It’s so sad that the amount of people that want to research pianos is so small because if this was a more mainstream thing you would have millions of subs, the quality of this content is amazing and you are doing a great job
completely agree with you! i know nothing about Piano's but my wife wants me to find one for her and the kids that can grow with them... this man is giving me all the confidence i need! absolutely priceless to me! i have narrowed my search to one of the two he is comparing in this video...
Just be aware that this channel is very corporate. In depth on official specs. But very neutral on personnal judgement. Some other channels are much more focused on tiny details and more vicious in their analysis. But heeeee, those channels are disliked by manufacturers and they don't get free pianos for reviews.
Hello! it is thanks to you and your review of the fp30x that I bought this piano. I am so happy, I was on a piano with very little polyphony (40) for years. a casio cdp 200. I had been hesitating for months with the yamaha p125, the casio px s1000 and fp30. I wanted a piano to study, since it's been years since i don't really do it anymore. The Fp30x is a miracle at the right time for me. I've had it for a little over 2 weeks, I'm so happy with it. I took the stand, the pedals. Thank you very much for your work and your kindness.
How does the action compare the one of a real piano? I practiced on a Casio CDP 100 for about 4 years, and when I have the chance to play on a real piano I always struggle a bit do to the different feel of the key action. Thanks in advance
Forget about the great chops, what an authentic detailed reviewer and demonstrator. It's like you read the minds and know the questions in advance of someone shopping or torn between those two boards. Thank you for all you do.
Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting! We really appreciate it as well as the incredibly kind words! I will pass them along to Stu on your behalf. :)
I saw several reviews about the Roland FP30X and yours was indubitably the best one I saw by far, including this one comparing the FP30X vs. FP60X. Thanks a lot, dude. I'm from Argentina and have to decide what to buy whith a limited budget, and thanks to you now I know where I'm standing. Amazing job!
@@hanno8705I was between the Casio Privia 3000; the Yanaha P125; the Kawai ES110, and the Roland FP30X. I finally bought the Roland FP30X, and have no regrets so far 🤘😁
@@fabriciofornero Ok, great! Thanks for your answer! I consider the Roland as my favourite right now. But I don't wanna rush with a decision. It's going to be my first piano. 😀 (Love your play btw, just checked out your channel) - Kind regards from Osnabrück, Germany :)
Thanks, Stu, to you and your crew for putting out some stellar content. Deeply into this as I weigh different potential purchases. Just great work. Thanks.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much! We're glad you have enjoyed the content and found it helpful in your process. Thank you for the support! We appreciate it. :)
Ah heck this is making me second guess getting the 30X, the 60X has such nice speakers and that's what I intend to play with primarily! I already placed an order for the 30X but arghhh it's a tough jump to make.
The 60 basically seems like a 30 only instead of an awful, clunky user interface you have one of the best user interfaces ever; the onboard EQ, sliders for relative volume layers, the MyStage presets (for those of us who don't want to menu deep dive) are an amazing feature, and with a menu screen and good navigation, you don't need a manual or any of the omg nasty key combinations to memorize.
The FP60X definitely has a far more advanced and user-friendly interface! It is definitely a huge perk, particularly for players that would be using the piano for gigging and performance settings. :)
I was waiting for this. And after watching it, I am much more interested by the FP60x than I was before. Thanks a lot Stu. The accessibility of various controls on the FP60x got me thinking twice. Now I guess the obvious next video in the series would be the FP60x vs the FP90x.
Thank you so much for this comprehensive and excellent review between both Roland pianos; I really appreciated your getting to the point about the differences and similarities between the FP-30x and the FP-60x, highlighting the strong points and the lesser meaningful features of both keyboards. You 've made this 30-minute video as enthralling and pleasant as a 500-page fast-paced whodunnit ! Brilliant !
Thank you so much for tuning in and supporting our channel! We also appreciate the kind words immensely. We're glad that you found the video informative and helpful! All the best and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianosthanks for such a great review! Some reviewers have said that the 30x has sluggish action on the keys, the resistance and slowness resulting in tiredness while playing...could you please share your thoughts on that? Thanks
@@joewger I just bought a P-515 over the FP-60X. I think it boils down to: buy the Yamaha for the action (unless you *really* don't want a heavy action), Roland for the features. You'll really notice the differences in the action when playing softly, too. The PHA-4 just doesn't compare the NWX if you want the feel of an acoustic piano. It also helped that where I am in Canada they are almost the same price (
@@learntoswim187 I've heard from a lot of people that the fp 60 and such have actions that feel incredibly similar to a grand piano. This would be contrary to your personal experience? I'm really having a hard time picking a piano, I'd really like something less than 2 grand, I basically just need it to play an acoustic piano sound (I don't need 1000 voices) and so my major factors, in order of importance, are portability, action, sound quality. They are very very close to each other in importance, as I'd really not like to compromise on any aspect, but I don't have much space and I travel a lot, I want to be able to switch to an acoustic very easily for a real performance, and I love to play in general so sound quality is always really important.
Dear Roland, My name is . We have been very good this year (...really we have... we swear). Please find it in your heart to part with one FP-90x and send to Merriam Music as soon as you can. These videos bring us such joy and gladness. We very much look forward to the heavily anticipated FP-90x review and follow up comparison series. Signed with the utmost sincerity ;)
Hello. Thanks for all your reviews. They are so amazing. I need some help : I have always played classical music with an acoustic piano but since i am now in a small flat, I would like to buy a digital one. I've watched many of your reviews and think that the fp30x and the f701 of Roland could be good choices. What do you think ? What is the difference between those two ?
Thanks so much for this video Stu! I really appreciated the sound comparison of the direct outs. In addition to piano practice, I want to use this in my studio for recording direct and as a USB midi controller. For my purposes, I think the FP30 is plenty. If I want to use it live, I think it'll get the job done as well. The speakers and extra sounds in the FP60 don't really seem worth the higher price, for me at least. The action, core sounds, and connectivity are my top concerns and I think the FP30 ticks all the boxes. Thanks again! I'm subscribed to your channel now. :)
What an incredible vid ! That was unbelievably helpful for me, as I've been wondering whether or not I'd regret not paying the extra for the 60x, over the 30x.....and now I'm very clear in my mind that I won't! Thank you so much for your time, that was a brilliant presentation !
Thank you so much for sharing the differences. Helped me decide to go with the FP-60x! Wish there was a way I could purchase through y'all, but being from Texas, I am concerned with the money exchange rate.
Hi Stew. I've been wondering. Has any manufacturer brought out a mid range keyboard that purely concentrates on acoustic piano? One that is stripped of other keyboard sounds but has great quality piano samples and good key action. I know for one I would be interested in such a keyboard as I already have midi software that can give me other sounds.
Hi Jon! Brent from Merriam Music here! The FP-60X would be the piano that most aligns with your description. It still has quite a few features however. With that said, the value proposition for the core piano experience is wonderful!
@@seanleeduncan Yes. I think whats true is: You cannnot select the general-midi instruments from the piano itself, you'll have to use the app over bluetooth to select. But - maybe its just me - this is the way i select instruments anyway unless i 'just' want the basic piano or e-piano.
Fp60x has better, more lifelike decay of the higher pitched notes when direct out so I’m assuming it’s processed and refined a bit more before hitting speakers and power amp section.
Hello and Thank you for nice very popular keyboards comparison. My point is : the price different (in USA now) is not really sensitive (about $ 250), so definitely I'll stay with 60X choice, and in fact it have much more advance to 30x. IF difference would be as between FP-60x and FP-90X , 2 x times + more, then already different talking...
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! The price gap does range from market to market. In any case, the FP60X is unquestionably a wonderful instrument. :)
Roland has some very nice keyboards with a great action. I just wish that the support arm of the company had a great action. I bought a Roland keyboard and 2 months later it died. I took it to a Roland repair center where it has been for over a month waiting for a part that is coming from Japan. When someone spends this much for a keyboard one would expect the company to keep adequate parts on hand to repair their product.
So does this mean that If I connect a USB cable from a Roland FP-30X to my Microsoft Surface, to play virtual instruments, and connected the line outs on the FP-30X to an amp, that the audio of the virtual instruments would be routed to the FP-30X speakers, as well to the amp? Thanks in advance.
From a sound quality and number of sounds available, would you recommend the older F140r as an upgrade from the FP30x - when one's budget doesn't quite reach the level of an FP60x? Given that it's older, i'd imagine the prices would have come down a bit. If one were to connect the Garage Band to an FP30x, would the sounds / rhythm play through the piano's speakers?
Just listening to the comparisons. Was interesting that on the my stage settings, when you selected 'Lakeside studio' it then sounded very much like the fp30x. Have to say personally I feel just from a sound point of view, the fp60x is much better than the fp30x. However, due to the price difference, its to be expected.
I certainly agree that the FP60X is a meaningful step up from the FP30X, which is saying something as the FP30X is a wonderful instrument for the money! :)
Yes listening to the video,the piano sound on the FP60X had a more superior and richer sound.I thought that when using the internal speakers as well as the direct line out.
Could we please have a comparison of the FP60X vs. the P515 since they are at similar price points? I'm having trouble finding anyone who has done one, and don't understand why not. The FP90X is far more expensive. Thx!
Nice one. Really well done. I can only assume Roland does not want to mention the MIDI connection to trick new people into buying the more expensive versions. Many people with DAWs would probably even ignore any built-in sounds in this, just to use the weighted keys with any sounds they want. For the non-technical people out there; A DAW will enable you to play an infinite amount of different sounds coming from this. (not saying it is for free though)
I thought I made a mistake of going over budget and choosing the 60X over the 30X. Given that I primarily play through the internal speakers, this video helped me realised that I made the right choice. I would have been absolutely gutted if I had to settle with the 30X speakers.
@@dusan78 honestly, if you’re going that route, then an FP-10, studio monitors and a VST like keyscape would suffice. I almost went there but decided against it because I’m looking for an all in one. Just one thing hassle-free.
@@dusan78 hopefully one day I get to invest in a proper home studio setup too. I can’t even begin to imagine how good those VSTs sound played through studio monitors. Anyway, good luck finding the FP-10. It’s funny cause I had the same problem of finding one in stock which made me look at the 30X and 60X instead haha.
Stu, always enjoy listening to your reviews. I would love to hear your opinion on do's and don'ts in choosing external speakers for home use/small events. I would like to have your suggestions on what speakers can potentially bring out the best sound qualities of FP 30/60 or similar e.pianos. Thanks!
@@zavenzakarian4527 in my search I found: vox V50kb, es203, behringer 40, ...etc.... The mackie cr4x seem to have an horrible noise when no sound are playing Lot of question and lot of choise. Also multimédia soundbar ? 🤔
Thank you all of the comparison videos! I would like to buy one. I am hesitating between Roland FP-60X and RD-88. Which one has better acoustic piano sound?
There are several factors that attribute to the sonic experience a digital pianos offers. In addition to the tone engine, the speaker size and quality are also a factor. The FP60X and RD88 definitely have some similarities given that the piano sounds are both being generated from the core SuperNATURAL tone engine. However, the speakers and difference in terms of features/adjustable parameters will definitely factor into the decision making process. The best bet is to make your way into a showroom to test both out to see which one you resonate with more. :)
Can the 30x transpose? My wifes b-day is coming up and I want to get her a new keyboard. The 60x is not available atm, and anything would be better than what she has. The 30x's speakers don't seem to me to be a big problem since, I would assume, you could use external speakers.
Is that what it is? The effect is actually quite trippy. The first time I plugged my headphones into my 60X and played, it felt like the sound still came through the internal speakers. I honestly thought I didn’t plug in my headphones properly.
@@qwmjml jajaja I would say it is, at least that's what the specks says.. "Headphones 3D Ambience feature lets you lose yourself in an immersive sound field that feels like the music is coming from the heart of the instrument, not the headphones", so I'm guessing there will be a difference there. Bear in mind than you can also have both speakers and headphones engaged at the same time as well...
I don't understand why all reviews on YT don't mention about this. It seems that 3D ambience is only featured in the 60X. Would be nice to know how it compares to the 30X and 90X which seems don't have this feature.
@@jhvictoria in the 90x specs it´s listed as “Headphones Acoustic Projection” which I’m guessing is some sort of enhancement like the 3D ambience, but in the 30x nothing is listed so I’m guessing there’s nothing there.
I believe the FP30 was limited to about 30 sounds/tones, however the FP30X has access to a multitude of sounds through the Piano Every Day app. From a variety of piano/ePiano/organs/synths to various other instrument sounds, drum kits and sound effects.
@@defaultHandle1110 Piano partner 2 is the app that pairs with the FP30. Piano Every Day (FP30X and their more expensive digital pianos) has more functionality and access to more sounds.
@@luis.barragan I got mine from a local piano seller (US). I literally got it the day after they got it shipped in. It's low stock everywhere right now I think.
I would love to know there difference between the FP-90 and the FP-90X if enough people have interest in it! I was decided on the FP-90 but they just dropped the 90X so now I don’t know what to do!
I really get the idea they've both got the same brains. That is signifanct ly useful because am not spending more chilling on a display and bigger speakers. Only the FP-90 is another ball game, with the status of featuring old MIIDI DIN connectivity , which seems to have become a thing 4 decades later, as old vendors force the market into MIDI 2 and beyond . " The MIDI language expresses musical parameters, and those haven’t changed. People still play notes, notes still have pitches, songs still have tempos, bending notes and vibrato still exist, and dynamic control remains an important emotional component of music. Until people stop playing music, that aspect of MIDI will never be obsolete. Because it’s a language, it doesn’t care what technology you use. MIDI data can go over a hardware cable, USB, Thunderbolt, data streams on the web, or even Apple’s Lightning connector - it doesn’t matter. MIDI data doesn’t care what operating system you use, as long as you’re running a program that speaks MIDI. It’s like any language: we didn’t have to stop speaking our native language just because telephones were invented, or when video conferencing came along." "Perhaps most importantly, the specification has continued to evolve, again thanks to a climate of industry-wide cooperation fostered by the MMA (MIDI Manufacturers Association) and Japan’s AMEI (Association of Music Electronics Industry), who work closely together. MIDI has expanded to control lighting, trigger pyrotechnics, provide automation in the recording studio, and more. Hardware MIDI instruments have been joined by virtual, software-based instruments that live inside your computer and speak MIDI. Controllers that generate MIDI data are no longer limited to keyboards, and they now include MIDI drum controllers, guitar controllers, wind controllers, audio-to-MIDI converters (both hardware and software; see fig. 3), and more." "With the recent announcement of MIDI 2.0, MIDI is ready to grow again. But MIDI 2.0 doesn’t obsolete MIDI 1.0 - it just expands it. Existing MIDI 1.0 gear will continue working in a MIDI 2.0 environment and may possibly acquire a few new features." And that may be the motivation of not having old DIN outlets on lower profile keyboards. There are faster, more expandable ways. I found that my Roland A800-pro gets somehow less latecy when runnnnig with Steinberg HALion Sonic SE3 via USB B than when running via the old MIDI DIN cable. I thought only USB3 would be faster, but to my surprise 2ms latency is pretty good. I stpped being prejudiced about no DIN connection ever since. One point not mentioned in this benchmark between the FP30X and -60X is the weight, which is equivalent to a small stage monitor combo amp that is 3x more powerful than the FP-60 speaker system. You helped me choose FP-30 for home studio recordings and gigs. Thank you , sir.
I have some old roland piano. It has something like 7 or 8 touch sensitivity zones. I can literally count them. That means I can't play quiet notes. As you press slightly nothing happens. You press a bit stronger but nothing happens. Then you go even stronger and the sound comes out. Basically 7 or 8 different volumes of sound. It suks ass. This thing has 100. I can't even imagine how good it feels playing something like this.
On roland’s website they have mentioned that on the FP-60X there is a 3D Ambience feature for Headphone output and that is not available on the FP-30X. Did you notice anything significant when it comes to headphone output on these?
I wish Roland put all of the tones in the FP 30. That’s the main reason I’m buying FP 60. Sometimes I like to play with other sounds. It would’ve been so easy to just include GM on both models.
The FP60X is an excellent piano! I am confident you will be very happy with what it offers. It has an extensive list of features of instrument sounds too. :)
29:57 KAWAI APPS - LOL :) I hate Roland for such difficult choice and for they never describe technical model differences.... so Thank you for your reviews and opinion.
Interesting how a cheap keyboard like the Korg b2 has a usb audio interface and many new ones like the Kawai es120 don’t. Seems an essential feature. I love noire piano and pianoteq sounds oh and pure piano!
I would say that the vast majority of players/customers out there in this particular category are not using the instruments in conjunction with VSTs. With that said, there are a lot of amazing VSTs out there to explore. :)
The Roland FP-60X surpasses the FP-30X in headphones because of: 1. **Advanced Sound Engine**: Provides more authentic and dynamic sound. 2. **More Adjustment Options**: Better effects and reverb. 3. **More Powerful Amplification**: Delivers clearer and more powerful sound. 4. **Higher Polyphony**: Handles complex soundscapes better. 5. **Better Headphone Outputs**: Produces clear and powerful sound without distortion. These factors contribute to a richer and more nuanced listening experience with the FP-60X.
@@MerriamPianos , do you disagree on a practical level now, or what is your take on my points here? I would love to hear what you think of each point as I can't choose myself yet, but from reading about them this is what I saw directly to stand out, at least on the paper....
It isn't necessarily the case that bottom facing speakers are bad. They can sound quite good in some cases. However, top facing speakers generally offer more articulation and clarity.
I see this video is now two years old. Technology changes quick and manufacturers usually have something new on the drawing board by the time a product is released. Within the same general price range of the 60X , is there something else I should look at?
I believe the pandemic did slow some of the RND initiatives of several major manufacturers. Correspondingly, new generation replacement models have been a bit slower to arrive. The FP30X and FP60X still hold up as excellent portable digital piano options. With that said, if you're looking at the FP60X, you may also want to explore the Roland FP-E50. The speaker system is not quite as good, but the feature offering is immense and it comes in a little cheaper than the FP60X.
You are right! The 30x is the best value for the money. It smoke the Yamaha P 125 and you can add more sounds to the 30x via the app and be pretty close to the 60x.
Just for clarification, when you say, "they both come with stands," you mean the option for a matching stand to purchase separately or they "come with" a matching stand included in the price of the keyboard of choice?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! We have had a few requests to cover this in a video. It will definitely be a point of further discussion with our production team. I think it would be awesome to explore Stu's musical journey in a mini biography video. :)
Hi stu. Always captivating with your videos. I'm asking if added small amplified monitor under 100€ make any difference. Just asking for my fp10 - it seem to be the same with fp30x - in order to have a less flat and metalic sound when I want to play loud. Don't speak about Adam's monitor off course... 😉
@@jodybiztube Yes, already done, but, it's really the speaker the problem. Because the sound on headphone is fine to me, but clearly different on internal speaker of the FP10. But it's entry-level, so, I don't have to complain.... ;)
Upon listening to the rest of this comparison, I’m disappointed with the My Stage settings as it doesn’t appear to be as well done as other keyboards from competitors.
It’s so sad that the amount of people that want to research pianos is so small because if this was a more mainstream thing you would have millions of subs, the quality of this content is amazing and you are doing a great job
completely agree with you! i know nothing about Piano's but my wife wants me to find one for her and the kids that can grow with them... this man is giving me all the confidence i need! absolutely priceless to me! i have narrowed my search to one of the two he is comparing in this video...
Yes and then pianos would be eaven more expensive like graphic cards.
@@Neerano people cant use pianos to effectively mine crypto tho, and so they wont increase in price because no one is buying them in mass quantities
Just be aware that this channel is very corporate. In depth on official specs. But very neutral on personnal judgement.
Some other channels are much more focused on tiny details and more vicious in their analysis. But heeeee, those channels are disliked by manufacturers and they don't get free pianos for reviews.
@@Bvic3???
Wow you did it... you’re officially the best, most efficient reviewer on UA-cam.
This man does the best reviews of pianos I've come across.
5:49 is why I will continue watching Stu's reviews long after I've bought a piano.
How are you doing now? Still watching?
dang you got me, I haven’t watched a review in a while!
Hello! it is thanks to you and your review of the fp30x that I bought this piano. I am so happy, I was on a piano with very little polyphony (40) for years. a casio cdp 200.
I had been hesitating for months with the yamaha p125, the casio px s1000 and fp30.
I wanted a piano to study, since it's been years since i don't really do it anymore.
The Fp30x is a miracle at the right time for me. I've had it for a little over 2 weeks, I'm so happy with it. I took the stand, the pedals.
Thank you very much for your work and your kindness.
Why haven't you considered kawai es110?
@@somaticHuman it's not as good as the fp30x or the p125
How does the action compare the one of a real piano? I practiced on a Casio CDP 100 for about 4 years, and when I have the chance to play on a real piano I always struggle a bit do to the different feel of the key action.
Thanks in advance
Great as always. I find it difficult to think of other people producing 30 minute videos that I can sit and enjoy the full length.
Forget about the great chops, what an authentic detailed reviewer and demonstrator. It's like you read the minds and know the questions in advance of someone shopping or torn between those two boards. Thank you for all you do.
Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting! We really appreciate it as well as the incredibly kind words! I will pass them along to Stu on your behalf. :)
Perfect! Thx Stu! Now I'm hoping for Roland FP-60X vs Roland FP-90X Digital Piano Comparison ;-)
me 2 as well as the fp90x review
I don't! I. cannot effort another comparison ;)
You granted my wish when I requested you to make this exact video!! Thank you so much!
I saw several reviews about the Roland FP30X and yours was indubitably the best one I saw by far, including this one comparing the FP30X vs. FP60X. Thanks a lot, dude. I'm from Argentina and have to decide what to buy whith a limited budget, and thanks to you now I know where I'm standing. Amazing job!
And, what was your decision or is still waiting? Same situation here on a limited budget. :)
@@hanno8705I was between the Casio Privia 3000; the Yanaha P125; the Kawai ES110, and the Roland FP30X. I finally bought the Roland FP30X, and have no regrets so far 🤘😁
@@fabriciofornero Ok, great! Thanks for your answer! I consider the Roland as my favourite right now. But I don't wanna rush with a decision. It's going to be my first piano. 😀
(Love your play btw, just checked out your channel) -
Kind regards from Osnabrück, Germany :)
Thanks, Stu, to you and your crew for putting out some stellar content. Deeply into this as I weigh different potential purchases. Just great work. Thanks.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much! We're glad you have enjoyed the content and found it helpful in your process. Thank you for the support! We appreciate it. :)
Ah heck this is making me second guess getting the 30X, the 60X has such nice speakers and that's what I intend to play with primarily! I already placed an order for the 30X but arghhh it's a tough jump to make.
If you can afford it, I would go for the 60x
The 60 basically seems like a 30 only instead of an awful, clunky user interface you have one of the best user interfaces ever; the onboard EQ, sliders for relative volume layers, the MyStage presets (for those of us who don't want to menu deep dive) are an amazing feature, and with a menu screen and good navigation, you don't need a manual or any of the omg nasty key combinations to memorize.
The FP60X definitely has a far more advanced and user-friendly interface! It is definitely a huge perk, particularly for players that would be using the piano for gigging and performance settings. :)
I like the FP-60 more....its worth the difference..I especially like the My Stage settings ...
The FP-60X is certainly a meaningful step up from the already awesome FP-30X! :)
Very helpful video, thank you - and I didn't realise Peter Beardsley could play the piano so well!
Thank you Stu for this very interesting comparison. Like always, a must see review !
Thank you for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
I was waiting for this. And after watching it, I am much more interested by the FP60x than I was before. Thanks a lot Stu. The accessibility of various controls on the FP60x got me thinking twice. Now I guess the obvious next video in the series would be the FP60x vs the FP90x.
You will buy an fp90x 😉
Thank you so much for this comprehensive and excellent review between both Roland pianos; I really appreciated your getting to the point about the differences and similarities between the FP-30x and the FP-60x, highlighting the strong points and the lesser meaningful features of both keyboards. You 've made this 30-minute video as enthralling and pleasant as a 500-page fast-paced whodunnit ! Brilliant !
Thank you so much for tuning in and supporting our channel! We also appreciate the kind words immensely. We're glad that you found the video informative and helpful! All the best and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianosthanks for such a great review! Some reviewers have said that the 30x has sluggish action on the keys, the resistance and slowness resulting in tiredness while playing...could you please share your thoughts on that? Thanks
haha, I know you mean well but both the comment and the response look like written by AI
The Fp line sounds fantastic. I think I still love the RD line more. I love Roland and Yamaha and Korg. My fav 3 brands!
Thanks Stu! Great info and comparison. Both seem like great choices.
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! They're both excellent pianos that offer a lot musically for their respective price points. :)
Thank you for this comparison still waiting on the 90 X how much longer
This was quite helpful - thank you so much for the technical detail and for the playing comparisons.
Love the top camera view!
Great video. I am waiting for the fp60x vs fp90X comparison video!
I am waiting for the Yamaha p515 and 60x comparison. 60x $400 cheaper for some better features than Yamaha.
@@joewger I just bought a P-515 over the FP-60X. I think it boils down to: buy the Yamaha for the action (unless you *really* don't want a heavy action), Roland for the features. You'll really notice the differences in the action when playing softly, too. The PHA-4 just doesn't compare the NWX if you want the feel of an acoustic piano. It also helped that where I am in Canada they are almost the same price (
@@learntoswim187 I've heard from a lot of people that the fp 60 and such have actions that feel incredibly similar to a grand piano. This would be contrary to your personal experience?
I'm really having a hard time picking a piano, I'd really like something less than 2 grand, I basically just need it to play an acoustic piano sound (I don't need 1000 voices) and so my major factors, in order of importance, are portability, action, sound quality. They are very very close to each other in importance, as I'd really not like to compromise on any aspect, but I don't have much space and I travel a lot, I want to be able to switch to an acoustic very easily for a real performance, and I love to play in general so sound quality is always really important.
Dear Roland,
My name is . We have been very good this year (...really we have... we swear). Please find it in your heart to part with one FP-90x and send to Merriam Music as soon as you can. These videos bring us such joy and gladness. We very much look forward to the heavily anticipated FP-90x review and follow up comparison series.
Signed with the utmost sincerity ;)
Very useful reviews. Thanks so much!
Looking forward to FP90X rewiev
such a terrific comparison. thank you
Many many thanks, your review clearly helped us decide !
Good comparison!! Thank you!
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! :)
Thanks for your high quality comparison
Hello. Thanks for all your reviews. They are so amazing.
I need some help : I have always played classical music with an acoustic piano but since i am now in a small flat, I would like to buy a digital one. I've watched many of your reviews and think that the fp30x and the f701 of Roland could be good choices. What do you think ? What is the difference between those two ?
Thank you for the thorough comparison. What lapel microphone are you using? I like the clean and natural sound it delivers. Thanks.
Thanks so much for this video Stu! I really appreciated the sound comparison of the direct outs. In addition to piano practice, I want to use this in my studio for recording direct and as a USB midi controller. For my purposes, I think the FP30 is plenty. If I want to use it live, I think it'll get the job done as well. The speakers and extra sounds in the FP60 don't really seem worth the higher price, for me at least. The action, core sounds, and connectivity are my top concerns and I think the FP30 ticks all the boxes. Thanks again! I'm subscribed to your channel now. :)
Thanks my Friend!,... Very useful explanation. : )
You're very welcome! Glad it was helpful! :)
Thanks for making this!!
Great as ever! Thank you👍
What an incredible vid !
That was unbelievably helpful for me, as I've been wondering whether or not I'd regret not paying the extra for the 60x, over the 30x.....and now I'm very clear in my mind that I won't!
Thank you so much for your time, that was a brilliant presentation !
You're very welcome! We're very happy to hear that you found the comparison video helpful in your decision making process. :)
Thank you so much! It was so usefull for me
Can u compare 60X & 90X? Great video, thx
Thanks for this very helpful video! Your name should be in the description, BTW... I think you deserve the credit.
You're very welcome! I am happy to hear that you found it helpful! Thanks for the kind words! :)
Thank you so much for sharing the differences. Helped me decide to go with the FP-60x!
Wish there was a way I could purchase through y'all, but being from Texas, I am concerned with the money exchange rate.
Hi Stew. I've been wondering. Has any manufacturer brought out a mid range keyboard that purely concentrates on acoustic piano? One that is stripped of other keyboard sounds but has great quality piano samples and good key action.
I know for one I would be interested in such a keyboard as I already have midi software that can give me other sounds.
Hi Jon! Brent from Merriam Music here! The FP-60X would be the piano that most aligns with your description. It still has quite a few features however. With that said, the value proposition for the core piano experience is wonderful!
5:48 that face is priceless
Thanks so much for watching! :)
I just checked again: The FP-30X has all the general midi instruments in the piano every day app. So that would also be a total of ~300 or so.
Oh yeah?!! This changes things for me.
@@seanleeduncan Yes. I think whats true is: You cannnot select the general-midi instruments from the piano itself, you'll have to use the app over bluetooth to select.
But - maybe its just me - this is the way i select instruments anyway unless i 'just' want the basic piano or e-piano.
If I wanted to save money, would you say buying the FP-30X + an amplifier would make up for the sound difference between the two instruments?
Absolulutely
Heard em side by side not too big a difference.
Get an AMP
Thank you, Stu. Can you please please please do a review for the 90x. I'm really leaning that way.
Awesome! Thank you!
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! :)
Fp60x has better, more lifelike decay of the higher pitched notes when direct out so I’m assuming it’s processed and refined a bit more before hitting speakers and power amp section.
great job.
This is awesome as usual! Would love to see a comparison between the FP30x vs RD-88 from a sound standpoint
I believe main piano sound is equal
And the 60x to the rd88.
Hello and Thank you for nice very popular keyboards comparison.
My point is : the price different (in USA now) is not really sensitive (about $ 250), so definitely I'll stay with 60X choice, and in fact it have much more advance to 30x. IF difference would be as between FP-60x and FP-90X , 2 x times + more, then already different talking...
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! The price gap does range from market to market. In any case, the FP60X is unquestionably a wonderful instrument. :)
Yes!!! Thank you!!!
Roland has some very nice keyboards with a great action. I just wish that the support arm of the company had a great action. I bought a Roland keyboard and 2 months later it died. I took it to a Roland repair center where it has been for over a month waiting for a part that is coming from Japan. When someone spends this much for a keyboard one would expect the company to keep adequate parts on hand to repair their product.
So does this mean that If I connect a USB cable from a Roland FP-30X to my Microsoft Surface, to play virtual instruments, and connected the line outs on the FP-30X to an amp, that the audio of the virtual instruments would be routed to the FP-30X speakers, as well to the amp? Thanks in advance.
From a sound quality and number of sounds available, would you recommend the older F140r as an upgrade from the FP30x - when one's budget doesn't quite reach the level of an FP60x? Given that it's older, i'd imagine the prices would have come down a bit. If one were to connect the Garage Band to an FP30x, would the sounds / rhythm play through the piano's speakers?
OK, waiting for the FP90X videos to decide between FP60x and FP90X.
Thanks greatly Stu!
Much appreciated this vid Stu. Are the keys easier to press down on the FP30X than on the FP60?
I think they have the same pha4 keyboard
@@martinosimone4232 Thank you.
@@martinosimone4232 I thought it was pha5
Please do a review on the fp90x and 30x using both as midi controllers playing piano vsts
Just listening to the comparisons. Was interesting that on the my stage settings, when you selected 'Lakeside studio' it then sounded very much like the fp30x.
Have to say personally I feel just from a sound point of view, the fp60x is much better than the fp30x. However, due to the price difference, its to be expected.
I certainly agree that the FP60X is a meaningful step up from the FP30X, which is saying something as the FP30X is a wonderful instrument for the money! :)
Yes listening to the video,the piano sound on the FP60X had a more superior and richer sound.I thought that when using the internal speakers as well as the direct line out.
Could we please have a comparison of the FP60X vs. the P515 since they are at similar price points? I'm having trouble finding anyone who has done one, and don't understand why not. The FP90X is far more expensive. Thx!
Dear Stu, how is the internal speaker of the f701 compared to the speakers of these 2? THX!
man!!! that fp60x speakers sounds like the direct out on the fp30!!
The FP60X's speakers are quite impressive! :)
Nice one. Really well done. I can only assume Roland does not want to mention the MIDI connection to trick new people into buying the more expensive versions. Many people with DAWs would probably even ignore any built-in sounds in this, just to use the weighted keys with any sounds they want. For the non-technical people out there; A DAW will enable you to play an infinite amount of different sounds coming from this. (not saying it is for free though)
are u german? Bawrlyn = Berlin =) Dont I additionally need a VST with a DAW to play? Isnt it connected via Midi?
Some VSTs don't need a DAW to run.There r standalone versions...
thank u!!!!
You're welcome! :)
I thought I made a mistake of going over budget and choosing the 60X over the 30X. Given that I primarily play through the internal speakers, this video helped me realised that I made the right choice. I would have been absolutely gutted if I had to settle with the 30X speakers.
I think the 60x is one of the best choices.
@@dusan78 honestly, if you’re going that route, then an FP-10, studio monitors and a VST like keyscape would suffice. I almost went there but decided against it because I’m looking for an all in one. Just one thing hassle-free.
@@dusan78 hopefully one day I get to invest in a proper home studio setup too. I can’t even begin to imagine how good those VSTs sound played through studio monitors. Anyway, good luck finding the FP-10. It’s funny cause I had the same problem of finding one in stock which made me look at the 30X and 60X instead haha.
Stu, always enjoy listening to your reviews. I would love to hear your opinion on do's and don'ts in choosing external speakers for home use/small events. I would like to have your suggestions on what speakers can potentially bring out the best sound qualities of FP 30/60 or similar e.pianos. Thanks!
I’m thinking the same for my fp10. Maybe a mackie cr4x ... I think it could be nice when you want play louder without the Metallic sound ...
@@maximilienb7718 Thanks for the suggestion. So many options: active/passive speakers etc...
@@zavenzakarian4527 in my search I found: vox V50kb, es203, behringer 40, ...etc....
The mackie cr4x seem to have an horrible noise when no sound are playing
Lot of question and lot of choise. Also multimédia soundbar ? 🤔
Thank you all of the comparison videos! I would like to buy one. I am hesitating between Roland FP-60X and RD-88. Which one has better acoustic piano sound?
There are several factors that attribute to the sonic experience a digital pianos offers. In addition to the tone engine, the speaker size and quality are also a factor. The FP60X and RD88 definitely have some similarities given that the piano sounds are both being generated from the core SuperNATURAL tone engine. However, the speakers and difference in terms of features/adjustable parameters will definitely factor into the decision making process. The best bet is to make your way into a showroom to test both out to see which one you resonate with more. :)
Can the 30x transpose? My wifes b-day is coming up and I want to get her a new keyboard. The 60x is not available atm, and anything would be better than what she has. The 30x's speakers don't seem to me to be a big problem since, I would assume, you could use external speakers.
спасибо , ты лучший.
Hey Stu.. quick question, the 60x has "Headphones 3D Ambience" can you notice the difference???
Is that what it is? The effect is actually quite trippy. The first time I plugged my headphones into my 60X and played, it felt like the sound still came through the internal speakers. I honestly thought I didn’t plug in my headphones properly.
@@qwmjml jajaja I would say it is, at least that's what the specks says.. "Headphones 3D Ambience feature lets you lose yourself in an immersive sound field that feels like the music is coming from the heart of the instrument, not the headphones", so I'm guessing there will be a difference there. Bear in mind than you can also have both speakers and headphones engaged at the same time as well...
I don't understand why all reviews on YT don't mention about this. It seems that 3D ambience is only featured in the 60X. Would be nice to know how it compares to the 30X and 90X which seems don't have this feature.
@@jhvictoria in the 90x specs it´s listed as “Headphones Acoustic Projection” which I’m guessing is some sort of enhancement like the 3D ambience, but in the 30x nothing is listed so I’m guessing there’s nothing there.
I believe the FP30 was limited to about 30 sounds/tones, however the FP30X has access to a multitude of sounds through the Piano Every Day app. From a variety of piano/ePiano/organs/synths to various other instrument sounds, drum kits and sound effects.
Game changer. Thanks for posting.
What’s the diff between that app and piano partner 2 ? Is one better ?
@@defaultHandle1110
Piano partner 2 is the app that pairs with the FP30. Piano Every Day (FP30X and their more expensive digital pianos) has more functionality and access to more sounds.
Can I use vst on 30x?
29:52 Kawai apps? I guess it's a typo, but a peculiar one.
How does one record the direct line audio? I recently got an Fp-30x and am curious about recording some songs in the nearby future.
Where did you get it from?
@@luis.barragan I got mine from a local piano seller (US). I literally got it the day after they got it shipped in. It's low stock everywhere right now I think.
Get an audio interface, plug it to your computer, plug the line output from the piano to the interface and record it in your favorite DAW!
23:01 this exactly especially for someone new to digital pianos!
Thanks so much for tuning in! :)
When are you getting the FP90X?
Does the new FP30X and FP60X share the same full modeling engine from the old FP90?
60 has a smoother punch attack of the notes..either direct or speakers
I would love to know there difference between the FP-90 and the FP-90X if enough people have interest in it! I was decided on the FP-90 but they just dropped the 90X so now I don’t know what to do!
I really get the idea they've both got the same brains. That is signifanct ly useful because am not spending more chilling on a display and bigger speakers.
Only the FP-90 is another ball game, with the status of featuring old MIIDI DIN connectivity , which seems to have become a thing 4 decades later, as old vendors force the market into MIDI 2 and beyond .
" The MIDI language expresses musical parameters, and those haven’t changed. People still play notes, notes still have pitches, songs still have tempos, bending notes and vibrato still exist, and dynamic control remains an important emotional component of music. Until people stop playing music, that aspect of MIDI will never be obsolete.
Because it’s a language, it doesn’t care what technology you use. MIDI data can go over a hardware cable, USB, Thunderbolt, data streams on the web, or even Apple’s Lightning connector - it doesn’t matter. MIDI data doesn’t care what operating system you use, as long as you’re running a program that speaks MIDI. It’s like any language: we didn’t have to stop speaking our native language just because telephones were invented, or when video conferencing came along."
"Perhaps most importantly, the specification has continued to evolve, again thanks to a climate of industry-wide cooperation fostered by the MMA (MIDI Manufacturers Association) and Japan’s AMEI (Association of Music Electronics Industry), who work closely together. MIDI has expanded to control lighting, trigger pyrotechnics, provide automation in the recording studio, and more. Hardware MIDI instruments have been joined by virtual, software-based instruments that live inside your computer and speak MIDI. Controllers that generate MIDI data are no longer limited to keyboards, and they now include MIDI drum controllers, guitar controllers, wind controllers, audio-to-MIDI converters (both hardware and software; see fig. 3), and more."
"With the recent announcement of MIDI 2.0, MIDI is ready to grow again. But MIDI 2.0 doesn’t obsolete MIDI 1.0 - it just expands it. Existing MIDI 1.0 gear will continue working in a MIDI 2.0 environment and may possibly acquire a few new features."
And that may be the motivation of not having old DIN outlets on lower profile keyboards. There are faster, more expandable ways.
I found that my Roland A800-pro gets somehow less latecy when runnnnig with Steinberg HALion Sonic SE3 via USB B than when running via the old MIDI DIN cable.
I thought only USB3 would be faster, but to my surprise 2ms latency is pretty good. I stpped being prejudiced about no DIN connection ever since.
One point not mentioned in this benchmark between the FP30X and -60X is the weight, which is equivalent to a small stage monitor combo amp that is 3x more powerful than the FP-60 speaker system.
You helped me choose FP-30 for home studio recordings and gigs. Thank you , sir.
Roland fp90x review?
What is 100 types of touch sensitivity on fp-60 ?
Is it important for a pianist ?
I think it's how many different sensitivity settings it can have. That means you can adjust between 1 and 100, i.e. fine tuning.
I have some old roland piano. It has something like 7 or 8 touch sensitivity zones. I can literally count them.
That means I can't play quiet notes. As you press slightly nothing happens. You press a bit stronger but nothing happens. Then you go even stronger and the sound comes out.
Basically 7 or 8 different volumes of sound.
It suks ass.
This thing has 100. I can't even imagine how good it feels playing something like this.
good video
Thank you kindly! :)
Do these support Piano Partner 2 ????!
Does the FP-30x have all of the GM2 sounds available from the app (or via MIDI playback)?
On roland’s website they have mentioned that on the FP-60X there is a 3D Ambience feature for Headphone output and that is not available on the FP-30X. Did you notice anything significant when it comes to headphone output on these?
Good question
I also want to know this
I wish Roland put all of the tones in the FP 30. That’s the main reason I’m buying FP 60. Sometimes I like to play with other sounds. It would’ve been so easy to just include GM on both models.
The FP60X is an excellent piano! I am confident you will be very happy with what it offers. It has an extensive list of features of instrument sounds too. :)
29:57 KAWAI APPS - LOL :)
I hate Roland for such difficult choice and for they never describe technical model differences.... so Thank you for your reviews and opinion.
Is there a significant difference between Fp10 and 30x in terms of how they sound, without additional features?
Yea
Hi! Does the FP 10 also have a built-in audio interface like these two models? Thanks
Hi! Thanks for the question! The FP10 does not have an audio interface like the FP30X, FP60X, and FP90X models.
Interesting how a cheap keyboard like the Korg b2 has a usb audio interface and many new ones like the Kawai es120 don’t. Seems an essential feature. I love noire piano and pianoteq sounds oh and pure piano!
I would say that the vast majority of players/customers out there in this particular category are not using the instruments in conjunction with VSTs. With that said, there are a lot of amazing VSTs out there to explore. :)
The Roland FP-60X surpasses the FP-30X in headphones because of:
1. **Advanced Sound Engine**: Provides more authentic and dynamic sound.
2. **More Adjustment Options**: Better effects and reverb.
3. **More Powerful Amplification**: Delivers clearer and more powerful sound.
4. **Higher Polyphony**: Handles complex soundscapes better.
5. **Better Headphone Outputs**: Produces clear and powerful sound without distortion.
These factors contribute to a richer and more nuanced listening experience with the FP-60X.
These are all very good points! Thanks so much for sharing! :)
@@MerriamPianos , do you disagree on a practical level now, or what is your take on my points here? I would love to hear what you think of each point as I can't choose myself yet, but from reading about them this is what I saw directly to stand out, at least on the paper....
One question: speakers from below is bad? Upper speakers is better?
It isn't necessarily the case that bottom facing speakers are bad. They can sound quite good in some cases. However, top facing speakers generally offer more articulation and clarity.
@@MerriamPianos Do the speakers on top give a sharper sound? Do the speakers from below sound softer and more voluminous?
I see this video is now two years old. Technology changes quick and manufacturers usually have something new on the drawing board by the time a product is released. Within the same general price range of the 60X , is there something else I should look at?
I believe the pandemic did slow some of the RND initiatives of several major manufacturers. Correspondingly, new generation replacement models have been a bit slower to arrive. The FP30X and FP60X still hold up as excellent portable digital piano options. With that said, if you're looking at the FP60X, you may also want to explore the Roland FP-E50. The speaker system is not quite as good, but the feature offering is immense and it comes in a little cheaper than the FP60X.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks for the info. As prices are generally the same between you and your competition, I'll be sure to make a trip into T.O.
Stu, tell me please : are you improvising ? 😯😉
Does water run off a duck's back?
30x is best value for money
It all depends on what you want. I think the Yamaha DGX offers the most bang for the buck.
Depends how you look at things. The 60x is $400 less than the Yamaha p515 with comparable features and some more than the 515 also.
@@JoeLinux2000 If you want a cheap piano action and no stereo outputs and connectivity, go for it!
You are right! The 30x is the best value for the money. It smoke the Yamaha P 125 and you can add more sounds to the 30x via the app and be pretty close to the 60x.
@@joewger My thinking is that with all the automation, you don't need a Chopin worthy action. I'd like to know more about any automation on the 60x.
Just for clarification, when you say, "they both come with stands," you mean the option for a matching stand to purchase separately or they "come with" a matching stand included in the price of the keyboard of choice?
Stu, how about a bio video on your journey?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! We have had a few requests to cover this in a video. It will definitely be a point of further discussion with our production team. I think it would be awesome to explore Stu's musical journey in a mini biography video. :)
Hi stu. Always captivating with your videos. I'm asking if added small amplified monitor under 100€ make any difference. Just asking for my fp10 - it seem to be the same with fp30x - in order to have a less flat and metalic sound when I want to play loud. Don't speak about Adam's monitor off course... 😉
Thinking about something like mackie cr4x for example....
You can adjust the piano sounds using Piano Designer app. Should work with FP10.
@@jodybiztube Yes, already done, but, it's really the speaker the problem. Because the sound on headphone is fine to me, but clearly different on internal speaker of the FP10. But it's entry-level, so, I don't have to complain.... ;)
Upon listening to the rest of this comparison, I’m disappointed with the My Stage settings as it doesn’t appear to be as well done as other keyboards from competitors.