This man is the number one reviewer on digital pianos - in fact there’s no one to compete with him. All of the others seems like amateurs in comparison.
Absolutely. Ulf B. First of all, Stu's playing is absolutely mesmerizing. AND then his presentation and comments are so insightful and engaging. No other reviewers or even players are even close. Thank you so much, Stu!!!
Because other reviewers present the material as if they are in a hurry to get rid of it, or in a hurry to impose their opinion on you. Stu is in no hurry, he shows with his whole appearance that he loves to play the piano very much, enjoys it. And there is absolutely no sense of self-importance, spoiling the impression of all reviewers. Stu looks real, genuine, without masks. I love all his reviews, I even look at those pianos that I don’t like in terms of sound ))
I was able to try this keyboard at a local Sam Ash. I just loved it. The keys are really nice and they move up and down easier than my old Yamaha P-70 piano keyboard. After hearing it in the store, I purchased it 2 days later. I am very happy with the sound of the piano, and the adjustment on the EQ and reverb. Sure the other sounds are decent but I really want the keyboard for the piano sounds. In regards to the high end being a little bright, I went to the character setup on those notes and reduced them by 1 and they now sound perfect.
As an update, I am sooo happy with this digital keyboard. We have no problems with it at all, the bluetooth on my phone plays through the speakers and I can practice songs through my phone into the keyboard as I play along with songs. Key action is wonderful and it really feels like a real piano. I love the sound that this digital piano provides and the bigger wattage amp and 4 speakers on it give a satisfying sound. I adjusted the top end notes to sound a little warmer and the stock sound can be a little hard to my ears. I also enjoy the harpsicord sounds, and when you can split the keyboard with a bass and ride cymbal on the left and other sound on the right.
I got this keyboard when it dropped. For about $1600. Long story. And it is my baby. It sounds AMAZING on stage and in small intimate venues as well. It really does elevate the performance level, all of the footage I saw from my live performances, the piano complimented my voice and filled the room like with professional quality tone. Worth the purchase
@@Javid_74 that’s another crazy freaking story. So I was actually shopping around for the fp-90 before the X dropped. Then when the X dropped I was like omg I need that one, but as it was more expensive I decided to go with this second hand fp-90 from a Miami dj shop I found online from a simple Google search of that day. It was $1600, and took about 2 weeks to come in. Around the time I ordered it was when the X was meant to hit stores. Finally it came in and as I was lugging it up the stairs w the boyfriend, I noticed the box said roland fp-90x. And u was very confused. So we quickly got it in; I’m assuming maybe they just used the box ? But when we opened it all the markings and every paper work did indeed confirm it was the X that had just hit stores. Crazy crazy blessed. And lucky.
Thank you for what you do Stu! You represent the piano community in a way no other piano channel involved with sales does. I never get a purely commercial impression from your content and boy is that a breath of fresh air!
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for supporting our channel! It really means a lot. Also, I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu on your behalf. I know he will appreciate them. :)
Many years ago my mom and dad bought us girls a new piano. I was soooo excited about it and practised so much every day. When I graduated I was able to purchase an apartment sized piano with my bursary money 🤓-before a military move I gave it away to lighten our load. Now divorcing….i need my music back. I was leaning toward a traditional piano until I dove into reviews. Now I am thinking these will be way more fun. With the ability to play around a lot more. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. 🎵🎵🎵
You're very welcome! Thank you for supporting the channel and for the kind words! There are pros and cons to acoustic and digital pianos of course. With that said, if you want the nuanced musical experience of an acoustic and the fun features and flexibility of a digital piano, an acoustic hybrid piano, such as the Kawai K300 Aures 2 might be the perfect solutions. :)
I've heard of the P515 showing defects after 3 years. Same with the MP11SE and the ES920. The FP90x though seems to just keep on playing and playing. That's what built like a tank really is.
Nearly every model will have some issue with it eventually, especially when being played for many hours a day. With that said, the FP90X is quite the powerhouse and tank! :)
Hey Stu! Love the reviews and have been a subscriber/viewer for some time now. One thing I would love to see in future reviews are timestamps within the videos that coincide with your transitions to the next section of the review (action, speakers, etc). I find myself going back to many of your videos to revisit a specific section of a piano review such as the key action. It would be great if these sections were also timestamped to make it easier to find for a quick reference point.
Hi Stu - you are to blame for me now getting a Roland FP-90X. It was through your reviews and comparisons that I first got a taste for modeling. Well - the Roland LX708 is too big, too heavy and too expensive for me, so it had to be the FP-90X. The keyboard is 3 cm narrower than a conventional keyboard, but the black keys are also much narrower. It's OK for me, or to put it another way, I'll be fine with it, because I want the sound of PureAcoustic Piano Modeling and that starts with Roland's FP-90X. Thank you for your many reviews, your many comparisons, your explanations, your time you put into these videos. Without you I would not have known that modeling even exists. In my city of music (Vienna in Austria in the middle of Europe) where great classical musicians (F. Schubert, J. Hayden, Strauss father and son, A. Bruckner, F.X. Gruber, C. Czerny, etc.) come from, they have no understanding of digital pianos and thus no advice. Thank you very much and best regards from Vienna - Klaus (I only started to learn to play the piano at the age of 62 a 1/2 year ago) Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for sharing your kind words and story Klaus! We sincerely appreciate it. I know Stu appreciates it as well! The Roland FP90X is an absolute powerhouse. You will be beyond thrilled with what it offers musically! The PHA50 touch and PureAcoustic Piano Modelling engine make it a home run on all fronts. Happy playing and thanks so much again for supporting our channel! :)
On my computer it sounds good, but not quite as authentic as my tandem Pianoteq/Yamaha DGX set up. I notice the difference mostly in the treble. But it's a lot like picking nits. I think what becomes more important than the tone, when the tone is good, is the user interface. I like the voice sliders on the Roland, and the es920 too. The wide variety of excellent tones from the Roland would be a pleasure. Since I don't have either the Roland or the Kawai, I'll talk about the Yamaha DGX-670, which when combined with a Pianoteq voice is entirely awesome. However the best thing to be said for the Yamaha is its comparatively low price. Including the stand and pedals, It's half the price of the 90x or the es920. The user interface of the DGX is extremely complex and constantly leaves you scratching your head. It's a long way from being a versatile live performance instrument. Perhaps I don't understand it yet, but the learning curve is extremely high. All the settings are on the small center screen and you have to step though many screens and eventually try to save them. Calling them back is not exactly swift either. You can save the settings to four one press buttons, but I'm always accidentally losing the setups in my quick recall buttons. Altering a voice can be done somewhat, but not with the nuance of Pianoteq Pro. The worst "feature" is that the sustain pedal doesn't sustain the strings and many other voices properly, There is a lot good about the DGX. It does sound good, but some very important aspects such as proper sustain pedal function with many of the voices is entirely messed up. Given the frustration of trying to figure out the adjustments, I believe I will always have a love/hate relation with the instrument. There are some things I like about the DGX, but I can't stand the castrated sustain pedal. If you choose some other piano, you will never regret you didn't get the DGX as I believe many other pianos might play equally well in tandem with Pianoteq. That's something Stu should test; because if a FP-30x has the speed to sound simultaneously with Pianoteq, it might be a better way to go just from a weight standpoint. The solo piano tone of the DGX is just OK at best; it's not an equal to Pianoteq Pro. However when combined with a Pianoteq voice, it does have the ability to enrich the overall sound quality of Pianoteq's voice. To my ear it's similar in quality to some of the finest virtual piano sample libraries that Stu demonstrated recently.
Something I wish digital piano makers were more transparent about is the number of velocity layers in their sampled instruments. In particular, on my FP-90 for many of the Electric Pianos there is a huge jump in timbre between the highest layer and the next one down.
Excellent presentation- I also loved your demo on RD-2000-EX too. This may be a better fit for my gigging purposes going through a PA. Speakers are a plus for home use for me. Thank You-
Thank you! We're glad you enjoyed the video. The onboard speakers definitely allow the FP90X to be more versatile, but the RD2000 EX is quite the powerhouse of course. :)
What I’d love to see from you (or ANYONE on youtube, even Roland doesnt have it up!) Is a comparison between v-piano and pure acoustic modeling. Also, a comparison between them and the modeling from The numa X
I have watched this review, some parts over and over and I’m happy to say I bought one today. Hopefully within 90 days I will have it in my happy little hands! Thank you for such a thoughtful, thorough review Stu. I’m a new fan!
I would like to again ask the question about Pure Acoustic Piano Models in FP-90X. If we compare FP-90X with LX705/LX706, we see the following sounds: LX705 LX706 LX708 tone list Piano 1 European Grand 2 European v2 3 American Grand 4 American v2 FP-90X tone list Piano 1 Concert Piano 2 Stage Grand 3 Concert Ballad 4 Concert Mellow 5 Concert Bright 6 Concert Brilliance 7 Stage Mellow 8 Stage Bright How are these sounds related? Why are there differences between FP-90X and LX digital pianos? Stu mentioned that American Grand model in LX705 is based on Steinway D NY. How about FP-90X's Concert Piano and Stage Grand? What are these models based on? Could anyone please help me (my Internet search did not bring any results)? I should also add that I have been also using Pianoteq piano models and I have to admit that for recording, I started to prefer FP-90X's Stage Bright (without the "My Stage" options). Thank you, Michael
I'm really happy about the recording capability and keyboard mechanics. I went to play one in Manchester, UK, at Professional Music Technology, and really liked the feel of it. Thanks for the in depth review! I think I'm gonna get it 🙂
You're very welcome! We're glad that you found the review helpful! The FP90X is an absolute powerhouse of an all-in portable digital piano. I am quite confident you'll be very happy with its musical offering. :)
I've had an FP-90X for about 3 weeks now. I absolutely love the way it plays, do not love the way it sounds in person. I eventually bought a new pair of headphones, and I've started to like the sound more. But out of the speakers, or my older bass-heavy headphones, it didn't sound great. But damn, the feel of the PHA-50 blows me away every time I sit down to play it.
Stu, I appreciate this review greatly. This review is great work--as usual. I had listened to both the FP-90 and FP-90X, but at different times. I really thought that there was something better about the speakers on the 90X, but could not verify that there was any actual change between models. I also think that things like the sympathetic resonance and piano reverb were improved on the 90X, and I agree that many of the sampled sounds just sound better. It also seams that things like the grit effect on the e pianos is getting better with each Roland generation too.
Lovely rendition of Spring can really hang you up the most at 11:38. And using some Jarrett voicings really makes it sound like a Steinway recorded by ECM!
Excellent review. Roland has always been my go-to piano (FP4, FP7F, FP80). I just wish they would have retained their wonderful large high res display.
37:33 The Roland supports Kawai Apps, see bottom right corner. What a surprise ;-) P.S.: I really love your channel, your combination of musicality and engineering precise analysis is just outstanding. Greetings from Germany!
I had the fp90, I loved a lot about it except that the modelling Roland were using especially for the main piano sounds it would make the sound very muffled when using the sustain pedal. Mostly from the middle C down to lower bass section. I hated that and I returned it back to the store. I really hope they have improved that with this new one
No it wasn't, I tried to change all the parameters, reduced the damper noise to 0 but still wasn't right. I've heard the same thing happened to other people
@@JoeLinux2000 I have had the fp 90 for two years and love it. I am an intermediate piano player....and I am still looking for the "best recommeded settings" for the "piano designer." I have used the recommended settings from the Roy Tan youtube video...but I still do not get the same beautiful "output" that I hear on the videos...just like this video. Any suggestions
Villi Yo, I think I know what you mean and I slightly covered the point in a comment in another thread here. With modelled patches, you have to tweak a lot just to get a sound as convincing as already found on most sampled patches. Further to that, the old FP range had a weakness in the mid register anyway. Just from listening to demos, I have also noticed that FP pianos still have an excessive boom in the bass, and maybe that occurs with pedalling. Perhaps this is what you refer to. If (like me) you love a clear sound across the range, I recommend Yamaha and Casio, not Kawai or Roland, which have other virtues. Despite all this, the new X range is still very exciting and promising. I tested the FP-30X and found it very acceptable for its price, and I'd love to try the others.
A question about “Song Vol” on FP-90X: What can we use that control for? I can’t find anything to make it work. Is it possible to use this control to control the volume level for an input like modul or a sound from the iPad?
This is directly from the FP90X user manual: This setting adjusts the volume of your keyboard performance while a song plays back. This adjusts the volume of the song (SMF data / audio data) that is played back. * On the FP-90X, the [Song Vol.] slider simultaneously adjusts the volume of the SMF and the audio. * If the SMF playback mode (p. 27) is set to “Auto-Select” or “Internal,” there will be some parts whose volume is not changed by the [Song Vol.]. If you set the SMF playback mode to “External,” the volume of all parts will change. Thanks and hope this helps!
Hi Stu, I really enjoy watching your presentations all the way here from Melbourne, Australia. I take it you’re not a Yamaha dealership and that would be the reason for reviewing Roland and Kawai mainly. My question to you is, if I invest in the Roland LX708 will I have all the same functions and technology as this Roland FP-90x? Also if I may, does in your opinion the Roland LX-708 is a good choice for a pianist that plays mostly Rachmaninov, Chopin, Saint Saëns and many other alike, including Jazz? It’s between the Yamaha AvantGrand N1x and the Roland LX-708 as the Kawai Novus NV10 is too expensive. Also, can I connect the Apple MacBook Pro M1 14” with PianoTeq 7 Pro and use the Steinway Grands from my computer on thr Lx-708? Thank you for your brilliant in-depth reviews as I thoroughly enjoy.
I bought the FP90X mostly based upon this review. So far great. I am not an experienced keyboard player (guitar) but wanted to learn . My belief is that you buy an instrument that you can grow with. I cannot remember what the key action on an acoustic piano is like, but it feels like it takes some finger strength to press these keys. The texture on the keys is minimal and sometimes my fingers slip off the black keys, especially finger 5. Good library of piano sounds out of the box.
Congratulations on your Roland FP90X! We're glad that this review video was helpful in your decision making process. I agree with the notion that, when possible, investing in an instrument with a higher performance ceiling is worthwhile. Having an instrument that is going to continue to inspire you for the longterm can have many positive effects on one's progression. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
I like how the piano sound changes when you change the sound board . You were able to get it to sound pretty nice which is different from some other videos I have watched about this piano . I myself have recently received the Kawai ES920 which I saw you demo and I really like the sound on it and am glad I purchased it .
Sounds beautiful. I am searching for a new roland piano. Do all of the fp 30x, 60x, 90x, have all these features? I have not been able to find a source to compare different models. Thank you
Could Stu or someone else perhaps explain to me why LX-706 (the same sound modelling and features) has “American” and “European” Grand Piano models but FP-90X uses different models (at least they are called differently)?
Hi. Thank you for a very good review of the piano:-) I have a question: Is it possible to use “My stage” together with dual playing? Like playing with one of the “my stage” sounds together with a pad/string. (I tried an fp90x but I couldn’t mix these two sounds)
You're very welcome! Thanks for the question! Unfortunately, I am not at a showroom with an FP90X on hand at the moment to test this out. I believe that might be a limitation though. Perhaps, one of our FP90X users here can confirm.
Which action is best for classical piano advanced grades ? Pha4 or Pha50? Should I go for home digital or fp series if I want to explore tones as well ?
I would say that the PHA50 is a more advanced action that is more authentic to an acoustic grand piano action. If you are looking for a large selection of built-in tones, the FP90X would be an excellent option. However, some of the console digital pianos also have a large collection of tones as well.
Hey Guys, I've bought FP-90x 3 days ago. I have a uncharacteristic noise when clicking on 2 keys. The sound resembles as if poking into a plastic bag. Does anyone else have the same ?
Awesome, thanks Stu! Even though I loved PHA4, (except repairing the RD-600 keys) I think I'll be OK w the Fp90x action since the RD-2000 feels good. I imagine I will want to buy a separate reverb since my understanding is the FP series only provides a light reverb, not the outer space infinite kind. I would like to know if the FP-90x can approach Bösendorfer territory by adjusting EQ and increasing reverb.
Hi Roberto! We try to tackle as many model reviews/comparisons as possible and have received a few requests for the Numa X GT. We have added it to the list and will certainly do our best to tackle it in a future video. Thanks for tuning in and for the suggestion! We appreciate it. :)
@@MerriamPianos I rely on your reviews. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts about the new 400 key bed. I understand it is the same Dexibell is using on the new Vivo S10 coming up at the end of September 2022.
31:52 today I went to a local showroom of Kawai, and the nice salesperson told me that the weight of keys on acoustic pianos and grand pianos should be pretty light. So I tried a Kawai grand, an SK-EX, an upright, and even the digital piano CA49 and CA99, and they all have quite light keys. What's more, when the finger is playing near the felt part of the keyboard, it is not that much heavier. (he told me the longer the key stick, the better it can let the player press with the same force near the felt). So the FP-90X is also quite light for its keyboard action? My FP-30X in fact is a little bit heavy... and I think you mean, FP-30X and FP-90X keyboard actions are going to be different, and FP-30X "feels" real but in fact, FP-90X is closer to being real. Now however, aren't there acoustic pianos that have heavy keys? I thought I heard piano teachers say they want students to play on heavier keys so that they know how to play on acoustic keyboard. Also, if it is supposed to be light, then Korg D1 is known to have a heavy keyboard action, so I suppose the D1 is not close to an acoustic keyboard action... unless if that acoustic keyboard action is also heavy?
Every manufacturer (both within the realm of acoustic and digital pianos) has their own philosophy as to what makes the "perfect piano" both in terms of touch and tone. From this perspective, every manufacturer/model/action will have a slightly different feel or weighting to the keys. There are a number of factors that play into this such as the key stick/pivot length as well as the literal weight of the key itself. In any case, this would be an interesting topic to explore in a future video perhaps. Thanks and all the best!
I don't know if you'll even respond here but I'm really torn between this and the Casio Px s7000. Both are wonderful instruments in their own right and both have their pros and cons. I'm a complete beginner, but I know that the Roland has much better action which might serve me better in the long run
Hi there! Brent from Merriam Music here! The Roland FP90X and Casio PXS7000 are both amazing, top-tier instruments. It really comes down to a matter of musical preferences though. The FP90X has a far heavier action and a modelling engine, which yields a very specific. The PXS7000 on the other hand has a lighter touch and a more traditional sample-based engine. In either case, you're getting a really amazing instrument that is sure to provide a rewarding musical experience. :)
I have had the fp 90 for two years and love it. I am an intermediate piano player....and I am still looking for the "best recommeded settings" for the "piano designer." I have used the recommended settings from the Roy Tan youtube video...but I still do not get the same beautiful "output" that I hear on the videos...just like this video. Any suggestions
maybe you just don't like the sound of the piano? I also have a FP90X, and personally, I will probably replace it at some point. I prefer the sampling sounds of the Yamaha series for instance.
@@RabbitConfirmed I love the keyboard and the digital sound I hear through a headset. Maybe ....the issue really is that the "digital sampling sound of keyboards which is wonderful and perfect" ....but the analogue sound when played out loud is different and in my opinion does not match but up to an acoustic piano...I was hoping that someone would have the solution using the infinite piano settings has figured out the best configuration to match the sound of an acoustic piano.
So the “My Stage “ is a bunch of factory presets, that you can easily access, with the touch of a button , with the reverb included, that you cannot modify for only the first 8 acoustic pianos? Does the “ Registration “ function have the option where you can take any sound , modify it with reverb / effects and then also store it with the changes you made, in the Piano Designer ? Also does the Registration have factory presets already in there that are unchangeable? How many total registrations can you store ? This seems like a great digital piano . Thinking of purchasing it . Just trying to clarify a few things I’m confused about . Thanks.
Hi there! Thanks for the question! Registrations allow you to store tone and performance (dual, split, etc.) settings for easy recall/access. For the applicable tones, this would include the Piano Designer settings. I don't believe there are any factory presets under the Registration menu. This is meant exclusively for user-generated sounds. The FP90X is capable of 45 Registrations. You can read up on the Registration functionality on pages 23 and 24 on the following user manual: static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/FP-90X_60X_eng03_W.pdf
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The Roland FP90X has the "PureAcoustic Piano Modelling" engine versus the HP704's SuperNATURAL Piano Modelling engine. From my perspective, they are both incredible impressive, but do have a slightly different flavour. The main difference is that the PureAcoustic engine is a pure modelling engine (no sampling) whereas the HP704's SuperNATURAL engine is a hybridity of modelling and sampling, which some feel gives it a bit more authenticity. On the other hand, the tonal flexibility and level of control that the PureAcoustic engine provides is quite remarkable. It is definitely a matter of subjectivity, so the best bet is to get to a showroom to do some comparisons. :)
This digital piano's beautiful usefulness -- coupled with its durability -- may last a lifetime and beyond. I'm loving it more and more. Each of the piano sounds may be adjusted -- Piano Designer, plus frequency, temperament, my stage, ambience, and other settings -- according to the players' preference to come up with the sound that is most pleasing to him. And all the settings may be stored!
Absolutely! The Roland FP90X is a tank and an impressive machine in terms of capabilities! It is quite versatile too. It is an excellent choice for both home and stage use. Enjoy your piano and happy playing! :)
You cannot play with the rhythm section on the online app offered. The internet is slow, in my area , so it is out of sync. Therefore, the timing is off.
Great Review, with such a lovely action its such a shame the you can't control things like rate/depth of the stereo panning for the Rhodes just as a little example.
Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoyed it. Unfortunately, even the most top-of-the-line instruments will inevitably have some missing features that may be useful or commonly used by certain players. Thankfully, with MIDI connectivity and VST plugins, there is usually the option of accessing virtually anything you desire externally. :)
A small thing all things considered, but I hate case designs where the two end keys aren't protected by the case. It's like they could get whacked from the side. 😊 That top-end Stu was complaining bout sounded nice though. I'd like to hear him play 'On Golden Pound' with it.
Can the FP90X send WAV files via USB to Logic Pro X running on an iMac? Thanks for the help. Considering the Kawai ES920-until this review. Now I’m waffling back and forth. 😩
Yup! The FP90X can record 44.1 kHz / 16 bit WAV files via the USB flash drive. From there, you can certainly bring the files into any DAW of your choosing. :)
@@MerriamPianos - Thank you once again for a prompt reply. Question: Do you know of a digital keyboard that can send WAV files directly to a DAW via USB in realtime without having to record to a flash drive first? Also, I’m new to Bluetooth MIDI-does that mean I can send MIDI data to a DAW via Bluetooth in realtime instead of having to use traditional MIDI cables? Thank you!
FP-90X vs. RD-2000 Thoughts? The 2K is older and cost more. Appears to be the same action. The piano engine is different maybe? The 2K seems like it has more flexibility in zones, splits, and layering. The 90X has double the polyphony (256) in the non-piano tone engine. In my area I'm seeing maybe 15% savings to go with the 90X.
I think that would make for an excellent video concept! I will add it to the list of potential video topics for the future. I think a deep dive into a modelling engine like the one featured on the FP90X and a walkthrough of each adjustable parameter would be very interesting. Thanks for the idea! :)
They are very different offerings. The FP90X has built-in speakers, whereas the RD2000 does not. That is one of the most significant differences between the two.
I have a Yamaha p45 I purchased almost a year ago. I want something different. My heart points to the P515 and my brain wants the FP90x. I don't know what to do!!
That is a tough call of course! They're both very excellent instruments. For me, I tend to prioritize action when shopping for digital pianos. From that perspective, the FP90X is extremely difficult to compete with. The PHA50 action is fantastic. :)
I am torn between this piano and the CA49.. Do you have any suggestions. With the Ca49 price in the usa right now, they are similiar in price. Feel and tone is very important to me. This will be my first and probably only digital piano and I'm trying not to make a mistake. I can't try them out because of where I live.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The CA49 and FP90X are very different offerings. The FP90X is a portable digital that has a lot of features/bells and whistles that allow it to double as a stage instrument. The CA49 is a console piano intended for at-home practice. If you are planning on doing performance or production work, I would recommend the FP90X. However, if you are primarily using the piano for at-home practice, the CA49 would be my personal suggestion.
Bob McGrath was a legend who sadly passed away two days ago. I can certainly understand the connection you are making between both him and Stu. They are both very affable personalities. :)
I'm trying to decide on whether it's worth it to wait weeks (potentially months) for a yamaha p515 or go for the fp 90 now, can find it for roughly the same price. My main focus is on the keys and how much they feel like an acoustic..
Hello. Does the Roland FP-90x have a button that takes you back to the default grand piano setting? In other words, if I am using other pianos, organs, etc., and I want to quickly get back to a grand piano, is there a button that does that? Or, do I have to go through the piano menu, or set it up in Registration? Thank you, and I enjoy your videos. Bill G
FP-90X vs RD-2000? Currently have a RD-700GX but at my low level of playing experience (tech junkie I guess) selling my GX just doesn't seem worthwhile. But "if" I make the trip overseas to another work location then thinking a new one to play there as I tend to go for years at a time. Free shipping of a Kawai ES920 or FP-90X helps one way. Saw your review of both, The lower weight and cost of the 920 is pushing me that way. Roland keys are something to consider. Keyscape, think you used your RD-2000 for the demo. Thanks!
Anyone here who has used both CASIO PRIVIA 3000 And ROLAND 90 or 90x. Would love to hear ur comments comparing Casio vs Roland . What do u like about Casio PRIVIA 3000 SOUND ? . What's better about Roland sound ?
Thanks for sharing your videos have you ever done s video on the Yamaha Montage 8 as I’d love to know how the samples sound on it or the Roland Fantom 8,I currently have the Yamaha CP88,I do like the piano sou tv on Kawai.
@@MerriamPianos the Shop didnt have it so i Trusted my fp80 and thought ok the Follow Up! Model Must be at least as good aus the fp80, because that i find great. Maby it is just my ear that is drawn to the fp80 speakers? I Hope that once i connect it to a Sound System it will turn out well 😊
Great analysis as a engineering side of maker. Roland is priority engineering rather than electric field as the Roland piano I think. Action mechanism is very general so they make balance how we could hear includes feeling of omission as a player who is sitting bench. Piano sounds is feeling of vibrate around in air and key touch vibration. I like that. Roland is meister in the electric pianos maker field and they raise to real keyboard instruments of this generation.
That is a very difficult thing to assess as it depends on how the piano is being used. Heavy handed players that are putting many hours of play on the instrument on a daily basis will naturally wear out the action faster. Also, if the instrument is used for gigging versus at home practice, that will also play a factor. With that said, it is difficult to state any specific life expectancy. All I can say is that Roland actions, including the PHA4 and PHA50 actions, are incredible durable and reliable in my experiences. :)
Hi There. I had several FP90 and RD2000 piano's for a while and later on an LX706PE for fixed use. The PHA50 plays nice, but on the LX they made a significant change to the keybed, apart from longer keys, in adding an extra balancing pin to get rid of sideway movements. The PHA50 felt a bit sluggish compared to the Grand Hybrid that is perfectly well balanced and is much more stiff, like a real grand. It also does not produce the sort of rubbery , squeaky sound the pHA50 produces. I very much wonder if Roland made small adjustments to the PHA50 as well in this respect. Like Kawai upped their RHIII without changing the name of the keybed. Let's say PHA50 v2 . I hope so.
Unless the PHA 50 breaks in and becsomes much more fluid, I really don't think much of it. RIght now the action and sound of the Roland 708 seems to be king. Some of the higher end Kawais are nice, but overall the sound is not as satisfying as the 708.
I bought this, but I have a couple of questions. Did you do any "tone character" modifications before recording? my FP-90x sounds very "muddy" and "plastic," and I do not "tune" these pianos.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for your question! We do not do any adjustments or post-processing on the default piano sounds we are demonstrating. We do our best to represent the default sounds as transparently as possible. With that said, the sound through the speakers may differ from a direct line-out feed. I hope you can find a tone that you're satisfied with. The FP90X has lots of built-in adjustment options. :)
@@MerriamPianos I recorded a couple of samples with direct USB audio. One with default values and one with my own note characters. Can you please verify that these samples (especially the default one) sound okay to your ear? Because I'm not sure... drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NoS_zcG4TFx0E8zRfMtuUHLk6aRgqkFT?usp=sharing
Hi! I wonder how differently you recorded when the audio source is from "direct line-outs" and "internal speakers"? Does it mean that one is through an interface and one is not? Thanks!
The direct line-out sound is the signal directly from the tone engine into our recording interface without any additional equalization or tonal colouring. To capture the sound of the internal speakers, we put up a stereo pair of condenser microphones. Inevitably, the room and the microphones will slightly colour the sound, but we never do any additional audio processing to ensure the most transparent representation of the sound.
Great review, Stu. I always enjoy your reviews. I can't expect you to make a video on the following point as I doubt there would be enough people wondering - but please could you comment about a comparison between the Piano capabilities of the FP90X and the FP90. I bought the FP90 when it was available alongside it's newer 'X' version, the original version being about 33% less expensive. I love it and do not regret my purchase but I am curious to compare the FP90X with the FP90. I don't really care too much about the FP90's abilities with other on-board sounds, I only bought it for its ability to closely represent the sound and feel of a real acoustic Piano. I struggle to tell any difference in the sound quality of the main Concert Piano sound between the FP90 and FP90X, though I haven't physically sat by the two and heard them both play side by side, I have only heard the FP90X online. I know the latter uses what I understand to be an upgraded version of the former's SuperNATURAL Sound Engine, coined PureAcoustic. What can you say about the differences between the two's 'Concert Piano' sound quality, and the two's other Piano sounds? Does the FP90X offer major sonic improvements compared with the FP90 or are any improvements subtle and only the keenest ears will likely be able to tell them apart? Any coments from yourself, or others, would be highly welcome. Thank you - Darren, London UK
Hi Darren! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed the review. While tonal preference is a very subjective thing, I personally find the FP90X's core piano sounds to be a bit richer and dynamic. The newer Pure Acoustic Piano Modelling engine seems a bit more refined than the FP90's SuperNATURAL Piano Modelling. However, with that said, I have heard many Roland users have the opposite opinion. My suggestion to you would be to head out to a showroom to test out the FP90X in person to see what your initial impressions of its piano experience is. That is usually the best way to determine whether an upgrade is worthwhile. You may find the difference to be very subtle or very meaningful! Thanks and hope this helps! :)
The Roland PHA4 and PHA50 actions are definitely heavier playing actions, but that provides an impressive degree of control and authenticity in my opinion. The best bet is to test out the action for yourself as every player's preferences are different. :)
Hi David! Brent here! The FP90 is still a fantastic instrument! It ultimately depends on what you prioritize. Of course, the action is the same between both models, but there have been some meaningful updates to other elements of the FP90X that does change the overall sonic experience. I would certainly recommend trying it out at a showroom to see if you notice a substantial enough difference to justify the upgrade.
Could we please have a comparison of the FP60X vs. the P515 since they are at similar price points? I'm having trouble finding anyone who has done one, and don't understand why. The FP90X is far more expensive. Thx!
Thanks for this great review! The only thing I totally disagree with is that the Pianoteq software sounds better than the FP-90x. As a pro musician, I've played both (as well as many real pianos!), and feel there's no comparison. You also need some sort of MIDI keyboard to use Pianoteq's software-and unless you have one with as authentic and responsive an action as the FP-90x (and it's the lowest-priced keyboard I know of whose action is that good), you won't be able to play it with nearly as much feeling or versatility. Of course, everyone has different opinions. For anyone who really wants to know for themselves, I suggest you try an FP-90x, and the Pianoteq demo version-using the same headphones, and the same MIDI controller you'd use with Pianoteq-so you can make an informed choice, rather than guessing, or basing your choice on what a RUclips reviewer says. ;?)
This man is the number one reviewer on digital pianos - in fact there’s no one to compete with him. All of the others seems like amateurs in comparison.
Absolutely. Ulf B. First of all, Stu's playing is absolutely mesmerizing. AND then his presentation and comments are so insightful and engaging. No other reviewers or even players are even close. Thank you so much, Stu!!!
Agrees. Digital piano reviews always seem so dorky. This gives kicks ass as does his playing.
Because other reviewers present the material as if they are in a hurry to get rid of it, or in a hurry to impose their opinion on you. Stu is in no hurry, he shows with his whole appearance that he loves to play the piano very much, enjoys it. And there is absolutely no sense of self-importance, spoiling the impression of all reviewers. Stu looks real, genuine, without masks. I love all his reviews, I even look at those pianos that I don’t like in terms of sound ))
Acoustics too...I love his reviews, indepth and informative
This is correct. He is one of the few reviewers who independently gives the correct information.
This is the gold standard of instrument reviews. Absolutely superb.
Thank you kindly! We sincerely appreciate those very kind words. :)
I was able to try this keyboard at a local Sam Ash. I just loved it. The keys are really nice and they move up and down easier than my old Yamaha P-70 piano keyboard. After hearing it in the store, I purchased it 2 days later. I am very happy with the sound of the piano, and the adjustment on the EQ and reverb. Sure the other sounds are decent but I really want the keyboard for the piano sounds. In regards to the high end being a little bright, I went to the character setup on those notes and reduced them by 1 and they now sound perfect.
As an update, I am sooo happy with this digital keyboard. We have no problems with it at all, the bluetooth on my phone plays through the speakers and I can practice songs through my phone into the keyboard as I play along with songs. Key action is wonderful and it really feels like a real piano. I love the sound that this digital piano provides and the bigger wattage amp and 4 speakers on it give a satisfying sound. I adjusted the top end notes to sound a little warmer and the stock sound can be a little hard to my ears. I also enjoy the harpsicord sounds, and when you can split the keyboard with a bass and ride cymbal on the left and other sound on the right.
@@revelationsoundstudio Have you noticed any problems with headphones? Allegedly low impedance headphones don't work well with this piano.
I found no issues with any headphones I have used with the keyboard.
I got this keyboard when it dropped. For about $1600. Long story. And it is my baby. It sounds AMAZING on stage and in small intimate venues as well. It really does elevate the performance level, all of the footage I saw from my live performances, the piano complimented my voice and filled the room like with professional quality tone. Worth the purchase
How did you manage to get it for so cheap? That's a crazy price
@@Javid_74 that’s another crazy freaking story. So I was actually shopping around for the fp-90 before the X dropped. Then when the X dropped I was like omg I need that one, but as it was more expensive I decided to go with this second hand fp-90 from a Miami dj shop I found online from a simple Google search of that day. It was $1600, and took about 2 weeks to come in. Around the time I ordered it was when the X was meant to hit stores. Finally it came in and as I was lugging it up the stairs w the boyfriend, I noticed the box said roland fp-90x. And u was very confused. So we quickly got it in; I’m assuming maybe they just used the box ? But when we opened it all the markings and every paper work did indeed confirm it was the X that had just hit stores. Crazy crazy blessed. And lucky.
thats so nice, just got one myself@@GonzaloMusic
Not fair, Stu's phenomenal piano playing luls me into thinking this is what I'm going to sound like when I play, lol,
Great demo as always ;-)
I feel you 😜
THE TIME HAS COME
sadly, you have to wait 8 months when you order it..
Thank you for what you do Stu! You represent the piano community in a way no other piano channel involved with sales does. I never get a purely commercial impression from your content and boy is that a breath of fresh air!
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for supporting our channel! It really means a lot. Also, I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu on your behalf. I know he will appreciate them. :)
Dear Stu, thank you for your wonderful reviews (as always...). I bought the FP-90X one month ago, and I love it. Best from Italy!
Glad to see these classic reviews are back!
I have a FP-60X and always love the Church Mode, but this 13:50 sounds really very nice, the bright is not irritating of loud, more rounded.
Many years ago my mom and dad bought us girls a new piano. I was soooo excited about it and practised so much every day. When I graduated I was able to purchase an apartment sized piano with my bursary money 🤓-before a military move I gave it away to lighten our load. Now divorcing….i need my music back. I was leaning toward a traditional piano until I dove into reviews. Now I am thinking these will be way more fun. With the ability to play around a lot more. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. 🎵🎵🎵
You're very welcome! Thank you for supporting the channel and for the kind words! There are pros and cons to acoustic and digital pianos of course. With that said, if you want the nuanced musical experience of an acoustic and the fun features and flexibility of a digital piano, an acoustic hybrid piano, such as the Kawai K300 Aures 2 might be the perfect solutions. :)
Omg … I waited so much for this review!
I've heard of the P515 showing defects after 3 years. Same with the MP11SE and the ES920. The FP90x though seems to just keep on playing and playing. That's what built like a tank really is.
Nearly every model will have some issue with it eventually, especially when being played for many hours a day. With that said, the FP90X is quite the powerhouse and tank! :)
Hey Stu! Love the reviews and have been a subscriber/viewer for some time now. One thing I would love to see in future reviews are timestamps within the videos that coincide with your transitions to the next section of the review (action, speakers, etc). I find myself going back to many of your videos to revisit a specific section of a piano review such as the key action. It would be great if these sections were also timestamped to make it easier to find for a quick reference point.
I agree
It seems like he's listened to this suggestion. All his new stuff has timestamps now!
Hi Stu - you are to blame for me now getting a Roland FP-90X. It was through your reviews and comparisons that I first got a taste for modeling. Well - the Roland LX708 is too big, too heavy and too expensive for me, so it had to be the FP-90X. The keyboard is 3 cm narrower than a conventional keyboard, but the black keys are also much narrower. It's OK for me, or to put it another way, I'll be fine with it, because I want the sound of PureAcoustic Piano Modeling and that starts with Roland's FP-90X. Thank you for your many reviews, your many comparisons, your explanations, your time you put into these videos. Without you I would not have known that modeling even exists. In my city of music (Vienna in Austria in the middle of Europe) where great classical musicians (F. Schubert, J. Hayden, Strauss father and son, A. Bruckner, F.X. Gruber, C. Czerny, etc.) come from, they have no understanding of digital pianos and thus no advice. Thank you very much and best regards from Vienna - Klaus (I only started to learn to play the piano at the age of 62 a 1/2 year ago)
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for sharing your kind words and story Klaus! We sincerely appreciate it. I know Stu appreciates it as well! The Roland FP90X is an absolute powerhouse. You will be beyond thrilled with what it offers musically! The PHA50 touch and PureAcoustic Piano Modelling engine make it a home run on all fronts. Happy playing and thanks so much again for supporting our channel! :)
On my computer it sounds good, but not quite as authentic as my tandem Pianoteq/Yamaha DGX set up. I notice the difference mostly in the treble. But it's a lot like picking nits. I think what becomes more important than the tone, when the tone is good, is the user interface. I like the voice sliders on the Roland, and the es920 too. The wide variety of excellent tones from the Roland would be a pleasure. Since I don't have either the Roland or the Kawai, I'll talk about the Yamaha DGX-670, which when combined with a Pianoteq voice is entirely awesome. However the best thing to be said for the Yamaha is its comparatively low price. Including the stand and pedals, It's half the price of the 90x or the es920. The user interface of the DGX is extremely complex and constantly leaves you scratching your head. It's a long way from being a versatile live performance instrument. Perhaps I don't understand it yet, but the learning curve is extremely high. All the settings are on the small center screen and you have to step though many screens and eventually try to save them. Calling them back is not exactly swift either. You can save the settings to four one press buttons, but I'm always accidentally losing the setups in my quick recall buttons. Altering a voice can be done somewhat, but not with the nuance of Pianoteq Pro. The worst "feature" is that the sustain pedal doesn't sustain the strings and many other voices properly, There is a lot good about the DGX. It does sound good, but some very important aspects such as proper sustain pedal function with many of the voices is entirely messed up. Given the frustration of trying to figure out the adjustments, I believe I will always have a love/hate relation with the instrument. There are some things I like about the DGX, but I can't stand the castrated sustain pedal. If you choose some other piano, you will never regret you didn't get the DGX as I believe many other pianos might play equally well in tandem with Pianoteq. That's something Stu should test; because if a FP-30x has the speed to sound simultaneously with Pianoteq, it might be a better way to go just from a weight standpoint. The solo piano tone of the DGX is just OK at best; it's not an equal to Pianoteq Pro. However when combined with a Pianoteq voice, it does have the ability to enrich the overall sound quality of Pianoteq's voice. To my ear it's similar in quality to some of the finest virtual piano sample libraries that Stu demonstrated recently.
Something I wish digital piano makers were more transparent about is the number of velocity layers in their sampled instruments. In particular, on my FP-90 for many of the Electric Pianos there is a huge jump in timbre between the highest layer and the next one down.
Excellent presentation-
I also loved your demo on RD-2000-EX too.
This may be a better fit for my gigging purposes going through a PA. Speakers are a plus for home use for me. Thank You-
Thank you! We're glad you enjoyed the video. The onboard speakers definitely allow the FP90X to be more versatile, but the RD2000 EX is quite the powerhouse of course. :)
What I’d love to see from you (or ANYONE on youtube, even Roland doesnt have it up!) Is a comparison between v-piano and pure acoustic modeling. Also, a comparison between them and the modeling from The numa X
Hi Stu! Is there a chance you will be comparing FP90X and RD-2000?
I have watched this review, some parts over and over and I’m happy to say I bought one today. Hopefully within 90 days I will have it in my happy little hands! Thank you for such a thoughtful, thorough review Stu. I’m a new fan!
So how is it?
in 90 days yo wth you should have it in 3 work days imo
@@MetasCZ I got mine in 5!
How do you like it?
Thank you Stu. Fwiw..after going back and forth with Stu's ES920 review...I'd choose the ES920 for this price range. Both sound great.
I would like to again ask the question about Pure Acoustic Piano Models in FP-90X. If we compare FP-90X with LX705/LX706, we see the following sounds:
LX705 LX706 LX708 tone list
Piano
1 European Grand
2 European v2
3 American Grand
4 American v2
FP-90X tone list
Piano
1 Concert Piano
2 Stage Grand
3 Concert Ballad
4 Concert Mellow
5 Concert Bright
6 Concert Brilliance
7 Stage Mellow
8 Stage Bright
How are these sounds related? Why are there differences between FP-90X and LX digital pianos? Stu mentioned that American Grand model in LX705 is based on Steinway D NY. How about FP-90X's Concert Piano and Stage Grand? What are these models based on?
Could anyone please help me (my Internet search did not bring any results)?
I should also add that I have been also using Pianoteq piano models and I have to admit that for recording, I started to prefer FP-90X's Stage Bright (without the "My Stage" options).
Thank you,
Michael
How would this compare in action and piano sound to the RD 88 which I just purchased and love?
I'm really happy about the recording capability and keyboard mechanics. I went to play one in Manchester, UK, at Professional Music Technology, and really liked the feel of it. Thanks for the in depth review! I think I'm gonna get it 🙂
You're very welcome! We're glad that you found the review helpful! The FP90X is an absolute powerhouse of an all-in portable digital piano. I am quite confident you'll be very happy with its musical offering. :)
I've had an FP-90X for about 3 weeks now. I absolutely love the way it plays, do not love the way it sounds in person. I eventually bought a new pair of headphones, and I've started to like the sound more. But out of the speakers, or my older bass-heavy headphones, it didn't sound great. But damn, the feel of the PHA-50 blows me away every time I sit down to play it.
I had to turn off ambient 3d on the FP-90 I have. Or turn the ambience off and keep the Ambience 3D on. If I didn't it would sound tinny and muddy
Stu, I appreciate this review greatly. This review is great work--as usual.
I had listened to both the FP-90 and FP-90X, but at different times. I really thought that there was something better about the speakers on the 90X, but could not verify that there was any actual change between models. I also think that things like the sympathetic resonance and piano reverb were improved on the 90X, and I agree that many of the sampled sounds just sound better. It also seams that things like the grit effect on the e pianos is getting better with each Roland generation too.
Lovely rendition of Spring can really hang you up the most at 11:38. And using some Jarrett voicings really makes it sound like a Steinway recorded by ECM!
Thanks so much for taking the time to tune in and writing in with your kind words! We appreciate it! :)
Excellent review. Roland has always been my go-to piano (FP4, FP7F, FP80). I just wish they would have retained their wonderful large high res display.
Hi Brian, how would you compare the FP90 vs FP80? Is there a significant difference? Thanks for your help, much appreciated
Are we going to see a P515 vs FP-90x comparison are are we waiting until after NAMM? 👀
37:33 The Roland supports Kawai Apps, see bottom right corner. What a surprise ;-)
P.S.: I really love your channel, your combination of musicality and engineering precise analysis is just outstanding. Greetings from Germany!
Good catch! That was certainly a slip up! ;)
Thanks so much for tuning in! We sincerely appreciate the kind words and support!
I have always been a Yamaha. Korg, and Kurzweil fan, but this Roland is stunning.
I'm going to buy one of these, the action is simply amazing, and the piano sounds (along with the eq) are fantastic.
I had the fp90, I loved a lot about it except that the modelling Roland were using especially for the main piano sounds it would make the sound very muffled when using the sustain pedal. Mostly from the middle C down to lower bass section. I hated that and I returned it back to the store. I really hope they have improved that with this new one
That was probably the damper noise which is part of the acoustic piano sound.
No it wasn't, I tried to change all the parameters, reduced the damper noise to 0 but still wasn't right. I've heard the same thing happened to other people
@@JoeLinux2000 I have had the fp 90 for two years and love it. I am an intermediate piano player....and I am still looking for the "best recommeded settings" for the "piano designer." I have used the recommended settings from the Roy Tan youtube video...but I still do not get the same beautiful "output" that I hear on the videos...just like this video. Any suggestions
Villi Yo, I think I know what you mean and I slightly covered the point in a comment in another thread here. With modelled patches, you have to tweak a lot just to get a sound as convincing as already found on most sampled patches. Further to that, the old FP range had a weakness in the mid register anyway. Just from listening to demos, I have also noticed that FP pianos still have an excessive boom in the bass, and maybe that occurs with pedalling. Perhaps this is what you refer to. If (like me) you love a clear sound across the range, I recommend Yamaha and Casio, not Kawai or Roland, which have other virtues.
Despite all this, the new X range is still very exciting and promising. I tested the FP-30X and found it very acceptable for its price, and I'd love to try the others.
A question about “Song Vol” on FP-90X: What can we use that control for? I can’t find anything to make it work.
Is it possible to use this control to control the volume level for an input like modul or a sound from the iPad?
This is directly from the FP90X user manual:
This setting adjusts the volume of your keyboard performance while a song plays back. This adjusts the volume of the song (SMF data / audio data) that is played back.
* On the FP-90X, the [Song Vol.] slider simultaneously adjusts the volume of the SMF and the audio.
* If the SMF playback mode (p. 27) is set to “Auto-Select” or “Internal,” there will be some parts whose volume is not changed by the [Song Vol.]. If you set the SMF playback mode to “External,” the volume of all parts will change.
Thanks and hope this helps!
Thank you. I will check it out 😊
Just bought it, I chose this one because of you. Thanks for the reviews!
Congrats on your FP90X! We're happy to hear that our review was helpful through your process. You'll be very pleased with this amazing instrument! :)
I realized I should have bought it through your promo link. Sorry.
Hi Stu, I really enjoy watching your presentations all the way here from Melbourne, Australia. I take it you’re not a Yamaha dealership and that would be the reason for reviewing Roland and Kawai mainly. My question to you is, if I invest in the Roland LX708 will I have all the same functions and technology as this Roland FP-90x? Also if I may, does in your opinion the Roland LX-708 is a good choice for a pianist that plays mostly Rachmaninov, Chopin, Saint Saëns and many other alike, including Jazz? It’s between the Yamaha AvantGrand N1x and the Roland LX-708 as the Kawai Novus NV10 is too expensive. Also, can I connect the Apple MacBook Pro M1 14” with PianoTeq 7 Pro and use the Steinway Grands from my computer on thr Lx-708? Thank you for your brilliant in-depth reviews as I thoroughly enjoy.
Is always nice to see reviews for one who no have passion for a brand thank you for your honest review
Looking forward to that es920 vs fp90x
BRING IT ON
I like the sound of the Roland, but it's way too heavy.
it is available now
This video and several others were most helpful in making an informed decision; upgrading from a Roland Go to a FP-90x. Thanks much for the help.
You're very welcome! That is a very meaningful upgrade and I know you will be beyond thrilled with the amazing touch and tone of the FP90X! :)
I bought the FP90X mostly based upon this review. So far great. I am not an experienced keyboard player (guitar) but wanted to learn . My belief is that you buy an instrument that you can grow with. I cannot remember what the key action on an acoustic piano is like, but it feels like it takes some finger strength to press these keys. The texture on the keys is minimal and sometimes my fingers slip off the black keys, especially finger 5. Good library of piano sounds out of the box.
Congratulations on your Roland FP90X! We're glad that this review video was helpful in your decision making process. I agree with the notion that, when possible, investing in an instrument with a higher performance ceiling is worthwhile. Having an instrument that is going to continue to inspire you for the longterm can have many positive effects on one's progression. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
It’s great~ I finally waited for this piece to appear~ The appearance of music has moved me~
Hi, Stu!
Please, would You tell me what's the title of the piece you're playing from 1:10?
Great work, and thank you!
I like how the piano sound changes when you change the sound board . You were able to get it to sound pretty nice which is different from some other videos I have watched about this piano . I myself have recently received the Kawai ES920 which I saw you demo and I really like the sound on it and am glad I purchased it .
Sounds beautiful. I am searching for a new roland piano. Do all of the fp 30x, 60x, 90x, have all these features? I have not been able to find a source to compare different models. Thank you
Could Stu or someone else perhaps explain to me why LX-706 (the same sound modelling and features) has “American” and “European” Grand Piano models but FP-90X uses different models (at least they are called differently)?
Great to see you in the studio again, Stu. 👍
Hi. Thank you for a very good review of the piano:-)
I have a question: Is it possible to use “My stage” together with dual playing? Like playing with one of the “my stage” sounds together with a pad/string. (I tried an fp90x but I couldn’t mix these two sounds)
You're very welcome! Thanks for the question! Unfortunately, I am not at a showroom with an FP90X on hand at the moment to test this out. I believe that might be a limitation though. Perhaps, one of our FP90X users here can confirm.
Which action is best for classical piano advanced grades ? Pha4 or Pha50? Should I go for home digital or fp series if I want to explore tones as well ?
I would say that the PHA50 is a more advanced action that is more authentic to an acoustic grand piano action. If you are looking for a large selection of built-in tones, the FP90X would be an excellent option. However, some of the console digital pianos also have a large collection of tones as well.
Hey Guys, I've bought FP-90x 3 days ago. I have a uncharacteristic noise when clicking on 2 keys. The sound resembles as if poking into a plastic bag. Does anyone else have the same ?
Awesome info Stu - very helpful and your playing is very impressive/motivating. Thankyou
Awesome, thanks Stu! Even though I loved PHA4, (except repairing the RD-600 keys) I think I'll be OK w the Fp90x action since the RD-2000 feels good. I imagine I will want to buy a separate reverb since my understanding is the FP series only provides a light reverb, not the outer space infinite kind. I would like to know if the FP-90x can approach Bösendorfer territory by adjusting EQ and increasing reverb.
Does the Roland FP90X come with stand?
Stu are you testing the Numa x GT soon? Interesting sample modeling and Fatar new key bed.
Hi Roberto! We try to tackle as many model reviews/comparisons as possible and have received a few requests for the Numa X GT. We have added it to the list and will certainly do our best to tackle it in a future video. Thanks for tuning in and for the suggestion! We appreciate it. :)
@@MerriamPianos I rely on your reviews. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts about the new 400 key bed. I understand it is the same Dexibell is using on the new Vivo S10 coming up at the end of September 2022.
31:52 today I went to a local showroom of Kawai, and the nice salesperson told me that the weight of keys on acoustic pianos and grand pianos should be pretty light. So I tried a Kawai grand, an SK-EX, an upright, and even the digital piano CA49 and CA99, and they all have quite light keys. What's more, when the finger is playing near the felt part of the keyboard, it is not that much heavier. (he told me the longer the key stick, the better it can let the player press with the same force near the felt). So the FP-90X is also quite light for its keyboard action? My FP-30X in fact is a little bit heavy... and I think you mean, FP-30X and FP-90X keyboard actions are going to be different, and FP-30X "feels" real but in fact, FP-90X is closer to being real. Now however, aren't there acoustic pianos that have heavy keys? I thought I heard piano teachers say they want students to play on heavier keys so that they know how to play on acoustic keyboard. Also, if it is supposed to be light, then Korg D1 is known to have a heavy keyboard action, so I suppose the D1 is not close to an acoustic keyboard action... unless if that acoustic keyboard action is also heavy?
Every manufacturer (both within the realm of acoustic and digital pianos) has their own philosophy as to what makes the "perfect piano" both in terms of touch and tone. From this perspective, every manufacturer/model/action will have a slightly different feel or weighting to the keys. There are a number of factors that play into this such as the key stick/pivot length as well as the literal weight of the key itself. In any case, this would be an interesting topic to explore in a future video perhaps. Thanks and all the best!
I don't know if you'll even respond here but I'm really torn between this and the Casio Px s7000. Both are wonderful instruments in their own right and both have their pros and cons. I'm a complete beginner, but I know that the Roland has much better action which might serve me better in the long run
Hi there! Brent from Merriam Music here! The Roland FP90X and Casio PXS7000 are both amazing, top-tier instruments. It really comes down to a matter of musical preferences though. The FP90X has a far heavier action and a modelling engine, which yields a very specific. The PXS7000 on the other hand has a lighter touch and a more traditional sample-based engine. In either case, you're getting a really amazing instrument that is sure to provide a rewarding musical experience. :)
11:39-12:57
this guy is fuckin incredible at piano
I have had the fp 90 for two years and love it. I am an intermediate piano player....and I am still looking for the "best recommeded settings" for the "piano designer." I have used the recommended settings from the Roy Tan youtube video...but I still do not get the same beautiful "output" that I hear on the videos...just like this video. Any suggestions
maybe you just don't like the sound of the piano?
I also have a FP90X, and personally, I will probably replace it at some point.
I prefer the sampling sounds of the Yamaha series for instance.
@@RabbitConfirmed I love the keyboard and the digital sound I hear through a headset. Maybe ....the issue really is that the "digital sampling sound of keyboards which is wonderful and perfect" ....but the analogue sound when played out loud is different and in my opinion does not match but up to an acoustic piano...I was hoping that someone would have the solution using the infinite piano settings has figured out the best configuration to match the sound of an acoustic piano.
So the “My Stage “ is a bunch of factory presets, that you can easily access, with the touch of a button , with the reverb included, that you cannot modify for only the first 8 acoustic pianos? Does the “ Registration “ function have the option where you can take any sound , modify it with reverb / effects and then also store it with the changes you made, in the Piano Designer ? Also does the Registration have factory presets already in there that are unchangeable? How many total registrations can you store ? This seems like a great digital piano . Thinking of purchasing it . Just trying to clarify a few things I’m confused about . Thanks.
Hi there! Thanks for the question! Registrations allow you to store tone and performance (dual, split, etc.) settings for easy recall/access. For the applicable tones, this would include the Piano Designer settings. I don't believe there are any factory presets under the Registration menu. This is meant exclusively for user-generated sounds. The FP90X is capable of 45 Registrations.
You can read up on the Registration functionality on pages 23 and 24 on the following user manual:
static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/FP-90X_60X_eng03_W.pdf
I would like to have seen you test the action sound. Mine can be clicky and loud at times. Maybe in the comparison video.
In terms of piano sound quality, how does this one compare to the HP704 please?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The Roland FP90X has the "PureAcoustic Piano Modelling" engine versus the HP704's SuperNATURAL Piano Modelling engine. From my perspective, they are both incredible impressive, but do have a slightly different flavour. The main difference is that the PureAcoustic engine is a pure modelling engine (no sampling) whereas the HP704's SuperNATURAL engine is a hybridity of modelling and sampling, which some feel gives it a bit more authenticity. On the other hand, the tonal flexibility and level of control that the PureAcoustic engine provides is quite remarkable. It is definitely a matter of subjectivity, so the best bet is to get to a showroom to do some comparisons. :)
This digital piano's beautiful usefulness -- coupled with its durability -- may last a lifetime and beyond. I'm loving it more and more. Each of the piano sounds may be adjusted -- Piano Designer, plus frequency, temperament, my stage, ambience, and other settings -- according to the players' preference to come up with the sound that is most pleasing to him. And all the settings may be stored!
Absolutely! The Roland FP90X is a tank and an impressive machine in terms of capabilities! It is quite versatile too. It is an excellent choice for both home and stage use. Enjoy your piano and happy playing! :)
You cannot play with the rhythm section on the online app offered.
The internet is slow, in my area , so it is out of sync. Therefore, the timing is off.
Can you review Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3 and compare the key action to the FP-90X?
Thanks for your suggestion! We will certainly do our best, but, given that we are not Native Instruments dealers, it may tough to tackle.
Amazing content. Gotta love Stu’s Chopinesque jazz improv
Thanks so much! We appreciate that. :)
Great Review, with such a lovely action its such a shame the you can't control things like rate/depth of the stereo panning for the Rhodes just as a little example.
Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoyed it. Unfortunately, even the most top-of-the-line instruments will inevitably have some missing features that may be useful or commonly used by certain players. Thankfully, with MIDI connectivity and VST plugins, there is usually the option of accessing virtually anything you desire externally. :)
I’ve been doing this a long time. You my friend are a gem.
A small thing all things considered, but I hate case designs where the two end keys aren't protected by the case. It's like they could get whacked from the side. 😊
That top-end Stu was complaining bout sounded nice though. I'd like to hear him play 'On Golden Pound' with it.
Can the FP90X send WAV files via USB to Logic Pro X running on an iMac? Thanks for the help. Considering the Kawai ES920-until this review. Now I’m waffling back and forth. 😩
Yup! The FP90X can record 44.1 kHz / 16 bit WAV files via the USB flash drive. From there, you can certainly bring the files into any DAW of your choosing. :)
@@MerriamPianos - Thank you once again for a prompt reply. Question: Do you know of a digital keyboard that can send WAV files directly to a DAW via USB in realtime without having to record to a flash drive first? Also, I’m new to Bluetooth MIDI-does that mean I can send MIDI data to a DAW via Bluetooth in realtime instead of having to use traditional MIDI cables? Thank you!
FP-90X vs. RD-2000 Thoughts? The 2K is older and cost more. Appears to be the same action. The piano engine is different maybe? The 2K seems like it has more flexibility in zones, splits, and layering. The 90X has double the polyphony (256) in the non-piano tone engine. In my area I'm seeing maybe 15% savings to go with the 90X.
If you do not need speakers and connect to external audio system you could choose RD2000. FP-90X has Pure Acoustic Modelling.
Incredible review, thank you Stu
Thanks so much for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed the review! :)
Can you enlighten us with the best sound for your taste. What is the scaling for each parameter to get a good sound.
I think that would make for an excellent video concept! I will add it to the list of potential video topics for the future. I think a deep dive into a modelling engine like the one featured on the FP90X and a walkthrough of each adjustable parameter would be very interesting. Thanks for the idea! :)
@@MerriamPianos
Great. Thank you. 😊
Is there a reason to get the FP90X over the RD-2000 considering they are both similarly priced?
They are very different offerings. The FP90X has built-in speakers, whereas the RD2000 does not. That is one of the most significant differences between the two.
I'd set my heart on a Nord Grand, but now after watching this video of the FP90x I'm not so sure. Is the Nord grand worth paying the extra £1000 for??
I have a Yamaha p45 I purchased almost a year ago. I want something different. My heart points to the P515 and my brain wants the FP90x. I don't know what to do!!
That is a tough call of course! They're both very excellent instruments. For me, I tend to prioritize action when shopping for digital pianos. From that perspective, the FP90X is extremely difficult to compete with. The PHA50 action is fantastic. :)
@@MerriamPianos I ordered an fp90x!
I am torn between this piano and the CA49.. Do you have any suggestions. With the Ca49 price in the usa right now, they are similiar in price. Feel and tone is very important to me. This will be my first and probably only digital piano and I'm trying not to make a mistake. I can't try them out because of where I live.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The CA49 and FP90X are very different offerings. The FP90X is a portable digital that has a lot of features/bells and whistles that allow it to double as a stage instrument. The CA49 is a console piano intended for at-home practice. If you are planning on doing performance or production work, I would recommend the FP90X. However, if you are primarily using the piano for at-home practice, the CA49 would be my personal suggestion.
@@MerriamPianos thanks
Stu reminds me of Bob in the 70's Sesame Street! Same squeaky clean image also.
Bob McGrath was a legend who sadly passed away two days ago. I can certainly understand the connection you are making between both him and Stu. They are both very affable personalities. :)
Hi all, beginner here, what song is being played at 10:06 ?
Hi there! Stu is playing "Claire de Lune" by Debussy at that moment. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you, I have an FP90X on order, so looking forward to it
I'm trying to decide on whether it's worth it to wait weeks (potentially months) for a yamaha p515 or go for the fp 90 now, can find it for roughly the same price. My main focus is on the keys and how much they feel like an acoustic..
I keep reading that
Yamaha 515 keys are heavier and harder than
Roland fp 90
And hence yamaha is more tiring. Fatigues the hand.
Hope that helps u
Hello. Does the Roland FP-90x have a button that takes you back to the default grand piano setting? In other words, if I am using other pianos, organs, etc., and I want to quickly get back to a grand piano, is there a button that does that? Or, do I have to go through the piano menu, or set it up in Registration? Thank you, and I enjoy your videos.
Bill G
FP-90X vs RD-2000? Currently have a RD-700GX but at my low level of playing experience (tech junkie I guess) selling my GX just doesn't seem worthwhile. But "if" I make the trip overseas to another work location then thinking a new one to play there as I tend to go for years at a time. Free shipping of a Kawai ES920 or FP-90X helps one way. Saw your review of both, The lower weight and cost of the 920 is pushing me that way. Roland keys are something to consider. Keyscape, think you used your RD-2000 for the demo. Thanks!
Does Stu do any instructional videos?I can’t read music but just watching his fingers really helps?
Hi! Stu does have some videos online, such as this one:
ruclips.net/video/JtavNgiaM7g/видео.html
@@MerriamPianos okay thx,will check it out
@@MerriamPianos how bout some of the better stuff he plays,not just blues?blues is as basic as you can get
Anyone here who has used both CASIO PRIVIA 3000
And ROLAND 90 or 90x.
Would love to hear ur comments comparing
Casio vs Roland .
What do u like about Casio PRIVIA 3000 SOUND ? . What's better about Roland sound ?
Thanks for sharing your videos have you ever done s video on the Yamaha Montage 8 as I’d love to know how the samples sound on it or the Roland Fantom 8,I currently have the Yamaha CP88,I do like the piano sou tv on Kawai.
I just got. an fp 90x. Compared to my fp80 it Sounds very very thin. Something With the Sneakers ???
That is surprising to hear. Does it sound different than the floor model at the showroom that you purchased from?
@@MerriamPianos the Shop didnt have it so i Trusted my fp80 and thought ok the Follow Up! Model Must be at least as good aus the fp80, because that i find great. Maby it is just my ear that is drawn to the fp80 speakers? I Hope that once i connect it to a Sound System it will turn out well 😊
Great analysis as a engineering side of maker.
Roland is priority engineering rather than electric field as the Roland piano I think.
Action mechanism is very general so they make balance how we could hear includes feeling of omission as a player who is sitting bench. Piano sounds is feeling of vibrate around in air and key touch vibration. I like that. Roland is meister in the electric pianos maker field and they raise to real keyboard instruments of this generation.
What's the life expectancy of the Action Pha50 my Roland FP 90x ? .. I use it many hours a day
That is a very difficult thing to assess as it depends on how the piano is being used. Heavy handed players that are putting many hours of play on the instrument on a daily basis will naturally wear out the action faster. Also, if the instrument is used for gigging versus at home practice, that will also play a factor. With that said, it is difficult to state any specific life expectancy. All I can say is that Roland actions, including the PHA4 and PHA50 actions, are incredible durable and reliable in my experiences. :)
Can you give a review for the Yamaha P-S500.?
We do our best to tackle as many reviews/comparisons as possible and will certainly add that model to the list. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
Hi There. I had several FP90 and RD2000 piano's for a while and later on an LX706PE for fixed use. The PHA50 plays nice, but on the LX they made a significant change to the keybed, apart from longer keys, in adding an extra balancing pin to get rid of sideway movements. The PHA50 felt a bit sluggish compared to the Grand Hybrid that is perfectly well balanced and is much more stiff, like a real grand. It also does not produce the sort of rubbery , squeaky sound the pHA50 produces. I very much wonder if Roland made small adjustments to the PHA50 as well in this respect. Like Kawai upped their RHIII without changing the name of the keybed. Let's say PHA50 v2 . I hope so.
Unless the PHA 50 breaks in and becsomes much more fluid, I really don't think much of it. RIght now the action and sound of the Roland 708 seems to be king. Some of the higher end Kawais are nice, but overall the sound is not as satisfying as the 708.
I bought this, but I have a couple of questions. Did you do any "tone character" modifications before recording? my FP-90x sounds very "muddy" and "plastic," and I do not "tune" these pianos.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for your question! We do not do any adjustments or post-processing on the default piano sounds we are demonstrating. We do our best to represent the default sounds as transparently as possible. With that said, the sound through the speakers may differ from a direct line-out feed. I hope you can find a tone that you're satisfied with. The FP90X has lots of built-in adjustment options. :)
@@MerriamPianos I recorded a couple of samples with direct USB audio. One with default values and one with my own note characters. Can you please verify that these samples (especially the default one) sound okay to your ear? Because I'm not sure... drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NoS_zcG4TFx0E8zRfMtuUHLk6aRgqkFT?usp=sharing
Hi! I wonder how differently you recorded when the audio source is from "direct line-outs" and "internal speakers"? Does it mean that one is through an interface and one is not? Thanks!
The direct line-out sound is the signal directly from the tone engine into our recording interface without any additional equalization or tonal colouring. To capture the sound of the internal speakers, we put up a stereo pair of condenser microphones. Inevitably, the room and the microphones will slightly colour the sound, but we never do any additional audio processing to ensure the most transparent representation of the sound.
I'm not here to buy anything, just to enjoy Stu playing. I'm not disappointed. 👋
That is totally okay! Stu's playing is quite captivating to say the least! :)
Great review, Stu. I always enjoy your reviews. I can't expect you to make a video on the following point as I doubt there would be enough people wondering - but please could you comment about a comparison between the Piano capabilities of the FP90X and the FP90. I bought the FP90 when it was available alongside it's newer 'X' version, the original version being about 33% less expensive. I love it and do not regret my purchase but I am curious to compare the FP90X with the FP90. I don't really care too much about the FP90's abilities with other on-board sounds, I only bought it for its ability to closely represent the sound and feel of a real acoustic Piano. I struggle to tell any difference in the sound quality of the main Concert Piano sound between the FP90 and FP90X, though I haven't physically sat by the two and heard them both play side by side, I have only heard the FP90X online. I know the latter uses what I understand to be an upgraded version of the former's SuperNATURAL Sound Engine, coined PureAcoustic. What can you say about the differences between the two's 'Concert Piano' sound quality, and the two's other Piano sounds? Does the FP90X offer major sonic improvements compared with the FP90 or are any improvements subtle and only the keenest ears will likely be able to tell them apart? Any coments from yourself, or others, would be highly welcome. Thank you - Darren, London UK
Hi Darren! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed the review. While tonal preference is a very subjective thing, I personally find the FP90X's core piano sounds to be a bit richer and dynamic. The newer Pure Acoustic Piano Modelling engine seems a bit more refined than the FP90's SuperNATURAL Piano Modelling. However, with that said, I have heard many Roland users have the opposite opinion. My suggestion to you would be to head out to a showroom to test out the FP90X in person to see what your initial impressions of its piano experience is. That is usually the best way to determine whether an upgrade is worthwhile. You may find the difference to be very subtle or very meaningful! Thanks and hope this helps! :)
Do you consider this action a very heavyweight one ? Sometimes it's dinamism seems to be difficult
The Roland PHA4 and PHA50 actions are definitely heavier playing actions, but that provides an impressive degree of control and authenticity in my opinion. The best bet is to test out the action for yourself as every player's preferences are different. :)
Thanks Stu, really appreciate your work, keep up the good work! 😊👍🏾
Thanks so much for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu! :)
I have the original fp90 and I’m thinking about also getting the 90x … does anyone own both ? How big is the improvement to you ?
Hi David! Brent here! The FP90 is still a fantastic instrument! It ultimately depends on what you prioritize. Of course, the action is the same between both models, but there have been some meaningful updates to other elements of the FP90X that does change the overall sonic experience. I would certainly recommend trying it out at a showroom to see if you notice a substantial enough difference to justify the upgrade.
What is the piece on 1:08?
Thanks for tuning in! I would have to ask Stu as to what piece he is playing. It definitely has a good vibe though!
Could we please have a comparison of the FP60X vs. the P515 since they are at similar price points? I'm having trouble finding anyone who has done one, and don't understand why. The FP90X is far more expensive. Thx!
The P515 sounds better than the older Supernatural sounds on Roland keyboards. Trust me on that one.
I hear you inner music man.. she is wonderful!
Thanks for this great review! The only thing I totally disagree with is that the Pianoteq software sounds better than the FP-90x. As a pro musician, I've played both (as well as many real pianos!), and feel there's no comparison.
You also need some sort of MIDI keyboard to use Pianoteq's software-and unless you have one with as authentic and responsive an action as the FP-90x (and it's the lowest-priced keyboard I know of whose action is that good), you won't be able to play it with nearly as much feeling or versatility.
Of course, everyone has different opinions. For anyone who really wants to know for themselves, I suggest you try an FP-90x, and the Pianoteq demo version-using the same headphones, and the same MIDI controller you'd use with Pianoteq-so you can make an informed choice, rather than guessing, or basing your choice on what a RUclips reviewer says. ;?)
What would you choose between Roland FP90X and the Yamaha CLP 785?
I know they are different type of pianos, but im talking about sound.