Roland FP-50 Review

We rated the Roland FP-50 a 7/10. The FP-50 is an economical and portable keyboard from the FP line. If you’re looking for a heavier action than the PHA4, then consider trying the FP-50, which has an Ivory Feel-G keyboard. The built-in rhythms and intelligent rhythms make this keyboard a little extra fun. We wish there was a USB to MIDI output, though. Because the lack of output will make this FP a little less ideal for industry pros, we took a handful of points off.

Roland FP 50 Overview

We will be looking into an economical and portable keyboard in this Roland FP 50 review.

The Roland FP 50 was first released in April of 2013. The Roland FP 50 is a portable digital piano. In 2018, the FP 50 was replaced by the Roland FP 60. That being said, this instrument can sometimes still occasionally be found, especially in resale shops. Overall, this instrument is versatile given all of its features. The FP-50 has come a long way since the previous FP model, the FP-4. If you aren’t worried about having the newest keyboard on the market and are looking for a high quality instrument and a deal, consider the Roland FP 50! 

Roland FP 50 Piano Features

Built-In Speaker System 

The FP 50’s built-in speaker system is convenient for players who don’t want the hassle of buying external speakers and connecting them. This makes the Roland FP 50 ideal for those just starting out. The two speakers measure 3.2 x 4.75″ / 8 x 12 cm. The amplifiers measure 12 x 2 W and have a 98 decibel volume level. This speaker system is powerful enough to allow you to perform at smaller venues without extra amplification. 

SuperNATURAL Sounds

The Roland FP 50 has 14 grand piano tones, 25 electric piano sounds, 18 string tones, 8 drums sets, and one FX drum set. All of the sounds are from Roland’s renowned SuperNATURAL Soundbank. 

In addition to all the above, the piano sounds feature something called stretched tuning. Stretched tuning is something that you typically only find in pianos with strings, or electric pianos that are not digital (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stretched_tuning). Fender’s Rhode pianos are especially known for their stretched tuning sound. In a nutshell, the octave is slightly ‘stretched’, meaning that the distance between 8 keys is (harmonically) longer than a perfect octave. These adjustments for stretched tuning make the instrument sound more natural, and better replicate how the harmonic series would be on a real string. While we don’t have time for me to nerd out on further stretched harmonic details, know that this is a wonderful and innovative feature to have on a digital keyboard! 

Ivory Feel-G Keyboard 

The Feel-G keyboard has escapement, which means that it has a mechanism that helps the notes you play sustain better. The synthetic ivory makes the piano feel more like an acoustic instrument. 

As far as keyfeel, some musicians have said that this keyboard plays heavier than the PH4-A. I recommend you try a piano with PH4-A, and try the FP50, to help you decide which type of keyboard you like best. 

Chord Recognition Technology

The chord recognition in this piano spans across the whole keyboard. The FP 50 also has an intelligent rhythm.

Intelligent Rhythm  

This feature makes it easy to fill out your playing. Intelligent rhythm can be accessed across the entire keyboard as well. 

90 Total Rhythms 

The 90 total rhythm accompaniment types make this instrument versatile and fun.

MIDI that Conforms to GS, GM2, and XGlite

GS, GM2, and XGlite refer to the way MIDI is transferred through the cable in something we call ‘events’. The MIDI the Roland FP 50 accepts include GS, GM2, and XGlite. These types of specifications (G-somethings) were designed to prevent instruments from getting mismatched when musicians went from one sound/ synth to the other. Basically, all of the above help us get the right sounds when we start layering different tones and transferring information through a USB/MIDI cable. 

XGlite is a Yamaha-made specification. It’s great to see that this instrument accepts all specifications, including the Yamaha-made one. 

Optional USB Memory 

You can plug a USB flash drive into the FP-50 and play along to your favorite songs in WAV. 

Effects

The Roland FP 50 has ambiance, modulation, and an equalizer. It also has a rotary effect for organ tones (available in fast or slow). Rotary is 

As if that wasn’t enough…The FP 50 also has piano-specific effects, such as the following: 

• Cabinet resonance
• Damper and string resonance
• Key off (resonance)
• Soundboard behavior

All of the above features can be applied from a range of 1-10. 

While we have covered cabinet, damper, string, and key off resonances before, we have not mentioned soundboard behavior yet. Soundboards are essential when it comes to an instruments quality. But since the FP 50 is a digital instrument, what does it refer to? In this case, Soundboard behavior is a generator that simulates how a thin piece of wood (which is beneath the piano) acts as a transducer. 

Many Time Signatures

One of my chief complaints about under 2k pianos is that the on-board metronomes don’t have enough time signature options. The Roland FP-50, however, exceeded my expectations in this department. According to the Roland site, this instrument has the following time signatures within the metronome: 

2/2, 0/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, 3/8, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8

Other Features

• Key transposition 
• Tempo adjustment
• Multiple playback options
• Whole, dual, and split keyboard modes
• 8 temperaments
• Master tuning

Specifications

• Dimensions: 61 x 11 x 21 inches
• Weight: 63 pounds
• Piano type: Digital piano 
• Rhythms: 90
• Color: Black

Specifications Note: Please note that there is a typo on the listing on Amazon, stating that the Roland FP 50 is only two pounds. It is nearly impossible to make a full-sized instrument that light! If you’re looking for more specs on the Roland FP 50, check out the link to the instruments PDF manual here.

Who Is The Roland FP 50 Suitable For?

The Roland FP 50 is suitable for a wide range of players. In my opinion, it will suit both beginners who are just starting lessons, to professionals who need a quality instrument to take on the road. The key feature when it comes to suitability is portability. This instrument is compact, relatively light, and definitely built for travel. Given all of the instruments sounds and effects, there aren’t really any demographics I wouldn’t recommend this piano to. It is a great crowd pleaser! 

FP 50 in Action

The following review checks out both the Roland FP 50 and the Roland FP 80 in-depth.

The first two or three minutes of the video give you a good idea of how many of the keyboard-type sounds feel, timbre-wise. 

Here are some notable bullet points from the review:

• The FP-50 had a new sound set added in since the FP model before it
• The Rhodes and Hammond sounds are new to this model
• The way the backing tracks are made is new as well

Customer Reviews

Sweetwater

This instrument was rated 5 out of 5 stars on Sweetwater. 

What customers liked: 

• It has a great sound
• The interface is simple 
• The keyboard can satisfy anyone- From beginners to industry pros
• The rhythm features are great
• It was easier to use than their other digital keyboard 

What customers didn’t like: 

• It doesn’t have a USB output for MIDI 

No USB output for MIDI is a pretty big con in my book, too.

Amazon

The Roland FP 50 was rated 3.5 stars out of 5 stars on Amazon. 

What customers liked: 

• It’s good for studio recording
• It is more economical than the FP 80
• One customer said its action was dreamy
• It has a trove of sounds
• It has a great dynamic response

What customers didn’t like: 

• The keyfeel felt like a PHA-II to one customer 
• Another pianist said the action was ‘painful’

The only thing there seems to be mixed reviews on is the action of this keyboard. In truth, the action is quite stiff- But some players like that! It just depends on the person. Be sure to try this one out before you buy! And, if the Roland FP 50 isn’t for you, consider some of the comparable keyboards at the bottom of this article.

Roland FP 50 Pros and Cons

Pros

• This instrument has USB memory
• The instrument has outputs, and inputs for a PA
• It is portable and relatively inexpensive
• The escapement makes it feel more authentic
• Similarly, the ivory key feel helps improve the overall playing experience
• It has internal speakers
• It comes with a damper pedal and is compatible with a triple-pedal
• These instruments are built really sturdy, so they do extremely well on the road 
• The internal speakers have enough power to perform in small venues without extra amplification 
• The instrument is app-compatible
• It has great sounds
• The connectivity is great overall 
• There are no knobs

Internal recording capability is a sought-after feature, and us arrangers and composers are glad to see when a piano has it! On top of this, there are plenty of inputs and outputs. The instrument has an authentic key feel. 

The strong internal speakers, triple-pedal compatibility and ap-compatibility all make the Roland FP 50 a winner. With sounds taken form Roland’s SuperNATURAL soundbank, it’s hard to go wrong. Lastly, there are no knobs! While many people like physical knobs and raised buttons on their keyboard, if you are a performer who uses their instrument regularly (and carts it around!) then these things are bound to break. A big selling point for musicians on the go is this interface. 

Cons

• Because the FP-60 is the newest model in this line, finding the Roland FP 50 for sale is no easy task. It is currently out of stock on both Sweetwater and Amazon
• The weighted keys were not designed very ergonomically 
• Many musicians have found that they prefer the PH4-A action over the Roland Ivory Feel-G
• There is no USB out

The two big cons here are the heavy action, and the lack of USB to MIDI (cable) compatibility. 

Quick View 

Comparable Instruments

If you can’t get your hands on a Roland FP 50, consider one of the following instruments instead: 

• Roland FP 30 
• This Roland FP 60 
• This one is Roland FP 80  
• Roland FP 90 

The FP 30 is more geared towards beginners than the FP 50 and 60 are. As we mentioned in the intro, the Roland FP 60 is the updated model in the FP (portable Roland) line. The Roland FP 80 is an instrument with 4 speakers built into the frame. If you want a more powerful sound system, consider this model. The Roland FP 90 was released in 2016, and has progressive hammer action with escapement. The FP 90 is a slab piano with full modeling. In essence, the FP 90 has higher quality sampling than the other ‘FPs’ before it, but due to its design, it is not as portable as other Roland makes. 

If the FP line isn’t suiting you as a player, consider a Casio model, such as the Casio PX s3000. This Privia has a full-sized keyboard, 700 sounds, smart-scaled hammer action…all for several hundred dollars less!

Roland FP 50 Conclusion

In conclusion, the Roland FP 50 is a great piano for many levels of players (if you can find it!). The FP 50 is a solid and sturdy digital piano. While it isn’t revolutionary, it is a respectable and versatile choice of instrument. At one point, it actually won a Red Dot award. (Red dot is an international award given to high-quality products that have a great design). 

Music quote of the week: 

“Art and life are not two separate things” 

-Felix Mendelssohn

7Expert Score

We rated the Roland FP-50 a 7/10. The FP-50 is an economical and portable keyboard from the FP line. If you’re looking for a heavier action than the PHA4, then consider trying the FP-50, which has an Ivory Feel-G keyboard. The built-in rhythms and intelligent rhythms make this keyboard a little extra fun. We wish there was a USB to MIDI output, though. Because the lack of output will make this FP a little less ideal for industry pros, we took a handful of points off.

PROS

• This instrument has USB memory
• The instrument has outputs, and inputs for a PA
• It is portable, and relatively inexpensive
• The escapement makes it feel more authentic
• Similarly, the ivory key feel helps improve the overall playing experience
• It has internal speakers
• It comes with a damper pedal, and is compatible with a triple-pedal
• These instruments are built really sturdy, so they do extremely well on the road
• The internal speakers have enough power to perform in small venues without extra amplification
• The instrument is app-compatible
• It has great sounds
• The connectivity is great overall
• There are no knobs

CONS

• Because the FP-60 is the newest model in this line, finding the Roland FP 50 for sale is no easy task. It is currently out of stock on both Sweetwater and Amazon
• The weighted keys were not designed very ergonomically
• Many musicians have found that they prefer the PH4-A action over the Roland Ivory Feel-G
• There is no USB out