As a music enthusiast, whether you’re just starting out or have been strumming for a while, the Roland FP-E50 has much to offer. This detailed review provides an in-depth analysis of the design quality, unique features like sound generator and max polyphony, and connectivity options. As I guide you through this stage piano cum arranger’s versatility, I will also share my observation of its performance.
The Roland FP-E50 is sure to captivate you with its SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine providing splendid acoustic tones that deliver infinite expressiveness. On top of that, it boasts an impressive max polyphony of 256 voices and several ambiance options to add depth and dimension to your music.
Equipped with the PHA-4 Standard Keyboard featuring 88 keys for full pianistic expression and Bluetooth efficiency for seamless connectivity, the Roland FP-E50 offers a musical journey unlike any other.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Sound Generator | SuperNATURAL Piano ZEN-Core |
| Max. Polyphony | 256 |
| Tones | Piano: 38 tones, E.Piano: 34 tones, Strings: 36 tones, Organ/Pad: 184 tones, Synth/Other: 726 tones (including 74 drum sets) |
| Ambience | Type: Studio, Lounge, Concert Hall, Cathedral, Depth: 10 types |
| Keyboard | 88 keys (PHA-4 Standard Keyboard: with Escapement and Ivory Feel) |
| Speakers | 12 cm (4-3/4 inches) x 2 (with speaker box) |
| Rated Power Output | 11 W x 2 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth Ver 4.2, Profile: A2DP (Audio), GATT (MIDI over Bluetooth Low Energy), CODEC: SBC (Supports SCMS-T content protection) |
| Style | Preset: 177 styles, Controls: Start/Stop, Intro/Ending, Sync Start. Variation1, Variation2, Interactive function |
| Chord Sequencer | Preset Chord Pattern: 140 types, User Chord Pattern: 256 *Import / export possible |
| Scene | Preset: 107 styles, User Scene: 256 *Import / export possible |
| Recordable Software | Audio File (WAV: 44.1 kHz, 16-bit linear format), Recording time: 390 min (Maximum recording time per song: 200 min) |
| Master Tuning | 415.3–466.2 Hz (adjustable in increments of 0.1 Hz) |
| Display | Graphic LCD 160 x 160 dots |
| Width | 1,300 mm 51-3/16 inches |
| Depth | Detached music rest: 322 mm 12-11/16 inches, FP-E50 with KSFE50 and music rest: 357 mm 14-1/16 inches |
| Height | Detached music rest: 174 mm 6-7/8 inches, FP-E50 with KSFE50 and music rest: 953 mm 37-9/16 inches |
| Weight | 17.1 kg, 37 lbs 12 oz (FP-E50 with music rest), 27.3 kg, 60 lbs 3 oz (FP-E50 with KSFE50, KPD-70, and music rest) |
Roland FP-E50: A Quick Overview
The Roland FP-E50 is a versatile digital piano designed to cater to both beginners and experienced musicians. It combines exceptional sound quality with a range of features, including various instrument voices and built-in effects. Users will appreciate its sleek design, user-friendly interface, and the ability to connect seamlessly with other audio equipment.
In addition to its superior playability, the FP-E50 offers robust connectivity options for enhanced functionality. It supports integration with different devices through various ports, providing flexibility for performers and recording artists. This digital piano stands as an ideal choice for those seeking reliability, performance, and innovation in one package.
Design and Build Quality
When I first set my eyes on the Roland FP-E50, I was instantly taken by its solid, yet modern design. This piano has been carefully sculpted to maintain a balance between simplicity, portability, and elegance. Measuring 51-3/16 inches in width and weighing around 37 lbs with a music rest only (60 lbs when combined with the KSFE50 stand and KPD-70 pedal).
The build quality is impressive too. This piano has been fabricated with meticulous attention to detail by Roland – a brand well-known for its high-quality musical instruments.
The keyboard itself feels superb under your fingertips thanks to PHA-4 Standard keys that come with Escapement and Ivory Feel technology. This reproduces the feel of an acoustic piano perfectly; not just that, but these keys are designed to be comfortable even after hours of playing.
The graphic LCD is located right above the keys. It’s relatively small at 160 x 160 dots but leads me through all operations like a helpful guide. Whether adjusting tones or navigating through system settings, this little screen keeps me in control of every nuance that this lovely instrument produces.
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Unique features
The feature-rich nature of the Roland FP-E50 never ceases to amaze me. A world-class sound generator, maximum polyphony, and varied ambiance types collectively contribute to the uniqueness of this digital stage piano.
It presents a sensational fusion of style, high efficiency, and premium functionality geared toward optimizing your musical experience. Let’s delve deeper into these specificities.
Sound generator
The first thing that stands out for me about the Roland FP-E50 is its extraordinary SuperNATURAL Piano ZEN-Core sound generator. This advanced technology gifted by Roland ensures an extremely realistic piano experience filled with excellent depth, ambiance, and nuanced tonal changes.
- The distinctive tones available in this model are designed to deliver an outstanding auditory encounter – from resonating classical music compositions to more contemporary sounds.
- With 38 piano tones, 34 electric piano tones plus a solid array of strings (36), organ/pad (184), and synth/other (726) not excluding 74 drum sets – music creativity will take on a whole new level.
In essence, it’s quite fascinating that such eminent tech has been packed into one device. It’s like bearing an entire orchestra at my fingertips!
Understanding max. polyphony in the Roland FP-E50
Maximum polyphony is another aspect where this keyboard earns its stripes against rivals in its category. In simple terms, polyphony refers to how many notes a digital piano can simultaneously produce without any cutoffs occurring.
The impressive max polyphony figure for the Roland FP-E50 is 256 which guarantees note perfect playbacks even during complex passages or when using layered sounds plus damper pedal engagements.
- This substantial amount allows my captivating mid-piece arpeggios or complicated glissando strides not to be hampered or end up losing some notes due to insufficient memory spaces.
- Practically, this feature alone enhances my playing experience tremendously and provides the sensation of playing an acoustic piano.
Exploring ambiance types offered by Roland FP-E50
The expression “feel the room” comes to life with the Roland FP-E50. Its innovative ambiance feature allows for different types of physical space simulations thereby ensuring that regardless of where I am playing, I can always replicate multiple real-life performance environments.
- There are several selectable ambiance type options – Studio, Lounge, Concert Hall, and Cathedral with further depth customization available up to 10 stages. This diverse palette complements various genres and moods.
- Each time I switch around these settings, it’s almost as if I’m being transported into these specific locales; that’s how accurate and immersive the sounds get
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Roland FP-E50: Performance and Verdict
When it comes to performance, the Roland FP-E50 is top-notch. Truth be told, this digital keyboard never fails to amaze me with its versatile blend of cutting-edge features and user-friendly design. I’ve had my fair share of experiences with keyboards over the years, but this one truly stands out.
The tone quality on the Roland FP-E50 is outstanding. It’s powered by a SuperNATURAL Piano ZEN-Core sound generator, which breathes life into every note you play, making it sound realistic and rich. Plus, with a whopping 256 maximum polyphony count, there’s no worry about dropping notes even when complex pieces are played.
Now for the verdict. Given its innovative features, exceptional sound quality, and ease of use, I can confidently say that investing in a Roland FP-E50 could be one of your best decisions as a pianist or music enthusiast.
Despite a few minor drawbacks such as the limited speaker power output (11W x 2), in general perspective, it far outweighs them by offering high-grade performance results time after time.
Speaker Power Output
When it comes to the ultimate audio experience, speaker power holds a key role. With the Roland FP-E50, this point holds true. This stage piano and arranger’s speakers have a rated power output of 11 Watts x 2. That seems slight, but let’s further explore what that means in practical terms.
The output appears modest when compared to other larger sound systems, but for an electronic keyboard like the Roland FP-E50, it is pretty impressive. The speakers of this model are uniquely constructed at each corner (12 cm x 2 with speaker box). So despite their size, they can effectively distribute sound throughout any room.
Connectivity With Bluetooth
One of the key features that make the Roland FP-E50 stand out from other digital pianos is its Bluetooth connectivity. This feature gives you an incredible range of possibilities, turning your piano into a fully integrated part of your tech ecosystem. Imagine being able to wirelessly connect your piano with your devices!
The Roland FP-E50 uses Bluetooth Version 4.2, supporting both Audio (A2DP) and MIDI data transmission over Bluetooth Low Energy (GATT). This means it can not only play back music files from your smartphone but also remotely control apps or record MIDI data directly to software on your device.
Moreover, CODEC: SBC support ensures safe content protection while using these Bluetooth services. With this, whether you’re jamming out to backing tracks or streaming lessons online; the Roland FP-E50’s seamless Bluetooth functionality simply makes playing the piano a lot more fun and interactive!
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Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| SuperNATURAL Piano ZEN-Core sound generator delivers excellent sound quality | Slightly heavier than some of its competitors |
| Numerous tone options (over 1000 in total) offer wide variety of experimentation | Rated Power Output of 11 W x 2 might not be sufficient for large performances |
| The high Max. Polyphony of 256 allows for complex and layered music creation | Potential learning curve with the extensive features and functions offered by FP-E50 can be challenging for beginners |
| High-quality Bluetooth connectivity ensures easy pairing with devices and smooth data transfer | Despite being user-friendly, the vast number of styles and sounds may feel overwhelming initially |
| Solid build quality guarantees longevity | Limited to only four ambiance types: Studio, Lounge, Concert Hall, Cathedral |
Conclusion
The Roland FP-E50 proves to be an excellent musical instrument, providing a flexible and wide array of amazing features for musicians.
It successfully combines both the functions of a stage piano with an efficient arranger keyboard, leading to its remarkable versatility. Despite delivering numerous tones and rhythms readily at your disposal, it excels in keeping the interface user-friendly and approachable even for beginners.
In addition to all this, the Bluetooth connectivity extends its usage beyond just an ordinary piano making its performance even more robust. In essence, if you are looking for a reliable, feature-packed, and modern digital piano then Roland FP-E50 can offer everything that one desires in such an instrument.
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