One of the best digital piano reviews I've watched. Thoroughly enjoyed it. You focused on the dimensions of piano sound, rather than show the other instruments and features. And that is highly appreciated by me. Also glad to see someone play really softly on a piano.
Personally I quite like the metallic stringy sound! Tbh acoustic piano strings aren’t made of plastic lmao you’re voice is soothing to listen to great review !!
I really like how this review focuses on what the "specs" don't tell you. I also found the comments on the sound quality very useful. The sound isn't perfect, but for this price range it's very warm, expressive, and just what I'm looking for. I'm going to go ahead and buy one this weekend.
Thanks for this great review, it helped me to choose to buy this piano over a couple of others I was also considering at a similar price point. Absolutely no regrets, the FP-30 is a fabulous bit of kit. For what it costs, the piano sound and keyboard action are incredible. Thanks again!
Well my comment might have come up a little late, but this is the time I decided to buy a digital piano. Without the smallest hesitation I'd call this the best review I've seen on this product, and I've seen almost everything available out there especially because I cannot try the piano myself before buying it. And yes, acoustic pianos with a metallic taste are not bad pianos. In fact, except for a few uprights, most pianos bee it Yamaha or Steinway will always show that metallic sound here and there. It's undoubtedly more pronounced in some brands though. For example I've studied for my entire childhood on an August Forster. It was an upright piano with quite an overdone heaviness, with a metallic sound especially in the 3 4 last notes of the central octave. It looks like that piano sound is imprinted on my brain and that's why I'm fond to that particular quality of tone still. •Also, it's very appreciated that you mentioned the negatives of this piano without extra negativity, very well done! Vielen Dank für den tollen Service!
Fantastic review! Also, you've completely sold me on it. I was already looking for specifically just a good price point for great regular piano sounds and you really proved that this is the keyboard for that.
I thank you sir for a decent review. You really connected with the type of information that is relevant and I’m left feeling fully informed more so because I like you would purchase a keyboard only for the piano sound and key feel. I’m glad you explained about the use of headphones too, that is uber useful!
Beautifully concise and pinpointed video of the most important and often overlooked aspects often missing in other Piano Reviews. Bravo! Thank you Sir.
We have a 10 year old daughter and are looking for a better instrument for her. Your review is thorough and thoughtful - exactly what we needed to help us decide. Many thanks for the effort Tiroh, we very much appreciate it. Best regards, Matt
Vielen Dank für diese aufschlußreiche Review die, wie Du selbst schon gesagt hast so einpaar Punkte aufnimmt denen sich viele andere Reviews nicht widmen. Ich bin jetzt fast zu hundert Prozent überzeugt das Roland FP 30 dem Yamaha P115 vorzuziehen, da auch für mich das Tastgefühl und der Original Piano Sound die größte Rolle spielen.
Okay so I have finally bought the fp 30, I went out and tried the kawai es 110 too, and just to give an opinion for those who struggle between the two, I don't understand the hype around the kawai... The fp 30 felt and sounded way better to me, the kawai to me felt kind of meh, I didn't like the action and the sound was okayish but for me, it couldn't compare to the roland, definitely not if I used the built in speakers, it just sounded very dull to me on the speakers, the roland felt like more lively to me. So yeah do yourself a favor guys and do try it for yourself it really made it a super easy choice for me and didn't hesitate 10 minutes after trying both. Now I am not saying the Roland is a superior piano You may prefer the kawai I understand that, but to me it was easily the roland.
Why are you comparing those two? You can buy 3 Kawai Es110 with the price of 1 Roland FP30... I mean............ Kawai Es110 is amazing for it's price range. USD 500 but of course a USD 1500.00 ROLAND is gonna sound better.
@@Rainherself Huh? The Roland FP30 is cheaper than the Kawai 110 throughout all of Europe (but not by much). I didn't like the Kawai keys much but thought it had good sound, not much to choose between them really.
@@stevenbaggley1257 we're both right. Roland is MORE EXPENSIVE in Asia for some reason tho... KAWAI is solely made in Japan so it's logical that it's cheaper here in Asia.. meanwhile Roland is manufactured in Japan AND USA so it can get cheaper in Europe.. idk, Kawai is more affordable here.
Hello tiroh, Thank you for the very authentic review. Have you already tried the Roland F-140R ? If yes what do you think about it's sound? Is it metallic like FP-30 ? Thank you
I didn't play it myself, but I listened to it in the video by Kraft Music. I think it has the same metallic sound like the FP-30, you can hear it when it is played with more force.
This is a very comprehensive and considered review! I think you focus on exactly the important things a piano player wants to know about a digital instrument. Thanks.
I just put this on Layaway today. I was only looking and this was the first one I saw. Sat down and played and it instantly won me over. Actually feels like a real piano
thank you Tiroh, from the heart of Hawaii~i love my new Roland FP-30 and bought it, in part, after listening to your wonderful, clear and unbiased view and presentation of the sound capabilities of this fine instrument. I am learning so much and enJOYing it immensely. Aloha!
I learned much how to look at pianos from your criteria, very helpful... Cut cost by no interface but headphone jack. Good format - it is about basic sound and action - right now I am just interested in piano. 9:35 I noticed the limit on repetition speed at the local music shop, today. But, I liked the action - I get spoiled on a Steinway D that I take lessons on - I am not worthy. I am looking for something with action closer to that D than I have now, and so far this Roland F-30 is on my short list.
Thank you for an honest review, very well done, the sounds outside the piano sounds are inferior and useless in a recording studio. We have the Yamaha P125 which has more of a realistic sound for recording and live performance. Digital pianos are like real pianos , they all sound and feel different. It is your personal taste that decides which is best for you.
Thanks for the vid, I purchased one today and I like it for my needs. I am more of a synth player and cannot play much past a grade 5 level for classical pieces, I just wanted something with a good feel. I like the keys, the sound is nice as well and because I have a pretty decent studio I can easily use it with my virtual pianos. Mainly I have been playing a Virus Ti2 and a Deepmind 12 and my SH01, I like to noodle and so I was worried about going with a piano weighted KB but in the end I really chose it for the low risk in $$ and for practice so its a winner for me.
I have the yamaha clp 625 since one year and I absolutely love it but I bought thid one for my college bedroom because I needed a tiny and heavy piano on which I would mostly practise with headphones on to not disturb my flatmates and I think that for the price it is more than ok. The touch is really good, the sound is not too bad and with good headphones it sounds really good! So really I recommended it to anyone who will play mostly with headphones or who simply begins piano and whant something good but not too expensive
Great review, love how you actually talked about what mattered not just showed off all the different sounds, still trying to decide between this and a couple of other models but the review went a long way in giving some real information.
I am gonna buy this as my first piano, i have got three years of guitarplaying under my belt and now i feel like learning a second instrument, all i want is good piano sounds with good keys and this sold me, i am so excited =D
Great video, love your review! I bought the FP-30 recently (Instead of the FP-90) because the FP-30 offered a more warming sound. The Audience love it.
I just bought the FP 25 (I think its the same as the FP 30 less Bluetooth), but I am returning it for two reasons. 1) I noticed the A note above middle C had a noticeable "ping" to it when played with forte, that was not heard in the other notes when they were played with the same forte. 2) Because the speakers play out the bottom, the sound is not as clear (I.E. a bit muted), as compared to speakers that play out of the top. This is a lesser issue than the "A note" problem, and I may demo another fp 25 to see if it's any better.
(1) I wouldn't expect other FP-25's to sound different in this regard. It may be that you don't like the tone of a particular note, but then all the other FP-25's will have the same issue. (2) If you want a better built-on speaker setup, you probably need a more expensive instrument with (a) more speakers that (b) play out the top and front.
The FP-30 is definitely a nice little piano, and I like the look of it as well. I was recently set on buying one, however, upon testing it in the music store, the piano sound was to my ear a little metallic and digital-sounding. I ended up going with a Yamaha, which had a more natural piano sound. Otherwise, this is the model I would have chosen.
I wrote something regarding "natural piano sounds" in my response to ehsan83. In a nutshell: There is no such thing like a "more natural piano sound" since acoustic pianos all sound *very* different from each other. It all boils down to the question whether we *like* the sound or not.
Acoustic pianos may have a different range of sounds, but the FP-30 sounded like none of them. It sounded digital, like an electric piano or something. You may like the sound, but I wanted something closer to an acoustic piano.
Slashco Hi! Please tell me, which Yamaha did you buy in the end? Did you find one that sounds soft? Because i have the same problem and opinion like you, roland sounds a little bit metallic. And i am looking sooo long for a soft e-piano. Yamaha p115 maybe?
I purchased this instrument online today for my son who has been playing for a couple years - 15 minutes a week group lesson at school). He will soon be taking private one to one lessons and i wanted him to have a piano-like action rather than my Nord synth wave that he currently uses at home. I was initially concerned that you would review this product harshly due to your recognition of no line out and tedious usability. However, i found your review to be refreshingly concise,objective and transparent. This left me more assured that i have made a sound investment. Thank you.
A Superb review tiroh. Thankyou for your time in putting this video together and for explaining so clearly some of the most important characteristics. I would highly recommend anyone with any questions to read your replies to the questions already posed as they contain ALOT of useful information and seem to me to be unbiased and logically sound. Great job!! :)
I have a much older FP-2, it has 1/4” L/R line in and line out jacks. Same sounds. Metal key levers. The bed will break before the keys do. I like the feel of it, better than other electric pianos.
My FP-30 arrived today, I can't wait to try it out and learn on it. I also fell in love with the sound of this piano after watching comparison videos in this price range for nights. A great video, you really have a very pleasant voice when you explain things, you should make more videos of this kind. Greetings from Wiesbaden | Mein FP-30 ist heute eingetroffen, ich kann es kaum erwarten, es auszuprobieren und darauf zu lernen. Ich habe mich auch in den Klang dieses Pianos verliebt, nachdem ich nächtelang Vergleichsvideos in dieser Preisklasse geschaut hatte. Ein Klasse Video, du hast wirklich eine sehr angenehme Stimme wenn du Dinge erklärst, solltest mehr Videos dieser Art machen. Viele Grüße aus Wiesbaden
Grand Tremolo repetition rate is an important factor to me, I am looking at the FA-08 which has the same key action, theoretically speaking. I tried some weighted key Rolands at the music store and found the same problem, I can't get a fast enough repitition speed out of it mechanically though can play faster on a standard upright piano and of course mega fast on a non-weighted keyboard. Now I am hesitating in getting it for this very same reason. I tried the same on a Korg with the sostenuto pedal down, and though it can do grand tremolo repetition very, very fast, it starts eating up it's own notes and can't sustain after a few seconds, playing a weird cut off staccato sound instead.
tiroh - thank you for doing this video. I loved the straightforward way you evaluated the keyboard. You've had it for a couple of years now, and I was wondering if you had any further comments about it?
Thanks! As I pointed out in an earlier response, the Roland instruments are in general very durable, they don't fall apart after a few months. In my experience, even after years you cannot see or feel a difference to a new instrument.
Hello. Many thanks for your demo. Very helpful Very important question for me: did you do any postprocessing of the sound? Or it is a native sound of this instrument? I'm asking, because my FP-30 doesn't sound so bright. I feel like, there is some shortage of high frequences and there is a noisy middle, while on your video it sound supergood.
Thx! I didn't change anything, the video contains exactly the native sound of the device. There are several factors that influence how your instrument sounds (apart from the settings that have different brightness levels): (a) Of course, if you listen to it via the built-in speakers, the sound is completely different. (I recommend high-quality, open headphones.) (b) If you use low-quality headphones, the frequency response will be very different. (c) If you record to some digital device and play it back, again the devices you use for playback may alter the sound. (d) And, if you connect the instrument to some other device that has some sort of equalizer (like an amplifier), it may happen that you simply forgot to adjust the equalizer.
@@tiroh8490 Very sorry. I'm an idiot. It is 2 AM here) I was listening using my external MAudio FastTrack 400 soundcard (which is good for recording), but didn't try to listen it directly. It looks like, it is a cable or soundcard config issue. Dirrectly in headphones it sounds supergood.
I love the action and tone of the one I bought. My church has a Nord Stage 2. It has more whistles and bells, but it costs 4 times as much and is distracting to the eyes. The action cannot compare to the Roland. The sleek design is perfect for me. I just see ebony and ivory, not 300 some odd words. The only things I don't prefer are the stock pedal which scoots about, the lack of of a line level output, and the position of the speakers which does not allow the unit to be placed on a flat surface. It is genius how the keys pan from left to right with headphones or the speakers. Ihr akzent laesst sich erkennen. My autocorrect is scared of Deutsch, but I love it. Great grandfather was Emmanuel Ostertag. I studied German and my teachers were surprised by my aptitude. Might be genetically wired into my brain
Just bought my Son one, very good value, I would describe it as a great sounding Home Piano that can be used as a Stage Piano as and when required, good review.
thanks for the review! I cant decide between this, P115 and Kawai ES100... Kawai seems to sound great too, but Roland has a bluetooth (but - will I use it that much?), Yamaha has an app for setting it up - again, will I really ever use it... and I also plan to play into headphones mostly... have you tried Kawai?
The Kawai ES100 has longer keys (72% the length of a grand piano key, vs. only 6t2% on the FP-30). Also, the Kawai has a key dip at the back of the keys of over 4 mm, whereas the Roland only has a key dip of between 2 and 3 mm. This measn that the Kawai will be less tiring to play and will cause fewer hand, wrist or arm pains (RSI) than the Roland. This would be one reason why many commentators prefer the AHA-IVF action of the Kawai ES100 to the Yamaha (with GHS), Casio and Roland (with PHA-IV) digital pianos at this price point.
Excellent review, thanks. Just bought one of these...getting used to it. (Seems plummy compared to the Yamaha P125 I just p/ex'd it for. Hope it grows on me).
Hello Tiroh. I have a very very big favor of you to ask. My 8 year old girl started learning piano about a month ago and the song you played at the beginning of the review makes my hair stand up :). I would really like the "notes" or "tabs" or whatever you call them so I can give it to her teacher to teach my daughter. To motivate her, I will tell her to learn and play this song and when she does it, I will buy her the FP-30. Can you please help me ? Thank you!
The one thing that turns me off about this model and the Kawai ES110 is that you have to use the piano keys themselves to make any adjustments which means you will always need an owners manual in front of you to refer too. At least Yamaha has an app that you can control the entire keyboard from. Everything from splits, layers, reverb, layer volume layers, split point, .....etc. Much easier and user friendly. That's a major consideration in choosing which one of these to buy IMO.
Well, when you use the instrument regularly you learn really fast which key does what. I didn't need a manual, I knew intuitively which key to use, it comes automatically when you use it.
Yes, that does affect the sound quite substantially. Keep in mind the following things: (A) If you want to use the internal speakers, you should use a stand, not a table. Also remember that the acoustics change depending on the architecture of your room. Questions are: Do you have a carpet or something hard on the floor? How many reflecting surfaces are there? In what angles? (B) I personally would not use the internal speakers, but EITHER high-quality headphones OR an external sound system with more speakers that can deliver the frequency spectrum more realistically. But in general, headphones are preferable, the provide the best quality.
Hi Tiroh, thanks for the review. Due to space limitations I am geared towards the PF30, yet I'm dissatisfied with what you describe as the metallic character. I like to hear a warm and soft sound, and although you've said it does better than many of the competitors, the sound is still too bright for me. Any recommendations among the small alternatives (incl. Roland PF60, in Kawai or Yamaha)
I don't have much experience with Yamaha or Kawai, and I never played the FP-60, so I cannot really comment on that. But you seem to know quite precisely what you want, so, if the mellow sound of the FP-30 is not mellow enough for you, I think you should try out the other options in a shop!
Thanks you so much for your review! I am also looking for a budget el. piano with good key action and a good grand piano sound, mostly for practice reasons. My choice was between the FP-30 and Yamaha P-115. I do like the sound of the FP-30 a bit more since I find the 115 to sound a bit harsh in the lower register. That's just my taste though. What I wanted was a practice piano that would also allow me to make the transition to an acoustic piano where ever I would find one. Is it at least somewhat similar in feel? Thanks
Dear Tiroh Thanks for your beautifull play and advice. Do you think me as a beginner should start with a piano like this or can I buy something cheaper?
Hi Anna, thank you! Well, in my opinion, the FP-30 is a perfect instrument for beginners. It is important that beginners use a reasonable key action right from the start so that they are trained right. Yamaha has something cheaper to offer, you could have a look at the P-115 and the P-45. But that is really the lowest you should go, otherwise you get substandard instruments.
I bought an FP-30 recently and am relatively new happy with it. The sustain pedal isn’t brilliant and the bass notes sound better than the treble. Overall though, it’s not a bad keyboard and it sounds noticeably better through headphones. I got it in a package deal with extra pedals, stool and stand all for £650, which is why I bought it rather than the Yamaha equivalent.
Hey!! nice review, im planning on buying one for myself. i was wandering if you recommend getting the pack with the stand and pedal, or maybe another stand. i cant find any reviews on that. and i want a sturdy stand! :) thanks in advice
Great review, very professional and detailed. As i am also looking for a keyboard with good action and quality sound, could you recommend me one in a lower price range (
Is it possible to use 'une corda' (left pedal on acoustic piano) pedal on this model? Does this model sounds better from its speakers than my Yamaha P45?
There is a special 3-pedal unit by Roland for the FP-30 that includes an una corda pedal. I think it is integrated in the special stand for the FP-30 and cannot be bought separately. I don't know the sound quality of the P45, so I cannot answer that.
if you press down sustainpedal fast, can you hear stringresonance then? (simulate when damper lift from strings)on Roland rd-300gx it is possible to hear if turn volume up. but dont press key when testing this at high volume.
Hi Tiroh, Can the bluetooth option on the piano connect to a bluetooth receiver/speaker system? Can we use those external speakers to hear the music being played instead of the internal piano speakers? Or do we have to only use the headphone jack on the piano to connect to external speakers? I am complete novice. Thanks for the help.
The only thing I know of is that the FP-30 sends MIDI over Bluetooth to compatible apps. To my knowledge, if you want actual sound output, you need to connect either the headphone jack(s) to your equipment or the USB port to a computer.
I think if you definitely want to avoid shaking, you need the special stand by Roland (furniture style) that is made exclusively for the FP-30. Whether you can avoid shaking with an X or Z stand is not easy to answer. There are rather massive Z stands that can take some abuse, but they are professional grade and on the expensive side. Cheaper stands always shake with heavy instruments like stage pianos, at least according to my experience.
Can i connect roland fp 30 to a computer via usbmidi, use pianoteq or oder sampl sound program, and be able with any conection to hear sounds back on my speakers on the roland fp 30? Thanks
Regarding the part where you mention that it can be hard to play up high on the keys, do you know of any other pianos in this price range that have longer keys or that may not have this problem? I have a Yamaha P-105, and I noticed the same issue (which is precisely why I am now looking to get a new keyboard...)
I don't know any. I assume this problem (if it is one) is probably not solvable in this price range. One has most likely to choose a larger, more expensive piano that has a larger (longer) key action.
Great video! -- You gave a very helpful demonstration of the piano's qualities. QUESTION: What do you think of outputting through the headphone jack? Does it induce distortion in the external speakers?
Thanks! No, it in general it does not induce distortion IF you adjust your equipment (i. e. your amplifier) correctly. Headphone jacks have a stronger output than LINE outputs because they have an additional amplifier stage built-in (LINE outputs have, as the name suggests, so-called line-level output). That means your equipment must be adjusted accordingly because the input from the headphone jack is stronger than usual. From an electrical and hi-fi standpoint, there may be still more differences, but in general we can say that it will work fine. Do NOT connect a headphone ouptut to a LINE input!
tiroh Thank you for your kind reply. But if we hook up the piano to speakers via the headphone jack, isn’t that another way of saying we are plugging a headphone output into a line in? In other words, I must plug the headphone output into my Scarlett 2i2 line in and then it will output to my speakers.
Yes, that would work. However, you should know what it means if you use certain connections. Different devices may have different kinds of inputs. For example, a LINE IN expects a line-level signal that has not been amplified, whereas a headphone input expects an amplified signal. Also, MIC IN and AUX IN expect different signal levels. So, you get different results depending on the type of input. You have to adjust your equipment accordingly.
Yes, that should work. In case it is too quiet, it is best to keep the input level low and raise the output level so that you have a good signal/noise ratio.
hey could you tell me how to connect fp30/fp10 to a mixer/ speaker since it has got only audio output (headphone jack). Is fp30 can be played live in a gig with the help of a splitter / adapter . Have you tried using it ?????
You can use the headphone jack just like a LINE OUT. Using this setup, you can play it live. The difference is that a headphone output has a stronger level than a LINE OUT, so it's "louder", but that shouldn't be problem. Electronically, it is safe to use headphone outputs as a LINE OUT. (However, it is NOT safe to connect speakers or low-impedance headphones to a LINE OUT. This could damage the instrument.) What adapter are you talking about? Normally, you don't need any adapter.
The headphone jack is only made for driving headphones, not speakers. Speakers should be connected to an amplifier which you can connect to the headphone jack.
Thank you soooo much for the video, it's maybe the best review on a dgital piano in general !!! I like this piano but you got me worried about how you can't do quick repetitions.!!! So, considering that I am a beginner (not so beginner though) level player, do you think that its key action is a problem to be considered???! I mean I tried it in the shop,it's a little bit heavy but isn't it close to the acoustic grand pianos then??? how do you judge the key action then what is a good key action??!
Thank you! All this theorizing about what a good key action is does not lead anywhere, since in the end it's *you* who wants to play the instrument, so the best key action for you is that one that you like best and with which you achieve the best results. If you are an "advanced beginner", the FP-30 key action should be right for you, that is, it is able to respond to the requirements of your level. I personally find the key action of the FP-30 very good. There are acoustic pianos with both heavier and lighter actions, so I think it's just in the middle. I think the most important factors for a key action are (a) the amount of force you need to achieve certain volume levels and (b) the "curve progression" of force that is required *while* you are pressing a key, because in a good key action this is far from being linear. However, I cannot tell you which force and which progression is right for you. Only you can decide this.
tiroh You are right, bought it yesterday actually and I like its metallic deap sound (which is not typical of acoustic pianos and maybe even not appropraite for classic piano pieces ) but the only issue now is the low volume in headphones.!
I think the FP-30 is particularly well suited for calm, soft pieces. Here it has a real strength. W.r.t. the headphones: Yes, that's an issue in general. I have headphones with which the FP-30 is very loud (I cannot use the full volume setting), but with others I have to use the full volume.
very good demonstrate!!! What you think about sounds? I'have Roland RD 300NX and sounds is "muffled - without the high sounds, no treble sounds". Key action is very good but sounds not ...
Thank you! Regarding the RD 300NX: I never played one myself, however, if I listen to demo videos (like the one by Kraft Music) I do not notice missing treble, it sounds as if everything is fine. So, maybe something else is not ok with your setup or the instrument's character doesn't fit your taste.
Good and sensitive review, thank you! I like the co-resocnance on the Casio. My Yamaha 115 doesn't have that. However, I feel the the piano sound of the Roland is generic and rather uninteresting while that of the P115 is (IMHO) Bechsteiny, which I like :D
For learning to play the piano (not keyboards!), the most important thing is an action that is not too light so that your fingers get trained. Also important is to have a sustain pedal. Instruments by Roland or Yamaha are all high quality. You can use both Roland or Yamaha to learn. It boils down to your personal taste, so try them out. And practice each day with good exercises for your technique! Remember that it is not the instrument that makes you a good player but the devotion you put in.
Yes, I tried others, and for me the FP-30 was th best fit. In my view, the keys have "normal" noise, it's completely ok for me. If you want quieter keys, you could look for the PHA-50 action (FP-90 and RD-2000).
Kawai es110 or this piano. I listen to alot of example and found that kawai sounds a tiny bit better but also the ivory touch on piano kinda make me wanna buy it and including the fact that it is cheaper. Which one would you recommend? and how is the ivory touch compare to the other digital piano with no ivory touch?
I don't know the Kawai, but anyway, your questions cannot be answered by other people since it's a matter of taste. Both are fine instruments. You should choose which one suits your taste best.
hi i need help on how to output the source to external speaker. i use the hard phone jack 3.5 to dual ts into my interface, the sound get distorted easily
What did you think of the upper key resonance (from G6 upward)? I know these upper keys are supposed to carry a bit more resonance but to my ear the Roland has over done it. It's almost like full sustain.
Well, it is not only "almost" a full sustain, it IS a full sustain, and rightly so. This is exactly the way pianos work. Acoustic pianos don't have dampers at the higher keys, so if you press them, you get a "full sustain". Roland did everything right there.
Thanks, same to you! In general, I recommend open headphones because they provide better sound quality. However, open headphones are not so good if you want to use them also when you are outside because other people can hear everything. Personally I use the Sennheiser HD 598, and I'm happy with them.
Hi I'm really interested in this piano due to its size. Can you please watch the review by pianoforever and let me know what your thoughts are on the Action and the Sound given that the speakers are downward facing? I'll be using it on a flat surface with both sides and the rear being closed.
Missing LINE OUT is not an issue. It is completely normal for manufacturers to remove features from entry level instruments. If you really need an analog output, you can still use one of the two headphone jacks instead of a LINE OUT (which have a stronger output than a normal LINE OUT, of course, but that's usually not a problem). And the FP-30 can also record to an USB stick. Internal speakers are never a great choice. Acoustics is a very complex story, it depends on your room architecture, carpets, furniture, etc etc .... with digital instruments, you should always use high-quality, open over-ear headphones because the internal speakers will never sound realistic, that's normal. If you the place the instrument on a flat surface, it will probably sound dull -- but again, that's not the fault of the FP-30. Just use headphones. The action is a bit on the heavy side compared to other instruments, some people don't like that. But that's a personal thing. You should try it out yourself.
@@tiroh8490 thanks for the detailed reply. I've noticed that the depth of the soft Vs heavy notes don't look too great in the Roland's until the FP-90 so that's another negative for me. For the sound I could just use a 2.1 speaker system from my PC I guess. I want to learn to play music from games and anime which is mostly classical music and the Roland apparantly seems to favour more punchy music like pop or jazz. For the same price I'm strongly considering the Kawai es110 but I'll have to find a new spot to put it because it's 1cm too wide lol.
I was wondering what your thoughts are on the piano after using it for a few months? thank you for sharing, your video is very helpful I am ready to order mine.
I'm very satisfied, so I would buy it again. Maybe its music stand is a bit small, and as I said, for me its main drawback is the "metallic" sound character if you play with force, but that's not so bad a problem that I wouldn't recommend it nevertheless!
No, I don't have such experience. But even IF I had it didn't matter, because it is YOU who want's to play it, not ME. My personal taste is probably not YOUR taste. You shouldn't ask others, just try it out in a store and compare with other instruments.
After such a long time of usage, what is your most recent reviews of the instrument regarding its keyboard action, speaker etc. ? Was there any problem that you needed bring it to the repair shop?
No, the Roland instruments are in general very durable, they don't fall apart after a few months. In my experience, even after years you cannot see or feel a difference to a new instrument.
One of the best digital piano reviews I've watched. Thoroughly enjoyed it. You focused on the dimensions of piano sound, rather than show the other instruments and features. And that is highly appreciated by me. Also glad to see someone play really softly on a piano.
Thank you!
He was sitting like a rock so I had to check if my player was on pause.
Did you watch it without sound?
lol
Me too😂
It is about 3:25
@@eGzysTens omg so freakin trueee lol.
THIS is how you review a keyboard! EXCELLENT!! THANK YOU!!
Personally I quite like the metallic stringy sound! Tbh acoustic piano strings aren’t made of plastic lmao you’re voice is soothing to listen to great review !!
Thank you! ;)
I really like how this review focuses on what the "specs" don't tell you. I also found the comments on the sound quality very useful. The sound isn't perfect, but for this price range it's very warm, expressive, and just what I'm looking for. I'm going to go ahead and buy one this weekend.
高文欽
Thanks for this great review, it helped me to choose to buy this piano over a couple of others I was also considering at a similar price point. Absolutely no regrets, the FP-30 is a fabulous bit of kit. For what it costs, the piano sound and keyboard action are incredible. Thanks again!
Key action review: 7:42
Hi, for key action, IMHO look for Kawai...!.
Yep .....Billy Joel's - Angry young man can't be performed on these keyboards
I hope it can be played on a KAWAI electronic piano, I dont know !
Haha thanks
Very good review! And the German accent -- brilliant! Thank you.
Thanks. I have been practicing this accent for a long time. Maybe it's not perfect yet, but I'm working on it.
Whoa his voice is so clear that I thought I am with him!! Great review.
Well my comment might have come up a little late, but this is the time I decided to buy a digital piano. Without the smallest hesitation I'd call this the best review I've seen on this product, and I've seen almost everything available out there especially because I cannot try the piano myself before buying it.
And yes, acoustic pianos with a metallic taste are not bad pianos. In fact, except for a few uprights, most pianos bee it Yamaha or Steinway will always show that metallic sound here and there. It's undoubtedly more pronounced in some brands though. For example I've studied for my entire childhood on an August Forster. It was an upright piano with quite an overdone heaviness, with a metallic sound especially in the 3 4 last notes of the central octave. It looks like that piano sound is imprinted on my brain and that's why I'm fond to that particular quality of tone still.
•Also, it's very appreciated that you mentioned the negatives of this piano without extra negativity, very well done!
Vielen Dank für den tollen Service!
Fantastic review! Also, you've completely sold me on it. I was already looking for specifically just a good price point for great regular piano sounds and you really proved that this is the keyboard for that.
Did you buy it my friend? I’m looking at this piano now
I thank you sir for a decent review. You really connected with the type of information that is relevant and I’m left feeling fully informed more so because I like you would purchase a keyboard only for the piano sound and key feel. I’m glad you explained about the use of headphones too, that is uber useful!
Vielen Dank für diese tolle Bewertung!
It's truly helpful in making my choice.
Beautifully concise and pinpointed video of the most important and often overlooked aspects often missing in other Piano Reviews. Bravo! Thank you Sir.
Great simple, extensive and straight-to-the-point review. Congrats and thank you!
You're welcome!
We have a 10 year old daughter and are looking for a better instrument for her. Your review is thorough and thoughtful - exactly what we needed to help us decide. Many thanks for the effort Tiroh, we very much appreciate it. Best regards, Matt
Vielen Dank für diese aufschlußreiche Review die, wie Du selbst schon gesagt hast so einpaar Punkte aufnimmt denen sich viele andere Reviews nicht widmen. Ich bin jetzt fast zu hundert Prozent überzeugt das Roland FP 30 dem Yamaha P115 vorzuziehen, da auch für mich das Tastgefühl und der Original Piano Sound die größte Rolle spielen.
Okay so I have finally bought the fp 30, I went out and tried the kawai es 110 too, and just to give an opinion for those who struggle between the two, I don't understand the hype around the kawai... The fp 30 felt and sounded way better to me, the kawai to me felt kind of meh, I didn't like the action and the sound was okayish but for me, it couldn't compare to the roland, definitely not if I used the built in speakers, it just sounded very dull to me on the speakers, the roland felt like more lively to me. So yeah do yourself a favor guys and do try it for yourself it really made it a super easy choice for me and didn't hesitate 10 minutes after trying both. Now I am not saying the Roland is a superior piano You may prefer the kawai I understand that, but to me it was easily the roland.
***** well I cheked them out in hungary, I dont know where are You from so I imagine it may not be useful to You.
Who would be on the fence about those two? Yamaha 45 or the casio 160 are SUPER close, and within 100$.. Much harder!
Why are you comparing those two? You can buy 3 Kawai Es110 with the price of 1 Roland FP30... I mean............ Kawai Es110 is amazing for it's price range. USD 500 but of course a USD 1500.00 ROLAND is gonna sound better.
@@Rainherself Huh? The Roland FP30 is cheaper than the Kawai 110 throughout all of Europe (but not by much). I didn't like the Kawai keys much but thought it had good sound, not much to choose between them really.
@@stevenbaggley1257 we're both right. Roland is MORE EXPENSIVE in Asia for some reason tho... KAWAI is solely made in Japan so it's logical that it's cheaper here in Asia.. meanwhile Roland is manufactured in Japan AND USA so it can get cheaper in Europe.. idk, Kawai is more affordable here.
Hello tiroh,
Thank you for the very authentic review. Have you already tried the Roland F-140R ? If yes what do you think about it's sound? Is it metallic like FP-30 ? Thank you
I didn't play it myself, but I listened to it in the video by Kraft Music. I think it has the same metallic sound like the FP-30, you can hear it when it is played with more force.
This is a very comprehensive and considered review! I think you focus on exactly the important things a piano player wants to know about a digital instrument. Thanks.
I just put this on Layaway today. I was only looking and this was the first one I saw. Sat down and played and it instantly won me over. Actually feels like a real piano
thank you Tiroh, from the heart of Hawaii~i love my new Roland FP-30 and bought it, in part, after listening to your wonderful, clear and unbiased view and presentation of the sound capabilities of this fine instrument. I am learning so much and enJOYing it immensely. Aloha!
Thank you ;) Have fun and never give up, even if it may be frustrating sometimes!
I learned much how to look at pianos from your criteria, very helpful...
Cut cost by no interface but headphone jack.
Good format - it is about basic sound and action - right now I am just interested in piano.
9:35 I noticed the limit on repetition speed at the local music shop, today.
But, I liked the action - I get spoiled on a Steinway D that I take lessons on - I am not worthy.
I am looking for something with action closer to that D than I have now, and so far this Roland F-30 is on my short list.
5:30 For anyone wondering, that masterpiece melody is Howard Shore's Gondor Theme from the Lord of the Rings.
That absent line out is stupid, almost a deal breaker. Very honest review
Thanks! Well, it's Roland's second-lowest entry-level instrument ... LINE OUTs are not widely used in this this market segment.
Thank you for an honest review, very well done, the sounds outside the piano sounds are inferior and useless in a recording studio. We have the Yamaha P125 which has more of a realistic sound for recording and live performance. Digital pianos are like real pianos , they all sound and feel different. It is your personal taste that decides which is best for you.
Just the review I was looking for. Many thanks. 👍
I want to take up piano, and I had pretty much set my sights on this one, but your review really helped seal the deal.
Thanks for the vid, I purchased one today and I like it for my needs. I am more of a synth player and cannot play much past a grade 5 level for classical pieces, I just wanted something with a good feel. I like the keys, the sound is nice as well and because I have a pretty decent studio I can easily use it with my virtual pianos. Mainly I have been playing a Virus Ti2 and a Deepmind 12 and my SH01, I like to noodle and so I was worried about going with a piano weighted KB but in the end I really chose it for the low risk in $$ and for practice so its a winner for me.
I have the yamaha clp 625 since one year and I absolutely love it but I bought thid one for my college bedroom because I needed a tiny and heavy piano on which I would mostly practise with headphones on to not disturb my flatmates and I think that for the price it is more than ok.
The touch is really good, the sound is not too bad and with good headphones it sounds really good! So really I recommended it to anyone who will play mostly with headphones or who simply begins piano and whant something good but not too expensive
Great review, love how you actually talked about what mattered not just showed off all the different sounds, still trying to decide between this and a couple of other models but the review went a long way in giving some real information.
I am gonna buy this as my first piano, i have got three years of guitarplaying under my belt and now i feel like learning a second instrument, all i want is good piano sounds with good keys and this sold me, i am so excited =D
Very good ;) but try it out in a store first so that you don't have any negative surprises! Ok, you probably know that, you play the guitar ;)
I ve got it too. 2 days ago :)
So, what's your experience? Any surprises, good or bad?
@@tiroh8490 i went for the kavai mp7se instead :P
Great video, love your review! I bought the FP-30 recently (Instead of the FP-90) because the FP-30 offered a more warming sound. The Audience love it.
Spending so much on a piano like the FP-90 for gigs is useless. An FP-10 or FP-30 with good amplification do as good
I just bought the FP 25 (I think its the same as the FP 30 less Bluetooth), but I am returning it for two reasons. 1) I noticed the A note above middle C had a noticeable "ping" to it when played with forte, that was not heard in the other notes when they were played with the same forte. 2) Because the speakers play out the bottom, the sound is not as clear (I.E. a bit muted), as compared to speakers that play out of the top. This is a lesser issue than the "A note" problem, and I may demo another fp 25 to see if it's any better.
(1) I wouldn't expect other FP-25's to sound different in this regard. It may be that you don't like the tone of a particular note, but then all the other FP-25's will have the same issue.
(2) If you want a better built-on speaker setup, you probably need a more expensive instrument with (a) more speakers that (b) play out the top and front.
tiroh 2nd is simple fix. Buy a monitor speaker, its clearer sound than internal speakers and you can position it anyway you want.
The FP-30 is definitely a nice little piano, and I like the look of it as well. I was recently set on buying one, however, upon testing it in the music store, the piano sound was to my ear a little metallic and digital-sounding. I ended up going with a Yamaha, which had a more natural piano sound. Otherwise, this is the model I would have chosen.
I wrote something regarding "natural piano sounds" in my response to ehsan83. In a nutshell: There is no such thing like a "more natural piano sound" since acoustic pianos all sound *very* different from each other. It all boils down to the question whether we *like* the sound or not.
Acoustic pianos may have a different range of sounds, but the FP-30 sounded like none of them. It sounded digital, like an electric piano or something. You may like the sound, but I wanted something closer to an acoustic piano.
Slashco Hi! Please tell me, which Yamaha did you buy in the end? Did you find one that sounds soft? Because i have the same problem and opinion like you, roland sounds a little bit metallic. And i am looking sooo long for a soft e-piano.
Yamaha p115 maybe?
because roland fp30 sounds a little bit like a guitar to me...
That is why metal covers done on FP30 sound awesome!
I purchased this instrument online today for my son who has been playing for a couple years - 15 minutes a week group lesson at school). He will soon be taking private one to one lessons and i wanted him to have a piano-like action rather than my Nord synth wave that he currently uses at home. I was initially concerned that you would review this product harshly due to your recognition of no line out and tedious usability. However, i found your review to be refreshingly concise,objective and transparent. This left me more assured that i have made a sound investment. Thank you.
I am happy you like my review! Hope your son will have much fun with the FP-30.
A Superb review tiroh. Thankyou for your time in putting this video together and for explaining so clearly some of the most important characteristics.
I would highly recommend anyone with any questions to read your replies to the questions already posed as they contain ALOT of useful information and seem to me to be unbiased and logically sound.
Great job!! :)
Thank you very much! :)
Great review thank you for this, I am a lucky owner since. What is the name of the German tune at 0:34?
"So treiben wir den Winter aus" (literally "That's how we cast out winter")
I have a much older FP-2, it has 1/4” L/R line in and line out jacks. Same sounds. Metal key levers. The bed will break before the keys do. I like the feel of it, better than other electric pianos.
My FP-30 arrived today, I can't wait to try it out and learn on it. I also fell in love with the sound of this piano after watching comparison videos in this price range for nights. A great video, you really have a very pleasant voice when you explain things, you should make more videos of this kind. Greetings from Wiesbaden | Mein FP-30 ist heute eingetroffen, ich kann es kaum erwarten, es auszuprobieren und darauf zu lernen. Ich habe mich auch in den Klang dieses Pianos verliebt, nachdem ich nächtelang Vergleichsvideos in dieser Preisklasse geschaut hatte. Ein Klasse Video, du hast wirklich eine sehr angenehme Stimme wenn du Dinge erklärst, solltest mehr Videos dieser Art machen. Viele Grüße aus Wiesbaden
Thank you for the video, it was very helpful
Thanks for the review. Really useful and insightful compare with all the other videos from shops
Thank you for the great review. It was very informative and helpful.
if you want to use on stage with amplifier … you can turn on and off the internal speaker by pressing function + F#7
Hello. Where's the F#7 in the FP30?
This is the most German review I've ever found. Very useful, thanks.
I am wondering: what makes a review "most German"?
A very helpful and informative demonstration Tiroh. Danke.
I'm such a lamer.. when you was waiting for the soind to fade I thought the video had frozen. :D
Have you tried the Kawai es 110 yet? If so would you prefer it over the Roland fp 30? I'm pulling my hair out over which dp to buy
Sorry, I don't know the Kawai. I recommend you try them out in a shop, only you can decide which one feels best to you.
Grand Tremolo repetition rate is an important factor to me, I am looking at the FA-08 which has the same key action, theoretically speaking. I tried some weighted key Rolands at the music store and found the same problem, I can't get a fast enough repitition speed out of it mechanically though can play faster on a standard upright piano and of course mega fast on a non-weighted keyboard. Now I am hesitating in getting it for this very same reason. I tried the same on a Korg with the sostenuto pedal down, and though it can do grand tremolo repetition very, very fast, it starts eating up it's own notes and can't sustain after a few seconds, playing a weird cut off staccato sound instead.
tiroh - thank you for doing this video. I loved the straightforward way you evaluated the keyboard. You've had it for a couple of years now, and I was wondering if you had any further comments about it?
Thanks! As I pointed out in an earlier response, the Roland instruments are in general very durable, they don't fall apart after a few months. In my experience, even after years you cannot see or feel a difference to a new instrument.
Hello. Many thanks for your demo. Very helpful
Very important question for me: did you do any postprocessing of the sound? Or it is a native sound of this instrument?
I'm asking, because my FP-30 doesn't sound so bright. I feel like, there is some shortage of high frequences and there is a noisy middle, while on your video it sound supergood.
Thx! I didn't change anything, the video contains exactly the native sound of the device. There are several factors that influence how your instrument sounds (apart from the settings that have different brightness levels):
(a) Of course, if you listen to it via the built-in speakers, the sound is completely different. (I recommend high-quality, open headphones.)
(b) If you use low-quality headphones, the frequency response will be very different.
(c) If you record to some digital device and play it back, again the devices you use for playback may alter the sound.
(d) And, if you connect the instrument to some other device that has some sort of equalizer (like an amplifier), it may happen that you simply forgot to adjust the equalizer.
@@tiroh8490 Very sorry. I'm an idiot. It is 2 AM here) I was listening using my external MAudio FastTrack 400 soundcard (which is good for recording), but didn't try to listen it directly. It looks like, it is a cable or soundcard config issue. Dirrectly in headphones it sounds supergood.
@@tiroh8490 update:
I am an epic failer. I used mono cable for stereo output :D
I love the action and tone of the one I bought. My church has a Nord Stage 2. It has more whistles and bells, but it costs 4 times as much and is distracting to the eyes. The action cannot compare to the Roland. The sleek design is perfect for me. I just see ebony and ivory, not 300 some odd words. The only things I don't prefer are the stock pedal which scoots about, the lack of of a line level output, and the position of the speakers which does not allow the unit to be placed on a flat surface. It is genius how the keys pan from left to right with headphones or the speakers. Ihr akzent laesst sich erkennen. My autocorrect is scared of Deutsch, but I love it. Great grandfather was Emmanuel Ostertag. I studied German and my teachers were surprised by my aptitude. Might be genetically wired into my brain
Does it sound less metallic if you turn down the Brilliance?
The fundamental characteristics of the sound don't change. Turning down brilliance softens the metallic effect, but does not remove it completely.
I purchased this after hearing the part at 6:36.
Patrick Carr why
Patrick Carr why
Patrick Carr why
Patrick Carr why
Patrick Carr why
Just bought my Son one, very good value, I would describe it as a great sounding Home Piano that can be used as a Stage Piano as and when required, good review.
thanks for the review! I cant decide between this, P115 and Kawai ES100... Kawai seems to sound great too, but Roland has a bluetooth (but - will I use it that much?), Yamaha has an app for setting it up - again, will I really ever use it... and I also plan to play into headphones mostly... have you tried Kawai?
No, I didn't. I have no experience with Kawai.
The Kawai ES100 has longer keys (72% the length of a grand piano key, vs. only 6t2% on the FP-30). Also, the Kawai has a key dip at the back of the keys of over 4 mm, whereas the Roland only has a key dip of between 2 and 3 mm. This measn that the Kawai will be less tiring to play and will cause fewer hand, wrist or arm pains (RSI) than the Roland.
This would be one reason why many commentators prefer the AHA-IVF action of the Kawai ES100 to the Yamaha (with GHS), Casio and Roland (with PHA-IV) digital pianos at this price point.
Me, too ;)
Thank you! This was the best and most helpful review!
Thank you very much!
Helped with the decision of getting this piano.
Thanks a lot :)
Excellent review, thanks. Just bought one of these...getting used to it. (Seems plummy compared to the Yamaha P125 I just p/ex'd it for. Hope it grows on me).
Hello Tiroh. I have a very very big favor of you to ask. My 8 year old girl started learning piano about a month ago and the song you played at the beginning of the review makes my hair stand up :). I would really like the "notes" or "tabs" or whatever you call them so I can give it to her teacher to teach my daughter. To motivate her, I will tell her to learn and play this song and when she does it, I will buy her the FP-30. Can you please help me ? Thank you!
Thank you so much!!!!
What is the name of the german tune of the 16th century?
"So treiben wir den Winter aus" (meaning "Casting out winter" or "That's how we cast out winter").
thank you very much ^^
The one thing that turns me off about this model and the Kawai ES110 is that you have to use the piano keys themselves to make any adjustments which means you will always need an owners manual in front of you to refer too. At least Yamaha has an app that you can control the entire keyboard from. Everything from splits, layers, reverb, layer volume layers, split point, .....etc. Much easier and user friendly. That's a major consideration in choosing which one of these to buy IMO.
Well, when you use the instrument regularly you learn really fast which key does what. I didn't need a manual, I knew intuitively which key to use, it comes automatically when you use it.
Um..assuming you are talking about an app that you can run from a tablet, the Roland Piano Partner 2 app does most of the things you state...
I heard the speaker is on the bottom of this piano, my concern is if I need to rest it on a table, does it really affect the sound?
Yes, that does affect the sound quite substantially. Keep in mind the following things: (A) If you want to use the internal speakers, you should use a stand, not a table. Also remember that the acoustics change depending on the architecture of your room. Questions are: Do you have a carpet or something hard on the floor? How many reflecting surfaces are there? In what angles? (B) I personally would not use the internal speakers, but EITHER high-quality headphones OR an external sound system with more speakers that can deliver the frequency spectrum more realistically. But in general, headphones are preferable, the provide the best quality.
@@tiroh8490 thank you very much
Hi Tiroh, thanks for the review. Due to space limitations I am geared towards the PF30, yet I'm dissatisfied with what you describe as the metallic character. I like to hear a warm and soft sound, and although you've said it does better than many of the competitors, the sound is still too bright for me. Any recommendations among the small alternatives (incl. Roland PF60, in Kawai or Yamaha)
I don't have much experience with Yamaha or Kawai, and I never played the FP-60, so I cannot really comment on that. But you seem to know quite precisely what you want, so, if the mellow sound of the FP-30 is not mellow enough for you, I think you should try out the other options in a shop!
The most useful review. Thank you!
Thanks you so much for your review! I am also looking for a budget el. piano with good key action and a good grand piano sound, mostly for practice reasons. My choice was between the FP-30 and Yamaha P-115. I do like the sound of the FP-30 a bit more since I find the 115 to sound a bit harsh in the lower register. That's just my taste though. What I wanted was a practice piano that would also allow me to make the transition to an acoustic piano where ever I would find one. Is it at least somewhat similar in feel? Thanks
It is definitely "somewhat similar in feel", as you put it. I played upright pianos whose key action was by far not as good.
Dear Tiroh Thanks for your beautifull play and advice. Do you think me as a beginner should start with a piano like this or can I buy something cheaper?
Hi Anna, thank you! Well, in my opinion, the FP-30 is a perfect instrument for beginners. It is important that beginners use a reasonable key action right from the start so that they are trained right.
Yamaha has something cheaper to offer, you could have a look at the P-115 and the P-45. But that is really the lowest you should go, otherwise you get substandard instruments.
Thanks a lot! I hope you have a great day and much succes and joy from your music. I'm happy, I'm going to buy a digital piano :-)
I bought an FP-30 recently and am relatively new happy with it. The sustain pedal isn’t brilliant and the bass notes sound better than the treble. Overall though, it’s not a bad keyboard and it sounds noticeably better through headphones. I got it in a package deal with extra pedals, stool and stand all for £650, which is why I bought it rather than the Yamaha equivalent.
The included pedal is very simple, nothing to recommend. One should use a DP-10 pedal.
Thank you for the very helpful and thorough review!
Hey!! nice review, im planning on buying one for myself. i was wandering if you recommend getting the pack with the stand and pedal, or maybe another stand. i cant find any reviews on that. and i want a sturdy stand! :) thanks in advice
I didn't try the bundled stand, so ...
Great review, very professional and detailed. As i am also looking for a keyboard with good action and quality sound, could you recommend me one in a lower price range (
Great review! Very useful to me.
Thanks a lot!
Is it possible to use 'une corda' (left pedal on acoustic piano) pedal on this model? Does this model sounds better from its speakers than my Yamaha P45?
There is a special 3-pedal unit by Roland for the FP-30 that includes an una corda pedal. I think it is integrated in the special stand for the FP-30 and cannot be bought separately.
I don't know the sound quality of the P45, so I cannot answer that.
if you press down sustainpedal fast, can you hear stringresonance then? (simulate when damper lift from strings)on Roland rd-300gx it is possible to hear if turn volume up. but dont press key when testing this at high volume.
Hi Tiroh, Can the bluetooth option on the piano connect to a bluetooth receiver/speaker system? Can we use those external speakers to hear the music being played instead of the internal piano speakers?
Or do we have to only use the headphone jack on the piano to connect to external speakers?
I am complete novice. Thanks for the help.
The only thing I know of is that the FP-30 sends MIDI over Bluetooth to compatible apps. To my knowledge, if you want actual sound output, you need to connect either the headphone jack(s) to your equipment or the USB port to a computer.
Fp30 should be used with furniture stand or X stand? Is the X stand/ Z stand stable enough so it will not shake/wobble or whatever?
I think if you definitely want to avoid shaking, you need the special stand by Roland (furniture style) that is made exclusively for the FP-30. Whether you can avoid shaking with an X or Z stand is not easy to answer. There are rather massive Z stands that can take some abuse, but they are professional grade and on the expensive side. Cheaper stands always shake with heavy instruments like stage pianos, at least according to my experience.
Can i connect roland fp 30 to a computer via usbmidi, use pianoteq or oder sampl sound program, and be able with any conection to hear sounds back on my speakers on the roland fp 30?
Thanks
MIDI via USB should work, but I never tried it myself.
Regarding the part where you mention that it can be hard to play up high on the keys, do you know of any other pianos in this price range that have longer keys or that may not have this problem? I have a Yamaha P-105, and I noticed the same issue (which is precisely why I am now looking to get a new keyboard...)
I don't know any. I assume this problem (if it is one) is probably not solvable in this price range. One has most likely to choose a larger, more expensive piano that has a larger (longer) key action.
Thank you. I want to buy good digital piano for learning from basics with good key action and tune. So i order this one.
Have fun! I recommend to do exercises for the fingers each day (doesn't need to be for a long time, even 15 minutes help).
Great video! -- You gave a very helpful demonstration of the piano's qualities. QUESTION: What do you think of outputting through the headphone jack? Does it induce distortion in the external speakers?
Thanks! No, it in general it does not induce distortion IF you adjust your equipment (i. e. your amplifier) correctly. Headphone jacks have a stronger output than LINE outputs because they have an additional amplifier stage built-in (LINE outputs have, as the name suggests, so-called line-level output). That means your equipment must be adjusted accordingly because the input from the headphone jack is stronger than usual. From an electrical and hi-fi standpoint, there may be still more differences, but in general we can say that it will work fine. Do NOT connect a headphone ouptut to a LINE input!
tiroh Thank you for your kind reply. But if we hook up the piano to speakers via the headphone jack, isn’t that another way of saying we are plugging a headphone output into a line in? In other words, I must plug the headphone output into my Scarlett 2i2 line in and then it will output to my speakers.
Yes, that would work. However, you should know what it means if you use certain connections. Different devices may have different kinds of inputs. For example, a LINE IN expects a line-level signal that has not been amplified, whereas a headphone input expects an amplified signal. Also, MIC IN and AUX IN expect different signal levels. So, you get different results depending on the type of input. You have to adjust your equipment accordingly.
tiroh Right. So basically in the scenario above I would have to lower the headphone volume on the FP-30 (to make it a line-level signal).
Yes, that should work. In case it is too quiet, it is best to keep the input level low and raise the output level so that you have a good signal/noise ratio.
hey could you tell me how to connect fp30/fp10 to a mixer/ speaker since it has got only audio output (headphone jack). Is fp30 can be played live in a gig with the help of a splitter / adapter . Have you tried using it ?????
You can use the headphone jack just like a LINE OUT. Using this setup, you can play it live. The difference is that a headphone output has a stronger level than a LINE OUT, so it's "louder", but that shouldn't be problem. Electronically, it is safe to use headphone outputs as a LINE OUT. (However, it is NOT safe to connect speakers or low-impedance headphones to a LINE OUT. This could damage the instrument.) What adapter are you talking about? Normally, you don't need any adapter.
@@tiroh8490 no adapter means that converter from headphone jack to speaker.
The headphone jack is only made for driving headphones, not speakers. Speakers should be connected to an amplifier which you can connect to the headphone jack.
Thank you soooo much for the video, it's maybe the best review on a dgital piano in general !!!
I like this piano but you got me worried about how you can't do quick repetitions.!!!
So, considering that I am a beginner (not so beginner though) level player, do you think that its key action is a problem to be considered???!
I mean I tried it in the shop,it's a little bit heavy but isn't it close to the acoustic grand pianos then???
how do you judge the key action then what is a good key action??!
Thank you! All this theorizing about what a good key action is does not lead anywhere, since in the end it's *you* who wants to play the instrument, so the best key action for you is that one that you like best and with which you achieve the best results.
If you are an "advanced beginner", the FP-30 key action should be right for you, that is, it is able to respond to the requirements of your level.
I personally find the key action of the FP-30 very good. There are acoustic pianos with both heavier and lighter actions, so I think it's just in the middle. I think the most important factors for a key action are (a) the amount of force you need to achieve certain volume levels and (b) the "curve progression" of force that is required *while* you are pressing a key, because in a good key action this is far from being linear. However, I cannot tell you which force and which progression is right for you. Only you can decide this.
tiroh You are right, bought it yesterday actually and I like its metallic deap sound (which is not typical of acoustic pianos and maybe even not appropraite for classic piano pieces ) but the only issue now is the low volume in headphones.!
I think the FP-30 is particularly well suited for calm, soft pieces. Here it has a real strength. W.r.t. the headphones: Yes, that's an issue in general. I have headphones with which the FP-30 is very loud (I cannot use the full volume setting), but with others I have to use the full volume.
tiroh I wold appreciate if you tell me what is the type of your headphone that is loud with the FP_30
That's an old Sony model, MDR-XD400.
Thanks for the fantastic review
very good demonstrate!!!
What you think about sounds? I'have Roland RD 300NX and sounds is "muffled - without the high sounds, no treble sounds".
Key action is very good but sounds not ...
Thank you! Regarding the RD 300NX: I never played one myself, however, if I listen to demo videos (like the one by Kraft Music) I do not notice missing treble, it sounds as if everything is fine. So, maybe something else is not ok with your setup or the instrument's character doesn't fit your taste.
Good and sensitive review, thank you! I like the co-resocnance on the Casio. My Yamaha 115 doesn't have that. However, I feel the the piano sound of the Roland is generic and rather uninteresting while that of the P115 is (IMHO) Bechsteiny, which I like :D
For someone who is beginner and have no idea how to play piano what is the best digital piano I should have to learn on it
I am really confused between Roland FP 30 or Yamaha P125
For learning to play the piano (not keyboards!), the most important thing is an action that is not too light so that your fingers get trained. Also important is to have a sustain pedal.
Instruments by Roland or Yamaha are all high quality. You can use both Roland or Yamaha to learn. It boils down to your personal taste, so try them out. And practice each day with good exercises for your technique! Remember that it is not the instrument that makes you a good player but the devotion you put in.
tiroh so many thinks,i really appreciate it
Amazing review, very honest and accurate, thanks.
Great review!
Before purchasing the FP-30, did you try other brands such as Kawai and Yamaha ?
Would you say the keys are noisy ?
Yes, I tried others, and for me the FP-30 was th best fit. In my view, the keys have "normal" noise, it's completely ok for me. If you want quieter keys, you could look for the PHA-50 action (FP-90 and RD-2000).
Many-many thanks! Very good review!
Kawai es110 or this piano. I listen to alot of example and found that kawai sounds a tiny bit better but also the ivory touch on piano kinda make me wanna buy it and including the fact that it is cheaper. Which one would you recommend? and how is the ivory touch compare to the other digital piano with no ivory touch?
I don't know the Kawai, but anyway, your questions cannot be answered by other people since it's a matter of taste. Both are fine instruments. You should choose which one suits your taste best.
tiroh how was the ivory touch compare to other digital piano with no ivory touch?
I like how the keys of the FP-30 feel a bit more "skidproof" than with some other instruments, but that is ultimately a matter of taste.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thankyou.
hi i need help on how to output the source to external speaker. i use the hard phone jack 3.5 to dual ts into my interface, the sound get distorted easily
Headphone jacks have a higher level than LINE OUTs, that means you should reduce the volume of the FP-30 until the sound does not distort anymore.
What did you think of the upper key resonance (from G6 upward)? I know these upper keys are supposed to carry a bit more resonance but to my ear the Roland has over done it. It's almost like full sustain.
Well, it is not only "almost" a full sustain, it IS a full sustain, and rightly so. This is exactly the way pianos work. Acoustic pianos don't have dampers at the higher keys, so if you press them, you get a "full sustain". Roland did everything right there.
Great video! Roland should send you an upgrade :)
Hey Tiroh happy new year! Are there any headphones you would recommend for digital piano?
Thanks, same to you! In general, I recommend open headphones because they provide better sound quality. However, open headphones are not so good if you want to use them also when you are outside because other people can hear everything. Personally I use the Sennheiser HD 598, and I'm happy with them.
Hi I'm really interested in this piano due to its size. Can you please watch the review by pianoforever and let me know what your thoughts are on the Action and the Sound given that the speakers are downward facing? I'll be using it on a flat surface with both sides and the rear being closed.
Missing LINE OUT is not an issue. It is completely normal for manufacturers to remove features from entry level instruments. If you really need an analog output, you can still use one of the two headphone jacks instead of a LINE OUT (which have a stronger output than a normal LINE OUT, of course, but that's usually not a problem). And the FP-30 can also record to an USB stick.
Internal speakers are never a great choice. Acoustics is a very complex story, it depends on your room architecture, carpets, furniture, etc etc .... with digital instruments, you should always use high-quality, open over-ear headphones because the internal speakers will never sound realistic, that's normal. If you the place the instrument on a flat surface, it will probably sound dull -- but again, that's not the fault of the FP-30. Just use headphones.
The action is a bit on the heavy side compared to other instruments, some people don't like that. But that's a personal thing. You should try it out yourself.
@@tiroh8490 thanks for the detailed reply. I've noticed that the depth of the soft Vs heavy notes don't look too great in the Roland's until the FP-90 so that's another negative for me. For the sound I could just use a 2.1 speaker system from my PC I guess. I want to learn to play music from games and anime which is mostly classical music and the Roland apparantly seems to favour more punchy music like pop or jazz. For the same price I'm strongly considering the Kawai es110 but I'll have to find a new spot to put it because it's 1cm too wide lol.
I was wondering what your thoughts are on the piano after using it for a few months? thank you for sharing, your video is very helpful I am ready to order mine.
I'm very satisfied, so I would buy it again. Maybe its music stand is a bit small, and as I said, for me its main drawback is the "metallic" sound character if you play with force, but that's not so bad a problem that I wouldn't recommend it nevertheless!
tiroh thank you!
I am considering between this and the Kawai ES110. Do you have any experience with Kawai pianos that you could share, thank you.
No, I don't have such experience. But even IF I had it didn't matter, because it is YOU who want's to play it, not ME. My personal taste is probably not YOUR taste. You shouldn't ask others, just try it out in a store and compare with other instruments.
thansk for the good key action review. Buying it for myself!
After such a long time of usage, what is your most recent reviews of the instrument regarding its keyboard action, speaker etc. ? Was there any problem that you needed bring it to the repair shop?
No, the Roland instruments are in general very durable, they don't fall apart after a few months. In my experience, even after years you cannot see or feel a difference to a new instrument.