First time EVER that I've seen a review (and I've watched thousands) where someone explains polyphony spec *honestly.* Then talks real talk about wattage. MAJOR fantastic kudos. All of the thumbs up.
I just bought a FP-30X today, I compared it with Yamaha in the shop. Roland's action is slightly more similar to acoustic piano. For the sound, they are quite different for default piano setting, Roland is more mellow, yahama is more Sharp. So this is more personal taste. Both pianos are great value for price, good for practice.
I've tried the fp30, p125 and es110. They sounds all good but sounds different. The fp30 fall immediately off because the lack of proper audio-output and de keys are very heavy. Not suitable for learning or small children. The fp30 has a lot of voices, thats nice. The es110 has the best piano-sounds of three in my ears, good keys and audio-output. If I was an advanced pianist and use mainly pianosounds, I would chose this from the three pianos. But for me/us the p125 is the right piano; it has good keys (not heavy), good sounds quality of sampling (also for the other voices), proper audio-output and a nice feature that you can play not only midi input but also real audio/songs through the app so you can play along on it. I've heard that Yamaha put an audio interface within. This app has also the chords interpretor, which is great. An easy navigation is also a plus point. We enjoy practicing on the p125. Don't forget to support you local music store by buying the piano there so we can try instruments personally before buying. We need to help them survive.
@@pleco101 I have FP-30 about a month (P-45 before). And speakers is only thing i dont like. It sound so boxed and muffled... realy bad sound for life performance. But i use headphones 95% of time while practicing, its not deal breaker for me.
@@Ubasjuice Of course it's not too late Andrew. I'm 34 and picked up a guitar around 3 years ago. I play very well after three years, since I have put A LOT of time into it. I'm going to learn piano next, because I love the sound and it will help in learning music theory. If you really want it, do it now. Your maturity and devotion will speed you along.
Andrew Koa It’s never too late my friend! I started guitar at 23, drums at 48, and piano just 7 months ago as I turn 50 in 2 weeks. My videos are on my channel, it’s NEVER too late especially if you truly dedicate time each day to your music. 🤠
I have the Roland fp-30 , and it is truly amazing , I have “demo’d” and texted so many keyboards and the Roland is the only one that is truly breathtaking. And the way it feels , you can feel the keys kitting the hammers , it is obviously synthesized but it doesn’t feel that way.
clearly roland goes the personal sound route while yam aims at accuracy also the video shows the roland having much more bass but i'd like to know how the recording was performed
The Roland sounds like a STEINWAY GRAND, the Yamaha sounds like a YAMAHA GRAND. Classical vs. Jazzy. And although ANY acoustic piano can be made softer or brighter sounding by packing or fluffing their hammers, the Steinways are usually voiced milder for orchestral classical music, and the Yamahas brighter for pop, rock and jazz.
@@ahmedeldardeery2529 You will find more Steinways in orchestral concert halls than Yamahas. Whereas Yamahas are more used on rock, pop and jazz concerts.
@@zoltangz OMG really?! I love STEINWAY GRAND that's my dream piano. So I should go with ROLAND? I have played piano for over 10 yrs but stop for another 10 years. I moved to a new country looking for a digital piano instead.
@@lydialfly814 If you are looking for an Acoustic Concert Grand sound in a space saving upright piano housing in digital equivalent look at the ROLAND LX-908 .. you will be pleasantly surprised. And far less expensive than a Steinway..but with no tuning either!! A win-win situation for especially small homes or apartments.
After lots of searching,my final choice goes to Yamaha. Reasons; Bluetooth is smart but I like simple thing just using button is much easier. The Smart App is now for Android phone too. And the sound,for me is satisfying.
In 2003 I bought a Roland fp3 because of the similarity 2A acoustic piano. I tried many other keyboards including Yamaha but none felt or sounded like an actual acoustic Piano. For me as an artist to be able to express my emotions through my instrument the action was Paramount. I still practice on my fp3
Thank you for your input in your series of comparisons, especially in the sub $1000 range Yamahas and Rolands. As a decades-lapsed classically trained pianist with a 7 year old that’s very interested in playing, your expertise really has sold me on the Roland FP-30x when I came in thinking Yamaha. We will check them out in person but both my wife and I found your videos very enjoyable to watch and extremely helpful. Thanks!
I think that Roland keyboard is higher level and more similar to an acoustic grand piano. About the sound is personal and I prefer Roland for its crystal timbre!!!
After seeing this review I though that the Roland was the better choise. My daugther, after playing both, found the Yamaha more givng the feel as a real Yamaha Grand Piano. Also that the Yamaha was sounding better. The same conclusion by comparing the FP10 with the P125.
Great review of these two pianos. I had ordered the Roland, then saw a new negative review for it elsewhere. I'm so confused! Too bad I have the itch to purchase during Covid lockdown and I can't compare in person. Concerns over Bluetooth reliability along with a slight lean for the sound of the Yamaha are leading me to change my order to the Yamaha. Honestly I'm sure I'll love either one.
I was confused AF between Roland fp30, Yamaha p125 and Casio px-s1000. After reading like 100 blogs and seeing 100 videos, I have decided to go with Casio as it outperforms the other two in overall.
Very much enjoy your videos and reviews. I’ve been struggling to decide on FP-30 versus P125. The great news is that as of 2021 Roland have just announced the FP-30X which biggest change appears to be the inclusion of a pair of 1/4 inch jack line outputs. So I think that makes a big difference for many now considering what to buy based on your review and comments here. It’d be great to see a video to better understand all the differences between the 30 and the 30X. Eg if there are any changes to the audio recording as this still seems easier on the P-125 due to usb. Otherwise the X has pretty much made my decision based on the new outputs, more sounds, the key action, materials and a richer quality of the sounds always seemed to be a better choice than the P-125. My only remaining issue was the Yamaha app seems far more polished than the Roland, but I’m not sure if in the real world this is a deal breaker. I’d also like to understand more about the best lesson apps we can use with either of these to help us beginners learn! Thanks for the great videos!
Hi, I chose the FP-30 over the P-125 because of the Bluetooth. Now I feel disappointed, the Bluetooth connection is a trick, it does not allow you to play music through the piano, nor through the USB connection. Many learning books come with accompaniment but you can’t play it on the piano. No Bluetooth or USB Audio Interface, the Bluetooth and USB connections are only MIDI. Also, if you give yourself the work of converting all your accompaniment music to wav files and store them in a USB memory, then it is too difficult to search and find the one you want to play each time, and the Piano Partner 2 app does not help on this task either.
Hey Roberto, so sorry that you wound up with the FP30 hoping it was bluetooth Audio. We do our best to point out those differences in the video (th-cam.com/video/Umdlle5qD0s/w-d-xo.html) but of course we all miss those things from time to time. Is your local retailer or online store not willing to do some kind of exchange for you, so you wind up with something you love? Good luck with getting this resolved! -stu
I should be getting my P-125 today or tomorrow. I've tried both instruments in person and the quality of the Yamaha was so much better to me in the music store....in person.
Same here. I was sold on Roland after watching all these videos but when I tried both in a store, p125 immediately won, closer to my experience to an acoustic.
I like the sound of both, maybe gravitating towards Roland ever so slightly. One thing I noticed in the case of Yamaha was the sound - or rather a mechanical noise - of it's keyboard action.
For those of you guys who are experienced with Roland fp 30, have you had any issues with the clunky/rattling noise the keys make? I’ve heard some people complain about this issue and I’m really looking forward to buying the fp30 but this is my only concern.
Really? I am very interested in this one and maybe your comment would convince me. I am not a beginner and not a pro, and I would like a very good sound, deep sound. Something that would be close to the sound of a real piano
I'm agonizing between which of these to buy. I REALLY like the action on the FP-30, but I'm stressed about the lack of line outs. While practicing now (with my Alesis Recital Pro which has line outs) I am always connected to my audio interface which I use for sending audio to my phone for recording videos, and I also want to be able to use external speakers without having a bad signal. I've heard from many that headphone jacks provide a lower quality signal for external speakers etc. Should I stick with the P-125 as a result since it has line outs or is the headphone jack on the Roland actually ok?
At 4:48 you explain how you are planning on recording them once via the microphone and once directly through the audio jacks but sadly you never actually record them via cables, only through the microphone. It's so hard to get a good comparison between the two. It would be a huge help to hear the same exact beautiful melody (one with all dynamics from quiet/loud/deep/high) recorded directly through their outputs. It's really hard to compare the sound like this.
New to piano. Went to get myself a Roland FP30. I was biased towards Yamaha from the very beginning, due to its brand power. Didn't know about Roland before this. After trying both the pianos, personally, the Roland keyboard is much more superior than the P125 at this price range. Maybe the Yamaha P515 would be better purchase, but that's at a different price point. Thank you for your review.
Lot of really great points in this video far beyond anything I could contribute bar one thing: quality control. Not sure if it's Covid or what but I picked up an FP30 about a week ago and the E5 is already registering only 80-90% of strikes. Very disappointing. Understand it's a "cheap" piano but come on Roland. Also have one key that has a fairly loud mechanical click. The action is lovely but I'll be returning.
IMHO that "click" is the sustain pedal. Why Yamaha ships it a cheap sustain pedal when a better real pedal is $30-$50 is puzzling. Click. Click. Ckack.
Roland touch response is good but I bought Yamaha P-121 because I prefer the unique bright and classy balance tone of CFIIIS sample in the piano. Enjoy playing my P-121.
04:48 He says both pianos have stereo quarter inch outputs but the Yamaha p125 is the only one that has a true line out quarter inch. The Roland FP 30 has a mini jack and he says that seconds later 04:58 after saying they used an adapter connection for the Roland. And oh yeah he's using the phone Bluetooth function on the Roland to change sounds because it's a hassle to do it on the keyboard alone because the sounds aren't labeled. To change sounds on the Roland by touching the keys you have to use actual keys on the keyboard that aren't labeled. In that sense you have to memorize which note on the keys on the left side controls all the different sounds.
the labeling on the Roland is small print above the keys that's hard to see without sufficient lighting, it's a pain in the ass The Roland has two headohone outputs, one of them 1/4" TRS. Both stereo, but the Yamaha has the true dual TS line outputs indeed.
Just the review I was looking for. The EP sounds had already tipped the balance in favor of the Roland, but I like the escapement feel as well as the Bluetooth interface. The Yamaha has a nice, crisp tone like their acoustic pianos, but the EP emulation is, well, crappy. The samples you play remind me of a cheap Casio keyboard you buy for your kids. I used to have a Rhodes, and I miss it. The Roland's sound is far more realistic.
The Roland FP-30 I'm currently renting also, through the Roland Piano Partner app, allows you to change the brightness of the tone, and the weight of the touch, as well as microtuning and transposition. The only problem is the app has no way (that I can find) to Save those settings (including the choice of piano sound), you have to remember the lugubrious combination of buttons and notes to save . . . seems pretty silly. Where is the Save Settings button in the app? When you turn off the power, it reverts to the factory settings . . .
I really like the FP-30 but it's been a while since its release. Do you guys think there is anything better than the Roland in this price range? I am almost a complete beginner and I really appreciate a good feel and rich piano sound.
You'd be surprised - without naming names, I know of at least two award-winning studio pianists who use these to gig with. Not my first choice, but these machines do get a decent amount of stage time.
after viewing several of your reviews, im still deciding , after having a yamaha upright for 35 yrs, im leaning toward the roland, still need to actually TOUCH them.
Thanks for another very helpful review. Looks like the FP-30 wins on paper but I've finding myself liking the sounds of the P125 more I think so am not sure what my decision would be. I have a sustain pedal I use with my current midi keyboard. Would that work as an upgrade to either of these as a generic sustain pedal or does it need to be the specific Roland or Yamaha one. Sorry if that's a stupid question!
this was super helpful!!! thank you so much. i’m a beginner player but i am super picky with the piano sound and overall feel. when it comes to practicing it’s important that the keyboard doesn’t push me away with either slippery texture or annoying clicking sounds. i wonder though if the fp 30 is a bit more exhausting to use for longer periods of time due to the heavy key action. if only the yamaha had that ivory key texture it’d be perfect
I prefer Yamaha when it comes to sound as it has more clarity. The other deciding factor for me is which one resembles an acoustic piano touch/feel on the keys? Please help answer my question.
In 2018 or something I laid hands on the Yamaha P-45 in a local store here in Austin, TX and she took me away. Recently I've been shopping around, found this review and the whole bluetooth thing with the Roland kind of turns me off. I kinda wish I had the opportunity to try both in person, just for the opportunity to feel both, but I can't find a place that sells both side by side, so I purchased the 125 earlier. I know I'm going to love it. Also Tori Amos plays Yamaha grands apparently sometimes, so I think I made the right decision.
Stu thank you fir time and effort I enjoyed your video very much you play very well to I am just starting out always drawn to Yamaha sound however I respect everything you said.you are very informative and very professional just great many thanks Soby uk
I have a Yamaha P 255 I got 5 years ago and barely used it since I have two good acoustic pianos at home but now that I’m working super long hours I’m thinking of either keeping the Yamaha P 255 and getting a second digital piano like one of these for fun or trading in the my Yamaha P 255 for something even better. What do you recommend? I’m used to playing Mason and Hamlin Grand and a Charles R Walter Upright. I play mostly Chopin and church music. I’m looking for the best action and sound but with today’s technology. My Yamaha P 255 is great but probably a little outdated?
Roland sounds better. And I could hear the sustain pedal clacking on yamaha, but not on Roland. I'd say Roland would be the better board at this point. Great playing Sir.
@@doughthebow3699 I own the 125, the hammer hitting the string is a huge thing on that keyboard along with damper resonance. But I am thinking about returning the 125 and getting the fp30
Thank you so much for this review. These are the two products that I've been considering and i have been struggling to make a decision. Watching your review is bringing me a step closer to making a final purchase.
FP-30. I preferred the sound quality when listening to the two on every youtube video that i could find. Definitely was worried about the purchase as i hadn't been in the music stores. But all these reviews and comparisons have helped and I'm not disappointed with the product.
Normally i'd pick Roland, but Yamaha has that feature where they make the headphones signal sound more acoustic, and not just a direct feed. Thats important to me living in an apartment and having to wear the cans. Normally I hate using them, but they sound really good on the Yamaha.
On that note, it is also worth exploring some of the Kawai digital pianos as their headphone amp system is fantastic as well and helps provide a very wonderful "acoustic" sonic experience. :)
Não vou opinar sobre os sons, isso vai do gosto de cada um, mas quanto as teclas o sistema da Roland é mais preciso, mais silencioso e com melhor resposta para rápidas repetições.
well, literally almost all digital pianos are very very VEERY durable, since these do not use strings or hammers like real acoustic pianos it's very difficult to damage it or something. I would dare to say that breaking a piano it's as hard as breaking a flute, in both cases you must be a real crackhead to break it. So don't worry about it.
"Less Laborious" That's a new one for me. -Thanks for the great video. As a guitarist and fellow musician wanting to learn keys, this is super helpful to decide my first keyboard that I know one day I'd like to gig with.
I love your reviews because they are so detailed and informative. But I also like James Shawcross's reviews. And I'm a little confused because you guys have given opposite reviews for FP30. In any case, might just go in for the P-125 over the FP-30. Thanks a ton!
Yeah i have the same problem, but James is inconsistent imo. In one review he talks that roland action is superior to yamaha, and in another he says that Yamaha's action is better.
@@NoName-tt9ye I eventually figured that the more reviews I watch, the more confused I become. Ended up buying Casio's PX560. I love the action, love the features and sounds, LOVE the Hex engine! If you're still looking to buy, might want to check that one out. Price range is the same as FP30 and P-125, but WAYYYY more features.
@@ankurjahagirdar9670 All subjective. Tone, action, that's all about preferences. Now, how reliable a digital piano is overall, how much it usually costs and in what price range, those things are subjective. Different reviewers will favor different instruments and reviewers don't agree with each other much of the time.
Went to the music store expecting to buy the Roland. After testing both, Yamaha's action and sound were better for me. Saved me money. It's important to test them yourself in person
So I’m not a piano player yet but I love music. Was stuck between both Pianos. Yamaha is a very bright sound and I think sounds great on classical music. However the bass notes on the Roland seem to stand out. I like them both depending on the type of music you are playing. Just watched another great comparison which clearly showed up some separation between them. Both brilliant value for money.
Is it just me or is the roland keys really making noises? Idk guys I've heard a lot of the owners been complaining bout the key clicking noises happening from the fp series action so if anybody experiencing that let me know
If you can do a similar comparison between FP90 and P515 as thy both have the upgraded key action (PH50 and NWX). I was about to buy a fp30 and wondering if it’s worth jumping directly to FP90 (or P515).
I really love the PHA4 action. The GHS didnt suite me. But I thought The sound on The FP-10 was very low, and the audio output wasnt good enough, so I bought the FP30 and I love it!!!!
Is it difficult for your to play fast chords and fast melodies with the fp30 key action? When I tried the pha4 key action, I felt the edges to be too sharp compared to the p125's ghs action, though the pha4 had a better texture to it and I've heard it has escapement feel.
@@vatolegato not at all! I think its pretty responsive for the price and very enjoyable to play. I just bought a HP601 with the PHA50 Ive been playing both back and forth and honestly, the PHA4 isnt that far behind it. Although, I preffer the PHA50. The escapement in the PHA4 is more realistic than the PHA50 (in my opinion). PHA4 is an amazing action, by far the best in its price range. In my opinion.
Excuse! What the difference between these two type of keys (PH4 and GHS) ? I intend to buy a digital piano to study classical technique and repertoire. I will use acoustic pianos, eventually pipe organs and harpsichords (with the same technique from piano. For me the heavier they are, the best! But have a faster escape mechanism.
@@rhuanmikael1162 well, they are totally different. The GHS does NOT have escapement, or feel. The PHA4 has escapement and Ivory and Ebony feel. The PHA4 is much more similar to an acoustic. The GHS is more similar to a keyboard, although it is wheighted and graded, but Nothing more than that.
Absolutely! Me too. I have a Kawai es100. I also had a Yamaha P-45 and exchanged it for a Casio PX-S1000. Time for a new toy and I want to replace the Es-100. From the several videos I've watched on YT, the Korg sounds as if the grand piano sounds, which are most important to me, sound as good or better than the 110, 125, or fp30 AND, it's $600 (i.e., roughly $300 or so cheaper) including the furniture style stand and triple pedal. The one thing it lacks that most others have is the ability to overlay strings on top of the piano. However, my other keyboards do that and, in any event, I don't use that feature that much personally. I'd love to hear/see a review on the Korg B2SP because it may have the best grand piano sounds of the bunch AND it's about $300 less expensive.
Hii Stu, which model is better? FP30 OR FP50? I know that FP30 is newer relese and FP 50 is bit old, but both are available at same price in my region, so bit confused which one I should buy? Another major difference is the key action, FP50 has ivoryfeel G action n FP30 has latest PHA4 action. Does anyone know what is basic difference between these both actions? Is it ok to compromise with key action against other features? Any expert advice will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!
Best advice is that since you have narrowed down these two models you mention; Best to visit favorite music store and play on both extensively. You will likely be able to decide which model best fits your style and personal preferences. I use video reviews merely to narrow choices down to 2-3 devices whether guitars, drums, pianos, etc... It’s then time to visit Guitar Center or Sweetwater and play on those choices. Good luck with your decision, you cannot go wrong with Roland or Yamaha, both are great brands!
Hay algo que no me termina de convencer con el p125, y es una de las razones por la cual quiero cambiar mi psr e263 y es que se escucha el ^clic^ por así decirlo de las teclas. y es algo no se escucha en los 2 roland por los que me he interesado. fp10.fp30.
Robinson JdR Hace como 2 semanas estuve por comprar el fp10 en amazon que estaba a 499$ pero por temas de traerlo a mi país pensaba que el shipping saldría en 200$ y decidí esperar. Me arrepiento resulta que el shipping no es tanto dinero como pensaba pero ahora no esta disponible en amazon. Sin duda iré por Roland.
First time EVER that I've seen a review (and I've watched thousands) where someone explains polyphony spec *honestly.* Then talks real talk about wattage. MAJOR fantastic kudos. All of the thumbs up.
I just bought a FP-30X today, I compared it with Yamaha in the shop. Roland's action is slightly more similar to acoustic piano. For the sound, they are quite different for default piano setting, Roland is more mellow, yahama is more Sharp. So this is more personal taste. Both pianos are great value for price, good for practice.
I've tried the fp30, p125 and es110. They sounds all good but sounds different. The fp30 fall immediately off because the lack of proper audio-output and de keys are very heavy. Not suitable for learning or small children. The fp30 has a lot of voices, thats nice.
The es110 has the best piano-sounds of three in my ears, good keys and audio-output. If I was an advanced pianist and use mainly pianosounds, I would chose this from the three pianos.
But for me/us the p125 is the right piano; it has good keys (not heavy), good sounds quality of sampling (also for the other voices), proper audio-output and a nice feature that you can play not only midi input but also real audio/songs through the app so you can play along on it. I've heard that Yamaha put an audio interface within. This app has also the chords interpretor, which is great. An easy navigation is also a plus point. We enjoy practicing on the p125.
Don't forget to support you local music store by buying the piano there so we can try instruments personally before buying. We need to help them survive.
Great analysis there, agree with much of that. Thanks for adding to the conversation Ferdy! -stu
Very accuarte review mate!. Thanks!.
I'm so happy I got the FP-30. It will serve me for years as I learn the piano!
@@pleco101 I have FP-30 about a month (P-45 before). And speakers is only thing i dont like. It sound so boxed and muffled... realy bad sound for life performance. But i use headphones 95% of time while practicing, its not deal breaker for me.
Hi! I'm 30 and am planning to learn playing the piano. Is it too late for me and would you recommend the fp30?
@@Ubasjuice Of course it's not too late Andrew. I'm 34 and picked up a guitar around 3 years ago. I play very well after three years, since I have put A LOT of time into it. I'm going to learn piano next, because I love the sound and it will help in learning music theory. If you really want it, do it now. Your maturity and devotion will speed you along.
Andrew Koa It’s never too late my friend! I started guitar at 23, drums at 48, and piano just 7 months ago as I turn 50 in 2 weeks.
My videos are on my channel, it’s NEVER too late especially if you truly dedicate time each day to your music. 🤠
Does FP30 have an LINEIN OUTPUT so you can plug external speakers?
I have the Roland fp-30 , and it is truly amazing , I have “demo’d” and texted so many keyboards and the Roland is the only one that is truly breathtaking. And the way it feels , you can feel the keys kitting the hammers , it is obviously synthesized but it doesn’t feel that way.
The troll in every video, lol
Аитор Хара troll?
Thank you so much for the amazing review...
Hi there, thanks a lot for watching and commenting, I really appreciate it Ray! Hope to see you back for more :) -stu
@@MerriamPianos ok
The legendary Ray Mak!
why are you everywhere
I´m a full time Yamaha fan but I have to recognize that Roland sounds are also great.
clearly roland goes the personal sound route while yam aims at accuracy
also the video shows the roland having much more bass but i'd like to know how the recording was performed
The Roland sounds like a STEINWAY GRAND, the Yamaha sounds like a YAMAHA GRAND. Classical vs. Jazzy. And although ANY acoustic piano can be made softer or brighter sounding by packing or fluffing their hammers, the Steinways are usually voiced milder for orchestral classical music, and the Yamahas brighter for pop, rock and jazz.
Oh no. Steinway is jazzy or Classical and this Yamaha may be more jazzy but fine for Classical as well. Lots of great jazz players play Steinways.
Which one is the classical? The yamaha?
@@ahmedeldardeery2529 You will find more Steinways in orchestral concert halls than Yamahas. Whereas Yamahas are more used on rock, pop and jazz concerts.
@@zoltangz OMG really?! I love STEINWAY GRAND that's my dream piano. So I should go with ROLAND? I have played piano for over 10 yrs but stop for another 10 years. I moved to a new country looking for a digital piano instead.
@@lydialfly814 If you are looking for an Acoustic Concert Grand sound in a space saving upright piano housing in digital equivalent look at the ROLAND LX-908 .. you will be pleasantly surprised. And far less expensive than a Steinway..but with no tuning either!! A win-win situation for especially small homes or apartments.
7:00 - Yamaha
6:21 - Ronald
6:21 - Ronald MC Donald
Finally..decided..
because of this review
FP 30 ❤
Thank you Sir
WHYYYYYYYYYY i like the sound of the p125 more but i like the action and feel of keys on the fp 30 more, so hard to decide
What did u finally decide
@@normalonevideos9778 we continue waiting for the answer xD
I'm having the same problem😂 KoVo Empire do get back to us with your final decision
As me
im gonna take the FP30, decided.
Again - a very helpful and fantastic review in terms of your eloquence, detailed information and the sheer fun watching this... Thanks a lot Stu!
Much love! Thanks for the comments, and glad you liked the video. :) -stu
After lots of searching,my final choice goes to Yamaha. Reasons; Bluetooth is smart but I like simple thing just using button is much easier. The Smart App is now for Android phone too. And the sound,for me is satisfying.
How is it? Is it better than the Roland FP 10/30?
In 2003 I bought a Roland fp3 because of the similarity 2A acoustic piano. I tried many other keyboards including Yamaha but none felt or sounded like an actual acoustic Piano. For me as an artist to be able to express my emotions through my instrument the action was Paramount. I still practice on my fp3
Thank you for your input in your series of comparisons, especially in the sub $1000 range Yamahas and Rolands. As a decades-lapsed classically trained pianist with a 7 year old that’s very interested in playing, your expertise really has sold me on the Roland FP-30x when I came in thinking Yamaha. We will check them out in person but both my wife and I found your videos very enjoyable to watch and extremely helpful. Thanks!
I'm trying to decide on the same thing. Still on the fence.
The action portion of your reviews are so helpful. I think that sound-wise, these brands pretty much have their act together anyway. Thanks so much.
Glad you reupload this with line in sounds from the piano this time.
...oops! yep, first one slipped through... nice catch ;) -stu
I think that Roland keyboard is higher level and more similar to an acoustic grand piano.
About the sound is personal and I prefer Roland for its crystal timbre!!!
No
@@محمدالخلفي-ط1ل Oh Yes!! Rolands are way better!!
After seeing this review I though that the Roland was the better choise. My daugther, after playing both, found the Yamaha more givng the feel as a real Yamaha Grand Piano. Also that the Yamaha was sounding better. The same conclusion by comparing the FP10 with the P125.
Very helpful, eloquent, detailed, and professional review. Thanks for doing these reviews!
Great review of these two pianos. I had ordered the Roland, then saw a new negative review for it elsewhere. I'm so confused! Too bad I have the itch to purchase during Covid lockdown and I can't compare in person. Concerns over Bluetooth reliability along with a slight lean for the sound of the Yamaha are leading me to change my order to the Yamaha. Honestly I'm sure I'll love either one.
I was confused AF between Roland fp30, Yamaha p125 and Casio px-s1000. After reading like 100 blogs and seeing 100 videos, I have decided to go with Casio as it outperforms the other two in overall.
@@pleco101 Well, I ended up going with FP-30 as Casio had some weight issues. The black keys weighted different than the white ones.
@@NoBakwas how is it? Did you find any Bluetooth connectivity problems?
Very much enjoy your videos and reviews. I’ve been struggling to decide on FP-30 versus P125.
The great news is that as of 2021 Roland have just announced the FP-30X which biggest change appears to be the inclusion of a pair of 1/4 inch jack line outputs. So I think that makes a big difference for many now considering what to buy based on your review and comments here. It’d be great to see a video to better understand all the differences between the 30 and the 30X. Eg if there are any changes to the audio recording as this still seems easier on the P-125 due to usb. Otherwise the X has pretty much made my decision based on the new outputs, more sounds, the key action, materials and a richer quality of the sounds always seemed to be a better choice than the P-125. My only remaining issue was the Yamaha app seems far more polished than the Roland, but I’m not sure if in the real world this is a deal breaker. I’d also like to understand more about the best lesson apps we can use with either of these to help us beginners learn! Thanks for the great videos!
Still now I think Yamaha p-125 better then fp-30x
Hi,
I chose the FP-30 over the P-125 because of the Bluetooth. Now I feel disappointed, the Bluetooth connection is a trick, it does not allow you to play music through the piano, nor through the USB connection. Many learning books come with accompaniment but you can’t play it on the piano. No Bluetooth or USB Audio Interface, the Bluetooth and USB connections are only MIDI.
Also, if you give yourself the work of converting all your accompaniment music to wav files and store them in a USB memory, then it is too difficult to search and find the one you want to play each time, and the Piano Partner 2 app does not help on this task either.
Hey Roberto, so sorry that you wound up with the FP30 hoping it was bluetooth Audio. We do our best to point out those differences in the video (th-cam.com/video/Umdlle5qD0s/w-d-xo.html) but of course we all miss those things from time to time. Is your local retailer or online store not willing to do some kind of exchange for you, so you wind up with something you love? Good luck with getting this resolved! -stu
I should be getting my P-125 today or tomorrow. I've tried both instruments in person and the quality of the Yamaha was so much better to me in the music store....in person.
Nice hint, now that you have the piano, what do you think?
@@kkt6195 I absolutely love it. The sound and quality is amazing.
@@cabledude79 And the key action is superio too.
Same here. I was sold on Roland after watching all these videos but when I tried both in a store, p125 immediately won, closer to my experience to an acoustic.
I like the sound of both, maybe gravitating towards Roland ever so slightly. One thing I noticed in the case of Yamaha was the sound - or rather a mechanical noise - of it's keyboard action.
For those of you guys who are experienced with Roland fp 30, have you had any issues with the clunky/rattling noise the keys make? I’ve heard some people complain about this issue and I’m really looking forward to buying the fp30 but this is my only concern.
Yamaha keys start rattling in some time, when key rulers grease shifts ) It happens pretty fast for keys which are used intensively.
I can hear both Rol and Yam keys striking, yet it seems that Yam's key are a bit louder. Am I mistaken?
I myself am about to buy Roland.
This dude just starts to play MJ and every note he adds makes the song even better, u rock man.
The sound of Yamaha 125,on it's own , is more realistic to me, after 30 years of experience whit classic piano :) The sound is everything to me :)
Really? I am very interested in this one and maybe your comment would convince me. I am not a beginner and not a pro, and I would like a very good sound, deep sound. Something that would be close to the sound of a real piano
@@theoaloccio1463
Yamaha sound quality better .
Rolland keys action better.
I agree
Sorry but your review doesn't help me to decide between the two - I think I need to hear Mary had a Little Lamb played on both. Slowly.
Lmfao
Jajajajajjajajajaj
Fantastic review and comparison of these two pianos. Still undecided but looks like whichever I end up getting will be a great choice regardless.
I have a Yamaha and plan to buy a other one (but probably a upright, with real strings) ... But here I prefer the Roland...
Thanks so much for clarifying what terms like polyphony mean. That makes way more sense to me now!
You're welcome - glad you found it helpful!
I'm agonizing between which of these to buy. I REALLY like the action on the FP-30, but I'm stressed about the lack of line outs. While practicing now (with my Alesis Recital Pro which has line outs) I am always connected to my audio interface which I use for sending audio to my phone for recording videos, and I also want to be able to use external speakers without having a bad signal. I've heard from many that headphone jacks provide a lower quality signal for external speakers etc. Should I stick with the P-125 as a result since it has line outs or is the headphone jack on the Roland actually ok?
The difference in sound quality is barely noticeable if you are a beginner, even experts sometimes have a hard time hearing a difference.
At 4:48 you explain how you are planning on recording them once via the microphone and once directly through the audio jacks but sadly you never actually record them via cables, only through the microphone. It's so hard to get a good comparison between the two. It would be a huge help to hear the same exact beautiful melody (one with all dynamics from quiet/loud/deep/high) recorded directly through their outputs. It's really hard to compare the sound like this.
I think you misunderstood him as he mentioned the video is recording both from the audio jack outputs and also from his lav mic.
@@syphonic but when is he recording from the audio jack? I can always hear him hitting the keys
New to piano. Went to get myself a Roland FP30. I was biased towards Yamaha from the very beginning, due to its brand power. Didn't know about Roland before this. After trying both the pianos, personally, the Roland keyboard is much more superior than the P125 at this price range. Maybe the Yamaha P515 would be better purchase, but that's at a different price point. Thank you for your review.
Lot of really great points in this video far beyond anything I could contribute bar one thing: quality control. Not sure if it's Covid or what but I picked up an FP30 about a week ago and the E5 is already registering only 80-90% of strikes. Very disappointing. Understand it's a "cheap" piano but come on Roland. Also have one key that has a fairly loud mechanical click. The action is lovely but I'll be returning.
IMHO that "click" is the sustain pedal. Why Yamaha ships it a cheap sustain pedal when a better real pedal is $30-$50 is puzzling.
Click. Click. Ckack.
Roland touch response is good but I bought Yamaha P-121 because I prefer the unique bright and classy balance tone of CFIIIS sample in the piano. Enjoy playing my P-121.
> CFIIIS
whoa yamaha makes prestige grand pianos. Roland does not.
04:48 He says both pianos have stereo quarter inch outputs but the Yamaha p125 is the only one that has a true line out quarter inch. The Roland FP 30 has a mini jack and he says that seconds later 04:58 after saying they used an adapter connection for the Roland.
And oh yeah he's using the phone Bluetooth function on the Roland to change sounds because it's a hassle to do it on the keyboard alone because the sounds aren't labeled. To change sounds on the Roland by touching the keys you have to use actual keys on the keyboard that aren't labeled. In that sense you have to memorize which note on the keys on the left side controls all the different sounds.
the labeling on the Roland is small print above the keys that's hard to see without sufficient lighting, it's a pain in the ass
The Roland has two headohone outputs, one of them 1/4" TRS. Both stereo, but the Yamaha has the true dual TS line outputs indeed.
Thanks for the video . It was a much awaited one
Future the Roland may develop its own acoustics wall for anywhere playing with gravitational shield acoutics
Thank you so much for this instructional review. Based on your review, I actually canceled my Yamaha purchase and bought the Roland.
Is 128 note Polyphony enough to play classical music???
Yes it is enough. ☺ Thanks
Just the review I was looking for. The EP sounds had already tipped the balance in favor of the Roland, but I like the escapement feel as well as the Bluetooth interface. The Yamaha has a nice, crisp tone like their acoustic pianos, but the EP emulation is, well, crappy. The samples you play remind me of a cheap Casio keyboard you buy for your kids. I used to have a Rhodes, and I miss it. The Roland's sound is far more realistic.
The Roland FP-30 I'm currently renting also, through the Roland Piano Partner app, allows you to change the brightness of the tone, and the weight of the touch, as well as microtuning and transposition. The only problem is the app has no way (that I can find) to Save those settings (including the choice of piano sound), you have to remember the lugubrious combination of buttons and notes to save . . . seems pretty silly. Where is the Save Settings button in the app? When you turn off the power, it reverts to the factory settings . . .
Good question I hope he sees this
@@briaharris183 read the instructions...there is a way to save all your changes...the function is called MEMORY BACKUP
Im just about to start piano, this was a fantastic review, thank you. Roland won me over.
I really like the FP-30 but it's been a while since its release.
Do you guys think there is anything better than the Roland in this price range?
I am almost a complete beginner and I really appreciate a good feel and rich piano sound.
Apparently the Kawai Es-110 does a great job. You can easily find review about this on yt
In my opinion the Kawai ES110 is even a bit better than the FP-30
@@befa5322 I found the ES110 to be noisy at lease the way I play (not great)
Super review and you play as a Master! Beautiful.
Very helpful review and some beautiful playing! Thank you.
Sound of both instruments will rely on sound system being used. Good Luck everyone. Buy whichever is less expensive or more sturdy for the gigs.
Doubt anyone gigs on lower end ones like these.
You'd be surprised - without naming names, I know of at least two award-winning studio pianists who use these to gig with. Not my first choice, but these machines do get a decent amount of stage time.
really helpful review. Thank you! it's a tough call, but I think it will be the Roland for me.
Good choice!
after viewing several of your reviews, im still deciding , after having a yamaha upright for 35 yrs, im leaning toward the roland, still need to actually TOUCH them.
We got the Roland FP30 love it!
What song have you played at 9:43 ? It's truly amazing.
Thanks for another very helpful review. Looks like the FP-30 wins on paper but I've finding myself liking the sounds of the P125 more I think so am not sure what my decision would be. I have a sustain pedal I use with my current midi keyboard. Would that work as an upgrade to either of these as a generic sustain pedal or does it need to be the specific Roland or Yamaha one. Sorry if that's a stupid question!
same, for some reason I like the yamaha sounds much more.. what did you end up buying?
Nice transition into The Way You Make Me Feel! 👌
Michael Jackson is the goat :D
this was super helpful!!! thank you so much. i’m a beginner player but i am super picky with the piano sound and overall feel. when it comes to practicing it’s important that the keyboard doesn’t push me away with either slippery texture or annoying clicking sounds. i wonder though if the fp 30 is a bit more exhausting to use for longer periods of time due to the heavy key action. if only the yamaha had that ivory key texture it’d be perfect
Roland key action is heavy in all the travel and keystroke. Be carerful mate!...
I prefer Yamaha when it comes to sound as it has more clarity. The other deciding factor for me is which one resembles an acoustic piano touch/feel on the keys? Please help answer my question.
Thank you very much Master, greetings from Monterrey N.L. Mex.
Hola papu
Y el kks?
Thanks for this video. It was extremely enlightening and important to my decision.
The integrated speakers are the least important part of a digital piano. You can simply plug in a nice speaker if you really picky about your sound.
But what about jack outputs? As I understood, P125 has 2 output jack for stereo sound and FP30 only has one. Have you tried that?
Yamaha it is for me but very difficult choice.. like the feel of the roland keys
Bluetooth connectivity
The fp30 doesn't have line outputs.... the yamaha on the other hand has 2
@@normalonevideos9778
With cable better
@@wpboss9805 I feel like that's the biggest influence on choice. But he did mention that the roland headphone outputs can be used as line outputs
@@wpboss9805 what is the line outputs for?
In 2018 or something I laid hands on the Yamaha P-45 in a local store here in Austin, TX and she took me away.
Recently I've been shopping around, found this review and the whole bluetooth thing with the Roland kind of turns me off. I kinda wish I had the opportunity to try both in person, just for the opportunity to feel both, but I can't find a place that sells both side by side, so I purchased the 125 earlier. I know I'm going to love it.
Also Tori Amos plays Yamaha grands apparently sometimes, so I think I made the right decision.
PS. Thank you for the review, man. You play the piano like a damn machine and I really appreciate your insight.
Stu thank you fir time and effort I enjoyed your video very much you play very well to I am just starting out always drawn to Yamaha sound however I respect everything you said.you are very informative and very professional just great many thanks Soby uk
As a beginner, I’ll sound just as lousy regardless which piano keyboard I play so I’m in a win-win situation. 🎹✋🤠🤚🎹
Great video, I will go with the Yamaha.
Although review helpful, would have appreciated some classical examples (Bach/Chopin)
I have a Yamaha P 255 I got 5 years ago and barely used it since I have two good acoustic pianos at home but now that I’m working super long hours I’m thinking of either keeping the Yamaha P 255 and getting a second digital piano like one of these for fun or trading in the my Yamaha P 255 for something even better. What do you recommend? I’m used to playing Mason and Hamlin Grand and a Charles R Walter Upright. I play mostly Chopin and church music. I’m looking for the best action and sound but with today’s technology. My Yamaha P 255 is great but probably a little outdated?
Who are you? Two acoustic pianos at home? Get outta here!
Roland sounds better. And I could hear the sustain pedal clacking on yamaha, but not on Roland. I'd say Roland would be the better board at this point. Great playing Sir.
Yamaha better sound.
Just change pedal 😜
You can perfectly hear the key striking on the yamaha, scaring!! But I would like you know what kind of speakers are you using...thanks!
probably because that man slams the keys like a hungry ape
@@doughthebow3699 I own the 125, the hammer hitting the string is a huge thing on that keyboard along with damper resonance. But I am thinking about returning the 125 and getting the fp30
@@MrPantherBH1 hrnng
Thank you so much for this review. These are the two products that I've been considering and i have been struggling to make a decision. Watching your review is bringing me a step closer to making a final purchase.
Have you decided yet? Im in the same boat
FP-30. I preferred the sound quality when listening to the two on every youtube video that i could find. Definitely was worried about the purchase as i hadn't been in the music stores. But all these reviews and comparisons have helped and I'm not disappointed with the product.
sonas p thanks alot! I’m probably going for the same option , i like the sound it fits my classical type that i want to be able to play one day .
Abner Serania funny thing I ended up buying the P-125 and I love it!
I love the way the Yamaha sounds but I'm not as in love with its action as that of the roland. Making a choice is hella hard
Got to 10 minutes in and I decided to buy the Roland!!
Outstanding review. Thank you
Normally i'd pick Roland, but Yamaha has that feature where they make the headphones signal sound more acoustic, and not just a direct feed. Thats important to me living in an apartment and having to wear the cans. Normally I hate using them, but they sound really good on the Yamaha.
On that note, it is also worth exploring some of the Kawai digital pianos as their headphone amp system is fantastic as well and helps provide a very wonderful "acoustic" sonic experience. :)
Não vou opinar sobre os sons, isso vai do gosto de cada um, mas quanto as teclas o sistema da Roland é mais preciso, mais silencioso e com melhor resposta para rápidas repetições.
As teclas do FP-30 são mais pesadas que as do P-125?
Really professional, helpful review. Thank you.
What about [du]riable, which one win? (generally does not break faster/earlier)
well, literally almost all digital pianos are very very VEERY durable, since these do not use strings or hammers like real acoustic pianos it's very difficult to damage it or something. I would dare to say that breaking a piano it's as hard as breaking a flute, in both cases you must be a real crackhead to break it. So don't worry about it.
yeah, i have yamaha psr, durable as hell like a stone brick
Fantastic review and very entertaining too!
13:38
On the right side of the pic
Pertaining to key action.
Labelling problem.
Its roland vs roland
Rather than roland vs yamaha
I saw that too 🤣
Glad i went with the yamaha, it just sounds more natural to me. Now i need to start learning to play it
Congrats on your new piano! Learning and playing is the best part of the journey! ;)
Does Roland fp30 really have three sensors? Shop assistants say it has only 2 and its impossible to play fast repetitions. See 21.51of the video
Thanx, Stu. Great review. 🌹🌹🌹
"Less Laborious" That's a new one for me. -Thanks for the great video. As a guitarist and fellow musician wanting to learn keys, this is super helpful to decide my first keyboard that I know one day I'd like to gig with.
Either one will sound horrible with my playing skills.
🤣😂
Thank you very much for this helpful review.
Roland for LIFE, man!
What songs are you playing? Are those just improv riffs? I absolutely love those sounds
I love your reviews because they are so detailed and informative. But I also like James Shawcross's reviews. And I'm a little confused because you guys have given opposite reviews for FP30. In any case, might just go in for the P-125 over the FP-30. Thanks a ton!
Yeah i have the same problem, but James is inconsistent imo. In one review he talks that roland action is superior to yamaha, and in another he says that Yamaha's action is better.
@@NoName-tt9ye I eventually figured that the more reviews I watch, the more confused I become. Ended up buying Casio's PX560. I love the action, love the features and sounds, LOVE the Hex engine! If you're still looking to buy, might want to check that one out. Price range is the same as FP30 and P-125, but WAYYYY more features.
@@ankurjahagirdar9670 Im definitely gonna conisder that option.
@@ankurjahagirdar9670 All subjective. Tone, action, that's all about preferences. Now, how reliable a digital piano is overall, how much it usually costs and in what price range, those things are subjective. Different reviewers will favor different instruments and reviewers don't agree with each other much of the time.
@@NoName-tt9ye these reviews are paid I think.Better to check out pianoforever channel as he do nonsponcered honest reviews
Went to the music store expecting to buy the Roland. After testing both, Yamaha's action and sound were better for me. Saved me money. It's important to test them yourself in person
Absolutely! At the end of the day, nothing can replace testing the pianos for yourself in person whenever possible. :)
So I’m not a piano player yet but I love music. Was stuck between both Pianos. Yamaha is a very bright sound and I think sounds great on classical music.
However the bass notes on the Roland seem to stand out.
I like them both depending on the type of music you are playing.
Just watched another great comparison which clearly showed up some separation between them.
Both brilliant value for money.
I love the brighter/metallic tone of Rolands.
Is it just me or is the roland keys really making noises? Idk guys I've heard a lot of the owners been complaining bout the key clicking noises happening from the fp series action so if anybody experiencing that let me know
I have an fp 30 and the keys sure make noises.
@@ciarel how long have u been using tho?
I keep hearing clicking issues on both of these keyboards and that is a major turn off on BOTH sides
If you can do a similar comparison between FP90 and P515 as thy both have the upgraded key action (PH50 and NWX). I was about to buy a fp30 and wondering if it’s worth jumping directly to FP90 (or P515).
I recommend korg grand stage.
roland all the way, i first liked the yamaha but hearing roland side by side with yamaha, i can't stop listening to roland
For me the opposite
Love Stu’s way of explaining things and his awesome playing
I really love the PHA4 action. The GHS didnt suite me. But I thought The sound on The FP-10 was very low, and the audio output wasnt good enough, so I bought the FP30 and I love it!!!!
Is it difficult for your to play fast chords and fast melodies with the fp30 key action? When I tried the pha4 key action, I felt the edges to be too sharp compared to the p125's ghs action, though the pha4 had a better texture to it and I've heard it has escapement feel.
@@vatolegato not at all! I think its pretty responsive for the price and very enjoyable to play. I just bought a HP601 with the PHA50 Ive been playing both back and forth and honestly, the PHA4 isnt that far behind it. Although, I preffer the PHA50. The escapement in the PHA4 is more realistic than the PHA50 (in my opinion).
PHA4 is an amazing action, by far the best in its price range. In my opinion.
Excuse! What the difference between these two type of keys (PH4 and GHS) ? I intend to buy a digital piano to study classical technique and repertoire. I will use acoustic pianos, eventually pipe organs and harpsichords (with the same technique from piano. For me the heavier they are, the best! But have a faster escape mechanism.
@@rhuanmikael1162 well, they are totally different. The GHS does NOT have escapement, or feel. The PHA4 has escapement and Ivory and Ebony feel. The PHA4 is much more similar to an acoustic. The GHS is more similar to a keyboard, although it is wheighted and graded, but Nothing more than that.
What's PHA4 and why is it better than graded hammer standard (whatever that means)
Pls do another comparison. yamaha P125 vs Korg B2sp. thanks btw. i really enjoy it
Absolutely! Me too. I have a Kawai es100. I also had a Yamaha P-45 and exchanged it for a Casio PX-S1000. Time for a new toy and I want to replace the Es-100. From the several videos I've watched on YT, the Korg sounds as if the grand piano sounds, which are most important to me, sound as good or better than the 110, 125, or fp30 AND, it's $600 (i.e., roughly $300 or so cheaper) including the furniture style stand and triple pedal. The one thing it lacks that most others have is the ability to overlay strings on top of the piano. However, my other keyboards do that and, in any event, I don't use that feature that much personally. I'd love to hear/see a review on the Korg B2SP because it may have the best grand piano sounds of the bunch AND it's about $300 less expensive.
Very thorough!
Aside from the acoustic piano sounds, my personal favourites are Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Harpsichord and Hammond Organ,
If I may add my 5 Cent: For the Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Organs: Yamaha is the better option. Especially the Rhodes in the FP-30 is not acceptable.
i like roland sound, good play in pop song and anime song
Hii Stu, which model is better? FP30 OR FP50?
I know that FP30 is newer relese and FP 50 is bit old, but both are available at same price in my region, so bit confused which one I should buy? Another major difference is the key action, FP50 has ivoryfeel G action n FP30 has latest PHA4 action. Does anyone know what is basic difference between these both actions? Is it ok to compromise with key action against other features?
Any expert advice will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!
Best advice is that since you have narrowed down these two models you mention; Best to visit favorite music store and play on both extensively.
You will likely be able to decide which model best fits your style and personal preferences.
I use video reviews merely to narrow choices down to 2-3 devices whether guitars, drums, pianos, etc...
It’s then time to visit Guitar Center or Sweetwater and play on those choices. Good luck with your decision, you cannot go wrong with Roland or Yamaha, both are great brands!
Hay algo que no me termina de convencer con el p125, y es una de las razones por la cual quiero cambiar mi psr e263 y es que se escucha el ^clic^ por así decirlo de las teclas. y es algo no se escucha en los 2 roland por los que me he interesado. fp10.fp30.
Al final cual te compraras
Robinson JdR Hace como 2 semanas estuve por comprar el fp10 en amazon que estaba a 499$ pero por temas de traerlo a mi país pensaba que el shipping saldría en 200$ y decidí esperar. Me arrepiento resulta que el shipping no es tanto dinero como pensaba pero ahora no esta disponible en amazon. Sin duda iré por Roland.