Founder and Piano teacher
Are you looking for a digital piano that is easy to transport but feels like a real piano? Then you can hardly overlook the Roland FP-30X. In this Roland FP-30X review, we have taken a close look at the popular portable piano and even let it compete against its "big brother", the pro model FP-90X, just for kicks. Let’s find out if the FP-30X is the right instrument for your start in the world of music.
Table of contents
Basically: With its PHA-4 Standard keyboard (escapement & ivory feel), the FP-30X offers arguably the best playing feel in its price class.
Important: Since the control panel is minimalist, the piano only unlocks its full potential when combined with the free Roland Piano App via Bluetooth.
Tip: The included pedal is just a simple button switch. You should definitely budget for the high-quality Roland DP-10 damper pedal.
Right out of the box, you notice that the Roland FP-30X is visually very appealing. It is a slim, modern device and pleasantly lightweight. This makes it the ideal companion if you have to transport your instrument frequently – be it to band practice, into the garden, or simply to the next corner of your room.
In a direct comparison, the Roland FP-90X naturally appears a bit more substantial and premium, but the flagship model also costs nearly three times as much and is significantly heavier. For mobile use and home practice, the FP-30X definitely scores points with its compactness.
Here you can see the most important differences at a glance:
Feature | Roland FP-30X | Roland FP-90X |
Target Group | Beginners, intermediates, students | Pros, stage musicians, studios |
Keyboard | PHA-4 Standard (high-quality plastic, grippy) | PHA-50 (hybrid of wood & plastic, pro feel) |
Sound Engine | SuperNATURAL Piano | PureAcoustic Piano Modeling (even more detailed) |
Speakers | 2 speakers (11 watt x 2) Totally sufficient for the living room | 4-way system (25 watt x 2 + 5 watt x 2) Room-filling and differentiated |
Controls | Minimalist (focus on app control) | Full control panel with display & equaliser faders |
Weight | approx. 14.8 kg (easily portable) | approx. 23.6 kg (very heavy for transport) |
The FP-90X is a technical masterpiece for pianists who want to make no compromises and have the necessary budget (approx. $1,700). However, for normal piano lessons and practising at home, the FP-30X (approx. $600) offers 90% of the fun at a fraction of the price and weight.
If you want to learn piano, the keyboard is the most important criterion. This is where the FP-30X plays its greatest strength. It features the renowned PHA-4 Standard keyboard.
What makes this keyboard so special?
Ivory Touch: The keys have a roughened surface modelled after ivory. This ensures grip and prevents slippery fingers.
Escapement: A feature often only found in much more expensive instruments. You feel a slight resistance when pressing the key gently – just like on an acoustic grand piano.
Our Verdict: The keyboard makes a great impression, is grippy, and is very high-quality for this price range. It is simply fun to play. While the more expensive FP-90X allows for even more nuanced playing, there is hardly anything better than the FP-30X for a budget under $800.
How does the Roland FP-30X sound? It features Roland's "SuperNATURAL" sound engine on board. The basic piano tone is rich and dynamic. You can cycle through different variations using the buttons on the surface.
Of course, in direct comparison to the FP-90X (which features PureAcoustic Modelling technology and a 4-way speaker system), you notice that the little brother lacks a bit of "volume" and that final brilliance. However: For the price, the FP-30X delivers typical Roland quality. The sounds are assertive and a joy to hear.
Sound Tip: The ability to "layer" sounds is particularly nice. Simply press two buttons simultaneously to mix, for example, the acoustic piano with an electric piano or strings. The result is a full, warm soundscape.
The FP-30X has a very tidy, almost spartan control panel. There is no display and only a few buttons. Many functions (such as precisely setting the metronome, selecting special sounds, or adjusting reverb effects) are accessible via key combinations, which can be a bit cumbersome at first.
The Solution: Here, the FP-30X plays a huge trump card. You can connect the piano to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth in seconds and use the Roland Piano App. This makes operation intuitive and completely makes up for the missing screen on the device.
A feature often overlooked in reviews, but worth its weight in gold: The integrated USB audio interface. This means the USB cable sends not only your played notes (MIDI) to the tablet or laptop but also sends the sound from the app back into the piano.
Why is this brilliant for apps like music2me?
When you watch a video lesson, you hear your piano teacher's voice and the backing music directly through the high-quality speakers (or your headphones) of the Roland FP-30X – perfectly mixed with your own piano playing. You don't need external speakers and have no cable clutter. This ensures an immersive “right in the middle of it” feeling, almost like in real lessons.
Imagine sitting at the piano, your fingers gliding effortlessly across the keys as you play melodies that move your heart. With music2me, you can learn piano at your own pace – step by step with a system that truly helps you progress, whether you’re a beginner or already advanced.
Over 400 video lessons & downloadable sheet music
Interactive tools like Skill Check & smart practice mode
Weekly live classes & personal teacher support
Exclusive Discord community for motivation & exchange
In the box, you will find a music rest, a power supply, and a simple sustain pedal (footswitch). We have to be honest here: this little plastic switch slips away and does not offer a realistic playing feel.
Our urgent recommendation: Plan in approx. $40 extra for the Roland DP-10. This pedal has a fold-out rubber mat to prevent slipping and offers a half-pedal function, which is important for advanced playing.
You can also find the Roland FP-30X as a complete set in various versions here:
Our Roland FP-30X review clearly shows: It is a fantastic instrument for beginners and intermediate players who value an excellent keyboard and mobility.
While the FP-90X is in a different league regarding sound fullness and stage suitability (EQ faders, microphone input), the FP-30X is the price-performance winner for home use, piano lessons, or student accommodation. It offers everything you need to learn to play the piano dynamically and expressively.
Yes, absolutely. The weighted keyboard is crucial for developing the correct technique and finger strength right from the start. It is an instrument that "grows" with your abilities.
The "X" model features improved polyphony (256 voices), better speakers, and, most importantly, separate audio outputs (Line Out), making it much easier to connect the piano to external speakers.
The PHA-4 Standard keyboard installed in the FP-30X is often considered slightly heavier and more realistic compared to lighter actions. It offers special features like escapement and 3 sensors per key. This enables very precise repetition and a playing feel that comes very close to an acoustic grand piano, whereas the Kawai ES-120 uses a slightly lighter but also very high-quality mechanism (RHC).
The piano has a 6.3 mm jack input for a single sustain pedal (like the included DP-2 or the better DP-10). Additionally, there is a special connector for the KPD-70 triple pedal unit. This is required if you want to expand the piano with the matching wooden stand (KSC-70) into a stationary home piano.
Yes, this is one of the most important new features compared to the previous model (FP-30). The FP-30X has dedicated stereo outputs (2 x 6.3 mm jack). This means you can easily connect the piano to mixing consoles or PA systems without having to block the headphone output.
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