acoustic piano on the RHIII. There’s also a little bit more cushioning on the RHIII so it does feel like you can dig in a little bit more.
Digital Piano Action Wrap Up
We’ve undoubtedly got two solid and beloved key actions here. The wood that the PHA-50 keyboard is using is going to be viewed as an advantage since it improves the dynamic resistance of the key and the long-term durability.
The RHIII has an extra level of precision that will probably be greatly valued by those experienced with acoustic pianos and looking for a really solid practice action.
USB & Bluetooth Connectivity
Both of these pianos have a very solid stable of connectivity ports. For starters, both have discreet quarter-inch outputs, which means they’re both going to be totally appropriate for use in an institutional setting, or if you’re looking for a stationary digital piano for a church.
Both have USB recording and playback capability and USB to port connections, as well as both wireless Bluetooth MIDI for transmitting MIDI files and Bluetooth audio which essentially turns your musical instrument into a high-end audio system for listening to music.
You’ll want to check out Roland’s Piano Every Day app and Kawai’s PianoRemote apps via the Bluetooth MIDI connection.
They both have two headphone jacks, one-quarter inch, and one 3.5 mm, so you don't have to keep track of that adapter, and of course, a port for the AC adaptor power cord.
Aesthetic Considerations - Cabinet/Finishes
The Roland HP704 has a gorgeous cabinet and built-in piano stand that really looks the part of an acoustic upright piano - Roland’s cabinet design has been nothing short of stellar in recent years and a nice music rest for your sheet music and key cover caps it off.
It’s also available in a variety of finishes with their own SKU - Polished Ebony, Dark Rosewood, Charcoal Black and Light Oak. It’s also outfitted with Roland’s Progressive Damper Action Pedal with half-pedalling.
The Kawai CN39 also has a very nice cabinet, even if it’s not quite as substantial as the HP704. In terms of finishes, the CN39 is available in Satin Black, Premium Rosewood and Satin White.
The CN39 is equipped with Kawai’s Grand Feel Pedal System which also offers half-pedalling, and the spring tension is actually matched to an acoustic piano.
Final Thoughts
Either one of these instruments is a perfect option for a family or a person who knows that the piano plays a fairly important role in their life. Warranty coverage is great, and the fact that both pianos have the latest Bluetooth versions (Bluetooth ver 3 and 4) is also a nice touch.
Both pianos compare very well to some of the Yamaha Clavinova series instruments and would be a nice alternative practice instrument to an upright piano for a student, and even a serious player who for whatever reason needs to go digital as opposed to acoustic.
One of the most requested videos we’ve ever done was our comparison of the Roland FP-30 digital piano (since replaced by the Roland FP-30X) and Kawai ES110 (soon to be replaced by the Kawai ES120). These are two of the best-selling portable digital pianos in the world, and both are often touted as the two best options in the price range.
In this companion article to the video comparison, we’ll be taking a close look at both pianos, detailing their similarities and differences, while trying to paint a picture as to which one might be the best fit for you based on your personal needs.
Let’s get right into it.
Roland FP-30 vs Kawai ES110 - General Impressions
Let's start with some general impressions first. The ES110 is a great instrument for a wide number of reasons. For one, it weighs 26lbs meaning it’s one of the most portable 88-key weighted action digital pianos available. The FP-30 alternatively weighs a little bit over 31lbs.
The trade-off here is that due to the lower weight, the ES110 has less amplifier power with 14 watts in total compared to the FP-30, which has 22 watts of total power, and as a result, has a fuller sound overall, even though the ES110 actually has a warmer bass register.
Both pianos have very good actions, sound engines and overall functionality which is why both are so popular, with both beginners and more experienced musicians. Let’s compare how they sound.
Digital Piano Sound Comparison
Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging Sound Technology vs Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Sound
The ES110 is using Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging engine, with a handful of different concert grand piano samples. The core sample is from their EX concert grand piano, and this is recorded with 88-key piano sampling for a very high degree of authenticity. 192-note polyphony means you’re not going to have any concerns in this regard, and there’s a nice variety of reverb settings including Concert Hall and Small Hall.
On the FP-30, we’ve got the SuperNATURAL sound engine, with 128 notes of polyphony. More or less, the difference in piano tone between these two really just comes down to personal preference. Both sounds have tons of detail and complexity to the tone with additional elements like damper resonance, damper noise and fallback noise, and they offer the user the ability to edit a decent number of parameters within those tones.
At this point, pop over to the video to hear some playing examples of both of these pianos as you’ll really get a clearer idea of the tonal differences that way.
Importance of High-Quality Sound
Something we tell everybody who's shopping for a piano, whether it's an acoustic or a digital, and whether you’re browsing Amazon or actually setting foot in a showroom, is to never compromise on the acoustic piano sound because at the end of the day, it's really nice to be able to just sit down, turn your piano on, and immediately piano sound that you love and inspires you to play.
If you're starting with a foundation where the primary objective is to start building piano playing experience, especially for beginners, the odds increase of successful endeavour increase if the player really enjoys the piano sound.
Non-Acoustic Piano Sounds
While the ES110 has 8 total acoustic piano patches compared to 6 on the FP-30, there are 19 total sounds on the ES110 which is nearly doubled up on the FP-30 with 35.
Both pianos have a nice selection of harpsichord tones that are going to work quite well if you’re practicing some Baroque music.
Electric pianos and synths are probably the highlights aside from the acoustic piano patches on both instruments as the ES110 and FP-30 have a nice selection of highly useable e-piano and even some synthesizer tones.
Overall, quality is pretty much a draw, but the FP-30 of course wins from a quantity perspective
Stereo Speaker Systems
As we briefly noted above, both pianos have a solid set of speakers. The ES110 is somewhat limited from a power output perspective with only 14 watts of power, but the quality of the speaker system is very high and the result is an especially warm bass register.
The FP-30 has more punch with 22 watts of power though the difference is not as pronounced as one may think when comparing the specs sheets.
Sound Wrap-Up
To sum up, what you're getting with both pianos regarding sound as a whole when it comes to the acoustic piano sounds, there’s no question that both instruments have excellent default piano patches.
The ES110 has a wider dynamic range and a more authentic tonal palette with the differences between loud and soft playing. This dynamic range tends to be a little bit compressed on the FP-30, which for a classical musician may be a consideration. For contemporary styles, it probably won’t matter.
The ES110 also has a greater polyphony count, though, at 128 notes, the FP-30 is no slouch in this category with many fine stage pianos sitting at 128 notes.
On the other hand, the FP-30 has almost double the total sounds and a more powerful speaker system.
Digital Piano Action Comparison
The key actions on both of these instruments considering the price point they’re both available at, are simply outstanding. You can’t go wrong selecting either one of these, whether from a performance or durability perspective.
Kawai’s Responsive Hammer Compact Action
The ES110 is using Kawai’s first-generation version of their Responsive Hammer Compact action (RHC). There’s a second-generation version of this action now featured in their newest KDP series home digital pianos with a triple sensor, but this first generation is still using a dual sensor.
The dual sensor means this action will not be quite as accurate from a MIDI output perspective as a triple sensor keyboard action, so that’s something to keep in mind.
There’s a slight texture on both the white and black keys, and the edges are nicely rounded. This makes it really easy and smooth for playing anything with a lot of thick chords where your fingers have to straddle multiple keys.
In terms of the sense of weighting, this action is a little bit lighter than we have over on the FP-30, but it’s not as light as what you would get over on the Yamaha P125 for example.
Roland’s PHA4 Standard Hammer Action
Over on the FP-30, we have Roland’s PHA-4 Standard action, and you’ll find this action throughout Roland’s lineup on models up to twice the price of the FP-30.
This is a very well-liked and popular action and is generally regarded as the top action available at this price point. In fact, some people even prefer this action to the more expensive PHA50 action featured throughout the upper portion of Roland’s lineup.
The PHA4 is equipped with a triple sensor, meaning the touch sensitivity is very good and capable of highly accurate MIDI output. The texture on the keytops here is more dramatic than the texture on the RHC action, and Roland refers to this as the Ivory Feel.
Another thing that's important to note is that the PHA4 also has escapement on the action, whereas the Kawai does not have any escapement. Escapement simulates the sensation one gets when playing a grand piano and can help with increasing repetition speed.
Digital Piano Action Wrap Up
There’s an interesting quandary in terms of making a clear recommendation between the Roland FP-30 vs Kawai ES110. On the action front, we would say that the FP-30 is going to accommodate a wider range of pianists since it’s slightly heavier and has a triple sensor along with escapement - classical players will certainly appreciate all of these things.
On the other hand, we really appreciate the dynamic nature and the richness of the Kawai piano sound, and the action is still good enough even for piano lessons so if you prefer the sound of the ES110, you’re not really sacrificing with the RHC action.
Hardware Accessories
Both pianos come with all of the basics in the box, but there are also some additional accessories you may wish to consider as well.
To start with what’s included at no extra charge, both pianos come with sustain pedals, otherwise known as damper pedals (DP2 on the FP-30, F-10H Damper Pedal on the ES110) as well as music rests.
Of course, they both also include a power supply and owner’s manual so you have everything you need to plug your keyboard in and start playing without the need for additional purchases.
In terms of optional upgrades, you may wish to purchase, both pianos are available with matching designer keyboard stands and triple pedal units.
If you’re looking at one of these pianos primarily for portability, these accessories probably aren’t necessary. If however, you envision both pianos being fairly stationary in your home, you may want to consider these additions.
In the case of the Roland FP30, the stand is referred to as the KSC-70, while the pedal unit is called the KPD-70. Over on the ES110, the stand is the HML1 stand, while the pedals are called the F350.
Bluetooth and MIDI Connectivity
In terms of connectors, both pianos have a pretty solid selection built right in. For starters, both pianos are equipped with Bluetooth MIDI, and while this is quite common now when both of these pianos came out, this was a pretty big deal for the time.
Bluetooth Wireless MIDI connectivity is very convenient as it allows you to connect to iOS and Android devices and access music apps like Garageband without cables. You can also view sheet music from a tablet which is great.
Both companies also have their own apps that allow you to control the features and functions of the keyboards from a smart device like an iPad, meaning you use things like the metronome, transpose, drum rhythms, twin piano mode and even reverb setting without having to menu dive on the instrument itself.
Both pianos also have dual headphone jacks, but from here, this is where the connectivity options start to diverge.
The FP-30 has both USB Type A and Type B meaning there’s a flash drive that you can use the song recorder to record WAV files directly onto. The ES110 does not have any physical USB ports.
The ES110 however has traditional 5-pin MIDI ports both in and out, and more significantly, it also has dual 1/4” line out jacks (L/MONO, R) meaning you can connect it to an amplifier or PA system if you need more power.
The FP-30 does not have discreet line outputs, and this is probably the single biggest drawback of the instrument as it makes it that much more challenging to gig with since you need to fiddle around with adapters if you need to connect to an amp.
Final Thoughts
This pretty much wraps up our digital piano review and comparison of the Roland FP30 vs Kawai ES110. These are two highly capable instruments that absolutely dominate the class. Warranty claims are rare for both instances, but fortunately, coverage is great should a need arise.
The FP-30 costs about $100 more and that extra spend gets you a slightly more powerful amplifier, arguably better action and more built-in sounds.
On the Kawai side, the ES110 is about 5lbs lighter than the FP-30 at 26lbs and is an extremely portable instrument as a result. If the acoustic piano sound is really your main focus, the ES110 has arguably the top acoustic piano sound in the class (though some would argue Casio’s Privia grand piano sounds have a case here too).
Kawai has also included quite a few music books such as the Alfred method books built right in as part of a lesson function which is a nice bonus.
Thanks as always for reading, and make sure to check out the companion video on these great musical instruments!
In today’s article, we’re going to tackle one of the most commonly asked questions by piano shoppers; What are the differences between electric pianos vs digital pianos? Are they just the same thing? And which one should you be shopping for?
Read on and find out!
Electric vs Digital Pianos: Are They the Same Thing?
Let's start by dealing with these somewhat clumsy labels and provide some clarity. While both digital and electronic pianos use electricity, they're most definitely not the same thing.
If you're looking for a piano that runs on electricity these days, whether on Amazon or in a showroom, you're most certainly looking for a digital piano, not an electric piano, unless you’re specifically looking for a vintage instrument.
What is an Electric Piano?
Electric pianos, at least as we define them within the music business, refer to a piano which uses an analog electric component to pick up and/or amplify the sound generated by a string or some other kind of resonating metallic object.
An electric guitar is actually a perfect comparison, as we have a resonating string that interacts with a magnetic field which generates a wave shape in the electric current that can be subsequently amplified.
Anyone familiar with 1970s music in the Motown, R&B, or pop vein will undoubtedly be familiar with the classic sounds of various electric pianos such as Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and Yamaha.
Why Electric and not Digital?
What exactly makes a piano electric and not digital? Well, quite literally, the lack of digits. Even though electrons were flowing around, none of it was being turned into ones and zeroes. There wasn't a microprocessor to be found, which is one of the most basic requirements to call something a digital device.
Under this set of definitions, there aren't any electric pianos being manufactured or sold today with the way technology has evolved over the past several decades, with maybe a couple of exceptions in the synth realm.
That said, certain vintage electric pianos are coveted on the second-hand market for their unique timbre, even though manufacturers like Roland, Casio, Kawai, Nord stage pianos, and various VST companies all produce very convincing electric piano patches.
What is a Digital Piano?
Digital pianos generate tone in one of three ways. The first is by replaying samples of a real instrument that's been digitally stored, and this covers the vast majority of mid to high-end digital pianos currently being produced.
The second method involves generating different pitches based on a single PCM shape, and this is similar to how general MIDI sounds work. This method is, of course, common with synthesizers.
The last method involves tone being generated in real-time through complex algorithms, and this method is called modelling, which is still relatively rare among digital keyboards.
Which one Should you Consider?
Now that we’ve clarified the differences between Electric and Digital pianos, which one should you be looking for? Unless you're a professional keyboard player or vintage instrument enthusiast, you are most certainly looking for a digital piano.
Digital pianos have dramatically improved in quality and come down in price over the last 10 years for much wider accessibility. And just within the last two or three years, many instruments, even in the entry-level $500 USD range from companies like Alesis and Korg, will provide a sufficient musical experience to take your first piano lessons on.
Snapshot of the Digital Piano Market Today
The average price of a digital sold in 2020 is around $850 US or $1,100 Canadian with popular models like Yamaha digital pianos such as the Yamaha P125, Yamaha P45, and the YDP Arius and Clavinova series. Other best-selling models such as the Casio Privia PX and CDP series instruments also provide a stellar portable keyboard experience, and there are even arranger portable digital pianos available at this price point too.
Musical instruments in this price range are increasing offerings of modern technology such as Bluetooth Connectivity, quality hammer actions, believable sustain pedals, metronomes and various output jacks.
The best digital pianos in terms of quality range from $5,000-$15,000 USD, with some even featuring things like genuine acoustic grand and upright piano key actions with wooden keys and high-end speaker systems and amplifiers for exceptional piano sound.
Final Thoughts
We hope this article has helped clarify the differences between electric and digital pianos. As we’ve said, unless you’re specifically looking on the private market or with a vintage gear retailer, you’re almost 100% going to be looking at a digital piano.
Thanks for reading!
In this article we are going to solve the the age-old question - how do you get your device connected through Bluetooth to your Roland digital piano? When it comes to mobile devices, whether Android devices or iOS/iPad/Apple devices, we have a lot of people who come into our showroom who want to know the quickest, simplest way to hook up their device to their Roland digital piano. Whether you own a Roland FP-10, 30, 60, 90, the DP603 - virtually the entire Roland lineup has Bluetooth connectivity potential. And if you're not using the Bluetooth connection, you're missing out on a huge part of the experience that the latest digital technology provides.
How to Connect Your Roland Digital Piano to Bluetooth Review Video Transcription
The first thing to keep in mind is that there are two separate Bluetooth functions available on most of the Roland products. The first Bluetooth function is being able to stream Bluetooth audio to the piano, which allows you to use the instrument's speakers as if it was a Bluetooth speaker system. Function number two is having a two way MIDI connection between the device and your piano. Almost all of the Roland 88 note digital pianos have that second function. Only some of them have the Bluetooth Audio function. Make sure that you know which of these functions apply to the instrument that you have at home because there's the potential for frustration if you've got an FP-10 and you're expecting to get Bluetooth Audio working since that function isn't available on the FP10.
For the purposes of this article, we're going to use a Roland FP-90 as our example, because this is a model where both of the Bluetooth functions are available. We'll look at Bluetooth MIDI first because this function applies to almost all of Roland's digital pianos. I have spent many hours figuring out a consistent way that I use to get this connected and while it might not be the only way, I can tell you that this method works pretty much without fail.
Connecting With Bluetooth MIDI
Step One
Let's start with step number one, which is making sure that your Bluetooth radio is activated on your piano. If you're using an FP-60, FP-90 or DP603 for example, or any other model that has a graphic display, it's pretty easy to navigate because the function is right in front of you. In the case of the FP90, if you press the 'Function' button, you can use your left and right cursor keys to scroll through the different function options. Eventually, you'll turn over to the Bluetooth MIDI function, which is function number nine on here. From there you'll press 'Enter, which is again the function key, and you can use your left and right cursor to find all the different settings for the Bluetooth MIDI. The very first setting is Bluetooth MIDI 'on' or 'off' and you can use your plus or minus keys to flip it on or off. Once you've switched it to 'on' you're good to go. From there you can exit back out of that menu and we are now ready to connect the device.
If you are using an FP-10, FP-30, or something from the RP series, it's a little more complex in that there's no visual indicator on the screen for you to see the functions. On the FP-10 for example, you are going to hold the function key, and then press C#7 to turn Bluetooth MIDI on, or D7 to turn it off. The combination of Function button plus specific key will depend on which instrument you have, so you'll want to double check the user manual for that.
Step Two
Once your Bluetooth radio is turned on, grab the mobile device you want to connect the piano to. I'm using an iPhone 10 in this case, but the Roland software will connect with any Android device and any relatively recent Apple iOS device as long as the device itself has a fairly current Bluetooth radio system inside it.
The first thing I'm going to suggest you do, and Roland doesn't necessarily tell you to do this but I've seen this come up so many times while troubleshooting which is why I'm mentioning it here, is to turn your Bluetooth radio on in the settings of your mobile device, and even if the piano is showing up as a nearby device you can connect to, you'll want to select 'forget this device'. This avoids some potential problems down the road.
Step Three
Next, get out of the Bluetooth menu, and go into Roland's Piano Partner 2 app (if you haven't done so already, download this free app). Just a heads up, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data needs to be on for the Roland Piano Partner 2 app to work. Once you're in the app, go to the top right corner where it has the settings menu option, and then you'll see three boxes here. Bluetooth MIDI device, connection and initialize app settings. Now, the connection will not list anything so you want to press Bluetooth MIDI device. This is going to pull up all of the devices in the area that you can potentially connect to. You'll see the piano, in this case FP-90, and it will say it's set up for input and output but not connected. Click on that and it will say Bluetooth pairing request, and then click yes to pairing. Now you will see your device is connected. On the piano itself, the little Bluetooth symbol will blink a couple of times which indicates that these two are now ready to talk to each other.
Another useful thing to know is that you can always connect the Piano Partner 2 app to your Roland piano via a hard-wired connection. This connection needs to go from the USB port on the back of your piano (sqaure shaped port), into your USB device. This will likely require an adaptor, as you'll need to be able to plug a standard USB cable, or USB flash drive into your device.
Step Four
Once the connection is established, Roland Piano Partner 2 detects which model you've connected to, and will download the relevant data so that it offers up all of the different menus settings. This is a really deep app with all kinds of features such as a variety of rhythms you can play along to, and various demo music you can sit back and enjoy. One of my favorite wireless features within the Piano Partner 2 is the ability to wirelessly record MIDI information and play it back as a MIDI track. It's very easy to organize recordings and you have virtually unlimited capacity if you've got a fairly modern smartphone or tablet. One of the most useful applications of that Bluetooth MIDI connection, is being able to use the Piano Partner 2.
Piano Designer
There's another Roland app which should touch on as well which is called Piano Designer. This app is compatible with virtually all of the digital piano models as well and allows you to completely customize the acoustic piano sound of your instrument with parameters like, how open the lid is, cabinet resonance, soundboard type, hammer noise, and many more. You can spend a lot of time tinkering in here to get your ideal piano sound. The Bluetooth MIDI connection also allows you to send MIDI information in and out of popular DA software such as Logic, GarageBand, some educational software, such as Notejoy, Piano Maestro, and things like that.
Connecting With Bluetooth Audio
Now, let's talk about the other type of connection - Bluetooth audio. Again, on the device that has the Bluetooth audio enabled, the FP-90 being the one for this example.
You're going to want to go into the menu make sure that Bluetooth Audio is turned on and enabled, just like we did for the Bluetooth MIDI.
Now, there is no Roland app specifically for Bluetooth Audio as it works directly through the native Apple iOS software, and so you actually need to go to the iOS Bluetooth app within your normal settings.
This is where the FP-90 audio is actually going to show up. Once you're there, you'll simply click on FP-90 on your device and now they'll be paired.
That permits us to go into something like iTunes, select a song, and listen to it as it's streamed through the speakers of your piano. This makes for super easy play along.
Summary
So, let's just quickly review. We've got two different types of functions - Bluetooth Audio, which will only work on some models, and Bluetooth MIDI which almost every Roland digital piano is equipped with. If your piano has a visual menu it's quite easy to turn the Bluetooth on, and if not, you'll need to press the function key and another model specific key on the keyboard itself. For connecting the Piano Partner, make sure you're not connecting through the iOS menu, but rather the software itself. This will be the same when connecting to Piano Designer but for the audio function, you will use the menu on your mobile device.
If you're an Android user, a lot of the tips in this article will also apply. However, there's a known issue with Roland's connecting with Android through their two pieces of software, namely the Piano Partner 2 and the Piano Designer, with some of the features not quite working correctly. That's something both companies are working on and can hopefully get resolved soon.
I hope you're able to enjoy your Roland product a little bit more now. Thanks for being here, and have fun connecting your Roland to your mobile device!
