Topic by prelude

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  • prelude
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Topic: Need help deciding between Roland FP-30x and Kawai ES110

I'm a returning player with many years not playing piano. 

I'm looking to get a good digital piano to start with and I've narrowed it down to the Roland FP-30x and the Kawai ES110.  I will probably use the piano primarily as a controller for PianoTeq, but also sometimes as a standalone piano.  I went to the store today and tried out both and had a couple of questions I hope you can help me with.

My main question is about the action.   The Roland felt heavier than the Kawai, which is what I'd heard, perhaps a little 'spongy' at the bottom fo the stroke.  The Kawai was 'lighter' to play and I felt I could move faster.  But the Kawai action also felt a little more 'artificial', that is, the keys didn't feel as real in some way, and just kind of hit the keybed instead of having any 'bounce'.  I don't know how important that is. 

- Which of the two actions is more like an acoustic grand piano?  Would it be better to get the heavier, slower action of the Roland to build up strength in my fingers, so I would be used to a 'real' piano?  I already felt like my fingers got a bit fatigued with the Roland, but perhaps that's because I've spent years playing synths.  The Kawai felt a bit more 'fun' to play, but I'd also like to 'train' my fingers properly and accustom my fingers to a 'real' piano feel. This video (below) seemed to think the Kawai has the better action.  What's your opinion on all this? 

- As said, I will mainly be using the piano as a controller for PianoTeq.  The Roland as a USB connection to connect to the computer (it says "USB Computer port: USB B type (supports USB MIDI/AUDIO" in the specs).  But the Kawai has a MIDI DIN out, I believe.  My options then would be a MIDI-to-USB converter or the Kawai's bluetooth MIDI.  But would these introduce lag?

- Which manufacturer has better build quality and customer support, if you own pianos from either?

Thanks for any advice, I appreciate it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhuBux2wDWE

Last edited by prelude (09-09-2022 01:17)

Reply by BarbaraRB

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Re: Need help deciding between Roland FP-30x and Kawai ES110

prelude wrote:

I'm a returning player with many years not playing piano. 

I'm looking to get a good digital piano to start with and I've narrowed it down to the Roland FP-30x and the Kawai ES110.  I will probably use the piano primarily as a controller for PianoTeq, but also sometimes as a standalone piano.  I went to the store today and tried out both and had a couple of questions I hope you can help me with.

My main question is about the action.   The Roland felt heavier than the Kawai, which is what I'd heard, perhaps a little 'spongy' at the bottom fo the stroke.  The Kawai was 'lighter' to play and I felt I could move faster.  But the Kawai action also felt a little more 'artificial', that is, the keys didn't feel as real in some way, and just kind of hit the keybed instead of having any 'bounce'.  I don't know how important that is. 

- Which of the two actions is more like an acoustic grand piano?  Would it be better to get the heavier, slower action of the Roland to build up strength in my fingers, so I would be used to a 'real' piano?  I already felt like my fingers got a bit fatigued with the Roland, but perhaps that's because I've spent years playing synths.  The Kawai felt a bit more 'fun' to play, but I'd also like to 'train' my fingers properly and accustom my fingers to a 'real' piano feel. This video (below) seemed to think the Kawai has the better action.  What's your opinion on all this? 

- As said, I will mainly be using the piano as a controller for PianoTeq.  The Roland as a USB connection to connect to the computer (it says "USB Computer port: USB B type (supports USB MIDI/AUDIO" in the specs).  But the Kawai has a MIDI DIN out, I believe.  My options then would be a MIDI-to-USB converter or the Kawai's bluetooth MIDI.  But would these introduce lag?

- Which manufacturer has better build quality and customer support, if you own pianos from either?

Thanks for any advice, I appreciate it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhuBux2wDWE

You can adjust the action on the Roland to make it lighter. The Roland is much more uo to date than the Kawai, which has been out for a number of years. It has much better connectivity and more features.

Reply by Zaskar

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Re: Need help deciding between Roland FP-30x and Kawai ES110

When i tried the ES110 the keys felt plasticky and wonky to me. The action is light but when you press a key all the way down it hits too hard in my opinion.

The keys of the Roland feel more realistic with their "ivory touch" thing. The action is more on the heavy side and the repetition is kinda slow for fast trills etc. But the general feel is superior nonetheless i think.

I use an ESI MidiMate with my Synthesizer and there's no lag whatsoever. As long as you don't go with a cheap one from AliExpress they all work fine.

"Very funny, Scotty. Now beam down my clothes."

Reply by BarbaraRB

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Re: Need help deciding between Roland FP-30x and Kawai ES110

prelude wrote:

I'm a returning player with many years not playing piano. 

I'm looking to get a good digital piano to start with and I've narrowed it down to the Roland FP-30x and the Kawai ES110.  I will probably use the piano primarily as a controller for PianoTeq, but also sometimes as a standalone piano.  I went to the store today and tried out both and had a couple of questions I hope you can help me with.

My main question is about the action.   The Roland felt heavier than the Kawai, which is what I'd heard, perhaps a little 'spongy' at the bottom fo the stroke.  The Kawai was 'lighter' to play and I felt I could move faster.  But the Kawai action also felt a little more 'artificial', that is, the keys didn't feel as real in some way, and just kind of hit the keybed instead of having any 'bounce'.  I don't know how important that is. 

- Which of the two actions is more like an acoustic grand piano?  Would it be better to get the heavier, slower action of the Roland to build up strength in my fingers, so I would be used to a 'real' piano?  I already felt like my fingers got a bit fatigued with the Roland, but perhaps that's because I've spent years playing synths.  The Kawai felt a bit more 'fun' to play, but I'd also like to 'train' my fingers properly and accustom my fingers to a 'real' piano feel. This video (below) seemed to think the Kawai has the better action.  What's your opinion on all this? 

- As said, I will mainly be using the piano as a controller for PianoTeq.  The Roland as a USB connection to connect to the computer (it says "USB Computer port: USB B type (supports USB MIDI/AUDIO" in the specs).  But the Kawai has a MIDI DIN out, I believe.  My options then would be a MIDI-to-USB converter or the Kawai's bluetooth MIDI.  But would these introduce lag?

- Which manufacturer has better build quality and customer support, if you own pianos from either?

Thanks for any advice, I appreciate it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhuBux2wDWE

I like James, of The Piano Forever, but he has been consistently biased against Roland for reasons that don't match my experience, or that of the many other Roland users I know.

Reply by dulistan heman

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Re: Need help deciding between Roland FP-30x and Kawai ES110

In 2020, I bought Kawai VPC-1 brand new. My experience was terrible with this keyboard. After I called customer service, they updated the software and also sent me technical support to my home. Then we have long chat with this man (about 78 years old). He said Kawai has the best customer service. He said that Yamaha and Roland are just the opposite. He worked for all those companies here in Riverside, California.
I am just parroting his speech.

I had mix feeling about my experience with my 1st Kawai Piano. But, that was it, just sharing my experience. The keyboard is good now.

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