Roland FP-30X Digital Piano Review

Roland FP-30X is the replacement for the popular FP-30. The FP30X has a few noticeable improvements with updated technology.

The upgraded version keeps it competitive in today’s marketplace in the range of sub-thousand-dollar portable digital pianos.

This compact digital piano packs a ton of piano qualities into a slim design. That includes Roland’s signature Progressive Hammer Action 4 keyboard and its powerful SuperNATURAL sound engine.

Roland FP-30X Specifications

FP 30X Specifications
  • Keyboard: 88 keys, Progressive Hammer Action 4 (PHA-4) keyboard
  • Simulator: string resonance, damper resonance, key-off resonance
  • Touch Sensitivity: 5 levels,  and Fix
  • Sound: Roland’s SuperNATURAL piano sound
  • 256-note polyphony
  • Tones: 56 voices (12 pianos, 20 electric pianos, 24 others)
  • Build-in MIDI recorder: one track, approximately 70,000 notes
  • Mode: Dual (Layers), Duet (Twin), Split 
  • Onboard metronome
  • Speakers: 2 speakers 12cm x 2; 11Wx2 amplifiers
  • Connections: Headphones x 2, sustain pedal jack, USB-to-Host, USB-to-Device, Bluetooth Audio/MIDI, Line Out
  • Dimensions: 51 3/16″ x 11 3/16″ x 6″ (1300 mm x 284 mm x 151 mm)
  • Weight: 32.7 lbs (14.8 kg)
  • Release Date: February 2021
  • Full specs on Roland’s official site

Design

roland-fp-30x-design

The FP30X is a contemporary-looking portable digital piano with upgraded technology. It features nicely illuminated buttons that are straightforward to use.

The dimensions are 51.2″ wide, 11.2″ deep, and 6″ high so that it can fit tight spaces. You can even put it on a table without a problem.

To change the settings, you simply press one key when holding a particular button. When it comes to controls, the FP-30X doesn’t offer anything unique compared to the previous model.

To select different voices, you hold down the appropriate category and press one of the lowest keys. The Roland FP-30X Owner’s Manual lists the sound keys.

The FP30X is available in both black and white colors.

Pedal

roland fp30x pedal options

One thing I would recommend upgrading is the sustain pedal. The pedal that comes with your piano is a small plastic footswitch. I would suggest that you upgrade it to a proper metal piano pedal.

The little plastic footswitch tends to move around when you are using it. In contrast, a solid metal pedal with a heavy plastic base will stay in place. It also gives you a more similar feel to an acoustic piano.

In case you purchase the optional Roland keyboard stand, you may also acquire the tri-pedal board that fits Roland’s keyboard stand options.

Sound Engine of Roland FP-30X

digital piano with grand piano sound

The sound of FP-30X is bright and rich. It features Roland’s impressive SuperNATURAL grand piano sound engine. You have a good, even sound across the keyboard.

The FP30X recreates fine details of piano sound with damper, string, and key-off resonance options.

With its powerful onboard speakers, the FP-30X delivers impressive sound.

Polyphony

One major improvement from FP30 is the polyphony. The Roland FP-30X has 256 notes of polyphony vs. the previous 128 notes. This means that you can have a maximum of 256 notes played simultaneously.

For instance, when you are playing with layered two voices together and have the sustained pedal held down, you will not have notes cutting off.

Build-in Tones

The Roland FP-30X has a total of 56 different instrument sounds for you to choose from. It is a large step up from the previous model, FP-30, with 35 voices.

  • 12 pianos
  • 20 electric pianos
  • 24 other voices

Besides the signature SuperNATURAL concert grand sound, there are several variations of the grand piano voices. They will suit different styles of music, from mellow classics to bright rock and pop.

The electric piano voices offer a wide range of options from the 70s classic electric keyboard sound to jazz and church organs.

When you apply the ambiance effect with the church organ, your play will give an illusion of a large cathedral organ reverberation effect.

Speakers

Roland FP30X delivers a rich, natural sound. It’s powerful to play at home and in small performances. The output of this model is 2 X 11W. This is higher compared to other models with 2X 8W. The dynamic range is better for folks who want to be expressive when playing the instrument.

You can pair it with high-quality headphones for a more accurate sound. This means that you can practice in silence without bothering other people.

Keyboard Action

roland-fp-30x-keyboard

When you choose a digital piano, the keyboard action is another important aspect. The FP-30X is equipped with Roland’s PHA-4 (Progressive Hammer Action 4) keyboard. It is probably the best you can get in its price range.

The simulation of an acoustic grand piano double escapement sets this keyboard apart.

The piano features an 88-key weighted keyboard with an ivory feel. The keys are heavier in the bass section and lighter on the top.

Another unique thing about PHA-4 is the signature 3-sensor key detection system. It gives a precise playing experience and is more realistic.

Touch-sensitive

The black and white keys are touch-sensitive – the more you strike, the louder the sound. Even better, you can adjust the sensitivity to suit your playing needs.

While most pianos have 3 sensitive keys, this model has 5 plus the FIX option. You can choose

  • light
  • super light
  • medium
  • heavy
  • super heavy
  • fix

Among all the settings, the super heavy offers the most dynamic variation. You can play with expressiveness by choosing variations like fortissimo and pianissimo.

If you want to produce the loudest sound, you may want to choose the LIGHT or SUPER LIGHT setting.

Once you select the FIX setting, the volume remains the same. Of course, the reliable hammer mechanism provides the feel of an acoustic piano.

Modes

The FP-30X has three modes so that you can play the instrument by layering, splitting, or twin piano mode.

Dual (Layers) Mode

It offers two layers of different adjustable sounds. This means that every note you play will actually have two voices.

Dual Mode keyboard

The Roland FP-30X has 56 different voices, and you can layer any two voices together to many phenomenal sound combinations. When you layering the Symphonic Strings with Concert Piano, you get an orchestral performance.

Split Mode

The FP-30X allows you to split the keyboard into two segments and assign different tones. This allows you to play two different voices simultaneously; each hand plays a voice.

split mode keyboard

Duet (Twin Piano) Mode

It divides the piano into two sections. This is the best option for student/teacher experience.

duet mode

By employing the octave shift function, the duet mode can have two sections with two middle C and octave ranges. For instance, a teacher can play tunes on the left side of the keyboard as the student follows on the right side.

Recording and Playback

The FP 30X comes with one track built-in MIDI Recorder. It is an especially useful feature to track your practice or performance.

When we learned to play piano, we were usually told to practice each hand separately. This recording function will allow you to record your left hand first, then playback it while you are practicing your right hand or vice versa.

Connectivity of Roland FP-30X

roland-fp-30x-connectivity

Roland FP-30x comes with some useful connections and a few upgrades from the previous model FP-30.

Bluetooth MIDI & Bluetooth Audio

Another important improvement is that FP 30X has both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, while the prior model, FP30, only had Bluetooth MIDI.

The Bluetooth Audio empowers you to stream songs or music from any of your mobile devices through the piano’s speaker system.

On the other hand, Bluetooth MIDI allows data exchange between your piano and your mobile device.

There are lots of third-party apps available. However, Roland provides a free app that is compatible with FP30X. It is the Piano Every Day app available for Android and iOS devices.

Dedicated Line Out

roland fp30x lineout

The FP30X has quarter-inch jacks for audio output. You can use them to connect to externally powered speakers or an audio recording interface to record into your computer.

This is a nice feature because it is independent of your headphone jack.

Standard Stereo Jacks

The left side of the keyboard has two headphone jacks:

  • a stereo mini jack (0.14″)
  • a standard stereo 1/4″ jack

The headphone jacks are a great option for two people to listen to music from the instrument at the same time.

USB-to-Device (USB Memory)

roland fp-30x usb connectors

It can be used to plug a flash drive. It allows you to save the recorded songs to your USB Flash Drive or play songs back from it.

USB-to-Host (USB Computer)

This is a USB Type-B port that connects the piano to a computer. You use various apps for music learning, producing, editing, and enjoying your music.

Roland’s Piano Every Day App

The FP-30X is compatible with the Piano Every Day app. It could make your practice a little more fun. It tracks your daily practice and activities.

The app connects to Sheet Music Direct which is the world’s largest collection of online sheet music. You’ll have access to over 70,000 music scores, though you do have to pay a subscription or purchase and download your favorites.

One of the nice features is that the Piano Every Day app gives you the music for the tunes that are built into the piano itself.

Another function we really love is the drum rhythms. For different styles of music, you can use different drum rhythms instead of the built-in metronome. It is much more fun and makes your playing more entertaining. Basically, it is like you carry a small band with you.

Metronome

metronome

The FP30X model features some buttons for turning the metronome. You can change the number of beats and tempo. T

his can be helpful for beginners and even intermediate players to control their beat and tempo.

Music Rest

Roland FP30X includes a detachable music rest. It provides convenience for transportation. On the other hand, it is very easy to insert into a slot on the top of the piano.

Stand Options

roland fp-30x-stands

While the FP-30X is highly portable, Roland does make an optional wooden furniture stand and a triple pedal board as well. If you are considering the FP-30X for home use, it is worth checking out the stand.

For a more portable option, a foldable X-style will work nicely for easy transportation.

However, in many cases, a piano stand does not come with your FP30X purchase. You’ll have to choose the stand style and color and purchase it separately.

If you have an FP-30X White or Blank piano, you can get a color-matching stand.

Roland FP-30X vs Yamaha P125

While both models will give a wow impression, there are a few differences. These two models have been head-to-head competitors for decades (starting from FP-30), in the portable affordable digital piano range.

When you consider both instruments, there really isn’t a bad choice between them. It is truly about what is the best fit for your needs and lifestyle.

Sound

Looking at the sound, the Yamaha P125 has an awesome treble definition, while the Roland FP-30X has a really good low and mid-range presence but a little miss from the high end.

In terms of the tones, this is one of the big differences between the two. FP-30X has 56 onboard voices vs. 24 on P125. When you connect FP30X with the Piano Every Day app, you can have access to 300 plus tones.

Keyboard

The FP-30X features Roland’s standard PHA-4 action. It has escapement, a triple sensor, and nice firm return pressure. It has a slight texture on both white and black keys to provide an ivory feel and prevent finger slipping.

The Roland Fp-30X keyboard has the best action in the price range.

The P125 uses Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action with a dual sensor and no escapement. However, you probably will not even notice the escapement unless you play some really quiet and soft music.

Connectivity

Both instruments are very similar in terms of connectivity, such as USB Audio and dedicated line out.

One big difference is that the Yamaha P125 does not have Bluetooth wireless features. The P125 and computer connection need to be wired.

In contrast, the Roland FP-30X has Bluetooth Audio and MIDI capabilities.

For an in-depth comparison, review the Roland FP-30X vs Yamaha P125 article.

Roland FP-30X Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
256-note polyphony No LCD screen for function controls; rely more on the app for selections.
Roland SuperNATURAL sound engine Default small pedal footswitch
Compact & slim design – good mobility  
56 onboard voices  
Bluetooth Audio and MIDI  
Dedicated audio output for externally powered speakers  
Compatible with Roland’s Piano Every Day app  
At an affordable price point for a high-quality instrument  

Roland FP-30X Review and Our Verdict

4.7 out of 5.0

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

This upgraded FP-30X is really catching up with the Yamaha P125. It is an enjoyment to play. The top-notch Progressive Hammer Action 4 keyboard, expressive concert grand sound, and its Bluetooth Audio/Midi make this FP-30X stand out.

Roland FP-30X comes with an improved speaker system, better connectivity, more voices, and an integrated Piano Every Day app.

It is very portable, and you may also purchase the optional stand for home use. It is still very easy to take off the stand.

In summary, the Roland FP-30X digital piano is in a sweet spot in terms of its price and functionality:

  • The budget-friendly price point will be welcomed by beginners, home users, or hobbyists
  • Enough functions will meet the needs of heavy gigging professional users

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