Roland FP-30X In Depth Review (What They FIXED, and What They DIDN'T!)

[@ThePianoforever]

Making unbiased reviews for over 10 years: www.patreon.com/thepianoforever​ Milan Recording Studios: kzbin.info/door/u1L...

[@PiXimperfect]

Keep doing what you're doing. I always respect and enjoy your honest reviews :)

[@-._.-._.-]

You're everywhere! Do you play piano for long? Did not knew this about you

[@ThePianoforever]

?, I have played the piano since I was 5 years old.

[@nandakesav1346]

You have p125 right or p45?

[@justinchey2281]

Lol I did nOT expect to see you here 😂

[@georgeluminari2511]

An unbiased review is a true review. Your review style is exactly what consumers need. Keep up the good work!

[@justinchey2281]

I really hate you for consistently tearing apart the pianos I’m just about ready to buy. Thanks for the honest reviews, really appreciate it.

[@preetthakker4462]

Lol...me too was stuck between fp30x and DGX670

[@ka4sxi]

I have the FP60X and the DGX670 at home and I have to return one to Sam Ash. I honestly like the playability of the dgx670 action vs the FP60X which is the same as the fp30x. I like the CFX Grand Piano on the dgx670. The Roland does have a bunch of piano choices that seem lifelike. The dgx670 sounds incredible and just offers so much more. I wanted to like the fp60x so much but I can’t get past how good the dgx670 sounds and feels.

[@cornemuse61]

Same here... I was shooting for the FP30x... but now I'm confused... just tried the P125... and it's so easy to navigate thru settings... sounds damn good too... coudn't try the ES110 easily over there...

[@pacificnorthwestpilots6050]

The consumers appreciate your reviews. I started playing back in Oct 2020, when I was researching pianos in this price range, your reviews came up. I ended up purchasing the kawaii es110, love it so far.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jonathanr2830]

Your honesty and unabashed, fair candor are welcomed and very refreshing. As an old amateur musician and perpetual student of many decades, I completely get where you are coming from. I have absolutely never been content to merely settle for "not bad" "pretty good" or "good enough" in my practicing, my casual playing, or in my parts in concert performances. That goes double for my instruments and equipment, as well as room acoustics. Keep up your great work! The manufacturers should consider you their prized, extremely valuable asset, as I do! All the best to you!

[@michaelungar3405]

Thanks James for another great review. I recently purchased the FP-30X and am overall pleased. It was a present to myself, an upgrade from a 50+ year old acoustic piano and it fills my need for a decent practice instrument. I agree with your criticism of the user interface and the user manual. The app is the easiest way to change settings. Keep up the good work.

[@cassie_lokker_music]

I just bought this keyboard because of its portability and the reported changes that were made from the previous model, which included its ability to be connected to other sound sources. I am one who actually likes the keyboard action, but the Piano Everyday app crashes a lot. I was hoping that it would help me more in selecting sounds and navigating the interface. But I don't need to change sounds very often when playing and so I can quite often set something up in the app and not have to worry about losing that sound through the duration of my performance. Overall I am pretty satisfied with this keyboard, but yes, there are a few flaws. I don't believe this review would have changed my mind about whether to purchase this keyboard, but I definitely appreciate your honest perspective.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you, I'm glad you appreciate what I do!

[@yeahrightbear8883]

The fp30 is what I learned to play piano on. I still have it today and I still love it. My biggest complaint is the speaker quality they rattle a bit and don't sound that great which is why I only use headphones when playing. Another thing is I wish digital piano company's would also include the sound of the damper. To me that is such an important part of getting a authentic sounding piano. As far as recording goes I haven't had any problems recording. Separate left and right outs would be great but it's not a huge deal to me. As far as action goes I like it but it can be a bit slow if you are playing something fast. Other than those things I think it has been an excellent piano and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn piano without spending a whole lot of money especially if you can find a used one.

[@ThePianoforever]

Yeah, there's a few authenticity details missing from the acoustic piano tones, I talked about that at one point in the video.

[@kingrys2870]

Yes, we like this type of comparison!

[@ThePianoforever]

Wonderful, I have some more comparisons coming out soon.

[@arion3d]

It’s great. I’ve been waiting for your comments for a long time. Those previous dealer videos only talked about the merits, and there were too few pertinent criticisms. Just like the keyboard response you mentioned in the video, a friend of mine who is a professor of music at the university mentioned Roland's keyboard response last month. He felt it was not suitable for fast playing. Thanks again for your unbiased comment.

[@user-iz8pg8zz1b]

Thanks for your honest reviews, so hard to find non dealer reviews of pianos.

[@bricemi2346]

Same feeling towards PHA-4 action. Every time when I read stuff online, people just religiously commenting that PHA-4 action is one of the best. I always feel something weird about that action, and you explained it perfectly! The key feels great on the way down, but not so great on the way up.

[@ThePianoforever]

I've noticed that before too. Glad you agree with what I found!

[@ЗаконопослушныйГражданин-з9ч]

@@ThePianoforever Which keys are better then?

[@DionisisChristodoulatos]

Looking for a better suggestion myself too. Any recommendations?

[@kevanhaynes4405]

Another excellent comparison video. Your insights into the keyboards are unbiased and honest which is refreshing among so many other reviews. It’s also a delight to listen to your polished and sensitive performances. Keep up the good work.

[@ThePianoforever]

Much appreciated!

[@HorizonMakes]

I was literally planning to go out and buy a FP30X tomorrow, thank you!

[@ThePianoforever]

Wow, you're welcome!

[@jafetsierra1875]

A deep and honest review. Perfect as always.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you so very much.

[@nonintellectuale]

Always appreciate your thorough review that makes me rethink my purchase

[@fish-hawk5903]

Thank you, JPS, this was seventy minutes I really benefited from, and enjoyed enormously. Considering you were careful to include matters that Roland hasn't improved, you nevertheless made me want the FP-30X, where previously I had hoped the humble FP-10 would suffice. I suppose the imperfect action doesn't dent Roland's sales, because as far as beginners like me can see, other manufacturers employ a lighter action which won't encourage a playing style that transfers easily to acoustic pianos (I realise Roland hasn't entirely mastered it, either). I don't have space for an acoustic so the most affordable accurate simulation will be my choice, whatever other shortcomings the model has. If, in the light of that specific requirement, you'd strongly recommend something else, I think many (like me) would like to know what, and to see you review it. Thumbs up from the U.K! 👍

[@anthonyglaser929]

this is the review I've been looking for. Good job.

[@pianoforteyt]

Very excited to watch this fully, seems like this will be an awesome and interesting video! 😁

[@ThePianoforever]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@Akshay-qu3dc]

Commenting for the algorithm !! James you are the coolest !!

[@ThePianoforever]

@freebird1234, I just thought that people should know how things work.

[@WorshipLifemusic]

Thanks for another awesome review! I had the FP-30 for a while, but could never get onboard with the PHA-4 keybed, for exactly the reasons you stated. I too had often wondered if it was just me, because so many other people seem to love it!

[@cosmiccowck]

This is great. I really appreciate you taking this much time to dive in like you do.

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad it was helpful!

[@2klatte]

Always appreciated your honest reviews! So detailed and helpful.

[@kododavid7202]

I would really like a full review about the FP90x

[@ThePianoforever]

Expensive for me to purchase.

[@kododavid7202]

@@ThePianoforever okay, thank you for answering

[@NuanDaa]

@@ThePianoforever buy and return 😅

[@tombuur]

Thanks. Wanting to buy a digital piano, you are my ultimate authority for reviews.

[@nicholasspina8710]

This was a really useful video while I was considering the Fp30X!

[@borodach6789]

You are the best honest keyboard reviewer!

[@ThePianoforever]

Appreciate that!

[@Hlebka]

I am so happy that I found your channel. Your honest reviews are worth a patron pledge.

[@ThePianoforever]

Wow, thank you!

[@jules153]

Keep doing your honest reviews 😎

[@TheSpeedyprince]

In depth review as usual :)

[@ThePianoforever]

More to come!

[@markcadeau71]

Love your reviews! Bought a Yamaha P-515 based on your review. Great work as always.

[@ThePianoforever]

Enjoy!

[@manuelrodrigues5567]

As usual a top review.

[@glennmeader626]

Thanks for reviewing the FP30X

[@ThePianoforever]

You're welcome!

[@michaelclover9186]

I’ve watched several reviews you have done. All have been very fair

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you.

[@kermitdk4509]

First: A great unbiased review (as usual). Regarding the ridge in the musicdesk: My guess is that they have made it to make it stiffer.

[@ThePianoforever]

Ah that's a good guess. It is definitely more rigid now. Glad you liked the review!

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@@ThePianoforever what was that bump at the end of the video?🎹🎶

[@ThePianoforever]

BENZ E340, It was an out take that I placed at the end just for the kicks of it, a light fell.

[@kermitdk4509]

@@ThePianoforever In principe I really like your reviews, but they have just cost me 1500 usd, because I have just ordrerd a P-515 (and I dont even play the piano ;-) )

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@@ThePianoforever ohh that's great I thought 1 of the keyboards fell So glad none of them did Love your videos🎹🎶

[@jay_holdaway]

I’ve been waiting for you to review this 🙂

[@ThePianoforever]

It is finally here!

[@atharvawarke9910]

Best review !! You are a very hardworking person, keep it up 👍🙂

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you, I will

[@Dr.Shower]

Amazing review, I love your honest reviews a lot, they are very helpful!

[@troublesomecorsair]

My Korg Concert sounds great with the speakers pointed downward. I guess it comes down to what I'm used to. It would make for a funny demonstration to flip the FP-30 upside down and play it via midi, to see if it actually sounds better. ES110 is still king.

[@Ilint]

Love the honest reviews, always entertaining

[@gabz4497]

Thank you, really great review as always!

[@ThePianoforever]

G Z, thank you for supporting my channel.

[@davidv8504]

Appreciate the honest review! I really trust your reviews, thanks!

[@ThePianoforever]

My pleasure!

[@vsrohit]

Great work buddy. Keep them coming 🙏👍

[@pawnjuggler]

Love your reviews. Nice to see honest unbiased reviews.

[@ThePianoforever]

@Joseph Knasinski, thank you so very much.

[@ivaneitor5849]

Excellent! We need these objective reviews. Keep up the good work!

[@HeCoversMe]

Always enjoy your reviews James. Appreciate your honesty

[@MrJenssen]

I just found out about you about a week ago, when searching for videos on the Roland FP-30. I'm a total noob in the piano scene, and I figured from various reviews I've read and watched, that the Roland FP-30 seems like a good entry level piano, what with the progressively weighted keys, supposedly good sound and big speakers. But then I saw your review and I held off, as I heard about the FP-30X. I saw that your FP-30 review was a bit "old", and was hoping maybe I'd get lucky and find a review of the FP-30X uploaded already, but quickly found out that it wasn't the case.... Well, I didn't have to wait for long! Lo and behold, it's christmas morning and the biggest package under the tree has my name on it! Can't wait to see this. I expect you to be as sharp with the criticism as ever.

[@nikolajbentzon]

Good job :-) Detailed (very! ;-)) and with you being primarily a classical pianist, you have an increased focus and a more competent perspective in your direct comparison with the acoustic piano :-)

[@baggiopiano]

Nice review, you always help me out when I want to purchase a keyboard

[@yosto7522]

Nice, keep up the good work.

[@acdcnut7193]

Thanks more making honest reviews. Cant stand sponsored videos by brands

[@josue85]

Always love the honesty and thorough reviews.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thanks!

[@Enzo-777]

Love the review😀

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markgambit]

@ThePianoforever, Hi there, I want to buy a digital piano around this price class, what brand do you recommand for a person who wants to learn to play the piano ? I know that roland you a re playing has bluetooth so i can watch a video on my tablet and just can use 1 headphone to hear both the piano and tablet for learing. So that is a real nice feature, but is this FP-30x beginner friendly ? Or do you have another suggestion ? i'm 44 years old dunno if that matters for learning :) I hope you can help me picking the right piano for me. Thanks and i love your video's, watching them for a few years now :)

[@adachan6922]

Thank you so much! Love

[@ThePianoforever]

You are so welcome!

[@TheBadcop]

Appreciate your reviews!

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you like them!

[@nicholasscaping4528]

Hi James, It has been a min since i've viewed one of your vid's. Very Enjoyable, The little ditty after the outtro, Caught me off guard! Hahaha 😀👍👍✌

[@jeffcat4114]

Hi James, good stuff, We would really like to see the guts of the instruments, especially compared between the price ranges, Please consider more teardown videos like the one you did on the casio. The $400 bracket comparison would be interesting as well.

[@Thairpiano]

Thank you for the reslly honest review ♥️

[@ThePianoforever]

Always!

[@stefanbalmus1659]

Great review as always! Maybe do a comparison with what the competition offers in the similar price range? Also, I think some blind tests would be fun to do, even with products from different price ranges!

[@ThePianoforever]

Great suggestion!

[@goodboii3739]

Love your review :D

[@ThePianoforever]

So glad!

[@rockerchic8205]

I LOVE your videos!!!!! You speak the truth. I bought the Korg SV-2s73 because of your videos on it, and I love it!

[@ThePianoforever]

I love mine too!

[@jamescrossman4642]

I've been following your channel for a while now. Even though I have a keyboard already (Yamaha P45 I just wish it had direct line output other than that its perfect for what I need) I love watching your reviews of all sorts of keyboards, real pianos, and other things like the performances (Im at UF for piano rn). Keep up the amazing content!!!

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you.

[@suyuro_]

As always great review.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you.

[@bongmeim]

Such very detailed review !!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you! :D

[@preetthakker4462]

Love your honest reviews❤️

[@sonnyone220]

Good review!

[@MichaelAlexanderReid]

Thank you for helping someone who has choice anxiety make the right purchase decisions especially as a beginner myself!

[@eh3115]

Thanks for your review!

[@ThePianoforever]

My pleasure!

[@ZiYangJiang]

Thank you for the great and honest review!

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ZiYangJiang]

@@ThePianoforever Any plans to review the FP-701 from Roland? I really like the oak finish but hoping that it will sound nice and play nicely as well.

[@ammiammi1974]

Very useful. Thanks a lot.

[@NoelForsgren]

Amazing review!

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you think so!

[@prairiedog78232]

*Thank You, great review*

[@simongarfunkel4040]

thanks for this honest review.

[@gustavoibarra3989]

Nice review! 😁

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you liked it!

[@victord.4388]

The Best piano reviewer ever! Cool video! Like!

[@cavell5458]

Could you do one on the Korg D1? Love the videos and thinking about getting one

[@InterRad1]

Another great review. Thanks.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thanks for watching!

[@harrisongrinnell9290]

I’m getting the 30x for my birthday coming up soon. I’m super excited! What are your thoughts about it versus others in that 900 dollar price range? Love your content and your a great piano player as well👌😬

[@rafaelborbon-diehl9037]

Very good analysis !!!

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you!

[@-._.-._.-]

Plugging in the headphone jack on the old model does kill the sound BUT if you pres function with one of the highest f / f# you can override this.

[@lynn1615]

Thank you for reviewing keyboards for us.

[@johnjj2637]

You can use any headphone jack to send stereo. Get a 1/4" TRS to two 1/4" TS cable for $10. Yes, the output is generally not quite as good as a line out, but it works...and most people would not know the difference. Also, this cable will work just as well on a keyboard with a single line out as compared to a dual line out...of course you can't make an inexpensive keyboard be amazing with a cable. To the average home user, the single cable is actually more convenient.

[@johnjj2637]

Although the loss of some crisp highs, due to the speakers pointing down, is something that can't be changed, you will notice an improved low end when you put the keyboard in its matching stand and/or up against a wall. How much? I don't know. I have a very old Roland KR-33 that was built that way. There is a significant difference when the unit is in it's stand.

[@edwahett]

great advice!! Really helpful

[@milobloom6134]

So glad I watched this.

[@pedroa.milian2351]

I like your objectivity

[@timoteiirimia571]

The best reviews on youtube!

[@ThePianoforever]

Thanks!

[@michaelfenemore1168]

What happens when ten years from now, I’m playing an FP-30X and the app no longer works on my phone or is no longer available? I’m not excited about a piano that depends on an app.

[@ThePianoforever]

You can still use it without the app, I am in this video. It's just way less convenient. I agree with you.

[@michaelfenemore1168]

@@ThePianoforever Let’s say a church invites you to play for them. They have an FP-30X. Nobody has the app or knows anything about it. The manual is missing. But they want the organ sound. Good luck.

[@bela5976]

@@michaelfenemore1168 You can get the manual online with a few clicks. Agreed that that can be a problem in such a specific situation, but as a personal practice piano that should not be an issue.

[@frankd.3035]

@@michaelfenemore1168 You would find that organ sound in a few minutes, but yes, far less convenient, and you cant't tell the names.

[@mikoajuchman4970]

I've watched only two minutes, but dropping a comment before I forget. You've become my favorite reviewer on KZbin, I love your attitude, and unbiased reviews like yours deserve to be seen. I'm looking to replace my decade-old Clavinova next year and your videos were amazingly helpful, thank you!!

[@ThePianoforever]

Wow, thank you so much!! So glad my videos have been so helpful!

[@jonathangarrett9171]

Love all your reviews. Interesting that you don't like the action as every shop I've been in say it is far better than the p125 or es100. I personally like it though i'm not expert enough to say myself which is better (i could honestly not really tell the difference in action with p125). However i do agree on the sound (downward facing), the p125 sounded much brighter "in your face" sort of thing. As for the shortcuts, agreed its a pain but the app is so easy to use i literally never even touch the interface on the fp30x. Keep up the great reviews!

[@ThePianoforever]

I am just giving what I believe to be the truth and everyone can decide on their own. I have been playing all kinds of music since I was 5 years old (15 years) and have played almost every kind of piano and keyboard and these conclusions seem obvious to me.

[@ljmiller96]

Best keys reviews on youtube.

[@arthurbrands6935]

Thanks for the honesty! The thing I was most disappointed with on the FP-30 was that the headphone out did not include any of the tonal effects (ambience, lighter/darker) that the output from the speakers did! Not sorry I bought it, but if I buy again, I hope you're still doing reviews.

[@Officialqueso]

Great video

[@heika_206]

I can't choose between a Kawai ES110 and a Roland FP-30X. The first one is superior as for the action and maybe piano sounds but the second one as lots of different sounds that can come in handy as I'd like to start composing music🤔

[@JimDunleavy]

Great objective review!

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bossunimportantstuff]

It would be nice to see a review of the Roland Piano Designer app for the FP30x. Usually sympathetic resonance is one of the strong points of the Super Natural engine as the the resonance level (and other parameters) can be set from the app. The downward firing speakers do no favors for conveying tone changes. However with headphones it is clear to hear complex string and sympathetic resonances with the appropriate settings and sustain.

[@frankd.3035]

That would be nice for me too. I played that instrument and searched the app, but all i found was MORE or LESS resonance, ambience and that's it. Every key tone can be changed, but does that change sympathetic resonance?

[@staceycarras3815]

Great Job James :)

[@ThePianoforever]

@Stacey Carras, thank you.

[@staceycarras3815]

@@ThePianoforever No problem, I find you very entertaining ( never boring, I sit and watch your vids for hours ! ), I also think you've got some serious Moxy sporting the leather Jacket while hammering out Bach etc, Ha ha ha ha ! Love it ! Keep it coming, your very unique

[@jeffreysteer6422]

Well done!

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you.

[@nikhilmalik62]

:) great video! Thank you!

[@ThePianoforever]

My pleasure!