Roland FP30 vs Yamaha P45

When it comes to digital pianos, there are a few models that have gained popularity and become known as true industry standards. Two such models are the Yamaha P45 and the Roland FP30.

Although they are both excellent pianos, each offers a different approach to music-making, with its own unique set of features and design considerations. Your decision will depend on your level, your budget and your personal preferences.

In this Roland FP30 vs Yamaha P45 comparison, we take a look at some of the key differences between these two models, as well as the benefits and drawbacks that come with each. We’ll also point out the updates on the new Roland FP30X model.

Roland FP30 vs Yamaha P45 Comparison

Making an informed decision on what type of piano to buy is no easy feat. With hundreds of different brands, models, and styles on the market, the selection process can seem overwhelming.

The Roland FP30 and the Yamaha P45 are often up against each other on people’s lists… so it’s no wonder you’re here.

IN A NUTSHELL

The P45 is good for the beginner to get used to weighted keys. However, the Roland FP-30 will bring the beginner to the next level. It has better polyphony, better key action, better speakers, and overall, a more realistic touch comparable to an acoustic piano.

I will not dismiss the Yamaha P45 however. For its price, it packs in a lot of quality features such as weighted keys. Yamaha is a good brand! So if you need something cheaper to get you started on the right track, it may be the one for you. It is certainly an excellent choice for a beginner as it ensures you’re starting out with weighted keys – getting used to that feel under your fingers. Just be ready to upgrade later if you continue on your piano journey.

FYI YAMAHA P71 = YAMAHA P45!

Another note! I just thought I’d mention that the Yamaha P-71 is the exact same as the Yamaha P-45. Well, the only difference is that the P71 is “Amazon exclusive”. So if you have been wondering about the P-71, just know that it’s the same piano – just a different model number and the P71 is a few dollars cheaper than the P-45 on Amazon.

So I am including it on the table below in case your mind is more set on the P-45- you might like a look at the P-71. 

AVAILABILITY… Roland FP30 vs Yamaha P45

Image	Keyboard	Features	Price
	Roland FP-30X Digital Piano With Speakers 88-key Digital Piano with SuperNATURAL Modeling	9.5	Check On AmazonCheck On Sweetwater
	Yamaha P-45 88-Key Digital Piano With Speakers 88-key Digital Piano with Graded Hammer Standard Keyboard and Built-in Speaker System	9.5	Check On AmazonCheck On Sweetwater

1. Design and Dimensions

Note: the newer Roland FP-30X has almost the same dimensions-the only slight difference being the Height at 15.1cm (6″). It also weighs in a little heavier at 14.8 kg (32.6 lbs).

The Yamaha P-45 is an upgrade from the previous P35 model and comes with a number of improvements. It is light enough to easily fit in a small space and still manages to delight with a quality sound. The greatest quality of the P-45 is its portability.

The P-45 is the perfect size for space-saving and weighs in at only 11.5 kg (25 lbs. 6 oz.) It’s a great option for any player looking for an affordable, compact, and easy-to-use digital piano.

When compared to the P-45, the Roland FP-30 is a far more sophisticated and durable option. With its 88-key Hammer Action keyboard, powerful synth voices, and an array of high-end digital features, the FP-30 is an advanced electric piano with its own distinct musical personality. But despite its unparalleled features, it’s still more compact than the average 88-key electric piano. Measuring just over 51.2″ in width, 11.2″ in-depth, and 5.9″ in height, it’s an incredibly sleek option that is sure to fit just about anywhere. The new Roland FP-30X has dimensions of W x D x H: 130 x 28.4 x 15.1 cm (51.2” x 11.2” x 6”) The Roland FP-30X is almost identical in design to the older FP-30 but it is slightly heavier.

2. Keyboard/ Hammer Action

Weighted keys are an important feature, even for beginners. It is important that the fingers get used to the key weight as if they are playing an acoustic piano. 

The P-45 features Yamaha’s GHS Hammer Action Keyboard, which is a good feature on a budget piano. However, with just a 64-note polyphony limitation, the P-45 is not the best choice for advanced piano practice. (We will discuss polyphony in more detail below.)

3. Touch Sensitivity

With its touch-sensitive feel, the P-45 is perfect for the beginner or intermediate piano players looking to hone their skills. This is an important factor for those who like to sit down and play but don’t want to spend a lot of time tweaking their instrument to fit their needs. The panel features buttons to choose from four sensitivity settings, including Hard, Medium, Soft, Fixed. – all of which provide the user with a completely different playing experience.

When you want to play the softest pianissimo notes or pound out your loudest fortissimo, the touch-sensitive feature of the P-45 will come into play. Usually, pianists find one setting they like and stick to that.

The FP-30 is Roland’s most advanced piano with touch sensitivity that offers both a natural feel and sophisticated expression. The FP-30 allows users to access a total of 5 keyboard touch sensitivities, allowing players to select the touch response that best suits their playing style. The first Touch Sensitivity level is Fixed Touch, in which the sound of the piano is not affected by a performer’s touch/ finger strength. The second Touch Sensitivity level is Super Light, which has a responsive piano sound and provides a great start for young players. The third Touch Sensitivity level is Light, which offers a smooth key response and very light pianissimo sound. The fourth Touch Sensitivity level is Medium, bringing forth a stronger resonance. The final Touch Sensitivity level is Heavy, which has a very responsive feel and allows for a wide dynamic range.

4. Sound/ Speakers

The P45 features 2 x 12cm 6W speakers – good smooth sound but of course, it won’t give as much volume as the more powerful speaker set on the FP30.

The Roland FP-30 Digital Piano has 2 internal speakers (2 x 12cm) 2 x 11W amps. The sound is rich and natural – have a listen to the video below with Tom Crouch on the FP 30.

 

Sound Quality

What makes any acoustic instrument great is the sound that it produces. In this regard, the P-45 certainly excels. Although it is a budget piano, you’ll see how the good brand name makes a difference here. Producing a full-bodied sound that is rich in depth and resonance, Yamaha’s warm piano tones on the P-45 are often what attracts pianists.

However, with all its features, the P-45 still does not match the Roland FP-30 in terms of sound quality.

With its 11W + 11W stereo speakers, the Roland FP30 and Roland FP30X deliver a sound that is powerful and brilliant, almost double that of the 6W speakers on the P45. The Roland FP30 has a level of nuance and control that is simply unmatched by any other instrument on the market. From a slight touch of a key to a hard pounding, the FP-30 is capable of producing rich, deep tones at any volume, making it the most popular choice for those who like to play at a loud volume.

The image below shows the front control panel buttons of the Roland FP-30. 

Further equipped with 35 instrument sounds, 30 professional grade songs, and a PHA-4 keyboard, you are looking at a piano with realistic sound that has a lot of versatility and which is capable of producing an array of sounds that make it the ideal choice for those who like to play a variety of music.

Both pianos have a built-in metronome feature. The metronome function allows you to practice with a tik-tok sound at a specific exact speed to match the song/ piece being played. 

5. Polyphony

The most basic definition of polyphony is the capability of a musical instrument to sound multiple notes at once. A standard piano has 88 keys, which is 8 octaves. That’s a total of 7 notes simultaneously playing. A piano, therefore, has eight voices. Most digital pianos have anywhere from 32 to 128 polyphony.

Polyphony is important in digital pianos because it measures the maximum number of notes that can be played simultaneously, which is why it is directly linked to the notes on a keyboard. For instance, if you have a keyboard with 32 polyphony, it will only be able to play 32 notes simultaneously.

In terms of polyphony, the P-45 boasts 64 notes, while the FP-30 boasts 128 notes. This is a significant difference in polyphony and is an important consideration for those looking to purchase a keyboard for more than just casual play.

To understand more about polyphony, have a read of our post here.

6. Sustain Pedal/ Headphone jack/ Bluetooth

The Roland FP 30 comes with an optional stand and three-pedal unit while the P45 comes with a sustain pedal.

They both have a headphone jack so you can connect a pair of headphones and play away in silence. If you’re looking for the best Yamaha headphones read our post here.

The Roland FP-30 features Bluetooth for easy connection to mobile devices/ Music Apps which does not feature on the Yamaha P45.

See the image below that shows the rear panel of connections on the Roland FP-30.

Conclusion

Both the Yamaha P-45 and the Roland FP-30 are incredible digital pianos with their own strengths and weaknesses. While the Yamaha P-45 is designed to provide a full-fledged piano playing experience with a limited polyphony, the Roland FP-30 features a more advanced polyphony, which makes it better suited for the more advanced pianist.

With an easy-to-use interface, sleek design, and a ton of great features, the Roland FP-30 is sure to please. For its relatively small size, it delivers a sound that can fill the room, and more importantly, the heart of anyone who cares about music. It is our overall best choice for those looking for an amazing-sounding, high-end digital piano at a reasonable price.

As far as the Yamaha P-45 goes, this piano keyboard has limited polyphony, but it is an affordable piano and still does its job in providing a platform to work with. It has a weighted keyboard and it is, without doubt, a good piano for beginners. It is our overall best choice for those who are more interested in the playability of a piano rather than the technical aspects.

You can see from this Roland FP30 vs Yamaha P45 comparison that the decision depends on your needs and your budget. Now the choice is up to you. 

If you’ve had experience of these pianos and would like to offer any more insight on Roland FP30 or the Yamaha P45, feel free to comment below.