What’s the difference between Roland’s digital pianos? In this guide, we’ll explore the main features of each range to help you find the perfect piano for you – whether you’re a beginner, a professional or anything in between.
Guide to Roland Digital Pianos
Introduction
Roland are true titans of the music industry. As well as offering world-class guitar, bass and drum products, they have a reputation for producing some of the best digital pianos in the business. From affordable portable pianos to luxurious digital grand pianos, their range has it all.
So what’s the difference between Roland’s various piano ranges? We’ve broken it all down into three categories that’ll make it much easier to understand. Read on for the full lowdown…
Roland Stage Pianos
Although the industry term is stage pianos, many refer to these as portable pianos. This is because they’re usually standalone pianos without stands, so can be easily packed into a case or moved around. This makes them great for gigging (hence the stage piano term), rehearsal and school use – it’s an authentic piano experience without the associated weight or hassle.
Here’s a rundown of Roland’s top stage piano options:
Roland FP-10
Perfect for beginners, the FP-10 packs in all of the essential tools required at this stage of your piano journey. 88 keys provide you the best basis possible for learning the instrument, while authentic piano tones abound thanks to the SuperNATURAL sound engine.
Key Features:
- 88 key hammer action keyboard
- Play along to your favourite tunes via Bluetooth
- Twin Piano mode - allows both teacher and student to play side-by-side in the same octave ranges
- SuperNATURAL piano sound engine
Roland FP-30X
Roland's FP-30X doesn't skimp out on features. A compact, highly intuitive design ensures it's brilliant for beginners, while extensive onboard sounds and a weighted keybed deliver an authentic piano experience.
Key Features:
- Roland PHA-4 Standard weighted keyboard
- Built-in sounds include everything from organs and strings, to pianos and synths
- Play along to your favourite tracks via Bluetooth connectivity
- SuperNATURAL piano sound engine for rich, expressive audio
Roland FP-60X
The FP-60X guarantees professional performance, minus the expensive price tag! Like the rest of the range, it's built on Roland's renowned SuperNATURAL sound engine, bolstered by the PHA-4 standard keyboard - which ensures an authentic playing experience every single time you practice or perform.
Key Features:
- Roland PHA-4 Standard weighted keyboard
- Built-in Piano Designer lets you easily craft your piano tone
- Mic input and vocal effects
- SuperNATURAL piano sound engine for rich, expressive audio
Roland FP-90X
Sitting at the higher end of the FP (First Piano) series, the FP-90X is quality personified. Featuring the cutting-edge tech that the brand are known for, it harnesses the PureAcoustic Piano Modelling architecture from their premium models and combines it with a PHA-50 hybrid keyboard.
Key Features:
- Craft your own unique sound with Piano Designer
- PureAcoustic Piano Modelling sound engine
- PHA-50 hybrid keyboard fuses durable materials with acoustic-style wooden keys
- Rich, all-encompassing sound via four onboard speakers
GO:PIANO 88
Roland's GO:PIANO 88 pairs portability with a premium, weighty feel that's rare of pianos at this price point. 88 touch sensitive keys form the backbone of the instrument, letting you improve your technique correctly (which can then be easily translated to a weighted hammer action piano at a later date).
Key Features:
- 88-note keyboard, with full-size keys
- Metronome, recording and transpose functionality
- High-quality Bluetooth speakers
- Lightweight, compact design lets you play and practice anywhere
Roland RD-2000
Roland’s RD-2000 is undoubtedly their flagship stage piano. With two dedicated sound engines, stunning response and unprecedented control and connectivity, it’s the professional pianist’s dream.
Key Features:
- A whopping 1100+ tones thanks to Roland’s V-Piano and SuperNATURAL sound engines
- Roland PHA-50 premium weighted keyboard with wooden feel
- Extensive connectivity including USB, jack, XLR, aux, Bluetooth and more
- Stunning range of effects and tonal options, including 3-band compressor and 5-band EQ
Roland Home pianos
As the term may suggest, home pianos are designed to remain stationary. This makes them great for everywhere - from your living room to a church hall. Roland also refer to many models in their home piano range as upright pianos, because they have a similar design and size. Unlike stage & portable pianos, home pianos come built into a frame that positions them at the perfect playing height, so you don’t need to worry about configuration.
Roland’s entry-level home piano might be their most affordable, but it retains premium Roland design and feel. With a beautifully authentic feel, brilliant onboard learning tools and subtle aesthetics, the RP102 is the perfect first home piano.
Key Features:
- Roland PHA-4 Standard weighted keyboard
- 15 onboard sounds from Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine
- Bluetooth connectivity for audio, MIDI and free app compatibility
- Sleek black stand with authentic triple pedal configuration (soft, sostenuto, sustain)
Roland RP701
The RP701 offers players a perfectly packaged piano experience. A well-rounded, bright tone is assured through the inclusion of Roland's SuperNATURAL Piano tech, while the PHA-4 standard keyboard ensures the natural feel and response of an acoustic piano.
Key Features:
- Elegant, classic look and design
- Expressive sound via Roland's SuperNATURAL Piano tech
- Acoustic-like playing experience
- Choose from a range of contemporary finishes
Roland Premium Upright Pianos
Roland’s home piano range features some of the most popular digital pianos for learning, regardless of age or ability. Their premium upright range, however, takes it a step further; stunning attention to detail, concert-class sound and unprecedented authenticity.
Roland HP702
Slightly more compact than the 704 version, the HP702 is still a powerhouse instrument that gives you a lot of bang-for-your-buck. Featuring Roland's PHA-4 standard keyboard, you'll be able to experience an authentically recreated feel of a classic acoustic piano.
Key Features:
- Equipped with an Acoustic Projection System - ensuring class-leading audio with every note
- SuperNATURAL sound engine delivers crisp, authentic piano tones
- PHA-4 standard keyboard with synthetic, ivory-like keytops
- Available in a variety of wood finishes
Roland HP704
Featuring a taller cabinet when compared to its 702 counterpart, the HP704 was made with both intermediate and beginner players in mind. Investing in an instrument of this quality will allow you to improve your abilities without having to upgrade instruments as quickly!
Key Features:
- Equipped with an Acoustic Projection System - ensuring class-leading audio with every note
- SuperNATURAL sound engine delivers crisp, authentic piano tones
- PHA-50 keyboard with hybrid-action keys
- Available in a variety of sleek finishes
Roland DP603
The DP603 is Roland’s premium home upright piano. Taking design elements from the DP90 range like its thin frame and beautiful polished exterior, it also boasts Roland’s flagship PHA-50 keyboard, reserved for their finest instruments. This is a premium digital piano experience through and through.
Key Features:
- Premium upright digital piano with PHA-50 keyboard and authentic triple pedal configuration (soft, sostenuto, sustain)
- Beautifully refined and compact design, complete with elegant polished exterior
- Over 300 sounds from Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine, with added Piano modelling functionality
- Over 350 built-in songs and extensive connectivity for practice routines and ease of use
Roland LX700 Series
The Roland LX700 series has been designed to offer the ultimate digital piano playing experience. Leaving no stone unturned, Roland have equipped the LX700 pianos with stunning response and sensitivity, industry-leading sound and an extremely refined design. This is the cream of the crop.
Key Features:
- Stunning upright design with resonant cabinets and PHA-50 keyboard
- Extremely powerful speakers provide warm, dynamic piano sounds
- 324 tones from Roland’s top of the range PureAcoustic Piano Modelling engine
- PureAcoustic ambience offers realistic room and hall ambience for a true concert piano atmosphere
Roland Grand Pianos
If you’re after true luxury and an extraordinary piano experience, Roland’s grand pianos deliver. Nothing quite beats the rush of playing at a grand piano with the lid open – Roland’s grands offer the same exhilaration at a fraction of the cost of an acoustic. A gorgeous mini grand piano cabinet and the latest in digital piano technology makes for an experience quite unlike anything else!
Roland GP607
Key Features:
- Classic grand piano design combined with industry-leading modern features
- Roland’s flagship PHA-50 keyboard for authentic feel
- 307 sounds with Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Modelling engine
- 4.1 channel Acoustic Projection speaker system for stunning acoustic piano sound
Roland’s Digital Piano Sound Engines
All of Roland’s digital pianos offer great sounds. With their more affordable options, you’ve often got between 10-50 sounds, while their more premium offerings boast over 1000 tones in some cases. So what’s the difference between Roland’s piano sound engines?
SuperNATURAL
Revolutionary approach to sampling instruments, starting with high-quality samples, then applying advanced algorithms for infinite dynamics, expression and natural sustain & decay.
PureAcoustic Piano Modelling
Roland’s latest engine used for the LX700 series. Its algorithms are designed not only to recreate sounds, but to mimic the individual stages of a piano instrument; pressing keys, striking hammers, resonating strings and so on. The result is a new level of tonal realism.