The Roland FP-30X is easily one of the single most popular 88-key digital pianos currently on the market, known for its killer combination of key touch, piano sound, features, connectivity, portability and very reasonable price point.
Now, if you’re considering the FP-30X and are in the midst of research, there’s a chance that very specific questions about this piano have come up in your mind, the answers to which aren’t readily apparent in the FP-30X’s marketing literature, specs sheets or various online piano reviews.
Fortunately for you, we’ve scoured the internet and created this Roland FP-30X FAQ – compiling the 12 most commonly asked questions. In today’s article and companion video, we’ll be providing answers to these commonly asked questions to help fill in the missing pieces of your research.
Roland FP-30X FAQ – 12 Most Commonly Asked Questions
FAQ #1: What is the Difference Between the FP-30 and FP-30X?
First of all, we have done a video on this exact question over on our YouTube channel, where we go through every detail point by point. If you want a super in-depth breakdown, we’d recommend checking that video out.
But to quickly summarize, Roland has improved in several areas with the FP-30X that are very meaningful. For one, they’ve upgraded the sound chip architecture to Roland’s new BMC chip which is able to render a far more complex version of the SuperNATURAL piano sound engine – the improved sound quality is easily apparent when playing the FP-30 and the FP-30X side-by-side even though the amplifier power is the same.
Secondly, courtesy of the new BMC chip, the polyphony has been doubled from 128 to 256 notes. Thirdly, they’ve added 1/4” line outputs which is a huge deal as it firmly establishes the FP-30X has a gigging option for professionals and means no more messing with the headphone outputs. Number four, Bluetooth audio has been added to the mix as well.
Finally, the FP-30X also adds a built-in USB audio interface which is going to be a really nice bonus for anyone working with DAW software.
As you can see, to call the FP-30X an improvement over the FP-30 would be a grand understatement.
FAQ #2: What Does the USB Audio Interface Do?
The built-in USB audio interface allows you to transfer audio information directly from your FP-30X to a DAW without the need for an external audio interface. This cuts down on additional gear and clutter in your workspace.
FAQ #3: Is the Roland FP-30 Digital Piano Discontinued?
Yes, the FP-30 is technically discontinued and the FP-30X is its replacement. Roland does not overlap production when a new model replaces an older model as you see in other industries, such as video game consoles for example.
This means that when you’re doing research, be sure to include the “X” in your searches to ensure you are in fact learning about the FP-30X as opposed to the FP-30.
While Roland is no longer manufacturing or shipping FP-30s, you can most definitely still find them on the second-hand market.
FAQ #4: How much does the FP-30/FP-30X Cost?
How much is the FP-30X versus the FP30? As is typically the case with new models, there has been a price increase with the FP-30X, in this case, by around $100 USD in most markets.
The exact cost will depend on your geographic region, but in general, an increase of $100 USD can be expected.
FAQ #5: Does the Roland FP-30X have MIDI?
The answer here is another “yes”. Virtually, all modern digital pianos work on a MIDI-based framework, meaning that the signals that the keys send to the tone generator are all based on MIDI language.
Most digital pianos and keyboards are built in a way that allows you to externalize MIDI information to both send and receive said information with other devices. The FP-30X has both Bluetooth MIDI and USB Flash Drive MIDI.
FAQ #6: Is the FP-30X Good for Beginners?
The answer to this question is an emphatic “Absolutely.” Of course, this needs to be considered within the context of affordability and budget. If you’re comfortable in the price range of the FP-30X, it’s without question a fantastic option for beginners.
If you’re working with a budget in a lower price range, there are still a number of 88-key weighted action digital pianos available that will also be fine for a beginner starting piano lessons.
Why is the FP-30X a fantastic beginner option if the budget allows? Most significantly, because of the presence of Roland’s excellent PHA4 Standard action (also found in the more expensive FP-60X) – the top key action available in the price in our opinion here at Merriam Pianos due to its triple sensor, escapement, adjustable touch sensitivity and ivory feel key tops.
Add in a great piano tone, speaker system, multiple connectors, features like split, twin piano, transpose and metronome, compatibility with education apps, included damper pedal (sustain pedal) and the option to add the KSC-70 keyboard stand and KPD-70 triple pedal unit, all of which adds up to an incredible total package.
FAQ #7: Does the Roland FP-30X have Weighted Keys?
The Roland FP-30X most definitely has weighted keys. If you’re not familiar with the concept of weighted keys, it essentially means that the keys are designed to replicate the weighting of an acoustic piano key in terms of how much force the player has to provide to get the key in motion.
You’ll probably hear piano teachers or people you know with piano experience harping on the fact that the digital piano you choose needs to have weighted keys if you’re serious about learning piano. This is because weighted keys are necessary to learn the nuances and sense of control necessary to play an acoustic piano.
FAQ #8: Does the FP-30X Come with a Music Stand?
The FP-30X (and all FP-X series portable digital pianos) ships with a free plastic music stand (sometimes called music rest) in the box.
It’s lightweight, easily removable, and can definitely accommodate standard sheet music and music books.
FAQ #9: How Do You Connect the Roland FP-30X to a Computer?
There are two ways to connect the FP-30X to a computer. The first way is through a standard USB cable, and this is going to be the most stable method. Simply plug one end of the cable into the USB port on the FP-30X, and the other end into the USB port on your computer, which results in a MIDI connection.
If your computer is Bluetooth enabled, you can also connect wirelessly via the FP-30X’s Bluetooth MIDI function.
FAQ #10: How Do You Record On the FP-30/FP-30X?
The FP-30X has an internal USB audio connection, so you can record audio information (WAV) directly to a DAW by simply connecting via a USB cable. The FP-30 doesn’t have this feature, so to record to a DAW, you’ll have to use the headphone jack to run a splitter that then runs a 1/4” jack into an external USB audio interface.
Secondly, on both pianos, you can record MIDI files wirelessly via various apps available for Android and iOS
Thirdly, both pianos have basic internal recorders that can be activated with the press of a button (further instructions are available in the owner’s manual here.)
FAQ #11: How Do You Connect the Roland FP-30x to Bluetooth?
The first step to connecting your FP-30X to a device via Bluetooth is to ensure that the Bluetooth MIDI connection is actually turned on. To turn the connection on, hold the function button and press the lowest A – this turns the Bluetooth function on.
Next, press and hold the function button until it starts to blink in a blue color. From there. launch the Piano Every Day app on your Smart Device. The app will automatically begin searching for a piano, and shortly after the FP-30X will appear which you can select.
Once connected, you can start using all of the various features of the Roland Piano Every Day and Piano Designer apps. You can also navigate and control the various functions and sounds of the instrument through your Smart Device, easily scrolling through various grand piano, synthesizer and electric piano sounds (the e-piano sounds are especially nice.)
Apps like Apple’s Garageband and others that offer arranger keyboard-like functionality are also accessible.
FAQ #12: Is the FP-30/FP-30x Good or Live Performances?
The FP-30 was certainly capable of being used as a performance instrument, but it wasn’t ideally or particularly suited for this purpose.
The various upgrades to the FP-30X make it a much more capable performance instrument, especially with regards to the upgraded polyphony and of course, the inclusion of discreet 1/4” outputs meaning no messing around with adapters is the biggest reason why the FP-30X is a legit performance instrument.
The build quality and overall durability were already present with the FP-30, but these improved features take it one step further.
Roland FP-30X FAQ – Wrap-Up
We hope this article covering the top 12 Roland FP-30X FAQ has been helpful. Stay tuned for more entries in this series where we’ll cover other Roland instruments such as the Roland FP-90X, as well as instruments from other manufacturers such as the Yamaha P-125, Kawai ES-120 (coming soon), and Casio PX-S1100.
