Roland RP501R Digital Piano

Roland RP501R

Model Overview

The Roland RP501R 88-note mid-range digital piano has plenty to offer for both the first-time learner as well as an experienced player in search of a second piano or perhaps a family in the downsizing phase.

In many ways, the Roland RP-501 is a total dark-horse in the world of digital pianos. The exterior design, one of the understated wood-tones and a simplistic control panel, belies a feature-rich beauty that out-specs many similarly priced instruments, when compared side-by-side, from the likes of Yamaha and Casio.

With over 300 voices, 72 ensemble backing styles, educational features, and a wealth of practice-friendly features, this affordable family piano is one that checks all the boxes!

A home piano with a good tone and great piano touch? Check! Lots of onboard features with easy compatibility with the latest educational apps? Check! An elegant furniture-style cabinet? Check! If these are the bases you’re trying to cover, the Roland RP-501 just might be the piano for you, all for under $2,500.

Also, the piano’s pedals are easy to control and there is even a duet partner and twin piano mode which makes it popular for practicing or when there are two players.

Currently the top Roland model among the RP line, the RP-501 currently serves as an upgraded alternative to Roland’s entry-level RP-102 or their F140. Here are a few reasons to give it some serious consideration:

Action

The RP-501 boasts Roland’s PHA-4 Standard Keyboard with escapement and ivory feel on the white keys and an ebony feel on the black keys. Designed to give the user a true traditional piano feel to the action, it is a wonderful piano to play that responds to the nuances of your touch.

The Sound Engine/Tone Generator

The sound engine of the RP501 is powered by Roland’s SuperNATURAL technology.

Each of the 88 keys is sampled, (digitally recorded) at full length, with completely natural decay. Then Roland’s modeling technology is applied to make sure the transition between samples and velocities is smooth. So rather than having a quiet sample, medium sample, and loud sample, adding modeling means there are many transitional layers of volume available that are also controlled by how the musician plays as if you were playing a real acoustic grand piano.

Connectivity

The RP501 offers a Stereo miniature phone-type output jack so you can connect to an external sound system. There is a mini Stereo input jack to hook up a device and play it back through the speakers on the RP-501.

A convenient USB to host and USB to device ensure that you can use this portable digital piano in any environment with midi files and audio files.

There is also 1 Stereo 1/4″ headphone jack and 1 Stereo mini headphone jack to make it easy to practice by yourself or with a teacher or partner without disturbing anyone else.

Accessories

The Roland RP-501 comes with the piano, power supply, matching padded bench that opens for storage.

Option accessories include:

• Upgraded bench
• Headphones
• Piano Lamp

Bluetooth

Enhance your enjoyment of the RP-501 by using Roland’s built-in Bluetooth midi to connect apps wirelessly to the piano.

The first app to use is Roland’s Piano Partner 2 app on your tablet that allows you to select tones, play with rhythms, quiz your musical ear with the flashcards game, and look at the digital sheet music to any of the internal songs on the piano.

Many other iOS and Android piano apps are available as well such as GarageBand, Flowkey, and many, many others that can be enjoyed from your Smartphone to tablet.

Notable Features

• Roland’s acclaimed digital technology in an attractive and affordable piano designed for the family home
• SuperNATURAL Piano delivers the authentic tone of an acoustic grand piano
• PHA-4 Standard keyboard features high-resolution touch sensing for expressive and responsive play
• Progressive Damper Action pedal offers continuous response for half-pedaling and other traditional acoustic piano techniques
• Headphones 3D Ambiance effect provides a multi-dimensional sound experience when using headphones
• Connect to a world of exciting apps such as Roland’s Piano Partner 2, which encourages daily piano learning and makes practicing fun
• Extensive onboard song library including scale-learning songs, plus metronome and recording functions to boost practice and learning
• Sophisticated onboard Rhythm feature with intelligent accompaniment (72 different rhythm styles, including 6 pianist styles)
• Space-saving cabinet with a choice of Contemporary Black, Contemporary Rosewood, or White finish

Roland RP501R Owner’s Manual

• [English] RP501 Owner’s Manual

Roland RP501R Related Resources

• [VIDEO] Roland RP-501 Digital Piano Demo & Review | Merriam Pianos 
  [BLOG] Roland RP501R Demo and Review