Guide to Roland Digital Pianos
What’s the difference between Roland’s digital pianos? In this guide, we’ll explore the main features of each range to help you find the perfect piano for you – whether you’re a beginner, a professional or anything in between.
Introduction
Roland are true titans of the music industry. As well as offering world-class guitar, bass and drum products, they have a reputation for producing some of the best digital pianos in the business. From affordable portable pianos to luxurious digital grand pianos, their range has it all.
So what’s the difference between Roland’s piano ranges? We’ve broken it all down into three categories that’ll make it much easier to understand. Read on for the full lowdown…
Although the industry term is stage pianos, many refer to these as portable pianos. This is because they’re usually standalone pianos without stands, so can be easily packed into a case or moved around. This makes them great for gigging (hence the stage piano term), rehearsal and school use – it’s an authentic piano experience without the associated weight or hassle.
Here’s a rundown of Roland’s top stage piano options:
Roland FP30
Roland’s most affordable digital piano doesn’t skimp out on features. Its compact, intuitive design makes it great for beginners, while its built-in sounds and weighted keybed offer an authentic piano experience.
Key Features:
- Roland PHA-4 Standard weighted keyboard
- 35 onboard sounds from Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine
- Bluetooth connectivity for audio, MIDI and free app compatibility
- 30 Built-in songs, perfect for learning with Roland’s free apps
Roland FP60
Taking a step up, the FP60 builds on the FP30’s winning formula, adding heaps of additional premium features. An expanded library, advanced set of controls and an included damper pedal make the FP60 an extremely musical piano for the working musician.
Key Features:
- Roland PHA-4 Standard weighted keyboard
- 350 onboard sounds from Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine
- Powerful built-in speakers, great for rehearsing and writing
- Bluetooth connectivity and additional controls including 3-band EQ
Roland FP90
At the top of the FP (First Piano) range, the FP90 is the ultimate hybrid of stage piano and home piano. With an even more powerful speaker system and their top of the range PHA-50 keybed, the FP90 effortlessly combines powerful with portable.
Key Features:
- Roland PHA-50 premium weighted keyboard with wooden feel
- 350 onboard sounds from Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine
- Powerful built-in speakers loud & clear enough for intimate performances
- 1/4” microphone input for singing along with your playing
Roland RD-2000
Roland’s RD-2000 is undoubtedly their flagship stage piano. With two dedicated sound engines, stunning response and unprecedented control and connectivity, it’s the professional pianist’s dream.
Key Features:
- A whopping 1100+ tones thanks to Roland’s V-Piano and SuperNATURAL sound engines
- Roland PHA-50 premium weighted keyboard with wooden feel
- Extensive connectivity including USB, jack, XLR, aux, Bluetooth and more
- Stunning range of effects and tonal options, including 3-band compressor and 5-band EQ
As the term may suggest, home pianos are designed to remain stationary. This makes them great for everywhere from your living room to a church hall. Roland also refer to many models in their home piano range as upright pianos, because they have a similar design and size. Unlike stage & portable pianos, home pianos come built into a frame that puts them at the perfect playing height, so you don’t need to worry about configuration.
Roland RP102
Roland’s entry-level home piano might be their most affordable, but it retains premium Roland design and feel. With a beautifully authentic feel, brilliant onboard learning tools and subtle aesthetics, the RP102 is the perfect first home piano.
Key Features:
- Roland PHA-4 Standard weighted keyboard
- 15 onboard sounds from Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine
- Bluetooth connectivity for audio, MIDI and free app compatibility
- Sleek black stand with authentic triple pedal configuration (soft, sostenuto, sustain)
Roland F-140R
With a slimmer frame and a much larger sound library, the F-140R is a streamlined upgrade of the RP102 design. Its comparatively compact size ensures that it’ll fit in smaller spaces, meaning your home is never too small to have a home piano.
Key Features:
- Roland PHA-4 Standard weighted keyboard
- Slim frame with subtle aesthetics, perfect for smaller homes and studio spaces
- 316 onboard sounds from Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine
- Bluetooth connectivity for audio, MIDI and free app compatibility
Roland RP501R
While the F-140R has a contemporary appearance, the RP501R opts for a more classic approach. A sleek frame conceals powerful speakers that offer a broad, room-filling sound that’s perfect for all styles. Add Roland’s acoustic piano feel and brilliant selection of sounds, and you’ve got a truly expressive, authentic piano experience.
Key Features:
- Roland PHA-4 Standard weighted keyboard
- 316 onboard sounds from Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine
- Bluetooth connectivity for audio, MIDI and free app compatibility
- Extensive onboard song and exercise library, perfect for learning piano
Roland’s home piano range features some of the most popular digital pianos for learning, regardless of age or ability. Their premium upright range, however, takes it a step further; stunning attention to detail, concert-class sound and unprecedented authenticity.
Roland HP600 Series
There are three models in the HP600 range: HP601, HP603 and HP605. Each model features Roland’s premium PHA-50 weight keyboard (wood and plastic hybrid), as well as excellent connectivity and a classic design. The 603 offers limitless polyphony and SuperNATURAL piano modelling, while the 605 goes one further with their hugely popular Acoustic Projection speaker system.
Key Features:
- Premium upright digital piano with PHA-50 keyboard and authentic triple pedal configuration (soft, sostenuto, sustain)
- Over 300 tones with Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine (603 & 605 models offer piano modelling for maximum tonal control)
- Over 350 built-in songs and extensive connectivity for home, school, studio or venue use
Roland DP90
There are two DP90 models: the DP90Se and the DP90e. The latter has an upgraded PHA-4 Concert keyboard with improved touch sensitivity, while the former uses the PHA-4 Standard. Either way, the DP90’s polished exterior and compact size will add class and creativity in equal measure to any space.
Key Features:
- Responsive PHA-4 Standard & Concert keyboards for the DP90e and DP90Se respectively
- 350 tones from Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine
- Beautifully refined and compact design, complete with elegant polished exterior
Roland DP603
The DP603 is Roland’s premium home upright piano. Taking design elements from the DP90 range like its thin frame and beautiful polished exterior, it also boasts Roland’s flagship PHA-50 keyboard, reserved for their finest instruments. This is a premium digital piano experience through and through.
Key Features:
- Premium upright digital piano with PHA-50 keyboard and authentic triple pedal configuration (soft, sostenuto, sustain)
- Beautifully refined and compact design, complete with elegant polished exterior
- Over 300 sounds from Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine, with added Piano modelling functionality
- Over 350 built-in songs and extensive connectivity for practice routines and ease of use
Roland LX700 Series
The Roland LX700 series has been designed to offer the ultimate digital piano playing experience. Leaving no stone unturned, Roland have equipped the LX700 pianos with stunning response and sensitivity, industry-leading sound and an extremely refined design. This is the cream of the crop.
Key Features:
- Stunning upright design with resonant cabinets and PHA-50 keyboard
- Extremely powerful speakers provide warm, dynamic piano sounds
- 324 tones from Roland’s top of the range PureAcoustic Piano Modelling engine
- PureAcoustic ambience offers realistic room and hall ambience for a true concert piano atmosphere
If you’re after true luxury and an extraordinary piano experience, Roland’s grand pianos deliver. Nothing quite beats the rush of playing at a grand piano with the lid open – Roland’s grands offer the same exhilaration at a fraction of the cost of an acoustic. A gorgeous mini grand piano cabinet and the latest in digital piano technology makes for an experience quite unlike anything else!
Roland GP607
Key Features:
- Classic grand piano design combined with industry-leading modern features
- Roland’s flagship PHA-50 keyboard for authentic feel
- 307 sounds with Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Modelling engine
- 4.1 channel Acoustic Projection speaker system for stunning acoustic piano sound
Roland’s Digital Piano Sound Engines
All of Roland’s digital pianos offer great sounds. With their more affordable options, you’ve often got between 10-50 sounds, while their more premium offerings boast over 1000 tones in some cases. So what’s the difference between Roland’s piano sound engines?
SuperNATURAL
Revolutionary approach to sampling instruments, starting with high-quality samples, then applying advanced algorithms for infinite dynamics, expression and natural sustain & decay.
PureAcoustic Piano Modelling
Roland’s latest engine used for the LX700 series. Its algorithms are designed not only to recreate sounds, but to mimic the individual stages of a piano instrument; pressing keys, striking hammers, resonating strings and so on. The result is a new level of tonal realism.