Product Review: Roland FP-30X – Portable Piano

It’s always nice to see good things become even better. This is definitely true for the Roland FP-30X. As with the predecessor model FP-30, you get a lot of good features for a reasonable price. While the minimalistic operating concept unfortunately remains, especially the sounds and polyphony performance have been improved.

At first glance, those who know the FP-30 might see not much of a change. In fact, many of the specifications read the same. This applies to the PHA-4 standard keyboard, for example – however: Why improve something that is already unbeatably good in its price range? But let’s take a closer look at the details as there are some essential innovations.

Great playing feel at a low price

This “feature” doesn’t even apply to the FP-30X alone, because the FP-30X has inherited the PHA-4 standard hammer action keyboard from the more expensive FP-90X model. Roland even turned the smallest model in the FP series, the FP-10, into a beginner’s piano that offers the best playability in the price range below 500 euros.

Why does the “PHA-4 Standard” keyboard play so well?

The graded weighting of the Graded Hammer action plays very balanced, with the keys giving a nice response. In addition, the keys are slightly rough thanks to Ivory Feel coatings, which is pleasant to the touch when playing. Furthermore, it features a let-off mechanism as well.

Otherwise, the same applies here as in the predecessor model: Good control of velocity and keystroke, no bouncing or rattling when releasing the keys. All in all, this is sensationally good in the entry-level segment.

Higher polyphony

Compared to the predecessor FP-30, there is a great improvement here: the polyphony now offers double as many voices, 256 to be exact, and there is a significant increase in sounds as well. The specifications on the manufacturer’s website are somewhat incomplete or contradictory in this regard. There is talk of 12 piano sounds, 20 electric pianos and 24 others. However, the Roland FP-30X has many more sounds, including drum kits and GM sounds for playing MIDI songs via the USB port.

You can use the keyboard to switch between sounds – additionally, certain keys let you operate the most important functions. The “Every Day Piano” app, which Roland offers free of charge for iOS and Android devices, makes this way more comfortable.

Good acoustic pianos in the Roland FP-30X

Roland’s SuperNATURAL piano technology produces the acoustic piano sounds. There are several versions of a grand piano, which at times plays openly and directly, but can also sound soft. In any case, it is a great concert grand piano with brilliant sound character and a lively finish.

The Roland FP-30X also offers an upright piano in several variants. It extends the tonal possibilities of the portable piano with a nice piano timbre. Here, the soft-sounding variant will please lovers of neo-classical music. Very nice piano sounds.

Piano Designer

The piano sounds take into account all the essential sound details you can expect from a digital piano today. Sympathetic Resonance, Damper Resonance, Half-Pedal (does not work with the included Switch DP-2!), Piano Lid and the like.

The interaction of these details not only results in a lively reproduction of the piano sounds, they are even customizable. For this, Roland offers the free Piano Designer app, which lets you conveniently operate all these functions. Remarkable here is the Individual Note Edit, with which the acoustic piano sounds can be intonated note by note.

Roland Piano App

The new Roland Piano App replaces the apps Piano Partner and Piano Every Day for all current Roland digital pianos. Roland Piano App takes over most of the functionality of the previous apps but offers a few more features. Adjusting the digital piano functions is solved very comfortably. You can also use lessons and note displays for learning and practicing.

The Roland Piano App is available free of charge for iOS and Android

Roland FP-30X and electric piano sounds

Here we first find a rocking Fender Rhodes. That means less bell tone, but a sound strong in attack and bite, perfect for dynamic play. If you miss softer variants here, you will find them among the GM sounds of the FP-30X. In general, you should browse around for other sounds – it’s worth it.

The Wurlitzer electric piano in the Roland FP-30X is a hit. This famous vintage electric piano brings the sound of the 60s and 70s across very well. Then two FM pianos follow – very nice for the typical 80’s style ballads. Clavinet and vibraphone represent classic keyboard sounds.

And even more sounds

As already mentioned above, the Roland FP-30X has a lot more up its sleeve in terms of sound. The “electric piano” section may mislead slightly, but here you’ll also find keyboards such as clavinet, electronic organs, sacral organs and even accordion. Then there are pads, strings, synth sounds and beyond that, the full range of GM sounds including FX and drum sounds.

In addition, the sound generation of the FP-30X is multitimbral – without this, you could not play standard MIDI files back at all. If you are familiar with MIDI and DAW, you can use the entire sound repertoire of the FP-30X for MIDI recording as well as composing and arranging on the computer.

Bluetooth & audio interface included!

As with the previous model, there is Bluetooth, but this time there’s more to it. Bluetooth MIDI is handy to connect wirelessly to the piano app Every Day Piano – or just to other piano apps such as Ravenscroft 275 Piano etc. There’s also Bluetooth audio, so playbacks, and online lessons from your tablet, smartphone or computer also end up in the Roland FP-30X’s audio system.

Roland also improved the USB equipment. In addition to a device port for playing SMF songs, for example, you can look forward to the integration of USB MIDI and USB audio in the “to-host” connection. Hence, you can transfer the digital audio signal from a DAW or a piano app to the Roland FP-30X with only one USB cable. Very convenient.

Good speaker sound

I generally don’t expect miracles from such small portable pianos, so it’s even more pleasing that the sound comes across passably from the device’s speakers. What I also like are the stored sound profiles, which you can easily call up to adjust the FP-30X to the respective location. If it is on a stand, then you select “Speaker Stand”. If you want to place the piano on a table, Roland provides a “Desk” setting. This noticeably optimizes the bass range – a compromise, but a helpful function in principle.

In comparison: Roland FP-30X vs. FP-30

As the successor of the FP-30, the FP-30X offers improvements in all the right places. Even if the casing and design haven’t actually changed – the differences are very clear.

• Double polyphony power: The sound generation can produce 256 voices, which fits well with the new multitimbrality of the instrument. This makes the Roland FP-30X a good choice for MIDI recording with DAW and music apps.
• USB audio: While the FP-30 only had USB MIDI, the FP-30X can now also transfer digital audio data over just one USB cable. You can thus integrate not only apps from mobile devices but also an audio computer (DAW) into the audio system of the FP-30X.
• Audio output: To connect to monitor speakers or a mixing console, the FP-30 required a headphone output and adapter cable. The new model now finally has an audio output in the form of two jack sockets (L/mono, R).
• More sounds: The successor model has more sounds in all categories. It is also worth taking a look at the long list of GM sounds.

In comparison: Roland FP-30X vs. FP-60X

The FP-60X sits in the middle between the FP-30X and FP-90X. Priced at around 1,000 euros, however, it is closer to the smaller model. Despite being more similar to the top model in terms of casing, the price difference between the model numbers 60X and 90X is significantly higher.

In terms of feel and sound, the FP-60X is on par with the smaller model, as it also has the standard PHA-4 keyboard. The sound generation is also identical to the smaller model: SuperNATURAL Piano.

With a larger cabinet and correspondingly more powerful playback system, the Roland FP-60X is aimed at those who want an affordable portable piano with powerful sound. The speaker system of the small model is designed primarily for home use, while you can definitely take the FP-60X to a small band rehearsal.

Conclusion: Great entry-level piano with many good features

With its many great features, the Roland FP-30X once again makes the smaller model of the new FP “X” series a powerful stage piano for at home and on the road. And it comes at a really attractive price as you can’t get a better keyboard in this price segment. In addition, the important sounds such as acoustic pianos and electric pianos are convincing.

Bluetooth and USB for audio and MIDI, the greatly expanded sound movement, the speaker settings and app connection for iOS and Android devices – you are absolutely up-to-date.

The operation of the functions via the keyboard, the volume setting via pushbutton and the included small damper pedal are not really the hit – nevertheless, the FP-30X is an absolute recommendation, not least due to the affordable price: Anyone who is looking for a flexible portable piano with good playing and sound characteristics for beginners or the upscale entry can’t go wrong here.

Roland FP-30X – Overview

Availabe since: 02.2021
Keyboard: PHA-4 Standard, graded hammer action, Ivory Feel, let-off mechanism
Piano apps: Piano Every Day, Piano Designer (iOS, Android, free of charge)
Included pedal: simple foot switch without half-pedal function
Manufacturer/Distributor: Roland