Roland’s “premier” GP digital grand piano range includes a $19,000 self-playing model, but there are cheaper options, as well.
The GP-6, GP-9 and GP-9M join the super-compact GP-3
Roland Corporation today has introduced its full line-up of flagship GP digital grand pianos, which are designed to look as good as they sound. We’d already seen the ultra-compact GP-3, and this has now been joined by the GP-6, GP-9 and GP-9M.
The GP-9 and GP-9M sit at the top of the range, coming in large cabinets that are finished in either high-gloss ebony or polished white, features the ‘Piano Reality Concert modelling’ represents Roland’s latest technology and is designed to emulate every element of an acoustic piano – from the soundboard material and frame to the strings, hammers and more.
GP-9 and GP-9M offer unlimited polyphony, notes and resonances, a progressive hammer action keyboard with escapement, hybrid wood/moulded key construction with Ivory Feel, and advanced acceleration sensing technology for accurate detection of the subtlest playing nuances.
You even get haptic feedback from the keys that’s designed to emulate the physical resonances of an acoustic piano’s body, along with “high-performance” sustain, soft and sostenuto pedals with a weighted feel and damper modelling.
Careful attention has also been paid to the sound system, which promises multi-channel amplification, premium audio circuitry and advanced sonic processing to create an immersive, surround experience.
The guts of the GP-9 and GP-9M are the same, but the latter model is notable for its self-playing key function. It also comes with pro-level audio outputs and a mic input that enables you to sing along through the onboard speaker system.
The GP-6 is the mid-level piano in the range but, you still get the Piano Reality Premium modelling sound engine and keyboard and unlimited polyphony, and even though the cabinet is smaller, we’re still promised amazing sound.
GP-6 and GP-9 will be available this month priced at $6,300 and $11,000 respectively. The GP-9M will be available in May priced at $19,000, while at the other end of the scale, the GP-3 is available now at $4,000.
As mentioned earlier, we are in favour of digital piano manufacturers taking a few risks with their designs including Donner and Casio for their recent efforts – so we are fully onboard with what Roland has done with its new concept model.
Unveiled as part of the company’s ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations, this has a one-piece wooden body that incorporates Japanese oak, and was created in collaboration with Japanese furniture designer Karimoku. There’s what appears to be a clamshell lid, which lifts up to reveal a display.
The combination of classic materials and innovative design is no coincidence, as it plays on the fusion of past and future that Roland wants to highlight during its half-centenary year. The wooden body promises to help deliver truly resonant piano tones from the speakers, which Roland says are powered by its latest technology. The company also claims to have come up with a keyboard that offers “a touch that’s more natural and responsive than ever before”.
Since the release of the company’s first electronic pianos, the EP-10 and EP-20, back in 1973, Roland has been a consistent innovator. In 1974, the EP-30 became the world’s first touch-sensitive electronic piano, while more recent breakthroughs include 2009’s V-Piano and the Facet concept grand piano from 2020.
The new piano joins Roland’s Jupiter-X 50th anniversary model in its celebratory concept line-up. Announced in May and featuring a fully black keyboard with gold accents, this is based on the standard Jupiter-X synth.
There is also the D-Flux concept electronic drum set, a decades-hopping electronic drum set that bears more resemblance to Roland’s early electronic kits than the V-Drums we know and love from today
Casio’s new premium Privia digital pianos are designed to look and sound great from any angle.
Casio has introduced the Privia range, keyboards that they say are “the best-sounding, best-feeling, best-looking Privia ever made.”
We’re all in favour of digital piano manufacturers taking a few more risks with the designs of their instruments, so let’s take a moment to celebrate Casio’s new PX-S7000, PX-S6000 and PX-S5000, the latest additions to its Privia range.
With a design that’s “in harmony with modern lifestyles,” these pianos not only offer a more contemporary aesthetic, but are also intended to look great from all angles. So, there is no need to place them up against a wall if you do not want to.
The Privia PX-S7000 is striking – looking a bit like a modern take on the iconic mid-century modern Hohner Clavinet D6 design.
The hybrid keyboard, meanwhile, is made of both resin and wood, and promises an expressive key mechanism with natural touch. The main body of the PX-S7000 can be detached from the stand and played anywhere, thanks to its optional 8xAA battery power. An optional SP-34 three-pedal unit can be connected for portable use, and the optional SC-900 carrying bag lets you take PX-S7000 anywhere.
The PX-S7000 features the sound of three of the finest pianos on Earth, dubbed Berlin, Hamburg and New York. Each piano has its own unique personality, and the Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source brings them to life with damper, string, and aliquot resonance, plus subtle mechanical sounds.
The keyboard features 400 Tones, including 50 electric piano Tones, and a variety of Tones inspired by the keyboard parts of well-known songs.
The PX-S7000’s features a 32-watt 4-way Spatial Sound System. The speaker system in the flagship PX-S7000 takes this into account; you can choose an acoustic setting to match where you piano is positioned (against a wall, in the centre of a room or on a table) and the sound will then be adjusted and optimised in each of the four speakers.
The PX-S7000 also boasts a transparent acrylic music stand and is offered in a striking, bang-on-trend ‘harmonious mustard’ colour scheme, which is designed to “harmonise beautifully with virtually any room’s interior”. You can also bottle it and have it in black or white, but mustard is definitely the way to go, in our humble (but correct) opinion.
You’ll find the same speaker system and keyboard in the PX-S6000, which is available exclusively in black. In fact, its specs look pretty similar to those of the PX-S7000, though it has fewer built-in sounds (350 as opposed to 400) and a slightly reduced feature set. The stand and fixed pedals aren’t included, either, though they can be purchased separately.
One thing the PX-S6000 has over the PX-S7000 is the Tone Modify function, which enables you to fine-tune your sounds in real-time. You can also do this on your mobile device using the Casio Music Space app, which syncs via the included wireless MIDI/audio Bluetooth adapter. This also enables tone editing on the PX-S7000.
We should also point out that both the PX-S7000 and PX-S6000 have pitchbend wheels – a useful feature that we wish more digital pianos had.
Finally, there’s the PX-S5000, the most affordable of the new pianos. This has the same keyboard as its pricier siblings but strips things back by having just 23 tones and fewer features. Again, the stand and pedals are sold separately for this one.
PX-S7000 Features:
400 Tones including three legendary concert grand pianos (Hamburg, New York, and Berlin)
New Smart Hybrid Hammer Action keys with spruce sides
Beautiful design in your choice of Harmonious Mustard, Black or White finishes
Matching beech stand with three fixed pedals
Illuminated touch sensor controls with assignable multi-function buttons
LED touch ring and bright, backlit LCD display for easy navigation
Illuminated pitch bend wheel and assignable buttons
Microphone input with volume control and 25 dedicated microphone effects
Includes WU-BT10 Bluetooth Audio & MIDI adapter
Dual headphone outputs plus 1/4″ L/R outputs and expression pedal input
Class-compliant USB port with no drivers or installation needed
MIDI recorder, USB audio recording and audio/MIDI file playback
Optional 8xAA battery power (AC adapter included)
Designed to work with the Casio Music Space app for iOS/Android
The Casio Privia PX-S7000HM will be available in October, in three color options, for $2,699.99/£2,249, the PX-S7000WE/BK will cost $2,499.99/£2,099, the PX-S6000 will be available for $2,399/£1,499 and the will be PX-S5000 offered at $1,199/£999. Find out more on the Casio website.
