My daughter and I spent about 6 hours auditioning a good number of portable DP's (Roland are most heavily represented at our retail chain level, and obviously great boards also). We have been happy with our selection of the P515 with the caveat this is our first purchase of a DP and I'm sure we will over time learn more about our own subjective preferences. We are accustomed to the "Yamaha Sound" which is what we have for a upright home piano, and Yamaha grands dominate our local performing arts centers. The DP's used in local performance settings are Kawai's, which are impressive also, but unfortunately never had a chance to demo their current lineup. The tonal contrast between the CFX and the Bosendorfer is really a big plus. I agree the Bosendorfer has a notable compressed feel to it particularly compared to the more open and dynamic CFX, but as a listener, the Bosendorfer just sounds so "right" (or is it "familiar"?) on certain pieces. The P-525 has fully replaced the P-515 in Yamaha's lineup, and thus we got an amazing "clearance special discount" on the 515. We slightly preferred the "feel" of the 515 to the 525, and if they were equally priced would have gone with the 525 because of the on-board registration memory of that model. To get registrations on the 515, you need to be hooked into the Smart Pianist app. I believe Yamaha did a good job with their onboard speakers, and the automatic adjustment of tone (eg. eq) with the Vol slider to compensate (I'd expect) for the Fletcher-Munson effect which seems to keep the tonal response reasonably consistent through a range of regular loudness settings. There are also internal settings to adjust eq, perhaps to give the kind of mids the Roland is giving, and I do find the velocity-mids of the Roland reflect our upright piano's tonal response. Note that most Yamaha Boards come with the "Sound Boost" button, which reshapes the eq curve specifically for differing mixes of live performance interactions, eg. piano solo, vs with a vocalist, etc.. The P515 has 3 different settings of the Sound Boost. There is so much great tech in the keyboard business, I am sure everyone can find something that checks their boxes, more or less.
Thanks a million for your very detailed insights and experiences with the Yamaha P515 and P525 models. We appreciate it! Congrats on securing the P515 at an amazing price. I agree with the sentiments regarding the impressive tech on the market right now. The plethora of great options ensures that every player has access to an instrument that aligns with their musical preferences and needs. :)
Very thorough comparisons. I wish you would have commented on their respective durability and common problems. I have the P515 and am quite pleased. I purchased it almost exclusively for the Boesendorfer sound and have experienced no repair issues in 2+ years.
Hi Daniel! Thanks for tuning in! We appreciate it. :) To be honest, both of these models are quite reliable and offer great longevity. The Roland pianos and actions in particular are very stable and we seldom see them come back for warranty repair. Thanks again and all the best!
Hey Stu, any returns with the Roland FP E50? MY first one had several keys develop very loud clickling noises as the key goes back so i asked for another one and lo and behold i tested it with the salesguy in my house and immediately noticed a key having the same issue, so not only does the fpe50 have this issue where more keys progressively develop the issue but some keys have the issue right out of the box. Both pianos were brand new right out the box. So now i have the second piano sitting in my house with 1 defective clicking sound key and im seriously comtemplating switching it for the 515. But the fpe50 just sounds and plays wayyyyyy much better
I love the reviews and insights on pianos on this channel, and Stu’s jazz chops certainly make it all the more enjoyable. I currently have a Roland RD700NX, and while I love how it plays, the superNATURAL piano engine has kind of a “wooden” sound that I just can’t warm up to. We also have an RD800, and I hear the same sort of tonal quality, but not nearly to the same extent. The FP60X in this video still has it, and the P 515 just sounds more like a piano to my ears…I managed to tweak the RD700NX to somewhat quell the tonal qualities that I don’t like, as well as some tuning issues (I am a piano tech, and I actually went into the micro tuning menu on the RD700NX’s Concert Grand and adjusted the tuning note-by-note and made quite an improvement). I’m actually considering a Yamaha P 125 for purchase.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! Tone is a very personal and subjective thing. Every player will resonate with a different sound. The most important thing of course is to find a sound that inspires you. :)
I own the Roland FP60x, I love the Roland sound. I had a Yamaha DGX 650 and it was nice but I was never crazy about the sound. I bought it mostly because of the quality and features.
Congrats on your FP60X! It is a wonderful piano. The combination of tone, touch, and speaker quality is very tough to beat at its price point. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
Thanks, I love your reviews! I have both yamaha and roland. But I like Roland much more, this sound, it's pressing the keys. For me, Roldand is still superior among equals. Yamaha is interesting in workstations, where it has much more advantages.
You're very welcome! We're happy to hear that you found the reviews helpful! The FP60X is an awesome piano with a fantastic touch via the PHA4 action and a wonderful tone. :)
P515 cfx absolutely beautiful, but i prefer fp60x piano sound, especially for play solo piano. I own fp30x which is same core sound piano with fp60x. More mellow and wide i think. ( Sorry my English, i am Indonesian)
Thanks for tuning in! There is no doubt that these are both very solid instruments. With that said, every player will have their own personal preference. The FP60X has a wonderful tone and touch. I am a big fan of the PHA4 action myself! :)
Haven't tried both haven't watched the video yet eather, however do to my experience with the PHA4, and the Roland Sound I'd rather choose the Yamaha🎹🎶
Great video as always! Will you make a new Pianoteq review with the current version? My favourite Pianoteq preset is the “Petrof Mistral Classical Recording” at the moment.
It was Great talking with stunning playing samples, Thank you Boss. Yes like both of them. Ordered Roland 60. Update: in 3 weeks of use returned Roland FP-60X. Don't like sounds quality and numerous keys damaged sound/ length of sound with pedal is different...
if you sent roland fp 60X back and it was broken, as you say, numerous keys damaged and the sound with pedals were not good.. what did you choose instad than Roland?... I am in this process now, looking into the fp 60X but feel not too sure yet.. but the sales person in my local store says is the only really good choice ... I am not sure.. tell me what choices you made in the end.. thanks!
@@SimplicityForGood Was SOUND quality really different Tones...yes. I'm using almost year Kawai es920, it's not cheap but could't even close compare sound quality , also keys resistant feel well for my taste. Just love that Keyboard.
Another informative review, Stu. The camera angles which highlight your excellent playing are also fantastic. I have invested several hours of playing both instruments and really love the bass piano sounds on the Yamaha. I own a CVP Clavinova. Having said that, I purchased the Roland FP60X, as I play in both a Rock band and an acoustic trio. I LOVE the fact that I can create sounds and then use the Registration capabilities to call up sounds at will and on the fly. Really missed that in the Yamaha. Once again, a great review. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the kind words and for tuning in! We appreciate it! We're happy to hear you enjoyed the video comparison. Congrats on your FP60X! It is an awesome piano that is perfect for gigging. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
How could PHA-4 action digital piano be put on the same level as Yamaha P-515? I had FP-90X and traded it for P-515. I definitely consider P-515 to be a better digital piano (action and sounds). I really never liked Roland piano sounds (and I had three Roland digital pianos in 18 months). Good review, as always though. Thank you Stu.
I know the P-515 is popular with accomplished pianists. I'm anxious to see the upgrade. I tried the 90X at the piano store and was disappointed. It was like "almost there" but not quite. On the other hand, I really did like the sound of the Roland LX-708. I think the Kawai CA-701 and the LX-708 is the sound of the future in digitals. In my mind, they are preferable to owning an expensive acoustic grand. I think the es920 will be upgraded to an instrument that sounds similar to the CA-701.
@@JoeLinux2000 I have to say that after considering an acoustic piano for some time I also concluded that it does not make sense for me whatsoever and good action digital piano is what I would ever need.
@@mfurman The problem is the sound of even good acoustics deteriorates over time. and tuning is another issue. Most digitals have nice tuning. The overall ambiance is now coming of age. One thing that Stu hardly covers is ease of use in terms of saving voice parameters and easy recall of the voice set-ups. I was trying to move a voice from one memory location to another on my Yamaha DGX and even though it is described how to do it in the Yamaha manual I could not figure out how to accomplish it. Manipulating the settings on the Yamaha display panel is extremely convoluted. I'm reasonably sure that as piano, the 515 is better than the DGX. For one thing is sells for twice the price, and secondly it's obviously less complex. I have very mixed feelings about my DGX. The fact that there are no latency issues when combined with Pianoteq is an extreme plus. The action of DGX is not noisy and is reasonably satisfactory. I did a lot of modification to the factory pedal system to make it much more comfortable. Both Roland and Yamaha have been leaders in electronic musical instruments. Yamaha is a very large producer making all sorts of things aside from musical instruments. Once these manufacturers have the sound down, which most do in at least in some of their models, the primary issue is going to be ease of use. There are a lot of small details that need to be addressed in that area. Bob Mogue used to say that "software is never finished." One day the marketing division comes down and says, "This model is going into production tomorrow," and whatever state the software is in at that moment is what gets pushed out the door. There is no way to upgrade the software on the DGX. Software upgrades is another issue never discussed by Stu. He glosses over or ignores a lot of important issues.
I have a Roland FP-90. I made a blind purchase online due to a sale. I love the PHA-50 action but I absolutely hate the piano sounds. I am currently using it as a midi controller for Native Instruments - Noire VST.
@@BUJU2007 It's weird. One would think they would be great inasmuch as it is their flagship allegedly "portable" piano. That's another thing about the DGX. It's really heavy and the width makes it very hard to move. I have mine on the Yamaha stand, but don't consider it transportable on any kind of regular basis.
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! We are not Dexibell dealers, so it may be difficult to tackle those reviews for you, but we will do our best. Thanks for the suggestion!
Here the p515 CFX sounds really good. But I could not get on with the CFX, when I had the p515. I ended up selling it for a es920, and couldn't be more satisfied, especially in terms of piano sound. The SK Concert Grand, might be the best piano preset, I've ever heard on an onboard piano sound.
Congrats on your Kawai ES920! They are remarkable pianos and I certainly agree with you regarding the SK-EX Concert Grand. It is one of my favourite onboard piano sounds. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
Your playing is...awesome, tanks for your vidéos, de. I've bought a Roland RD 88 last week afer looking your test and i enjoy a lot greetings from France
Thanks for tuning in! I will pass on your kind words to Stu! Congrats on your RD88! It is quite the musical powerhouse packed into a very portable and convenient package. :)
Nicely done, very useful. Now, one more thing I would find useful - side by side both of these models with an actual acoustic grand. That would add an extra level to the information.
Thank you very much! We appreciate the kind words and suggestion! Having some type of reference point to an acoustic grand piano is definitely an interesting idea worth exploring. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Exactly which patch sounds best is very context sensitive. The repertoire and the room acoustics and whether you are playing for yourself or performing on a gig - these things really matter. Even with acoustic pianos, the one that sounds most beautiful playing solo behind stage might not be the the best one for the gig. Typically, you need a brighter acoustic piano on the gig. It's nice that most portable DPs have samples from more than one acoustic piano, and in this price bracket there is a lot of tweaking you can do too. Right now I'm enjoying hearing the Bösendorfer patch most, but I'd probably get more use from the CFX patch. I'm sad that the CFiii isn't offered, because that's usually my favourite. Maybe on a gig I'd enjoy the Roland FP60X most, because Roland specialises in gigging equipment and it seldom disappoints on stage. And the FP60X controls look much friendlier for gigs. I really value the EQ sliders. It's a bit lighter too.
One thing that Yamaha has done to many of their latest models (digital pianos, Montage, MODX) is to offer a darker default sample. However, there is a little secret: you can still get that traditional bright, cut through the mix, clear piano character by accessing the touch curve. Now, there are two types of models: lower digital pianos give you only access to 5 presets: Soft 2, Soft 1, Medium, Hard 1, Hard 2. This is not enough to get to those samples like your Yamaha P255. However, more powerful models (DGX-670, Montage, MODX) give you access to the entire touch sensitivity curve from 0 to 127. So, it is not that the CFIIIS samples were better, it is a matter of having access to the entire dynamic range of the CFX, particularly the ones that trigger a punchier sound in normal playing, and being able to shift it to where it used to be the default setting in previous generations of digital pianos, like yours. I can get the CFIIIS sound profile of your P255 in my DGX-670. Just because it is not the default setting doesn't mean it is not there. Some people have complained about the Montage and MODX having dull pianos instead of those instantly recognizable piano patches of the past. Once again, it is a matter of going to the Touch Curve Offset and Depth. The CP88 seems to be tweaked right out of the box. I believe Yamaha has added more layers of piano samples in their latest models and set the touch setting to trigger softer samples, maybe due to so many people creating a stereotype that "Yamaha is bright". Kawai seems to have done the exact opposite: they now have samples way brighter than Yamaha by default, maybe trying to get away from the stereotype "Kawai is warm".
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights Mike! As always, we appreciate it. The context and environment a piano or piano patch is being used on is critically important. I certainly agree that a brighter sound is generally better for live applications, especially when playing with an ensemble. The same consideration is important for piano voicing as well. An instrument intended for use in a concert venue or recital hall usually needs a different treatment than an instrument intended for use in a living room. Thanks again and all the best! :)
@@Instrumental-Covers Hello again. Sincere greetings. I didn't mean to imply that the CFiii patch is superior, only that so far I like it best out of the digital piano patches I've tried. I have tried the CFX on the P-515, but admittedly, there wasn't time to tweak it much, and I was underwhelmed. It sounded a good bit nicer in Stu's comparative review. One of the things I've always liked about Yamaha DPs is how good they sound straight out of the box. If this is changing in favour of more programming (as on Roland FP pianos) I'm not sure that's good for me. Also, touch curve affects how I play, how I grope the keys and what dynamics are achievable. When I've found the curve I like, I don't want to change it to remedy a tonal issue. I expect there to be alternative solutions. EQ is one, but the 515 has the retrograde modification of eliminating the EQ sliders and putting some un-user friendly EQ in the menus. I doubt that Kawai is tired of hearing "Kawais are warmer", per se, What Kawai might be getting jumpy about is the notion that its digital pianos are best employed as home practice instruments. And this might create a drive for brighter patches so it can get a stage-ready image too. I am in no way saying that Kawai DPs are not stage ready, I'm only describing perceptions I've noticed. It's true that manufacturers do swap about with innovations. The ES920 looks a lot like the P-255, including the EQ sliders and the light case and a seemingly lighter implementation of RH3 than on the solid old ES8. Meanwhile, the P-515 feels rugged, rather like the older Kawai models. The onboard sounds I'm most enjoying in all these reviews are on the Casio Privia models. But the most breathtaking of all piano sounds for me is the VSL CFX VSTi. When they can squeeze a CFX patch almost as good onto a digital piano, I shall probably buy the piano straight away.
@@Zoco101 Hi Mike. Very good points. I don't think they are going for more programming on the default piano tone, but rather for a default darker one. It sounds more classical. Maybe it is a change inspired in many people using slab pianos as a piano replacement for classical repertoire... don't know. Now that you mention it, the P515 is 48 lbs and the P255 is 38 lbs (17 Kg). Maybe Yamaha is targeting a more classically oriented audience with the P515, which is reflected in the weight and darker tone. I wouldn't say that the P515 is in need of tweaking the default sample compared to the P255, it just sounds more classical out of the box. In addition, there are other piano patches that might provide the character of the P255 default voice. Very good observation of the ES920 looking like a P255. They are basically the same weight. It seems Kawai is going for a gig-ready keyboard with the ES920, while Yamaha is going for a more home piano with the P515. The idea that Kawai is warm and Yamaha is bright seems like a very old stereotype, even though it is not based on real current products. When I play brand new (important: brand new) Yamaha and Kawai pianos, I wouldn't reduce their sound to "bright" and "warm", as they are much more complex than that. Same goes for digitals.
@@Instrumental-Covers Yes we agree. I wanted to comment on the warm vs bright thing too. All pianos are warm, or can be. When I must find a word to describe a sound which is less bright I prefer saying dark/cloudy/tawny, but no single adjective really does justice to an instrument. I think Stu tries to steer away from these pitfalls too. A quick question about something else: Do you know whether the TP100 and TP110 are graded actions? I know they are weighted and they have aftertouch. As we know, Studiologic and Nord use them in some models. Nowhere that I've looked/asked can confirm whether the TP110 is graded. Update: I've finally learned that neither the Fatar TP110 (see Studiologic Numa X piano 73/88) nor the Yamaha BH5 (see CP73) are graded actions. That sort of knocks out two stage pianos with 73 keys that I've been interested in. The only one I can think of now is the Korg RH3 action - see SV2-73/88. It is graded! It would be simpler to get a Yamaha P-121 for "throwing" in the car & the motorhome, but I couldn't play a GHS action on every gig, even though it seems to work better on the P-121 than on the P-45.
@@_classic_rob_ Yes I feel the same way. I play with an acoustic piano too, and even then the CLP745 still feels off. The P-515 is nicer, and cheaper too. I play with headphones anyway, no need for fancy expensive sub-woofers and co.
Cool! Are you planning to review the Roland FP-E50? This new entertainer stage piano seems to be pretty hot and I am very interested in your opinion about it!
I would like to have a Yamaha CP88: it has the CFX, Bösendorfer, S700, U1, SU7, C7, and a Steinway. That's 7 different pianos. The S700 was a $250,000 handmade semi-concert piano, probably the most famous piano voice ever in a digital piano. Yamaha also offers two non-Yamaha piano samples: Steinway and Bösendorfer.
The CFX sounds different on that piano to my ears. Punchier, brighter perhaps? The C7 sounds quite mellow. The SU7 is very nice. The s700 is very nice but I would love a sample of the S7X, a really nice sounding piano from Yamaha. I don't know what Yamaha's version of Steinway (D?) sounds like.
This is unrelated, but I'm starting to think that the Roland digital I tried before wasn't an HP702 perhaps it was an RP701. I say this because I did try the HP702, and I was surprized that to my ears it sounded like a toy at least in the low to mid treble. It did sound ok, however for the price I was expecting something more. It also sounded muted to me at least. The PHA4 isn't helping it eather. For me I much prefer the cheaper Yamaha YDP145 I tried before🎹🎶
@@benjaminsmith2287 These are two links for the CP88 Steinway piano patch, as well as other patches: th-cam.com/video/disuouV1oKM/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/UulFbYDwQvU/w-d-xo.html It would be nice if Yamaha keeps adding libraries to the CP88, even if they have to be purchased separately.
stu, at 1:55 you mention the roland fantom 08 using a PHA4 action. Yet in your earlier review of the fantom 08 you stated that it comes with an Ivory-feel-G-action. Which is correct ?
Stupendi entrambi! Ho provato il p515 in confronto con il nuovissimo P S500 mentre non ho trovato e provato il Roland FP60x. Ho provato anche il nuovo FP E50 e ne sono rimasto colpito nei suoni di pianoforte. Mi sono accorto tuttavia che Roland pur montando la stessa tastiera PHA-4 su FP 30x, RD88, FP E50 mi davano una diversa sensazione sotto le dita in fatto di peso. Come mai? Trovo che alcuni piani elettrici nel p515 siano davvero fantastici. La scelta fra questi due pianoforti risulta davvero difficile. Bene, ciao a tutti e come sempre un saluto dall'Italia.
Hi Roberto! As always, thank you for tuning in! The enclosure that the action is mounted in and other aspects of the design of each model will lead to subtle differences in the touch and feel of an action. So, I certainly know what you mean about little differences between the FP30X, RD88, and FP-E50. Also, to your point about the FP-E50, it is quite the powerhouse! The amount of pro-level features that Roland has packed into this price point is impressive. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianos Sorry, I got mixed up by watching too many videos of you playing, I was supposed to ask on the VSL samples vids in which you were playing live, I wonder which speakers you use in those. The P515 speaker is inadequate for me, and playing the samples through closed-back headphone is tiring, so sorry to bother you if there are external speakers could help that.
Hey Stu, any returns with the Roland FP E50? MY first one had several keys develop very loud clickling noises as the key goes back so i asked for another one and lo and behold i tested it with the salesguy in my house and immediately noticed a key having the same issue, so not only does the fpe50 have this issue where more keys progressively develop the issue but some keys have the issue right out of the box. Both pianos were brand new right out the box. So now i have the second piano sitting in my house with 1 defective clicking sound key and im seriously comtemplating switching it for the 515. But the fpe50 just sounds and plays wayyyyyy much better
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for your question! I am sorry to hear that you have experienced some clicking keys with your FPE50 pianos. While I have read a few anecdotes about this issue, we have not personally experienced these issues with our floor models or the FPE50s that we have sent out. It should be covered under warranty. In our experiences, Roland's post-sale service support is excellent! The FPE50 is certainly one heckuva instrument in terms of the piano experience it offers. I hope the issue can get resolved for you soon!
@@MerriamPianos man thanks for the reply but as i had figured the second fp e50 ive received has the exact same issue. I tested all the keys right out of the box without even turning it on and lo and behold, found a key with the same issue. The place where i bought it from is super comprehensif and they ll let me switch it again but i have a feeling this model has this issue so im thinking of switching to the yamaha p515 going to try it tonight
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! That is a very subjective question at the end of the day. When it comes to piano sounds, beauty is in the ear of the beholder so-to-speak. My recommendation would be to test out these synths to experience their piano tones firsthand. If you connect with the sound, it should be a pretty immediate sensation. :)
@@MerriamPianos hi, thanks for the reply. I was only asking because you gyus seem to focus on reviewing pianos, rather than synths and workstations, so I'm interested in your subjective opinion. For example the DGX670 has a beautifully rich CFX sound, while the MX88 has comparably thin and somewhat artificially sounding CFX piano. I used to own both. Now I have the MODX8+ and I'd like to compare my subjective opinion of its piano sound to yours.
Another question I couldn't find definite answer to : How to store your digital piano? I'm looking into vertical (inside bag) storage but I'm seeing mixed replies. I'm aware weighted keys on Roland fp 60x that I bought are in some opinion not ideal to be stored upright vertically while others say it's okay. Any opinions from you guys would be greatly appreciated to solve my dilemma.
Hi Thomas! Thanks for reaching out! A digital piano can certainly be stored vertically on its back or side without being damaged or negatively affected. Digital pianos with plastic keyboards in particular are extremely durable and can handle most conditions. There are far less concerns when storing digital pianos versus acoustic pianos. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Hi and thank you so much for quick reply! Greatly appreciated :) heard mixed reviews that even plastic delicated hammers might get bent if stored on side etc etc but I'm happy if that's not the case and as I said, mixed reviews all over so hard to know which one is accurate. Tried putting my piano on side and felt keys lose tension so naturally I went to read all about it but happy enough if you say it's alright! Thanks again!
I was about to purchase the Roland C30 digital harpsichord, but they soon discontinued it. I'm looking for an instrument with good piano, harpsichord, acoustic organ, forte piano, clavichord etc. Any recommendations?
Hi there! Many of the Roland pianos have a large assortment of excellent non-piano sounds including harpsichord, organ, etc. The Roland DP603 is one model that comes to mind. It has 307 built-in sounds, so it is very well-equipped. :)
It is a matter of preference of course. Every player will have their tone and touch preferences between these various models. Happy to hear that you've found one that you've resonated with. :)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the question. I am not sure to be completely honest. That would be a question for Roland's product development team. I have not heard any specific messaging from our Roland reps on that front. I will certainly inquire next time I chat with them. It could be quite cool to do a Q&A style video with reps from different manufacturers where these types of specific questions could be answered. Thanks for the idea and all the best! :)
I think im going to go with the fp60x because i tried the rd88 and liked the heavier action also the p515 is out of my price range unfortunately (unless they have a huge sale on it)😭🤣 i grew up playing on a yamaha acoustic taking lessons from 7 till 18 so im use to heavy keys.
The FP60X is a fantastic piano with an impressively authentic touch and tone. If you are a fan of heavier actions, I think it is an excellent choice. :)
I have the FP60-x. Very nice description and demo. I love how Stu never seems to need to think what to play, hardly ever repeats himself and rarely plays any well known melodies. Like he has an endless reservoir of improvised music, tailored to the piano sound. I am happy with the Roland. Main drawbacks: - Speakers don't cope too well with a very loudly played note. Trying to really go hard into a Crescendo... piano don't like it much. Distorts the sound a bit. Stu is really kind in his description of 'moving to more midtones' I want to upgrade into something with some more reserve in the amps at some point. - The upright sounds don't do upright piano's much justice. - You can modify a lot of things but it all gets lost once you turn it off. For instance I prefer the keyboard setting one tick to the more sensitive side. Also better for my 7 year old son, but no way to make it 'permanent'. - As you layer sounds ,you can't control the individual volume. You can't really mix anything with an organ sound because the organs just overpower everything else. My favourite layering is Concert Piano with Glockenspiel. Very nice effect when playing Jingle bells and other christmas songs. The controls are very nice for split indeed as Stu mentions. Would have been better if it worked well for layers also. On the plus side: The 'electric grand' is also a very nice sound. It is listed with the acoustics (for reasons beyond me), and Stu didn't get to it in this demo. One of my 3 favourite sounds along with the concert grand and the 1976 suitcase. I got the Roland after playing a similarly priced Roland and Yamaha in a music shop and I preferred the Roland action, but I don't know if the Yamaha was the 515.
One more thing: the USB connection to your phone or tablet... doesn't charge the phone like any computer does. Very annoying if you want to use a piano app but your battery is low and you have to wait for your phone to charge, or your tablet dies mid-song. No revierwers ever tell you things like that because... They don't need piano learning apps anymore. That is actually the one I am most surprised at a premium DP brand getting wrong.
Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your very helpful insights on the FP60X to our community! You have drawn some attention to some very practical details that you are right in saying are often overlooked. In any case, I am happy to hear that you are enjoying the FP60X aside from a few drawbacks. It is a wonderful piano with a great tone and touch. Inevitably, every instrument will have the odd shortcoming depending on the needs of the individual player. With that said, in my opinion, the most important thing is to feel inspired by the tone and touch while playing and it sounds like the FP60X is providing that for you. :)
Thank you for the kind words. Wonderful piano it is indeed. Between my son and I we clocked over 300hrs of playing in just five months. Firmly in 'some of the best money I ever spent' territory. My only regret is I didn't spend more at the time to get an HP704 or LX705 right away. But to each their ' future dream piano goals' I guess.
I own the FP60x and I wasn’t all that impressed when I first received it, but I’ve grown to like it more and more. Pros: e piano sounds, action, usb audio interface capabilities, mic input. Cons: piano tones, speakers lack power, slight hiss present when volume up high, rhythms and accompaniments locked in app, the app is terrible, app crashes frequently, piano takes a while to connect to app. That said, I picked up Pianoteq 8 stage to use with the FP60x and that works flawlessly, but the Roland sample has grown on me since I first got the piano. Depending on the setting, I often choose the Roland sample over Pianoteq. In headphones, I always use the Roland Sample, while playing without headphones at higher volumes, I sometimes prefer Pianoteq. That said, I can’t believe Stu got 93 decibels out of the FP60x, I think it’s relatively quiet. I supplement with external monitors.
I wonder how the Roland FP-E50 compares to the rest of the Roland FP series. It seems to me it beats the FP30X, FP60X, and FP90X in all fronts (except the PHA-50 action)... and it is cheap. The FP-E50 has way more sounds than any other FP piano, it has the largest screen, it can be expanded (ZEN Core engine), it has the sample-based SuperNatural engine that sounds more realistic than the modeled pianos found in pricier models. On top of that, it has a full accompaniment band with 177 styles (2 variations each). Like the DGX-670 is to the Yamaha P series, the Roland FP-E50 borrows elements from different Roland models: piano engine, key action and speakers of the FP30X, Zen Core engine from the Jupiter/Fantom synthesizers, large screen of the BK-5 arranger keyboard. The Roland FP-E50 and the Yamaha DGX-670, although they both are digital piano arranger workstations, are not really designed with the same audience/purpose in mind. The DGX-670 is more of a home entertainment center, whereas the FP-E50 is more of a gigging stage piano with some arranger functionality. That can be seen in the speaker system, weight, as well as the sound engine and arranger capability of each piano. Of course, each of these models can be used at home or stage if needed.
It is interesting to see how much Roland has packed into the FP-E50, especially given its price point and affordability! While it is still early on in the life cycle of this product, I suspect that it is going to win the affection of a lot of FP30X and FP60X customers. For me, the FP90X still has a number of details that separate it from the FP-E50 and give it an edge in certain categories. While it seems that Roland's intention is for this model to compete directly against the DGX670, I totally know what you mean about home entertainment versus stage-use. But, as you mentioned, they are certainly both capable of serving either purpose, but there are features that would align each model with a specific category just a bit more.
@@MerriamPianos Definitely agree! The FP-E50 seems to offer everything the FP30X offers and much more. The only thing the FP60X has over the FP-E50 is the speaker system, but even a $60 pair of near-field monitors from Amazon (3" woofers + silk dome tweeters) are sufficient to be on equal or even above the FP60X speaker system, so the FP-E50 still wins. The only contender left is the FP90X, which definitely has the advantage of the PHA-50 action. But then again, the FP-E50 is, like the DGX-670, not meant to be a piano replacement for advanced players, so its PHA-4 action is well matched for its purpose. One thing I would like to learn is in which areas the FP90X is a better choice (in addition to the action).
I recently bought a Yamaha 515, I’m learning mostly classical pieces and the keys are just way too heavy… Im actually in the process of returning the keyboard. I’m looking for a digital keyboard with key action and weight similar to the acoustic pianos in the 55-60 g range, I don’t want anything too heavy. Does anyone have any recommendations?
The P515 actions do play a bit on the heavier side, which may not be the preference for some players, as you are experiencing. My recommendation would be to explore the Kawai ES920, Roland FP60X, or Roland FP90X. The ES920 in particular is an excellent value, which will play noticeably lighter in my opinion. Plus, the rich SKEX concert grand tones are well-suited for solo classical repertoire. :)
I prefer all of the Kawai actions and their SX-EX Piano samples. Roland's actions are sluggish and Yamaha's actions are stiff, IMO. Ymaha's piano tone is too glassy (mid-scooped).
Kawai's digital piano offers are certainly impressive. They have some excellent actions, which, when combined with the SK-EX samples, offers a very rewarding musical experience. :)
Maybe its a stupid thought but if you want to have a Dig.P with great acoustic sounds buy them from a company who also makes acoustic piano's...thats why I bought my Dig.Piano's from kawai and yamaha...some people like to have an expensive car... thats not for me... I rather spend my money on my hobby's like photography and Dig.piano's.... thats why I own ,in my eyes , three gems of them.... the kawai es 520 , light action , great sound , love to make many hours on it..... the yamaha p515, sturdy action , beautiful acoustic sound , but the action is too heavy to make many hours on it..... and finally the kawai mp11se, great sounds and great action, but vulnerable, (stickey keys) .... but the variety of the instruments and their different "attitude " gives me personally more enjoyment to make many hours on them...but thats just personal...
There is something to be said about the fact that companies like Kawai and Yamaha making both acoustic and digital pianos. Perhaps, this gives them a bit of an edge in terms of capturing the authenticity of a real piano experience. The P515, ES520 and MP11SE are all exceptional pianos and I'm happy to hear that you've been enjoy them. :)
Surprised to see the P515 compared to the PF60x and not the 90x. The top-tier Yamaha portable piano against the mid-tier Roland one is a no brainer. In this market segment, at least, Roland's prices are out of line with Yamaha and Kawai.
We based these comparisons on price point. Here in Canada, the FP90X is considerably more than the other flagship portable digitals from Kawai and Yamaha.
@@MerriamPianos Yes, I appreciate the explanation early on in the video. Thank you for the entertaining and informative reviews! Just to elaborate on my original comment, I owned a ES920 (from Merriam) and it was amazing but I got a good deal on an RD2000 and traded up. I got to say that PHA 50 action might actually be worth the price.
While both pianos use the PHA4 action, there are other elements about the piano's design that will have some effect on the piano's touch/feel. The way the action fits into the enclosure can give the action a bit of a more rigid or looser feel in some cases for instance.
Hi, I know that this is not the correct place to ask this but I don't know whom to ask. I think my Roland digital piano's metronome is incorrectly playing 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8 beats. When the down beat is switched on, 6/8 beat has one normal beat and one down beat and the beats are really slow. 9/8 beat has 2 normal beats and 1 down beat, again the beats are slow. 12/8 has 3 normal beats and 1 down beat, once again the beats are slow. All other beats are working fine. I have tried factory resetting many times and I have also tried connecting to Roland Piano app but the issue didn't resolve. I think my new digital piano is malfunctioning. Can someone please help, it has only been 2 weeks since I purchased it😢
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! It sounds like everything is working as it should with your metronome. Usually, when counting compound meters such as the 6/8, 9/8, or 12/8, the common convention is to count the dotted quarter note (which is equal to three eighth notes) as this represents the main meter. It is the job of the player to perceive and subdivide the two eighth notes between these main beats. Also, the accented "down beat" you are referring to is used to indicate the beginning of each new measure. In terms of the tempo, this can be adjusted separately. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Understood. I was confused because if we don't connect the app to the piano, the Piano app's metronome sounds different (5 normal beats and 1 down beat in case of 6/8 time signature and the beats are fast).
Love your videos, just don’t like how the yahama p515 didn’t have “let up” which causes my fingers to get really sore after 30 mins of playing. I guess you get used to it. You can’t save presets or power on states but the p515 is def a great keyboard ! I like certian things about the yahama my kawai mp7se does it for me, i feel I’ve grown into it pretty well lol
Thanks so much! We're glad you have been enjoying our videos and channel! Every keyboard/piano will have its pros and cons. The nice thing about portable instruments is that it is manageable to have more than one; different tools for different jobs as they say! ;)
@@MerriamPianos my brands of choice will always be nord, kawai, yahama. However i don’t believe I’ve seen you do demos on Nords. Id love to see one like nord vs kawai.
I've played piano as amateur when I was a kid, 25 years forward and I want to get into this world again. Been guitar player but piano was always a call. Roland seems like way to go as for my personal preference but I do believe it's an overkill for a total beginner. That being said, I also want a good instrument and not something I'd want to change it short time so this price range feels like sweet spot. Any comments on this being beginner good or should I satisfy with a piano of range below these beautiful two? Thanks a mill!
Hi Thomas! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for taking the time to check out our channel and write in! I wouldn't say the FP60X is overkill for a beginner. It really just depends on what your needs and preferences are. With that said, the most important thing in the early phases of development is having as authentic of a piano touch as possible. From that perspective, the Roland FP30X provides you with the same action (PHA4) and core tone engine (SuperNATURAL) that is featured in the FP60X. Of course, the FP60X is more fully-loaded with features and has a superior speaker system. Another attractive option right now is the Roland FPE50. While it has a lot of accompaniment/arranger functions that you may or may not require, the value offering is amazing given its price point (it sits right between the FP30X and FP60X). Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos thank you so much for your input! Earned sub from me 100%! I'll stay and follow as your content quality is top notch! Meanwhile, I just arrived home with my new Roland 60x so purchase has been made :) looking forward to all that it offers and I'm over the moon with sound quality as is! Thank you sir!
Its not even a fair comparison if you care about quality of action and rich sound. The P515 is world class while the FP60x is decent. Even the FP90x pales in comparison with the P515
The P515 and FP60X are in slightly different categories for sure. With that said, it was a comparison that we received several requests for, so we do our best to tackle as many of those as possible. It is also important to note that, at the end of the day, the preference of action and piano sound is a subjective thing and every player will have their favourites. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Unless you set those ambience settings to 9 or 10 on the Roland, they just do not come through very well on the built in speakers and that’s the really the biggest failing of these reviews that are hard wired to amps. The Yamaha ambience in piano room is much better.
We do not use amplifiers or external speakers to enhance the sound of the instruments in our reviews and comparisons. We typically take direct line out feeds from the piano, which is the most transparent representation of the piano sound directly from the tone engine. We do not do any further colouring or enhancement of the sound otherwise.
en sonido , yamaha es increible ( su sonido reverb) , en pulsacion y estetica este piano no, es una pena que yamaha se empeñe en pulsaciones tan duras , y estetica de su piano 515 es tan plana sin apenas desnivel que es como tocar una madera , tengo dos alumnos que compraron este piano . la verdad no entiendo porque yamaha hace tan duro sus piano
The P515 is a very solid piano with a great touch and tone of course, as is the FP60X. They are both very impressive pianos for the money. The decision between the two will ultimately be determined by the musical preferences of the player.
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Love the new camera angles so we could better see Stu's brilliant playing.
Thanks! We're glad you enjoy it! We'll pass on the kind words to our production team for you. :)
@@MerriamPianos please do so
Ah....you want a discount...😄😉
@@MerriamPianosdo you think if I want to play like you , I should simply study jazz or also required to study classical ?
My daughter and I spent about 6 hours auditioning a good number of portable DP's (Roland are most heavily represented at our retail chain level, and obviously great boards also). We have been happy with our selection of the P515 with the caveat this is our first purchase of a DP and I'm sure we will over time learn more about our own subjective preferences. We are accustomed to the "Yamaha Sound" which is what we have for a upright home piano, and Yamaha grands dominate our local performing arts centers. The DP's used in local performance settings are Kawai's, which are impressive also, but unfortunately never had a chance to demo their current lineup.
The tonal contrast between the CFX and the Bosendorfer is really a big plus. I agree the Bosendorfer has a notable compressed feel to it particularly compared to the more open and dynamic CFX, but as a listener, the Bosendorfer just sounds so "right" (or is it "familiar"?) on certain pieces. The P-525 has fully replaced the P-515 in Yamaha's lineup, and thus we got an amazing "clearance special discount" on the 515. We slightly preferred the "feel" of the 515 to the 525, and if they were equally priced would have gone with the 525 because of the on-board registration memory of that model. To get registrations on the 515, you need to be hooked into the Smart Pianist app.
I believe Yamaha did a good job with their onboard speakers, and the automatic adjustment of tone (eg. eq) with the Vol slider to compensate (I'd expect) for the Fletcher-Munson effect which seems to keep the tonal response reasonably consistent through a range of regular loudness settings. There are also internal settings to adjust eq, perhaps to give the kind of mids the Roland is giving, and I do find the velocity-mids of the Roland reflect our upright piano's tonal response.
Note that most Yamaha Boards come with the "Sound Boost" button, which reshapes the eq curve specifically for differing mixes of live performance interactions, eg. piano solo, vs with a vocalist, etc.. The P515 has 3 different settings of the Sound Boost.
There is so much great tech in the keyboard business, I am sure everyone can find something that checks their boxes, more or less.
Thanks a million for your very detailed insights and experiences with the Yamaha P515 and P525 models. We appreciate it! Congrats on securing the P515 at an amazing price. I agree with the sentiments regarding the impressive tech on the market right now. The plethora of great options ensures that every player has access to an instrument that aligns with their musical preferences and needs. :)
I love the way my P-515 feels to play, and the built-in audio interface makes it easy to use Pianoteq.
I'm happy to hear that you've been enjoying the P515 and Pianoteq! Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
Very thorough comparisons. I wish you would have commented on their respective durability and common problems. I have the P515 and am quite pleased. I purchased it almost exclusively for the Boesendorfer sound and have experienced no repair issues in 2+ years.
Hi Daniel! Thanks for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
To be honest, both of these models are quite reliable and offer great longevity. The Roland pianos and actions in particular are very stable and we seldom see them come back for warranty repair. Thanks again and all the best!
Hey Stu, any returns with the Roland FP E50? MY first one had several keys develop very loud clickling noises as the key goes back so i asked for another one and lo and behold i tested it with the salesguy in my house and immediately noticed a key having the same issue, so not only does the fpe50 have this issue where more keys progressively develop the issue but some keys have the issue right out of the box. Both pianos were brand new right out the box. So now i have the second piano sitting in my house with 1 defective clicking sound key and im seriously comtemplating switching it for the 515. But the fpe50 just sounds and plays wayyyyyy much better
Loving my P515 and P125, especially love the extras I've acquired using SmartPianist! Thanks for the review.
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)
I love the reviews and insights on pianos on this channel, and Stu’s jazz chops certainly make it all the more enjoyable. I currently have a Roland RD700NX, and while I love how it plays, the superNATURAL piano engine has kind of a “wooden” sound that I just can’t warm up to. We also have an RD800, and I hear the same sort of tonal quality, but not nearly to the same extent. The FP60X in this video still has it, and the P 515 just sounds more like a piano to my ears…I managed to tweak the RD700NX to somewhat quell the tonal qualities that I don’t like, as well as some tuning issues (I am a piano tech, and I actually went into the micro tuning menu on the RD700NX’s Concert Grand and adjusted the tuning note-by-note and made quite an improvement). I’m actually considering a Yamaha P 125 for purchase.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! Tone is a very personal and subjective thing. Every player will resonate with a different sound. The most important thing of course is to find a sound that inspires you. :)
I own the Roland FP60x, I love the Roland sound. I had a Yamaha DGX 650 and it was nice but I was never crazy about the sound. I bought it mostly because of the quality and features.
Congrats on your FP60X! It is a wonderful piano. The combination of tone, touch, and speaker quality is very tough to beat at its price point. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
Thanks, I love your reviews! I have both yamaha and roland. But I like Roland much more, this sound, it's pressing the keys. For me, Roldand is still superior among equals. Yamaha is interesting in workstations, where it has much more advantages.
You're very welcome! We're happy to hear that you found the reviews helpful! The FP60X is an awesome piano with a fantastic touch via the PHA4 action and a wonderful tone. :)
P515 cfx absolutely beautiful, but i prefer fp60x piano sound, especially for play solo piano. I own fp30x which is same core sound piano with fp60x. More mellow and wide i think. ( Sorry my English, i am Indonesian)
Thanks for tuning in! There is no doubt that these are both very solid instruments. With that said, every player will have their own personal preference. The FP60X has a wonderful tone and touch. I am a big fan of the PHA4 action myself! :)
Haven't tried both haven't watched the video yet eather, however do to my experience with the PHA4, and the Roland Sound I'd rather choose the Yamaha🎹🎶
It is a matter of preference of course, but I would certainly recommend watching the comparison video. :)
Great video as always! Will you make a new Pianoteq review with the current version? My favourite Pianoteq preset is the “Petrof Mistral Classical Recording” at the moment.
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! And that's awesome that you've found a piano sound you resonate with. :)
It was Great talking with stunning playing samples, Thank you Boss.
Yes like both of them. Ordered Roland 60.
Update: in 3 weeks of use returned Roland FP-60X. Don't like sounds quality and numerous keys damaged sound/ length of sound with pedal is different...
You're very welcome! Congrats on your new Roland FP60X! :)
if you sent roland fp 60X back and it was broken, as you say, numerous keys damaged and the sound with pedals were not good.. what did you choose instad than Roland?... I am in this process now, looking into the fp 60X but feel not too sure yet.. but the sales person in my local store says is the only really good choice ... I am not sure.. tell me what choices you made in the end.. thanks!
@@SimplicityForGood Was SOUND quality really different Tones...yes.
I'm using almost year Kawai es920, it's not cheap but could't even close compare sound quality , also keys resistant feel well for my taste. Just love that Keyboard.
Another informative review, Stu. The camera angles which highlight your excellent playing are also fantastic. I have invested several hours of playing both instruments and really love the bass piano sounds on the Yamaha. I own a CVP Clavinova. Having said that, I purchased the Roland FP60X, as I play in both a Rock band and an acoustic trio. I LOVE the fact that I can create sounds and then use the Registration capabilities to call up sounds at will and on the fly. Really missed that in the Yamaha. Once again, a great review. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the kind words and for tuning in! We appreciate it! We're happy to hear you enjoyed the video comparison. Congrats on your FP60X! It is an awesome piano that is perfect for gigging. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianos Hi Stu. Could you tell me please, is there a Roland app I could use with the FP60X, to enhance the keyboard? Many thanks. Neil
How could PHA-4 action digital piano be put on the same level as Yamaha P-515? I had FP-90X and traded it for P-515. I definitely consider P-515 to be a better digital piano (action and sounds). I really never liked Roland piano sounds (and I had three Roland digital pianos in 18 months).
Good review, as always though. Thank you Stu.
I know the P-515 is popular with accomplished pianists. I'm anxious to see the upgrade. I tried the 90X at the piano store and was disappointed. It was like "almost there" but not quite. On the other hand, I really did like the sound of the Roland LX-708. I think the Kawai CA-701 and the LX-708 is the sound of the future in digitals. In my mind, they are preferable to owning an expensive acoustic grand. I think the es920 will be upgraded to an instrument that sounds similar to the CA-701.
@@JoeLinux2000 I have to say that after considering an acoustic piano for some time I also concluded that it does not make sense for me whatsoever and good action digital piano is what I would ever need.
@@mfurman The problem is the sound of even good acoustics deteriorates over time. and tuning is another issue. Most digitals have nice tuning. The overall ambiance is now coming of age. One thing that Stu hardly covers is ease of use in terms of saving voice parameters and easy recall of the voice set-ups. I was trying to move a voice from one memory location to another on my Yamaha DGX and even though it is described how to do it in the Yamaha manual I could not figure out how to accomplish it. Manipulating the settings on the Yamaha display panel is extremely convoluted. I'm reasonably sure that as piano, the 515 is better than the DGX. For one thing is sells for twice the price, and secondly it's obviously less complex. I have very mixed feelings about my DGX. The fact that there are no latency issues when combined with Pianoteq is an extreme plus. The action of DGX is not noisy and is reasonably satisfactory. I did a lot of modification to the factory pedal system to make it much more comfortable. Both Roland and Yamaha have been leaders in electronic musical instruments. Yamaha is a very large producer making all sorts of things aside from musical instruments. Once these manufacturers have the sound down, which most do in at least in some of their models, the primary issue is going to be ease of use. There are a lot of small details that need to be addressed in that area. Bob Mogue used to say that "software is never finished." One day the marketing division comes down and says, "This model is going into production tomorrow," and whatever state the software is in at that moment is what gets pushed out the door. There is no way to upgrade the software on the DGX. Software upgrades is another issue never discussed by Stu. He glosses over or ignores a lot of important issues.
I have a Roland FP-90. I made a blind purchase online due to a sale. I love the PHA-50 action but I absolutely hate the piano sounds. I am currently using it as a midi controller for Native Instruments - Noire VST.
@@BUJU2007 It's weird. One would think they would be great inasmuch as it is their flagship allegedly "portable" piano. That's another thing about the DGX. It's really heavy and the width makes it very hard to move. I have mine on the Yamaha stand, but don't consider it transportable on any kind of regular basis.
24:53 The SA E. Piano1 sounds good for 90s R&B ballads
25:16 JD 800 Crystal Rhoads
26:49 The DX E. Piano on the P515 sounds good
Thank you! :)
Thanks a lot for always great reviews. Is there going to be a review of Dexibell Vivo N5 and N10?
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! We are not Dexibell dealers, so it may be difficult to tackle those reviews for you, but we will do our best. Thanks for the suggestion!
Here the p515 CFX sounds really good. But I could not get on with the CFX, when I had the p515. I ended up selling it for a es920, and couldn't be more satisfied, especially in terms of piano sound. The SK Concert Grand, might be the best piano preset, I've ever heard on an onboard piano sound.
Congrats on your Kawai ES920! They are remarkable pianos and I certainly agree with you regarding the SK-EX Concert Grand. It is one of my favourite onboard piano sounds. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
Your playing is...awesome, tanks for your vidéos, de. I've bought a Roland RD 88 last week afer looking your test and i enjoy a lot greetings from France
Thanks for tuning in! I will pass on your kind words to Stu! Congrats on your RD88! It is quite the musical powerhouse packed into a very portable and convenient package. :)
great review as usual.
Thank you kindly! We appreciate it. :)
Nicely done, very useful. Now, one more thing I would find useful - side by side both of these models with an actual acoustic grand. That would add an extra level to the information.
Thank you very much! We appreciate the kind words and suggestion! Having some type of reference point to an acoustic grand piano is definitely an interesting idea worth exploring. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Another brilliant review , the Yamaha for me !
Thanks so much! We appreciate you tuning in! :)
Exactly which patch sounds best is very context sensitive. The repertoire and the room acoustics and whether you are playing for yourself or performing on a gig - these things really matter. Even with acoustic pianos, the one that sounds most beautiful playing solo behind stage might not be the the best one for the gig. Typically, you need a brighter acoustic piano on the gig.
It's nice that most portable DPs have samples from more than one acoustic piano, and in this price bracket there is a lot of tweaking you can do too. Right now I'm enjoying hearing the Bösendorfer patch most, but I'd probably get more use from the CFX patch. I'm sad that the CFiii isn't offered, because that's usually my favourite.
Maybe on a gig I'd enjoy the Roland FP60X most, because Roland specialises in gigging equipment and it seldom disappoints on stage. And the FP60X controls look much friendlier for gigs. I really value the EQ sliders. It's a bit lighter too.
One thing that Yamaha has done to many of their latest models (digital pianos, Montage, MODX) is to offer a darker default sample. However, there is a little secret: you can still get that traditional bright, cut through the mix, clear piano character by accessing the touch curve. Now, there are two types of models: lower digital pianos give you only access to 5 presets: Soft 2, Soft 1, Medium, Hard 1, Hard 2. This is not enough to get to those samples like your Yamaha P255. However, more powerful models (DGX-670, Montage, MODX) give you access to the entire touch sensitivity curve from 0 to 127. So, it is not that the CFIIIS samples were better, it is a matter of having access to the entire dynamic range of the CFX, particularly the ones that trigger a punchier sound in normal playing, and being able to shift it to where it used to be the default setting in previous generations of digital pianos, like yours. I can get the CFIIIS sound profile of your P255 in my DGX-670. Just because it is not the default setting doesn't mean it is not there.
Some people have complained about the Montage and MODX having dull pianos instead of those instantly recognizable piano patches of the past. Once again, it is a matter of going to the Touch Curve Offset and Depth. The CP88 seems to be tweaked right out of the box. I believe Yamaha has added more layers of piano samples in their latest models and set the touch setting to trigger softer samples, maybe due to so many people creating a stereotype that "Yamaha is bright". Kawai seems to have done the exact opposite: they now have samples way brighter than Yamaha by default, maybe trying to get away from the stereotype "Kawai is warm".
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights Mike! As always, we appreciate it. The context and environment a piano or piano patch is being used on is critically important. I certainly agree that a brighter sound is generally better for live applications, especially when playing with an ensemble.
The same consideration is important for piano voicing as well. An instrument intended for use in a concert venue or recital hall usually needs a different treatment than an instrument intended for use in a living room. Thanks again and all the best! :)
@@Instrumental-Covers Hello again. Sincere greetings. I didn't mean to imply that the CFiii patch is superior, only that so far I like it best out of the digital piano patches I've tried. I have tried the CFX on the P-515, but admittedly, there wasn't time to tweak it much, and I was underwhelmed. It sounded a good bit nicer in Stu's comparative review.
One of the things I've always liked about Yamaha DPs is how good they sound straight out of the box. If this is changing in favour of more programming (as on Roland FP pianos) I'm not sure that's good for me. Also, touch curve affects how I play, how I grope the keys and what dynamics are achievable. When I've found the curve I like, I don't want to change it to remedy a tonal issue. I expect there to be alternative solutions. EQ is one, but the 515 has the retrograde modification of eliminating the EQ sliders and putting some un-user friendly EQ in the menus.
I doubt that Kawai is tired of hearing "Kawais are warmer", per se, What Kawai might be getting jumpy about is the notion that its digital pianos are best employed as home practice instruments. And this might create a drive for brighter patches so it can get a stage-ready image too. I am in no way saying that Kawai DPs are not stage ready, I'm only describing perceptions I've noticed.
It's true that manufacturers do swap about with innovations. The ES920 looks a lot like the P-255, including the EQ sliders and the light case and a seemingly lighter implementation of RH3 than on the solid old ES8. Meanwhile, the P-515 feels rugged, rather like the older Kawai models.
The onboard sounds I'm most enjoying in all these reviews are on the Casio Privia models. But the most breathtaking of all piano sounds for me is the VSL CFX VSTi. When they can squeeze a CFX patch almost as good onto a digital piano, I shall probably buy the piano straight away.
@@Zoco101 Hi Mike. Very good points. I don't think they are going for more programming on the default piano tone, but rather for a default darker one. It sounds more classical. Maybe it is a change inspired in many people using slab pianos as a piano replacement for classical repertoire... don't know. Now that you mention it, the P515 is 48 lbs and the P255 is 38 lbs (17 Kg). Maybe Yamaha is targeting a more classically oriented audience with the P515, which is reflected in the weight and darker tone. I wouldn't say that the P515 is in need of tweaking the default sample compared to the P255, it just sounds more classical out of the box. In addition, there are other piano patches that might provide the character of the P255 default voice.
Very good observation of the ES920 looking like a P255. They are basically the same weight. It seems Kawai is going for a gig-ready keyboard with the ES920, while Yamaha is going for a more home piano with the P515.
The idea that Kawai is warm and Yamaha is bright seems like a very old stereotype, even though it is not based on real current products. When I play brand new (important: brand new) Yamaha and Kawai pianos, I wouldn't reduce their sound to "bright" and "warm", as they are much more complex than that. Same goes for digitals.
@@Instrumental-Covers Yes we agree. I wanted to comment on the warm vs bright thing too. All pianos are warm, or can be. When I must find a word to describe a sound which is less bright I prefer saying dark/cloudy/tawny, but no single adjective really does justice to an instrument. I think Stu tries to steer away from these pitfalls too.
A quick question about something else: Do you know whether the TP100 and TP110 are graded actions? I know they are weighted and they have aftertouch. As we know, Studiologic and Nord use them in some models. Nowhere that I've looked/asked can confirm whether the TP110 is graded.
Update: I've finally learned that neither the Fatar TP110 (see Studiologic Numa X piano 73/88) nor the Yamaha BH5 (see CP73) are graded actions. That sort of knocks out two stage pianos with 73 keys that I've been interested in. The only one I can think of now is the Korg RH3 action - see SV2-73/88. It is graded!
It would be simpler to get a Yamaha P-121 for "throwing" in the car & the motorhome, but I couldn't play a GHS action on every gig, even though it seems to work better on the P-121 than on the P-45.
2 years with the P-515, best purchase ever. I liked its touch more than the CLP745 even (too light).
I have the YC88 which has the same touch as P515. I LOVE it so much. 745 is way too light. 775 is much better in my opinion.
I'm glad to hear that you've found a touch you connect with in the P515! :)
@@_classic_rob_ Yes I feel the same way. I play with an acoustic piano too, and even then the CLP745 still feels off. The P-515 is nicer, and cheaper too. I play with headphones anyway, no need for fancy expensive sub-woofers and co.
Cool! Are you planning to review the Roland FP-E50? This new entertainer stage piano seems to be pretty hot and I am very interested in your opinion about it!
Absolutely! We are going to be tackling the FP-E50 review very soon! ;)
@@MerriamPianos Great! I am really looking forward to that! 👍🏼
Very helpful, thank you!
You're very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to tune in! :)
I would like to have a Yamaha CP88: it has the CFX, Bösendorfer, S700, U1, SU7, C7, and a Steinway. That's 7 different pianos. The S700 was a $250,000 handmade semi-concert piano, probably the most famous piano voice ever in a digital piano. Yamaha also offers two non-Yamaha piano samples: Steinway and Bösendorfer.
That is unquestionably an excellent arsenal of amazing pianos! :)
@@MerriamPianos Yes, it is :)
The CFX sounds different on that piano to my ears. Punchier, brighter perhaps? The C7 sounds quite mellow. The SU7 is very nice. The s700 is very nice but I would love a sample of the S7X, a really nice sounding piano from Yamaha. I don't know what Yamaha's version of Steinway (D?) sounds like.
This is unrelated, but I'm starting to think that the Roland digital I tried before wasn't an HP702 perhaps it was an RP701. I say this because I did try the HP702, and I was surprized that to my ears it sounded like a toy at least in the low to mid treble. It did sound ok, however for the price I was expecting something more. It also sounded muted to me at least. The PHA4 isn't helping it eather. For me I much prefer the cheaper Yamaha YDP145 I tried before🎹🎶
@@benjaminsmith2287 These are two links for the CP88 Steinway piano patch, as well as other patches:
th-cam.com/video/disuouV1oKM/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/UulFbYDwQvU/w-d-xo.html
It would be nice if Yamaha keeps adding libraries to the CP88, even if they have to be purchased separately.
I had a P515 and i really like to play with bosendorfer its cool sound. 😆😆
Very nice! The P515 is a solid instrument and the Bosendorfer piano sound is quite rewarding. :)
You have good taste.
You play beautifully stu!!
Thanks for tuning in! I'll be happy to pass on the compliment to Stu for you! :)
stu, at 1:55 you mention the roland fantom 08 using a PHA4 action. Yet in your earlier review of the fantom 08 you stated that it comes with an Ivory-feel-G-action. Which is correct ?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The Fantom-08 uses the PHA-4 action. The predecessor, the FA-08, used the Ivory Feel G action. :)
Stupendi entrambi! Ho provato il p515 in confronto con il nuovissimo P S500 mentre non ho trovato e provato il Roland FP60x. Ho provato anche il nuovo FP E50 e ne sono rimasto colpito nei suoni di pianoforte. Mi sono accorto tuttavia che Roland pur montando la stessa tastiera PHA-4 su FP 30x, RD88, FP E50 mi davano una diversa sensazione sotto le dita in fatto di peso. Come mai? Trovo che alcuni piani elettrici nel p515 siano davvero fantastici. La scelta fra questi due pianoforti risulta davvero difficile. Bene, ciao a tutti e come sempre un saluto dall'Italia.
Hi Roberto! As always, thank you for tuning in! The enclosure that the action is mounted in and other aspects of the design of each model will lead to subtle differences in the touch and feel of an action. So, I certainly know what you mean about little differences between the FP30X, RD88, and FP-E50. Also, to your point about the FP-E50, it is quite the powerhouse! The amount of pro-level features that Roland has packed into this price point is impressive. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Which speakers you are using for such lovely sound Mr. Stu?
The main sounds that you are hearing in this video are captured through recording direct line outs from both pianos. :)
@@MerriamPianos Sorry, I got mixed up by watching too many videos of you playing, I was supposed to ask on the VSL samples vids in which you were playing live, I wonder which speakers you use in those. The P515 speaker is inadequate for me, and playing the samples through closed-back headphone is tiring, so sorry to bother you if there are external speakers could help that.
Can i play chopin, desbussy and mozart on the fp60x or would i need something heavier like the p515? thank u again!!
I would say that the FP60X is very well aligned for Classical and Romantic piano playing, especially given how authentic its action feels. :)
@MerriamPianos awesome that Is great to hear. Thank u again!
Hey Stu, any returns with the Roland FP E50? MY first one had several keys develop very loud clickling noises as the key goes back so i asked for another one and lo and behold i tested it with the salesguy in my house and immediately noticed a key having the same issue, so not only does the fpe50 have this issue where more keys progressively develop the issue but some keys have the issue right out of the box. Both pianos were brand new right out the box. So now i have the second piano sitting in my house with 1 defective clicking sound key and im seriously comtemplating switching it for the 515. But the fpe50 just sounds and plays wayyyyyy much better
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for your question! I am sorry to hear that you have experienced some clicking keys with your FPE50 pianos. While I have read a few anecdotes about this issue, we have not personally experienced these issues with our floor models or the FPE50s that we have sent out. It should be covered under warranty. In our experiences, Roland's post-sale service support is excellent! The FPE50 is certainly one heckuva instrument in terms of the piano experience it offers. I hope the issue can get resolved for you soon!
@@MerriamPianos man thanks for the reply but as i had figured the second fp e50 ive received has the exact same issue. I tested all the keys right out of the box without even turning it on and lo and behold, found a key with the same issue. The place where i bought it from is super comprehensif and they ll let me switch it again but i have a feeling this model has this issue so im thinking of switching to the yamaha p515 going to try it tonight
Hi, in your opinion, is there any value in the Montage/Modx synths as far as their piano sounds go? Specifically the CFX and Bosendorfer?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! That is a very subjective question at the end of the day. When it comes to piano sounds, beauty is in the ear of the beholder so-to-speak. My recommendation would be to test out these synths to experience their piano tones firsthand. If you connect with the sound, it should be a pretty immediate sensation. :)
@@MerriamPianos hi, thanks for the reply. I was only asking because you gyus seem to focus on reviewing pianos, rather than synths and workstations, so I'm interested in your subjective opinion. For example the DGX670 has a beautifully rich CFX sound, while the MX88 has comparably thin and somewhat artificially sounding CFX piano. I used to own both. Now I have the MODX8+ and I'd like to compare my subjective opinion of its piano sound to yours.
@@noworries7673The MX88 uses the CFIIIS sample, not the CFX.
Nice to see Hawkeye reviewing keyboards!!
The secret is out! This is why Stu is such a virtuosic and precise player! ;)
I need lessons from that man!
You and me both! ;)
I will be sure to pass on the kind words to Stu for you!
Another question I couldn't find definite answer to : How to store your digital piano? I'm looking into vertical (inside bag) storage but I'm seeing mixed replies. I'm aware weighted keys on Roland fp 60x that I bought are in some opinion not ideal to be stored upright vertically while others say it's okay. Any opinions from you guys would be greatly appreciated to solve my dilemma.
Hi Thomas! Thanks for reaching out! A digital piano can certainly be stored vertically on its back or side without being damaged or negatively affected. Digital pianos with plastic keyboards in particular are extremely durable and can handle most conditions. There are far less concerns when storing digital pianos versus acoustic pianos. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Hi and thank you so much for quick reply! Greatly appreciated :) heard mixed reviews that even plastic delicated hammers might get bent if stored on side etc etc but I'm happy if that's not the case and as I said, mixed reviews all over so hard to know which one is accurate. Tried putting my piano on side and felt keys lose tension so naturally I went to read all about it but happy enough if you say it's alright! Thanks again!
I was about to purchase the Roland C30 digital harpsichord, but they soon discontinued it. I'm looking for an instrument with good piano, harpsichord, acoustic organ, forte piano, clavichord etc. Any recommendations?
Hi there! Many of the Roland pianos have a large assortment of excellent non-piano sounds including harpsichord, organ, etc. The Roland DP603 is one model that comes to mind. It has 307 built-in sounds, so it is very well-equipped. :)
7:11 Those are some beefy fingers! I think his pinky is bigger than my index. 🤣
Keep in mind that the camera always adds 10 pounds! Fingers are no exception! ;)
This is a really interesting comparison as in my eyes the Yamaha P515 beats the Roland FP90x! The 60 is a non starter.
It is a matter of preference of course. Every player will have their tone and touch preferences between these various models. Happy to hear that you've found one that you've resonated with. :)
I love the fp30x but just curious why did they make the keys heavier at 60 then most concert acoustic pianos weighted in the 50s? Thank u so much!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the question. I am not sure to be completely honest. That would be a question for Roland's product development team. I have not heard any specific messaging from our Roland reps on that front. I will certainly inquire next time I chat with them. It could be quite cool to do a Q&A style video with reps from different manufacturers where these types of specific questions could be answered. Thanks for the idea and all the best! :)
@MerriamPianos that would be awesome! I would love to hear a Q&A, including that question. That would be really Interesting. Thank u so much !
I think im going to go with the fp60x because i tried the rd88 and liked the heavier action also the p515 is out of my price range unfortunately (unless they have a huge sale on it)😭🤣 i grew up playing on a yamaha acoustic taking lessons from 7 till 18 so im use to heavy keys.
The FP60X is a fantastic piano with an impressively authentic touch and tone. If you are a fan of heavier actions, I think it is an excellent choice. :)
@@MerriamPianos awesome thank you so much!
I have the FP60-x. Very nice description and demo. I love how Stu never seems to need to think what to play, hardly ever repeats himself and rarely plays any well known melodies. Like he has an endless reservoir of improvised music, tailored to the piano sound.
I am happy with the Roland. Main drawbacks:
- Speakers don't cope too well with a very loudly played note. Trying to really go hard into a Crescendo... piano don't like it much. Distorts the sound a bit. Stu is really kind in his description of 'moving to more midtones' I want to upgrade into something with some more reserve in the amps at some point.
- The upright sounds don't do upright piano's much justice.
- You can modify a lot of things but it all gets lost once you turn it off. For instance I prefer the keyboard setting one tick to the more sensitive side. Also better for my 7 year old son, but no way to make it 'permanent'.
- As you layer sounds ,you can't control the individual volume. You can't really mix anything with an organ sound because the organs just overpower everything else. My favourite layering is Concert Piano with Glockenspiel. Very nice effect when playing Jingle bells and other christmas songs. The controls are very nice for split indeed as Stu mentions. Would have been better if it worked well for layers also.
On the plus side: The 'electric grand' is also a very nice sound. It is listed with the acoustics (for reasons beyond me), and Stu didn't get to it in this demo. One of my 3 favourite sounds along with the concert grand and the 1976 suitcase.
I got the Roland after playing a similarly priced Roland and Yamaha in a music shop and I preferred the Roland action, but I don't know if the Yamaha was the 515.
One more thing: the USB connection to your phone or tablet... doesn't charge the phone like any computer does. Very annoying if you want to use a piano app but your battery is low and you have to wait for your phone to charge, or your tablet dies mid-song. No revierwers ever tell you things like that because... They don't need piano learning apps anymore. That is actually the one I am most surprised at a premium DP brand getting wrong.
Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your very helpful insights on the FP60X to our community! You have drawn some attention to some very practical details that you are right in saying are often overlooked. In any case, I am happy to hear that you are enjoying the FP60X aside from a few drawbacks. It is a wonderful piano with a great tone and touch. Inevitably, every instrument will have the odd shortcoming depending on the needs of the individual player. With that said, in my opinion, the most important thing is to feel inspired by the tone and touch while playing and it sounds like the FP60X is providing that for you. :)
Thank you for the kind words. Wonderful piano it is indeed. Between my son and I we clocked over 300hrs of playing in just five months. Firmly in 'some of the best money I ever spent' territory. My only regret is I didn't spend more at the time to get an HP704 or LX705 right away. But to each their ' future dream piano goals' I guess.
So could you use these as a MIDI controller with a DAW?
Yup! Absolutely! Any MIDI compatible digital piano can be used as a MIDI controller.
I own the FP60x and I wasn’t all that impressed when I first received it, but I’ve grown to like it more and more.
Pros: e piano sounds, action, usb audio interface capabilities, mic input.
Cons: piano tones, speakers lack power, slight hiss present when volume up high, rhythms and accompaniments locked in app, the app is terrible, app crashes frequently, piano takes a while to connect to app.
That said, I picked up Pianoteq 8 stage to use with the FP60x and that works flawlessly, but the Roland sample has grown on me since I first got the piano. Depending on the setting, I often choose the Roland sample over Pianoteq. In headphones, I always use the Roland Sample, while playing without headphones at higher volumes, I sometimes prefer Pianoteq.
That said, I can’t believe Stu got 93 decibels out of the FP60x, I think it’s relatively quiet. I supplement with external monitors.
I am happy to hear that you've grown to love the Roland FP60X! It is a fantastic instrument with a great balance of tone, touch, and features. :)
I wonder how the Roland FP-E50 compares to the rest of the Roland FP series. It seems to me it beats the FP30X, FP60X, and FP90X in all fronts (except the PHA-50 action)... and it is cheap. The FP-E50 has way more sounds than any other FP piano, it has the largest screen, it can be expanded (ZEN Core engine), it has the sample-based SuperNatural engine that sounds more realistic than the modeled pianos found in pricier models. On top of that, it has a full accompaniment band with 177 styles (2 variations each). Like the DGX-670 is to the Yamaha P series, the Roland FP-E50 borrows elements from different Roland models: piano engine, key action and speakers of the FP30X, Zen Core engine from the Jupiter/Fantom synthesizers, large screen of the BK-5 arranger keyboard.
The Roland FP-E50 and the Yamaha DGX-670, although they both are digital piano arranger workstations, are not really designed with the same audience/purpose in mind. The DGX-670 is more of a home entertainment center, whereas the FP-E50 is more of a gigging stage piano with some arranger functionality. That can be seen in the speaker system, weight, as well as the sound engine and arranger capability of each piano. Of course, each of these models can be used at home or stage if needed.
It is interesting to see how much Roland has packed into the FP-E50, especially given its price point and affordability! While it is still early on in the life cycle of this product, I suspect that it is going to win the affection of a lot of FP30X and FP60X customers. For me, the FP90X still has a number of details that separate it from the FP-E50 and give it an edge in certain categories. While it seems that Roland's intention is for this model to compete directly against the DGX670, I totally know what you mean about home entertainment versus stage-use. But, as you mentioned, they are certainly both capable of serving either purpose, but there are features that would align each model with a specific category just a bit more.
@@MerriamPianos Definitely agree! The FP-E50 seems to offer everything the FP30X offers and much more. The only thing the FP60X has over the FP-E50 is the speaker system, but even a $60 pair of near-field monitors from Amazon (3" woofers + silk dome tweeters) are sufficient to be on equal or even above the FP60X speaker system, so the FP-E50 still wins. The only contender left is the FP90X, which definitely has the advantage of the PHA-50 action. But then again, the FP-E50 is, like the DGX-670, not meant to be a piano replacement for advanced players, so its PHA-4 action is well matched for its purpose. One thing I would like to learn is in which areas the FP90X is a better choice (in addition to the action).
I recently bought a Yamaha 515, I’m learning mostly classical pieces and the keys are just way too heavy… Im actually in the process of returning the keyboard. I’m looking for a digital keyboard with key action and weight similar to the acoustic pianos in the 55-60 g range, I don’t want anything too heavy.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
The P515 actions do play a bit on the heavier side, which may not be the preference for some players, as you are experiencing. My recommendation would be to explore the Kawai ES920, Roland FP60X, or Roland FP90X. The ES920 in particular is an excellent value, which will play noticeably lighter in my opinion. Plus, the rich SKEX concert grand tones are well-suited for solo classical repertoire. :)
main reason to get the p-515 : Bossendorfer sound ❤
I couldn't agree more . . . . . it is quite simply outstanding.
It is definitely an excellent piano sound. :)
I prefer all of the Kawai actions and their SX-EX Piano samples. Roland's actions are sluggish and Yamaha's actions are stiff, IMO. Ymaha's piano tone is too glassy (mid-scooped).
Kawai's digital piano offers are certainly impressive. They have some excellent actions, which, when combined with the SK-EX samples, offers a very rewarding musical experience. :)
What are these electric piano riffs he is playing?
I would have to ask Stu about that! Thanks for tuning in! :)
Maybe its a stupid thought but if you want to have a Dig.P with great acoustic sounds buy them from a company who also makes acoustic piano's...thats why I bought my Dig.Piano's from kawai and yamaha...some people like to have an expensive car... thats not for me... I rather spend my money on my hobby's like photography and Dig.piano's.... thats why I own ,in my eyes , three gems of them.... the kawai es 520 , light action , great sound , love to make many hours on it..... the yamaha p515, sturdy action , beautiful acoustic sound , but the action is too heavy to make many hours on it..... and finally the kawai mp11se, great sounds and great action, but vulnerable, (stickey keys) .... but the variety of the instruments and their different "attitude " gives me personally more enjoyment to make many hours on them...but thats just personal...
There is something to be said about the fact that companies like Kawai and Yamaha making both acoustic and digital pianos. Perhaps, this gives them a bit of an edge in terms of capturing the authenticity of a real piano experience. The P515, ES520 and MP11SE are all exceptional pianos and I'm happy to hear that you've been enjoy them. :)
Surprised to see the P515 compared to the PF60x and not the 90x. The top-tier Yamaha portable piano against the mid-tier Roland one is a no brainer. In this market segment, at least, Roland's prices are out of line with Yamaha and Kawai.
We based these comparisons on price point. Here in Canada, the FP90X is considerably more than the other flagship portable digitals from Kawai and Yamaha.
@@MerriamPianos Yes, I appreciate the explanation early on in the video. Thank you for the entertaining and informative reviews! Just to elaborate on my original comment, I owned a ES920 (from Merriam) and it was amazing but I got a good deal on an RD2000 and traded up. I got to say that PHA 50 action might actually be worth the price.
How can be possible tha t I tried FP30-X vs RD88 and the action feeling was to me really different?
While both pianos use the PHA4 action, there are other elements about the piano's design that will have some effect on the piano's touch/feel. The way the action fits into the enclosure can give the action a bit of a more rigid or looser feel in some cases for instance.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you very much for your help. 🙂👍🏻
can have review for YC88/CP88?
We do our best to tackle as many review/comparison suggestions as possible and will certainly add your suggestion to the list! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you!
Hi, I know that this is not the correct place to ask this but I don't know whom to ask.
I think my Roland digital piano's metronome is incorrectly playing 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8 beats. When the down beat is switched on, 6/8 beat has one normal beat and one down beat and the beats are really slow. 9/8 beat has 2 normal beats and 1 down beat, again the beats are slow. 12/8 has 3 normal beats and 1 down beat, once again the beats are slow. All other beats are working fine. I have tried factory resetting many times and I have also tried connecting to Roland Piano app but the issue didn't resolve. I think my new digital piano is malfunctioning.
Can someone please help, it has only been 2 weeks since I purchased it😢
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! It sounds like everything is working as it should with your metronome. Usually, when counting compound meters such as the 6/8, 9/8, or 12/8, the common convention is to count the dotted quarter note (which is equal to three eighth notes) as this represents the main meter. It is the job of the player to perceive and subdivide the two eighth notes between these main beats. Also, the accented "down beat" you are referring to is used to indicate the beginning of each new measure. In terms of the tempo, this can be adjusted separately. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Understood. I was confused because if we don't connect the app to the piano, the Piano app's metronome sounds different (5 normal beats and 1 down beat in case of 6/8 time signature and the beats are fast).
Thank you so much Brent!
Love your videos, just don’t like how the yahama p515 didn’t have “let up” which causes my fingers to get really sore after 30 mins of playing. I guess you get used to it. You can’t save presets or power on states but the p515 is def a great keyboard ! I like certian things about the yahama my kawai mp7se does it for me, i feel I’ve grown into it pretty well lol
Thanks so much! We're glad you have been enjoying our videos and channel! Every keyboard/piano will have its pros and cons. The nice thing about portable instruments is that it is manageable to have more than one; different tools for different jobs as they say! ;)
@@MerriamPianos my brands of choice will always be nord, kawai, yahama. However i don’t believe I’ve seen you do demos on Nords. Id love to see one like nord vs kawai.
P525 vs PXS6000?
Thanks for the suggestion! We will do our best to tackle that comparison for you. :)
I've played piano as amateur when I was a kid, 25 years forward and I want to get into this world again. Been guitar player but piano was always a call. Roland seems like way to go as for my personal preference but I do believe it's an overkill for a total beginner. That being said, I also want a good instrument and not something I'd want to change it short time so this price range feels like sweet spot. Any comments on this being beginner good or should I satisfy with a piano of range below these beautiful two? Thanks a mill!
Hi Thomas! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for taking the time to check out our channel and write in! I wouldn't say the FP60X is overkill for a beginner. It really just depends on what your needs and preferences are. With that said, the most important thing in the early phases of development is having as authentic of a piano touch as possible. From that perspective, the Roland FP30X provides you with the same action (PHA4) and core tone engine (SuperNATURAL) that is featured in the FP60X. Of course, the FP60X is more fully-loaded with features and has a superior speaker system. Another attractive option right now is the Roland FPE50. While it has a lot of accompaniment/arranger functions that you may or may not require, the value offering is amazing given its price point (it sits right between the FP30X and FP60X). Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos thank you so much for your input! Earned sub from me 100%! I'll stay and follow as your content quality is top notch! Meanwhile, I just arrived home with my new Roland 60x so purchase has been made :) looking forward to all that it offers and I'm over the moon with sound quality as is! Thank you sir!
Yamaha 515 superior by far
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! We appreciate it. :)
Its not even a fair comparison if you care about quality of action and rich sound. The P515 is world class while the FP60x is decent. Even the FP90x pales in comparison with the P515
The P515 and FP60X are in slightly different categories for sure. With that said, it was a comparison that we received several requests for, so we do our best to tackle as many of those as possible. It is also important to note that, at the end of the day, the preference of action and piano sound is a subjective thing and every player will have their favourites. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Unless you set those ambience settings to 9 or 10 on the Roland, they just do not come through very well on the built in speakers and that’s the really the biggest failing of these reviews that are hard wired to amps. The Yamaha ambience in piano room is much better.
We do not use amplifiers or external speakers to enhance the sound of the instruments in our reviews and comparisons. We typically take direct line out feeds from the piano, which is the most transparent representation of the piano sound directly from the tone engine. We do not do any further colouring or enhancement of the sound otherwise.
Lower the lid on the P515 and it takes the highs down also putting the touch on hard will help it sound less bright.
Thank you kindly for sharing the tip! :)
P515 has more sounds if you connect it to a Smart Pianist App
Both pianos have the capacity to access a virtually infinite number of sound libraries via their MIDI capabilities. :)
en sonido , yamaha es increible ( su sonido reverb) , en pulsacion y estetica este piano no, es una pena que yamaha se empeñe en pulsaciones tan duras , y estetica de su piano 515 es tan plana sin apenas desnivel que es como tocar una madera ,
tengo dos alumnos que compraron este piano . la verdad no entiendo porque yamaha hace tan duro sus piano
The P515 is a very solid piano with a great touch and tone of course, as is the FP60X. They are both very impressive pianos for the money. The decision between the two will ultimately be determined by the musical preferences of the player.