Roland FP-7F

This keyboard is equipped with scene 8 octaves.
It comes with a footswitch (sustain or other). It can connect via midi or din usb. A front USB jack to import waves is available and quite nice. I mainly use the piano sounds (stage piano or electric) and organ ... the rest I do not count memory because little or no use.
they are configurable (effects and EQ) but I do not use it at all.

UTILIZATION

I love the personal touch. For my part it suits me better than a yamaha but it is only a matter of taste, use or habit.
It is easy to use and is intuitive, no need to start reading the manual is also very clear. It can look a little more to know advantage over his instrument.

SOUNDS

The sounds of piano, organ and ep are exceptional. For the rest it is quite respectable but we feel that this is not the strong point of this machine.
I think including guitars and strings lazy me far below the competition ...
Reactions to touch me seem perfect (for me a must). But opinions differ ... should be tested before.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since June 2011 after my fp-5 is dropped unexpectedly to me. Having loved his elder I did not hesitate to buy from the same range of roland.
I love the feel and piano sound, it really suits my style and I really expresses what I want with it. I have less affinity with other sounds gm less evolved ... attention is a big baby and it weighs heavy ...
for me the price is valid because it is good stuff I carry around everywhere together and he does not flinch.

88 keys
Complete connectivity
Many sounds can be edited but less extensive than a RD700NX example

UTILIZATION

Excellent touch
I have not read the manual

SOUNDS

My opinion on the piano sounds only. These are not the best in the market (see below), but I find them of great quality.
Some additional sounds should not even be offered on an instrument of this caliber (guitars!)
The expression is very good

OVERALL OPINION

First, some words about what I wanted: a portable piano, with a touch closer to a sound, good connectivity (audio, USB, 3 pedals) and a small integrated amplifier. But if I had to pick a point, it is primarily the touch that prevailed in this list. Additional banks of sounds are a plus if they are present in the machine, but not essential (I prefer A great sound of piano sounds and 300 medium)
In its category, they are not numerous. And not for lack of trying or considering different solutions, while reviewing my specifications. So I raked off, the MIDI keyboard (Novation, M-Audio, Akai ...) on the piano stand (Roland and Yamaha, mainly), via the famous notebooks.
An observation: the shops that offer to test a wide variety of pianos are not many (or I have not found). However, no such direct confrontation.

What were the pianos competition (I want to say then tested in the store):
* Roland FP4 - bof
* Yamaha P95 - bof
* Yamaha P155 - well
* Clavia Nord Piano - super
* Yamaha CLP320 - very well
* Yamaha CLP330 - very well
* Roland HP305 - super
* Roland RP201 - well

I will not go into a detailed description of all these pianos, but to summarize my impressions.
* If you do not need to carry the piano, so I think it is better to focus on models in unit
* I have read many many of Yamaha P155, but his biggest fault was to be installed just above Northern Piano (see below). Moreover, its connectivity is poor, frankly, I do not get it why Yamaha is deadlocked on a USB-to-host standard?
* North piano vamp! it has a sound that leaves everyone behind and go from one to another is cruel for the competition. In addition, the bank's desire to be configured. Its connection is complete, and a complete and robust pedal (3 pedals) is standard. The press is unanimous, it is a success, and it was very tempting.
* The FP7F finally: If you have read the foregoing, you understand that its only real competitor laptop (available in store) is the keyboard. It was hard to decide.

The arguments that weighed when choosing:
* Touch: the finishing touches, less shiny plastic, less slippery feel a little heavier than the north. I had been seduced by the feel of the Roland HP305, and I find this quality on this laptop
* Onboard amplification of acceptable quality. About this last criterion, many will find it trivial, but here I wanted to turn the beast and play within one minute, especially in times when free time comes down sometimes within minutes ...

If I had not chosen this portable piano, I probably would 'merely' a piano cabinet. It is clear that the North made me dream, but a bit like a Roland RD700NX, you must add an amplifier, and then flies off the budget. The overall finish of the product is very good but the keys are below, closer to a feeling synth (note piano with a view!)

I have no regrets. Just as it happened to choose an instrument, knowing that I would continue to dream of another (Idiot? Yes and no, we do not always budget of his dreams), both here, I stopped reading testing and other forums. Instead, I play!

So flawless? No, but they are qualified.
* For example, all sounds are not equal in quality, and some are downright disgusting. But as I only use the Grand Piano (first selection, by default) and the Piano Rock ... Note, organs are good too (I'm not an expert)
* 25 kilo anyway. There are better, it gets worse, but it is something
* At the risk of repeating myself, the integrated amplifier is extra. And I find it quite honest, but hey, if you plug a sound, or studio, or when compared to what we hear through headphones, there is still room.

To put it in the defects? The price ... Nevertheless, I find the price / quality ratio perfect. FP7F part of the instruments once played, do you forget the price. I would do this choice.
PS: It is an instrument that has been on the market very recently. It is always difficult to be the first to notice I try always to take a step back, but I'm really excited to play here Roland. This instrument is probably not perfect, but it is for me, it does more than meet my expectations. I put my opinion to date, when he has collected several hours of additional gameplay.