Roland FP60. My favourite piece of music making equipment
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- An overview of the Roland FP60 digital piano and why I chose it above Roland's other FP model digital pianos.
I also explain why I have additional MIDI controllers connected to my digital audio workstation (DAW).
I've owned my FP60 for a number of years now, it was purchased by me and this video is NOT sponsored in any way. I have no affiliation with Roland or any other manufacturer, and nobody has asked me to make this video.
what's the difference between digital piano and a synthesizer ? about sound and performance and features? thank you
@@stefanocson6237 they are very different.
A digital piano as the name suggests focuses on recreating the sound of piano as accurately as possible (given the budget) and having a realistic feeling keyboard.
It generally lacks any way of making new and unique sounds, and lacks MIDI controller knobs, faders, wheels etc.
A synthesizer should be able to create a piano sound, but not to the same authentic level, and generally the keys are only semi weighted.. they don't usually feel like a real piano, but are easier to play fast running synth lines.
A synth will have controls for creating and shaping unique sounds.
Synths also don't usually have built in speakers, so need connecting to outboard gear to hear anything.
They are completely different tools.
Just what Julian says above, I recently purchased my first synth, a Korg Microkorg and find the smaller keys much easier for fast solo parts, I recently did Van Halens Jump using this. But I can alter the sounds live while playing using a huge variety of filters, etc. I'm quite new to it so it's still a learning experience for me and so different to a standard piano or keyboard.
GREAT VIDEO, great explanations and reviews
Thanks 👍
I like the sound of the Roland piano but ive always favoured Yamaha, ever since my mum got her first digital keyboard back in the 80's. It had so many pre-loaded sounds and features and seemed so high tech at the time. I've noticed that my Yamaha actually has most of the same sounds in a keyboard that's almost 40 years newer (my mum still has her one). I suppose it's personal preference.
Yeah I think personal preference with a digital piano is the most important thing.... They are very personal instruments.
I've never liked the key action on Yamahas, but many people have the opposite preference.
I just think in general having instrument you can play in an instant... Not having to boot up a computer, launch multiple programmes, create a project folder, configure instruments etc, is so important to musical creativity.
I'd be lost without my FP60, and nothing would get started.
I always enjoy this kind of review, i.e. not a paid sponsored review, rather a warts and all 'why I chose and use this piece of gear' review. I really like that the Roland allows 2 'parts' (as Roland calls them these days) that can be blended, and the presets sound really 80s. The price point is quite attractive too.
I am a little ambivalent about my own controller/piano choices. My 'piano' is the StudioLogic SL73, whilst my 'synth' is the Komplete Kontrol SS61. The SL73 is a barebones Fatar keyboard without presets. I connect it via midi and use Synthogy Ivory II as my virtual piano. The latency is close to zero and the action good, albeit a bit noisy. But not too many complaints for £329. The KK SS61 was double the price and is a bit too fiddly and ecosystem-y for my liking. I fell for the marketing. It works ok with Native Instruments virtual synths but I find that I barely use those.
Anyway, enough of my waffle. Thanks for the video Julian and look forward to more of these!
Your view on the Komplete Control is interesting... I was looking at the 88 key version for a while.
The SL73 is alien to me, but pretty sure my old Akai MPK Pro88 had a Fatar key action, and I hated it! Noisy and hard for me to play expressively.
The PHA4 action on the Roland made me almost shout out loud...''aaaah... that's better'.
They are very personal things though, and I know some people don't rate Roland's PHA4 action.
Thank you my friend 👍.
Cool bit of insight Julian!
I lucked out on the QWERTY keyboard/MIDI controller front. As an FL user I picked up the FL Key 61 (basically an FL-flavoured Novation Launchkey 61), and it's got a big empty space off to the side of the main controls that's just the right size for my QWERTY keyboard.
I recently treated myself to a second hand bargain Roland MV-1 to act as a sort of 80s sound module (tons of great D-50/Juno/Jupiter/JX sounds bundled in there), lots of fun to be had! And always nice to have a non-computer-based way to make some music (especially when your day job is also sat in front of a computer!)
@@_mickmccarthy totally agree about having an off-computer way of making music.
How is your qwerty keyboard positioned... Is it directly In front of you or off to one side?
@juliancroot It's off to the side, above the keybed itself, there's probably one-third of the width that's not taken up by controls, so it sits maybe 20-30cm off to the side.
Though I do use a standing desk which also makes it easier to use I think (my mouse is completely off to the side of the controller, which I imagine might be too big a stretch if I were seated!)
@@_mickmccarthy yeah, that would drive me nuts, lol!
Standing desk would be cool though.
@@juliancroot Yeah as I was typing my message I was thinking that it might not be so straightforward when seated!
Standing desk is definitely a great thing (if that's your thing, I'm sure many wouldn't get along with it). Though the 270 degree setup with keyboards (QWERTY or musical/MIDI!) on 3 fronts also has its advantages I'm sure!