Topic: Pianoteq through Kawai ES120 or Roland FP30X?

Hello, I'm new here, so I apologize if these questions have already been answered. I bought a Kawai ES120, but the keys were clicky, so I'm returning it. I'm considering a Roland FP30X or getting another Kawai. Would Pianoteq work well with either? Thinking of using it on iOS. Can the audio from my Apple device (Pianoteq) go through the Roland FP30X or Kawai ES120 speakers/headphones? Would USB be needed instead of Bluetooth MIDI? Also, how easy is it to turn off the inboard sounds on the Kawai/Roland pianos?
I've also seen people mention raspberry pi a lot, What are the benefits/cons in using pi over of IOS?
Thanks

Re: Pianoteq through Kawai ES120 or Roland FP30X?

Plutos_Spirit wrote:

Hello, I'm new here, so I apologize if these questions have already been answered. I bought a Kawai ES120, but the keys were clicky, so I'm returning it. I'm considering a Roland FP30X or getting another Kawai. Would Pianoteq work well with either? Thinking of using it on iOS. Can the audio from my Apple device (Pianoteq) go through the Roland FP30X or Kawai ES120 speakers/headphones? Would USB be needed instead of Bluetooth MIDI? Also, how easy is it to turn off the inboard sounds on the Kawai/Roland pianos?
I've also seen people mention raspberry pi a lot, What are the benefits/cons in using pi over of IOS?
Thanks

I don't use iOS. Nor do I own either of the two keyboards you mentioned. BUT, I do own a Roland FP-90X and have previously owned a Kawai ES8, both of which are in the same family as the keyboards you mentioned.  I use a Windows tablet/laptop (Microsoft Surface Pro), and if my experience is any guide, I would heartily recommend the FP30X. The reason is that, like its big brother FP90X it has USB audio built in. That means I can connect it to my laptop with a single USB cable and thus transmit the midi to PTQ and the audio from PTQ to the Roland speakers. I can also listen to PTQ on headphones connected to the Roland, and - if desired - connect an external amp or powered speakers to the Roland and have the PTQ audio routed thru both the Roland's built in speakers and the external speakers.
To make it work I just need to select the "Options" menu on PTQ and set both the midi and audio to the FP90X, which is automatically recognized by Windows. I'm pretty sure that would work similarly in iOS, but you'd need to double check.
It's easy to disable the internal sound on the FP30X, as described on page 12 (under heading "local control") of the manual located here. https://www.roland.com/au/support/by_pr...s_manuals/ 

The Kawai is a decent choice but it lacks USB audio, so it would require a separate physical audio interface. I used to run things that way when I had the ES8. It was fine, but the Roland setup is much simpler.

Last edited by larrycalame (11-12-2023 08:48)

Re: Pianoteq through Kawai ES120 or Roland FP30X?

Plutos_Spirit wrote:

Hello, I'm new here, so I apologize if these questions have already been answered. I bought a Kawai ES120, but the keys were clicky, so I'm returning it. I'm considering a Roland FP30X or getting another Kawai. Would Pianoteq work well with either? Thinking of using it on iOS. Can the audio from my Apple device (Pianoteq) go through the Roland FP30X or Kawai ES120 speakers/headphones? Would USB be needed instead of Bluetooth MIDI? Also, how easy is it to turn off the inboard sounds on the Kawai/Roland pianos?
I've also seen people mention raspberry pi a lot, What are the benefits/cons in using pi over of IOS?
Thanks

I have a Roland FP30X. With only 1 usb-cable you have midi in and out and audio in and out. I tried Pianoteq today and it worked fine. You can disable the Roland voice (pag 12 in manual put local off) and than you get the Pianoteq through the boxes of the Roland or through your headphone. I had to give at some extra decibels from my Ipad to get a good sound and the quality of the boxes is off course average, but it's ok and it works. Unfortunately I didn't manage to use Piano Marvel at the same time, because this programm also needs midi. But that is not your problem or question.

Re: Pianoteq through Kawai ES120 or Roland FP30X?

Regarding the sound from the "boxes" (speakers) on the FP-30X being average, I would add two things.
1. You can connect the stereo audio outs on the FP-30X to powered speakers to bolster the sound quality/quantity
2. I find the sound of Pianoteq coming through my FP-90X speakers to be excellent, even without using the audio outs.