Very interesting instrument! As a former professional pianist who had the misfortune of playing unregulated, out of tune warn out Grand pianos in bars/restaurants/clubs, I’d take something like this all day over a beat up acoustic.
Haha absolutely! I definitely agree with that sentiment! That is one of the nice things about digital pianos; much less maintenance to ensure that they remain as viable instruments. :)
This has been my point all along. A good digital is more pleasurable to play than a mediocre acoustic. That said, there are only a few really good digitals on the market. Watching Stu play with a sensitive soft touch suggests that the GP-6 is a really nice digital piano.
I really like that Roland's controls are right up front and in your face rather than over on the cheek block where it's hard to see, and manipulate. Now that they can be hidden seems very cool. Again your gentile playing is absolutely my cup of tea.
Playing pianissimo always exposes the limitations of digital pianos in comparison to acoustic. However, this piano seems very capable as Stu demonstrated. Cant wait to try the new GP series once it hits the stores.. As always, lovely playing Stu 😍
Thanks so much for tuning in! You are very right. Very delicate dynamics is a great litmus test for an action's limitations. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
To me the rh3 on the kawai beats everything hands down, but i have not yet tried ph4. I think one day I’ll try out a roland just to try it! Love all your work stu!! Your playing is amazing!!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! I'll be sure to pass on your compliments to Stu. The RHIII is a fantastic touch that offers a different feel and weight than the PHA4, which is also an exceptional action. At the end of the day, every player will have their own personal preference. :)
@@MerriamPianos i sometimes wish that at the very beginning of the review that stu would give us a full song , because some boards don’t even come with demos. that way you can enjoy the sound then after explain everything, his playing i could listen to all day !
Congratulations! The Roland GP6 is beyond impressive. Roland has really drew a line in the sand with this new generation of GP models. I know you'll be thrilled with what it offers musically. :)
i played on it yesterday, because i was thinking about selling my baby grand piano. maintenance is one aspect, but the other is the possibility to play with headphones at night and all the features that come the app.
The acoustic baby grand will hold its value better, and you could get an inexpensive compact slab dp for apps and headphones. But the GP-6 doesn't need tuning, so if your baby grand needs frequent tuning or other maintenance, that would be a good reason for switching to the GP-6 IMO.
Another great video by Stu! I tested the GP-6 in Bangkok today. It plays very close to an acoustic grand. The GP-6's size and footprint is just slightly bigger than a high-end upright, but the sound stage or sound field out of this piano is pretty impressive in person.
Thanks for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed Stu's review of the impressive Roland GP6. I wholeheartedly agree! The value and quality Roland has packed into this model is very impressive to say the least. :)
great video. Once you've reviewd the GP-9, and possibly GP-9M, could you do a short comparison of the new range so we can easily see the differences between the models? If possible, would be great if a summary table could include the LX range as well
Thank you kindly! And thanks for the suggestion! We will do our best to do a total GP series overview video that tackles the main talking points and key differences between each model. :)
I'm just realising that Stu is pedalling with his left foot. I was wondering about the posture on another video. I guess it must be useful for facing the audience/camera. from a grand piano, at least while doing a demo. I hate to think what the price will be, but the amplification looks to be a world above that of the GP-3. Thanks for another enjoyable video.
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for tuning in! We appreciate it. :) I believe you are correct about Stu periodically pedalling with his left foot. I think it is to ensure that he is facing the audience. ;)
Is there a YT channel with videos of Stu's performances? If not, that would be just wonderful to start one! He's so gooood! Like 11:42 🎶 It will be surely so well received and appreciated by the community.
I don't believe so, but I think that would be an excellent thing to start. Perhaps, we could put together a separate series of videos that are primary focused on Stu's playing. Thanks so much for tuning in! :)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoyed it. The LX708 and GP6 use different tone engines. While there are some similarities sonically, they do have their own unique nuances. :)
Hi Stu! Thank you for the wonderful review. I know it’s 2 different kinds of piano but between this and the Kawai CA 901, which one would you recommend? The GP6 is about 600€ more expensive where I live. Thank you
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! That really comes down to the musical preferences of the player. I find the GP6 to have a heavier and more solid feeling action, which may or may not be the preference. In terms of tone, I am a huge fan of the CA901's TwinDrive Soundboard system personally. It captures a warm and nuance that is tough to find in other digital pianos. But, with that said, the GP6's speaker system is quite impressive too. My recommendation would be to try both instruments in person to see which one you resonate with more. :)
Kawai GL-10 or this? Hmmm, life is full of difficult choices. Thanks so much for yet another great review. I can't wait to watch the review for the GP9 😊
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! They are very different instruments of course, but both very excellent instruments in their own regard. Also, you can bet on a GP9 review the moment that we receive our first unit from Roland. :)
yo tengo el gp3 el gp6 en el estudio me quedaba muy ajustado , pero es igual de maravilloso , ademas de sonar increible y pulsacion maravillosa es facil de trasladar para actuaciones con los ajustes que hice me quedo super
Congrats on your GP3! It is a very attractive piano for the price (both musically and aesthetically). And it is also quite manageable to transport, which makes it a wonderful choice for gigging/performance in which a grand piano aesthetic is desired. Happy playing! :)
Hi hi!, About the key material.. I would like to know the durability of them like PHA50 from roland or Grand Feel III from kawai. If i play harshly which is better? (Now i own a yamaha ydp-144r which my keys are start making some crack noises, If i go to those keys.. is it a Noticeable differences?.) Thank you! :D
Hi there! The PHA50 action is a composite wood/plastic key, which gives you the best of both worlds: the rigidity/durability of plastic, but the feel and weightiness of wood. I personally find Roland actions to be amongst the most durable on the market in my opinion. With that said, the Grand Feel III actions are incredibly durable as well. I would say that you're getting an action that can provide excellent longevity in either case.
Hi Stu, certainly sounds like they are moving the game along with their modelling. Have you heard/played the new German Concert grand expansion for the RD-2000? I have it and I'm very impressed. There's a detail and grain within the piano sound that mean for the first time I can relate to the sonics like I can with a sampled piano. Would love you to review the expansion for the RD if you get a chance to do so.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We appreciate it. :) I have not personally tested out that new grand piano expansion, but perhaps Stu has. I will certainly add it to the list of potential topics to cover in upcoming content for the production team. Thanks for the suggestion!
Great video, thanks! The GP-6 makes perfect sense to me. (Was in doubt about the GP-3, as Roland did put their entry to midrange level PHA-4 in there).
Hi! Brent here! The new action series is called the Piano Reality series. The GP3 has the "Piano Reality Standard" keyboard, while the GP6 has the "Piano Reality Hybrid" keyboard. We will be covering the GP9 in an upcoming review video. ;)
Just bought one at my local store, I was really impressed by the sound it delivered and I really like the form factor factor of the gp-6, not too big and neither too small to sound like a can box. This is definitely a nice upgrade from my P-125! I've also tested the GP-9 and the sound was relatively the same except it could deliver more power than the gp-6. The touch felt also very similar maybe a bit heavier due to the longer key action. I've tried some grand pianos in the 40k range, yus uprights then switched back to the gp-6 and I would say it played really great. The PHA50 action seemed enough of a good action, I was able to do the key repetition which I couldn't with the GHS action. I guess those new sensors help for that! One big key difference is the string resonance of the Yamaha C3 or Yamaha YUS5 that was not as present when playing the GP6, but considering this is a 9k$ CAD digital piano vs a 40k$ CAD analog piano the comparison is not really fair. Also considering you don't have to ever tune the instrument and the weight of the GP6 is bearable for two normal humans to lift. The playing experience really impressed me as it resembled the other upright and grand pianos I've played, don't judge by the youtube videos, you really need to play it as stereo headphones cannot make it justice.
Congratulations on your GP6! They are amazing digital grands and Roland has really knocked things out of the park with this installation into the GP series in my opinion. I know what you mean regarding the new sensor system. The tracking of dynamic and expressive details are quite impressive. And you are right about the GP6 being the perfect middle ground in terms of size. It is big enough to give the grandeur and aesthetic of a grand piano, but small enough to be manageable to find space for. Thanks for sharing your experiences with it and happy playing! :)
hi Stu - have always been curious, when you play on these videos do you improvise or do you play specific pieces? i've always enjoyed your playing and the pieces you play but can never figure out whether I can find some sheet music for them? Thanks!
Hi Paul! Brent from Merriam Music here! It depends on the video. Sometimes, Stu is playing a specific piece and sometimes he is improvising. Perhaps, an official Stu Harrison sheet music catalogue is a needed addition to the Merriam Music web store. ;)
I am considering buying a hybrid. I love your review of the Roland LX 708, and this model popping up now makes me consider this one as an alternative. Will you compare them both? Is this new model a hybrid in the same way the LX 708 is? Finally, do you think it is realistic that the LX 708 will be upgraded any time soon to incorporate some of the improvements this new model has (namely the new dashboard)?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for the kind words! We're glad you enjoyed the LX708 review. :) The LX708 and GP6 are technically not 'hybrid' pianos as they do not use acoustic piano actions. While they have amazing features like plastic/wood composite keys, extended pivot lengths, and haptic feedback, they are still technically digital piano actions. We may do a comparison between the LX and GP models, but they are not exactly in the same category as digital grand pianos have a much larger footprint than digital console pianos. Also, at this time, we have not received any notice from Roland regarding an update to the LX708 model. Thanks again and happy playing!
Shout out to Stu. Very great review with deep drive as always. I am no pro, not even amateur piano player. I consider myself just a recreational player. However, with years of playing guitars in bands at younger age, I developed a particular demand for certain actions, discerning feels, and sounds. I stopped by a local shop to test out a few DP nad APs, and i gotta say that LX708 was a little let down in terms of the sound. The action is better than any $6K mark comparable Yamaha DP, but i noticed a slight artificial touch at the mid-high range of keys after testing out a few Acoustic baby grands. Without knowing anything about their GP series, i sat down with the GP-9, and the sound is much better than LX708, and the key action is slightly less artificial, it feels that they tone down that grand piano click at the end of the keystroke. But the key weight is slightly lighter than the Yamaha NV10. Just too bad, my house and budget can't allow me to have the GP-9. I later discovered Roland has GP-6 on the line-up, and it is slightly less expensive than the LX708, so i am looking to compare that with a LX708 in terms of action and sound. All I know is that the gp-6 action is a pha50, but I have no idea how that feels. Can you shed light on it, and perhaps do a comparison of the two comparable models. Someone in the forum mentioned that Roland may have the updated LX708 next year. debating if I should wait.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in! The new GP series models are quite exciting to say the least. The GP-6 and LX708 aren't exactly a like-to-like comparison (digital grand versus digital upright), but we will do our best to tackle that comparison for you. The best bet is to test out both models at a showroom to see which one you connect with most. With that said, one of the big improvements with the new GP6 and GP9 models is the sensor technology. The tracking speed is greatly improved, which helps render a truer representation of the player's expression and performance nuances. So, even if the action doesn't feel considerably different than the PHA50 predecessor physically, the psychoacoustic effect is quite meaningful in my opinion. Thanks again and hope this helps! :)
Hi Stu, When I asked Roland whether the GP-6 and GP-9 had the same length actions they told me yes. However you are saying (4:04) that the GP-6 has a shorter PHA-50 (22cm pivot length) style action. I was expecting the GP-9 to have an action like the Hybrid Grand action (26cm pivot length) on the LX708 (with haptic feedback) and the GP-6 to have the same action minus the haptic feedback like on the LX706? Have you actually measured the length of the action in the GP-6? Did Roland provide a sample display action for each? I guess when I find a GP-6 on a store room floor I will be able to see the truth in about 30 seconds. I just don’t want to pay AUD $2,700 more for an instrument with a worse action than the LX706 :)
Hi Richard! Brent from Merriam Music here! Given how new these models are, we have not received action displays nor have we removed the actions to measure pivot lengths ourselves. However, Roland's official messaging on their global site states that the GP6 and GP9 models do not have the same action. In either case, we will definitely keep you posted with any updates on our end. Perhaps, we can tackle these new actions in a full-line action review as we've done in the past. :)
The GP510 is a bit superior to the GP310, that is objectively true I'd say. But, the GP510 versus the GP6 comes down to a matter of preference and taste. They offer very different touches, tones, and aesthetics. I'd recommend trying both in person to see which one aligns more with your preferences. :)
You mention the previous version of the PHA50 having missing parts of the dynamic spectrum, as relating to the internal sounds. I'm curious, would this phenomenon also cause issues with midi data when using the action with a VST? I know you have experience with PHA50 and VSTs via the RD2000 so your insight would be valuable.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! This is an excellent question. The new Piano Reality series of actions definitely have a greatly improved sensor system, which is faster and more responsive, meaning that their ability to track finer details and nuances of a player's performance is superior. This would also be the case when using the piano as a MIDI controller for VSTs. Thanks and all the best!
I am a classical pianist who has had a number of Rolands, because of space, and have been the happy owner of a LX706 for nearly five years.. A couple of years ago I got a Yamaha U1. That sits downstairs and the digital is upstairs and played in the evenings through headphones, though not as much as the U1. I did amend the LX706 sound quite a bit at the start so maybe that is relevant to the fact that to me the GP6 sounds both recognisably Roland and a digital, not an acoustic. But a question - what is the repetition speed like?
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights. We appreciate it! For some players, all digital pianos will require some settings tweaks to find a sound that you are truly inspired by. With that said, the GP6 offers excellent flexibility on that front. It has a very responsive action with quick repetition too. I would say that it is comparable to the LX706 and LX708, but the LX706 and LX708 have a slight edge on that front in my opinion.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent. The repetition issues on my LX706 and the U1 is where I hoped that perhaps the GP6 might be an improvement. As for the sound settings, I am listening to it via headphones after it has been through several digital/electrical devices, your recording, the internet, my computer and headphones, and I think each one amplifies the very, very slight digital 'twang', though I don't notice it with acoustics. The GP6 sound is very good if perhaps a little too pure. It doesn't have the acoustic imperfections which can vary slightly even day to day!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for reaching out! The choice between the two will always come down to the tone and touch preferences of the player along with the context in which they are planning to use the piano. They are both exceptional digital pianos that offer a different flavour musically. My recommendation would be to spend some time on both at a showroom to discover which one you resonate with most. :)
@@MerriamPianos I did and still not too sure. I took the CasioGP510 home right before the RolandGP6 came out so now I’m debating about the exchange from the CasioGP510 to the RolandGP6. I like the touch of the CasioGP510 more but the sound of the RolandGP6 more. I already have a Kawai GL10 baby grand for day time and a Yamaha P515 for taking with. Considering the Roland90X as it has a mic input for singing but haven’t had the pleasure of playing one to compare with my P515
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Unfortunately, I have not had an opportunity to spend too much time on the GP-6 yet, but I will say that it sounded fantastic when I did have an opportunity to play it. I would say the fidelity of the sound is on board, but the sonic experience is quite different based on the positioning of the speakers in reference to the player. It is quite comparable to the different proximity effects of an acoustic upright versus an acoustic grand.
Roland did it again! The Steinway of digital pianos. Thank god they didn't use the PureAcoustic on this one, the end-product wouldn't have been as nearly as good.
Roland is a force to be reckoned with in the digital piano realm! The new GP series is quite remarkable. It is hard not to get excited about the future of digital pianos with offerings like this. :)
I have a mediocre upright acoustic piano at home, and it's such a pain to play technically-challenging passages; the touch is awful that I'd only do slow & short passage practices with this piano (I'd often practice at my campus instead since they have lovely Yamaha grand pianos). I'm almost finished with my music degree, and I intend to get rid of my piano at home for a digital grand piano (currently saving up for one :-D) so I have a nice piano to play on. I came across this specific model a while ago but am skeptical about the touch-would anyone actually recommend this digital piano for serious practicing? and how does it feel/sound when you try to play pianissimo?
Hi there! The Roland GP6 has a very excellent action. It is one of the better actions you will find on a digital piano in my opinion. The wooden side panelling, heavy weighting, and escapement simulation gives a very authentic feel. It is definitely an option worth exploring. :)
Stu, thanks very much for this informative and helpful review. I look forward to your review of the GP-9 and eventually also to your comparison between the latter and the Kawai Novus NV10S. When you do review the GP-9 would you, if possible, please provide details of the keyboard touchweight (at say C2, C4 and C6) and the components of the latter - as you know, touchweight = (downweight + upweight)/2. As you also probably know, on a Hamburg Steinway acoustic grand the factory target range for downweight is normally 47g (at C8) - 52g (at A0) with upweight at c. 24g-25g. Also, would you please comment on whether (and to what extent) either the effective touchweight or/and just the downweight on the GP-9 can be adjusted by using Roland's key touch adjuster (1-100). Many thanks in advance!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed the video review. We appreciate your feedback and questions immensely. I will pass them along to our production team on your behalf and, hopefully, these details regarding touch weight can be covered in our eventual GP-9 review video. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks very much Brent. I should have mentioned: as you already know, touchweight on acoustic pianos is usually measured with dampers off (hence the measurements for Steinway stated in my earlier post are with dampers off). My understanding is that dampers off on digital pianos generally makes no difference to the touchweight EXCEPT on the Kawai NV10S/NV5S. Consequently it would be useful also to know what the situation on this variable is on the GP-9.
I’ve looked the keyboard up in the manual and it says Piano reality hybrid concert keyboard, with escapement, ebony/Ivory feel, dynamic sensor acceleration technology and haptic key vibration.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! It ultimately comes down to a matter of personal preference. With that said, I think the GP9 model will be the piano more closely related to the NV10S. You can certainly bet on some comparison videos in the near future, which feature the new Roland GP models. ;)
Compared to the GP-9/9M, I think the NV10S is more focused on the piano performance (real piano action + premium sampling engine). However, the cabinet doesn't look like a baby grand and the speaker system doesn't seem as advanced and powerful as the GP9/9M. The Roland GP9/9M does not have a real piano action, but it has a very attractive baby grand piano cabinet, and the speaker system is definitely advanced. I think the NV10S would be better for home use by piano focused people, while the Roland GP9/9M would be better suited for hotels, a cruise ship, etc.
Sad that they cheapened out with pha-50 instead of the grand hybrid especially for this price. You can get the lx706 with the grand hybrid action for less! Just wanted to point it out if people prioritize the best feeling and responsive action!
While it may be frustrating to not have Roland's top-of-the-line action on this model if this is a model of interest, I believe the intention is to have three tiers of digital grands all of which offer Roland's three tiers of weighted actions. With that said, the touch of the Roland GP-6 is still fantastic! :)
Hi! Brent here! That is a very subjective question and answer of course. I haven't spend enough time on the GP6 yet personally to weigh in on this. My recommendation would be to do some side by side sound comparisons between this video and our video on the LX708. We'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter. :)
I believe Roland still has some limited supply of GP607 and GP609 models, but they will not be produced moving forward as the GP6 and GP9 are direct replacements.
That comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. The touch and tone of the GP-6 is quite the contrast to that of the NV series instruments from Kawai. Every player will have their personal preference between these two amazing digital piano lines. :)
Thank you for the great review Stu! I was surprised that it was released on a weekday. I do not like this game of fancy new names Roland is giving to its actions and sound engines. It is non-descriptive and so “commercial”. I would also like to add that it is incomprehensible that plastic, short pivot action (PHA50) is used in such an expensive digital piano. This price range calls for hybrid real wood, long pivot action. Kawai seems to understand it but Roland started to make expensive digital pianos for people who like nice furniture and illusion of having a real piano. Stu emphasized the importance of good action in the review of Kawai CA901 very well so I cannot understand that he glossed over this weak part of GP-6. I am looking forward to the comparison of the new Kawai CA line digital pianos with the Roland GP offerings. Roland pianos are actually more expensive!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for taking the time to check out the new video. At the end of the day, every action and tone engine needs some type of unique name to distinguish it from its predecessors, especially when there is a major change in design where it does not make sense to simply change the number associated with it (e.g. PHA-4 to PHA-5). There is a very clear and meaningful intention behind Roland using the moniker "Piano Reality" for each of these components, which is that they are all painstakingly designed to function symbiotically with each other. While this is true with all digital pianos to some extent, the level of detail and connectivity that Roland has ushered in with this system is quite remarkable and impressive.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you Brent. I prefer the old method of naming. I knew what PHA-4, PHA50 or even Hybrid Grand actions were (or are). I do not understand how these new actions compare mechanically with the old ones. They may as well be the same hardware with just different signal processing. It is now all about feel and expression.
The price of the GP607 will most likely vary from market to market. It will also likely depend on whether dealers still have boxed units or are selling off floor models.
Of course, it is difficult to fully represent the way the onboard speakers sound within a room, but, nonetheless, we do our best to capture both sonic experiences that the instrument offers. :)
I was expecting that the next digital grand to be released by Roland would have their Hybrid Grand Action. You even speculated the same thing in a November 7th, 2022 blog posting. Aren't we all surprised that the GP-6 doesn't have the Hybrid Grand Action?
The gp-9 is out now. Got myself one and had it delivered this Monday. It has 4 top speakers a few tweeters and a subwoofer facing downwards. I’ll have to check the manual but I do think that is the hybrid keyboard, I’ll comment back when I’ve looked it up.
It was certainly a surprise, but, with that said, the Roland GP6 has proven to be quite the instrument! It is exciting to see these new digital grand offerings from Roland. :)
13:27 has a funny 6-second delay echo of the voice track for about another 6 seconds. My job here is to make sure you realize that people in total spend even more time than you put in creating these vids. Consider it a proof of appreciation!
Hi! Brent here! Well, thank you for the compliments about our channel! We appreciate it. I cannot hear the delay/echo that you are referring to, but, perhaps, all of those hours on a stage listening to crash cymbals thrashing away have final caught up to my ears. ;)
@MerriamPianos Yeah, with a delay of 6s it doesn't sound like "echo" - more like a "canon entry" :) I do listen to everything on headphones. It's quite audible, but it's probably -12dB from the original at 13:21. Anyhoops, the point is, keep up the good work, we listen very carefully!
The FP90X is a fantastic piano, but I would say that the improvements made to the sonic and playing experience of the new GP models, including the GP6 are immense. The speaker fidelity is incredible and the new action's sensor system is remarkably fast and accurate. I would recommend playing one in person though to see if the different is meaningful enough to justify the upgrade to you. :)
I wonder if GP6 can do this: for iPhone or Android phone, just plug connect the USB to lightning or USB-C on the phone, now then, you can record video and the USB will make it as if you have a "mic"... but in fact is Line out pretending to be "mic" into the phone. It is really simple to record your playing this way: ruclips.net/video/DUNQSoAbX7I/видео.html she is saying, now you can see the recording has my voice and ambience noise, and now notice there is none
It might be a possibility! I am not entirely sure if that arrangement would be compatible, but, perhaps, it is a possibility. We will definitely be taking a deeper dive into these models and their features/capabilities in future content. :)
@@MerriamPianos yeah maybe you can have a video about it. It'd be so much easier to record a playing and put on youtube: just a phone and a cable. You don't have to deal with the computer and an audio interface and perhaps even video editing software
Digital piano technology has become so exciting and increasingly sophisticated. Roland has just upgraded its GP series with so--called reality modeling. The new algorithm seems to have bypassed its pure acoustic modeling. Algorithm-wise, it's no longer 10 years behind the latest VST-based Pianoteq.
I agree! It is an exciting time in the realm of digital pianos and the work that Roland is doing with their modeling technology is quite impressive to say the least! :)
Every player is a little different and will have their own preferences. Thankfully, there are a lot of models and options to choose from on the market! :)
Roland 'marketing people' I'm convinced are smoking something terrifying. How they come up with these terms for their action and sound engine ---which obfuscate what they really are---escapes me entirely entirely. The naming conventions are a tiny bit irritating and I think they are as mad as a cheese flavoued banana. Here is what we have with the PHA50. If you play it side-by-side on the FP-90X vs the MP11SE with Kawai's old top-spec digital action, the PHA50 is clearly inferior as an experience in toto combining the PureAcoustic modelling and the PHA50. I think the folded actions have a limit and they just don't play quite as nicely IMO. So for me, the PHA50 is a premium stage piano action i.e., a slightly superior than average midrange cabinet piano action. The PHA50 is slightly struggling against the Grand Feel Compact, but holding its own against the RHIII and Grand Touch S. I have a confession. I played the LX708 years after playing the LX17. I was a fairly big fan of the LX17, and thought that the LX708 wasn't a big enough step forward to compete with the CLP685 and CA98. I liked the Yamaha the best at that time, and part of that was the amplification and Binaural sampling, which blew away the PureAcoustic modelling through that particular speaker array in the LX708. Since then, the NUX1, N1X and CLP785 arrived; later still, the CA79, CA99 and Novus NV5S & 10S. The Kawai amplification jumped a few iterations at once, and the newer Rendering engine really gels with the Amplification. Now, IMO, Yamaha are behind Kawai, and Roland have work to do to the drawing board before they get parity with Yamaha. So today, the new Roland's are looking nice and performing nicely through RUclips (when do they not?). If the action is still at the core, a PHA50 with longer keysticks and mods over the LX708, then Roland will need to have done something extraordinary with the amplification and sound projection, as well as the Sound generation in order to impress. I'm not convinced by these videos of Roland products, but am looking forward to trying them out for myself. Only then will there be clarity for me on whether they have made significant progress, or just slight improvement. At any rate, they need a hybrid action of their own in the digital Grand Piano sector to compete with the Kawai and Yamaha hybrid. I think that's not going to come without collaboration with a real grand piano manufacturer. So in some ways, this over expensive Grand GP6 is a side show to what most people will afford: the LX series update. If Roland are listening: get rid of the cheese banana flavoured marketing babble. Make your actions 3 letters plus a number. Make the progression numerical so we can clearly see the evolution. With the modelling sound engine, just name the chip engine with 3 letters and a version to show its evolution,,and name the modelling engine V-piano version X.y where X is the generation (like pianoteq 1, 2, 3, 4 etc) and where y is the subversion. Then maybe bring out some regular updates like Pianoteq, so you can improve your modelling faster. Hope this actually is a good instrument, because last time with the LX708, I was a tad underwhelmed by the relative experience compared to rival instruments.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! We appreciate the insights and discussion points. With that said, at the end of the day, the playing and sonic experience is very subjective and the "best" piano option will be different for every player. Roland and Kawai offer very different musical experiences both in terms of touch and tone. Both manufacturers and their corresponding models will have their fanbases of course and for good reason. As you mentioned, the best thing anyone can do is to establish their own perspective based on thorough listen or, when possible, playing on the instrument firsthand. You never know, the in-person experience of these new Roland GP models might completely change your mind. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
I completely agree with your comments. I made a similar one but you did it much more eloquently than I. Roland obfuscates the parameters and precise information with flowery names. Pure marketing and focus on style over substance. Ps. I believed in Roland and was using its digital pianos for two years. My eyes opened in October of last year.
Your selection of tunes is very bad. Play something, we have heard before. Like Moonlight Sonata or another well known classic like Ode to Joy. All you are playing is keyboard salad.
Music is a highly subjective matter of course, so it is difficult to find repertoire that every listener would enjoy. With that said, featuring pieces from a few genres would be quite interesting. I'll be happy to pass on the feedback to our production team.
Digital and acoustic pianos are obviously going to attract different customers with different needs. Thankfully, there are a lot of excellent options within both categories for customers to select from. :)
The thing is though that these top end digital pianos are the same price as low end acoustic ones. So like if I was to spend double the money on an acoustic piano, sure, I could get something better, but then I'd have to spend double the money.
![Chino Pacas - Smith (ft. Junior H & Fuerza Regida) [Video Visualizador Oficial]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BVK6k56X30Y/mqdefault.jpg)
Very interesting instrument! As a former professional pianist who had the misfortune of playing unregulated, out of tune warn out Grand pianos in bars/restaurants/clubs, I’d take something like this all day over a beat up acoustic.
Haha absolutely! I definitely agree with that sentiment! That is one of the nice things about digital pianos; much less maintenance to ensure that they remain as viable instruments. :)
This has been my point all along. A good digital is more pleasurable to play than a mediocre acoustic. That said, there are only a few really good digitals on the market. Watching Stu play with a sensitive soft touch suggests that the GP-6 is a really nice digital piano.
It's nice to see you playing with a light expressive touch. That sells me on the instrument.
I really like that Roland's controls are right up front and in your face rather than over on the cheek block where it's hard to see, and manipulate. Now that they can be hidden seems very cool. Again your gentile playing is absolutely my cup of tea.
Thank you kindly for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on the feedback to Stu! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks. It's good to see him on an instrument where he can demonstrate his sensitive "chops"
Playing pianissimo always exposes the limitations of digital pianos in comparison to acoustic. However, this piano seems very capable as Stu demonstrated. Cant wait to try the new GP series once it hits the stores.. As always, lovely playing Stu 😍
Thanks so much for tuning in! You are very right. Very delicate dynamics is a great litmus test for an action's limitations. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
To me the rh3 on the kawai beats everything hands down, but i have not yet tried ph4. I think one day I’ll try out a roland just to try it! Love all your work stu!! Your playing is amazing!!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! I'll be sure to pass on your compliments to Stu. The RHIII is a fantastic touch that offers a different feel and weight than the PHA4, which is also an exceptional action. At the end of the day, every player will have their own personal preference. :)
@@MerriamPianos i sometimes wish that at the very beginning of the review that stu would give us a full song , because some boards don’t even come with demos. that way you can enjoy the sound then after explain everything, his playing i could listen to all day !
You may have just reviewed my ideal digital piano!
The Roland GP6 is a fantastic digital grand and would make for a wonderful musical companion. :)
Just bought this and now I’m even more excited to bring it into the home!
Congratulations! The Roland GP6 is beyond impressive. Roland has really drew a line in the sand with this new generation of GP models. I know you'll be thrilled with what it offers musically. :)
An authoritative and comprehensive analysis. Your passion seeps out in this video. I just need to adjust my want list now! 😊
Thanks so much! We appreciate that. All the best and happy playing! :)
i played on it yesterday, because i was thinking about selling my baby grand piano. maintenance is one aspect, but the other is the possibility to play with headphones at night and all the features that come the app.
Absolutely! There are a lot of perks with going to a digital piano these days. Thanks so much for tuning in! :)
The acoustic baby grand will hold its value better, and you could get an inexpensive compact slab dp for apps and headphones. But the GP-6 doesn't need tuning, so if your baby grand needs frequent tuning or other maintenance, that would be a good reason for switching to the GP-6 IMO.
Another great video by Stu! I tested the GP-6 in Bangkok today. It plays very close to an acoustic grand. The GP-6's size and footprint is just slightly bigger than a high-end upright, but the sound stage or sound field out of this piano is pretty impressive in person.
Thanks for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed Stu's review of the impressive Roland GP6. I wholeheartedly agree! The value and quality Roland has packed into this model is very impressive to say the least. :)
great video. Once you've reviewd the GP-9, and possibly GP-9M, could you do a short comparison of the new range so we can easily see the differences between the models? If possible, would be great if a summary table could include the LX range as well
Thank you kindly! And thanks for the suggestion! We will do our best to do a total GP series overview video that tackles the main talking points and key differences between each model. :)
I'm just realising that Stu is pedalling with his left foot. I was wondering about the posture on another video. I guess it must be useful for facing the audience/camera. from a grand piano, at least while doing a demo.
I hate to think what the price will be, but the amplification looks to be a world above that of the GP-3.
Thanks for another enjoyable video.
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
I believe you are correct about Stu periodically pedalling with his left foot. I think it is to ensure that he is facing the audience. ;)
Great review, as always, Stu; thanks! Looking forward to your review of the GP-9... 🙂
Thank you for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu! :)
I also love the speaker test / demonstration.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for tuning in! :)
Another awesome review!
Thanks a million! We appreciate the kind words! :)
Agreed. It made my evening.
Off the top, most realistic digital I have heard. I see the price matches that ! 😊
The GP6 is an impressive instrument to say the least. Have you checked out the flagship GP9 model yet? It is even more impressive! :)
Heavenly.
Thanks so much! :)
Is there a YT channel with videos of Stu's performances?
If not, that would be just wonderful to start one! He's so gooood! Like 11:42 🎶
It will be surely so well received and appreciated by the community.
I don't believe so, but I think that would be an excellent thing to start. Perhaps, we could put together a separate series of videos that are primary focused on Stu's playing. Thanks so much for tuning in! :)
Great comprehensive review! Much appreciated. I am wondering if Roland LX780 share similar sound to GP6?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoyed it. The LX708 and GP6 use different tone engines. While there are some similarities sonically, they do have their own unique nuances. :)
Hi Stu! Thank you for the wonderful review. I know it’s 2 different kinds of piano but between this and the Kawai CA 901, which one would you recommend? The GP6 is about 600€ more expensive where I live. Thank you
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! That really comes down to the musical preferences of the player. I find the GP6 to have a heavier and more solid feeling action, which may or may not be the preference. In terms of tone, I am a huge fan of the CA901's TwinDrive Soundboard system personally. It captures a warm and nuance that is tough to find in other digital pianos. But, with that said, the GP6's speaker system is quite impressive too. My recommendation would be to try both instruments in person to see which one you resonate with more. :)
@@MerriamPianos thank you very much for the insight! :)
Kawai GL-10 or this? Hmmm, life is full of difficult choices. Thanks so much for yet another great review. I can't wait to watch the review for the GP9 😊
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! They are very different instruments of course, but both very excellent instruments in their own regard. Also, you can bet on a GP9 review the moment that we receive our first unit from Roland. :)
yo tengo el gp3 el gp6 en el estudio me quedaba muy ajustado , pero es igual de maravilloso , ademas de sonar increible y pulsacion maravillosa es facil de trasladar para actuaciones
con los ajustes que hice me quedo super
Congrats on your GP3! It is a very attractive piano for the price (both musically and aesthetically). And it is also quite manageable to transport, which makes it a wonderful choice for gigging/performance in which a grand piano aesthetic is desired. Happy playing! :)
Hi hi!, About the key material.. I would like to know the durability of them like PHA50 from roland or Grand Feel III from kawai. If i play harshly which is better? (Now i own a yamaha ydp-144r which my keys are start making some crack noises, If i go to those keys.. is it a Noticeable differences?.) Thank you! :D
Hi there! The PHA50 action is a composite wood/plastic key, which gives you the best of both worlds: the rigidity/durability of plastic, but the feel and weightiness of wood. I personally find Roland actions to be amongst the most durable on the market in my opinion. With that said, the Grand Feel III actions are incredibly durable as well. I would say that you're getting an action that can provide excellent longevity in either case.
Hi Stu, certainly sounds like they are moving the game along with their modelling. Have you heard/played the new German Concert grand expansion for the RD-2000? I have it and I'm very impressed. There's a detail and grain within the piano sound that mean for the first time I can relate to the sonics like I can with a sampled piano. Would love you to review the expansion for the RD if you get a chance to do so.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
I have not personally tested out that new grand piano expansion, but perhaps Stu has. I will certainly add it to the list of potential topics to cover in upcoming content for the production team. Thanks for the suggestion!
@merriampianos but does Stu think this is better than the Kawai Novus NV5s?
Great video, thanks! The GP-6 makes perfect sense to me. (Was in doubt about the GP-3, as Roland did put their entry to midrange level PHA-4 in there).
Thank you so much! We're glad you enjoyed it! The GP6 is an excellent value given the impressive specs and price point. :)
Thank you for another excellent review. Does the new GP3 and GP9 also have the same PHA50 action as the GP6?
Hi! Brent here! The new action series is called the Piano Reality series. The GP3 has the "Piano Reality Standard" keyboard, while the GP6 has the "Piano Reality Hybrid" keyboard. We will be covering the GP9 in an upcoming review video. ;)
@@MerriamPianos thank you. Is the new action on the GP3 better than the current PH50?
@@lbamusic I think it's just a renamed PHA4Standard🎹🎶
Just bought one at my local store, I was really impressed by the sound it delivered and I really like the form factor factor of the gp-6, not too big and neither too small to sound like a can box. This is definitely a nice upgrade from my P-125! I've also tested the GP-9 and the sound was relatively the same except it could deliver more power than the gp-6. The touch felt also very similar maybe a bit heavier due to the longer key action. I've tried some grand pianos in the 40k range, yus uprights then switched back to the gp-6 and I would say it played really great. The PHA50 action seemed enough of a good action, I was able to do the key repetition which I couldn't with the GHS action. I guess those new sensors help for that!
One big key difference is the string resonance of the Yamaha C3 or Yamaha YUS5 that was not as present when playing the GP6, but considering this is a 9k$ CAD digital piano vs a 40k$ CAD analog piano the comparison is not really fair. Also considering you don't have to ever tune the instrument and the weight of the GP6 is bearable for two normal humans to lift. The playing experience really impressed me as it resembled the other upright and grand pianos I've played, don't judge by the youtube videos, you really need to play it as stereo headphones cannot make it justice.
Congratulations on your GP6! They are amazing digital grands and Roland has really knocked things out of the park with this installation into the GP series in my opinion. I know what you mean regarding the new sensor system. The tracking of dynamic and expressive details are quite impressive. And you are right about the GP6 being the perfect middle ground in terms of size. It is big enough to give the grandeur and aesthetic of a grand piano, but small enough to be manageable to find space for. Thanks for sharing your experiences with it and happy playing! :)
hi Stu - have always been curious, when you play on these videos do you improvise or do you play specific pieces? i've always enjoyed your playing and the pieces you play but can never figure out whether I can find some sheet music for them? Thanks!
Hi Paul! Brent from Merriam Music here! It depends on the video. Sometimes, Stu is playing a specific piece and sometimes he is improvising. Perhaps, an official Stu Harrison sheet music catalogue is a needed addition to the Merriam Music web store. ;)
@@MerriamPianos haha I would definitely buy from that! thanks for the quick response, wishing you a nice weekend ahead
When can we expect a video on the GP-9? Looking forward to seeing that.
Once we receive our first shipment of the model, you can certainly bet on a review video to follow shortly thereafter. ;)
I am considering buying a hybrid. I love your review of the Roland LX 708, and this model popping up now makes me consider this one as an alternative. Will you compare them both? Is this new model a hybrid in the same way the LX 708 is?
Finally, do you think it is realistic that the LX 708 will be upgraded any time soon to incorporate some of the improvements this new model has (namely the new dashboard)?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for the kind words! We're glad you enjoyed the LX708 review. :)
The LX708 and GP6 are technically not 'hybrid' pianos as they do not use acoustic piano actions. While they have amazing features like plastic/wood composite keys, extended pivot lengths, and haptic feedback, they are still technically digital piano actions.
We may do a comparison between the LX and GP models, but they are not exactly in the same category as digital grand pianos have a much larger footprint than digital console pianos.
Also, at this time, we have not received any notice from Roland regarding an update to the LX708 model.
Thanks again and happy playing!
Shout out to Stu. Very great review with deep drive as always. I am no pro, not even amateur piano player. I consider myself just a recreational player. However, with years of playing guitars in bands at younger age, I developed a particular demand for certain actions, discerning feels, and sounds. I stopped by a local shop to test out a few DP nad APs, and i gotta say that LX708 was a little let down in terms of the sound. The action is better than any $6K mark comparable Yamaha DP, but i noticed a slight artificial touch at the mid-high range of keys after testing out a few Acoustic baby grands. Without knowing anything about their GP series, i sat down with the GP-9, and the sound is much better than LX708, and the key action is slightly less artificial, it feels that they tone down that grand piano click at the end of the keystroke. But the key weight is slightly lighter than the Yamaha NV10. Just too bad, my house and budget can't allow me to have the GP-9. I later discovered Roland has GP-6 on the line-up, and it is slightly less expensive than the LX708, so i am looking to compare that with a LX708 in terms of action and sound. All I know is that the gp-6 action is a pha50, but I have no idea how that feels. Can you shed light on it, and perhaps do a comparison of the two comparable models. Someone in the forum mentioned that Roland may have the updated LX708 next year. debating if I should wait.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in! The new GP series models are quite exciting to say the least. The GP-6 and LX708 aren't exactly a like-to-like comparison (digital grand versus digital upright), but we will do our best to tackle that comparison for you. The best bet is to test out both models at a showroom to see which one you connect with most. With that said, one of the big improvements with the new GP6 and GP9 models is the sensor technology. The tracking speed is greatly improved, which helps render a truer representation of the player's expression and performance nuances. So, even if the action doesn't feel considerably different than the PHA50 predecessor physically, the psychoacoustic effect is quite meaningful in my opinion. Thanks again and hope this helps! :)
Hi Stu,
When I asked Roland whether the GP-6 and GP-9 had the same length actions they told me yes.
However you are saying (4:04) that the GP-6 has a shorter PHA-50 (22cm pivot length) style action.
I was expecting the GP-9 to have an action like the Hybrid Grand action (26cm pivot length) on the LX708 (with haptic feedback) and the GP-6 to have the same action minus the haptic feedback like on the LX706?
Have you actually measured the length of the action in the GP-6? Did Roland provide a sample display action for each?
I guess when I find a GP-6 on a store room floor I will be able to see the truth in about 30 seconds.
I just don’t want to pay AUD $2,700 more for an instrument with a worse action than the LX706 :)
Hi Richard! Brent from Merriam Music here! Given how new these models are, we have not received action displays nor have we removed the actions to measure pivot lengths ourselves. However, Roland's official messaging on their global site states that the GP6 and GP9 models do not have the same action. In either case, we will definitely keep you posted with any updates on our end. Perhaps, we can tackle these new actions in a full-line action review as we've done in the past. :)
@@MerriamPianos thanks, I’ll try to measure the pivot length in a store over the weekend.
I played and purchased a GP-6 today - another very accurate review Stu!
Thank you! Casio GP 510 or 310 vs GP 6? What do you think about?
The GP510 is a bit superior to the GP310, that is objectively true I'd say. But, the GP510 versus the GP6 comes down to a matter of preference and taste. They offer very different touches, tones, and aesthetics. I'd recommend trying both in person to see which one aligns more with your preferences. :)
Thank you.
today i just bought my first piano for the family ROLAND GP6. white. however it did not arrive yet.
That is amazing! The GP6 is an incredible instrument! You will be beyond thrilled with it once it arrives. :)
I'd love a comparison of this vs the Kawai Novus 10s!
We will do our best to tackle that comparison! Thanks so much for the suggestion! :)
You mention the previous version of the PHA50 having missing parts of the dynamic spectrum, as relating to the internal sounds. I'm curious, would this phenomenon also cause issues with midi data when using the action with a VST? I know you have experience with PHA50 and VSTs via the RD2000 so your insight would be valuable.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! This is an excellent question. The new Piano Reality series of actions definitely have a greatly improved sensor system, which is faster and more responsive, meaning that their ability to track finer details and nuances of a player's performance is superior. This would also be the case when using the piano as a MIDI controller for VSTs. Thanks and all the best!
I am a classical pianist who has had a number of Rolands, because of space, and have been the happy owner of a LX706 for nearly five years.. A couple of years ago I got a Yamaha U1. That sits downstairs and the digital is upstairs and played in the evenings through headphones, though not as much as the U1. I did amend the LX706 sound quite a bit at the start so maybe that is relevant to the fact that to me the GP6 sounds both recognisably Roland and a digital, not an acoustic. But a question - what is the repetition speed like?
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights. We appreciate it! For some players, all digital pianos will require some settings tweaks to find a sound that you are truly inspired by. With that said, the GP6 offers excellent flexibility on that front. It has a very responsive action with quick repetition too. I would say that it is comparable to the LX706 and LX708, but the LX706 and LX708 have a slight edge on that front in my opinion.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent. The repetition issues on my LX706 and the U1 is where I hoped that perhaps the GP6 might be an improvement. As for the sound settings, I am listening to it via headphones after it has been through several digital/electrical devices, your recording, the internet, my computer and headphones, and I think each one amplifies the very, very slight digital 'twang', though I don't notice it with acoustics. The GP6 sound is very good if perhaps a little too pure. It doesn't have the acoustic imperfections which can vary slightly even day to day!
Would you prefer this RolandGP6 or CasioGP510? Thanks
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for reaching out! The choice between the two will always come down to the tone and touch preferences of the player along with the context in which they are planning to use the piano. They are both exceptional digital pianos that offer a different flavour musically. My recommendation would be to spend some time on both at a showroom to discover which one you resonate with most. :)
@@MerriamPianos I did and still not too sure. I took the CasioGP510 home right before the RolandGP6 came out so now I’m debating about the exchange from the CasioGP510 to the RolandGP6. I like the touch of the CasioGP510 more but the sound of the RolandGP6 more. I already have a Kawai GL10 baby grand for day time and a Yamaha P515 for taking with. Considering the Roland90X as it has a mic input for singing but haven’t had the pleasure of playing one to compare with my P515
The shorter key stick compared to the lx 706/708 isn't ideal but how do you think the sound compares?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Unfortunately, I have not had an opportunity to spend too much time on the GP-6 yet, but I will say that it sounded fantastic when I did have an opportunity to play it. I would say the fidelity of the sound is on board, but the sonic experience is quite different based on the positioning of the speakers in reference to the player. It is quite comparable to the different proximity effects of an acoustic upright versus an acoustic grand.
Roland did it again! The Steinway of digital pianos. Thank god they didn't use the PureAcoustic on this one, the end-product wouldn't have been as nearly as good.
Roland is a force to be reckoned with in the digital piano realm! The new GP series is quite remarkable. It is hard not to get excited about the future of digital pianos with offerings like this. :)
re Roland premium uprights, i'm guessing they will update/refresh this range too?
We have not heard any news from Roland yet, but it is a possibility of course. We will keep you posted with any updates we receive. :)
@@MerriamPianos thank you!
I have a mediocre upright acoustic piano at home, and it's such a pain to play technically-challenging passages; the touch is awful that I'd only do slow & short passage practices with this piano (I'd often practice at my campus instead since they have lovely Yamaha grand pianos). I'm almost finished with my music degree, and I intend to get rid of my piano at home for a digital grand piano (currently saving up for one :-D) so I have a nice piano to play on. I came across this specific model a while ago but am skeptical about the touch-would anyone actually recommend this digital piano for serious practicing? and how does it feel/sound when you try to play pianissimo?
Hi there! The Roland GP6 has a very excellent action. It is one of the better actions you will find on a digital piano in my opinion. The wooden side panelling, heavy weighting, and escapement simulation gives a very authentic feel. It is definitely an option worth exploring. :)
Stu, thanks very much for this informative and helpful review. I look forward to your review of the GP-9 and eventually also to your comparison between the latter and the Kawai Novus NV10S. When you do review the GP-9 would you, if possible, please provide details of the keyboard touchweight (at say C2, C4 and C6) and the components of the latter - as you know, touchweight = (downweight + upweight)/2. As you also probably know, on a Hamburg Steinway acoustic grand the factory target range for downweight is normally 47g (at C8) - 52g (at A0) with upweight at c. 24g-25g. Also, would you please comment on whether (and to what extent) either the effective touchweight or/and just the downweight on the GP-9 can be adjusted by using Roland's key touch adjuster (1-100). Many thanks in advance!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed the video review. We appreciate your feedback and questions immensely. I will pass them along to our production team on your behalf and, hopefully, these details regarding touch weight can be covered in our eventual GP-9 review video. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks very much Brent. I should have mentioned: as you already know, touchweight on acoustic pianos is usually measured with dampers off (hence the measurements for Steinway stated in my earlier post are with dampers off). My understanding is that dampers off on digital pianos generally makes no difference to the touchweight EXCEPT on the Kawai NV10S/NV5S. Consequently it would be useful also to know what the situation on this variable is on the GP-9.
I’ve looked the keyboard up in the manual and it says Piano reality hybrid concert keyboard, with escapement, ebony/Ivory feel, dynamic sensor acceleration technology and haptic key vibration.
Thanks so much for sharing these insights! Very helpful! :)
How would you compare this to Kawai NV10S? What would be your choice if price were no object?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! It ultimately comes down to a matter of personal preference. With that said, I think the GP9 model will be the piano more closely related to the NV10S. You can certainly bet on some comparison videos in the near future, which feature the new Roland GP models. ;)
Compared to the GP-9/9M, I think the NV10S is more focused on the piano performance (real piano action + premium sampling engine). However, the cabinet doesn't look like a baby grand and the speaker system doesn't seem as advanced and powerful as the GP9/9M. The Roland GP9/9M does not have a real piano action, but it has a very attractive baby grand piano cabinet, and the speaker system is definitely advanced. I think the NV10S would be better for home use by piano focused people, while the Roland GP9/9M would be better suited for hotels, a cruise ship, etc.
The GP-6 is half the price of the Novus NV10S - so they’re not competing.
The NV10S has a real grand piano action so🎹🎶
@@Instrumental-Covers looks vs use🎹🎶
Sad that they cheapened out with pha-50 instead of the grand hybrid especially for this price. You can get the lx706 with the grand hybrid action for less! Just wanted to point it out if people prioritize the best feeling and responsive action!
While it may be frustrating to not have Roland's top-of-the-line action on this model if this is a model of interest, I believe the intention is to have three tiers of digital grands all of which offer Roland's three tiers of weighted actions. With that said, the touch of the Roland GP-6 is still fantastic! :)
What piano samples does the Roland G6 use?
The Roland GP6 uses Roland's own proprietary piano samples. :)
What sounds more realistic lx708 or this?
As an LX708 owner I'm also interested in how these new grands compare to it. Not that I'll be replacing it any time soon, it's a wonderful piano!
Hi! Brent here! That is a very subjective question and answer of course. I haven't spend enough time on the GP6 yet personally to weigh in on this. My recommendation would be to do some side by side sound comparisons between this video and our video on the LX708. We'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter. :)
@@nujuatI need a digital piano and I'm looking at either this or the LX708. I think I might be able to get a better deal on the LX708 though.
Will the GP607 and GP609 still be in production?🎹🎶
I believe Roland still has some limited supply of GP607 and GP609 models, but they will not be produced moving forward as the GP6 and GP9 are direct replacements.
But is it better than the novus nv5s or nv10s or still inferior?
That comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. The touch and tone of the GP-6 is quite the contrast to that of the NV series instruments from Kawai. Every player will have their personal preference between these two amazing digital piano lines. :)
Thanks for the reply. What’s Stus opinion as I know he has the Novus yet seemed pretty impressed with this too. Does he still prefer his novus please?
Thanks for the reply. What’s Stus opinion as I know he has the Novus yet seemed pretty impressed with this too. Does he still prefer his novus please?
Thanks for the reply. What’s Stus opinion as I know he has the Novus yet seemed pretty impressed with this too. Does he still prefer his novus please?
Thanks for the reply. What’s Stus opinion as I know he has the Novus yet seemed pretty impressed with this too. Does he still prefer his novus please?
Thank you for the great review Stu! I was surprised that it was released on a weekday.
I do not like this game of fancy new names Roland is giving to its actions and sound engines. It is non-descriptive and so “commercial”.
I would also like to add that it is incomprehensible that plastic, short pivot action (PHA50) is used in such an expensive digital piano. This price range calls for hybrid real wood, long pivot action.
Kawai seems to understand it but Roland started to make expensive digital pianos for people who like nice furniture and illusion of having a real piano.
Stu emphasized the importance of good action in the review of Kawai CA901 very well so I cannot understand that he glossed over this weak part of GP-6.
I am looking forward to the comparison of the new Kawai CA line digital pianos with the Roland GP offerings. Roland pianos are actually more expensive!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for taking the time to check out the new video. At the end of the day, every action and tone engine needs some type of unique name to distinguish it from its predecessors, especially when there is a major change in design where it does not make sense to simply change the number associated with it (e.g. PHA-4 to PHA-5). There is a very clear and meaningful intention behind Roland using the moniker "Piano Reality" for each of these components, which is that they are all painstakingly designed to function symbiotically with each other. While this is true with all digital pianos to some extent, the level of detail and connectivity that Roland has ushered in with this system is quite remarkable and impressive.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you Brent. I prefer the old method of naming. I knew what PHA-4, PHA50 or even Hybrid Grand actions were (or are). I do not understand how these new actions compare mechanically with the old ones. They may as well be the same hardware with just different signal processing. It is now all about feel and expression.
What would be an equivalent digital instrument in the upright world ?
I would say that the Roland LX706 or LX708 models would be your closest equivalent to the GP6. :)
I wish we could put the Gp-6 in the 609 cabinet. The 609 looks more like a piano.
Have you checked out the Roland GP9 and GP9M yet? ;)
now that this is out how much is the 607?
The price of the GP607 will most likely vary from market to market. It will also likely depend on whether dealers still have boxed units or are selling off floor models.
You can really hear the bass drop out around the 3m mark when they switch to mics from line out.
Of course, it is difficult to fully represent the way the onboard speakers sound within a room, but, nonetheless, we do our best to capture both sonic experiences that the instrument offers. :)
@@MerriamPianos We would never fault you guys, this is the best piano review channel out there.
I was expecting that the next digital grand to be released by Roland would have their Hybrid Grand Action. You even speculated the same thing in a November 7th, 2022 blog posting. Aren't we all surprised that the GP-6 doesn't have the Hybrid Grand Action?
The GP-9 is also coming out though. I imagine you'll find it there.
The gp-9 is out now. Got myself one and had it delivered this Monday. It has 4 top speakers a few tweeters and a subwoofer facing downwards. I’ll have to check the manual but I do think that is the hybrid keyboard, I’ll comment back when I’ve looked it up.
It was certainly a surprise, but, with that said, the Roland GP6 has proven to be quite the instrument! It is exciting to see these new digital grand offerings from Roland. :)
Specs I've found online say the GP-9 has the "Piano Reality Hybrid Concert Keyboard".
They call it The Piano Reality Concert keyboard.
Try to make a video playing Misty by erroll Garner please in this model anyway good video
Thanks for the suggestion! I will certainly pass it onto Stu for you. :)
wich is the name of first song? thank you
I would have to ask Stu about that! With that said, maybe one of our knowledgeable community members here will know the answer. :)
13:27 has a funny 6-second delay echo of the voice track for about another 6 seconds. My job here is to make sure you realize that people in total spend even more time than you put in creating these vids. Consider it a proof of appreciation!
Hi! Brent here! Well, thank you for the compliments about our channel! We appreciate it. I cannot hear the delay/echo that you are referring to, but, perhaps, all of those hours on a stage listening to crash cymbals thrashing away have final caught up to my ears. ;)
@MerriamPianos Yeah, with a delay of 6s it doesn't sound like "echo" - more like a "canon entry" :) I do listen to everything on headphones. It's quite audible, but it's probably -12dB from the original at 13:21. Anyhoops, the point is, keep up the good work, we listen very carefully!
I have a fp90x thinking about changing to gp 6 is it worth doing everything seems to say yes?
The FP90X is a fantastic piano, but I would say that the improvements made to the sonic and playing experience of the new GP models, including the GP6 are immense. The speaker fidelity is incredible and the new action's sensor system is remarkably fast and accurate. I would recommend playing one in person though to see if the different is meaningful enough to justify the upgrade to you. :)
again, you don't have to put "on the Roland GP6" on every key point description line... it only blurs the other words
Thank you for your feedback. I will be sure to share it with the production team.
I wonder if GP6 can do this: for iPhone or Android phone, just plug connect the USB to lightning or USB-C on the phone, now then, you can record video and the USB will make it as if you have a "mic"... but in fact is Line out pretending to be "mic" into the phone. It is really simple to record your playing this way: ruclips.net/video/DUNQSoAbX7I/видео.html she is saying, now you can see the recording has my voice and ambience noise, and now notice there is none
It might be a possibility! I am not entirely sure if that arrangement would be compatible, but, perhaps, it is a possibility. We will definitely be taking a deeper dive into these models and their features/capabilities in future content. :)
@@MerriamPianos yeah maybe you can have a video about it. It'd be so much easier to record a playing and put on youtube: just a phone and a cable. You don't have to deal with the computer and an audio interface and perhaps even video editing software
Digital piano technology has become so exciting and increasingly sophisticated. Roland has just upgraded its GP series with so--called reality modeling. The new algorithm seems to have bypassed its pure acoustic modeling. Algorithm-wise, it's no longer 10 years behind the latest VST-based Pianoteq.
I agree! It is an exciting time in the realm of digital pianos and the work that Roland is doing with their modeling technology is quite impressive to say the least! :)
Sounds marvellous but Stu could make anything sound great.
That is definitely true! We are lucky to have Stu's amazing talents! :)
Not a convincing sound in the mids. At least not via RUclips
Every player is a little different and will have their own preferences. Thankfully, there are a lot of models and options to choose from on the market! :)
Roland 'marketing people' I'm convinced are smoking something terrifying. How they come up with these terms for their action and sound engine ---which obfuscate what they really are---escapes me entirely entirely.
The naming conventions are a tiny bit irritating and I think they are as mad as a cheese flavoued banana.
Here is what we have with the PHA50. If you play it side-by-side on the FP-90X vs the MP11SE with Kawai's old top-spec digital action, the PHA50 is clearly inferior as an experience in toto combining the PureAcoustic modelling and the PHA50.
I think the folded actions have a limit and they just don't play quite as nicely IMO. So for me, the PHA50 is a premium stage piano action i.e., a slightly superior than average midrange cabinet piano action. The PHA50 is slightly struggling against the Grand Feel Compact, but holding its own against the RHIII and Grand Touch S.
I have a confession. I played the LX708 years after playing the LX17. I was a fairly big fan of the LX17, and thought that the LX708 wasn't a big enough step forward to compete with the CLP685 and CA98.
I liked the Yamaha the best at that time, and part of that was the amplification and Binaural sampling, which blew away the PureAcoustic modelling through that particular speaker array in the LX708.
Since then, the NUX1, N1X and CLP785 arrived; later still, the CA79, CA99 and Novus NV5S & 10S. The Kawai amplification jumped a few iterations at once, and the newer Rendering engine really gels with the Amplification.
Now, IMO, Yamaha are behind Kawai, and Roland have work to do to the drawing board before they get parity with Yamaha.
So today, the new Roland's are looking nice and performing nicely through RUclips (when do they not?). If the action is still at the core, a PHA50 with longer keysticks and mods over the LX708, then Roland will need to have done something extraordinary with the amplification and sound projection, as well as the Sound generation in order to impress.
I'm not convinced by these videos of Roland products, but am looking forward to trying them out for myself. Only then will there be clarity for me on whether they have made significant progress, or just slight improvement.
At any rate, they need a hybrid action of their own in the digital Grand Piano sector to compete with the Kawai and Yamaha hybrid. I think that's not going to come without collaboration with a real grand piano manufacturer.
So in some ways, this over expensive Grand GP6 is a side show to what most people will afford: the LX series update.
If Roland are listening: get rid of the cheese banana flavoured marketing babble. Make your actions 3 letters plus a number. Make the progression numerical so we can clearly see the evolution. With the modelling sound engine, just name the chip engine with 3 letters and a version to show its evolution,,and name the modelling engine V-piano version X.y where X is the generation (like pianoteq 1, 2, 3, 4 etc) and where y is the subversion.
Then maybe bring out some regular updates like Pianoteq, so you can improve your modelling faster.
Hope this actually is a good instrument, because last time with the LX708, I was a tad underwhelmed by the relative experience compared to rival instruments.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! We appreciate the insights and discussion points. With that said, at the end of the day, the playing and sonic experience is very subjective and the "best" piano option will be different for every player. Roland and Kawai offer very different musical experiences both in terms of touch and tone. Both manufacturers and their corresponding models will have their fanbases of course and for good reason. As you mentioned, the best thing anyone can do is to establish their own perspective based on thorough listen or, when possible, playing on the instrument firsthand. You never know, the in-person experience of these new Roland GP models might completely change your mind. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
I completely agree with your comments. I made a similar one but you did it much more eloquently than I.
Roland obfuscates the parameters and precise information with flowery names. Pure marketing and focus on style over substance.
Ps. I believed in Roland and was using its digital pianos for two years. My eyes opened in October of last year.
Your selection of tunes is very bad. Play something, we have heard before. Like Moonlight Sonata or another well known classic like Ode to Joy. All you are playing is keyboard salad.
Music is a highly subjective matter of course, so it is difficult to find repertoire that every listener would enjoy. With that said, featuring pieces from a few genres would be quite interesting. I'll be happy to pass on the feedback to our production team.
I prefer the real thing every time . A piano is like a woman : )
It's very easy and likely that you will be burned by "the real thing."
I like real digital pianos too.
@@Zoco101 I'm a digital guy. Sound better, with less long term problems.
Digital and acoustic pianos are obviously going to attract different customers with different needs. Thankfully, there are a lot of excellent options within both categories for customers to select from. :)
The thing is though that these top end digital pianos are the same price as low end acoustic ones. So like if I was to spend double the money on an acoustic piano, sure, I could get something better, but then I'd have to spend double the money.