The Roland FP-30 is a versatile budget buy that doesn't have the oomph of some of Roland's higher end models, but it's still an impressive digital piano. It runs on the SuperNATURAL sound engine and comes equipped with a trim package of 35 onboard instrument sounds. Roland HP-605 Digital Piano. Contemporary Black. Polished Ebony. Contemporary White.
Best Roland Digital Piano & Best Roland Synthesizer
If you are looking for a great piano option for the music lover in your life, you may be trying to figure out some of the best options that you can choose from. Among the options that you can choose from are the Roland Digital Pianos. This company offers a wide variety of options for music lovers of all skill levels and interests. Roland Digital Pianos are among the best on the market, so you will be pleased with whichever option you get.
What are the Best Roland Digital Piano/Synthesizer to Buy?
- Highly Rated
- 88 Keys
- Lightweight
- Professional
- Great Value for the Money
- Natural Sound
- Bluetooth - Turn Sheet Music Pages Wirelessly
Whenever you are looking for pianos, there are a lot of things that you will need to consider. The first thing is your budget. Digital pianos can come in a wide range of prices, so you do need to consider that when you are looking at pianos. Another thing that you need to consider is the skill level of the person you are buying it for (including yourself).
For more skilled pianists, there are advanced features that can be found in other pianos. For a beginner, you will want something that is easier to use. This is something that you will also want to factor in when deciding on how much to spend on the piano.
There is also the type of music that you will be using it for. A synthesizer is for someone who wants additional effects to improve their music especially if they like to create something with an electric feel to it. If you want a more traditional sound, this will require a different type of music. You also need to consider if you want something where you can use music files or record them when you are playing. This will also require a specific style of the digital piano to accomplish.
10 Best Roland Digital Piano and Synthesizer Reviews
You really need to do your research to ensure that you buy the right digital piano for your (or your loved ones) individual needs. There are so many different options on the market that can be overwhelming for you to choose from, especially if you do not do your research before you start looking. Consider what your needs and wants are, then move forward from there.
For both mobility and excellent features, this model is a choice to consider. There are a lot of sound features that users can find with this option, including the grand piano and electric piano sounds.
You will also find a great deal of synth options, which range from those vintage classics that have proven timeless to more modern options that give a new edge to the music. There is also an onboard looper, along with a huge selection of rhythm and drum sounds in its library.
On this keyboard, one of the great features is the real-time controls that allow you to tweak your music as you go while you are performing live. It also has surprisingly good sounds to it, especially with the horn and drum sounds. No matter what genre of music you prefer to play, this keyboard can help you achieve the sound that you want.
It has an amazing sound quality to it and it is an incredibly lightweight option so that you can take it with you wherever you need to go. Lastly, this keyboard is very user-friendly so people of all skill levels will be able to use this without too much of a hassle.
Seasoned professionals that want a keyboard that offers all of the enhanced features and pro sounds should look at this one as an option. There are so many different sound options that you can find with this keyboard including electric piano, various organs, acoustic piano, and many other sounds that you will need on stage when you are performing.
If the sound options are not enough for you, there is an expansion slot where you can download more options from the company’s website. This is an excellent synthesizer that is portable for all of those performers who are constantly on the go.
One thing that people look for in a digital piano, especially a performer, is versatility. The ability to play a variety of different music can be essential to a musician. This keyboard also has a lot of mobility to it so you can take it to all of your performances and practices without much of a hassle.
It also has a great feel to it when it comes to the keys, which is very important to any pianist. You will find that this is an incredibly easy to use synthesizer, which can be excellent if you are a newer pianist.
For the techie musician, this is a great choice. It looks and can sound like a regular piano, with tones that resemble a grand piano. There are over 72 different rhythm styles that users can enjoy, including 6 pianist styles for a more classical sound. You will also notice that there are over 300 additional tones for strings, electric pianos, synths, guitars, and a wide array of other sounds to create some pretty amazing music.
What really makes this stand out for the tech lover is that you can connect your tablet or smartphone to it through its Bluetooth features so that you can turn the sheet music pages completely wirelessly.
The quality of this keyboard is fantastic and it is very easy for anyone to assemble. This is a great stationary keyboard for musicians of all skill levels. It is easy to use and has surprisingly good sound quality, almost as good as an acoustic piano that most musicians tend to favour.
There are so many features of this keyboard that you will find the creative freedom you seek when making music with this digital keyboard. The only issue with this keyboard is that it is a stationary one meant to keep in one place rather than to travel with you.
With this choice, you are going to get a professional keyboard with a ton of features. There are well over 1100 sounds to choose from, including modern synth options and more vintage sounds. You can also select a variety of different sounds for pianos that make performing live pretty great.
This is a choice that offers versatility, which is perfect for the musician who wants to be able to maximize their creativity. The vintage feel and quality sound really make this piano stand out. Performers will also love how portable this is, making it easy to take with them for gigs or practices.
As far as performing live goes, you can very easily layer the music and create live sets. It can be a bit complicated to use at first but as you work with it, you will quickly catch on. The wide variety of samples that you can use with this keyboard that can allow for creativity and versatility when playing especially live.
This high-end keyboard is also an excellent choice for in-studio sessions. Overall, this specific keyboard can be an excellent choice for a seasoned professional that expects a little bit more out of their digital piano.
The best feature of this keyboard is the fact that it is so compact and lightweight. The portability of this keyboard makes it an ideal option for the musician on the go. It feels like a weighted keyboard, which gives the musician a great feeling when they are playing.
Pianists look for the right feeling in their keyboard, something that this can offer. Another excellent feature is that will interest users is that this easily has one of the best MIDI controllers on the market.
The software that comes with this keyboard only adds to the excellence that comes in this compact little package. The sound module is the particularly stellar quality of this keyboard. You have plenty of options for most of your needs, though you may not get as much of a selection as you would hope.
The software that comes bundled in with this keyboard does an excellent job at replicating the sound of an analogue piano. There are plenty of easy to access knobs and switches, making playing a seamless and effortless task for you as a musician. With this keyboard, you are going to get a top of the line feel in a compact and lightweight little keyboard.
One of the great features of this keyboard is the ability to record as you go. If you are looking to record song ideas on the fly, this keyboard can help you to accomplish this goal. You will also notice that it has some incredible features for if you are going to perform live somewhere, including updated sounds that sound amazing when performing.
There are also expansion slots, where you are able to download new waveforms directly from the company website. If you are looking for an excellent synthesizer, this is a great choice for you.
The sound quality of this keyboard is quite outstanding. Users can take music from their USB drive to enjoy a more customizable sound that will help your music to stand out and give you more options for creativity. Not only is the sound quality amazing, but you will also get fantastic quality from the recordings that you make.
It is lightweight and portable, something that is especially useful if you are going to be travelling a lot with this keyboard. There are so many great things about this keyboard, including the capabilities to really customize your music and make it your own through the array of parameter adjustments.
Here you will find a portable option that packs a lot of punch. This is an excellent keyboard that can excel as both a stationary piano or as one that can travel with you wherever you need to go with it. It has the same feel and sound as an authentic piano.
One of the best things about this piano is that portability you can get with it. This keyboard is both lightweight and compact, making it easy for you to take it to gigs or practices while also being small enough to not take up too much space in a room.
Another great feature is the Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to connect your keyboard to your mobile devices. There are over 30 different sounds that you can use with this keyboard, which is not nearly as much as you can get with other options, but it is still a substantial amount if you do not want to spend a fortune on a keyboard.
It does have the ability to use a USB stick, so you can compensate for the lack of onboard sounds. Another issue with this particular option is that it may not have the best sound quality when compared to other options, but this can be attributed to the placement of the speakers.
At first glimpse, this digital piano may seem very basic. It has about 90 rhythm types, with each style having 2 variations. It is a classy option that has a truly authentic feel to it, something that a musician who wants the traditional piano feel on the go can appreciate.
Speaking of on the go, this keyboard is incredibly portable. It is both lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport wherever you need it. Part of the musician life is to be on the go, so performers are always looking for high-quality options that they are able to take with them.
This keyboard also excels at being a great option for the home since it can fit in rooms without taking up a lot of space. It may not be the best option if you want something for performing live, but it does have the portability for you to be able to take it to practices.
Musicians at any level, whether they are a beginner or a longtime player, will love this keyboard. It does not have a lot of features, but that makes it great for people who are just starting out that want something that is easy to use.
This is a perfect option for the beginner musician. Users will notice that this model has standard full-size keys with 61 notes. There are also additional sounds that users can take advantage of to really create something unique and incredible with their keyboard, including organs and electric piano sounds.
Users will also love that it has a Bluetooth audio and MIDI support, which allows it to be connected to your tablet or smartphone.It is a portable keyboard so that you can take it to your lessons or anywhere else that you want to travel with it. Besides, you get all of the tools that you need as a pianist that is just starting out.
Users love the sound quality that may not be expected in a beginner digital piano. This is also a great beginner keyboard because it is incredibly easy to use. When you hook up your mobile device, you can play along to the music so that you can learn all of your favourite songs on the piano. With this ability to hook up to mobile devices you can also get apps that help you learn how to play, making learning the piano an easier task for any beginner.
For a quality of sound that mimics the classical grand piano, this is a digital piano that gives you that really authentic piano sound. There are 12 tones that you can access onboard this keyboard, which gives you some flexibility when you are playing it.
It is a compact keyboard, making it perfect for users who want a bit of mobility out of their keyboard. You can fit this keyboard in any vehicle, making it especially convenient. One of the things that users are going to most appreciate about this keyboard is the natural feeling that is very similar to a classical piano.
Essentially, this model is a little grand piano that you can transport with you wherever you need it. You will love the vintage feeling of classic keyboards when using it, giving you the right amount of traction that your fingers need for optimal play.
The sound quality on this keyboard is just as amazing as the feeling of playing it. It especially shines if you are looking for a high-quality acoustic sound to it. For users that need to travel a lot with their keyboard but want a more natural piano sound, you may want to consider this option.
Choosing the Best Roland Digital Piano and Synthesizer
These are all great options for you to consider when you are looking for a digital piano. Each of these options offers something different for every musician. This guide aims to help you decide which of these specific pianos is going to meet your individual needs as a musician.
Take a close look at all of the features and benefits so that you can fully understand what each of these has to offer so that you can make an informed decision as to which is the best for you.
- Highly Rated
- 88 Keys
- Lightweight
- Professional
- Great Value for the Money
- Natural Sound
- Bluetooth - Turn Sheet Music Pages Wirelessly
You will need to have a plan of what you are looking for in a piano and how much you are willing to spend because these are important factors in deciding which piano is the best choice. Digital pianos are a worthwhile investment for all of your music needs, but you want to make sure that you invest in the perfect choice.
(Redirected from Digital pianos)
A typical digital piano
A digital piano is a type of electronic keyboard designed to serve primarily as an alternative to the traditional piano, both in the way it feels to play and in the sound produced. It is intended to provide an accurate simulation of an acoustic piano. Some digital pianos are also designed to look like an ordinary piano, both the upright or grand piano. Digital pianos use either a synthesized emulation or samples of an actual piano, which are then amplified through an internal loudspeaker. Digital pianos incorporate weighted keys, which recreate the feel of an acoustic piano.
While digital pianos may sometimes fall short of a real piano in feel and sound, they nevertheless have other advantages over acoustic pianos. Digital pianos cost much less than an acoustic piano and most models are much smaller and lighter in weight than an acoustic piano. In addition, digital pianos do not need to be tuned, and their tuning can be modified to match the tuning of another instrument (e.g., a pipe organ). Like other electronic musical instruments, digital pianos can be connected to a keyboard amplifier or a PA system to produce a sound loud enough for a large venue. Some digital pianos can also emulate other sounds besides the piano, the most common ones being pipe organ, electric piano, Hammond organ, and harpsichord. Digital pianos are often used in music schools and music studios to replace traditional instruments.[1]
- 1Features
- 2Construction and components
Features[edit]
The following is a list of features that typify the digital piano:
- Sound level/volume knobs, headphone outputs.
- Typically low maintenance, unlike acoustic pianos.
- Many incorporate a MIDI implementation.
- May have features to assist in learning and composition.
- They often have a transposition feature.
- They do not require the use of microphones.
- Are often easily portable.
- Depending on the individual features of each digital piano, they may include many more instrument sounds other than regular piano samples. Many less expensive or average-priced digital pianos often include basic instruments such as string ensemble, electric piano, organs, harpsichord, guitar, and vibraphone, while a more expensive and advanced digital pianos may have a wider range of instruments such as synthesized sounds, wind instruments, traditional instruments, violins, drums, percussion, and a variety of effects, similar to that of a typical digital keyboard or synthesizer. Some digital pianos may also have a complete set of General MIDI implementation, in addition to the aforementioned basic sounds.
- Typically feature 88 weighted keys to mimic the feel of a traditional piano, thus earning the term weighted keyboard.[2]
- In addition, most digital pianos often incorporate a simulated key weight mechanism in which the lower notes feel heavier than the higher notes, vaguely replicating the feel of an actual piano.
Sounds[edit]
Minuet in F Major, BWV Anh. 113, by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, played with a digital piano
In most implementations, a digital piano produces a variety of piano timbres and usually other sounds as well. For example, a digital piano may have settings for a concert grand piano, an upright piano, a tack piano, and various electric pianos such as the Fender Rhodes, the Wurlitzer, and the DX electric piano. Some digital pianos incorporate other basic 'synthesizer' sounds such as string ensemble, for example, and offer settings to combine them with piano.
In general, the sounds produced by a digital piano are based on sampling, by which real piano sound samples are stored in ROM. The samples stored in digital pianos are usually of very precision recording and made using high-quality pianos, expensive microphones, and high-quality preamps in a professional recording studio.[3] ROM may include multiple samples for the same keystroke, attempting to reproduce diversity observed on the real piano, but the number of these recorded alternatives is limited.
Sample-based digital pianos do have limitations on the faithfulness with which they reproduce the sound of an acoustic piano. These might include the lack of implementation of harmonic tones that result when certain combinations of notes are sounded, limited polyphony, and a lack of natural reverberation when the instrument is played percussively. They often lack the incidental acoustic noises associated with piano playing, such as the sounds of pedals being depressed and the associated machinery shifting within the piano, which some actually consider a benefit. These limitations apply to most acoustic instruments and their sampled counterparts, the difference often being described as 'visceral'. On an acoustic piano, the sustain pedal lifts the dampers for all strings, allowing them to resonate naturally with the notes played. Digital pianos all have a similar pedal switch to hold notes in suspension, but only high-end models can reproduce the sympathetic resonance effect.
Also, because piano sound samples are taken for only a limited number of intensity levels, digital pianos usually lack the continuous timbral changes that characterize real acoustic pianos.
Earlier digital pianos, such as those produced in the 1990s, often had its polyphony limited to only 32 or 64 notes, and its sampling system were comparable to standard home keyboards.
Some digital piano implementations, like Roland V-Piano[3], Yamaha MODUS, Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid, and the software-based Pianoteq,[4] use mathematical models based on real pianos to generate sound, which brings the ability to generate sounds that vary more freely depending on how the keys have been struck, in addition to allow a more realistic implementation of the distinctive resonances and acoustical noises of real pianos.
However, with the technological advances, recent digital pianos are mostly capable of recreating string resonances, reverberations and other acoustical effects via digital signal processing (DSP) and modeling technology. One example is the Casio Privia, which is able to generate such acoustical effects by means of a simple DSP, which is far less complex than physical modeling.
Other[edit]
Most digital pianos implement a variety of features not found on a traditional piano.
Digital pianos usually offer a MIDI connection, allowing them to control or be controlled by other electronic instruments and sequencers. They may also have an external storage slot to save and load MIDI data, which the piano can play automatically, allowing it to function as a player piano.
Some have a built-in sequencer to aid in composition.
They may have illuminated keys so that a beginner can learn a piece by playing keys that are lit.
Some can transpose music as it is played, allowing the pianist to play in a familiar key while the piano renders it in another.
An acoustic piano produces reverberation in its soundboard and in the room where it is played. Digital pianos often have a feature to electronically simulate reverberation as well. Other digital pianos may have additional reverberation options such as a 'stage simulation.' Some also have chorus, tremolo, and phaser effects, all of which are generated by digital signal processing.
Some offer additional sounds; common ones are string instruments, harpsichord, organ, clavichord, and electric piano.[5]
A more expensive and advanced digital pianos often share similar characteristics to electronic keyboards, which encompasses a more diverse range of sounds. A digital piano that offers a wide variety of instrument sounds is generally called an ensemble digital piano, or just ensemble piano.
Digital pianos typically use analog sensors for its keyboard action, as opposed to digital sensors of a regular keyboard and synthesizer. These sensors notably work in a similar way to those used in analog joysticks found on video game controllers, in which they the velocity input is converted from the key movement as well, not just the initial pressure of the key sensor.
Since the inception of the MIDI interface standard in the early 1980s, most digital pianos can be connected to a computer. With appropriate software, the computer can handle sound generation, mixing of tracks, music notation, musical instruction, and other music composition tasks.[6]
Construction and components[edit]
The physical form of a digital piano can vary considerably, with a keyboard like the one constant feature.
Form factors[edit]
Yamaha P-140S
Traditional type[edit]
Traditional digital pianos vaguely resemble an electronic organ or a spinet harpsichord but usually lacking a fully enclosed lower section, while some models are based on the casework of traditional upright pianos with a fully enclosed bottom part and pedals that look like actual piano pedals. An opposite and recent trend is to produce an instrument which has a unique and distinctive appearance, unobtainable with a conventional instrument. Yamaha, Kawai and Casio makes a model which is designed to stand against a wall and is far shallower from keyboard to back than any possible upright design, as well as shorter height.
Traditional digital pianos, due to their form, offer less portability than the other types, and are mainly designed for use in a single place (e.g. home or studio), and are not intended for mobility such as on stage or for live performance.
Upright type[edit]
These are a sub-type of traditional digital pianos that offers a more classical design which closely resembles an acoustic upright piano. Upright digital pianos are mainly intended for home use and is usually more expensive than the other types. Some models, especially the higher-end ones, often feature actual wooden keys as opposed to regular plastic keybed.
Grand type[edit]
An uncommon form of digital piano that resemble a grand piano, usually with a more precision keyboard action and high-quality sound system built into the unit's cabinet in a similar manner as the strings on a grand piano. These pianos are mostly high-end novelty models offered by only small number of manufacturers, and often has higher prices than an average acoustic piano.
Stage piano[edit]
Another common form is the stage piano, designed for use with live performances, professional audio, or in a recording studio. This type of digital piano normally makes no attempt to imitate the physical appearance of an acoustic piano, rather resembling a generic synthesizer or music workstation. A distinguishing feature of most stage pianos is a lack of internal loudspeakers and amplification - it is normally assumed that a powerful keyboard amplifier or PA system will be used. However, some stage pianos are equipped with powered speakers.
Portable type[edit]
Yet another form is the portable digital piano which is what appear to be combining the capabilities of stage pianos, but with additional features similar to a conventional digital keyboard. These digital pianos are mostly designed for various purposes such as home, studio, classroom, stage or personal use. It is similar in form to a stage piano, but much lighter in weight, and having a more compact size. Unlike stage pianos, portable digital pianos were commonly equipped with built-in amplification and loudspeakers, usually has lower cost than other types, and its sound quality was often comparable or similar to that of a regular digital keyboards due to a simpler sound synthesis system, though some models, still utilize a similar sound engine as the more advanced model lineups of the same manufacturer.
Most portable digital pianos could be freely fitted in a regular keyboard stand like a stage piano, while some types also come equipped with a dedicated matching stand which, when assembled, will have a slight resemblance to a console digital piano.
Portable digital pianos, for the sake of lower production cost, were often equipped with a less complex system for the weighted keys. As a result, the feel of the keys is usually much less realistic than other digital pianos. However, it still retain the emulated weight mechanism (lower keys are heavier than higher ones), though not as precise as more expensive pianos. However, certain models include synthetic ivory-like keys as opposed to standard plastic keys.
Hybrid type[edit]
Hybrids are a type of high-performance digital pianos that incorporates actual piano action and high-quality modeled samples of an acoustic piano.
Piano module[edit]
There are also digital piano modules, which are simply keyboardless sound modules chiefly containing piano samples. One early example of a digital piano module is the Roland MKS-20 Digital Piano.
Pianoteq is a software synthesizer which share some characteristics to a piano module.
Keyboard and pedals[edit]
Just like a traditional piano, a digital piano features a keyboard. A digital piano's keyboard is weighted to simulate the action of a traditional piano and is velocity sensitive so that the volume of the sounds depends on how hard the keys are pressed.[7] Many instruments now have a complex action incorporating actual hammers in order to better simulate the touch of a grand piano.[8]
Many digital pianos, especially those that resemble an acoustic piano, have built-in pedals that function much as those on an acoustic piano.
In addition, commercially available pedal switch that is commonly used for regular keyboards can also be used, especially on portable models.
Manufacturers[edit]
Manufacturers continue to develop technology for both sound and feel covering a wide range of quality and cost. Well-known manufacturers of digital pianos include Casio, Clavia, Kawai, Korg, Kurzweil, Orla [it], Roland, Dexibell, and Yamaha.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Stuart Isacoff (2012). A Natural History of the Piano: The Instrument, the Music, the Musicians--from Mozart to Modern Jazz and Everything in Between. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN9780307279330.
- ^'PianoReport | The Authority in Digital Pianos and Keyboards'. pianoreport.com. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
- ^ ab'Roland V-Piano'. Soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
- ^UK, Roland. 'Digital pianos FAQ - Digital Pianos | Roland'. www.roland.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
- ^'Beyond the Acoustic Piano'. Digital Piano Basics, Part 2. Acoustic & Digital Piano Buyer. Spring 2012. p. 128. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^Taylor, Ben (23 Jan 2014). 'The Definitive Guide to Digital Pianos'. Time. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
- ^'Digital Piano vs Keyboard – What's the Difference?'. Digital Piano Lab. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
- ^'Behringer Eurogrand EG8080' Canadian Musician Jul/Aug2006, Vol. 28 Issue 4, p72. EBSCOhost: Academic Search Premier. Accessed December 16, 2007
- Love, Tom. 'Why a digital piano?'. Kawai. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
- The HUB (15 December 2014). 'Digital Piano Buying Guide'. Musician's Friend. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
External links[edit]
- BosendorferImperial.com - includes history of the 290SE (first reproducing computer controlled pianos developed in 1978), their modern CEUS system, with complete audio files of songs & images.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Digital_piano&oldid=901448610'