Roland’s FP series has enjoyed years of success, and its enduring popularity becomes clear the moment you sit at the flagship model and experience its captivating piano sound: Introducing the Roland FP-90X!
The acoustic piano tone of the Roland FP-90X sounds brilliant, clear, and warm through its built-in speaker system. It immediately impresses with its high-quality sound, and its feel matches that excellence.
I wouldn’t have expected anything less from the flagship model of the FP series. Accordingly, the quality that results from the combination of its various components becomes apparent the moment you start playing.
At first glance, not much seems to have changed compared to its predecessor, the FP-90. The layout remains identical, with the same buttons and sliders ensuring intuitive operation. I still find the modern design highly appealing—why change such high-quality craftsmanship? That said, the weight remains relatively high: At just under 24 kg, the FP-90X offers a little extra in this regard as well.
The real improvements lie in the sounds—especially the acoustic piano sound. It’s noticeably better; I’d even say that compared to its predecessor, the FP-90X achieves an almost three-dimensional simulation of a brilliant grand piano. The FP-90 already offered a great piano sound, but its successor takes it a step further with even higher resolution. Bravo!
Roland’s PureAcoustic Piano Modeling is the latest sound engine used exclusively for acoustic piano sounds. An evolution of SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling, it also powers Roland’s flagship LX Series digital pianos, delivering highly authentic and expressive tones.
I’m truly impressed with the depth and power of these sounds. The high-resolution dynamics and resonant sound response make playing an absolute joy. It easily holds its own among top-tier digital pianos while still delivering the bold, powerful sound expected from a stage piano. Even with intense playing, the Concert Grand remains clear, transparent, and never sounds boomy.
In addition, the FP-90X offers a range of distinctive tonal characteristics. The Stage Grand and Rock Piano presets deliver a bright, cutting tone with a wiry edge, while Concert Ballad and Concert Mellow shine in softer, more delicate passages. The Upright Piano is also remarkably well-crafted—often an afterthought in digital pianos, but here it stands out as a detailed, high-quality alternative. Like the Concert Grand, it’s available in bright and mellow variations. Overall, the FP-90X offers a well-curated selection of premium piano sounds.
The FP-90X does not disappoint in either sound selection or quality. The vintage electric pianos include several Fender Rhodes variations, ranging from mellow and warm to percussive and biting. You’ll also find FM pianos and classic sounds from Roland’s MKS-20 piano module from the 1980s. Essential modulation effects like chorus and phaser are also included—no complaints there!
Other vintage classics include the Wurlitzer electric piano and Clavinet, complete with a wah effect for that iconic funk sound. The organ, strings, and synth pads are also well stocked, providing a solid selection of ensemble and atmospheric sounds. This makes the FP-90X perfect for splits and layers, whether for accompaniment or soloing.
And then there are the GM (General MIDI) sounds, which are primarily designed for MIDI song playback. While these are mostly meant for backing tracks, Roland’s legendary sound library ensures you’ll find a few hidden gems among them.
The Roland FP-90X offers two sound generation methods. Most sounds, including digital pianos and additional instrument presets, are sample-based and powered by a robust 256-voice sound engine. In contrast, acoustic piano sounds are generated using PureAcoustic Piano Modeling, which allows for unlimited polyphony. This approach is similar to the SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling of its predecessor.
With so many controls, the Roland FP-90X is easy to navigate. Everything you need—especially for live performances—is right at your fingertips: sound selection, registration recall, a 3-band EQ, and individual volume controls for the upper and lower parts. For added convenience, you can even access advanced features through on-screen menus.
Using the Roland FP-90X becomes even more convenient when paired with Roland’s free Piano Remote app. It provides easy access to essential features such as the metronome, recorder, and sound selection/combination.
For those who want to fine-tune the acoustic piano sounds, the Piano Designer app is a must-have. Also free, it accesses some of the instrument’s features while providing a clearer overview of the numerous Piano Designer parameters. This makes detailed adjustments much easier, especially when editing individual notes.
Bluetooth is a convenient way to connect the FP-90X to apps. However, if you’re working with DAW software, audio interfaces, or piano and sound apps, the USB connection is the better choice. The advantage: the Roland FP-90X seamlessly integrates both audio and MIDI in parallel. This allows the iPad’s audio signal to be transmitted digitally to the piano’s sound system—ideal!
The Roland FP-90X offers everything you’d expect from a digital piano in this price range: metronome, dual and split modes, twin piano, transpose, touch sensitivity adjustment, MIDI functions, and registrations for saving all settings. You can also play back both MIDI and audio files, with a built-in recorder available for capturing performances.
For added convenience, the integrated player features a dedicated volume control for effortless fade-ins and fade-outs. Additionally, you can connect a microphone, with independent volume control and dedicated effects such as compressor, doubling, and echo.
Here’s a quick overview of the key differences:
FP-90 vs. FP-90X: Most features remain identical to the FP-90, but the major upgrade is the PureAcoustic Piano Modeling sound engine. This higher-resolution modeling noticeably enhances sound dynamics. The FP-90X’s piano sounds are not only more refined and balanced than its predecessor’s but also offer greater playability and tonal control.
FP-90X vs. FP-60X: While the FP-60X visually resembles the FP-90X, it is actually much closer to the smaller FP-30X in many ways, especially in terms of keyboard and sound generation.
Roland FP-90X vs. Yamaha P-515 vs. Kawai ES-920: These three models share similarities in concept and price. While Yamaha and Kawai use their own proprietary piano samples, the P-515 also features a beautiful Bösendorfer grand. All three pianos deliver high-quality, versatile sounds suitable for classical, rock, jazz, and pop. The Kawai ES-920 stands out for its lightweight design but lacks USB audio support.
The Roland FP-90X is a powerful and versatile instrument. While on the heavier side for a portable piano, it transforms into a modern home piano when paired with the optional stand and triple pedal. Its acoustic piano sounds shine across genres, from rock, pop, and jazz to classical music.
With its modern sound palette, the FP-90X is a solid choice for professional musicians. After all, its bold, dynamic piano tones, authentic electric pianos, and lush pads and synths are all ideal for live performances.
Thanks to USB audio, the FP-90X integrates seamlessly with computers or mobile devices is seamless—perfect for musicians who rely on external playback setups.
Release date: February 2021
Keyboard: PHA-50 with a wood/plastic hybrid structure, Ivory Feel, graded hammer action, and let-off simulation
Polyphony: Unlimited for piano sounds based on PureAcoustic Piano Modeling, 256-voice polyphony for all other sampled sounds
Piano apps: Roland Piano App; Piano Designer (iOS/Android, free)
Manufacturer/Distributor: Roland
Jörg Sunderkötter
A powerful (and commanding) instrument. It may be on the heavier side for a portable piano, but when paired with a stand and triple pedal, it becomes a formidable option as a home piano as well. Its sound library is decidedly modern, providing professional musicians with everything they need for live performances: robust and expressive piano sounds, cool electric pianos, and lush pad and synth sounds.
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