Roland RP301

Description

Availability: Discontinued, replaced by new model RP401r

Alternatives to the Roland RP301

Yamaha YDP163

Broadway B1

Main Specifications

Dimensions:

Width: 1378 mm, 54-1/4 inches
Depth: 424 mm, 16-3/4 inches
Height: 834 mm, 32-7/8 inches
Weight: 39 kg, 86 lbs.

88 keys (Ivory Feel-G keyboard)
SuperNATURAL Piano Sound
Voices: 30
Speakers: 2 x 12cm
Rated power output: 2 x 12 watts
128-note polyphony
Metronome
Transpose
3 pedals
1-track recorder

There are 2 models: RP301 and RP301R (SuperNATURAL).
Has additional rhythm and accompaniment.

Roland RP301 Reviews

1)  “We liked the tone of the RP301 better than the Yamaha equivalent”

My daughter is very pleased with her new Roland RP301. She has made the transition from a keyboard to a ‘proper’ piano very well. She now plays with much more expression – louds and softs, accents and sustained notes with the right foot pedal. All just in time for her to practice for her Grade 1 exam this summer!

We went for the Roland rather than a Yamaha equivalent (the two makes in the shop) because we liked the tone better. In addition, I liked the simplicity of the controls on the instrument – only a few buttons on the Roland giving it the appearance of a traditional upright piano.

To be honest I have yet to read the manual properly but my daughter seems to have mastered the recording facility and most of the other effects she desires at the moment.
Helped very much by Graham Howard’s review, we are now in possession of a piano which has enhanced my daughter’s playing in a matter of a week or so. Many thanks!

Review by Rosemary Kelsell (03/05/12)

2) “The Roland was the best sound”

I purchased the RP301 after trying different models from Yamaha and Kawai and felt that the Roland was the best sound and action for the price. I really like the action and the feel of the keys. I am also really impressed with the sound, to me it sounds very close to the sound of a real piano. The Roland RP301 seems to be very well made and really feels like a quality instrument.

Review by Justyna, Peterborough, Cambs, UK (16/05/012)

3) “I am most satisfied”

Hello Graham.
Thank you for your advice about buying a digital piano. I have delayed replying to give myself plenty of time to assess my new roland rp301 piano. I am most satisfied; I can play music written for harpsichord or organ and enjoy the different sound. It is doing everything that I want it to do.
The piano was delivered promptly when we wanted it. The exploded diagram inside the box was a bit offputting- it looked like a plan for the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Anyway, everything was in place in 45 minutes.

Review by Hume Gravell, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire (05/11/2013)

4) “The sound is very mellow and the controls are easy to use”

We chose the Roland RP301 digital piano because my son liked it more than the comparable Yamaha model. The sound and feel of the keys was better for him. I have assembled the piano and my son has spent the last few days playing it.
He is very impressed! We have a medium/small sized room in a terraced house, so this model is ideal. The sound is very mellow and the controls are easy to use.
The UK Piano service was excellent. It really helped us to try out the pianos in the showroom. Delivery was efficient – no complaints.

Review by Owen Williams, Ilford, Essex (13/11/2013)

Read more reviews of the RP301

Click here to write a review

Questions and Comments (Email your questions to grahamhoward@ukpianos.co.uk)

“I really like the Roland RP 301”

Hi Graham,

I have downloaded and read your digital piano advice book….wow what a treat!! Its absolutely super, so carefully written and thorough in content, crammed with loads of information and advice.
I must say it has helped enormously. I was daunted with so much to choose from in the shops, I knew nothing about digital pianos and quite frankly if the staff in Dawsons do they are keeping it very close to their chest !

Thank you for taking the time and putting the effort in to this excellent read…I will be reccommending it to my piano teacher and those in our group who meet to play our latest stuff to each other.I really like the Roland RP 301………lovely ivory feel keys and super sound, in my price range too but was a little disappointed that you rate the keys as weighted only and not medium or heavy weight. I think this is important as I am beginning to practise for my grade 8 exam soon.

Will it matter that much and if so what`s the closest to this piano with weighted keys for around the £1000 price range?
Thanking you in anticipation,

Sue Rawski.

Reply/ Hi Sue

The Roland RP301 is one of the nicest pianos
around the £1,000 mark.

The sound is sampled on a Steinway grand piano.
It has good resonance and warmth. The centre of
the piano has a deep, resonant sound, but I find
the bass a little muddy and the top end a bit thin.

To improve on this you’d need to spend an extra
£500 – £700 on a piano from Roland’s HP Range
(HP503 or HP505).

Although the Roland has a lighter weighted key
touch than the equivalent Yamaha, I do prefer the
Roland’s responsiveness when playing softly or
with expression.

On the downside, when playing fast, I feel my
fingers running away a little. A firmer touch gives
me more control over them. In this case the
Yamaha CLP range excels. But, again, the price
of a Yamaha CLP starts at about £1,500.

Let me know if you’d like a price quote on any
piano. You can call me on 020 8367 2080.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

—

“Roland RP301 or Yamaha YDP162?”

Hi Graham,

I have been on your website and read your guide to Digital Pianos.

First off, thanks a lot for all this information, it’s been a great help.

I have been trying to decide whether to buy a Roland RP-301 or a Yamaha YDP-162 and I think I’m going to go with the Roland.  For me the piano touch is better, I prefer the Steinway sound and the most important bit….the Roland has 2 little spokes on the piano stand so it prevents pages from turning when I’m reading music!!!

The question I wanted to ask however is about the location of the piano.  The piano fits perfectly into an alcove in my house and leaves about half an inch spare.  This means the piano will basically be touching the wall on each side.  There are no radiators on any of the walls and they are all internal but would it affect the sound in any way?  Will the walls damper the sound in any way or will the sound be coming from the front of the piano?

Thanks in advance

Ian

Reply/ Hi Ian

The sound on the RP301 comes out from underneath
the keyboard.
There are two downward-facing speaker outlets
that project the sound towards the floor.

I think it is unlikely the tone will change by positioning
your piano between two walls.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

—

“Roland RP301 versus Yamaha YDP162”

Dear Graham

We are choosing a new digital piano for our 8 year old daughter. She started playing at 5, is progressing well and loves playing music.

We can not decide between Roland RP301 and Yamaha YDP162. Different shops recommend different pianos. We would highly appreciate your advice.

Our budget is under £1000.

Thank you for your help.

Kind regards,

Iness and Michael

Reply/ Hi Iness and Michael

The Roland RP301 and Yamaha YDP162 are
both nice pianos for your daughter to
learn and progress on.

The Roland RP301 has a slightly rounder, warmer
tone in the central are of the keyboard.
The Yamaha has a marginally firmer key touch.

There’s little to choose between them, but
I would give the edge to the Roland because
of its warmer tone.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

—

“Can you recommend a digital piano with harpsichord in the range £500-£1000?”

Hello Graham,

I have found your book on pianos most informative.
I am an amateur pianist over 70, who will have a go. Since much of what I play on the piano is really for harpsichord, and I wish to hear that sound, there are two options-
1. Buy a harpsichord- expensive, not justified for my ability, takes space, needs tuning, etc.
2. Go digital. Top range appears to be a Roland C-30 at about £3000. Can you recommend digital pianos with harpsichord sound option in the range £500-£1000? In your book you mention the weighting of keys. On a harpsichord the weighting need not be heavy.

I would appreciate your views and recommendations,

Hume Gravell

Reply/ Hi Hume

The Roland RP301 is the piano I recommend for you.

It has a choice of 2 harpsichord sounds.

The key touch is also slightly lighter than their
higher priced models. So this would suit you well.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

Hi graham
Bearing in mind that I have not heard any of these pianos yet I think I have a short list of 3:

Kawai cn24
Yamaha ydp 162
Roland rp301

These all seem to be around the same price but I think two have extended warranties of 5 years
Do you know if these models have built in rhythm accompments

Regards, Howard

Reply/ Hi Howard

The Roland RP301 and Yamaha YDP162 are both
lovely pianos.

If you want rhythm then there is a Roland RP301R.
You can see this piano here:
https://www.ukpianos.co.uk/roland-rp301r

The RP301R is a similar piano to the RP301 with
the addition of accompaniments and a nicer tone.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard