Yamaha P125 vs. Roland FP-30 (In Depth Comparison) 

The metronome is no longer available.

No idea why I watch these review videos, I do not play piano, I am not in the market for a keyboard, yet I enjoy watching them right to the end, good work on your part.

Thank you for the helpful details! You play so beautifully, I enjoyed listening to your playing as much as to the actual comparison review.

I am a long time guitar player, who is pondering buying one of these to revive the basic piano skills from my childhood. I really wish guitar reviews were that thorough and good. Thank you very much. Keep up the good work!

Exactly what I was looking for. Appreciate how you spent a good amount of time analyzing the acoustic and electric piano sounds, as they are equally important to me.

Thank you for the video. This video helped me decide to buy the Yamaha P125. Nice video and keep up the good work. I look foreword to your later videos.

How can I give you more than a like,! the best piano comparative and reviewer in the world.. amazing job 👏🏻

This was VERY helpful! I was debating between the 2, now I know which one to learn towards.

Hi James. Watched Your videos for several years now. I am very fond of the way you always try to give an honest review. Do not waste time and energy defending your actions. Keep up the good spirit, greetings from Denmark.

I really appreciate the insight you provide as a musician.

Great work, thank you for taking the time and effort to make these videos possible!

Thanks James, this was a monumental appraisal of the instruments and you covered both with an unbiased critique. Cheers from Missouri.

Thank you for making this. I watched several reviews of both pianos before this one. Yours is by far the most thorough and honest. Watching your comparison of the Kawai es10 and this Yamaha next

Thanks for the way that you go into so much details on each of your reviews. And as you say, sometimes it's the little things that can make a very big difference.

Nicely done, James! Keep cranking out these awesome videos and we'll keep devouring them!

Another excellent review! Good info and nice playing James.

one of the best and illustrative reviews I've seen on piano comparison - thank you so much!

Wonderful job you are doing with your channel. People like you make me feel the human being still deserve some hope. Thank you.

I really like your style of presentation! I've seen a couple of your vids just now and you come across as really knowing your stuff. Thank you! You helped me a lot in my Quest for My Digital Piano (on a budget).

Awesome! Was hoping you'd compare these two side by side. Thanks for the video!

Thanks for the very informative video James. Convinced me to order a P121 at 4 in the morning!

You make playing look fun! and thanks this is the best comparison/review I have ever seen on these 2 pianos

Thanks! This was an excellent comparison, very detailed. I've been agonizing over which one of these to buy, but this is going to help me make my decision.

Great comparison of the very two models i am considering for my house! Keep up the good work!

You are amazing! I had the Roland FP-30 but traded it for the Yamaha P125 last year for the same reasons you pointed out. Thanks for this amazing video! I am now a follower and subscriber to your channel.

Thanks for the detailed demonstration, it was very helpful.

Excellent video as always.

Thank you for the great comparison of these two popular digital pianos. Now I know what to choose choose.

Your video helped me decide on the P-125 and it should be here today or tomorrow. I really love the sound produced from the Yamaha. Im glad I subscribed and thank you.

THANK YOU for making this!

I actually just ordered a P125 a week ago (hasn't come in yet, should be here Saturday), the FP30 was the closest runner up. Satisfying to see a review that backs up my decision.

Great review! Thanks for uploading. I'm looking forward to your ES8 vs ES110 comparison!

Superb review! Thank you.

This is a very timely comparison. I've been leaning toward the Roland FP-30, but now I'm re-thinking. I only need it for practicing at home (barely starting to learn) and thought the touch would be more important, but the sound comparison give me pause. Many thanks!

Great video and as always very informative.

Thanks for the reviews.

Thank you for these detailed videos! Unbiased advice is rare these days...

I am waiting to buy one of the two. You made my decision clear for me...thank you ever so much

Before watching this, I was almost certain on the FP 30. Mind changed. Thanks

Merci ! 😃 Great review, with an honest opinion. Bravo !

Seeing that ur a classical player as I am and mentioning that great qualities of the Yamaha p125 made me feel so much happier with the purchase I just made today. Yamaha it is!!

Another enjoyable and informative review. I was considering buying an FP30 after watching other less honest reviews by retailers only interested in another sale , glad I didn't. I eventually bought a Korg SP280 which I am really pleased with.

I just subscribed because I love the contents. And I love all your reviews. I actually made up my mind buying ES110 because of your review.

Thank you so much for your videos. Watching from Jamaica I'm a complete beginner but your videos are a big help in my decision making process for getting a digital piano. I may not have the funds now but certainly when I do I'll be getting the Yamaha p125.

That was very helpful! Thank you!

Pretty nice video, helped me very much!

Awesome info. Thank you! I would love a comparison between the P125 and the FP-30X. Thus far, I am leaning toward the P125 thanks in large part to this review (and some of your others). It seems to sound a lot better, although I have not played either Roland myself.

I found this video super informative and helpful. I tested both and ultimately went with the Yamaha P125 for my condo. With 25+ years playing classical music on an acoustic piano, I found the Yamaha's sound and keyboard action to be more familiar, authentic, and warm. Thank you!!

Thank you! I have an old Yamaha P140 which I love but the right channel has died. I’ve had my eyes and ears on the P 125, and your review answered all my questions, so thanks, and happy new year!

Try using the Roland piano partner app so you can easily switch the sounds

Thanks James. I’m currently want to switch from P125 to FP30 for my first piano. Anyway, this video help to stick with P125 for my first time buying a digital piano. Great work mate.

very informative - thank you

Nice demo and playing. I'm actually a guitar player, but was in the market for a portable digital piano. I bought the yamaha based on your review and very happy with it. Thank you

How did you record the audio of these two keyboards?

Excellent review thank you, your such a cool dude.

Thank you! Going with the P125!

Thank you for such articulate and in depth comparison

I wondered and... of course someone on the other side of the world took the time to make a video, good I love the internet

Great video! Now that Roland is releasing the FP-30X with proper outputs (among other improvements), would you consider it's beating Yamaha in this comparison? Thanks!

I worked in Yamaha store for 3 years and my opinion for these two digital pianos in terms of sound engine is that, if you are into classical music playing, get the Yamaha and Roland is for pop music and other genres like playing with a band as it gives you a bright piano tone. Check out also the line outputs you require because Roland doesn’t have but since I got the FP30 recently, I am using a 3.5 to standard jack for plugging into an amplifier. I love Yamaha especially the higher models in Clavinova that has CFX sound engine that gives you a perfect brilliant crystal clear tone so buy one that fits your requirement.

So if I would want to record some samples and use the piano for solo gigs in small-medium rooms, the yamaha is better right?

Thanks so much for your reviews. I have been swinging between the FP-30 and the Yamaha P125 for the past month and have had to rely on reviews as not really able to get to a shop to try them out. I finally decided on the P125 and it arrived today. I am soooo pleased with it. All the things I was a little concerned about, (action and the shiny keys) are not at all a problem- and the sound is phenomenal. Love it!

Thank you for a great video!!

I bought the P125 now in August 2021: It is a good deal and it has a good satisfying action. The instrument samples are very good. Thank you for the good review.

i have been loving your reviews, you speak my language of pros and cons and point out the differences while reserving judgment for the viewers, would it be possible to compare other “low” end models, i first got to your videos by way of the Williams and am curious of your thoughts on the Roland GO88 which is half the price of the FP30 but are the actions and weights vastly different or does it boil down to the plastic construction and longevity, thank you so much for your honest unbiased explanations as i shop for a beginner piano for my children who will in all likelihood never become professional pianists, i just want them to build upon music appreciation

Now I’m convinced! I’ve watched a couple of your videos about the comparisons of pianos, and I kept noticing that the p125 is really good. Now I’m going to save up and buy one of my own so I can play some cool songs!

Hi, great review and loved hearing you play all the samples! Question regarding recording songs on the P125. Searching the internet, I read that you can record songs externally via USB. Is it possible to record song directly to the keyboard instead of externally? If so, how many songs can be recorded to the keyboard? Thanks!

Love all your vids new 65 year old just learning. Bought GGX 660 to share music with grandkids. Thanks

If you like music, you might want to check out my second channel "Milan Recording Studios". Feel free to subscribe and hit the bell icon if you want to! ru-vid.com/show-UCu1LrpmWwK1ztTvIayRar9w

Thanks for the video James! However i need some help on which one fits better on classical music as it’s my passion so , any guidance based on experience will help me out so much

Nice job bro! BTW, Goldberg variation is my favorite.

I really liked the "seamless" transition you executed during the acoustic piano comparison between the two DP 13:58 . When you jumped from one piano to another in real-time and continuing the piece. In my opinion gives a much better idea of how the pianos sound instead to just repeat the same piece one at the time. It's a very brilliant idea. Looking forward for the P-125 and the ES110 comparison. Keep it up the great work James. Oh and BTW the P-125 it does circles around the FP-30. It's not even a contest. The base acoustic classical piano sound of the P-125 is much more clean and crisp to my ears compared with the one coming from the FP-30. I use a pair of Sennheiser HD 598 headphones and the difference is very noticeable.

thats awesome piano playing! truly impressive

It's great hearing the two played at the same time with the same music, switching between the two. The Yamaha sounds so obviously better than the Roland in virtually every single sound option. The church organ was awesome in the Yamaha, wow.

Really like your videos thanks

After a week of listening to synthesizer videos, this is a wonderful change.

Hi, As a hobby I play gitar. I started to learn violin one year ago. I never played piano and I am not a musician, but I am planning to buy a piano within several years. Thank you for honest reviews. Here I can learn more about the pianos.

Will you be reviewing the Kawai CA99? I know it's relatively new and with the virus maybe there aren't many of them out there yet, I don't know, but there seems to be very few videos about it out there.

Nice reviews! You are awesome. If the goal is a concert grand piano, Can you make a list with diferent prices range with digital pianos recomendation? Only concert grand piano features like piano sound, feel of the keys, mechanism, etc no harp sounds, wifi o something like that, only the features of a "real piano". Thanks for the review, your videos are very good and sorry for my english. Now im using a Roland FP30 with Keyscape, I think its the best mechanism for this range price, and with a computer you can simulate better sounds but I want your personal opinion. Thanks again for your reviews.

Love the fugue at the beggining😁 Thanks for uploading!

Very nice review James. I own the FP30 and can agree wholeheartedly with your conclusion. It can be very frustrating to navigate the sound palette. I would not have bought it if it wasn’t for the Bluetooth connectivity which helps to guide you through the mess. In the Roland app you can adjust the keybed response to a more lighter setting which does help fix that partially. This keyboard is designed in my opinion for an emerging market, hence the narrow depth. If you go to countries like China, Hong Kong, Japan etc you find that living space comes at a premium, hence the quest for the most compact design. In these type of deep inner city high density suburbs you will almost never have the volume up past the first 20%. Having an amp becomes quite pointless and you may end up using headphones more that the speakers. I generally use it for midi note recording. In fact I doubt anyone would buy this piano to record the built in sounds, considering the vast array of top quality piano apps available nowadays. Just my 2c. Keep well everyone and stay safe. Greetings from Cape Town 🙏🏼

I want to encourage my wife to take the piano back up, as she hasnt played since she was a child when she had lessons... your videos have been VERY helpful is how and what to evaluate... first Ive subtly suggested we put our money into the instrument versus thinking about the “piece of furniture” consideration .. first youtube search had me thinking the Roland FP series was solid.. but this Yamaha to my novice ear sounds MUCH better.. now to evaluate the Yamaha versus the Kawai... I note ive bumped myself up from the $500 range ( FP10) to the $700 range, not including a cabinet.. but figure buy once cry once and be happier lomger .. THANKS for your excellent information.. and if its availabe wed love to “enter “ the metronome contest ( Ive subscribed ) .. Take care, -Mark

Thank you for the video.

Hi, i love your reviews and comparisons. Could you do a review of roland fantom 8 and a comparison between fantom 8 and rd-2000?

This video was fantastic ! I am buying a new piano and this was valuable ! Thanks

Been learning keyboard these past few months and looking to invest in a nice, still lowend keyboard, and these are at the top of my list!

Keep the videos rolling 😁

Which action would you prefer if you were to use any of them for practicing classical music , with the intention to eventually play on an acoustic piano ? I can't practice during the nights ( when I have free time ) on the acoustic piano, so I'd like to buy one of these models ( or potentially something in the same price range ) as a substitute . Thanks !

Nice job. I did much research and decided , with your help, on the P125 - my new self isolation companion

Hi, I really liked your videos they are extremely helpful. I am going to buy P125 tomorrow but I have one question. Can I use it as Midi Controller in FLstudio

Useful and thorough reviews. Do you cover the Kurzweil SP-1?

Your videos are really enlightening and help comprehend most of the popular Piano features. Great comparison! Will you be also doing review for Yamaha P125 Vs Korg LP-380 & Yamaha P515 Vs Korg Havian 30.

I understand that the action on the Roland FP series can be "tuned" to be a bit softer or heavier... Can the Yamaha action be likewise tuned? Which one would be better suited to train piano (as a substitute of an acoustic piano, back at the conservatory) and organ (for renaisssanse, baroque and church type of organ music, all pipe/reed and electronic organs)? Especially, is there any of these models that can be "hard" piano action when playing piano and then softer, "on/off" action like an organ manual would? A metronome is a fantastic tool and a bitter enemy at the same time, LOL. Thanks a lot! Cheers!

Hello! I have a question, which headphones are suitable for the roland fp30, I have already gone through many models, but the sound is quiet in the headphones.

Thank you very much James! Realy wonderfull video. i like your enthusiasm and it is very inspiring. A good comparison and very detailed, also to the sounds and other difference. I've been thinking of buying something cheaper (say 300-400 US dollars), but this is going to help me make a better descision, I think. More money, but more fun and quallity too. Thanks!

Excellent video! I like the sounds on the Yamaha better. Looking to get one of these in the near future for practice and gigging.

Looking forward for your review on the ES 110 vs P125!

thanks for reviewing you made my decision for me, just ordered the p125 carnt wait 😁

Hi James - Great review. Many thanks. About to order Yamaha. One thing want to check is can you recommend any good online lessons / apps for beginners. Thanks again

I am amazed with this Yamaha P125! Clear good realistic sound, comparing to the another one with so "toxic" sound. I don't know how can anyone make a decision to buy Roland