Good morning Stu. In 2001, I bought a Roland RD700 and still use it, sometimes, to this day. The last couple of years I’ve been playing on my Kawai ES920. I was gifted a Roland FP E50 for my birthday by my brother. All I can say is wow! I agree with your review and it really is a lot of fun. Been going to bed really late lately due to getting lost in the E50 with my headphones. The value here blows me away and I’m really liking the PHA 4 key action. Thank you for your review. Your the best piano/keyboard reviewer on the net!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for taking the time to check out our review! I will be sure to pass along your kind words to Stu. :) Congrats on your Roland FP-E50! It is an excellent addition to the arsenal and offers something a little different than the RD700 and ES920. As you have experienced, the cost-to-value ratio is mind-blowing. Even if this model was priced at $1000 more, I don't think anyone would be asking any questions or thinking twice about it! Thanks again and enjoy your new piano!
Hi. I have a Kaway Es 8 and I had a Roland Fp 30. I'm curious to know if you consider the piano tones in this new Roland as "realistic" as the ones in Kawai. Thanks
Thanks so much for tuning in and for the kind words about our videography! I will be sure to pass on the compliment to our talented videographer, Lee! :)
I purchased an FP-E50 a month or so ago and am really enjoying it. I stumbled upon on undocumented feature that I think other people should know about too. I wanted to be able control other synthesizers from the FP-E50 but since it doesn't have standard 5 pin MIDI ports I thought I was going to have to connect it to a computer and control other synths from there - or possibly have to buy a separate "USB midi host" device which are either expensive or somewhat flaky based on reviews. However, I found a comment somewhere claiming that on the older Roland FP-30 you can connect a USB MIDI interface (like the Roland UM-ONE mk2) to the USB memory port - the port that you would normally use for a USB flash drive - and then the FP-30 was able to send MIDI over that. So, I decided to try that with my newly purchased FP-E50 using an old E-MU brand USB MIDI interface that I already owned (similar to the Roland UM-ONE mk2) and surprisingly it works! It sends MIDI on channel 1 and also receives MIDI on channel 4. [Update: You can change what MIDI channel it sends from by pressing the Menu button, then select "Scene Edit", then "MIDI Setting".] Anyways, I really appreciate all of your reviews Stu and Merriam Music. Though I purchased the FP-E50 before you made this video, I had watched your reviews of the FP-30X and other instruments and had a good hunch that the FP-E50 would be the right choice for me since I basically wanted an FP-30x with more sounds and a better interface.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you so much for tuning in and sharing this very helpful hack! USB-MIDI converters like the Roland UM-ONE are quite convenient for these situations. It is extremely helpful to know that the process and approach works with the Roland FP-E50! Also, congrats on your FP-E50! It is an absolute powerhouse and one of the best bangs for your buck on the market right now. I know you will be thrilled with what it offers musically. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@@mungewell Your question prompted me to try that out and the answer is yes - though there are probably limitations. I've only just begun experimenting with this, but I have a Novation Circuit Tracks which has 8 knobs which by default sends MIDI CCs for 1, 2, 5, 11, 12, 13, 71 and 74. Making adjustments to some of those does affect the sounds on the FP-E50 and it's already added a new dimension to what I can do with this thing. Edit: after some experimentation I've settled on assigning the 8 knobs as follows: * CC 73 - attack time * CC 72 - release time * CC 76 - LFO rate * CC 77 - LFO depth * CC 74 - filter cutoff frequency * CC 71 - filter resonance * CC 11 - volume * CC 93 - chorus
@@jimrhoades8456 That's fantastic news! Although the items you mention are probably just scratching the surface. There is no Midi Implementation doc for the FP-E50 (yet), but there is for the FP-50 which is very detailed... obviously these aren't the same keyboard, but engineers tend to be lazy and re-use what's gone before (a good thing!). It includes SysEx to do some pretty deep stuff. There's also the Reference guide for the MC-707 which details the internal parameters of the Zen core, I wonder if any of these can be adjusted externally in realtime. It does mention assigning the 4 control knobs (which I don't think that the FP-E50 has) to CC's. Maybe parameter could be assigned via SysEx and then tweaked via CC. Pg 74 - "MFX Control": You can use MIDI messages such as control change messages to control the principal MFX parameters. This capability is called “MFX CONTROL (multi-effects control).” The editable parameters are pre-determined according to the MFX type. You can specify up to four parameters for multi-effect control. To use MFX CONTROL, you’ll need to specify which MIDI message (Source) will affect which parameter (Destination), and how greatly (Sens).
@@jimrhoades8456 If you look at the RD-88 implementation, there are SysEx descriptions for the MFX section (for each of Layer1/2/3). This doesn't give settings for external control, but does (suspiciously) have 12 'reserved' bytes.... which is the exact size that would be required to implement the same functionality as the MC-707!
Yes! First off, thanks to Merriam Music & Stu Harrison for this review. There is so much jammed packed into this Keyboard, it's hard to cover everything, let alone all the Sounds/Patches. For me, I've been waiting for this Keyboard for 20 years. I'm a guitar player, that also dabbles in piano. I started in the 80's on a Casio CT-7000, then moved to an Ensoniq ESQ-1 played through a Roland JC-120 when the early JC's had line inputs in the rear. What a great sound. But I really needed 88 Keys. So onto a Alesis QS8.1, then to a Yamaha P80, which I still play after 20 years. For Synth sounds I use a Ensoniq ZR-76. Now finally a Keyboard that covers it all for me. 88 Keys, Top notch Keybed, built in speakers, 256 note polyphony, half pedaling capability, Split/layering, Quality Piano Sample, and more tones and patches then you would ever need. Plus a host of other features. It's like if you only had radio, then TV came along. And all at a price that punches below it's weight class. Kudos Roland! Needless to say, always a pleasure to listen to Stu's outstanding keyboard skills and knowledge. Good Job!
Hi! Brent here! Thank you so much for taking the time to check out the video and write in with your thoughts and kind words! We appreciate it. :) The Roland FPE50 is unquestionably an important piano that is filling a hole in the market both in terms of feature offering and price point. It is remarkable that Roland has included so much at this price! I think this is the type of instrument that might need two or three review videos to cover all of its extensive features. Thanks again and happy playing!
As informative and fun as this review is, Stu barely scratches the surface. Didn’t talk much about the mic: Center Cancel (like karaoke) and auto-harmonies. Programable functions for the pedals. It’s an amazing value for the price. Please, a second part with more in-depth info! Yes, Stu! Go into the weeds!😊
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The feature offering for the FP-E50 is robust to say the least, so, without making the video 3 hours long, it is quite difficult to cover everything haha! With that said, this might be a model that requires a second video instalment to cover all of the critical features. ;)
Stu, You are far and away my favorite digital piabo reviewer! Pro pianist here, play at school and churches. Thank you soo much for going into detail about the accompaniment feature. I feel the same about Rolands and ph4 action, love the way they feel and sound. Have an rd88 which I bought during Covid (thanks to your review) for gigs and planning on buying this one for home practice to replace my broken Casio. I also love listening to your jazz inprov.. it is amazing! Could listen for hours. Much appreciated!! ❤
Hi Andrew! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you so much for tuning in! I will be sure to share your kind words with Stu on your behalf. :) The Roland RD88 is a little powerhouse and the PHA4 action is phenomenal to play on. Thanks again and happy playing!
Thanks for your detailed reviews Stu. I have spent an entire week's free time deciding which digital piano l am going to buy and you have assisted me greatly at coming to a decision. The price point is acceptable to me considering the amount of functionality included. Deciding factors for me other than the piano likeness of the action and sound are 1. being able to make adjustments on the instrument without getting an external app, computer and using the keys to assign functions + a display screen; 2. an adequate speaker set-up for home use. Quality other instrument sounds and rhythms to jam with my electric guitarist husband. 3. Proper line in and out if I at some point get to use it at church. 4. front facing double headphone jacks. 5. The capacity to attach 3 pedals. I have owned both an accoustic piano a Kawai keyboard and Roland keyboard. I was considering the ES920 & the FP60x, but they are just slightly to expensive to me and gives me less freedom to jam with my talented husband. To keep the price down I was considering the ES120 & FP30x, but I don't want to be interacting with an app to adjust the parameters and struggle fiddling with onboard settings without an intuitive screen. I also tried out the RD88 @ our favourite music store, but ultimately decided against it as it does not have a music rest and I didn't like the speaker set-up for home use. Hope my reflection helps some other peeps decide 😊. Oh yeah, I also like the inclusion of the vocoder.🎉
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your thoughts and insights regarding your quest for the perfect digital piano. Based on what you're describing, the Roland FP-E50 seems to be the perfect fit! It checks off the vast majority of the boxes you've laid out. It is a piano that has tons of features and customization options built directly into the piano opposed to having to be accessed via an app. It is certainly worth consideration! :)
Awesome review on this feature packed keyboard. Been waiting for a good review like this to help me make a decision to purchase and your review has certainly persuaded me. This is such a great value for the money and you did a terrific job hitting some highlights. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and talented playing with us. 👍🏼
Okay-I got the Roland FP E-50 today. I’ve been playing for the last two hours and I have this to say. Woweeee! This is so much fun. This is the most entertaining, good-sounding, and versatile instrument I’ve ever owned. I’m smiling so hard right now. Thank you for the review that made me buy this. I didn’t have $1000 in disposable income and also, have no regrets. ❤ OMG, so much fun.
Hi Jason! Congrats on your new Roland FP-E50! I'm so happy to hear that you've been enjoying everything it offers (although I am not surprised in the least ;) as it is an amazing instrument with a boatload of fun, engaging features! Happy playing! :)
There are buttons numbered 1-5 and a billion tones that are numbered. I find the menu a bit cumbersome. Even using the favorites menu is slow. I’d love for there to be a that we can just type in a number and get directly to a tone (or rhythm). The favorites bank is still cumbersome. I should be able to type on “331” and go directly to synth lead or whatever 331 is. Yamaha’s cheapest keyboards gave that function. I’m sure it can easily be implemented in a firmware update. If you have a contact at Roland, please make this suggestion. Thanks !
Thanks so much! We appreciate it. :) The FP60X still has its place as it has a higher-quality speaker experience as well as app connectivity whereas the FP-E50 does not. With that said, I suspect many customers will be choosing the FP-E50 over the FP60X due to its price and feature offering. We will be releasing a video comparison on this very soon by the way. ;)
Hey Stu, thanks for this review. I found your video after ordering (in the uk) and it helped me build the excit meant before it arrived. My first impressions are great. I connected Bluetooth midi and Bluetooth audio on my iPad with no issues at all
Hi Chris! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on your FP-E50! It is quite the powerhouse. I'm happy to hear that you've been enjoying it and have not been having any issued with the Bluetooth functionality. :)
Thank you for your review I called the shop the day you were filming and was asking so many questions about this model and the rep said we are literally filming that keyboard as we speak and that it would be available to watch in a couple days. I’m glad I waited to see your review I definitely want to buy it. If your able to I would love to see a comparison video between the Roland FP-E50 vs Yamaha DGX670 which I was told is why Roland built this model to compete with Yamaha? Thank you for all your hard work in making such informative videos!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for tuning in! I'm happy that you were able to check out the review video prior to making a decision. The Roland FPE50 is an absolute powerhouse! Given the incredible dense feature list, it is quite impressive that Roland was able to offer it at the price point they did. Roland has definitely drawn a line in the sand with this model. As for a comparison with the DGX670, we will do our best to tackle it, but we have quite a few videos ahead of that in the queue. For what it's worth, given the fact that all of the features and functions are combined with a truly amazing musical offering via the PHA-4 action and ZEN-Core/SuperNATURAL tone engines, I would personally give a pretty substantial edge to Roland on this one. Thanks again and all the best!
Some points of comparisons are the following: 1) Speakers: Yamaha has upward facing speakers with woofers + tweeters while Roland has downward facing woofers with no tweeters. Drum beat sound quality is particularly affected when there are no tweeters or speakers facing the player. 2) Piano Quality: Yamaha has the CFX samples with both the VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) and Natural voices. Roland has their SuperNatural piano. Both engines use sampling as well as modeling. Extensive sound editing capabilities on the Yamaha: Touch Sense Offset and Depth, Harmonic Content, Brightness, Attack, Decay, Release, equalizer, harmony, etc. Same on the Roland. 3) Touch Sensitivity: Yamaha has 128 types vs Roland 100 types. Both are above the 5 types offered by FP-30X, P125a, and ES120. This allows better control of the piano samples in the area of dynamic control. 4) Arranger Styles: Yamaha offers 263 styles and Roland 177 styles (after update). Yamaha also offers more styles in their MusicSoft website. 5) Number of Variations per Style: Yamaha offers 4 variations vs Roland 2 variations. More variations allow for more nuanced backing tracks. 6) Intro/Ending: Yamaha offers 3 Intros and 3 Endings, while Roland offers just 1 intro and 1 ending. 7) Sounds: Yamaha has 601 voices + 29 Drum/SFX kits. Roland has 652 voices + 74 drum sets. Yamaha has Super Articulation, Mega Voice, Natural, Sweet, Cool, and Live! voices. Roland has the Zen-Core engine. 8) Expandability: Yamaha has MusicSoft while Roland has the Roland Cloud. 9) Screen: Yamaha has a large color screen. Roland has a monochromatic screen with a blue backing light, similar to their BK-5 arranger. 10) Microphone: both have a built-in microphone suite (3-band EQ, reverb, chorus, panning, noise gate, compressor, etc) to connect a dynamic microphone and sing 11) Yamaha DGX-670 other features: Piano Room, Score Display for piano lessons, Bluetooth Audio, recording, playback, compressor, layering sounds, full-featured equalizer, DSP effects of all types, 16-track sequencer, registration memory, follow lights, Karao-Key, USB audio interface, etc. 12) Yamaha DGX-670 more features: Vocal Cancel, Pitch Shift, Time Stretch, 500 Records on Playlist (unlimited via USB), Tap Tempo, Intelligent Acoustic Control, Stereo Optimizer, etc, etc. Same with Roland. 13) Apps: Yamaha DGX-670 offers Chord Tracker (extracts the chord sequence of an audio song stored on your device), Visual Performer. Roland has similar apps.
@@deadstick100 I haven't played a Roland FP-E50 yet, but I am familiar with all Roland digital pianos (I also owned two before) as well as their dedicated arranger keyboards ( I also owned one of their dedicated arrangers). The FP-E50 doesn't cut it for me. It is not a better arranger nor a better digital piano than the DGX-670. It is a sort of combo between an FP-30X and an entry level arranger keyboard like the Roland EX-50 with the old fashioned screen of the BK-5. I guess it is great for Roland fans who want to upgrade from the FP-30X.
Yeah! I have been waiting (and actually asking) for this review. Thank you quite a bunch for this one. This instrument has so much to offer, though, that you have not been able to cover in this video, that should consider to record a second part.
You're very welcome! Thank you for your patience! And I definitely hear you. This might be a model that requires a second (and, perhaps, third) review video to cover all of the features on this powerhouse! :)
Great review, and playing. I just got one and love it. Thanks for the tip with pianist 2 /split point backing setup for jazz. I did build some custom risers for a set of iLoud speakers to augment the sounds, and find the assignable triple pedals for fill variation helpful.
Thanks a million! We really appreciate it! We're glad that you enjoyed it! Also, congrats on your FPE50! It is a fantastic machine and it sounds like you have built a nice little rig for yourself to enjoy it. :)
This is the best review I’ve seen of this keyboard, thank you. I just wish that manufacturers in this price bracket for these piano arranger types of keyboard had midi in and also multi zone multi voice splits/overlays. I had this on my M1 back in the 1990s so it’s frustrating that functions I considered standard then are now not so
Thanks so much! We appreciate that immensely! :) I know there are a lot of applications where a traditional 5-pin DIN MIDI connection would be the preference. With that said, there are work arounds (USB to MIDI connectors, MIDI hubs, etc.) that can allow for flexible connectivity. Also, in this case, the FP-E50 is so fully-loaded with features that its extremely difficult to argue the amazing value it presents.
they don't include it anymore because it can be done much better on a computer and it costs a lot more to put a microchip in one of these than just allowing you to connect your computer
You're very welcome! The PXS3100 certainly has its strengths as well (portability and excellent piano tones for instance), but the FP-E50 is definitely tough to compete with due to how rich in features it is. :)
I can honestly say from what I have seen so far, this keyboard is giving you the Fantom 0 series in a digital piano. The only issue I have with it is how it looks. But a great alternative to the Yamaha DGX.
At 3:28 you state that the keyboard will not connect with the Roland Piano app. You'll be pleased to know that with software update 1.20, which came available in January 2024, the piano app is now supported. So that's a step forward. Thanks for an excellent review.
Stu, can you please do a beginner tutorial for those of us who are struggling with getting started. The User Manual is absolutely impenetrable and might just as well be written in Spanish. It probably is, I can't tell. A lot of new users will be extremely grateful to you.
Hi Chris! Brent from Merriam Music here! The FP-E50 is an amazing machine that is packed with a lot of features and capabilities (as you are discovering). With that said, I think a follow up video that digs into using these features and onboard functions is a great idea. I will pass on the suggestion to Stu and our production team for you. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
@@MerriamPianos Hello Brent. Thank you. I'm sure there must be a lot of users in the same boat as I am, who have been quite happily playing on FP 30x or 60x's both of which are quite straight forward, to play. They don't really require much tuition. But sitting down at an FP-E50 is a whole new ball game. Roland, have just chucked us in the deep end to either sink or swim. There's nothing on the Roland website to offer assistance or guidance. So I'm sure I speak for many others when I say, we are greatly looking forward to your future vids. On behalf of myself and many others, I sincerely thank you.
Well done and very professional review! I especially like your detailed comments on key action. Thank you, Stu! IMO by far the best reviews on YT. Looking forward to the coming releases, maybe a Kawai MP-12? 😉
Thanks so much! We really appreciate the kind words. We have not received notice about a Kawai MP12 yet, but we will keep you in the loop if we hear anything. ;)
Stu, nice review as usual. Just 3 quick questions: 1) When using the accompaniment feature, do I have the option of using only the drums and not the full band to accompany me? 2) Is there an easily accessible EQ on the keyboard? 3) Due to the extra height of this keyboard, which bag on the market does it fit in neatly?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! You can switch between the drums and full accompaniment using the "Accompaniment On" button. In terms of EQ, it does not have an onboard EQ like the FP90X model does, but you can adjust the piano sounds by digging into the "Piano Designer" feature. :)
Something i never thought about concerning the fp E50. I read a review where someone complained about the deeper sound box, that is, bottom to top of keys. They said it made the keyboard and your hands sit higher when playing. If they lowered the stand they said they then couldnt get their knees under the piano. Not sure if that is a problomatic thing with the e50 or anyone else encountered this. Watching the video I can now see when Stu plays the e50 it is higher than the fp60x by quite a lot.
That is perhaps a problem for players using a folding X-stand. However, we recommend using a Z-stand like the Profile KDS450MA. That should allow you to get the piano low enough without being uncomfortable and ensuring there is ample space for your knees. :)
Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for tuning in! The FP30X and FP-E50 have the same core action and tone engine, so there is not too much difference between the piano experience. With that said, the FP-E50 has far more features and capabilities packed into it (hence its more expensive price tag).
This review seems to be aimed at intermediate/advanced players. I'm researching for my very 1st digital piano ever and I also sing. What I'm interested in are the specs on the speakers (amps/size/how many), midi/bluetooth features and microphone specs/demo. Also, if there is a lesson or chord/lyric display option like it's competitor the Yamaha DGX 670. If I'm on this review I'm already sold on the 88 key/weighted graded features and a top brand name. Love the playing but would appreciate a 2nd part review aimed more at beginner/low intermediate players looking to sing/record along with learning to play.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in! The FP-E50 has two 12 cm speakers that are 11W each. It does have Bluetooth MIDI and Audio, but it is not a model that is supported by Roland's Piano App. It does offer chord identification and display as well as the ability to upload chord progressions into the arranger features. There is certainly a lot to dig into with this model, so I like your idea about a follow-up video. I will pass the suggestion on to our production team. :)
I was thinking about the Casio -7000 but thinking this might be more versatile. Although that Casio is beautiful. The super natural of Roland is awesome. Decisions ... great video as always.
Thanks for tuning in and for the kind words! We appreciate it. It is definitely a difficult call between two excellent pianos. We hope our review videos can help you narrow things down. :)
I just got my Fp e50 and I was surprised and confused when I went to connect the Roland piano app to it and it didn’t work. But here’s the weird thing! When I went into my Bluetooth section on my iPad both the midi and audio Bluetooth for the e50 where present and connected. I tried the keyboard with a piano lesson app I use and it worked via Bluetooth. So while I think it stinks that it doesn’t work with the Roland app I am very happy that it works with my other apps
Congrats on your FPE50! It is a wonderful piano and I know you will be thrilled with what it offers musically! It is unfortunate that it is not compatible with the Roland Piano app. However, it is awesome that you have found apps that do work in conjunction with it. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy your new piano! :)
Hi. I bought the FP-E50 few weeks ago. There's a severe issue with piano sounds. The piano sounds sound very muffled and deaf, just as high frequencies on the EQ were cut off completely. It's not that I don't like the sound, rather sounds are somehow incorrectly set. I posted this comment under other reviews of the FP-E50 and hope someone can shed some light on this issue. Funny, all other sounds sound normally and very nice (like guitar, brass, strings, drums etc.). Only pianos sound bad. The issue occurs regardless of the quality of speakers as I connected line-out to different good speakers and the resulting sound is always the same, as said just like you cut off high frequencies on the EQ. The internal EQ settings don't help at all, but even so, shouldn't it sound correctly without tweaking the EQ. Piano sounds in your video are really great. My machine sounds nothing like this.Could it be that only my machine is faulty ? If so, should I return it or should I use the warranty? Please, I'd appreciate any advice. Thank you very much
Hi! Brent here! I'm sorry to hear that you are not fully-satisfied with the tone of your FP-E50. I responded to your previous comment with some insights. I would recommend connecting with your dealer to help troubleshoot the issue and determine whether it is the specific unit or a characteristic of the piano experience that you are simply not connecting with. In either case, the dealer should be able to assist you with potential solutions.
I am finding problems with the Piano sound as well. I find it muddy but even more concerning, strangely shrill. Even at a really low volume and through quality earphones, my ears start to ache. I tried to mess around with the EQ and couldn't solve it. I rented a fp30x to compare and the piano sound through earphones is quite different.. The fp30x does not hurt my ears, sounds clearer, more expressive and more focused. It's unfortunate because I really love the features of the fp E50 and want to keep it. The accompaniments are incredibly fun and the chord display so useful. Do you have any suggestions on how to make the sound less shrill? As I mentioned, I played around with EQ as well as earphone settings and couldn't solve it. Thanks for any help you can offer.
These are some differences and similarities between the Roland FP-E50 and Yamaha DGX-670: 1) Speakers: Yamaha has upward facing speakers with woofers + tweeters while Roland has downward facing woofers with no tweeters. Drum beat sound quality is particularly affected when there are no tweeters or speakers facing the player. 2) Piano Quality: Yamaha has the CFX samples with both the VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) and Natural voices. Roland has their SuperNatural piano. Both engines use sampling as well as modeling. Extensive sound editing capabilities on the Yamaha: Touch Sense Offset and Depth, Harmonic Content, Brightness, Attack, Decay, Release, equalizer, harmony, etc. Same on the Roland. 3) Touch Sensitivity: Yamaha has 128 types vs Roland 100 types. Both are above the 5 types offered by FP-30X, P125a, and ES120. This allows better control of the piano samples in the area of dynamic control. 4) Arranger Styles: Yamaha offers 263 styles and Roland 177 styles (after update). Yamaha also offers more styles in their MusicSoft website. 5) Number of Variations per Style: Yamaha offers 4 variations vs Roland 2 variations. More variations allow for more nuanced backing tracks. 6) Intro/Ending: Yamaha offers 3 Intros and 3 Endings, while Roland offers just 1 intro and 1 ending. 7) Sounds: Yamaha has 601 voices + 29 Drum/SFX kits. Roland has 652 voices + 74 drum sets. Yamaha has Super Articulation, Mega Voice, Natural, Sweet, Cool, and Live! voices. Roland has the Zen-Core engine. 8) Expandability: Yamaha has MusicSoft while Roland has the Roland Cloud. 9) Screen: Yamaha has a large color screen. Roland has a monochromatic screen with a blue backing light, similar to their BK-5 arranger. 10) Microphone: both have a built-in microphone suite (3-band EQ, reverb, chorus, panning, noise gate, compressor, etc) to connect a dynamic microphone and sing 11) Yamaha DGX-670 other features: Piano Room, Score Display for piano lessons, Bluetooth Audio, recording, playback, compressor, layering sounds, full-featured equalizer, DSP effects of all types, 16-track sequencer, registration memory, follow lights, Karao-Key, USB audio interface, etc. 12) Yamaha DGX-670 more features: Vocal Cancel, Pitch Shift, Time Stretch, 500 Records on Playlist (unlimited via USB), Tap Tempo, Intelligent Acoustic Control, Stereo Optimizer, etc, etc. Same with Roland. 13) Apps: Yamaha DGX-670 offers Chord Tracker (extracts the chord sequence of an audio song stored on your device), Visual Performer. Roland has similar apps.
Just a few corrections and additions to make on the topic of this highly-contested showdown between two powerhouses in the industry: -FPE50 sound presets: 947 x Factory Sound Presets and 74 x Factory Drum Kits DGX670' sound presets: 601 x Sound Presets and 29 x Drum Kits -FPE50 performance functions: Dual Zone, Sequencer, Temperament Adjustment, Transpose, Tuning Adjustment -DGX670 performance functions: Dual Zone, Transpose, Tuning Adjustment -FPE50 I/O options: 2 x 1/4" Instrument Output 1 x 1/4" Headphone Output 1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone Output 1 x 1/4" Mic Input 1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Aux Input -DGX670 I/O options: 1 x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output 1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Aux Input 1 x 1/4" TS Mic Input -FPE50 weight: 37 lb / 16.8 kg -DGX670 weight: 47.2 lb / 21.4 kg There is certainly a lot more to cover with both of these instruments. Perhaps a thorough comparison video is needed to tackle this one!
@@MerriamPianos You missed the Master Tune/Scale Tune on the DGX-670 with its 9 Temperament Adjustments, as well as the Sequencer. It is not exclusive to the FP-E50. Here are some other features of the Yamaha DGX-670, which should also be on the FP-E50: - Chord tutor - Style Creator - Song Creator - Split Point/Chord Fingering styles - Keyboard Harmony types What Roland misses is something simple: if you make an arranger, you focus on the arranger. Otherwise, you have just made a lite workstation with some arranger capabilities. Roland focuses on the workstation part while Yamaha focuses on the arranger part. Either way, both instruments are head and shoulders of most of the similarly priced digital pianos.
Ciao Brent e Stu. Un pianoforte piuttosto stupefacente con un ottimo prezzo. Gli speakers sono ottimi e generano un suono molto ricco nonostante gli 11 watt, molto probabilmente dipende anche dall'altezza maggiore del pianoforte. L'ho confrontato side by side con Casio px s3100 e Yamaha DGX 670 . Le differenza fra questi prodotti sono parecchie. Il keybed è completamente diverso come pure il suono del campione di pianoforte. Vanno provati! E' bello vedere Stu come suona il pianoforte! Ciao dall'Italia.
Hi Roberto! As always, thank you for checking out the video and sharing your thoughts! We appreciate it. I definitely agree with your synopsis of the FPE50. It is an excellent combination of features. The PHA4 action provides an excellent touch and the 11W speakers are quite rich sounding. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Another excellent review video, Stu. I like Casio and Yamaha gear, but Roland has always been my favorite for years. I have, and have had so much Roland/Boss gear since the early 1980's. My 6 note 1983 JX-3P was super expensive, with minimal capabilities in comparison to entry level keyboards today. Even my Fantom X6 Audio Expansion looked really nice, had so much capabilities for the time, but not so easy to use and comprehensive like this FP-E50. I plan to get this in a few months. It is incredible, especially for the price, and almost perfect for everything I want in an 88 key digital piano. I thought the RD 88 was great as a more compact, lighter and portable RD 88 and for about half the price, and ditto for the Fantom 06/07/08 as opposed to the Flagship Fantom series. So you get a combination of the RD 88 and Fantom 08 in one keyboard, with probably the most innovative and ingenious auto arranger and user interface, and all the right connectivity, with the headphone jacks in the front, and the pitch bend/modulation wheels. What more can you ask for at $1000 USD? Simply incredible instrument. 👍🎹🎵💯🔥
I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts and points! Roland has drawn a real line in the sand with the FPE50. It redefines value for the entire digital piano market in my opinion. There is so much technology and so many features packed into this powerhouse instrument. It is quickly becoming a favourite choice amongst players of all levels. :)
@@MerriamPianos The closest competitors to the FP-E50 is the Yamaha DGX-670 for slightly less, but still don't have all the capabilities, and the Kawai ES120 at about the same price as the DGX-670 that features the sample of their flagship $250K acoustic concert grand piano, with great keyboard and action, with detailed adjustments to simulate all the acoustic and tactile feedback and resonance of a real acoustic grand, but only 27 voice tones, and falls short in almost everything else that the FP-E50 has for that price. With it's feature set, it probably rivals and in ways may surpass the much more expensive Yamaha arranger keyboards.
The price point of this is very interesting indeed, it makes the FP-60X completely pointless. As far as bluetooth midi is concerned, it is listed in the manual and specs, there are no details on operating it however. Only bluetooth audio function is explained.
The FPE50 is definitely a compelling choice! With that said, the FP60X does have its place at the table so-to-speak given that it does have a superior speaker system and, consequently, piano sound than the FPE50. However, I suspect many players will opt for the FPE50 over both the FP30X and FP60X given its attractive offering. In terms of the Bluetooth MIDI, the FPE50 can still transmit Bluetooth MIDI info for controlling purposes, but it does not have app compatibility. This is another area where the FP60X may have an edge for some customers.
Hi Stu, I have to say, I love the way you play, and also yours reviews. I have a question for you. Despite the fact that I think you lean more towards the Roland brand, I am doubtful about what type of instrument is the one that fits my needs. I'm a novice pianist, but I'm starting to compose and three pieces of equipment really caught my attention: The Roland FP E50, the Yamaha GSX 670 and maybe the Roland Juno JS88. My musical foundation is not very solid yet, but it would be nice to have an electric piano to complement my acoustic piano and to have a tool on hand that allows me to compose. It is important to tell you that for some unknown reason, the Yamaha keyboard is sold in my country (Mexico) for more than double the price (around $2,300 USD), but both Roland have a much more decent price (just over $1,000 USD). Based on the above, which do you think would be the right one for my needs? And since I highly respect your opinion, personally which would you prefer, the FP E50 or the DGX 670? Thank you very much and greetings.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question! At the end of the day, it really comes down to a matter of preference. The FPE50 and DGX670 are both excellent and highly-versatile instruments. With that said, my personal preference is the Roland FPE50. To me, the action is more authentic feeling and the feature offering is immense. However, when it comes to tone, they are quite different. If possible, my recommendation would be to test both out a showroom to decide which one you resonate with most. :)
As always, a great review of the tool. I recently sold my FP30x and was thinking about a more interesting instrument. The Phantom series is not entirely interesting to me, the price is high, and I only play music at home. This Tool is right to the point of my interest, Thanks for the review. I agree with you, midi bluetooth works very unstable. I have tried Macbook, iPad, iPhone, Samsung tablet and many others. There is no connection with the computer at all, as I did not try, with the iPad 50/50 but constant delays in the processing of sound and tasks, the iPhone was connected almost always, but the midi slowed down, Samsung is just a mockery of the user, so I consider the bluetooth connection to be unfinished by Roland . The wire solves all problems, but then it complicates the connection with the tablet))) But we need less wires))) Thank you, we look forward to further interesting reviews from you.
Thanks so much for tuning in! The Roland FPE50 might be the perfect fit if you're looking for something more interesting and entertaining than the FP30X. In terms of the Bluetooth MIDI, I am of the same mind. While wireless technologies continue to improve, I still rely on wired connections. I find them more stable and more reliable. :)
The sliding controls are a great addition. But there is one thing I don't understand - why is Roland still using Bluetooth 4.2? 5.3 is the latest and Ver 5.0 has been around for quite some time already.
I agree! The sliders are quite convenient and a wonderful addition. In terms of the Bluetooth version, I am not entirely sure. I suppose that would be a question that has to be fielded directly to Roland.
The question is: why should they? BLE 5 offers ultra low power modes/devices which make no sense here or high bandwidth devices that basically don’t exist in consumer environments. So no reason to integrate a ble version for features that are not used
Strangely, I'm just so torn between this and the Casio PX-S6000. Obviously at a pretty drastically different price point; is it crazy to think that they're quite comparable units though? I guess I'm partially hung up on the looks and overall modern feel of the S6000 (I would get the wood-legged stand), I think the keys feel more 'pianoey', but I keep coming back to the FP-E50 because it seems like it has so much to offer for the money. Any thoughts are appreciated. Also, Stu, thanks for all of the genuinely insightful, honest reviews and outstanding playing.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for tuning in and writing in! The PXS6000 and FPE50 are both excellent instruments, but quite different offerings. I do agree that the sleek, modern, and portable design of the PXS6000 is quite attractive - especially if you're gigging with the instrument! It also has a wonderful touch and tone to complement its looks. With that said, the FPE50 is a very different animal. If you are looking for an arranger style piano with some of the biggest range of auto-accompaniment options, it would be the clear choice. If you won't be utilizing those particular features, other options from the Roland line like the FP30X and FP60X might be more appropriate.
I own a Yamaha DGX-670. Actually, I have owned arrangers from Roland, Yamaha, Korg and Casio in the past. I am glad to see Roland is now offering something in this category. For me personally, this is just not interesting at all. The FP-E50 doesn't do anything I value over the DGX-670, but Roland fans can now opt for an arranger digital piano, which is nice.
Everything comes down to personal preference as we know. With that said, this is an excellent option for players seeking a quality arranger at a fantastic price point with Roland's action and tone engines.
I might have given up on the E-50 too quickly, but I played a couple of chords on its acoustic piano voice and didn't like it at all. The sales lady was kind of surprised at how quickly I rejected it. I guess I should have tried some of the other patches. Of the pianos I tried, I liked the CA701 the best. On your own channel, you have some impressive comparisons of the DGX to sample libraries like the Garitan CFX.
@@JoeLinux2000 Hi! Thank you for the feedback on those comparisons. I might add a few more in the future. I think the FP-E50 is similar to the Korg XE20, but not so much to the DGX-670. Yamaha arrangers are above the competition. Actually, Roland and Kawai left the scene of high-end arrangers several years ago.
@@rolexmarcelo3218 I don't think it is possible to do a showdown (a final test or confrontation intended to settle a dispute) because it still comes down to personal/company preferences and values. People react differently to piano samples, piano actions, other sounds and features... the most you can do is upload a video with your point of view and support it with your personal opinions, but that's still not a way to settle something in any official way. Different channels have different reviews. Ultimately, you will have to either believe others, or develop your own opinion.
The line-outs make this a more serious contender for gigging and recording than the DGX-670. Also, it is about 4kg lighter than the DGX-670. Yamaha must be concerned.
Hi Mike. Not at all. You don't record on the DGX-670 via Line Out, you use the built-in Audio Interface for CD quality sound. The Line Out issue is an irrelevant complaint: as you know, there are plenty of "TRS stereo to TRS Mono" splitter cables to connect to Front of House PA speakers if needed. The DGX-670 is a bit heavier, but not something that will be a deal breaker for most (I am sure you can carry a similar weight keyboard such as the Kawai MP7SE or Roland RD2000). In addition, the DGX-670 has many more accompaniment styles than the FP-E50, and 4 variations of them rather than two. In addition, you have excellent CFX samples as well as Pop grand piano samples, which you know are second to none when it comes to realism and cutting through a mix. Nothing to worry about from Yamaha with the FP-E50.
Hi Mike! Roland is certainly drawing a line in the sand with this model and I think it is safe to say that the FPE50 was built to be a direct competitor to the DGX670. At the end of the day, they're both very excellent machines with fantastic cost-to-value offerings. However, the presence of the ZEN-Core and SuperNATURAL engines along with the PHA-4 action at the core of the instrument makes it a pretty difficult instrument to compete with at this price point. :)
@@Instrumental-Covers Hello, nice to hear from you. We'll have to agree to disagree about the line-out & carry weight issues. My P-255 piano is 17.3kg. I would think twice before getting anything heavier. After a knee collapsed a few years ago, my partner (a health worker) begged me not to buy a heavy piano, so I bought this one. It all worked out perfectly - I quickly grew to love the P-255, and with lots of physiotherapy, my knee recovered about 90%. We also saved the second knee, which started to go. Even so, I'm very careful when I lift or carry my piano. Carry weight should matter less with a case/bag that includes castors, but some venues are inaccessible unless you cross a lawn and go up a flight of stairs. That's when the special (but heavier) case/bag becomes a disadvantage. Don't worry, I realise that the DGX-670 still has some unique advantages.
@@Zoco101 Oh, I am sorry to hear about your knee. Would you use an arranger in a gig? What do you personally prefer, a Roland FP-E50 or a Yamaha MX88? The later is a digital piano workstation (13 Kg) with Motif sounds. It does have beats. I actually used to have the MX61.
@@Instrumental-Covers Thanks, but I consider myself lucky, since I've effectively recovered, for now at least. No, I don't think I would need an arranger on a gig. A few prerecorded basslines are the most I usually need (I make them for the more challenging swing tunes) and increasingly, I perform without them anyway. The built-in rhythms could be useful for practising my band repertoire if they cover enough jazz styles, but I doubt I'd buy a separate instrument just for that.
Stu got me interested in this digital piano by saying that PHA-4 action implementation in FP-E50 is less clicky (modified?). I like PHA-4 (after all my first three digital pianos were with this action) but I could not tolerate how noisy PHA-4 was. I will test it and report back. If it is better that what I had in FP-30X, I will buy it even though I do not need all its features and it is too heavy for me (I mean digital piano itself). Michael
Sometimes, the enclosure design itself can have an impact on the action and its various elements, such as key noise. Hopefully, the FP-E50 is satisfactory for your needs and desires as it quite an impressive instrument overall. :)
Tips for buyers on competition Yamaha DGX - 670 Pros - 4 style variations/ better style programs/ reads PSR style files with 4 variations ( there are thousands if free styles) Can write user styles/ more realistic and musical styles that can be used/ can play midi files ( Roland can not) 40 plus Super Articulation sounds ( best nylon/ acoustic guitars / saxes, etc that Roland or Casio can’t touch) Will read midi files ( including Roland ‘s GS and Yamaha’s XG files). Remember most pro GM files are written in GS format) Has 16 track sequencer Cons- heavy/ bulky/ GHS keys ( not as good as Roland) . Not gig worthy ( screaming “amateur keyboard)/ no vocal harmony / no modulation wheel/ only headphone out/ no separate LR outs Korg XE- 20 Light weight( 25 Ibs)/ terrible key touch and response/ PA80 arranger styles/ will read SMF/ Wav/ Mp3 files but poorly designed for live playback. No joystick/ pitch bend/ mod wheel/ PA 80 arranger styles means 2 fills and jumpy fills / no style writing/ has basic sequencer Roland FP- E50 Pros - great key feel/ individual weights ( key response not as fast as Yamaha’s GHS for fast notes runs due to escapement mechanics for certain patches but great for piano tones - better piano tones ( than Yamaha or Casio) - pro looking keyboard on stage ( well designed/ no speakers on top or front) -individual LR outs - Vocal harmony - 37 pounds ( lightest pro feel/looking arranger with build in speakers) - blue tooth midi and audio - chord sequencer Cons- Can’t read or write midi files ( only Wav files) . That means you can’t play pre sequenced general midi files with VH data) - other sounds ( non super natural tones)are good enough but not great ( especially saxes/ guitars still has Juno Di / Ds quality) . Not super articulation quality - arranger feature is afterthought and style are poorly written ( limitations start to appear if you are One Man Band / solo performer) - 2 style variations means 1990 era backing with improved sounds ( you will not be able to load even BK3 styles which has 4 variations) Overall verdict- There is no competition in the market.great if you need one keyboard that has 88 keys and pro piano sounds and other acceptable sounds with manageable weight that has pitch/ mod wheels . Looks great as well. For OMB players;You just have to load wav files and play and sing on top while using real time harmony by pressing chords in real time Unfortunate for Casio. Which is still not considered as “pro” looking/ considered KB on stage ( regardless how they improved with the sounds, etc, the stigma is still there). It may take a decade and multiple endorsements.
Thanks for taking the time to check out our channel and share your insights! We appreciate it. :) The only thing I would add is not to write Casio off. The PXS portable piano models are fantastic, particularly the newer models like the PXS6000 and PXS70000. These are more than suitable for pro-level performance and gigging players will appreciate their portability.
Love your playing. A deal breaker for me would be no fingered on bass. It appears on a style you play, that you the arranger is recognizing your F/G chord. Hope this is in 'intelligent' mode. Also, can you change instruments or balances within the style itself? Loving this boards potential.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu for you. While the FP-E50 is immense in terms of its features and control capabilities, you cannot change the instrumentation of the accompaniment. With that said, there is a way to assign volume control to the assignable wheels, which apparently allow you to change the blend of the rhythm section and the other instruments.
@@MerriamPianos Hi Brent and thank you. Good to know about the assign feature (changing the blend would be interesting and fabulous) Saving to scenes is so useful. Also, I have read there is a fingered on bass option. Going to pick one up.
Thank you for the indepth review, Sir. This helped me decide. I'm replacing an older casio electric piano that just feels so bad compared to the alesis and KORG triton-88 that I had. And my god... the casio electric piano patch is so bad...
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! We're very happy to hear that you this review was helpful in your decision process. The FP-E50 is an exceptional, fully-loaded piano! :)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for reaching out! We will definitely be doing more comparison videos that feature the Roland FPE50 and we have received a few requests for a comparison with the FP60X. We will do our best to tackle that as soon as we can. With that said, the decision between the FP60X and FPE50 ultimately comes down to how the instrument is going to be used. If the arranger and accompaniment features are appealing, the FPE50 is the clear choice. However, if you're going to be using the instrument purely for piano practice purposes, the FP60X may be the preference as the speaker system offers a nicer sonic experience. There is also the question of app use. The FPE50 is not capable of connecting to Roland's Piano App, but the FP60X is.
any keyboard is always going to sound it's best when played by someone with piano knowledge and skill. I would bet this guy could make a Kid's toy piano sound legitimate.
I've decided to purchase the FP E50, my intention being first, to learn piano in the traditional sense, and second, to hopefully eventually gain enough knowledge and experience to enable me to begin creating some music at some point, specifically EDM. From what I've seen and heard (thank you for your replies to earlier questions!), the FP E50 will be a great instrument in these regards. Now, a more nuts and bolts (no pun intended) question. I'm deciding on a stand and bench. I don't plan on moving the instrument much (as opposed to someone going from gig to gig), so I'm thinking the custom stand and pedal unit (KSFE50 and KDP-70) would be the best choice. My main question is what type of bench. Is an adjustable bench the best bet, or would a non-adjustable be ok, considering I'm of average height, about 5'10"?
Hi Donald! Brent here! The FP-E50 is a wonderful mid-point between being a traditional digital piano as well as a workstation/stage instrument. I think it will be the perfect fit for you given how you intend to utilize the piano. In terms of stands, the custom stand and pedal unit will provide the utmost stability in my opinion, so I also endorse that option. As for a bench, something like the Roland RPB200 (or any model above that) would be a good bet given that they're both padded/comfortable and adjustable. :)
Roland FPe50 or Yamaha sx700 better for live gigging along with a singer? Better styles and sounds? Better onboard controling without having to access menus?
It is a matter of personal preference, but I personally find the FP-E50 to be more comprehensive in terms of sounds and features, including vocal processing. :)
questions: when you overlay sounds - only the second sound is layered, or can you also layered the third, fourth? Can the volume of each layered sound be set? can this combination of sounds be saved? If so, how many such combinations can be saved? Well, the last question: if the choice is from this Roland FP-E50, Roland FP-30x, kawaii 110, casio s1000, yamaha p125, what would you advise? The main thing that is important is a high-quality keyboard, as close as possible to an acoustic piano and the natural sound of a piano, an auto-accompaniment module - not necessary. Or at least reduce the list, please, to 3 models))) I have watched so many videos. My brain is melting)
Hi! Brent here! To answer your last question, my recommendation would be to play the instruments in person. That is the best way to determine the musical experience that you prefer. If the auto-accompaniment features are not important, I think the FP30X would be my top suggestion. The core piano experience is the same as the FP-E50, but it comes in a little cheaper. As for your first question, you can adjust the volume and blend of the layered sounds. I believe there is also the option to store them on the unit for easy access too, but, in complete honesty, I have not dug that deep into the computer of the FP-E50 yet (it is still quite a new model at this point).
Just bought this yesterday for NZ$2000 (US$1160ish), sold my kawai es110 with stand for NZ$1250 (really surprised i was able sell it with that price!). Anyway this is a big upgrade and advance for me and my kids, they just started learning piano since we only play nursery songs😊. Have no idea about accompaniment since we only play it plain piano! and it’s good to see this demo. Just a question, can you please guide me on how to record the sound from it while we play and video using ipad or iphone? What do we need in terms of cable?
Congrats on your new FP-E50! It is a really fun instrument with a fantastic core piano experience! In terms of recording sound, you can take the line outputs and plug them into an audio interface that is connected to your computer/device and running through a Digital Audio Workstation. You will need 1/4" cables (1 if you are okay with a MONO signal and 2 if you are looking for a STEREO capture). :)
@bim360 I also own es110. I wanted to replace it by Es120, but after this review I'm thinking about FP-e50. How do you compare key action and keys feeling in es110 and fp-e50?
I have bought the Fp E50 and today was the first day I tried it. What I don't like are the midi values. I am not able to achieve a velocity value of 127 with a reasonable amount of force. The Fp E50 offers velocity curves where it is not so hard to reach 127, but then there are other disadvantages, for example, then the lowest value can be for example 11 instead of 0 and then you don't get any values between for example 11-33 (if I remember correctly). It can be even more extreme with certain velocity curves (like no values between 1 and approximately 35).
It might take a bit of getting used to and perhaps some tweaking to get the velocity curves and overall settings dialled into your particular playing style. I hope you find a solution that satisfies you though as the FPE50 is a powerhouse in terms of features and musical capability! :)
I just checked it again. At the default key touch = 50 setting, one often only achieves approximately 106-110 and this makes a lot of noise! Key touch = 9 is approximately the highest key touch setting where one doesn't need an extreme amount of force to achieve 127, but it still makes a lot of noise and then the minimum value is 4 and then there are basically no values between 4 and 32 (rarely 28), it often switches between 4 and 35. I also just checked another midi keyboard with different inbuilt velocity curves, the Line 6 Mobile Keys 49, which doesn't have this issue. I wonder whether something like a Kawai Es-520 would perform better in this regard.
Thank you kindly! We have received a number of requests to compare the FPE50 and the DGX670 in a head-to-head comparison video. We will do our best to tackle that as soon we can! :)
Great in-depth review, thank you for uploading this! One criticism I've read for the auto-accompaniment feature is that it doesn't seem to allow muting individual tracks (i.e. to keep only the rhythm section). Are there ways around this? Or is it possible to build chord sequences with only bass/drums maybe?
Thank you kindly! While the manner in which to do it is escaping me at the moment, I believe you can isolate the rhythm section in the auto-accompaniment. If I recall correctly, you can assign the wheels to become faders for the accompaniment elements (rhythm section and additional instrumentation respectively).
I'm using DP mainly as a MIDI controller and want to upgrade from FP10 to FP-E50 for pitch and mod wheels, but it would be nice to have some decent speakers for quick fiddling around (FP10 speakers are poor). How would you rate E50s speakers compared to Kawai ES920 or Roland FP60X?
The FP-E50 is a fantastic piano with a great feature list! In terms of the speaker system, it is quite comparable to the FP30X. It is not quite the same power and quality as the ES920 or FP60X models.
Hi Stu! Thank you so much for all the Reviews you give us. They are super informative, funny and serious at the same time :) I would love to get an answer to this: do you know if with the FP-30x or FP-60x models you can have the chord recognition function, maybe through the App? That function seems to me excellent for someone who is learning musical harmony. Thank you very much, Greetings from Germany! Pd: do you know which other Digital Piano has that function? Thank you!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question! The Roland FP30X and FP60X does not have the chord identification function onboard nor is it available on those pianos via the current iteration of Roland's Piano App. If you are looking for that function along with the tone and touch of the Roland FP series, the FP-E50 is definitely the best option for you. :)
You're very welcome! The FPE50 uses the same PHA4 action as the FP30X as well as the same core SuperNATURAL tone engine. So, from that perspective, the piano experience is quite congruent. With that said, the FPE50 does have a second engine: the ZEN-Core engine, so I suppose it has the edge in that department. :)
Thanks for the suggestion! We are not a Kurzweil dealer at this time, so it is a bit tougher to tackle reviews on those models. With that said, we keep a list of potential models to review/compare and will certainly add the K2700 to that list for you. We will do our best! :)
Roland FP-E50 vs Roland FP-60x? Any opinions. Both are currently priced the same. (For someone who is by no means an expert and still learning quite a bit.)
They are very different offerings with very different intended uses. If you are going to be using the piano exclusively for piano practice, the FP60X would be the appropriate option. However, if you are looking for an instrument with tons of features, namely arranger/accompaniment features, the FP-E50 is the best bet. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
FPE-50 or Yamaha CK88? Please help me decide :( I'll use it for playing live The only downside I see on CK88 is that it doesn't have much Epianos like Roland does.
It really is a matter of preference of course, but, for me, the FP-E50 has a superior touch and a much more impressive collection of non-piano sounds (including e.pianos like you mentioned). The ZEN-Core engine is really appealing too! :)
Hi Stu. I’ve been looking for an upgrade from my P115 when I’m away from my acoustic. I wanted something to have fun with and use in a band, but be able to solo with too. This seems to fit the bill. I’m looking forward to the action as the P115 wasn’t really satisfying. Thanks again for the thorough review.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! I am glad you have discovered the FPE50! It is an incredible piano with an impressive feature offering. I think it would be an excellent upgrade for you. :)
That model of pricing & function or setup might be the one I am looking for? I am looking for models that has digital piano feature- quality piano sound & touch and yet had tons of flexibility functions such as like a keyboard have ( automatic cords ) . I am not musically trained but a music lover who could only play by ear and don’t know to read notes at all. Stu, let me know if this model is perfect for me compare to Kawai digital piano? I know that Kawai digital piano sound and keyboard touch much more like a realistic acoustic piano than any other brands! However it’s lack of functional like a keyboard have and cost around $5-6k usd to have the best piano experience. Please advise, thanks
Hi! Brent here! The Roland FP-E50 is definitely an option worth considering as it is a hybrid of an arranger, stage, and at-home digital piano. The value packed into this model is incredible. Truthfully, there is no Kawai piano that offers the same level of arranging/accompaniment features as this type of model. The closest thing would be an MP7SE or MP11SE, which definitely have a lot of perks and features that are superior to the FP-E50 (which is reflected in the price point). However, this is not quite an apples to apples comparison for a variety of reasons.
Thanks Bent for reply. I’ll definitely consider Roland fpe50 than Kawai digital piano for this price point even though it has Sk Kawai sound included, simply because the sampling of SK Kawai is very realistic to an acoustic grand piano. I rather trade off Sk Kawai sampling sound for arranger features that Roland has for that price point. Thanks again for advice and insight.
I purchase this keyboard from your review. I really do like it. I traded in a Roland machine that sequenced for this and miss that function. Can you recommend a budget-friendly looper machine that I can connect to my FP-E50 and record several parts to make fun, short loops ( and maybe song motifs) ? Thanks so much in advance.
We're happy to hear that our review helped in your decision making process. Congrats on your FP-E50! It is a remarkable instrument on all fronts. Are you looking for an audio-based looper or a MIDI-based sequencer? There are a few different approaches one could take on this front.
@@MerriamPianos I guess I’m looking for an audio-based looper. I have Mixcraft, but never use it. I want to be able to for example, play a bass line, rhythm, maybe a motif I make up and then play over it. 3-4 layers is fine. I don’t need to make an 8-16 track master. I just want I have fun playing. Thank you!
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much! And thank you for the suggestion. The FP-E50 is so rich in features, that it might very well call for a follow up video to cover even more of its features. I will pass along your question to the production team and, perhaps, we can cover this topic in a future video.
Awesome review as always. In my opinion the next generation of synths, keyboards etc should be based in artificial intelligence technology so you can create the sounds and styles that you need. Ai is everywhere nowadays why not in musical keyboards? I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Kind Regards.
Thank you kindly! That is an interesting topic to explore. I am sure that AI will star to be incorporated into digital pianos in the near future. I think it is inevitable really. It will be interesting to see what possibilities the new technology will offer!
Nice review as always. Can you tell me what is an octave width? I ask this because in my ct-s300 i can play a 10th if i press the keys from the front, and i was wondering if i could play this one too, i'have noticed that the p45 for example is a litte wider that my casio. Hey who knows, maybe someday i can become a great keyboard player, but i will never be a big one... (genetics)😎. Thanks for your reviews.👍
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! Unfortunately, I am not a the showroom right now to measure the octave width. With that said, the FPE50 will definitely be more comparable to the P45 than the CTS300 when it comes to the overall key width. Thanks again and all the best! :)
The FP30X and FP-E50 use the same core piano tone engine (SuperNATURAL). So, they are quite similar sonically. With that said, the different enclosure design and speaker placement do affect the sonic experience as well.
The Roland ZEN-Core tone engine is onboard the unit. Access to the engine and the core built-in sounds does not require a subscription. However, if you would like to sign up for the Roland Cloud, there are subscription fees/plans.
I got this piano, and it is a blast to play around with. However. For something that shows itself as a performance product, there is one major flaw. You cannot send the piano and the drum section out separate outputs. A simple, piano out left and drums our right, is not possible.
The FP-E50 is quite the powerhouse and an amazing instrument for the money! With that said, there are inevitably going to be some limitations (especially when comparing this piano to $5000+ professional arrangers).
I have a question not necessarily related to this keyboard, but are there any keyboards that when you use them as a midi controller, you can get the sounds back through the actual speakers?
You can do that with the DGX-670. In your DGX-670, just make sure you go to the "Controller" menu and choose "Sostenuto" for any pedal, whether it is any of the 3 pedals of the triple pedal unit or the auxiliary pedal. I am sure the Roland FP-E50 can do that as well.
Yes - they certainly do. If I recall correctly from the demo by our Roland reps, there are some cool features built-in as well that allow pads to sustain and complete even after a patch/sound change opposed to just a harsh, awkward cut-off. Roland has gone to painstaking lengths to tackle even the finest details with this model.
I believe you can uploaded presets from Zenology onto the FP-E50 as well! With that said, I have not personally experimented with that functionality on the FP-E50 yet.
@@MerriamPianos The manual mentions scene upload, but not tone. Guess I'll find out in a few days. EDIT: Or not. I just remembered I don't own Zenology Pro. 🤡
Hey I just purchased this, and my question is: are the sounds we hear connected to a different set of speakers because my concert piano 001 doesnt sound anything like what you just played around the 4 minute mark! I did notice that the sound is alot more incredible with headphones on thats for sure
Hi! Brent here! The sound captured in this video is a direct line out feed from the tone engine with no additional post-processing or alterations. With that said, it makes sense as to why the sound may be more consistent with the headphone experience you are hearing. :)
@@MerriamPianos SO as opposed to hearing the sound in an ambient room, im hearing it directly from the piano, is that correct, like If I had headphones on right? I just want to make sure i didnt get a lemon lol
Also, when I plug the keyboard (1/4 jack to 1/4 jack) to my speakers, is there a way that the sound ONLY comes out of my studio monitors and not the keyboard itself? When I tried that the sound was coming out from both the keyboard speakers and the monitors. Thank you for your time and advice!@@MerriamPianos
Hi there! It is a good question! I am guessing they are from the SuperNATURAL engine opposed to the ZEN-Core engine. I don't believe Roland specifies that info in their literature though.
This piano has the old sluggish PHA 4 action that was created a thousand years ago. Roland has a newer PHA 50 action that is much better in terms of the smoothness of the keys. For the best action, get Roland LX708 or LX706 for the Hybrid Grand action that is super smooth, which feels almost akin to an acoustic grand piano action.
The PHA4 action still holds up as a wonderful action for the price points it is usually utilized within. Of course, the PHA50 and Hybrid Grand actions are superior, but the models that utilize these actions also reflect that. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! :)
Fantastic video! I was super excited to receive mine today and get it out of the box. Unfortunately, the lowest key stayed depressed when played due to rubbing against the side of the casing. After the keyboard had acclimatised for an hour or so it improved but still has a rubbing sound when pressed. It doesn't seem to affect playability, but it also doesn't seem right. I don't know enough about keyboard construction to know if it will improve or become more of an issue. Apart from this it's an incredible machine. This is my first 88 key digital piano BTW!
Thanks so much! We appreciate it. And congrats on your FP-E50! It is an exciting new offering from Roland and I'm sure it will serve you well. :) In terms of the issue with the lowest key, I would recommend contacting the dealer you purchased the piano from given that you just received it. They should be able to get a technician to assess and triage the issue.
@@MerriamPianos thank you for that advice. I’ll get onto it tomorrow. Hope it’s something that can be resolved very quickly as I’ll miss having it to play! 😀
Hi! Brent here! The fact that the core piano elements (SuperNATURAL tone engine and PHA-4 action) are of a very high quality on the FPE50, it is definitely capable of serving as an appropriate instrument for classical playing. With that said, it also has tons of fun features to dive into when you're looking for a bit of a break from rigorous practice. :)
I have got a brand new Fp E50 as a Christmas gift, but I am a little bit dissapointed!!!... I can not find this beautiful and colored sound that I hear from your videos!... even if I plug my external studio monitors Presonus 4.5!!!... What is the correct eq?... Stand or Desk eq?... I am a student but my ears tell me that something is going wrong with the sound!!!... My last keyboard was a Yamaha PSR E373 and sometimes I feel it sounds better!!!. Please give me some advice!!!... Thank you so much!!!...
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I am sorry to hear that you are feeling disappointed with your FP-E50. In my experiences, it is a fantastic, fully-loaded digital piano that provides a wonderful piano experience. In terms of stand or desk EQ settings, it depends on how you have the piano positioned. Of course, you can experiment with switching between both in any context, but I find that the EQs are appropriately labelled given the situation that they perform best in sonically. Our videos are captured with direct line outs from the tone engine into an audio interface. There is no colouring or post-processing of the sound, so what you are hearing is the default setting directly from the tone engine. Of course, the sound out from the speakers will be a bit different. Beyond that, it is possible that something may be wrong with your instrument, but it is impossible to triage that without hearing and playing the instrument in person.
I have not personally tried it in conjunction with an iPad or tablet. I believe it would be compatible in theory, but the performance might not be as good as with a laptop or computer. Perhaps, one of our community members here can chime in if they have any experience with using it conjunction with an iPad. :)
Hi, does the Zen Core function has any limitation to the tone that can be downloaded? For example, is it able to download some more Juno synth sound via the cloud function, if one has a license? Thanks.
Please correct me if I am wrong but the Fantom 06/07/08 have around 3,500 factory tones while the FP-E50 has around 1,000 according to Roland specs on their site. So I wouldn't say it is "exactly" what is in the Fantom 0 series. It's true that both have supernatural and Zen-core, but the 0 series have many more supernatural tones. In fact, the FP-E50 tone list contains 7 SN (supernatural) tones (all of them being pianos), while the Fantom 0 has dozens of supernatural sounds that include piano, epiano, strings, brass and woodwinds. I may be biased as I ordered a Fantom-08 recently. 😁😁
You are certainly correct! The FPE50 has some crossover to the Fantom-0 series instruments, but it does not offer the same extend of sonic capabilities (which is reflected in the price gap between these models). Congrats on your FANTOM-08! They're wonderful pianos! That is what Stu is actually gigging with these days. ;)
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Good morning Stu. In 2001, I bought a Roland RD700 and still use it, sometimes, to this day. The last couple of years I’ve been playing on my Kawai ES920. I was gifted a Roland FP E50 for my birthday by my brother. All I can say is wow! I agree with your review and it really is a lot of fun. Been going to bed really late lately due to getting lost in the E50 with my headphones. The value here blows me away and I’m really liking the PHA 4 key action. Thank you for your review. Your the best piano/keyboard reviewer on the net!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for taking the time to check out our review! I will be sure to pass along your kind words to Stu. :)
Congrats on your Roland FP-E50! It is an excellent addition to the arsenal and offers something a little different than the RD700 and ES920. As you have experienced, the cost-to-value ratio is mind-blowing. Even if this model was priced at $1000 more, I don't think anyone would be asking any questions or thinking twice about it! Thanks again and enjoy your new piano!
Thanks for your review and especially the PH 4 comment. Very helpful. 👍🏻
Hi. I have a Kaway Es 8 and I had a Roland Fp 30. I'm curious to know if you consider the piano tones in this new Roland as "realistic" as the ones in Kawai. Thanks
The PHA4Concert on the RD700 is a different PHA4 than the PHA4Standard on the FP-E50 though🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 How so? There are different PHA4 models? What is the difference?
Here's a shout out to this channel's videography, which is always stunning. That colorful, beautiful bokeh in the background is gorgeous.
Thanks so much for tuning in and for the kind words about our videography! I will be sure to pass on the compliment to our talented videographer, Lee! :)
I purchased an FP-E50 a month or so ago and am really enjoying it. I stumbled upon on undocumented feature that I think other people should know about too. I wanted to be able control other synthesizers from the FP-E50 but since it doesn't have standard 5 pin MIDI ports I thought I was going to have to connect it to a computer and control other synths from there - or possibly have to buy a separate "USB midi host" device which are either expensive or somewhat flaky based on reviews.
However, I found a comment somewhere claiming that on the older Roland FP-30 you can connect a USB MIDI interface (like the Roland UM-ONE mk2) to the USB memory port - the port that you would normally use for a USB flash drive - and then the FP-30 was able to send MIDI over that. So, I decided to try that with my newly purchased FP-E50 using an old E-MU brand USB MIDI interface that I already owned (similar to the Roland UM-ONE mk2) and surprisingly it works! It sends MIDI on channel 1 and also receives MIDI on channel 4. [Update: You can change what MIDI channel it sends from by pressing the Menu button, then select "Scene Edit", then "MIDI Setting".]
Anyways, I really appreciate all of your reviews Stu and Merriam Music. Though I purchased the FP-E50 before you made this video, I had watched your reviews of the FP-30X and other instruments and had a good hunch that the FP-E50 would be the right choice for me since I basically wanted an FP-30x with more sounds and a better interface.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you so much for tuning in and sharing this very helpful hack! USB-MIDI converters like the Roland UM-ONE are quite convenient for these situations. It is extremely helpful to know that the process and approach works with the Roland FP-E50!
Also, congrats on your FP-E50! It is an absolute powerhouse and one of the best bangs for your buck on the market right now. I know you will be thrilled with what it offers musically. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
That's very interesting.... can the parameters of the ZenCore sounds be adjusted (in real-time) via a controller/FaderFox sending CCs (or other)?
@@mungewell Your question prompted me to try that out and the answer is yes - though there are probably limitations. I've only just begun experimenting with this, but I have a Novation Circuit Tracks which has 8 knobs which by default sends MIDI CCs for 1, 2, 5, 11, 12, 13, 71 and 74. Making adjustments to some of those does affect the sounds on the FP-E50 and it's already added a new dimension to what I can do with this thing.
Edit: after some experimentation I've settled on assigning the 8 knobs as follows:
* CC 73 - attack time
* CC 72 - release time
* CC 76 - LFO rate
* CC 77 - LFO depth
* CC 74 - filter cutoff frequency
* CC 71 - filter resonance
* CC 11 - volume
* CC 93 - chorus
@@jimrhoades8456 That's fantastic news! Although the items you mention are probably just scratching the surface. There is no Midi Implementation doc for the FP-E50 (yet), but there is for the FP-50 which is very detailed... obviously these aren't the same keyboard, but engineers tend to be lazy and re-use what's gone before (a good thing!). It includes SysEx to do some pretty deep stuff.
There's also the Reference guide for the MC-707 which details the internal parameters of the Zen core, I wonder if any of these can be adjusted externally in realtime. It does mention assigning the 4 control knobs (which I don't think that the FP-E50 has) to CC's. Maybe parameter could be assigned via SysEx and then tweaked via CC.
Pg 74 - "MFX Control":
You can use MIDI messages such as control change messages to control the principal MFX parameters. This capability is called “MFX CONTROL (multi-effects control).” The editable parameters are pre-determined according to the MFX type. You can specify up to four parameters for multi-effect control. To use MFX CONTROL, you’ll need to specify which MIDI message (Source) will affect which parameter (Destination), and how greatly (Sens).
@@jimrhoades8456 If you look at the RD-88 implementation, there are SysEx descriptions for the MFX section (for each of Layer1/2/3). This doesn't give settings for external control, but does (suspiciously) have 12 'reserved' bytes.... which is the exact size that would be required to implement the same functionality as the MC-707!
Yes! First off, thanks to Merriam Music & Stu Harrison for this review. There is so much jammed packed into this Keyboard, it's hard to cover everything, let alone all the Sounds/Patches. For me, I've been waiting for this Keyboard for 20 years. I'm a guitar player, that also dabbles in piano. I started in the 80's on a Casio CT-7000, then moved to an Ensoniq ESQ-1 played through a Roland JC-120 when the early JC's had line inputs in the rear. What a great sound. But I really needed 88 Keys. So onto a Alesis QS8.1, then to a Yamaha P80, which I still play after 20 years. For Synth sounds I use a Ensoniq ZR-76. Now finally a Keyboard that covers it all for me. 88 Keys, Top notch Keybed, built in speakers, 256 note polyphony, half pedaling capability, Split/layering, Quality Piano Sample, and more tones and patches then you would ever need. Plus a host of other features. It's like if you only had radio, then TV came along. And all at a price that punches below it's weight class. Kudos Roland! Needless to say, always a pleasure to listen to Stu's outstanding keyboard skills and knowledge. Good Job!
Hi! Brent here! Thank you so much for taking the time to check out the video and write in with your thoughts and kind words! We appreciate it. :)
The Roland FPE50 is unquestionably an important piano that is filling a hole in the market both in terms of feature offering and price point. It is remarkable that Roland has included so much at this price! I think this is the type of instrument that might need two or three review videos to cover all of its extensive features. Thanks again and happy playing!
Personaly I don't think the PHA4 is a top notch action. Just my opinion🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 That's cool! To each their own.
As informative and fun as this review is, Stu barely scratches the surface. Didn’t talk much about the mic: Center Cancel (like karaoke) and auto-harmonies. Programable functions for the pedals. It’s an amazing value for the price. Please, a second part with more in-depth info! Yes, Stu! Go into the weeds!😊
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The feature offering for the FP-E50 is robust to say the least, so, without making the video 3 hours long, it is quite difficult to cover everything haha! With that said, this might be a model that requires a second video instalment to cover all of the critical features. ;)
3 hours long LOL
@Merriam Music Yes, please, a part two would be fantastic!
I have a Roland HP-230 I bought in 1997 and it still is going great.
That is amazing longevity! Very cool! :)
Stu, You are far and away my favorite digital piabo reviewer! Pro pianist here, play at school and churches. Thank you soo much for going into detail about the accompaniment feature. I feel the same about Rolands and ph4 action, love the way they feel and sound. Have an rd88 which I bought during Covid (thanks to your review) for gigs and planning on buying this one for home practice to replace my broken Casio. I also love listening to your jazz inprov.. it is amazing! Could listen for hours. Much appreciated!! ❤
Hi Andrew! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you so much for tuning in! I will be sure to share your kind words with Stu on your behalf. :)
The Roland RD88 is a little powerhouse and the PHA4 action is phenomenal to play on. Thanks again and happy playing!
Thank you! I’ve been waiting for this review!
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)
Thanks for your detailed reviews Stu. I have spent an entire week's free time deciding which digital piano l am going to buy and you have assisted me greatly at coming to a decision. The price point is acceptable to me considering the amount of functionality included. Deciding factors for me other than the piano likeness of the action and sound are 1. being able to make adjustments on the instrument without getting an external app, computer and using the keys to assign functions + a display screen; 2. an adequate speaker set-up for home use. Quality other instrument sounds and rhythms to jam with my electric guitarist husband. 3. Proper line in and out if I at some point get to use it at church. 4. front facing double headphone jacks. 5. The capacity to attach 3 pedals. I have owned both an accoustic piano a Kawai keyboard and Roland keyboard. I was considering the ES920 & the FP60x, but they are just slightly to expensive to me and gives me less freedom to jam with my talented husband. To keep the price down I was considering the ES120 & FP30x, but I don't want to be interacting with an app to adjust the parameters and struggle fiddling with onboard settings without an intuitive screen. I also tried out the RD88 @ our favourite music store, but ultimately decided against it as it does not have a music rest and I didn't like the speaker set-up for home use. Hope my reflection helps some other peeps decide 😊. Oh yeah, I also like the inclusion of the vocoder.🎉
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your thoughts and insights regarding your quest for the perfect digital piano. Based on what you're describing, the Roland FP-E50 seems to be the perfect fit! It checks off the vast majority of the boxes you've laid out. It is a piano that has tons of features and customization options built directly into the piano opposed to having to be accessed via an app. It is certainly worth consideration! :)
@@MerriamPianos thanks guys. Good Day from Australia!🇦🇺
Just purchased my FP-E50. These videos were so helpful!!
Absolutely adore mine took back the Yamaha dgx 670,no comparison ❤
Awesome review on this feature packed keyboard. Been waiting for a good review like this to help me make a decision to purchase and your review has certainly persuaded me. This is such a great value for the money and you did a terrific job hitting some highlights. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and talented playing with us. 👍🏼
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in! We're glad that you have found our reviews helpful. Happy playing! :)
Have you bought it? If yes, which case did you buy for it?
Another excellent, informative and articulate review. Many thanks, Stu.
Thanks so much for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed Stu's review! :)
Okay-I got the Roland FP E-50 today. I’ve been playing for the last two hours and I have this to say. Woweeee! This is so much fun. This is the most entertaining, good-sounding, and versatile instrument I’ve ever owned. I’m smiling so hard right now. Thank you for the review that made me buy this. I didn’t have $1000 in disposable income and also, have no regrets. ❤ OMG, so much fun.
Hi Jason! Congrats on your new Roland FP-E50! I'm so happy to hear that you've been enjoying everything it offers (although I am not surprised in the least ;) as it is an amazing instrument with a boatload of fun, engaging features! Happy playing! :)
There are buttons numbered 1-5 and a billion tones that are numbered. I find the menu a bit cumbersome. Even using the favorites menu is slow. I’d love for there to be a that we can just type in a number and get directly to a tone (or rhythm). The favorites bank is still cumbersome. I should be able to type on “331” and go directly to synth lead or whatever 331 is. Yamaha’s cheapest keyboards gave that function. I’m sure it can easily be implemented in a firmware update. If you have a contact at Roland, please make this suggestion. Thanks !
How FP-60X makes sense now?
Excellent review by the way. Thanks you so much Stu.
Thanks so much! We appreciate it. :)
The FP60X still has its place as it has a higher-quality speaker experience as well as app connectivity whereas the FP-E50 does not. With that said, I suspect many customers will be choosing the FP-E50 over the FP60X due to its price and feature offering. We will be releasing a video comparison on this very soon by the way. ;)
Hey Stu, thanks for this review. I found your video after ordering (in the uk) and it helped me build the excit meant before it arrived. My first impressions are great.
I connected Bluetooth midi and Bluetooth audio on my iPad with no issues at all
Hi Chris! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on your FP-E50! It is quite the powerhouse. I'm happy to hear that you've been enjoying it and have not been having any issued with the Bluetooth functionality. :)
Thank you for your review I called the shop the day you were filming and was asking so many questions about this model and the rep said we are literally filming that keyboard as we speak and that it would be available to watch in a couple days. I’m glad I waited to see your review I definitely want to buy it. If your able to I would love to see a comparison video between the Roland FP-E50 vs Yamaha DGX670 which I was told is why Roland built this model to compete with Yamaha? Thank you for all your hard work in making such informative videos!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for tuning in! I'm happy that you were able to check out the review video prior to making a decision. The Roland FPE50 is an absolute powerhouse! Given the incredible dense feature list, it is quite impressive that Roland was able to offer it at the price point they did. Roland has definitely drawn a line in the sand with this model. As for a comparison with the DGX670, we will do our best to tackle it, but we have quite a few videos ahead of that in the queue. For what it's worth, given the fact that all of the features and functions are combined with a truly amazing musical offering via the PHA-4 action and ZEN-Core/SuperNATURAL tone engines, I would personally give a pretty substantial edge to Roland on this one. Thanks again and all the best!
Some points of comparisons are the following:
1) Speakers: Yamaha has upward facing speakers with woofers + tweeters while Roland has downward facing woofers with no tweeters. Drum beat sound quality is particularly affected when there are no tweeters or speakers facing the player.
2) Piano Quality: Yamaha has the CFX samples with both the VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) and Natural voices. Roland has their SuperNatural piano. Both engines use sampling as well as modeling. Extensive sound editing capabilities on the Yamaha: Touch Sense Offset and Depth, Harmonic Content, Brightness, Attack, Decay, Release, equalizer, harmony, etc. Same on the Roland.
3) Touch Sensitivity: Yamaha has 128 types vs Roland 100 types. Both are above the 5 types offered by FP-30X, P125a, and ES120. This allows better control of the piano samples in the area of dynamic control.
4) Arranger Styles: Yamaha offers 263 styles and Roland 177 styles (after update). Yamaha also offers more styles in their MusicSoft website.
5) Number of Variations per Style: Yamaha offers 4 variations vs Roland 2 variations. More variations allow for more nuanced backing tracks.
6) Intro/Ending: Yamaha offers 3 Intros and 3 Endings, while Roland offers just 1 intro and 1 ending.
7) Sounds: Yamaha has 601 voices + 29 Drum/SFX kits. Roland has 652 voices + 74 drum sets. Yamaha has Super Articulation, Mega Voice, Natural, Sweet, Cool, and Live! voices. Roland has the Zen-Core engine.
8) Expandability: Yamaha has MusicSoft while Roland has the Roland Cloud.
9) Screen: Yamaha has a large color screen. Roland has a monochromatic screen with a blue backing light, similar to their BK-5 arranger.
10) Microphone: both have a built-in microphone suite (3-band EQ, reverb, chorus, panning, noise gate, compressor, etc) to connect a dynamic microphone and sing
11) Yamaha DGX-670 other features: Piano Room, Score Display for piano lessons, Bluetooth Audio, recording, playback, compressor, layering sounds, full-featured equalizer, DSP effects of all types, 16-track sequencer, registration memory, follow lights, Karao-Key, USB audio interface, etc.
12) Yamaha DGX-670 more features: Vocal Cancel, Pitch Shift, Time Stretch, 500 Records on Playlist (unlimited via USB), Tap Tempo, Intelligent Acoustic Control, Stereo Optimizer, etc, etc. Same with Roland.
13) Apps: Yamaha DGX-670 offers Chord Tracker (extracts the chord sequence of an audio song stored on your device), Visual Performer. Roland has similar apps.
@@Instrumental-Covers well that was a bucket load of information so which one do you like better personally?
@@deadstick100 I haven't played a Roland FP-E50 yet, but I am familiar with all Roland digital pianos (I also owned two before) as well as their dedicated arranger keyboards ( I also owned one of their dedicated arrangers). The FP-E50 doesn't cut it for me. It is not a better arranger nor a better digital piano than the DGX-670. It is a sort of combo between an FP-30X and an entry level arranger keyboard like the Roland EX-50 with the old fashioned screen of the BK-5. I guess it is great for Roland fans who want to upgrade from the FP-30X.
Yeah! I have been waiting (and actually asking) for this review. Thank you quite a bunch for this one. This instrument has so much to offer, though, that you have not been able to cover in this video, that should consider to record a second part.
You're very welcome! Thank you for your patience! And I definitely hear you. This might be a model that requires a second (and, perhaps, third) review video to cover all of the features on this powerhouse! :)
@Merriam Music Indeed! Thank you so much! You guys are phenomenal! And Stu's piano performance is outstanding! I just love to listen to him playing!
Great review, and playing. I just got one and love it. Thanks for the tip with pianist 2 /split point backing setup for jazz. I did build some custom risers for a set of iLoud speakers to augment the sounds, and find the assignable triple pedals for fill variation helpful.
Thanks a million! We really appreciate it! We're glad that you enjoyed it! Also, congrats on your FPE50! It is a fantastic machine and it sounds like you have built a nice little rig for yourself to enjoy it. :)
Which case did you get for it? It is a bit hard finding one to fit it because of its height. Thanks in advance!
Finally! Been waiting for this to be reviewed here.
Thanks for your patience! We're excited to finally release it! :)
We actually will need and FP-60X vs FP-E50 the battle of the budget edition
That is a fantastic idea! We will add it to the list and try to tackle the comparison as soon as we can. :)
Yes, please.
They’re the same price now. The FP-E50 has to be the winner!
This is the best review I’ve seen of this keyboard, thank you. I just wish that manufacturers in this price bracket for these piano arranger types of keyboard had midi in and also multi zone multi voice splits/overlays. I had this on my M1 back in the 1990s so it’s frustrating that functions I considered standard then are now not so
Thanks so much! We appreciate that immensely! :)
I know there are a lot of applications where a traditional 5-pin DIN MIDI connection would be the preference. With that said, there are work arounds (USB to MIDI connectors, MIDI hubs, etc.) that can allow for flexible connectivity. Also, in this case, the FP-E50 is so fully-loaded with features that its extremely difficult to argue the amazing value it presents.
they don't include it anymore because it can be done much better on a computer and it costs a lot more to put a microchip in one of these than just allowing you to connect your computer
@@phoenix4193 yes unless you want to simply slave the keyboard from another keyboard which is what I would like to do.
Thanks a lot, much better then pxs 3100 but nearly same price range in europe, buying decision shifted😊greetings from Germany
You're very welcome! The PXS3100 certainly has its strengths as well (portability and excellent piano tones for instance), but the FP-E50 is definitely tough to compete with due to how rich in features it is. :)
Listening to you play makes me want to buy one
The FP-E50 is a lot of fun! I think that is quite evident from Stu's face when he's playing it! :)
I can honestly say from what I have seen so far, this keyboard is giving you the Fantom 0 series in a digital piano. The only issue I have with it is how it looks. But a great alternative to the Yamaha DGX.
It does have quite a bit of cross-over with the Fantom-0 series models, but with onboard speakers. It is an excellent, fully-loaded digital piano! :)
I really enjoyed this review.
Thanks a million! We appreciate it. :)
At 3:28 you state that the keyboard will not connect with the Roland Piano app. You'll be pleased to know that with software update 1.20, which came available in January 2024, the piano app is now supported. So that's a step forward. Thanks for an excellent review.
Thank you kindly for sharing! And thank you for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
Stu, can you please do a beginner tutorial for those of us who are struggling with getting started. The User Manual is absolutely impenetrable and might just as well be written in Spanish. It probably is, I can't tell. A lot of new users will be extremely grateful to you.
Hi Chris! Brent from Merriam Music here! The FP-E50 is an amazing machine that is packed with a lot of features and capabilities (as you are discovering). With that said, I think a follow up video that digs into using these features and onboard functions is a great idea. I will pass on the suggestion to Stu and our production team for you. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
@@MerriamPianos Hello Brent. Thank you. I'm sure there must be a lot of users in the same boat as I am, who have been quite happily playing on FP 30x or 60x's both of which are quite straight forward, to play. They don't really require much tuition. But sitting down at an FP-E50 is a whole new ball game. Roland, have just chucked us in the deep end to either sink or swim. There's nothing on the Roland website to offer assistance or guidance. So I'm sure I speak for many others when I say, we are greatly looking forward to your future vids. On behalf of myself and many others, I sincerely thank you.
I need to know which one is better, the Roland FP e50 or the Kawai ES-120?
Well done and very professional review! I especially like your detailed comments on key action. Thank you, Stu! IMO by far the best reviews on YT. Looking forward to the coming releases, maybe a Kawai MP-12? 😉
Thanks so much! We really appreciate the kind words. We have not received notice about a Kawai MP12 yet, but we will keep you in the loop if we hear anything. ;)
Awesome review and playing as usual!
You're very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to check out the video! :)
Stu, nice review as usual. Just 3 quick questions: 1) When using the accompaniment feature, do I have the option of using only the drums and not the full band to accompany me? 2) Is there an easily accessible EQ on the keyboard? 3) Due to the extra height of this keyboard, which bag on the market does it fit in neatly?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! You can switch between the drums and full accompaniment using the "Accompaniment On" button. In terms of EQ, it does not have an onboard EQ like the FP90X model does, but you can adjust the piano sounds by digging into the "Piano Designer" feature. :)
Nice update from Roland, might consider getting this too, since it is so versatile.
Absolutely! It's a hard instrument to pass up on when you look at its impressive feature offering and cost-to-value ratio! :)
Something i never thought about concerning the fp E50. I read a review where someone complained about the deeper sound box, that is, bottom to top of keys. They said it made the keyboard and your hands sit higher when playing. If they lowered the stand they said they then couldnt get their knees under the piano.
Not sure if that is a problomatic thing with the e50 or anyone else encountered this. Watching the video I can now see when Stu plays the e50 it is higher than the fp60x by quite a lot.
That is perhaps a problem for players using a folding X-stand. However, we recommend using a Z-stand like the Profile KDS450MA. That should allow you to get the piano low enough without being uncomfortable and ensuring there is ample space for your knees. :)
About time you get to reviewing this keyboard.
Thank you for being patient! We're excited to finally release this highly-anticipated review! :)
Jackpot, smash-hit, bingo, this gear covers every need that I could have and then some more. I see here my first piano 🙂
Absolutely! The Roland FPE50 is a powerhouse! :)
Great review as always! Thanks!
Thanks a million! We appreciate that. :)
Thanks for the video Stu. Trying to decide between this and the FP-30X.
Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for tuning in! The FP30X and FP-E50 have the same core action and tone engine, so there is not too much difference between the piano experience. With that said, the FP-E50 has far more features and capabilities packed into it (hence its more expensive price tag).
This review seems to be aimed at intermediate/advanced players. I'm researching for my very 1st digital piano ever and I also sing. What I'm interested in are the specs on the speakers (amps/size/how many), midi/bluetooth features and microphone specs/demo. Also, if there is a lesson or chord/lyric display option like it's competitor the Yamaha DGX 670. If I'm on this review I'm already sold on the 88 key/weighted graded features and a top brand name. Love the playing but would appreciate a 2nd part review aimed more at beginner/low intermediate players looking to sing/record along with learning to play.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in! The FP-E50 has two 12 cm speakers that are 11W each. It does have Bluetooth MIDI and Audio, but it is not a model that is supported by Roland's Piano App. It does offer chord identification and display as well as the ability to upload chord progressions into the arranger features. There is certainly a lot to dig into with this model, so I like your idea about a follow-up video. I will pass the suggestion on to our production team. :)
I was thinking about the Casio -7000 but thinking this might be more versatile. Although that Casio is beautiful. The super natural of Roland is awesome. Decisions ... great video as always.
Thanks for tuning in and for the kind words! We appreciate it. It is definitely a difficult call between two excellent pianos. We hope our review videos can help you narrow things down. :)
I just got my Fp e50 and I was surprised and confused when I went to connect the Roland piano app to it and it didn’t work. But here’s the weird thing! When I went into my Bluetooth section on my iPad both the midi and audio Bluetooth for the e50 where present and connected. I tried the keyboard with a piano lesson app I use and it worked via Bluetooth. So while I think it stinks that it doesn’t work with the Roland app I am very happy that it works with my other apps
Congrats on your FPE50! It is a wonderful piano and I know you will be thrilled with what it offers musically! It is unfortunate that it is not compatible with the Roland Piano app. However, it is awesome that you have found apps that do work in conjunction with it. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy your new piano! :)
Hi. I bought the FP-E50 few weeks ago. There's a severe issue with piano sounds. The piano sounds sound very muffled and deaf, just as high frequencies on the EQ were cut off completely. It's not that I don't like the sound, rather sounds are somehow incorrectly set. I posted this comment under other reviews of the FP-E50 and hope someone can shed some light on this issue. Funny, all other sounds sound normally and very nice (like guitar, brass, strings, drums etc.). Only pianos sound bad. The issue occurs regardless of the quality of speakers as I connected line-out to different good speakers and the resulting sound is always the same, as said just like you cut off high frequencies on the EQ. The internal EQ settings don't help at all, but even so, shouldn't it sound correctly without tweaking the EQ. Piano sounds in your video are really great. My machine sounds nothing like this.Could it be that only my machine is faulty ? If so, should I return it or should I use the warranty? Please, I'd appreciate any advice. Thank you very much
Hi! Brent here! I'm sorry to hear that you are not fully-satisfied with the tone of your FP-E50. I responded to your previous comment with some insights. I would recommend connecting with your dealer to help troubleshoot the issue and determine whether it is the specific unit or a characteristic of the piano experience that you are simply not connecting with. In either case, the dealer should be able to assist you with potential solutions.
I am finding problems with the Piano sound as well. I find it muddy but even more concerning, strangely shrill. Even at a really low volume and through quality earphones, my ears start to ache. I tried to mess around with the EQ and couldn't solve it. I rented a fp30x to compare and the piano sound through earphones is quite different.. The fp30x does not hurt my ears, sounds clearer, more expressive and more focused. It's unfortunate because I really love the features of the fp E50 and want to keep it. The accompaniments are incredibly fun and the chord display so useful. Do you have any suggestions on how to make the sound less shrill? As I mentioned, I played around with EQ as well as earphone settings and couldn't solve it. Thanks for any help you can offer.
These are some differences and similarities between the Roland FP-E50 and Yamaha DGX-670:
1) Speakers: Yamaha has upward facing speakers with woofers + tweeters while Roland has downward facing woofers with no tweeters. Drum beat sound quality is particularly affected when there are no tweeters or speakers facing the player.
2) Piano Quality: Yamaha has the CFX samples with both the VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) and Natural voices. Roland has their SuperNatural piano. Both engines use sampling as well as modeling. Extensive sound editing capabilities on the Yamaha: Touch Sense Offset and Depth, Harmonic Content, Brightness, Attack, Decay, Release, equalizer, harmony, etc. Same on the Roland.
3) Touch Sensitivity: Yamaha has 128 types vs Roland 100 types. Both are above the 5 types offered by FP-30X, P125a, and ES120. This allows better control of the piano samples in the area of dynamic control.
4) Arranger Styles: Yamaha offers 263 styles and Roland 177 styles (after update). Yamaha also offers more styles in their MusicSoft website.
5) Number of Variations per Style: Yamaha offers 4 variations vs Roland 2 variations. More variations allow for more nuanced backing tracks.
6) Intro/Ending: Yamaha offers 3 Intros and 3 Endings, while Roland offers just 1 intro and 1 ending.
7) Sounds: Yamaha has 601 voices + 29 Drum/SFX kits. Roland has 652 voices + 74 drum sets. Yamaha has Super Articulation, Mega Voice, Natural, Sweet, Cool, and Live! voices. Roland has the Zen-Core engine.
8) Expandability: Yamaha has MusicSoft while Roland has the Roland Cloud.
9) Screen: Yamaha has a large color screen. Roland has a monochromatic screen with a blue backing light, similar to their BK-5 arranger.
10) Microphone: both have a built-in microphone suite (3-band EQ, reverb, chorus, panning, noise gate, compressor, etc) to connect a dynamic microphone and sing
11) Yamaha DGX-670 other features: Piano Room, Score Display for piano lessons, Bluetooth Audio, recording, playback, compressor, layering sounds, full-featured equalizer, DSP effects of all types, 16-track sequencer, registration memory, follow lights, Karao-Key, USB audio interface, etc.
12) Yamaha DGX-670 more features: Vocal Cancel, Pitch Shift, Time Stretch, 500 Records on Playlist (unlimited via USB), Tap Tempo, Intelligent Acoustic Control, Stereo Optimizer, etc, etc. Same with Roland.
13) Apps: Yamaha DGX-670 offers Chord Tracker (extracts the chord sequence of an audio song stored on your device), Visual Performer. Roland has similar apps.
Just a few corrections and additions to make on the topic of this highly-contested showdown between two powerhouses in the industry:
-FPE50 sound presets:
947 x Factory Sound Presets and 74 x Factory Drum Kits
DGX670' sound presets:
601 x Sound Presets and 29 x Drum Kits
-FPE50 performance functions:
Dual Zone, Sequencer, Temperament Adjustment, Transpose, Tuning Adjustment
-DGX670 performance functions: Dual Zone, Transpose, Tuning Adjustment
-FPE50 I/O options:
2 x 1/4" Instrument Output
1 x 1/4" Headphone Output
1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone Output
1 x 1/4" Mic Input
1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Aux Input
-DGX670 I/O options:
1 x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Aux Input
1 x 1/4" TS Mic Input
-FPE50 weight:
37 lb / 16.8 kg
-DGX670 weight:
47.2 lb / 21.4 kg
There is certainly a lot more to cover with both of these instruments. Perhaps a thorough comparison video is needed to tackle this one!
@@MerriamPianos You missed the Master Tune/Scale Tune on the DGX-670 with its 9 Temperament Adjustments, as well as the Sequencer. It is not exclusive to the FP-E50.
Here are some other features of the Yamaha DGX-670, which should also be on the FP-E50:
- Chord tutor
- Style Creator
- Song Creator
- Split Point/Chord Fingering styles
- Keyboard Harmony types
What Roland misses is something simple: if you make an arranger, you focus on the arranger. Otherwise, you have just made a lite workstation with some arranger capabilities.
Roland focuses on the workstation part while Yamaha focuses on the arranger part.
Either way, both instruments are head and shoulders of most of the similarly priced digital pianos.
@@Instrumental-Coversthe DGX doesn’t have escapement! Big difference!
Ciao Brent e Stu. Un pianoforte piuttosto stupefacente con un ottimo prezzo. Gli speakers sono ottimi e generano un suono molto ricco nonostante gli 11 watt, molto probabilmente dipende anche dall'altezza maggiore del pianoforte. L'ho confrontato side by side con Casio px s3100 e Yamaha DGX 670 . Le differenza fra questi prodotti sono parecchie. Il keybed è completamente diverso come pure il suono del campione di pianoforte. Vanno provati! E' bello vedere Stu come suona il pianoforte! Ciao dall'Italia.
Hi Roberto! As always, thank you for checking out the video and sharing your thoughts! We appreciate it. I definitely agree with your synopsis of the FPE50. It is an excellent combination of features. The PHA4 action provides an excellent touch and the 11W speakers are quite rich sounding. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Another excellent review video, Stu. I like Casio and Yamaha gear, but Roland has always been my favorite for years. I have, and have had so much Roland/Boss gear since the early 1980's. My 6 note 1983 JX-3P was super expensive, with minimal capabilities in comparison to entry level keyboards today. Even my Fantom X6 Audio Expansion looked really nice, had so much capabilities for the time, but not so easy to use and comprehensive like this FP-E50.
I plan to get this in a few months. It is incredible, especially for the price, and almost perfect for everything I want in an 88 key digital piano.
I thought the RD 88 was great as a more compact, lighter and portable RD 88 and for about half the price, and ditto for the Fantom 06/07/08 as opposed to the Flagship Fantom series.
So you get a combination of the RD 88 and Fantom 08 in one keyboard, with probably the most innovative and ingenious auto arranger and user interface, and all the right connectivity, with the headphone jacks in the front, and the pitch bend/modulation wheels.
What more can you ask for at $1000 USD?
Simply incredible instrument. 👍🎹🎵💯🔥
I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts and points! Roland has drawn a real line in the sand with the FPE50. It redefines value for the entire digital piano market in my opinion. There is so much technology and so many features packed into this powerhouse instrument. It is quickly becoming a favourite choice amongst players of all levels. :)
@@MerriamPianos The closest competitors to the FP-E50 is the Yamaha DGX-670 for slightly less, but still don't have all the capabilities, and the Kawai ES120 at about the same price as the DGX-670 that features the sample of their flagship $250K acoustic concert grand piano, with great keyboard and action, with detailed adjustments to simulate all the acoustic and tactile feedback and resonance of a real acoustic grand, but only 27 voice tones, and falls short in almost everything else that the FP-E50 has for that price. With it's feature set, it probably rivals and in ways may surpass the much more expensive Yamaha arranger keyboards.
The direct competitor of the Roland FP-E50 is the new YAMAHA CK 88 pls can you do a comparison of the two.
Thank you kindly for the suggestion! We will do our best to tackle that for you! :)
The price point of this is very interesting indeed, it makes the FP-60X completely pointless. As far as bluetooth midi is concerned, it is listed in the manual and specs, there are no details on operating it however. Only bluetooth audio function is explained.
The FPE50 is definitely a compelling choice! With that said, the FP60X does have its place at the table so-to-speak given that it does have a superior speaker system and, consequently, piano sound than the FPE50. However, I suspect many players will opt for the FPE50 over both the FP30X and FP60X given its attractive offering. In terms of the Bluetooth MIDI, the FPE50 can still transmit Bluetooth MIDI info for controlling purposes, but it does not have app compatibility. This is another area where the FP60X may have an edge for some customers.
Hi Stu, I have to say, I love the way you play, and also yours reviews. I have a question for you. Despite the fact that I think you lean more towards the Roland brand, I am doubtful about what type of instrument is the one that fits my needs. I'm a novice pianist, but I'm starting to compose and three pieces of equipment really caught my attention: The Roland FP E50, the Yamaha GSX 670 and maybe the Roland Juno JS88. My musical foundation is not very solid yet, but it would be nice to have an electric piano to complement my acoustic piano and to have a tool on hand that allows me to compose. It is important to tell you that for some unknown reason, the Yamaha keyboard is sold in my country (Mexico) for more than double the price (around $2,300 USD), but both Roland have a much more decent price (just over $1,000 USD). Based on the above, which do you think would be the right one for my needs? And since I highly respect your opinion, personally which would you prefer, the FP E50 or the DGX 670?
Thank you very much and greetings.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question! At the end of the day, it really comes down to a matter of preference. The FPE50 and DGX670 are both excellent and highly-versatile instruments. With that said, my personal preference is the Roland FPE50. To me, the action is more authentic feeling and the feature offering is immense. However, when it comes to tone, they are quite different. If possible, my recommendation would be to test both out a showroom to decide which one you resonate with most. :)
As always, a great review of the tool. I recently sold my FP30x and was thinking about a more interesting instrument. The Phantom series is not entirely interesting to me, the price is high, and I only play music at home. This Tool is right to the point of my interest, Thanks for the review. I agree with you, midi bluetooth works very unstable. I have tried Macbook, iPad, iPhone, Samsung tablet and many others. There is no connection with the computer at all, as I did not try, with the iPad 50/50 but constant delays in the processing of sound and tasks, the iPhone was connected almost always, but the midi slowed down, Samsung is just a mockery of the user, so I consider the bluetooth connection to be unfinished by Roland . The wire solves all problems, but then it complicates the connection with the tablet))) But we need less wires)))
Thank you, we look forward to further interesting reviews from you.
Thanks so much for tuning in! The Roland FPE50 might be the perfect fit if you're looking for something more interesting and entertaining than the FP30X. In terms of the Bluetooth MIDI, I am of the same mind. While wireless technologies continue to improve, I still rely on wired connections. I find them more stable and more reliable. :)
The sliding controls are a great addition. But there is one thing I don't understand - why is Roland still using Bluetooth 4.2? 5.3 is the latest and Ver 5.0 has been around for quite some time already.
I agree! The sliders are quite convenient and a wonderful addition. In terms of the Bluetooth version, I am not entirely sure. I suppose that would be a question that has to be fielded directly to Roland.
The question is: why should they? BLE 5 offers ultra low power modes/devices which make no sense here or high bandwidth devices that basically don’t exist in consumer environments. So no reason to integrate a ble version for features that are not used
Strangely, I'm just so torn between this and the Casio PX-S6000. Obviously at a pretty drastically different price point; is it crazy to think that they're quite comparable units though? I guess I'm partially hung up on the looks and overall modern feel of the S6000 (I would get the wood-legged stand), I think the keys feel more 'pianoey', but I keep coming back to the FP-E50 because it seems like it has so much to offer for the money. Any thoughts are appreciated. Also, Stu, thanks for all of the genuinely insightful, honest reviews and outstanding playing.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for tuning in and writing in! The PXS6000 and FPE50 are both excellent instruments, but quite different offerings. I do agree that the sleek, modern, and portable design of the PXS6000 is quite attractive - especially if you're gigging with the instrument! It also has a wonderful touch and tone to complement its looks. With that said, the FPE50 is a very different animal. If you are looking for an arranger style piano with some of the biggest range of auto-accompaniment options, it would be the clear choice. If you won't be utilizing those particular features, other options from the Roland line like the FP30X and FP60X might be more appropriate.
I own a Yamaha DGX-670. Actually, I have owned arrangers from Roland, Yamaha, Korg and Casio in the past. I am glad to see Roland is now offering something in this category. For me personally, this is just not interesting at all. The FP-E50 doesn't do anything I value over the DGX-670, but Roland fans can now opt for an arranger digital piano, which is nice.
Everything comes down to personal preference as we know. With that said, this is an excellent option for players seeking a quality arranger at a fantastic price point with Roland's action and tone engines.
I might have given up on the E-50 too quickly, but I played a couple of chords on its acoustic piano voice and didn't like it at all. The sales lady was kind of surprised at how quickly I rejected it. I guess I should have tried some of the other patches. Of the pianos I tried, I liked the CA701 the best. On your own channel, you have some impressive comparisons of the DGX to sample libraries like the Garitan CFX.
@@JoeLinux2000 Hi! Thank you for the feedback on those comparisons. I might add a few more in the future. I think the FP-E50 is similar to the Korg XE20, but not so much to the DGX-670. Yamaha arrangers are above the competition. Actually, Roland and Kawai left the scene of high-end arrangers several years ago.
I think an fpe50 vs dgx670 showdown should also be presented!
@@rolexmarcelo3218 I don't think it is possible to do a showdown (a final test or confrontation intended to settle a dispute) because it still comes down to personal/company preferences and values. People react differently to piano samples, piano actions, other sounds and features... the most you can do is upload a video with your point of view and support it with your personal opinions, but that's still not a way to settle something in any official way. Different channels have different reviews. Ultimately, you will have to either believe others, or develop your own opinion.
Like that screen!
Thanks for tuning in! :)
The line-outs make this a more serious contender for gigging and recording than the DGX-670. Also, it is about 4kg lighter than the DGX-670. Yamaha must be concerned.
Hi Mike. Not at all. You don't record on the DGX-670 via Line Out, you use the built-in Audio Interface for CD quality sound. The Line Out issue is an irrelevant complaint: as you know, there are plenty of "TRS stereo to TRS Mono" splitter cables to connect to Front of House PA speakers if needed. The DGX-670 is a bit heavier, but not something that will be a deal breaker for most (I am sure you can carry a similar weight keyboard such as the Kawai MP7SE or Roland RD2000). In addition, the DGX-670 has many more accompaniment styles than the FP-E50, and 4 variations of them rather than two. In addition, you have excellent CFX samples as well as Pop grand piano samples, which you know are second to none when it comes to realism and cutting through a mix. Nothing to worry about from Yamaha with the FP-E50.
Hi Mike! Roland is certainly drawing a line in the sand with this model and I think it is safe to say that the FPE50 was built to be a direct competitor to the DGX670. At the end of the day, they're both very excellent machines with fantastic cost-to-value offerings. However, the presence of the ZEN-Core and SuperNATURAL engines along with the PHA-4 action at the core of the instrument makes it a pretty difficult instrument to compete with at this price point. :)
@@Instrumental-Covers Hello, nice to hear from you. We'll have to agree to disagree about the line-out & carry weight issues. My P-255 piano is 17.3kg. I would think twice before getting anything heavier. After a knee collapsed a few years ago, my partner (a health worker) begged me not to buy a heavy piano, so I bought this one.
It all worked out perfectly - I quickly grew to love the P-255, and with lots of physiotherapy, my knee recovered about 90%. We also saved the second knee, which started to go. Even so, I'm very careful when I lift or carry my piano.
Carry weight should matter less with a case/bag that includes castors, but some venues are inaccessible unless you cross a lawn and go up a flight of stairs. That's when the special (but heavier) case/bag becomes a disadvantage.
Don't worry, I realise that the DGX-670 still has some unique advantages.
@@Zoco101 Oh, I am sorry to hear about your knee. Would you use an arranger in a gig? What do you personally prefer, a Roland FP-E50 or a Yamaha MX88? The later is a digital piano workstation (13 Kg) with Motif sounds. It does have beats. I actually used to have the MX61.
@@Instrumental-Covers Thanks, but I consider myself lucky, since I've effectively recovered, for now at least. No, I don't think I would need an arranger on a gig. A few prerecorded basslines are the most I usually need (I make them for the more challenging swing tunes) and increasingly, I perform without them anyway. The built-in rhythms could be useful for practising my band repertoire if they cover enough jazz styles, but I doubt I'd buy a separate instrument just for that.
Very Nice!!
Thank you so much! :)
Stu got me interested in this digital piano by saying that PHA-4 action implementation in FP-E50 is less clicky (modified?).
I like PHA-4 (after all my first three digital pianos were with this action) but I could not tolerate how noisy PHA-4 was.
I will test it and report back. If it is better that what I had in FP-30X, I will buy it even though I do not need all its features and it is too heavy for me (I mean digital piano itself).
Michael
Sometimes, the enclosure design itself can have an impact on the action and its various elements, such as key noise. Hopefully, the FP-E50 is satisfactory for your needs and desires as it quite an impressive instrument overall. :)
Tips for buyers on competition
Yamaha DGX - 670
Pros - 4 style variations/ better style programs/ reads PSR style files with 4 variations ( there are thousands if free styles)
Can write user styles/ more realistic and musical styles that can be used/ can play midi files ( Roland can not)
40 plus Super Articulation sounds ( best nylon/ acoustic guitars / saxes, etc that Roland or Casio can’t touch)
Will read midi files ( including Roland ‘s GS and Yamaha’s XG files). Remember most pro GM files are written in GS format)
Has 16 track sequencer
Cons- heavy/ bulky/ GHS keys ( not as good as Roland) . Not gig worthy ( screaming “amateur keyboard)/ no vocal harmony
/ no modulation wheel/ only headphone out/ no separate LR outs
Korg XE- 20
Light weight( 25 Ibs)/ terrible key touch and response/ PA80 arranger styles/ will read SMF/ Wav/ Mp3 files but poorly designed for live playback. No joystick/ pitch bend/ mod wheel/ PA 80 arranger styles means 2 fills and jumpy fills / no style writing/ has basic sequencer
Roland FP- E50
Pros - great key feel/ individual weights ( key response not as fast as Yamaha’s GHS for fast notes runs due to escapement mechanics for certain patches but great for piano tones
- better piano tones ( than Yamaha or Casio)
- pro looking keyboard on stage ( well designed/ no speakers on top or front)
-individual LR outs
- Vocal harmony
- 37 pounds ( lightest pro feel/looking arranger with build in speakers)
- blue tooth midi and audio
- chord sequencer
Cons- Can’t read or write midi files ( only Wav files) . That means you can’t play pre sequenced general midi files with VH data)
- other sounds ( non super natural tones)are good enough but not great ( especially saxes/ guitars still has Juno Di / Ds quality) . Not super articulation quality
- arranger feature is afterthought and style are poorly written ( limitations start to appear if you are One Man Band / solo performer)
- 2 style variations means 1990 era backing with improved sounds ( you will not be able to load even BK3 styles which has 4 variations)
Overall verdict- There is no competition in the market.great if you need one keyboard that has 88 keys and pro piano sounds and other acceptable sounds with manageable weight that has pitch/ mod wheels . Looks great as well.
For OMB players;You just have to load wav files and play and sing on top while using real time harmony by pressing chords in real time
Unfortunate for Casio. Which is still not considered as “pro” looking/ considered KB on stage ( regardless how they improved with the sounds, etc, the stigma is still there). It may take a decade and multiple endorsements.
Thanks for taking the time to check out our channel and share your insights! We appreciate it. :)
The only thing I would add is not to write Casio off. The PXS portable piano models are fantastic, particularly the newer models like the PXS6000 and PXS70000. These are more than suitable for pro-level performance and gigging players will appreciate their portability.
Love your playing. A deal breaker for me would be no fingered on bass. It appears on a style you play, that you the arranger is recognizing your F/G chord. Hope this is in 'intelligent' mode. Also, can you change instruments or balances within the style itself? Loving this boards potential.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu for you. While the FP-E50 is immense in terms of its features and control capabilities, you cannot change the instrumentation of the accompaniment. With that said, there is a way to assign volume control to the assignable wheels, which apparently allow you to change the blend of the rhythm section and the other instruments.
@@MerriamPianos Hi Brent and thank you. Good to know about the assign feature (changing the blend would be interesting and fabulous) Saving to scenes is so useful. Also, I have read there is a fingered on bass option. Going to pick one up.
Thank you for the indepth review, Sir. This helped me decide. I'm replacing an older casio electric piano that just feels so bad compared to the alesis and KORG triton-88 that I had. And my god... the casio electric piano patch is so bad...
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! We're very happy to hear that you this review was helpful in your decision process. The FP-E50 is an exceptional, fully-loaded piano! :)
Thanks a lots.
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)
Thanks Stu for your incredible review!... but i need a full comparation with the fp 60x!... Which one should I buy?...
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for reaching out! We will definitely be doing more comparison videos that feature the Roland FPE50 and we have received a few requests for a comparison with the FP60X. We will do our best to tackle that as soon as we can. With that said, the decision between the FP60X and FPE50 ultimately comes down to how the instrument is going to be used. If the arranger and accompaniment features are appealing, the FPE50 is the clear choice. However, if you're going to be using the instrument purely for piano practice purposes, the FP60X may be the preference as the speaker system offers a nicer sonic experience. There is also the question of app use. The FPE50 is not capable of connecting to Roland's Piano App, but the FP60X is.
any keyboard is always going to sound it's best when played by someone with piano knowledge and skill. I would bet this guy could make a Kid's toy piano sound legitimate.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! There is a lot of truth to that notion. Tone is in the fingers as they say. ;)
I've decided to purchase the FP E50, my intention being first, to learn piano in the traditional sense, and second, to hopefully eventually gain enough knowledge and experience to enable me to begin creating some music at some point, specifically EDM. From what I've seen and heard (thank you for your replies to earlier questions!), the FP E50 will be a great instrument in these regards. Now, a more nuts and bolts (no pun intended) question. I'm deciding on a stand and bench. I don't plan on moving the instrument much (as opposed to someone going from gig to gig), so I'm thinking the custom stand and pedal unit (KSFE50 and KDP-70) would be the best choice. My main question is what type of bench. Is an adjustable bench the best bet, or would a non-adjustable be ok, considering I'm of average height, about 5'10"?
Hi Donald! Brent here! The FP-E50 is a wonderful mid-point between being a traditional digital piano as well as a workstation/stage instrument. I think it will be the perfect fit for you given how you intend to utilize the piano. In terms of stands, the custom stand and pedal unit will provide the utmost stability in my opinion, so I also endorse that option. As for a bench, something like the Roland RPB200 (or any model above that) would be a good bet given that they're both padded/comfortable and adjustable. :)
Thanks again for ALL your help Brent!
Roland FPe50 or Yamaha sx700 better for live gigging along with a singer? Better styles and sounds? Better onboard controling without having to access menus?
It is a matter of personal preference, but I personally find the FP-E50 to be more comprehensive in terms of sounds and features, including vocal processing. :)
questions: when you overlay sounds - only the second sound is layered, or can you also layered the third, fourth? Can the volume of each layered sound be set? can this combination of sounds be saved? If so, how many such combinations can be saved?
Well, the last question: if the choice is from this Roland FP-E50, Roland FP-30x, kawaii 110, casio s1000, yamaha p125, what would you advise? The main thing that is important is a high-quality keyboard, as close as possible to an acoustic piano and the natural sound of a piano, an auto-accompaniment module - not necessary. Or at least reduce the list, please, to 3 models))) I have watched so many videos. My brain is melting)
Hi! Brent here! To answer your last question, my recommendation would be to play the instruments in person. That is the best way to determine the musical experience that you prefer. If the auto-accompaniment features are not important, I think the FP30X would be my top suggestion. The core piano experience is the same as the FP-E50, but it comes in a little cheaper.
As for your first question, you can adjust the volume and blend of the layered sounds. I believe there is also the option to store them on the unit for easy access too, but, in complete honesty, I have not dug that deep into the computer of the FP-E50 yet (it is still quite a new model at this point).
@@MerriamPianos Thank you!!!
Just bought this yesterday for NZ$2000 (US$1160ish), sold my kawai es110 with stand for NZ$1250 (really surprised i was able sell it with that price!). Anyway this is a big upgrade and advance for me and my kids, they just started learning piano since we only play nursery songs😊. Have no idea about accompaniment since we only play it plain piano! and it’s good to see this demo. Just a question, can you please guide me on how to record the sound from it while we play and video using ipad or iphone? What do we need in terms of cable?
Congrats on your new FP-E50! It is a really fun instrument with a fantastic core piano experience! In terms of recording sound, you can take the line outputs and plug them into an audio interface that is connected to your computer/device and running through a Digital Audio Workstation. You will need 1/4" cables (1 if you are okay with a MONO signal and 2 if you are looking for a STEREO capture). :)
got it. thank you.@@MerriamPianos
@bim360 I also own es110. I wanted to replace it by Es120, but after this review I'm thinking about FP-e50. How do you compare key action and keys feeling in es110 and fp-e50?
I have bought the Fp E50 and today was the first day I tried it. What I don't like are the midi values. I am not able to achieve a velocity value of 127 with a reasonable amount of force. The Fp E50 offers velocity curves where it is not so hard to reach 127, but then there are other disadvantages, for example, then the lowest value can be for example 11 instead of 0 and then you don't get any values between for example 11-33 (if I remember correctly). It can be even more extreme with certain velocity curves (like no values between 1 and approximately 35).
It might take a bit of getting used to and perhaps some tweaking to get the velocity curves and overall settings dialled into your particular playing style. I hope you find a solution that satisfies you though as the FPE50 is a powerhouse in terms of features and musical capability! :)
I just checked it again. At the default key touch = 50 setting, one often only achieves approximately 106-110 and this makes a lot of noise! Key touch = 9 is approximately the highest key touch setting where one doesn't need an extreme amount of force to achieve 127, but it still makes a lot of noise and then the minimum value is 4 and then there are basically no values between 4 and 32 (rarely 28), it often switches between 4 and 35. I also just checked another midi keyboard with different inbuilt velocity curves, the Line 6 Mobile Keys 49, which doesn't have this issue.
I wonder whether something like a Kawai Es-520 would perform better in this regard.
Are you planning a comparison with the FP-60x? Would love to know if the 60x is worth the extra money.
That comparison is one that we are planning to tackle very soon. ;)
Nice review again. Maybe a compare video of this to the Yamaha DGX 670? That would be appreciated 🙏
Thank you kindly! We have received a number of requests to compare the FPE50 and the DGX670 in a head-to-head comparison video. We will do our best to tackle that as soon we can! :)
Great in-depth review, thank you for uploading this! One criticism I've read for the auto-accompaniment feature is that it doesn't seem to allow muting individual tracks (i.e. to keep only the rhythm section). Are there ways around this? Or is it possible to build chord sequences with only bass/drums maybe?
Thank you kindly! While the manner in which to do it is escaping me at the moment, I believe you can isolate the rhythm section in the auto-accompaniment. If I recall correctly, you can assign the wheels to become faders for the accompaniment elements (rhythm section and additional instrumentation respectively).
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for your reply!
That’s awesome! I am so anxious to get mine! What type of stand/bench do you have?
I believe Stu is using the custom stand in this video along with an RPB series Roland bench (if I recall correctly!).
I'm using DP mainly as a MIDI controller and want to upgrade from FP10 to FP-E50 for pitch and mod wheels, but it would be nice to have some decent speakers for quick fiddling around (FP10 speakers are poor). How would you rate E50s speakers compared to Kawai ES920 or Roland FP60X?
The FP-E50 is a fantastic piano with a great feature list! In terms of the speaker system, it is quite comparable to the FP30X. It is not quite the same power and quality as the ES920 or FP60X models.
Hi Stu! Thank you so much for all the Reviews you give us. They are super informative, funny and serious at the same time :)
I would love to get an answer to this: do you know if with the FP-30x or FP-60x models you can have the chord recognition function, maybe through the App? That function seems to me excellent for someone who is learning musical harmony. Thank you very much, Greetings from Germany!
Pd: do you know which other Digital Piano has that function? Thank you!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question! The Roland FP30X and FP60X does not have the chord identification function onboard nor is it available on those pianos via the current iteration of Roland's Piano App. If you are looking for that function along with the tone and touch of the Roland FP series, the FP-E50 is definitely the best option for you. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you very much for your quick response! ;)
Thank you so much, E50 keyboard action and sound delivery is better than FP30x? Or it uses same technology? Please confirm.
You're very welcome! The FPE50 uses the same PHA4 action as the FP30X as well as the same core SuperNATURAL tone engine. So, from that perspective, the piano experience is quite congruent. With that said, the FPE50 does have a second engine: the ZEN-Core engine, so I suppose it has the edge in that department. :)
May not buy this, but throughly enjoyed the review and especially your playing.
Thanks so much for tuning in! We really appreciate it. :)
Do you guys have any interest in reviewing Kurzweil products? I have been very interested in the K2700.
Thanks for the suggestion! We are not a Kurzweil dealer at this time, so it is a bit tougher to tackle reviews on those models. With that said, we keep a list of potential models to review/compare and will certainly add the K2700 to that list for you. We will do our best! :)
Roland FP-E50 vs Roland FP-60x? Any opinions. Both are currently priced the same. (For someone who is by no means an expert and still learning quite a bit.)
They are very different offerings with very different intended uses. If you are going to be using the piano exclusively for piano practice, the FP60X would be the appropriate option. However, if you are looking for an instrument with tons of features, namely arranger/accompaniment features, the FP-E50 is the best bet. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
FPE-50 or Yamaha CK88? Please help me decide :(
I'll use it for playing live
The only downside I see on CK88 is that it doesn't have much Epianos like Roland does.
It really is a matter of preference of course, but, for me, the FP-E50 has a superior touch and a much more impressive collection of non-piano sounds (including e.pianos like you mentioned). The ZEN-Core engine is really appealing too! :)
Hi Stu. I’ve been looking for an upgrade from my P115 when I’m away from my acoustic. I wanted something to have fun with and use in a band, but be able to solo with too. This seems to fit the bill. I’m looking forward to the action as the P115 wasn’t really satisfying. Thanks again for the thorough review.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! I am glad you have discovered the FPE50! It is an incredible piano with an impressive feature offering. I think it would be an excellent upgrade for you. :)
Which Yamaha Arranger would the FP-E50 be most similar to?
The FP-E50 would be most comparable to the DGX670.
That model of pricing & function or setup might be the one I am looking for? I am looking for models that has digital piano feature- quality piano sound & touch and yet had tons of flexibility functions such as like a keyboard have ( automatic cords ) . I am not musically trained but a music lover who could only play by ear and don’t know to read notes at all. Stu, let me know if this model is perfect for me compare to Kawai digital piano? I know that Kawai digital piano sound and keyboard touch much more like a realistic acoustic piano than any other brands! However it’s lack of functional like a keyboard have and cost around $5-6k usd to have the best piano experience. Please advise, thanks
Hi! Brent here! The Roland FP-E50 is definitely an option worth considering as it is a hybrid of an arranger, stage, and at-home digital piano. The value packed into this model is incredible. Truthfully, there is no Kawai piano that offers the same level of arranging/accompaniment features as this type of model. The closest thing would be an MP7SE or MP11SE, which definitely have a lot of perks and features that are superior to the FP-E50 (which is reflected in the price point). However, this is not quite an apples to apples comparison for a variety of reasons.
Thanks Bent for reply. I’ll definitely consider Roland fpe50 than Kawai digital piano for this price point even though it has Sk Kawai sound included, simply because the sampling of SK Kawai is very realistic to an acoustic grand piano. I rather trade off Sk Kawai sampling sound for arranger features that Roland has for that price point. Thanks again for advice and insight.
I purchase this keyboard from your review. I really do like it. I traded in a Roland machine that sequenced for this and miss that function. Can you recommend a budget-friendly looper machine that I can connect to my FP-E50 and record several parts to make fun, short loops ( and maybe song motifs) ? Thanks so much in advance.
We're happy to hear that our review helped in your decision making process. Congrats on your FP-E50! It is a remarkable instrument on all fronts. Are you looking for an audio-based looper or a MIDI-based sequencer? There are a few different approaches one could take on this front.
@@MerriamPianos I guess I’m looking for an audio-based looper. I have Mixcraft, but never use it. I want to be able to for example, play a bass line, rhythm, maybe a motif I make up and then play over it. 3-4 layers is fine. I don’t need to make an 8-16 track master. I just want I have fun playing. Thank you!
Good Demo, Please teach me How to edit the MyScence.svd file at mobile phone or windows pc, Thanks a lots.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much! And thank you for the suggestion. The FP-E50 is so rich in features, that it might very well call for a follow up video to cover even more of its features. I will pass along your question to the production team and, perhaps, we can cover this topic in a future video.
Awesome review as always.
In my opinion the next generation of synths, keyboards etc should be based in artificial intelligence technology so you can create the sounds and styles that you need. Ai is everywhere nowadays why not in musical keyboards? I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Kind Regards.
Thank you kindly! That is an interesting topic to explore. I am sure that AI will star to be incorporated into digital pianos in the near future. I think it is inevitable really. It will be interesting to see what possibilities the new technology will offer!
Nice review as always. Can you tell me what is an octave width? I ask this because in my ct-s300 i can play a 10th if i press the keys from the front, and i was wondering if i could play this one too, i'have noticed that the p45 for example is a litte wider that my casio. Hey who knows, maybe someday i can become a great keyboard player, but i will never be a big one... (genetics)😎. Thanks for your reviews.👍
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! Unfortunately, I am not a the showroom right now to measure the octave width. With that said, the FPE50 will definitely be more comparable to the P45 than the CTS300 when it comes to the overall key width. Thanks again and all the best! :)
does it sound as good as FP 30X. I watched some videos and the fpx 30 and 60 models sound more "realistic". Is it my Idea, am i biased?
The FP30X and FP-E50 use the same core piano tone engine (SuperNATURAL). So, they are quite similar sonically. With that said, the different enclosure design and speaker placement do affect the sonic experience as well.
@@MerriamPianos thanks after watching your videos i decided to buy FP 60X
Does Roland Zen-core require a yearly subscription?
The Roland ZEN-Core tone engine is onboard the unit. Access to the engine and the core built-in sounds does not require a subscription. However, if you would like to sign up for the Roland Cloud, there are subscription fees/plans.
Waiting to see a comparison with the dgx670 🤩
It is on our list of comparisons to tackle against the FPE50! We will do our best to make it happen. :)
Hey does this have a split option, I can't seem to see one but just checking? so like Bass on the lower end and piano on the main section?
Hi there! Yup - the FP-E50 has all of the basic split, dual, and layer functions available. :)
I got this piano, and it is a blast to play around with. However.
For something that shows itself as a performance product, there is one major flaw.
You cannot send the piano and the drum section out separate outputs.
A simple, piano out left and drums our right, is not possible.
The FP-E50 is quite the powerhouse and an amazing instrument for the money! With that said, there are inevitably going to be some limitations (especially when comparing this piano to $5000+ professional arrangers).
I have a question not necessarily related to this keyboard, but are there any keyboards that when you use them as a midi controller, you can get the sounds back through the actual speakers?
Yes, that is possible for models that have USB audio interfaces. :)
OK, the really big question: Do the string voices and pad voices sustain with the sustain pedal?
You can do that with the DGX-670. In your DGX-670, just make sure you go to the "Controller" menu and choose "Sostenuto" for any pedal, whether it is any of the 3 pedals of the triple pedal unit or the auxiliary pedal. I am sure the Roland FP-E50 can do that as well.
Yes - they certainly do. If I recall correctly from the demo by our Roland reps, there are some cool features built-in as well that allow pads to sustain and complete even after a patch/sound change opposed to just a harsh, awkward cut-off. Roland has gone to painstaking lengths to tackle even the finest details with this model.
Is installing expansions the only way to have new presets? Or can you upload a preset you edited on Zenology Pro into the FP-E50?
I believe you can uploaded presets from Zenology onto the FP-E50 as well! With that said, I have not personally experimented with that functionality on the FP-E50 yet.
@@MerriamPianos The manual mentions scene upload, but not tone. Guess I'll find out in a few days. EDIT: Or not. I just remembered I don't own Zenology Pro. 🤡
Hey I just purchased this, and my question is: are the sounds we hear connected to a different set of speakers because my concert piano 001 doesnt sound anything like what you just played around the 4 minute mark! I did notice that the sound is alot more incredible with headphones on thats for sure
Hi! Brent here! The sound captured in this video is a direct line out feed from the tone engine with no additional post-processing or alterations. With that said, it makes sense as to why the sound may be more consistent with the headphone experience you are hearing. :)
@@MerriamPianos SO as opposed to hearing the sound in an ambient room, im hearing it directly from the piano, is that correct, like If I had headphones on right? I just want to make sure i didnt get a lemon lol
Also, when I plug the keyboard (1/4 jack to 1/4 jack) to my speakers, is there a way that the sound ONLY comes out of my studio monitors and not the keyboard itself? When I tried that the sound was coming out from both the keyboard speakers and the monitors. Thank you for your time and advice!@@MerriamPianos
Hi! Thanks for the review. Do you know which engine the e-piano tones are from?
Hi there! It is a good question! I am guessing they are from the SuperNATURAL engine opposed to the ZEN-Core engine. I don't believe Roland specifies that info in their literature though.
This piano has the old sluggish PHA 4 action that was created a thousand years ago. Roland has a newer PHA 50 action that is much better in terms of the smoothness of the keys. For the best action, get Roland LX708 or LX706 for the Hybrid Grand action that is super smooth, which feels almost akin to an acoustic grand piano action.
The PHA4 action still holds up as a wonderful action for the price points it is usually utilized within. Of course, the PHA50 and Hybrid Grand actions are superior, but the models that utilize these actions also reflect that. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! :)
Fantastic video! I was super excited to receive mine today and get it out of the box. Unfortunately, the lowest key stayed depressed when played due to rubbing against the side of the casing. After the keyboard had acclimatised for an hour or so it improved but still has a rubbing sound when pressed. It doesn't seem to affect playability, but it also doesn't seem right. I don't know enough about keyboard construction to know if it will improve or become more of an issue. Apart from this it's an incredible machine. This is my first 88 key digital piano BTW!
Thanks so much! We appreciate it. And congrats on your FP-E50! It is an exciting new offering from Roland and I'm sure it will serve you well. :)
In terms of the issue with the lowest key, I would recommend contacting the dealer you purchased the piano from given that you just received it. They should be able to get a technician to assess and triage the issue.
@@MerriamPianos thank you for that advice. I’ll get onto it tomorrow. Hope it’s something that can be resolved very quickly as I’ll miss having it to play! 😀
Ótimas considerações. Há possibilidade de você avaliar o Casio cts1 e cts500/1000? Abraços do Brasil.
Thank you for the suggestion! We will do our best to tackle those Casio models for you. I will pass the suggestions along to our production team. :)
Hello Merriam Music
Would this be a good fit for classical pianist that is looking for portability and a good piano sound with also having some fun.
Hi! Brent here! The fact that the core piano elements (SuperNATURAL tone engine and PHA-4 action) are of a very high quality on the FPE50, it is definitely capable of serving as an appropriate instrument for classical playing. With that said, it also has tons of fun features to dive into when you're looking for a bit of a break from rigorous practice. :)
@@MerriamPianos Hi Brent, thank you for your response. Appreciated!
I have got a brand new Fp E50 as a Christmas gift, but I am a little bit dissapointed!!!... I can not find this beautiful and colored sound that I hear from your videos!... even if I plug my external studio monitors Presonus 4.5!!!... What is the correct eq?... Stand or Desk eq?... I am a student but my ears tell me that something is going wrong with the sound!!!... My last keyboard was a Yamaha PSR E373 and sometimes I feel it sounds better!!!. Please give me some advice!!!...
Thank you so much!!!...
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I am sorry to hear that you are feeling disappointed with your FP-E50. In my experiences, it is a fantastic, fully-loaded digital piano that provides a wonderful piano experience. In terms of stand or desk EQ settings, it depends on how you have the piano positioned. Of course, you can experiment with switching between both in any context, but I find that the EQs are appropriately labelled given the situation that they perform best in sonically. Our videos are captured with direct line outs from the tone engine into an audio interface. There is no colouring or post-processing of the sound, so what you are hearing is the default setting directly from the tone engine. Of course, the sound out from the speakers will be a bit different. Beyond that, it is possible that something may be wrong with your instrument, but it is impossible to triage that without hearing and playing the instrument in person.
If I buy the Roland cloud jump drive thingy, can I only use my ipad with it of do I need a pc or mac?
I have not personally tried it in conjunction with an iPad or tablet. I believe it would be compatible in theory, but the performance might not be as good as with a laptop or computer. Perhaps, one of our community members here can chime in if they have any experience with using it conjunction with an iPad. :)
Hi, does the Zen Core function has any limitation to the tone that can be downloaded? For example, is it able to download some more Juno synth sound via the cloud function, if one has a license? Thanks.
Yup! The FP-E50 can be used in conjunction with the Roland Cloud and can share sounds with other compatible instruments, etc.
Yes I control VSTs with it. Even plays back threw the speakers.
Please correct me if I am wrong but the Fantom 06/07/08 have around 3,500 factory tones while the FP-E50 has around 1,000 according to Roland specs on their site. So I wouldn't say it is "exactly" what is in the Fantom 0 series. It's true that both have supernatural and Zen-core, but the 0 series have many more supernatural tones. In fact, the FP-E50 tone list contains 7 SN (supernatural) tones (all of them being pianos), while the Fantom 0 has dozens of supernatural sounds that include piano, epiano, strings, brass and woodwinds. I may be biased as I ordered a Fantom-08 recently. 😁😁
You are certainly correct! The FPE50 has some crossover to the Fantom-0 series instruments, but it does not offer the same extend of sonic capabilities (which is reflected in the price gap between these models). Congrats on your FANTOM-08! They're wonderful pianos! That is what Stu is actually gigging with these days. ;)