The market is filled with great choices of console pianos. Amongst the best choices, you always find very attractive models by Roland. I’ve always been a fan of the manufacturer’s keys and their feel, the sound quality and options. The FP series features different models with increasing features and specs. The line is aimed at discerning aspiring or established piano and keyboard players. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned pianist, you will be well served in the long term with the FP’s powerful processing and realistic feel. I’ve received the FP10—the entry model in the line, and put it through its paces. Keep reading to find out if this console keyboard is the perfect model for you, no matter your level.
I’ve filmed a short video detailing my impressions and featuring a few different sound samples.
High quality sounds and features
The FP10 features Roland’s PHA-4 keyboard, a highly detailed set of keys. The construction closely simulates a real acoustic piano, but with a little upgrade: moisture-absorbing material. Not only does the keyboard feel like the real thing, but everything will stay dry no matter the temperature or your intensity. The weight is also very well replicated; escapement permits fast note repetition, and the weight is subtly reduced as you go higher in the register.
The tones are generated by Roland’s Supernatural engine. You get 15 different sounds, including 4 different pianos, 2 electric pianos, 2 organs, 2 sets of strings, 2 harpsichords, a vibraphone, a jazz scat sample, and a synth pad. A 10-step ambience (or reverb) and brilliance adjustment are available to slightly customize the tones. The sound is projected by a set of 6W speakers mounted under the unit.
The FP10 has a USB connector, enabling you to transfer MIDI information between the keyboard and a DAW, effectively using it as a quality MIDI controller. There’s also a headphone output for silent practice. The sustain pedal jack is equipped to support half-pedalling techniques, which will probably interest more experienced pianists. Just plug in a compatible sustain pedal (such as Roland’s DP-10 pedal) to make use of this function. The included DP-2 pedal doesn’t support this option, unfortunately. An interesting internal function is the twin piano mode. This mode splits the keys into two equal parts, allowing a teacher and a student to play simultaneously in the same register on the same keyboard. This is a great way to practise and focus on those harder passages with your educator.
Additional accessories
While the FP10 isn’t shipped with a stand, it is compatible with universal stands with no issues. Roland makes one of these called the KS-12. In the videos and pictures, the FP10 I received was mounted on the optional KSCFP10. This is the compact furniture-style base made exclusively for the FP10. It is very easy to assemble, and its slick and minimalistic design will fit in with any type of décor. I also had the RPB-100BK, a very comfortable bench.
An excellent console keyboard
The first thing you notice when playing the FP10 is the fabulous keyboard. The sensation of the faux-ivory texture is simply pleasant, and the material doesn’t accumulate moisture. These characteristics compound into a great grip and feel that puts you in control. The weight of the keys is heavy and gives you the impression of playing a quality, wooden instrument. The hit and the return of the keys feels very realistic.
The sound of the keyboard is excellent. Although you are limited to 15 built-in tones, these are very good sounding ones. The first piano option is a rich-sounding sample that is very deep and satisfying. With the addition of the ambience and brilliance setting, you can really massage it gently and manipulate it just enough to cover a large amount of ground. The other tones are usable, but they may be underwhelming for fans of different organs, Rhodes, etc. If you’re looking for a wide variety of samples and deep editing, you’ll have to plug the unit into a sound library to have access to more parameters and satisfy your need for tweaking knobs.
While the speakers aren’t rated very high in power, they reproduce the sound in a very convincing way. They are powerful enough to cover a large room, and they are very defined while still producing a decent amount of low-end. You can always use the headphone out to plug into a bigger, more detailed speaker system if you need more volume and control. I highly recommend the appropriate stand, or at least a universal stand. It frees up the speakers and will keep the sound from getting muffled if you set it on a desk or bed.
Not just for beginners
If you are in the market for a first keyboard, it will be hard to find better value for your money. Thanks to high quality specifications and features, the FP10 will last you a very long time. I started playing on this type of product, and, even after 20+ years of use, it is still being used by my niece. Beginners will be well served by an excellent set of keys and high quality sounds.
For more advanced players, this might be an excellent practice (or even possibly teaching) tool. Thanks to such a well designed keyboard, you will have the closest thing (feel and sound-wise) to a real piano without all the necessary maintenance that comes with the latter. If you happen to have students, the dual piano function will serve you well. It might possibly even improve your results thanks to its advantages.
I also like the idea of using this for recording, thanks to the USB connection. With a very attractive price tag, this is an affordable way to create convincing piano performances while using high quality, editable samples. If you are the type of keyboard player that has been producing on light-keyed MIDI controllers or other synths for a while, this might be an interesting option to have in the studio.
Check out the Roland FP10 at BestBuy.ca.
Chris would get the most use of this piano playing Jingle Bell Rock first
my son quentin would get the most use, i hope he plays jingle bells
gotta learn
I think Sandi would get the most use out of this and i think that she would love to play What Child is This
Emily would be most interested and I hope she could learn to play Jingle Bells first!
I would like to play and it would be Jingle Bells.
Anne will play Jingle Bells .
My Mom. She will play Silent Night
Myself. I will play Silver Bells.
My Wife Jean. She will play Silent Night
My partner Albert will get the most use out of this piano and I hope he plays A Charlie Brown Christmas!
I would love to learn how to play and with the Twin Piano mode I could learn with any of my children and they can teach each other! We could be singing jingle bells 24/7!
Thanks for the review. My daughter would get the most use from the piano. I think she would play Silent Night as she loves it.
I play piano and would love a more portable option I would play O Holy Night first It really interest me that You get 15 different sounds, including 4 different pianos, 2 electric pianos, 2 organs, 2 sets of strings, 2 harpsichords, a vibraphone, a jazz scat sample, and a synth pad. How cool!!
Amanda would use it all the time, hope she would play Carol of the Bells
It would be me to be playing Frosty the Snowman
I think that I will get the most use out of this piano….but i would be looking forward to giving my granddaughter a few lessons so we can share…..maybe even a duet!! i would want to play Silver Bells
I hope to be playing Jingle Bells.
My son loves music and I think he would get a ton of use with this keyboard. His favourite Christmas song is Silver Bells
Ed would play and I hope he will learn to play Little Drummer Boy!
It would be great if Rylee was able to play jingle bells on the keyboard!
Dennis – hubby – and he will play Silent Night
LAURA, the one that can play, Jingle Bells first since its the season.
Myself and I will try to play Oh Holy Night
I’m the only one in the house that would be able to play this piano – I guess the song I would play would be drummer boy
Lizzie granddaughter, and she will learn anything!
My grandson Carson would get the most use of this piano! I would hope he could try and play Jingle Bells!
I would be the one to get the most use out of this keyboard, and the holiday song I would play on it first would be “Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer”.
FOR MY SON; Silent Night
I would love for Nico to be able to play silent night on the new keyboard!
It would be great if Mary was able to play jingle bells on the keyboard!
niece ryle rose and she will play Jingle Bells
I’m going to play Jingle Bells! my daughters want to learn too.
Myself and I will try to play Oh Holy Night
MY SON and I will get him to play Jingle Bells
For mom and she will play silent night
My son Gavin.
And that he would play O Holy Night.
FOR Myself and I will try to play Oh Holy Night
My wife would love this! And I hope she plays A Holly Jolly Christmas!
Myself and I will try to play Oh Holy Night
FOR ME – I would love this! And I hope she plays A Holly Jolly Christmas!
It’ll be me playing and I’ll give Jingle Bells a try.
Parker and I will get him to play Jingle Bells
I’m the only one in the house that would be able to play this piano – I guess the song I would play would be O Holy Night
Lori and she will play silent night
Awesome! My wife, Machi, would love this! And I hope she plays A Holly Jolly Christmas first!
David and I will get him to play Silent Night
Dean and he will play Silent Night
My son loves music and I think he would get a ton of use with this keyboard. His favourite Christmas song is Jingle Bells so I would assume he would love to play it!
Bob plays a great version of Jingle Bells.
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