All user reviews for the Roland FP-8

Keyboard 88 keys, 16 tones including 5 acoustic and two electric pianos. Range of effects of his time either Chorus and Reverb (4 each), a little limited after a few years (since the mid-1990s to be precise), I would have seen tremolo, phaser, flanger and EQ, but good ... I solved this problem a few years after the purchase of a ROLAND P module 55 which expanded the sonic palette and the effects, but complicated connections and lengthened the time of installation, so no practice . Extensive connectivity options for this type of keyboard and integrated two HP 2 X 6 watts. Weight 26 kgs explained by its steel frame!

UTILIZATION

Touch is one of the mechanics of PA4 type of the time, the early 90s so it has very little in common with that of an acoustic piano, but rather recalls that of the Fender Rhodes, 3 levels of response adjustable depending on the strength of touch. 4 side dynamic response curves (for comparison a KORG SV1 currently has 8). No split, only the layer is possible. The manual is clear, but given the simplicity of the keyboard, it is not essential. All functions have direct access and general configuration is simple as the entire instrument.

SOUNDS

My favorite sounds, acoustic piano No. 4 says to "brief attack," Rhodes at his new and clean as if it had just come out of the factory and the second EP to sound like Yamaha DX. Violins No. 2 and No. 3 also find use as an accompaniment. There is no sound that I do not like it because the sounds are good, but frankly that come to the vibraphone, marimba, various and diverse "mallets" in a piano? I would have seen in their place a Wurlitzer, a clavinet, CP 80 and the effects go well with. Incomplete, so in sounds and effects.
As for the realism of the sounds, those who have grown old in my opinion acoustic pianos, especially the first three because their sampling is not stereo and thus relative to Kurzweil who has only a few years younger it shows. For other sounds, even many years later, I still enjoyed the play and hear.

OVERALL OPINION

Used from 1993 to 2014, it was for me by far the most reliable among all those I had equipment. He lived in the tropics, experienced the heat, cold, humidity without worry. The only component that I changed after fifteen years of use: a potentiometer. Of course, I do not hit on the keyboard, I always carried in a fly and treated as a musical instrument, so it is aging very well if treated well. I just sell it in June, I am surprised at his side after all these years, but it's Made in Japan product in a manufacturing unit with ISO 9000 standards.
I tried at the time rival from Yamaha (PFP ​​..) which had the advantage of the split, a different feel, other sounds, although a slightly lower price, but also a frame of plastic too stage equipment. So its build quality, its looks, sounds, keyboard made the difference for me. Without hesitation, placed in the context of the time I do the same choice. Overall rating 9/10 (the point missing is the sounds / effects part, against the ease of use, build quality, reliability and service are worth 10/10)

Easy to set up.
Two sounds can be layered, for example: piano 2 + violins pad 3. (with volume foot control for the latter): I have never found anything similar since, a pity!

UTILIZATION

The keyboard has real hammers, felts...the best at the time!
Over time, the piano demands some maintenance (nothing unusual for a 20-year old piano!): Changing the felt and rubber mutes. On the other hand, the plastic part around the hammers cracks with time. To put a remedy to that, remove the hammers and apply a bit of super glue, and the cracking stops.
I still enjoy playing this piano very much today.

SOUNDS

I shouldn't say this, but I always use the electric and acoustic piano sounds of the fp8. It is slaved to my s90xs, because the piano sounds of the latter, which is much more modern, seem to me duller and without depth compared to the good old fp8. But that's a matter of taste!

OVERALL OPINION

I have noticed a frequent problem with this piano: the sound (through the line output or the piano's speakers) crackles quite a lot and even disappears sometimes, up to the point of making the piano useless. (Some have thrown their fp8 into the garbage can!) BUT IT'S NOT THAT BAD! 4 capacitors (that cost a couple of cents each) on the piano's motherboard burned out and had to be replaced. After an hour of work the piano is like new and ready for the next 10 years!

In short, despite the several offers to buy it from me, I still have it with me, as an antique among the most modern pianos. And like every instrument you have enjoyed playing, it's hard to let go of it!

Standard connections that you can find on every other product

UTILIZATION

Someone gave it to me because it had broken down and was in a miserable state. It was repainted, so the silkscreen was unreadable, plus some buttons were missing. So the first thing I did was repair it. Once done, it sounds all right. It has a decent and faithful sound, a piano that sounds fine.

SOUNDS

The only effects are reverb and chorus, without parameters. The piano is quite realistic and dynamic, but if you amplify it with a PA, it produces a lot of noise. It's a nice tool to work at home.

OVERALL OPINION

I have it and I'll keep it, but I wouldn't go crazy over it.

*88 weighted keys
*Sounds: 5 piano styles/3 electric piano styles/4 Mallet styles/4 String styles
*In terms of FX it has Chorus and a reverb, which aren't really modifiable.
*connections:
2 x mono out(L/R) on 1/4" jacks
2 x mono in (L/R) on 1/4" jacks with a pot to vary the gain between Line and Mic
Midi in/out/thru (no usb at the time)
2 x pedals (soft/damper) on 1/4" jacks

UTILIZATION

Weighted keys with hammer action.
You can feel a small resistance when you press the keys.

It's very easy to use. It's a very simple digital piano and not an arranger that can do everything.

SOUNDS

It's very subjective to like a piano sound over another one.
Personally, I like very much the electric piano, the sound of piano1, I have virtually never used the "Mallets," for example, the organs could be better and certain string styles are really very good.
When it comes to the realistic quality of the sounds, of the piano, for example,
there are better options on the market today, it's obvious, the developments in terms of sound from the time of the FP8 are huge.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for 20 years.
I like the sound out of the built-in speakers. When connected to external speakers, the sound seems colder.

I have performed dozens of concerts and gone on tour with it! It is very robust, and it is also quite heavy.
To finish, I have never had any problems with it, no repairs needed and everything still works fine.
I'll keep it.

Other people have reviewed this in detail already, so there's no need for me to go into it.

UTILIZATION

And yes, it's my nicest piano, being an organist, I broke my piggy bank when I was 13 to buy it. And I don't regret my decision.

SOUNDS

It is not exceptional in terms of sound, but it's mainly a piano and the piano sound is quite all right.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been playing concerts with it for years and it always works fine.

I've had no trouble despite 22 years of constant use. I have always taken good care of it.

Disassembly, non-aggressive cleaning, changing of the hammer felts (and, yes, it is a mechanical piano inside), which make it an exceptional piano.

It's hard to find it secondhand in good condition, because not many people take the time to service their pianos.

But if you find one, don't hesitate it, the keyboard is fabulous.

Secondhand you may find it for about $400, which is a good deal.

If you miss more modern sounds, add a rack to it and you'll have a superb piano.

Digital Piano
88 keys
feel 'heavy'
dedicated keyboard piano, some strings sounds, EPiano, mallet, ...
connectivity standard for this type of material: midi in thru-out, audio out St, audio in St, two foot switches
for those who like the current keyboard Roland (126 sound banks, but piano sounds disgusting ...), go your way, sounds there is not much.

UTILIZATION

Touch is a little plastic (piano legacy digital), nothing to do with touching wood and hammers Kawai currently integrated in, for example.
however, no problem, it holds up, it's nice. A bit loud noise of the keys in the studio, but somehow it does not record the microphone at the same time (better not )))
general configuration extremely simple, it is not an instrument called "configure", it is to play piano, period. MIDI is perfectly clear, and everything else too. No fuss, it's pro.
Manuel?? never read, never needed.

SOUNDS

The FP8 is definitely one of the best, if not the best of his generation digital piano. (It still has several years of bottle, mine has over 13 years).
The piano is light, round and pleasant, without seeing the keyboard, it's hard to believe that it is a digital piano, at least in Live. Obviously listening headphones, it becomes easier.
I am a classical pianist, among others, and I bought this keyboard to get as close as possible to a wooden piano. At the time, I have tried them all, not PHOTO! It was the only to offer piano sounds so real ...
It's true that at the time, it still costs a few euros in 2500, but it was worth it.
I use it only for the piano and it's perfect. I have since discovered the Kurzweil Micro set in, I recommend the passage for its highly realistic pianos ... and I pilot noon.
The only fault we could find on this keyboard is the noise of the sample (a small pchht remaining milliseconds after playing the note). But we're not talking art keyboard!
For me and a bunch of pianists, it's still a great value, a must, a standard. There are few on the market, and if you find one in good condition, considering the side argus, DARK !!!!!!!
Quite simply, when you play live with this stuff, there is always a good keyboard player who comes to you saying "the piano sound is good, what is it??"
For a keyboard of this generation: 15/10

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for more than 13 years, I still love his sound classical crystal, even with the breath and little noise. To live, it's really a pleasure.
Nothing else to say, I do not understand simply that there are no reviews for this bike which made the war, and has never been equaled since, at least in Roland. FP9 far too artificial and synthetic, and too expensive. The RD series is really crappy in terms of the piano. Yamaha sounds and slamming reclaquent without any subtlety. Long live the FP8 and little noise )))
Again, given his advanced age, I can only put him 100/100
Tribute a great warrior has never replaced.

This piano is trs fragile: the mcanique (toggle the indoor keys) noisy, is in a plastic couraging aging trs bad because it becomes brittle = everything dglingue ! (3 Repair Tool in a short time and the problem persisted)-trs touch is weird, little prcis, and impossible to play notes RPTES soon! Deprecated-keyboard for pianists' playing really "-
... Not to mention its weight lphantesque!

UTILIZATION

This piano is trs fragile: the mcanique (toggle the indoor keys) trs noisy, is in a plastic couraging aging trs bad because it becomes brittle = everything dglingue! (3 Repair Tool in a short time and the problem persisted)-trs touch is weird, little prcis, and impossible to play notes RPTES soon! Deprecated-keyboard for pianists' playing really "-
... Not to mention its weight lphantesque!

SOUNDS

Not bad, but few choices

OVERALL OPINION

This piano is trs fragile: the mcanique (toggle the indoor keys) trs noisy, is in a plastic couraging aging trs bad because it becomes brittle = everything dglingue! (3 Repair Tool in a short time and the problem persisted)-trs touch is weird, little prcis, and impossible to play notes RPTES soon! Deprecated-keyboard for pianists' playing really "-
... Not to mention its weight lphantesque!

Weighted piano, a dozen sounds, two effects (chorus and reverb), amplified.
It came out around 1990 with features that made it one of the top pianos.

UTILIZATION

I confirm and add a couple of things to the precedent reviews. It has made my day for twenty years. The keyboard is truly beyond the rest, as well as several of its sounds. The FP-8 is really close to an acoustic piano. It is very silent and pleasant to play with. But I should speak in past tense, because it degraded quite a bit, especially at the end of its life. It turned noisy and not controllable at all. The keys that had to withstand more use (the middle octaves) have a strange behavior and have lost sensitivity. And even the keys that aren't used much don't age well. It's a problem with the plastic they are made of, which degrades with time. So there's not much you can do about it.
Right now I use it as a backup piano to control some VSTs.

SOUNDS

From the twelve or so sounds included, two or three are truly excellent: A piano, a string style and the choirs, the other ones are rather average.

OVERALL OPINION

New it was a really good instrument. It is definitely my favorite among the ones I've played.
But it has a life span of 15 years.
If I were to find one new, I would buy it again without hesitation. But I would have to go back in time for that to happen.
As a result, I give 10 to a new one and 0 to a 20-year old one.