🎹 Roland GP9M | This Digital Piano Plays Itself! | Digital Grand Piano Review & Demo 🎹

[@lbamusic]

In the 1990s i bought a Yamaha 7''-6" grand with the disklavier player option. Loved it and could record myself on disks, and playback mine and other player disks for entertainment. Glad Roland has come up with their own System. I just bought a Roland FP-E50 based on your fine reviews! I may wind up with this latest piano as well

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in and congrats on your FP-E50! It is a heckuva piano as I'm sure you are experiencing. :) It is quite cool to see Roland step out onto the player market with a digital option.

[@pitchsd]

My GP9M was delivered last week and I’m loving it. I traded in my GP609 which I only had for 2 years. Thanks to Stu, this video helped influence my decision. This review is spot on.

[@MerriamPianos]

Awesome! Congratulations on your GP9M! It is a really exciting, fully-loaded digital grand. I know you will be thrilled with it! :)

[@JoeLinux2000]

What beautiful playing. I love the overhead shot. IS the speaker and amplification system the same on the GP9? How much more is the one with moving keys? I would like that. It makes the instrument seem acoustic.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thank you kindly! The GP9M is the same piano as the GP9 musically speaking (action, sound engine, speaker system). The moving key model (GP9M) sells for $11,000 more than the standard GP9 model here in Canada. This is quite good value considering that most acoustic player systems here cost around $20,000. :)

[@EdPin_]

Watching people playing piano is often entertaining. When they play well, it is enjoyable to listen. If they can make it surprising, that's all I need. Stu 😉

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! Thanks a million for tuning in! :)

[@colinmiles9488]

I have a Yamaha U1 and a Roland LX706 and I play both of these every day and the Roland GP9 pianos still sound like digital pianos to me.

[@MerriamPianos]

Tonal preference is a very personal and subjective thing of course. The most important thing is that you are satisfied and inspired by the sounds you are getting via your U1 and LX706 pianos. :)

[@colinmiles9488]

@@MerriamPianos I bought my LX706 6 years ago and tinkered with it quite a bit to get an acceptable sound. What struck me was that the GP9 sounded very much the same. So no reason to upgrade!

[@clausmossbeck7724]

@@colinmiles9488I have the LX705 and just use the European Grand 1 sound - what exact settings have you chosen? I mainly play jazz ballads

[@southpark4151]

Another excellent video from Stu. One interesting comment from me only - at 5:13 - digital pianos and acoustic pianos are all real pianos. My own definition of 'piano' is based on the assumption that 'approach' towards making a harpsichord-style keyboard instrument that has adequate soft-loud control over lingering music sound of individual notes (regardless of method) independently is not constrained to the acoustic piano approach. As long as various different approaches can achieve that, then the instrument will fall into the category of 'piano'. That's the reason why we a 'digital piano' by that name. It is because it 'really is' a piano. And if an acoustic piano has its keys and pedals removed, and electromech elements then do the striking of the strings while recording samples, then it also becomes clear that digital pianos don't actually require realisation from an acoustic piano - because an acoustic piano without keyboard and pedals is no longer an acoustic piano.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed the video review. Also, that is a wonderful point and a sentiment I tend to share. A digital piano is still a "real" piano/instrument despite the fact that it uses different elements for sound generation than an acoustic piano. "Acoustic and digital" are far more appropriate terms than "real and digital" when categorizing different piano types.

[@southpark4151]

@@MerriamPianos Thanks for every one of those excellent reviews you made Stu. I enjoy every one of your reviews. The quality is excellent - and your style is outstanding! The way you review - is excellent. Thanks Stu!

[@calikokat100]

incredible sound

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! The sound on the GP9 and GP9M models is fantastic! :)

[@Leonardo-ls2xv]

For an acoustic, it makes sense the auto-playing as it is playing the real strings with an amazing sound. For a digital piano, it is waste of money as it is nothing other than a regular midi reproduction.

[@MerriamPianos]

While the GP9M is not for everyone, it certainly has its place. For restaurants, hotels, or community centres that don't want the hassle of maintaining an acoustic instrument, the GP9M is an excellent fit.

[@JoeLinux2000]

Not sure why it is so expensive.

[@snoww2009]

If the keys are moving, it is not just a midi reproduction.

[@alaingonthier4730]

Stu, how does the GP9 compare with the Yamaha CLP-795GP?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! It comes down to a matter of personal preference, but, for me, the new GP9 model is a force to be reckoned with musically speaking. The action and speaker system in particular are incredibly impressive. My recommendation would be to test out both in person to see which one you connect with more. :)

[@SessionsWithMike]

I think one of the biggest things missing from all digital grands that have the open lid to try to replicate the look of a grand piano is underestimating how important the look of under the lid is for use in settings where a real grand is typically wanted for visual reasons, i.e. Movie Sets, Music Videos, filmed plays, live studio performances, hotels, etc. Often We can't use them but would love to for weight reasons, tuning, etc but even hotels still like to have a somewhat authentic look and for sure under the lid plays a big part. So rather than just wood and overtly black round speakers, they should strongly consider having an overlay or graphic printed speaker grill overlay that fully or at least somewhat replicates the look of the insides of a piano (Strings, harp, etc) because under the lid is a really Huge part of the look of a piano which you're paying this type of money for. I've never seen one from any company actually act like under the lid is still part of the look of a piano.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi there! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! That is a very excellent and compelling point. Perhaps, the best solution (to satisfy the aesthetic situations you described as well as to optimize musical output when required) would be to have removable panels/inserts for under the lid. I can certainly understand the necessity to have a more authentic under the lid look for the situations you described. Thanks again and all the best! :)

[@JoeLinux2000]

Might seem rather fake . You can't always see the strings. For me the moving keys are enough but very pricey.

[@SessionsWithMike]

Maybe if done poorly, but with this price tag it shouldn't be. Film and video, concert etc have been using backdrops and intricate overlays for years and they can be as intricate with this price tag as possible. Furthermore, what does a piano open top with black speakers inside seem, if not fake while trying to elsewhere look like a grand piano. It's like it goes from almost pulling off a grand piano look to looking like a wood and black boom box so both are fake looking, one would at least attempt to try to emulate what the rest is trying to pull off. So my point is if companies are going through all the trouble of emulating the cabinet, the sides, the open lid, even the back, legs, etc, for looks, how can companies forget the large rather obvious surface area that is inside of the piano lid when it needs to be open to get the best sound? That just makes up a huge part of it to me.

[@tythomas1134]

I agree. I love these new GP series pianos from Roland, but I think the wood panel under the lid is underwhelming. Dare I say it is a bit like an IKEA panel that doesn't match the gloss black. They should use a black panel, or a fabric, maybe chrome or mirrors, or resonant strings or something. The light wood and the exposed bolts are a little distracting.

[@ryugar2221]

7:00 isn't the tempo supposed to be a bit faster?

[@MerriamPianos]

Perhaps, but, given this runs on MIDI, it is quite easy to make tempo adjustments as desired. :)

[@BawdProductions]

Very nice

[@MerriamPianos]

Thank you kindly! :)

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

I don't know. IMO the sound doesn't really fit the classical pieces being played. It definitely is something you need to try for your self before desiding on it. Hope I can find one to try for my self🎹🎶

[@MerriamPianos]

It is always a good idea to play an instrument in person before deciding on it whenever possible. With that said, tone is a very personal and subjective matter, so not everyone will resonate with the specific sound of a given piano.

[@JoeLinux2000]

I'm a digital guy anyway. No more acoustics for me. I like the moving keys , but not for $11.000.00

[@Instrumental-Covers]

Hi! I saw another comment of yours asking where Roland comes from. It is Japanese, even though the name doesn't suggest it :)

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@@Instrumental-Covers still think it's prity weerd though like I thought the name was American. Sorry for the late reply🎹🎶

[@antonyshadowbanned]

It's weird because the self-playing keys don't really need to play the precise speed/timing/velocity if the sound comes from a midi file in the first place. The keys in self-playing acoustic pianos move because they have to, to play the notes. But here, what use does it have besides a cool effect?

[@MerriamPianos]

You are correct in that the moving keys aren't needed to cause hammers to strike the strings to produce a sound, as is the case with an acoustic player piano. So, to that extent, there is a bit of a novelty to a digital player grand. However, with that said, there is certainly a market for these instruments. We have many customers seeking a player piano with moving keys that require the flexibility and lack of maintenance (i.e. tuning) that digital pianos offer. It is perhaps a niche market, but a viable and flourishing market nonetheless. :)

[@bryang949]

@@MerriamPianos Thanks for the great video on this clearly superb product from Roland. Just to clarify, a piano with moving keys does NOT produce a superior sound quality than what are able to be produced by playing back a high quality mp3 or MIDI music file through the piano's speaker system does it?

[@ps3301]

19k?? I rather buy a normal piano and play it myself

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

Not to mention you could probably get a used Yamaha C7 that will last you a life time. To eatch they're own I guess🎹🎶

[@MerriamPianos]

The GP9M is not for everyone of course, but it does have its place on the market. There are a lot instances in which the aesthetic and functionality of an acoustic player grand piano is desired, but the need for a digital instrument that does not require tuning/maintenance is a concern as well.

[@dominic6055]

@@MerriamPianos With less money than that I can buy a Kawai GL-10 and a CA701

[@JoeLinux2000]

I'll play a cheaper digital myself.

[@carvalca]

Is Roland gp609 the same model of gp9?

[@MerriamPianos]

No, the GP9 is the new update to the GP609 (the direct predecessor to the GP9). There are some similarities of course, but there are also some meaningful updates and improvements that have been made.

[@shunyuan2044]

Thank you very much for your explanation, although I always think that the price of $18k is very ridiculous, but even if this kind of product can appear in this world, it means that it must have its value, I just don't recognize it, I think kawai nv10s is the best digital piano in the world!

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! While I also agree that the NV10S provides a more authentic piano experience, the Roland GP9M is a very different offering both musically and in terms of function. There are certainly customers that will appreciate the digital player grand and the lack of maintenance required to sustain it. :)

[@bassax7045]

soon they add a speech function next to autoplay, and youre out of a job 😜

[@MerriamPianos]

It is a possibility...especially with the rise of AI technology! ;)

[@JoeLinux2000]

The piano could carry on a conversation with drunk listeners.

[@user-xxxxxn]

buy a real grand for that money instead of this electronic sound

[@MerriamPianos]

Some customers require the functionality and features of a digital piano, such as volume control and headphone capabilities. Furthermore, digital pianos generally require less maintenance than acoustic pianos, which is attractive to some customers.

[@gcampagn]

I fully agree with you. And if you really want moving keys that have a real purpose, buy a Yamaha Disclavier piano!

[@famousatmidnight15]

No. I hate these pianos. Playing itself is dumb.

[@MerriamPianos]

It is not for everyone, but it is quite cool for non-piano players to be able to have access to the joys of listening to and seeing beautiful piano pieces being performance.

[@dominic6055]

@@MerriamPianos but what makes self-playing more appealing than a normal bluetooth playback connected to the internet?

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@@dominic6055 IDK seeing the keys moving up and down by them selfs during the piece is being played? To me it makes more sence on an acoustic piano because you know there is a real mechanism behind it🎹🎶

[@dominic6055]

@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 my only explanation that it makes sense for a brand like Roland or Yamaha to roll out such a product because some wealthy people want this, they cannot play but want in their living room a grand piano box that plays by itself. These 2 brands are the most popular and they will get some sales, but to a true pianist(even if wealthy) it doesn't make any sense to own one

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@@dominic6055 perhaps or for places who don't want to pay for a pianist, and piano services🎹🎶