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Review on Roland FP-10 digital piano black by Petar Dimitrov ᠌

Revainrating 5 out of 5

The quality exceeds all expectations, I recommend to buy.

In the price segment 30 (+ - 2 tr) from competitors considered: Yamaha P45 and Casio CDP-S100. Sounds like the Yamaha. But both of these models have a 2-touch keyboard. I plan to use it in MIDI mode 50% of the time. Therefore, the choice fell on Roland, as this model has a 3-touch keyboard, as on more expensive models. Besides polyphony in 96 voices against 64 at competitors. And what is important for me - Bluetooth MIDI - connection to a computer without wires. Therefore, the choice fell on Roland, which I do not regret at all. Playing this instrument is a pleasure. The keys are moderately hard, with good feedback. Matte. Black - with spraying, white - with a fine texture. Fingers do not slip, do not leave prints. The sound is quite loud even at half, with a margin. It is possible to play quietly. Everything is heard clearly, at any volume without any distortion. Synthetic overtones are not noticed. The sound is bright, clear, colorful, lively. All 4 piano timbres are very worthy! Other timbres are also chosen with love. Beginning pianists will benefit from learning modes: a metronome and a mobile app. I built the stand myself, from a fairly thick tree. By tradition from the next branch (about FP-30) I attach a photo. But it can also resonate at high volume (see disadvantages). I picked up the purpose of the function keys using the "poke" method. Made up a table. Also in attachment. Perhaps someone will be useful. I hope the new instructions will describe the keys. It's good that after turning off the settings are reset, so it's not scary to press something wrong (although it would be possible to make a reset button). I can safely recommend this model for purchase in the budget price segment. I am sure that playing this instrument will bring only joy. It's great to have such a model! If you do not plan to buy the FP-30 or more expensive, then the FP-10 will be a worthy, in no way inferior alternative.

Pros
  • - Gorgeous full-size full-weighted hammer action 3-touch keyboard with dual rehearsal support - Great sounding, with string resonance emulation - Bluetooth MIDI (can be connected to DAW wirelessly) - Affordable price for such a model (bought less than 33 in 2022) - Operating modes: One keyboard, Split keyboard (individual - each by audio channel: left / right or together), Overdub mode (two timbres together) with the ability to balance between them. - Metronome. - Settings. Keys: sensitivity, transpose. Sound: piano tuning frequency, sound transparency, reverb. - Mobile application with the ability to fine-tune the instrument and learning mode (2 games "guess the note" and 17 melodies to learn).
Cons
  • I don’t highlight obvious shortcomings, but rather points that you should pay attention to when choosing: - Rear headphone output. Pretty inconvenient to hook up. Rather, there should be a line-out at the back, but: - There is no line output. It is clear that this is a budget model, but it is surprising that even the older one (FP-30) does not have it either (only 2 for headphones). Although, for example, Casio has both for the same money, and in the right place. - The speakers are directed downwards. It is clear that this was done in order to fit larger heads. But the sound outlets are also only at the bottom. The decision is controversial. Perhaps it was necessary to make slots at the top (like the PX-160) or at the back (like the CDP-S100), or both (like the Yamaha). Because: 1) You have to listen to the sound reflected from the floor. 2) You can’t just put it on the table, even though there are legs. 3) The requirements for the stand are increasing: it should not cover the speakers and can resonate at high volume, rattle (if it is poorly made). - Lack of a complete description of all function keys. Perhaps everything really wasn’t worth writing on the front panel so as not to spoil the view, but at least it should have been indicated in the instructions. Hopefully this is the only set I have. - It is not possible to connect a block of 3 pedals, but this issue is resolved in the FP-30. - The supplied sustain pedal only works in 2 positions (on/off). You need to buy a DP-10. - Volume control - buttons. Not very comfortable. At least I'm glad that the step is small. For me, buttons are better than a resistive controller. But personally I would prefer an encoder. - Select from the keyboard only 15 timbres (although there are 36).