Specifications 

Key takeaways

Here’s a run-down of the main things to take note of with the Roland FP-30X.

Roland FP-30X review 

First impressions

The Roland FP-30X has a striking aesthetic; it’s incredibly sleek and simple whilst remaining sturdy and robust. With an ivory-like feel, the piano keys deliver that authentic piano aesthetic, and the interface at the top left-hand side of the piano is laid out simply, making it easy to navigate. 

One of the first things we noticed was the piano’s shallow width. At 13cm, it easily fits into smaller spaces. However, it’s important to note that the power and auxiliary cables plug into the back of the piano which slightly adds to the overall width. 

So how does the Roland FP-30X differ from the FP-30? Well, one of the main differences is the increased polyphony. The FP30 has a polyphony of 128, whereas the FP-30X has a polyphony of 256. This allows you to achieve a wider, more detailed piano sound, with fuller chords and textures.

The Roland FP-30X is available in white and black, both suiting different environments. If you’re looking for a smart piano that’s not too intrusive to its surroundings, the black finish is perfect. If you want a unique, more “swish”-looking piano, you might like the white option.

Personally, I like the black finish. It frames the keybed nicely and complements the compact, sleek design of the piano.

Keyboard action 

PH-4 keyboard

With a PHA-4 keyboard that mimics the keys of a grand piano, the FP-30X feels authentic to play. This innovative action uses triple-sensor technology to translate even the tiniest of nuances in your playing, responding to all the differences that come with various playing styles and dynamics.

Across the keybed, the hammer action is graded (the lower keys feel heavier and the higher keys feel lighter), and there’s escapement modelling for an even truer imitation of a grand piano’s keybed.

With five preset settings for a dynamic response, you can customise your sound to fit any musical style. This is perfect for beginners who are just finding their feet and are experimenting with different genres.

Faux ivory keys 

I have briefly mentioned the ivory feel of the keys, but it’s worth discussing again as it’s these finishing touches that make a big difference!

This faux ivory coating offers a supremely premium feel that’s unusual to find in entry-level models. Its design mimics the look and feel of a traditional piano – say goodbye to plasticky keys under your fingertips! – and this provides an authentic playing experience that’s beneficial to novice players.

Escapement modelling 

One of the standout features of the FP-30X is its escapement modelling. This unique technological aspect simulates the sensation of the hammers in an acoustic piano leaving the keys after they are struck (that little bump or notch you feel when pressing the key of an acoustic). It offers tactile feedback that is true to a real piano. 

Five presets

The FP-30X boasts five preset settings for a range of dynamic responses, so you can sculpt the piano to suit your unique style and preferences. This versatility allows for an adaptable learning experience, making it easier for novices to grasp the nuances of different playing techniques. 

Sound quality  

A variety of piano sounds

The sheer range of sounds makes the Roland FP-30X Digital Piano a great place for beginners to start.

It houses a collection of 12 pianos and 20 electric pianos (plenty more than the FP-30), all of which are designed to produce a rich, full-bodied sound that closely mimics their real-life counterparts. This can easily help to instil a deeper understanding of the digital piano.

That’s not all! The FP-30X also comes loaded with 24 other instrumental sounds, allowing you to get creative. This is particularly great for budding composers who want to write for instruments beyond the piano, maybe even full orchestras! You can hear what your piece sounds like in other timbres, and create full, textured music. 

SuperNATURAL sound engine

The SuperNATURAL sound engine gives the piano its nuanced yet powerful sound output that cleverly reacts to your playing.

Strikingly similar to an acoustic piano, SuperNATURAL technology ensures your touch is mirrored with the piano’s dynamics. So, those softer notes will have delicate, quieter dynamics, whilst any intense playing is matched with louder dynamics. 

Polyphony 

With a generous 256-note maximum polyphony, the FP-30X ensures that even complex and dense pieces of music can be played without any note drop-off. As you progress in skill and move onto thicker chords and more complicated scores, you’ll definitely appreciate a rich polyphony! It’s also a big upgrade from the FP-30’s 128-note polyphony.

Speakers

The digital piano’s two 11W built-in speakers are configured to deliver a clear, voluminous sound. Despite the speakers being downward-facing, they have been optimised for various environments. You can choose between Stand mode (for when the speakers are on a stand) and Desk mode (for when it’s – you guessed it – on a desk).

The speakers offer a very rich, detailed sound that’s ideal for practising with or performing in small spaces. If you want a little more power, the FP-30X allows you to connect to an external speaker system through the output jacks features at the back of the piano.  

Effects

There are only two effects included in this piano: ambience and brilliance. While you might expect more from a digital piano of this calibre, it is important to remember that it’s an entry-level instrument, and so these two key effects are probably enough for beginners.

Ambience allows you to add space to your music, similar to reverb, whilst brilliance adds brightness. There are multiple intensity settings for each, so you can fine-tune your output and experiment with different textures. 

Functions 

Metronome and transpose

One of the main functions that is sure to help a beginner is the built-in metronome. And in reality, this is an incredibly useful feature even for professional pianists. Playing along to a metronome helps to improve timing and rhythm – both very important qualities for any pianist!

There’s also a Transpose function, which allows you to match the key of the piano to the key to a song, making it easier for beginners to play along with their favourite music. 

Master tuning

You can adjust the overall tuning of the piano with Master Tuning function. This helps beginners develop a keen ear for pitch and tuning, which can be a handy skill to have!

Useful apps

Another useful feature of the Roland FP-30X is its compatibility with the Piano Everyday app.

This app, available on both iOS and Android devices, keeps your practice routine engaging and productive, giving you access to sheet music and allowing you to track your progress. You can also record and play your performances back – this is invaluable for beginners who want to know what they’re doing well and how they can improve.  

Along the lines of software, the included Piano Designer app is another beneficial feature that the Roland FP-30X provides. This app lets you adjust various sound parameters, such as string resonance, lid position, and hammer noise.  

Great for beginners, Piano Designer gives you the opportunity to experiment with different tones and helps you understand the effects of these parameters on the overall sound. 

Modes 

Great for pianists of all ability levels is the FP-30X’s array of three modes: Layer, Split, and Twin Piano.

The Layer function allows you to stack two different sounds together, creating a rich and complex tonal output, while the Split function divides the keyboard into two sections, each with a different sound. This is great if you want to focus on perfecting your right and left hand.

For those taking piano lessons or practising duets, the Twin Piano mode is supremely useful. It splits the piano into two smaller keyboards with the same range, allowing teach and student to play at the same time.  

Connectivity 

In terms of connectivity, the FP-30X has 1/4″ line outputs for connecting to external speakers, enhancing sound quality and making live performances much more powerful and immersive. There are also dual headphone jacks positioned at the front, facilitating private practice without disturbing others.  

If you want to integrate the piano with recording software, there’s a USB port to help you do just that.

Additionally, you have two pedal jacks (the FP-30X comes with a damper pedal). The cherry on the top is its Bluetooth MIDI capability, which lets you connect to various apps and edit and control your sound, and Bluetooth Audio capabilities for playing along with your favourite songs.  

Accessories 

The Roland FP-30X is available in various bundles with a variety of accessories. Firstly, there’s the standard package that comes complete with music rests, a DP-2 Switch Pedal, an AC adapter, and a manual.  

The next bundle, the Roland FP-30X Digital Piano with Stand, Stool, and Headphones, offers an extremely convenient all-in-one package that’s great for beginners, eliminating the need to purchase all the necessary accessories separately. 

If you’re more advanced in your playing and are looking to gig with the Roland FP-30X, the Live Performance Bundle is ideal. It’s complete with a digital piano bag, stand, and sustain pedal. 

FAQs 

Is the Roland FP-30X worth it?

The Roland FP-30X is a great piano for beginners and intermediate players as it offers a vast number of features and a very high-quality sound that you wouldn’t expect at this price point. It’s complete with compatibility with apps and software to help you learn, whilst the PHA-4 standard keyboard guarantees a realistic playing experience. 

Is the Roland FP-30X fully weighted?

The PHA-4 standard keyboard is fully weighted, graded, and comes with escapement modelling. Featuring individual key weights, the keyboard lets you play fast pieces with quick, nuanced responses, just like an acoustic piano. 

When did the Roland FP-30X come out?

The Roland FP30X was first released in 2021. It is an updated version of the highly regarded FP-30, featuring greater polyphony (256 notes) and a variety of instrument voices as well as 12 piano tones. 

The verdict 

The Roland FP-30X serves exceptionally well as an entry-level piano, with a feel and response that would suit more premium models. Its faithful replication of piano tones, courtesy of the SuperNATURAL sound engine, pairs perfectly with the authentic playability of the PHA-4 keyboard, allowing for a beautiful playing experience. 

Although it would have been nice to have a few more effects other than Ambience and Brilliance, I do think these are sufficient for a beginner piano. And in many ways, you can tell this is centred around new players, with its various modes and ability to connect to piano-learning apps.

However, you can still enjoy a full piano sound (remember, 256-note polyphony as opposed to the FP-30’s 128) and experiment with an array of textures and timbres – this feature set is much richer than you would find in a piano at this price range! It’s a superb upgrade from the FP-30 and would definitely make for a fantastic beginner instrument that would stick with the player as they progress in skill.

Hopefully, our Roland FP-30X review has helped you decide whether or not this is the piano for you!