This is the case style that I wish the Kawai NV10/S had been built into rather than the sort of post-modern square box that we got. This LOOKS like a real grand piano. The only digital offering from Kawai that looks like a grand piano is the DG30, but even that is a mini-grand that just doesn't look the same. (Yeah, there's the Aures series, but I mean strictly digital instruments.)
I applaud you Stu for the way you so easily put into words so clearly what you are hearing and feeling. It's amazing to me! Add to that, the sheer joy and excitement one senses as you are playing. Definitely looks like a wonderful instrument. Thank you and look forward to more of your playing and reviews in the future. Most certainly Merriam Music has a treasure with you there. Thanks again and all the best to you!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! I definitely agree with you. We are very lucky to have Stu's amazing talent and pedagogical skills. His ability to break down and articulate abstract concepts so effortlessly is quite remarkable. I will be sure to share your kind words with him. :)
Thanks for another great review. I'm not even in the market for a new piano right now, but am still watching your videos for the sheer fun of it. Stu's reviews really are in a different league when you compare them to any other content creator in the digital piano world. And you guys helped me a lot with my own decision a year ago, when I ended up buying a Casio GP-510. I've been playing that instrument for more than half a year now and really couldn't be happier with my choice.
Thanks a million! We appreciate the incredibly kind words! I will pass on the kind compliments to Stu for you. Also, congrats on your Casio GP510. It is a wonderful digital piano with an exceptional touch! :)
I'm fascinated with the technology of physical modelling. Firstly, you're not triggering the notes someone else played previously. And secondly, in the world of ones and zeros inside the processor, it's like truly there's a piano there. Virtual reality piano.
@@MerriamPianos And there are so many innovations lately, that I think I'm gonna wait a little more to upgrade in order to see if such innovations will, in time, trickle down to the more accessible models.
OK, when you switched to the concert piano that sound/tone blew me out of the water. Emotional, textured and pure. Finally a true premium sound and I would not dispute the price for this. MMM...Someday
Beautiful demo of a well designed digital piano. I have designed and built two baby grand housings for my Roland FP7F (in satin black) on the main floor of my home,, and my Roland FP80 (in gloss white) downstairs in my "jazz club" surrounded by my original paintings of jazz musicians. Both perform exceptionally well for my jazz playing. I always enjoy your inspired playing.
Thanks for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu! That is fantastic that you have managed to recontextualize your digital pianos into a baby grand shell. Very cool! :)
@@MerriamPianos People are giving away older grands, and spinets in nice cases. It would be nice if Kawaii or Roland made a kit to replace the orinal actions, cast iron plate, and strings with digital components. I'm thinking of using the guts from a KP-75
I'm late to the party on this video, but have seen several others on the GP series digitals, and this is by far one of the best overviews I've seen. If I only had an extra $20000 laying around I'd order one now. It truly is a magnificent looking and sounding bit of hardware.
Better late than never as they say! ;) We're glad you found our review though and thank you so much for the kind words! The GP9 is definitely an extremely impressive instrument both musically and aesthetically.
Played on one of these today at a piano shop… I honestly was very impressed, the action is amazing and definitely a tweaked and improved grand hybrid action from the lx706 and 708, it’s simply a better action. Also the sound system and playing experience overall was quite incredible, if I had the money I’d get one over the kawai NV10s or an acoustic baby grand.
I'm very happy to hear that you had a chance to experience this exceptional digital grand from Roland! It truly is a remarkable instrument with an impressive playing experience. The synchronicity between the action, tone engine, and speaker system is remarkable and achieves a degree of realism that is seldom achieved on any digital instrument. :)
@markfowlermusic did you happen to try both as a MIDI controller purely? I intend to buy an LX706 for that purpose only, I wonder how better the action on the GP9 is in this regard although I guess it'd be an overkill anyways..
@@DavidIzquierdoAzzouz From my research the best there is as a midi controller for the highest expression possible in descending order: Yamaha Disklavier Enspire pro, Lachnit MK23, Roland GP9, Casio GP310. I don't know if the Roland has High definition midi. I would be very interesting in someone comparing the last three (Lachnit vs Casio vs Roland) in Pianoteq and VSL virtual instruments. Also how good is the Roland GP9 speaker system for playing VSTS vs Studio Monitors of different price brackets. The USB Audio in the GP9 is probably stereo?
That's good to hear. I admire Roland for their overall build quality and have mixed feelings WRT the LXs generally. The GP9 evidently is a big step up. Thanks for weighing in.
@@DavidIzquierdoAzzouzits pointless to buy that for a controller only. i have the lx708 and its amazing. the sound system on this thing is unbeleivable... and when i played jt all my sample library who might sound better on a stereo recording sound thin compare. its forces is in a 3d woeld it sound like a acoistic in reality and the fun is to play it trought the sound aystem
Stu, love your reviews they are so detailed yet relatable. Glad I watched this. I know this is a higher end digital piano and to me it just sounds well super digital. I could never be happy with it. I watched the review of the Estonia 168 you did right before this and there is just no comparison of the richness and body of the sound and with the Estonia emphasizing the core note more forward than the harmonics it would seem like the sounds should be more comparable than they are. Not saying that liking a digital is wrong just to my ear it is just not engaging at all and sounds very much like it is, digital samples of a real acoustic piano. Your playing is lovely, would be nice though to throw in some snippets of classical pieces as they can give a stronger base line comparison point across different pianos.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts. We appreciate it. :) Tonal preference is a very personal thing. Not all piano players will resonate with the sound of a specific model (digital or otherwise). With that said, the GP9 has a modelling engine rather than a sampling engine. It is very cutting edge technology and allows for incredible versatility and customizability of tone.
@@MerriamPianos Understood. Wasn't saying they are not a great option for many but to my ear it's still sounds very digitial and I could not be happy. Maybe in a few generations
Congratulations on the best review yet, love the new in video graphics as well. Thank you Stu and friends for your service and dedication. One question, Stu mentioned the equivalence to a 10 -15K acoustic grand at the end, yet is there really such thing as a 10K new acoustic grand?
Thanks so much! We appreciate that. :) There are in fact new acoustic grands in the $10K-15K price range. Some of the Chinese manufactured baby grand pianos like the Pearl River GP150 fall within that price category. They are excellent instruments for the money too!
@@MerriamPianos Yes, excellent value for money is possible in any market segment. But one should keep that in perspective: as you know, the $10K-$15K segment of the acoustic grand piano market can be regarded as the lowest segment of the overall market for acoustic grand pianos. Buyers in that segment can, and often do, get excellent value for money. But there are many important features and characteristics of acoustic grand pianos which are usually only available in higher segments of the overall market which buyers in the lowest segment of the market are unlikely to get for their money.
Thank you for a great review on the Roland GP-9. Assuming cost is not a factor, and the sound, touch, and playing experience relative to an actual acoustic grand is the primary consideration, which of the 3 top-of-line hybrid digital pianos would be favored? Roland GP-9 Kawai NOVUS NV10S Yamaha AvantGrand N3X Thank you for any and all responses.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the kind words and for taking the time to write in with your question. The Roland GP9 is unique in the sense that it provides the full aesthetic of an acoustic baby grand. It also has a wonderful touch and tone of course. At the end of the day, the decision would come down to the preferences of the player. Every player will have different tastes when it comes down the tone and touch. Personally, I love the authentic sound and feel of the NV10S from that list, but the GP9 would be up there as well, especially if the look of a full grand was desired. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you Brent for your quick feedback. I also realize that the digital features associated with both the GP-9 and the NV10S far exceed what is currently available for the Yamaha N3X. I have not yet had a chance to play any of the products in my list, so that will, of course, be a next step before I make any purchase. The N3X caught my attention after hearing it was being used by Julliard for their students for both practice and performance. Has Stu ever published a video review of the Yamaha N3X? I have already viewed (multiple times) his other videos on the NV10S and, recently, the GP-9. Thank you.
@@timothyland1391 As I understand it, at the time some years ago that Juilliard made their first investment in the Yamaha N3X (launched in 2016 and replacing the N3 which had been launched in 2009), the latter was still the only one of the 3 options you listed that was available at that time. As you know, the NV10 was launched only in 2018 and the NV10S was launched in 2021. Hope this helps.
Your chords and improv melodies have a soulful, heart-felt appeal. Just listening to your playing is an uplifting experience. Your explanation of features, sound comparisons, and ease of use confirmed my decision to purchase the Roland GP9. How can I hear more of your freestyle playing?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! I will be happy to send along your kind words and compliments to Stu on your behalf. You can hear Stu's amazing playing and improvising on other product reviews/comparisons. There is usually a demonstration section where you can hear his playing. :) He has also released his own albums, which you can check out and order at the following site: www.stuharrison.com/
Amazing review, you really manage to bring your amazement across. So much so, that I am wondering how I am going to safe up enough money for this 😄 Thank you as always, keep doing what you love!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for tuning in to our channel! We're glad you have been enjoying Stu's reviews! Thanks so much and happy playing! :)
Wish you’d talked more about the action which you weirdly didn’t really touch on at all. How does it compare to the grand hybrid in the lx706 and 708 for example? Have they improved the grand hybrid action in the GP9 or is it a completely different action?
I suppose that it is a testament to just how good the new GP9 model sounds as to why it is easy to get lost in the sonic experience. The main thing that has been updated in the new series of actions is the sensor system. However, this is incredibly significant as the tracking is way faster, which helps render the dynamics and expression of a player's performance far more accurately. :)
I can confidently say that this digital piano is the best in the market. It can serve as a substitute for an acoustic piano with its limitless polypoly feature, giving the instrument a unique character. Each key has its own distinct sound, providing an experience that closely mimics an acoustic piano in almost every aspect. The new harmonic engine further enhances the sonic experience, making it even more similar to that of an acoustic piano. The time for digital pianos has finally arrived, with almost 40 years of progress contributing to this advancement. (P.S. Thank you for the review, the real speaker sound you record helps me hear the sonic experience.)
I certainly agree with the sentiment! The GP9 flagship digital grand from Roland draws a line in the sand for all digital grands to be measured against. It is a very impressive instrument in every regard. Thank you for tuning in and for your kind words! :)
This is one of the best reviews I can find. Was looking to uprade to LX708 this year, but after seening this incredible new product I would question myself should wait for the next gen of LX708. Consider it been relased 5 years ago.
We haven't heard any updates from Roland in regard to a new generation of the LX line being launched, but these new GP models (the GP9 in particular) are truly amazing. It is a really big quantum leap for Roland in my opinion. The sensor system and symbiosis between all of the elements of the piano design are really fantastic. :)
I’ll have to hold off for the replacement of the LX708! I can’t wait to see what the LX708 successor looks like. The age of digital pianos has arrived. At least the traditional piano makers still had business shipping to the expanding pianist population in China.
I'm glad Roland put the Grand Hybrid Action in there rather than the PHA50. I'd still go for an acoustic grand because I feel it is worth restoring once it wears down🎹🎶
I think it goes like this: GP-3 = PHA4, GP6 = PHA5. GP 9 = Grand Hybrid Action. I want to look at the GP-6. the 9 is probably beyond my budget. The 6 has reworked electronics with the PHA50.
@@JoeLinux2000 My supplier says PHA50 Progressive for the GP-9. The Gp6 & 9 seem wonderful, but how long will pass before these pianos are obsolete and the spare parts run out? I'd want to know that the piano would outlast me by a large margin.
great review and very informative. definitely on my short list now. would be interested in a review of the gp9m if possible - interested in what the extra features are and if they justify the cost increase, also if the moving keys has a detrimental affect on the playing experience
The GP9 and GP9M are identical with the exception of the moving keys. Much like an acoustic player piano system, the moving keys do not have a detrimental effect on the on the playing experience. You can certainly expect a review of the GP9M model soon. ;)
It's totally out of my league , both in terms of price and in size (for the limited space I have), but man...this piano is good. I had the LX-706 a few years ago, but sold it, because the tone was just a tad too clean , clinical. Action was great though (speakers...not so much - I opende the lid at the top, although that was not a factory option ;-) That improved it a little, but LX-708 had better speaker sound. This seems to tick all boxes I missed on the LX now. Afraid I have to win the lottery (both for a bigger house and the piano). Great review .
Thanks so much for tuning in! We appreciate it. The GP9 is definitely an impressive instrument and meaningful step up from the already fantastic LX instruments. They have definitely made some improvements to the modelling tech being used, which has led to a more authentic replication of an acoustic piano experience. :)
@@MerriamPianos I hope for a portable solution with this engine ; FP-100x or whatever ? LX engine didn't grow on me , but the GP engine seems o close that gap. Can't have a mini grand cabinet here unfortunately, so successor of Fp90x is very welcome ! No info of course until announced . Unless FP-90x is marked EOL already for deliveries (??)
you can try using pianoteq with a portable , connect the piano as a midi to a laptop or computer and connect the speakers if the piano using an aux , a combo of studio monitors and a piano action midi controller would work better probably , i use pianoteq with a casio cdp s350 and with headphones the sound quality is basically indistinguishable from the acoustic piano performances i've heard on the same headset.@@joepfruman1111
Roland has always been my favourite digital piano because i dont care as much about realistic key action but i do about a satisfying one, the hybrid grand from them was incredible for me and the speakers of the rolands with the furniture seems the best out there for the price, the only bad thing about it is that i dont really feel that the sound engine is quite there and of course even if i like the action, actual hammers would be better but thats a way to get more money into things like the furniture and the speakers which i think are more important at least for me, and i can use vsl vsts to get an incredible sound from those speakers and counter that not so good sound engine, i think thats the Pinnacle for this Price and i will definitely check it out in the future
Roland is definitely on the ball when it comes to excellent feeling actions and wonderful aesthetics. Models like the LX708 and GP9 give the full look and aesthetic of an actual acoustic upright and grand respectively. While I understand your comments about their tone engines, particularly their modelling engines, I would encourage you to test out the new GP6 and GP9 models in person. The sonic experience is amazing and a huge step up from that of the previous generation models. :)
A truly lovely instrument. I wish this action was also on the GP-6. You will know these pianos have arrived when they allow them in the Chopin Competition. There's a guy on CZcams that has a Yamaha Avant Grand with some keys that don't play. He's very frustrated. Yamaha is not offering much help. It has a more or less traditional action which complicates things. My view is that these digitals can sound better than an acoustic. Roland has had very good digital grands for a number of years. I have no doubt this is a very fine instrument.
Roland has definitely drew a line in the sand with this new GP flagship model! The GP9 sonically is exceptional. The new action with extended key sticks and haptic response is amazing too. The gap has certainly been bridged! ;)
Interesting comment about the coating, I had an lx708 and even being more careful than you could believe that coating was not in any way robust enough to be suitable for a piano cabinet. I was terrified anytime anyone breathed near it because it generate a new scratch. Hope these new coatings are better.
Very impressed..I cant add anything worth more than the great comments.in my case Im not a Big fan of Yamaha grand sounds and kawai IS too bright and clean for me.I LOVE.steinway sounds and this piano really sounds very close to one.I dont see myself paying that much for a digital piano though...but theres no question this IS an excelente product and excelent pianist.
A digital grand piano will not be for every piano shopper of course, but, for player's that need the flexibility and volume control that a digital piano offers while seeking the aesthetic of an acoustic grand piano, the GP9 is an excellent option. It offers a wonderful musical experience both in terms of tone and touch!
This was a very thorough and careful review. Thank you. I would ask-- is the best sounding digital piano? Is there a digital with a better midrange tone? I prefer a warmer, darker European sound.
Thanks so much! We appreciate that immensely. :) The answer to that question comes down to personal preference and subjectivity. In my opinion, the GP9 features one of the very best modelling engines I have every experience.
Thank you very much Stu for this review - well put together, informative and helpful as always. I would be very grateful if you would clarify a few points: 1. In your review of the GP-6 you enthused about the velocity curve and how that improved on the velocity curve associated with the LX series. So, did you find that the velocity curve of the GP-9 was as good as that on the GP-6 i.e. it provided the same increased bandwidth of dynamics at mf to fff levels? 2. At c. 13'36" to c. 14'02" in this review you discuss the sound of the GP-9 in the lower part of its middle register, specifically (I'm guessing here) somewhere in the range from about B2 to about G3, and stated that there was an octave in there where the sound was "livelier than you would expect from an acoustic grand piano" and you went on to suggest that one might consider using the single note editing facility to deal with this. Two questions related to this arise: (i) Was your observation (about the relative liveliness of the sound) referring to the sound in this range from all of the grand piano options on the GP-9, viz. Concert, Stage, Bright and Mellow or were you referring specifically to just those grand piano options which you mentioned in the video, viz. the Concert and Stage pianos? Notwithstanding whichever of the grand piano options you had in mind did your observation also apply to those grand piano options when used in headphone mode (rather than only when used in speaker mode)? (ii) As you know, there are three options within the single note editing facility on the GP series so I wonder in making your suggestion about single note editing which of those options you had in mind - e.g. 'single note volume' or 'single note character' or both of these? In other words, what did you mean by "livelier"?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to write in with your questions. While I cannot speak on behalf of Stu, I will be happy to share my thoughts in regard to the models and topics you've mentioned. I concur with Stu about the GP6 and GP9's improved velocity curve. I would say that the GP9 even takes things a step further in terms of its ability to replicate the "real thing" dynamically. The correlation between tonal and dynamic changes on the GP9 is also something that struck me as being greatly improved from previous Roland models, including the LX708, which is an amazing instrument! As for the second question, once again, I can't speak on behalf of Stu. But, with that said, I believe he may be referring to the default concert grand sample. This may be the case with all of the alternate voicings however. The default sound of the GP9 sounds so good though that it is the option I gravitate towards naturally when playing the model. I would say that there would have to be some tweaking and adjusting to both the volume and character to really dial things in. However, at the end of the day, it is a matter of personal taste and preference. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent, very helpful as always. That is very good news about the GP-9 ability to replicate dynamics. In regard to my second question: yes I agree; in tailoring the sound to one's preferences it is my expectation when the piano is being used in speaker mode and consequently the need to take into account (i) the specific environment in which the instrument is (will be) situated and (ii) the particular piano voice which is being used, that some experimentation with single note editing of either note character and/or volume might be worthwhile. As you know, saving any such (experimental) changes to specific registrations should also ensure that all such changes made were subsequently applied only to those piano voice options where those changes were wanted. At the same time, the same procedure can be adopted for the piano in headphone phone; overall one just needs to ensure that any new registrations are separately constructed and then when being saved are clearly identified in relation to which mode (and piano voice) they are intended to apply.
As someone who hasn’t upgraded to a new digital piano in 10 years, would the GP609 still be a viable option in 2023? I love the cabinet styling much more and it’s a couple thousand dollars cheaper, while still being a widely loved piano. But I’m unsure if the sound/feel or overall experience of the GP9 is worth the difference or if I’d be stupid not to jump into the next gen tech. Thanks
The GP609 is still a fantastic instrument! Given that there is some very meaningful savings on the model right now for being the previous generation, it is still quite a popular seller. The GP9 is certainly a step up in terms of tone and touch, but the GP609 is still unquestionably a top-tier instrument in virtually every category. I would recommend trying both models out in person to compare if that is an option. Thanks! :)
Great video. But is 150W enough? Yamaha 795 has 300W. Wondering why such huge difference. Also instead of sampling from acoustic piano, gp9 uses modeled sounds. Is it as good?
Thank you! I would say that you should test out the GP9 in person. It is a powerhouse! Remember that perceived volume and power output (wattage) are not the same thing. In terms of the modelling engine, every player will have their tonal preference of course, but, for me, what Roland has done with the new GP6 and GP9 models sonically is truly remarkable and impressive. :)
Hi Mike! Brent here! I would have to check with the production team, but, usually, the sound is captured by recording direct line outs from the piano. The issue with capturing the speaker system is that the microphones used and the room the piano is placed in will inevitably colour the sound in some ways. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Hi there! Thanks for the suggestion! We usually stick to pianos in the same category (i.e. digital grands vs digital grands), but I will certainly pass on the suggestion to our production team for you. :)
Amazing piano great Job Roland and team. Stu you are the best. It has been many years I watching your piano reviews you are very passionate and knowledgeable about the pianos. As a piano specialist & Player I love to watch the piano reviews never missed any CZcams videos but currently you are best on CZcams world. I have played many Roland pianos but I never get impressed like Kawai and Yamaha specially considering the sound, Roland pianos are good but I always felt that something is missing in the sound. Kawai is doing very good in their mid level to premium level digital pianos and the have best sounding stage pianos in the market with the very authentic key action, I am taking about the MP11SE & VPC 1 totally value for money products and a very long lasting instruments. I am really impressed with the GP9 it sounds very close to the acoustic and I am sure action will be better than PHA50 and Grand Hybrid. GP9 is flagship in a Roland line and it sounds like flagship piano. I have a question if I can spend this much money on the digital then it’s better to go with Kawai Hybrid pianos Aurus series so that user can have both the experience acoustic and digital and the warranty is 10 years that is the best part plus resale value will be better because of the acoustic piano and it will last long then any digital pianos. I like the sound of GP9 it has the German and Usa Steinway character but I feel it more sounds like Estonia’s Grand. I hope this pianos work well with the line out because many people prefer grand on stage because in our country to find a good piano tuner is very difficult. Piano like this can definitely solve the purpose in such situations. Transportation is also not easy. I don’t know durable. In my country warranty on Roland/Yamaha/Kawai digital is only one year and Yamaha is giving only one year of warranty on their all acoustic piano line so funny because on a PSR basic keyboards they are giving 3 years warranty. My question is who will spend huge amount on the digital piano of the warranty period is just one year it better to go with acoustic pianos. Thanks 🙏
Hi! Brent here! Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to write in with your question. It is surprising to hear that the warranty time frame on Roland, Kawai, and Yamaha digital pianos is only 1 year in your region. Here, a digital grand like the GP9 would be eligible for a 10 year warranty on parts and labour. However, different countries and markets will have different stipulations for their warranties of course. In terms of the decision between a Kawai Aures model and GP9, it ultimately comes down to a matter of personal preference. The Kawai Aures models will be more versatile in that they also have the option of being used as an acoustic instrument. The Aures piano sounds are also quite different than the GP9 (very warm and lush), which may or may not be the preference depending on the music you are playing. My recommendation would be to test out both options in person to see which you resonate with more musically. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much for your reply. Really appreciate a lot. As you said I am totally agree with you but in my country there’s no facility to see all this pianos. In my country the importer and showroom owner does not provide to see this type of high end products. Except some showroom they keep the products on display and mostly they keep basic keyboard for pianos we have very very limited options, business policy is totally different here. It’s a long story I Don’t want to get in to that. Last 18 year I am working with musical instruments reseller as a piano and keyboard specialist and I also take care of pro-audio also a assistant brand manager for Korg and we create localised data for Korg keyboards and we are doing very well with keyboards. Piano market is growing in India and only broad minded business owner will do better in future because now days customers are very educated and social media helps a lot to them. Mr.Stu’s and others reviewers definitely helps them to select the correct product. So the effort you all are putting that benefits to customers and to Brands. Every importer and showroom owner should make the product review. It’s a surprise but most of my instruments I bought without even having demo and now I am looking to buy a good digital piano that can be used best as a midi controller too and I love Kawai MP11SE and VPC1 but now very soon they will comes out with the new models it’s already a long wait I don’t know why they don’t releasing this anyway I don’t have choice I have to wait. Aurs series is not available in India and piano like GP or any other high end Kawai Yamaha products in my country no facility of demo. It’s a big investment and companies should do something for warranty because it’s a their call if they have to increase the business for expensive products then they must do something for warranty. Hoping for the best from the piano makers like Yamaha Kawai Roland Casio. Thank you sir 🙏
Fantastic review! I'm currently holding off on the LX708 as I'm hoping a new LX8 series is not to far around yhe corner 🙏 I came here to see what is possible that Roland might place into that new LX when it gets released i.e the new audio engine you mentioned here or perhaps that newer piano action you mentioned...do you have any thoughts on this? 😅 🙏😇
Thanks so much! We appreciate you taking the time to tune in. :) We haven't formally heard any details about the successor to the LX708, but I imagine the next generation will certainly feature some of the new tech in Roland's GP6 and GP9 models.
Thanks for the suggestion! We will do our best to tackle that comparison. A full review and comparison of the three GP models would be quite compelling. :)
@@MerriamPianos A comparison of the three GP models would be nice, but I would prefer a head-to-head comparison of the GP-9 and the GP-6 that answers the question "Does the GP-6 give me 80-90% of what I'd get from the GP-9, for half the price?" Thanks, looking forward to whatever you guys come up with! 🙂
Interesting question! I hope some of the following might be helpful to you. 1. If you have not already done so it might be useful for you for you to view the 7th March 2023 CZcams review of the Roland GP series by The Australian Piano Warehouse. 2. The long answer to your question: (i) In the UK the delivered cost of the GP-9 now costs more than double the GP-6 (£9499 v £4079) (ii) On registration by the instrument owner, both instruments come with 10 year warranties for parts and for on-site labour from Roland (iii) Comparisons of the respective models in their sound production and modelling technologies, their perfectly linear velocity curves, their limitless polyphony and the connectivity capabilities of each instrument (comparisons which can mostly be made from the Owner's Manuals freely available online) reveals that each are similar with the GP-9 having more speakers and greater output power (150 watts v 100 watts). The instruments also have the same ivory feel naturals and ebony feel sharps. (iii) The major difference between the models lies in their respective actions and consequently in the degree of musical 'control' each offers to the player. In technical terms, the GP-9 has a slightly modified PHA 100 folded action with a pivot point length of 10.5"; the GP-6 has a PHA 50 folded action (the same as in the LX706) with a pivot point of 9". 3. The short answer to your question: it all depends on your criteria, the relative importance to each other of those criteria and your budget plus space constraints (if any). 4. I myself have just purchased a GP-9. For me, the greater control enabled by the modified PHA 100 action of the GP-9 (derived from its longer pivot length compared with the pivot length of the action in the GP-6) was decisive. Even if the GP-6 was available for free, I would not have wanted it - the GP-6 would not enable me to achieve the musical results that I want and neither would I be able further substantially to improve my technical standard (currently at a 'higher intermediate' level). 5. However, each individual's evaluation of an action is to SOME EXTENT, a subjective matter. Stu Harrison and others in other reviews have stated that from their perspective Roland's PHA 50 action is a good action.
@@donalwalsh1129 Thank you so much for that very detailed, and very helpful, reply. It sounds like the answer to my "80-90%" question is probably "Yes", but, at least in your case, the "missing" 10-20% is a deal-breaker, regardless of the price differential between the two models. As usual, the answer is always "Find one and play it!" So many pianos to play, so little time... 🙂
A question: just trying to wrap my head around the sound quality of digital pianos .......how would the sound quality/dynamics of the GP compare to playing to the same music back on a quality stereo system in the same room??
That is a difficult question to answer as it ultimately depends on the stereo system you are comparing it to. With that said, the GP9's sophisticated speaker system would rival some pretty impressive home stereo systems in my opinion. :)
The Roland GP9 is an excellent instrument in my opinion! It is the perfect solution for a player that is looking for the aesthetic of an acoustic baby grand and convenience/feature offering of a digital instrument. Also, as MostEasterlySteve mentioned, the GP9 uses a brand new tone engine called the "Piano Reality Modelling Sound Engine". It is one of the best modelling engines I have experienced! :)
Is it noticeably better to play than the previous GP609 for someone who is far from a professional player? And am I imagining it, or was the 609 slightly nicer in appearance and a little bigger??
It has been improved in every way. I went in to get the gp-609 back in February but the last set was sold right in front of me, and got offered the gp9 instead and the guy in the store said that everything about it is better. I can tell you that it is absolutely amazing but I have only tried the 609 in the shop so I wouldn’t be able to compare. But for what I’m told the new gp-9 is a lot better.
Hi! Brent here! In my opinion, the GP9 is a meaningful upgrade from the GP609. Every element of the musical experience has been refined and updated to achieve a more pleasing musical experience from my perspective. And that is saying a lot because the GP609 is a fantastic instrument! :)
I'm hoping it is beter than a GP609. Because I tried one, and if it wasn't for that grand piano stile case I wouldn't have liked it. The case is the only thing I liked about it🎹🎶
Thanks for the great vid again. I see there's an LX706 right next to it, wondering how both actions compare, especially given thay they're both essentially the same HG action, is there really that much difference in feeling or is it rather a sesor upgrade aspect? Thanks
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the kind words! We're glad you enjoyed the video. While the LX706 and and GP9's actions have a fairly comparable feel physically, there is a substantial difference in the sensor system and the rate at which it is able to capture and process the expressive nuances and details of a player's performance. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
I'm really into buying this one.. but I wish to ask your opinion how does compare to you to the best of Kawai and Yamaha, which is your personal favourite? I tried GP6 last week and I loved it. I'm a professional pianist, but I don't really want to invest into acoustic since the acoustics I love are starting at 40k price point. I'm planning probably use this at home for myself, lessons, concerts which I host at my place and possibly use it with VST's like VSL or Garritan as well. Also it's interesting - how the action compares to Grand Feel and Grand Feel 3 from Kawai? I own mp11se currently.
Roland has definitely drawn a line in the sand with the GP9. With that said, in comparison to other manufacturers' digital grand pianos, such as Kawai's NV10S, there are a few things to consider. The GP9 is a modelling-based engine, which will have a different flavour than traditional sample-based engines like the NV10S. Furthermore, there is the aesthetic consideration. Some other company's digital grands do not have the full acoustic grand piano aesthetic, whereas the GP9 does. The GP9's action plays a little heavier than the GFI and GFIII actions in my opinion. However, with that said, it is always best to take some time to test out these models yourself in person, as tone and touch preferences are a very personal and subjective thing.
This is an astonishing instrument. Anyone here have thoughts on prospective resale/trade in value (assuming excellent condition). Also,would be interesting to know how many of these will be made for US market. The GP-609 is amazing as well but have not seen any used. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks for another great video.
Thank you kindly! We appreciate you tuning in. The GP9 just came out very recently, so I think you would be hard-pressed to find a used one at this time. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for your reply! Yes, far too soon but was wondering if you had an opinion about aftermarket of its Supernatural predecessor the GP-609
That slightly artificial Roland sound is gone. Awesome! As Stu says, it comes really close to the analogue, warm character of a NV5s. Question is: Can Roland replicate this sound without the help of a big soundboard in a standard digital upright? I'm looking forward the new LX generation.
The GP9 is certainly a benchmark for Roland in terms of its authenticity! It is truly impressive. :) I suppose we will see what Roland comes up with their next flagship line of digital uprights.
You mentioned the weight is around 360 lbs, what is the usually weight of an acoustic equivalent ? Great review, the piano sounds beautiful. of course you make everything sound good ;-)
I'm not sure but you have the heavy framing timbers underneath, and more substantial rim, and the cast iron plate for starters. An actual 9 footer is a heavy beast to move. One more reason I would prefer this for personal use, and in most jazz clubs, and in many institutions. One problem is that it won't work when there is no electricity.
They are quite different in terms of touch, tone, and aesthetic. They are both amazing instruments, but the choice comes down to personal preference. The Kawai NV10S has a warmer tonal profile by default compared to the more transparent tone of the GP9. The actions also have a very different feel given one is an acoustic action (NV10S' Millennium III action). It plays a bit heavier than the GP9. In either case, they are great pianos. It will come down to the personal preferences of the player. :)
Hi there! Thanks for the suggestion! That would be an interesting comparison. Perhaps, even a complete GP line comparison would be an interesting topic to explore. I will pass the suggestion onto our production team and we will do our best to tackle that comparison for you. :)
Yes, given the substantial price difference between the two models, I think quite a few people would be wondering if the GP6 gets you 90% of the GP9's sound and feel qualities for 60% of the price...
Hi Stu, great video as always! One question, how is the sound through headphones?. I have had a Yamaha NU1x and Kawai NV5 and I think the sound of the headphones in the Kawai is the closer to the speakers. The Binaural in the Yamaha sounded nothing like the speakers, which did not like. Also, is the haptic available when playing with headphones?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you so much for tuning in! We appreciate it. :) The GP9 has an excellent headphone sound that is quite comparable to the overall sonic profile from the onboard speakers in my opinion. Roland has invested a lot of time on the RND side of things to develop this exceptional headphone system. Also, I don't believe the haptic system is impacted by the use of headphones. I believe the haptic system still functions when using headphones.
Generally speaking, we take a direct line out from the piano to capture the audio. With that said, Stu usually specifies in the videos when a pair of microphones are being used to capture the onboard speaker system. :)
I can't seem to find a single video that demos the organ sounds. The piano sounds are awesome, but occasionally I will want to play the organ. Are the organ patches the same patches as the Roland stage instruments of yesteryear?
I am not entirely sure if they are the exact same organ sounds featured in other Roland models. With that said, the sonic presentation of the organ sounds are completely different on the GP9 thanks to its incredible speaker system. While it is always a matter of subjectivity with these types of conversations, I have found the organ sounds to be quite incredible through the GP9! :)
You don’t even have to go into the settings, you just press once on the power button. Have one my self and I’m absolutely stoked about it. I’ve played acustic grand pianos and this is as good as an acustic.
That is a good question, but I think the clientele for uprights/grands and digital/acoustic are usually distinct due to the space concerns as well as the functionality (i.e. volume control, headphone practice, etc.) between the two. However, for some customers, you may very well be correct. :)
While in theory, these are different markets with different customers, I believe that many uprights are purchased because a good (baby) grand was not affordable. I see this happen all the time at jazz clubs and small theatres, and so pianos like the GP6 and GP9 should be very interesting to such customers. But at committee level, nobody wants to be the fool who recommended a piano that needs replacing as soon as the warranty runs out. With medium-heavy use, a good secondhand upright may serve a venue up to thirty years, and it still won't have fallen apart. Accordingly, manufacturers and dealerships selling digital baby grands must provide strong assurances about parts, servicing and enhancements being available for decades to come.
@@Zoco101 Do a CZcams search for Yamaha AvantGrand, and learn about the problems one owner is having with his. I know some people who bought a Yamaha DiskClavier upright some years back and the electronics are completely obsolete. Then there is the Yamaha Clavinova I bought for $300.00 that originally sold for a little over $5,000.00. The piano part played, but most of the rest had gone obsolete. Frankly I'm not at all that keen on my DGX. It has some strong points, but a lot of negatives too. The OS in particular is very much a kludge. There doesn't seem to be any firmware upgrade path.
The GP9 is certainly a massive step up from its digital grand predecessors. The sound, touch, and speaker systems are all phenomenal! I highly recommend testing one out in person. :)
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for the suggestion! We are not Dexibell dealers and, furthermore, they are not super common in Canada. So, with that said, it may be tough to tackle this comparison. We will do our best though! We appreciate the suggestion. :)
Stu, I just bought this piano. Amazing! However, I can not find a way to lower the volume of the internal library of music accompaniment. Eg: scales, czerny, Hanson. The background music plays so loudly I can barely here my playing. I've searched the manual, Google, reddit. Nothing lowers the volume. Backing track volume, eg: jazz chords and drums I can lower volume, just not the lessons and concerto accompaniment. Any ideas? I love this piano and want to get the most out of it.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on your new GP9! It is a wonderful piano. I know you will be quite happy with what it offers musically. That is strange to hear that you are having issues with the internal music library volume. I just tested that feature on our GP9 floor model and the master volume does affect the internal music library. So, that is strange to hear that your GP9 is functioning differently. It may be worthwhile connecting with your dealer to see if a tech could troubleshoot.
It could certainly be with a combination of one's touch and the damper/sustain pedal. With that said, I am quite confident you could emulate that effect through manipulation of the many adjustable parameters onboard. :)
I am thinking of getting GP-9 -to play on its own as well as to connect Logic Pro to it to play my Logic X files through the GP-9 speakers. I know I can go out the headphone jack on the MacBook to the piano but would the USB port in the piano be able to process the USB audio out of the MacBook/Logic Pro? The specs said USB Midi and digital audio but not sure if it can send and receive auto and midi via the USB
Yup - according to the spec sheet, the Roland GP9 does in fact have a USB audio interface. It is quite the impressive, fully-loaded instrument when you look through its specifications and functionality. :)
Im planning to get a gp6 as that's what's in my local piano store I'm a pianist who plays jazz and classical and I like the gp6 alot but I'm won if the gp9 is worth the extra money
They are both fantastic! I would recommend testing both out to see how you feel about the difference. Some players find the playing experience to be drastically different. :)
@MerriamPianos thanks for your help I decided on a used c bechstein 5 foot 8 grand piano for 15 thousand I got it regulated and tuned and it sounds amazing
Thanks for the suggestion! Perhaps, we should tackle a video that covers company's top-of-the-line digital grand versus their top-of-the-line digital upright. :)
@@MerriamPianos Certainly that would be interesting. I think the comparison of the piano modelling sound engines from Roland would be very intesting: V-piano-->LX17-->RD2000-->LX708-->GP6/9 Not only sonically, but the capacity to tweek (the parameters etc). Also interesting would be action differences between PHA50 and the longer pivot versions---are they mechanically equivalent with longer keysticks or mechanistically distinct? Are there any improvements in action mechanism in the new GP line?
Everything has been updated with the GP9, including the core tone engine/piano sounds, the action (namely an updated sensor system), and the speaker system. It is a very substantial update. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for this. Wnen the GP 609 dropped a couple of thousand I thought of buying one based on your review of it. I'm an intermediate player, 63, and wasn't sure about spending the extra for the GP9.
Hi! Brent here! In my experiences, they are certainly different sounds. In either case, they are both wonderful and engaging piano tones to play with though. :)
We generally take a direct line-out feed from the piano into an audio interface to capture a digital piano's sound unless otherwise specified. Sometimes, we do use microphones to capture the speaker sound, but Stu addresses that in the video in the cases that we do.
The price varies from market to market. Given that we have viewers in virtually all corners of the globe, getting into talking about price can get a bit confusing.
Ayer estuve probando algunos pianos La verdad que me lleve una gran desilucion con el nv5 de kawai. El tacto no me gusta nada además muy blando y el sonido regular. Probé varios pero no tenía el gp6 de roland aunque lo. Veo muy estilo New York más para jazz. Pero tengo que probarlo. Los que si me gustó fueron los yamaha nu1x y por supuesto el avatgrand n1 para mí el. Mejor y el más costoso
Tone and touch preferences are a very personal and subjective thing. Every player will have their own personal tastes. The best bet is to test out as many pertinent models as you can to find the model that you resonate with the most. :)
Love Stu's expression when he was just adoring the uncannily real top octave of the GP-9. 🙂czcams.com/video/NpRejJF7uqA/video.html Wish I have the space for this incredible instrument.
not a fan of the big (and ugly) Control panel there. Most high end are moving those functions and features to the app control or a small touch screen control panel on the side that disappears after use. Seems Roland is behind the curve in this regard.
The GP9's interface is a touchscreen with no buttons/knobs (aside from the volume knob). Furthermore, it can be turned off by pressing the power button twice. This allows you to continue playing while having the button-less aesthetic of an acoustic grand piano.
When will Roland realise that the discontinued EP760 was a gem. Plenty of power in the speakers, and basic but decent sounds. Roland should know how many EP760s were sold, and now need replacement. Jesus, like they offer crap replacements, 2.5 watts etc. rubbish. They had a winner in the old 76s and 760s. Brain dead development gurus. They know people used the 76 key units with 10 watts. Why the heck won’t they listen to the customer????
The EP760 was definitely an interesting offering from Roland that was very rich in features for its size and price point. The new EX10 has some similarities to that model and is worth investigation if you were a fan of the EP760. Of course, the speaker system is only 5 watts compared to 10 watts, but the sound is still quite substantial. Keep in mind that twice the amount of wattage does not necessarily translate to twice the volume or perceived volume.
Roland = EnRolando! Comprei no site da Roland o FP-90X e comparando com meu RD-800 achei seu som abafado e pedi a devolução no segundo dia após sua chegada, depois disso virou um pesadelo. A Roland demora dias pra responder meu chamado, depois dias pra providenciar a coleta e o pior é que após 40 dias ainda não cancelou a compra no cartão de crédito que me recuso a pagar, pois se tivessem feito as coisas como deveria, a compra já estaria cancelada, agora o cartão me cobra o valor e multa, logo meu nome irá ficar negativado, por isso Roland pra mim virou sinônimo de EnRolando!
I'm sorry to hear that you did not have a positive experience with the FP90X. Naturally, different sellers/dealers have different policies when it comes to returns. Some companies only offer returns if a unit is faulty/defective. In any case, I hope that you are able to get your situation resolved as soon as possible and, in the end, I hope you are left with an instrument that inspires your playing.
@@MerriamPianos Agradeço sua atenção! Gosto dos produtos da Roland, tenho um RD-800 e agora comprei o RD-2000, minha intenção aqui é apenas deixar os brasileiros conscientes que é uma empresa que no Brasil, não oferece um bom atendimento ao cliente!
When it comes to pianos/music, beauty is very much in the ears of the beholder. Everyone will have a different opinion/impression of a particular tone.
17:40: "...Ten or fifteen thousand dollar new acoustic grand piano..." Hmm. What decade are you living in? Used Steinway grands, last I priced them, (some years back now) were $40k to $50k.
Stu did not specifically say "Steinway grands". With that said, there are numerous Chinese manufactured brands that offer grand pianos that sell new within the $10,000 to $15,000 range, such as Pearl River.
There are many circumstances where customers do not want the maintenance required for an acoustic piano (tuning, regulation, etc.). Furthermore, situations where volume control or headphone practice is required also demands a digital piano. There is a place on the market for both acoustic and digital grand pianos.
This is the case style that I wish the Kawai NV10/S had been built into rather than the sort of post-modern square box that we got. This LOOKS like a real grand piano. The only digital offering from Kawai that looks like a grand piano is the DG30, but even that is a mini-grand that just doesn't look the same. (Yeah, there's the Aures series, but I mean strictly digital instruments.)
For people seeking an acoustic baby grand aesthetic, the Roland GP9 certainly has the edge. It is a very attractive cabinet!
I applaud you Stu for the way you so easily put into words so clearly what you are hearing and feeling. It's amazing to me! Add to that, the sheer joy and excitement one senses as you are playing. Definitely looks like a wonderful instrument. Thank you and look forward to more of your playing and reviews in the future. Most certainly Merriam Music has a treasure with you there. Thanks again and all the best to you!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! I definitely agree with you. We are very lucky to have Stu's amazing talent and pedagogical skills. His ability to break down and articulate abstract concepts so effortlessly is quite remarkable. I will be sure to share your kind words with him. :)
Stu gives the best reviews on CZcams. ❤
Thanks so much! We appreciate you supporting our channel. :)
So true!!!
Fr
Thanks for another great review. I'm not even in the market for a new piano right now, but am still watching your videos for the sheer fun of it. Stu's reviews really are in a different league when you compare them to any other content creator in the digital piano world. And you guys helped me a lot with my own decision a year ago, when I ended up buying a Casio GP-510. I've been playing that instrument for more than half a year now and really couldn't be happier with my choice.
Thanks a million! We appreciate the incredibly kind words! I will pass on the kind compliments to Stu for you. Also, congrats on your Casio GP510. It is a wonderful digital piano with an exceptional touch! :)
I'm fascinated with the technology of physical modelling. Firstly, you're not triggering the notes someone else played previously. And secondly, in the world of ones and zeros inside the processor, it's like truly there's a piano there. Virtual reality piano.
It is quite remarkable when you start thinking about exactly what is happening within the piano's processor! :)
@@MerriamPianos And there are so many innovations lately, that I think I'm gonna wait a little more to upgrade in order to see if such innovations will, in time, trickle down to the more accessible models.
OK, when you switched to the concert piano that sound/tone blew me out of the water. Emotional, textured and pure. Finally a true premium sound and I would not dispute the price for this. MMM...Someday
The expressive and tonal potential of the GP9 is immense! Its range of customization and flexibility is truly impressive. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Beautiful demo of a well designed digital piano. I have designed and built two baby grand housings for my Roland FP7F (in satin black) on the main floor of my home,, and my Roland FP80 (in gloss white) downstairs in my "jazz club" surrounded by my original paintings of jazz musicians. Both perform exceptionally well for my jazz playing. I always enjoy your inspired playing.
Thanks for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu! That is fantastic that you have managed to recontextualize your digital pianos into a baby grand shell. Very cool! :)
@@MerriamPianos People are giving away older grands, and spinets in nice cases. It would be nice if Kawaii or Roland made a kit to replace the orinal actions, cast iron plate, and strings with digital components. I'm thinking of using the guts from a KP-75
I'm late to the party on this video, but have seen several others on the GP series digitals, and this is by far one of the best overviews I've seen. If I only had an extra $20000 laying around I'd order one now. It truly is a magnificent looking and sounding bit of hardware.
Better late than never as they say! ;)
We're glad you found our review though and thank you so much for the kind words! The GP9 is definitely an extremely impressive instrument both musically and aesthetically.
$20K (USD) is the price for the GP9M, the player piano version of the GP9. The "base" (i.e. w/o "player" feature) model costs about $12K (USD)...
Played on one of these today at a piano shop… I honestly was very impressed, the action is amazing and definitely a tweaked and improved grand hybrid action from the lx706 and 708, it’s simply a better action. Also the sound system and playing experience overall was quite incredible, if I had the money I’d get one over the kawai NV10s or an acoustic baby grand.
I'm very happy to hear that you had a chance to experience this exceptional digital grand from Roland! It truly is a remarkable instrument with an impressive playing experience. The synchronicity between the action, tone engine, and speaker system is remarkable and achieves a degree of realism that is seldom achieved on any digital instrument. :)
@markfowlermusic did you happen to try both as a MIDI controller purely? I intend to buy an LX706 for that purpose only, I wonder how better the action on the GP9 is in this regard although I guess it'd be an overkill anyways..
@@DavidIzquierdoAzzouz From my research the best there is as a midi controller for the highest expression possible in descending order: Yamaha Disklavier Enspire pro, Lachnit MK23, Roland GP9, Casio GP310.
I don't know if the Roland has High definition midi. I would be very interesting in someone comparing the last three (Lachnit vs Casio vs Roland) in Pianoteq and VSL virtual instruments. Also how good is the Roland GP9 speaker system for playing VSTS vs Studio Monitors of different price brackets. The USB Audio in the GP9 is probably stereo?
That's good to hear. I admire Roland for their overall build quality and have mixed feelings WRT the LXs generally. The GP9 evidently is a big step up. Thanks for weighing in.
@@DavidIzquierdoAzzouzits pointless to buy that for a controller only.
i have the lx708 and its amazing.
the sound system on this thing is unbeleivable... and when i played jt all my sample library who might sound better on a stereo recording sound thin compare.
its forces is in a 3d woeld
it sound like a acoistic in reality and the fun is to play it trought the sound aystem
Man I could listen to Stu’s playing all day!!
I totally agree! I will be sure to pass on your kind words and compliments to him! :)
Another killer review... you are the best at this that I have seen. Informative, direct, just wow. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the kind words and support! I know Stu and the production crew appreciate it. :)
The GP9 piano model sonic presentation is probably the next step to the update of the FP90x. What an exciting prospect!
It very well could be! In any case, the GP9 is quite impressive to say the least! :)
Stu, love your reviews they are so detailed yet relatable. Glad I watched this. I know this is a higher end digital piano and to me it just sounds well super digital. I could never be happy with it. I watched the review of the Estonia 168 you did right before this and there is just no comparison of the richness and body of the sound and with the Estonia emphasizing the core note more forward than the harmonics it would seem like the sounds should be more comparable than they are. Not saying that liking a digital is wrong just to my ear it is just not engaging at all and sounds very much like it is, digital samples of a real acoustic piano. Your playing is lovely, would be nice though to throw in some snippets of classical pieces as they can give a stronger base line comparison point across different pianos.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts. We appreciate it. :)
Tonal preference is a very personal thing. Not all piano players will resonate with the sound of a specific model (digital or otherwise). With that said, the GP9 has a modelling engine rather than a sampling engine. It is very cutting edge technology and allows for incredible versatility and customizability of tone.
@@MerriamPianos Understood. Wasn't saying they are not a great option for many but to my ear it's still sounds very digitial and I could not be happy. Maybe in a few generations
Congratulations on the best review yet, love the new in video graphics as well. Thank you Stu and friends for your service and dedication. One question, Stu mentioned the equivalence to a 10 -15K acoustic grand at the end, yet is there really such thing as a 10K new acoustic grand?
Thanks so much! We appreciate that. :)
There are in fact new acoustic grands in the $10K-15K price range. Some of the Chinese manufactured baby grand pianos like the Pearl River GP150 fall within that price category. They are excellent instruments for the money too!
@@MerriamPianos Yes, excellent value for money is possible in any market segment. But one should keep that in perspective: as you know, the $10K-$15K segment of the acoustic grand piano market can be regarded as the lowest segment of the overall market for acoustic grand pianos. Buyers in that segment can, and often do, get excellent value for money. But there are many important features and characteristics of acoustic grand pianos which are usually only available in higher segments of the overall market which buyers in the lowest segment of the market are unlikely to get for their money.
Thank you for a great review on the Roland GP-9. Assuming cost is not a factor, and the sound, touch, and playing experience relative to an actual acoustic grand is the primary consideration, which of the 3 top-of-line hybrid digital pianos would be favored?
Roland GP-9
Kawai NOVUS NV10S
Yamaha AvantGrand N3X
Thank you for any and all responses.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the kind words and for taking the time to write in with your question. The Roland GP9 is unique in the sense that it provides the full aesthetic of an acoustic baby grand. It also has a wonderful touch and tone of course. At the end of the day, the decision would come down to the preferences of the player. Every player will have different tastes when it comes down the tone and touch. Personally, I love the authentic sound and feel of the NV10S from that list, but the GP9 would be up there as well, especially if the look of a full grand was desired. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you Brent for your quick feedback. I also realize that the digital features associated with both the GP-9 and the NV10S far exceed what is currently available for the Yamaha N3X. I have not yet had a chance to play any of the products in my list, so that will, of course, be a next step before I make any purchase. The N3X caught my attention after hearing it was being used by Julliard for their students for both practice and performance.
Has Stu ever published a video review of the Yamaha N3X? I have already viewed (multiple times) his other videos on the NV10S and, recently, the GP-9. Thank you.
@@timothyland1391 As I understand it, at the time some years ago that Juilliard made their first investment in the Yamaha N3X (launched in 2016 and replacing the N3 which had been launched in 2009), the latter was still the only one of the 3 options you listed that was available at that time. As you know, the NV10 was launched only in 2018 and the NV10S was launched in 2021. Hope this helps.
Your chords and improv melodies have a soulful, heart-felt appeal. Just listening to your playing is an uplifting experience. Your explanation of features, sound comparisons, and ease of use confirmed my decision to purchase the Roland GP9. How can I hear more of your freestyle playing?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! I will be happy to send along your kind words and compliments to Stu on your behalf. You can hear Stu's amazing playing and improvising on other product reviews/comparisons. There is usually a demonstration section where you can hear his playing. :)
He has also released his own albums, which you can check out and order at the following site:
www.stuharrison.com/
Great piano!! Great review - the best I have seen on this instrument and enhanced by your pianist skill!! Thank you 👌I have to have one!!! 😀
Thanks for tuning in! We're glad to hear you enjoyed Stu's review and awesome playing! The GP9 is certainly quite the instrument! :)
Amazing review, you really manage to bring your amazement across. So much so, that I am wondering how I am going to safe up enough money for this 😄
Thank you as always, keep doing what you love!
Thank you so much! We really appreciate you taking the time to tune in and share your incredibly kind words. :)
Thanks for your reviews, Stu. You’re really on a journey of truth about selecting the fiendishly complicated, and loved, thing called a piano.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for tuning in to our channel! We're glad you have been enjoying Stu's reviews! Thanks so much and happy playing! :)
Wish you’d talked more about the action which you weirdly didn’t really touch on at all. How does it compare to the grand hybrid in the lx706 and 708 for example? Have they improved the grand hybrid action in the GP9 or is it a completely different action?
I suppose that it is a testament to just how good the new GP9 model sounds as to why it is easy to get lost in the sonic experience. The main thing that has been updated in the new series of actions is the sensor system. However, this is incredibly significant as the tracking is way faster, which helps render the dynamics and expression of a player's performance far more accurately. :)
Il suono proviene dagli altoparlanti incorporati?
I can confidently say that this digital piano is the best in the market. It can serve as a substitute for an acoustic piano with its limitless polypoly feature, giving the instrument a unique character. Each key has its own distinct sound, providing an experience that closely mimics an acoustic piano in almost every aspect. The new harmonic engine further enhances the sonic experience, making it even more similar to that of an acoustic piano. The time for digital pianos has finally arrived, with almost 40 years of progress contributing to this advancement.
(P.S.
Thank you for the review, the real speaker sound you record helps me hear the sonic experience.)
I certainly agree with the sentiment! The GP9 flagship digital grand from Roland draws a line in the sand for all digital grands to be measured against. It is a very impressive instrument in every regard. Thank you for tuning in and for your kind words! :)
buy a real one. hear the difference.
i directly that i hear it's digital.
This is one of the best reviews I can find. Was looking to uprade to LX708 this year, but after seening this incredible new product I would question myself should wait for the next gen of LX708. Consider it been relased 5 years ago.
We haven't heard any updates from Roland in regard to a new generation of the LX line being launched, but these new GP models (the GP9 in particular) are truly amazing. It is a really big quantum leap for Roland in my opinion. The sensor system and symbiosis between all of the elements of the piano design are really fantastic. :)
In case you haven’t spotted it, it’s out now. LX9.
Wow, that's unreal. I wanted the LX708 but this is jaw dropping. Tape measure needed to measure room!
Haha absolutely! The GP9 is stunning (both sonically and aesthetically)!
I’ll have to hold off for the replacement of the LX708! I can’t wait to see what the LX708 successor looks like. The age of digital pianos has arrived. At least the traditional piano makers still had business shipping to the expanding pianist population in China.
For me LX708 is also jaw dropping. GP9 is not THAT much better honestly.
Man I wish I had the money and space to buy it because it is stunning
It truly is a beautiful looking and sounding instrument! :)
I'm glad Roland put the Grand Hybrid Action in there rather than the PHA50. I'd still go for an acoustic grand because I feel it is worth restoring once it wears down🎹🎶
It is a very exciting addition to this new flagship digital grand! :)
I think it goes like this: GP-3 = PHA4, GP6 = PHA5. GP 9 = Grand Hybrid Action. I want to look at the GP-6. the 9 is probably beyond my budget. The 6 has reworked electronics with the PHA50.
@@JoeLinux2000
My supplier says PHA50 Progressive for the GP-9.
The Gp6 & 9 seem wonderful, but how long will pass before these pianos are obsolete and the spare parts run out? I'd want to know that the piano would outlast me by a large margin.
@@Zoco101 I think you'l outlast that piano considering how long electronics last nowadays🎹🎶
@@Zoco101 You and Mercedes have a point. These pianos are likely to be obsolete as soon as the next models are released.
great review and very informative. definitely on my short list now. would be interested in a review of the gp9m if possible - interested in what the extra features are and if they justify the cost increase, also if the moving keys has a detrimental affect on the playing experience
The GP9 and GP9M are identical with the exception of the moving keys. Much like an acoustic player piano system, the moving keys do not have a detrimental effect on the on the playing experience. You can certainly expect a review of the GP9M model soon. ;)
It's totally out of my league , both in terms of price and in size (for the limited space I have), but man...this piano is good. I had the LX-706 a few years ago, but sold it, because the tone was just a tad too clean , clinical. Action was great though (speakers...not so much - I opende the lid at the top, although that was not a factory option ;-) That improved it a little, but LX-708 had better speaker sound. This seems to tick all boxes I missed on the LX now. Afraid I have to win the lottery (both for a bigger house and the piano). Great review .
Thanks so much for tuning in! We appreciate it. The GP9 is definitely an impressive instrument and meaningful step up from the already fantastic LX instruments. They have definitely made some improvements to the modelling tech being used, which has led to a more authentic replication of an acoustic piano experience. :)
@@MerriamPianos I hope for a portable solution with this engine ; FP-100x or whatever ? LX engine didn't grow on me , but the GP engine seems o close that gap. Can't have a mini grand cabinet here unfortunately, so successor of Fp90x is very welcome ! No info of course until announced . Unless FP-90x is marked EOL already for deliveries (??)
you can try using pianoteq with a portable , connect the piano as a midi to a laptop or computer and connect the speakers if the piano using an aux , a combo of studio monitors and a piano action midi controller would work better probably , i use pianoteq with a casio cdp s350 and with headphones the sound quality is basically indistinguishable from the acoustic piano performances i've heard on the same headset.@@joepfruman1111
Roland has always been my favourite digital piano because i dont care as much about realistic key action but i do about a satisfying one, the hybrid grand from them was incredible for me and the speakers of the rolands with the furniture seems the best out there for the price, the only bad thing about it is that i dont really feel that the sound engine is quite there and of course even if i like the action, actual hammers would be better but thats a way to get more money into things like the furniture and the speakers which i think are more important at least for me, and i can use vsl vsts to get an incredible sound from those speakers and counter that not so good sound engine, i think thats the Pinnacle for this Price and i will definitely check it out in the future
Roland is definitely on the ball when it comes to excellent feeling actions and wonderful aesthetics. Models like the LX708 and GP9 give the full look and aesthetic of an actual acoustic upright and grand respectively. While I understand your comments about their tone engines, particularly their modelling engines, I would encourage you to test out the new GP6 and GP9 models in person. The sonic experience is amazing and a huge step up from that of the previous generation models. :)
A truly lovely instrument. I wish this action was also on the GP-6. You will know these pianos have arrived when they allow them in the Chopin Competition. There's a guy on CZcams that has a Yamaha Avant Grand with some keys that don't play. He's very frustrated. Yamaha is not offering much help. It has a more or less traditional action which complicates things. My view is that these digitals can sound better than an acoustic. Roland has had very good digital grands for a number of years. I have no doubt this is a very fine instrument.
Roland has definitely drew a line in the sand with this new GP flagship model! The GP9 sonically is exceptional. The new action with extended key sticks and haptic response is amazing too. The gap has certainly been bridged! ;)
Interesting comment about the coating, I had an lx708 and even being more careful than you could believe that coating was not in any way robust enough to be suitable for a piano cabinet. I was terrified anytime anyone breathed near it because it generate a new scratch. Hope these new coatings are better.
I have found the finishing on the current LX and GP models to be quite excellent both in terms of aesthetics and durability.
Very impressed..I cant add anything worth more than the great comments.in my case Im not a Big fan of Yamaha grand sounds and kawai IS too bright and clean for me.I LOVE.steinway sounds and this piano really sounds very close to one.I dont see myself paying that much for a digital piano though...but theres no question this IS an excelente product and excelent pianist.
A digital grand piano will not be for every piano shopper of course, but, for player's that need the flexibility and volume control that a digital piano offers while seeking the aesthetic of an acoustic grand piano, the GP9 is an excellent option. It offers a wonderful musical experience both in terms of tone and touch!
Great review! Thanks
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)
Godda agree... Stu gives the best reviews on UT. ❤
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much for tuning in! We appreciate the support! :)
This was a very thorough and careful review. Thank you. I would ask-- is the best sounding digital piano? Is there a digital with a better midrange tone? I prefer a warmer, darker European sound.
Thanks so much! We appreciate that immensely. :)
The answer to that question comes down to personal preference and subjectivity. In my opinion, the GP9 features one of the very best modelling engines I have every experience.
Thank you very much Stu for this review - well put together, informative and helpful as always. I would be very grateful if you would clarify a few points:
1. In your review of the GP-6 you enthused about the velocity curve and how that improved on the velocity curve associated with the LX series. So, did you find that the velocity curve of the GP-9 was as good as that on the GP-6 i.e. it provided the same increased bandwidth of dynamics at mf to fff levels?
2. At c. 13'36" to c. 14'02" in this review you discuss the sound of the GP-9 in the lower part of its middle register, specifically (I'm guessing here) somewhere in the range from about B2 to about G3, and stated that there was an octave in there where the sound was "livelier than you would expect from an acoustic grand piano" and you went on to suggest that one might consider using the single note editing facility to deal with this. Two questions related to this arise:
(i) Was your observation (about the relative liveliness of the sound) referring to the sound in this range from all of the grand piano options on the GP-9, viz. Concert, Stage, Bright and Mellow or were you referring specifically to just those grand piano options which you mentioned in the video, viz. the Concert and Stage pianos? Notwithstanding whichever of the grand piano options you had in mind did your observation also apply to those grand piano options when used in headphone mode (rather than only when used in speaker mode)?
(ii) As you know, there are three options within the single note editing facility on the GP series so I wonder in making your suggestion about single note editing which of those options you had in mind - e.g. 'single note volume' or 'single note character' or both of these? In other words, what did you mean by "livelier"?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to write in with your questions. While I cannot speak on behalf of Stu, I will be happy to share my thoughts in regard to the models and topics you've mentioned.
I concur with Stu about the GP6 and GP9's improved velocity curve. I would say that the GP9 even takes things a step further in terms of its ability to replicate the "real thing" dynamically. The correlation between tonal and dynamic changes on the GP9 is also something that struck me as being greatly improved from previous Roland models, including the LX708, which is an amazing instrument!
As for the second question, once again, I can't speak on behalf of Stu. But, with that said, I believe he may be referring to the default concert grand sample. This may be the case with all of the alternate voicings however. The default sound of the GP9 sounds so good though that it is the option I gravitate towards naturally when playing the model. I would say that there would have to be some tweaking and adjusting to both the volume and character to really dial things in. However, at the end of the day, it is a matter of personal taste and preference. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent, very helpful as always. That is very good news about the GP-9 ability to replicate dynamics.
In regard to my second question: yes I agree; in tailoring the sound to one's preferences it is my expectation when the piano is being used in speaker mode and consequently the need to take into account (i) the specific environment in which the instrument is (will be) situated and (ii) the particular piano voice which is being used, that some experimentation with single note editing of either note character and/or volume might be worthwhile. As you know, saving any such (experimental) changes to specific registrations should also ensure that all such changes made were subsequently applied only to those piano voice options where those changes were wanted. At the same time, the same procedure can be adopted for the piano in headphone phone; overall one just needs to ensure that any new registrations are separately constructed and then when being saved are clearly identified in relation to which mode (and piano voice) they are intended to apply.
As someone who hasn’t upgraded to a new digital piano in 10 years, would the GP609 still be a viable option in 2023? I love the cabinet styling much more and it’s a couple thousand dollars cheaper, while still being a widely loved piano. But I’m unsure if the sound/feel or overall experience of the GP9 is worth the difference or if I’d be stupid not to jump into the next gen tech. Thanks
The GP609 is still a fantastic instrument! Given that there is some very meaningful savings on the model right now for being the previous generation, it is still quite a popular seller. The GP9 is certainly a step up in terms of tone and touch, but the GP609 is still unquestionably a top-tier instrument in virtually every category. I would recommend trying both models out in person to compare if that is an option. Thanks! :)
Great video. But is 150W enough? Yamaha 795 has 300W. Wondering why such huge difference. Also instead of sampling from acoustic piano, gp9 uses modeled sounds. Is it as good?
Thank you! I would say that you should test out the GP9 in person. It is a powerhouse! Remember that perceived volume and power output (wattage) are not the same thing. In terms of the modelling engine, every player will have their tonal preference of course, but, for me, what Roland has done with the new GP6 and GP9 models sonically is truly remarkable and impressive. :)
Were you improvising all those pieces? They sound incredible.
Stu frequently improvises the musical excerpts when demoing pianos in these videos. :)
Thank Stu, the piano sounds beautiful, particularly with those rhapsodic phrases. Recorded via microphones?
Hi Mike! Brent here! I would have to check with the production team, but, usually, the sound is captured by recording direct line outs from the piano. The issue with capturing the speaker system is that the microphones used and the room the piano is placed in will inevitably colour the sound in some ways. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Hope to see a comparison between GP9 and NV5S
Hi there! Thanks for the suggestion! We usually stick to pianos in the same category (i.e. digital grands vs digital grands), but I will certainly pass on the suggestion to our production team for you. :)
Amazing piano great Job Roland and team. Stu you are the best. It has been many years I watching your piano reviews you are very passionate and knowledgeable about the pianos. As a piano specialist & Player I love to watch the piano reviews never missed any CZcams videos but currently you are best on CZcams world. I have played many Roland pianos but I never get impressed like Kawai and Yamaha specially considering the sound, Roland pianos are good but I always felt that something is missing in the sound. Kawai is doing very good in their mid level to premium level digital pianos and the have best sounding stage pianos in the market with the very authentic key action, I am taking about the MP11SE & VPC 1 totally value for money products and a very long lasting instruments. I am really impressed with the GP9 it sounds very close to the acoustic and I am sure action will be better than PHA50 and Grand Hybrid. GP9 is flagship in a Roland line and it sounds like flagship piano. I have a question if I can spend this much money on the digital then it’s better to go with Kawai Hybrid pianos Aurus series so that user can have both the experience acoustic and digital and the warranty is 10 years that is the best part plus resale value will be better because of the acoustic piano and it will last long then any digital pianos. I like the sound of GP9 it has the German and Usa Steinway character but I feel it more sounds like Estonia’s Grand. I hope this pianos work well with the line out because many people prefer grand on stage because in our country to find a good piano tuner is very difficult. Piano like this can definitely solve the purpose in such situations. Transportation is also not easy. I don’t know durable. In my country warranty on Roland/Yamaha/Kawai digital is only one year and Yamaha is giving only one year of warranty on their all acoustic piano line so funny because on a PSR basic keyboards they are giving 3 years warranty. My question is who will spend huge amount on the digital piano of the warranty period is just one year it better to go with acoustic pianos. Thanks 🙏
Hi! Brent here! Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to write in with your question. It is surprising to hear that the warranty time frame on Roland, Kawai, and Yamaha digital pianos is only 1 year in your region. Here, a digital grand like the GP9 would be eligible for a 10 year warranty on parts and labour. However, different countries and markets will have different stipulations for their warranties of course. In terms of the decision between a Kawai Aures model and GP9, it ultimately comes down to a matter of personal preference. The Kawai Aures models will be more versatile in that they also have the option of being used as an acoustic instrument. The Aures piano sounds are also quite different than the GP9 (very warm and lush), which may or may not be the preference depending on the music you are playing. My recommendation would be to test out both options in person to see which you resonate with more musically. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much for your reply. Really appreciate a lot. As you said I am totally agree with you but in my country there’s no facility to see all this pianos. In my country the importer and showroom owner does not provide to see this type of high end products. Except some showroom they keep the products on display and mostly they keep basic keyboard for pianos we have very very limited options, business policy is totally different here. It’s a long story I Don’t want to get in to that. Last 18 year I am working with musical instruments reseller as a piano and keyboard specialist and I also take care of pro-audio also a assistant brand manager for Korg and we create localised data for Korg keyboards and we are doing very well with keyboards. Piano market is growing in India and only broad minded business owner will do better in future because now days customers are very educated and social media helps a lot to them. Mr.Stu’s and others reviewers definitely helps them to select the correct product. So the effort you all are putting that benefits to customers and to Brands. Every importer and showroom owner should make the product review. It’s a surprise but most of my instruments I bought without even having demo and now I am looking to buy a good digital piano that can be used best as a midi controller too and I love Kawai MP11SE and VPC1 but now very soon they will comes out with the new models it’s already a long wait I don’t know why they don’t releasing this anyway I don’t have choice I have to wait. Aurs series is not available in India and piano like GP or any other high end Kawai Yamaha products in my country no facility of demo. It’s a big investment and companies should do something for warranty because it’s a their call if they have to increase the business for expensive products then they must do something for warranty. Hoping for the best from the piano makers like Yamaha Kawai Roland Casio.
Thank you sir 🙏
Fantastic review! I'm currently holding off on the LX708 as I'm hoping a new LX8 series is not to far around yhe corner 🙏 I came here to see what is possible that Roland might place into that new LX when it gets released i.e the new audio engine you mentioned here or perhaps that newer piano action you mentioned...do you have any thoughts on this? 😅 🙏😇
Thanks so much! We appreciate you taking the time to tune in. :)
We haven't formally heard any details about the successor to the LX708, but I imagine the next generation will certainly feature some of the new tech in Roland's GP6 and GP9 models.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for the update and I really enjoy your expressions on all these beautiful pieces 🏆
We really need a GP-9 vs GP-6 comparison now. Is the 9 really worth almost twice as much as the 6? Inquiring minds want to know! 😊
Thanks for the suggestion! We will do our best to tackle that comparison. A full review and comparison of the three GP models would be quite compelling. :)
@@MerriamPianos A comparison of the three GP models would be nice, but I would prefer a head-to-head comparison of the GP-9 and the GP-6 that answers the question "Does the GP-6 give me 80-90% of what I'd get from the GP-9, for half the price?" Thanks, looking forward to whatever you guys come up with! 🙂
Interesting question! I hope some of the following might be helpful to you. 1. If you have not already done so it might be useful for you for you to view the 7th March 2023 CZcams review of the Roland GP series by The Australian Piano Warehouse. 2. The long answer to your question: (i) In the UK the delivered cost of the GP-9 now costs more than double the GP-6 (£9499 v £4079) (ii) On registration by the instrument owner, both instruments come with 10 year warranties for parts and for on-site labour from Roland (iii) Comparisons of the respective models in their sound production and modelling technologies, their perfectly linear velocity curves, their limitless polyphony and the connectivity capabilities of each instrument (comparisons which can mostly be made from the Owner's Manuals freely available online) reveals that each are similar with the GP-9 having more speakers and greater output power (150 watts v 100 watts). The instruments also have the same ivory feel naturals and ebony feel sharps. (iii) The major difference between the models lies in their respective actions and consequently in the degree of musical 'control' each offers to the player. In technical terms, the GP-9 has a slightly modified PHA 100 folded action with a pivot point length of 10.5"; the GP-6 has a PHA 50 folded action (the same as in the LX706) with a pivot point of 9". 3. The short answer to your question: it all depends on your criteria, the relative importance to each other of those criteria and your budget plus space constraints (if any). 4. I myself have just purchased a GP-9. For me, the greater control enabled by the modified PHA 100 action of the GP-9 (derived from its longer pivot length compared with the pivot length of the action in the GP-6) was decisive. Even if the GP-6 was available for free, I would not have wanted it - the GP-6 would not enable me to achieve the musical results that I want and neither would I be able further substantially to improve my technical standard (currently at a 'higher intermediate' level). 5. However, each individual's evaluation of an action is to SOME EXTENT, a subjective matter. Stu Harrison and others in other reviews have stated that from their perspective Roland's PHA 50 action is a good action.
@@donalwalsh1129 Thank you so much for that very detailed, and very helpful, reply. It sounds like the answer to my "80-90%" question is probably "Yes", but, at least in your case, the "missing" 10-20% is a deal-breaker, regardless of the price differential between the two models. As usual, the answer is always "Find one and play it!" So many pianos to play, so little time... 🙂
A question: just trying to wrap my head around the sound quality of digital pianos .......how would the sound quality/dynamics of the GP compare to playing to the same music back on a quality stereo system in the same room??
That is a difficult question to answer as it ultimately depends on the stereo system you are comparing it to. With that said, the GP9's sophisticated speaker system would rival some pretty impressive home stereo systems in my opinion. :)
Is it expensive eye candy? Let’s find out 😊 The first question is why they use SuperNATURAL Sound Engine (not PureAcoustic Modeling)
It does not use the Supernatural engine. It uses the brand new 'Piano Reality' Modelling Sound Engine.
The Roland GP9 is an excellent instrument in my opinion! It is the perfect solution for a player that is looking for the aesthetic of an acoustic baby grand and convenience/feature offering of a digital instrument. Also, as MostEasterlySteve mentioned, the GP9 uses a brand new tone engine called the "Piano Reality Modelling Sound Engine". It is one of the best modelling engines I have experienced! :)
If Stu replaces his NV5 with this then I would believe him haha🎶
@@MostEasterlySteve Listen to what Stu says: “It is an updated SuperNatural Piano engine”
@@MerriamPianos As Stu said, it is a derivative of SuperNatural engine
Is it noticeably better to play than the previous GP609 for someone who is far from a professional player? And am I imagining it, or was the 609 slightly nicer in appearance and a little bigger??
It has been improved in every way. I went in to get the gp-609 back in February but the last set was sold right in front of me, and got offered the gp9 instead and the guy in the store said that everything about it is better. I can tell you that it is absolutely amazing but I have only tried the 609 in the shop so I wouldn’t be able to compare. But for what I’m told the new gp-9 is a lot better.
@@huladance5864 Thank you
Hi! Brent here! In my opinion, the GP9 is a meaningful upgrade from the GP609. Every element of the musical experience has been refined and updated to achieve a more pleasing musical experience from my perspective. And that is saying a lot because the GP609 is a fantastic instrument! :)
I'm hoping it is beter than a GP609. Because I tried one, and if it wasn't for that grand piano stile case I wouldn't have liked it. The case is the only thing I liked about it🎹🎶
Thanks for the great vid again. I see there's an LX706 right next to it, wondering how both actions compare, especially given thay they're both essentially the same HG action, is there really that much difference in feeling or is it rather a sesor upgrade aspect? Thanks
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the kind words! We're glad you enjoyed the video. While the LX706 and and GP9's actions have a fairly comparable feel physically, there is a substantial difference in the sensor system and the rate at which it is able to capture and process the expressive nuances and details of a player's performance. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
I'm really into buying this one.. but I wish to ask your opinion how does compare to you to the best of Kawai and Yamaha, which is your personal favourite? I tried GP6 last week and I loved it. I'm a professional pianist, but I don't really want to invest into acoustic since the acoustics I love are starting at 40k price point. I'm planning probably use this at home for myself, lessons, concerts which I host at my place and possibly use it with VST's like VSL or Garritan as well. Also it's interesting - how the action compares to Grand Feel and Grand Feel 3 from Kawai? I own mp11se currently.
Roland has definitely drawn a line in the sand with the GP9. With that said, in comparison to other manufacturers' digital grand pianos, such as Kawai's NV10S, there are a few things to consider. The GP9 is a modelling-based engine, which will have a different flavour than traditional sample-based engines like the NV10S. Furthermore, there is the aesthetic consideration. Some other company's digital grands do not have the full acoustic grand piano aesthetic, whereas the GP9 does. The GP9's action plays a little heavier than the GFI and GFIII actions in my opinion. However, with that said, it is always best to take some time to test out these models yourself in person, as tone and touch preferences are a very personal and subjective thing.
@@MerriamPianos appreciate your response :)
This is an astonishing instrument. Anyone here have thoughts on prospective resale/trade in value (assuming excellent condition).
Also,would be interesting to know how many of these will be made for US market. The GP-609 is amazing as well but have not seen any used. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks for another great video.
Thank you kindly! We appreciate you tuning in. The GP9 just came out very recently, so I think you would be hard-pressed to find a used one at this time. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for your reply! Yes, far too soon but was wondering if you had an opinion about aftermarket of its Supernatural predecessor the GP-609
That slightly artificial Roland sound is gone. Awesome! As Stu says, it comes really close to the analogue, warm character of a NV5s. Question is: Can Roland replicate this sound without the help of a big soundboard in a standard digital upright? I'm looking forward the new LX generation.
The GP9 is certainly a benchmark for Roland in terms of its authenticity! It is truly impressive. :)
I suppose we will see what Roland comes up with their next flagship line of digital uprights.
You mentioned the weight is around 360 lbs, what is the usually weight of an acoustic equivalent ?
Great review, the piano sounds beautiful. of course you make everything sound good ;-)
I'm not sure but you have the heavy framing timbers underneath, and more substantial rim, and the cast iron plate for starters. An actual 9 footer is a heavy beast to move. One more reason I would prefer this for personal use, and in most jazz clubs, and in many institutions. One problem is that it won't work when there is no electricity.
The average 5'0" baby grand piano is roughly 600-650 lbs (approximately double the GP9). Thanks for your kind words! We appreciate it.
How does the GP9 compare to the Kawai NV10S?
They are quite different in terms of touch, tone, and aesthetic. They are both amazing instruments, but the choice comes down to personal preference. The Kawai NV10S has a warmer tonal profile by default compared to the more transparent tone of the GP9. The actions also have a very different feel given one is an acoustic action (NV10S' Millennium III action). It plays a bit heavier than the GP9. In either case, they are great pianos. It will come down to the personal preferences of the player. :)
Hi. Any chance of you doing a compare of the GP6 vs the GP9
Hi there! Thanks for the suggestion! That would be an interesting comparison. Perhaps, even a complete GP line comparison would be an interesting topic to explore. I will pass the suggestion onto our production team and we will do our best to tackle that comparison for you. :)
Yes, given the substantial price difference between the two models, I think quite a few people would be wondering if the GP6 gets you 90% of the GP9's sound and feel qualities for 60% of the price...
Hi Stu, great video as always! One question, how is the sound through headphones?. I have had a Yamaha NU1x and Kawai NV5 and I think the sound of the headphones in the Kawai is the closer to the speakers. The Binaural in the Yamaha sounded nothing like the speakers, which did not like. Also, is the haptic available when playing with headphones?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you so much for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
The GP9 has an excellent headphone sound that is quite comparable to the overall sonic profile from the onboard speakers in my opinion. Roland has invested a lot of time on the RND side of things to develop this exceptional headphone system. Also, I don't believe the haptic system is impacted by the use of headphones. I believe the haptic system still functions when using headphones.
@@MerriamPianosthank you very much for the reply!
Is the sound being recorded direct out, or are there microphones on the speakers?
Generally speaking, we take a direct line out from the piano to capture the audio. With that said, Stu usually specifies in the videos when a pair of microphones are being used to capture the onboard speaker system. :)
@@MerriamPianos I was looking for those captions.
@@MerriamPianos I thought he said he was playing mostly speakers on the GP-9.
I can't seem to find a single video that demos the organ sounds. The piano sounds are awesome, but occasionally I will want to play the organ. Are the organ patches the same patches as the Roland stage instruments of yesteryear?
I am not entirely sure if they are the exact same organ sounds featured in other Roland models. With that said, the sonic presentation of the organ sounds are completely different on the GP9 thanks to its incredible speaker system. While it is always a matter of subjectivity with these types of conversations, I have found the organ sounds to be quite incredible through the GP9! :)
Does it have a function to hide the electronic part (buttons and the little screen) like they did in some previous models ?
It actually has a buttonless display, which you can hide in the settings. This retains more of the full aesthetic of an acoustic grand piano. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you a lot !
You don’t even have to go into the settings, you just press once on the power button. Have one my self and I’m absolutely stoked about it. I’ve played acustic grand pianos and this is as good as an acustic.
Do you think these digital baby grands are making it more difficult to justify upright acoustic purchases assuming piano size is not an issue?
That is a good question, but I think the clientele for uprights/grands and digital/acoustic are usually distinct due to the space concerns as well as the functionality (i.e. volume control, headphone practice, etc.) between the two. However, for some customers, you may very well be correct. :)
Upright acoustics have been obsolete in my book for a long time.
While in theory, these are different markets with different customers, I believe that many uprights are purchased because a good (baby) grand was not affordable. I see this happen all the time at jazz clubs and small theatres, and so pianos like the GP6 and GP9 should be very interesting to such customers.
But at committee level, nobody wants to be the fool who recommended a piano that needs replacing as soon as the warranty runs out. With medium-heavy use, a good secondhand upright may serve a venue up to thirty years, and it still won't have fallen apart. Accordingly, manufacturers and dealerships selling digital baby grands must provide strong assurances about parts, servicing and enhancements being available for decades to come.
@@Zoco101 Do a CZcams search for Yamaha AvantGrand, and learn about the problems one owner is having with his. I know some people who bought a Yamaha DiskClavier upright some years back and the electronics are completely obsolete. Then there is the Yamaha Clavinova I bought for $300.00 that originally sold for a little over $5,000.00. The piano part played, but most of the rest had gone obsolete. Frankly I'm not at all that keen on my DGX. It has some strong points, but a lot of negatives too. The OS in particular is very much a kludge. There doesn't seem to be any firmware upgrade path.
That depends. There are people who like the sound of an upright, and prefer it to a digital or even a grand piano. Depends on what you like🎹🎶
Can you share the grand piano setting ? Brilliance , ambience etc … thanks
Hi! Brent here! Unless otherwise stated, we typically use the primary default piano sample and settings to demonstrate the instrument. :)
Impressive. Maybe Roland has a digital that can compete with Yamaha and Kawai now.
The GP9 is certainly a massive step up from its digital grand predecessors. The sound, touch, and speaker systems are all phenomenal! I highly recommend testing one out in person. :)
Please make a video comparing Roland GP9 vs. Dexibell H10 Vivo Mini Grand.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for the suggestion! We are not Dexibell dealers and, furthermore, they are not super common in Canada. So, with that said, it may be tough to tackle this comparison. We will do our best though! We appreciate the suggestion. :)
Stu, I just bought this piano. Amazing! However, I can not find a way to lower the volume of the internal library of music accompaniment. Eg: scales, czerny, Hanson. The background music plays so loudly I can barely here my playing. I've searched the manual, Google, reddit. Nothing lowers the volume. Backing track volume, eg: jazz chords and drums I can lower volume, just not the lessons and concerto accompaniment. Any ideas? I love this piano and want to get the most out of it.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on your new GP9! It is a wonderful piano. I know you will be quite happy with what it offers musically. That is strange to hear that you are having issues with the internal music library volume. I just tested that feature on our GP9 floor model and the master volume does affect the internal music library. So, that is strange to hear that your GP9 is functioning differently. It may be worthwhile connecting with your dealer to see if a tech could troubleshoot.
Can you play one-note legato on GP9 ?
I mean if you repeat one note, without
triggering note-off on previous key-strike
It could certainly be with a combination of one's touch and the damper/sustain pedal. With that said, I am quite confident you could emulate that effect through manipulation of the many adjustable parameters onboard. :)
I am thinking of getting GP-9 -to play on its own as well as to connect Logic Pro to it to play my Logic X files through the GP-9 speakers. I know I can go out the headphone jack on the MacBook to the piano but would the USB port in the piano be able to process the USB audio out of the MacBook/Logic Pro? The specs said USB Midi and digital audio but not sure if it can send and receive auto and midi via the USB
Yup - according to the spec sheet, the Roland GP9 does in fact have a USB audio interface. It is quite the impressive, fully-loaded instrument when you look through its specifications and functionality. :)
I will add a video at some point on the DAW and audio/midi connections. Using iPad Logic Pro with piano could be a great ccombo
Im planning to get a gp6 as that's what's in my local piano store I'm a pianist who plays jazz and classical and I like the gp6 alot but I'm won if the gp9 is worth the extra money
They are both fantastic! I would recommend testing both out to see how you feel about the difference. Some players find the playing experience to be drastically different. :)
@MerriamPianos unfortunately I can't try the gp9 as it's not in a store so I would have to order it blind
@MerriamPianos thanks for your help I decided on a used c bechstein 5 foot 8 grand piano for 15 thousand I got it regulated and tuned and it sounds amazing
Maybe Stu could make a video where he is just improvising for an hour?
Some Stu performance-focused videos could be quite exciting! Thanks for the suggestion! :)
Be great to hear this against its rivals and against the LX708 to hear how it compares?!
Thanks for the suggestion! Perhaps, we should tackle a video that covers company's top-of-the-line digital grand versus their top-of-the-line digital upright. :)
@@MerriamPianos Certainly that would be interesting. I think the comparison of the piano modelling sound engines from Roland would be very intesting:
V-piano-->LX17-->RD2000-->LX708-->GP6/9
Not only sonically, but the capacity to tweek (the parameters etc).
Also interesting would be action differences between PHA50 and the longer pivot versions---are they mechanically equivalent with longer keysticks or mechanistically distinct? Are there any improvements in action mechanism in the new GP line?
What are the chief differences in the 9 and the [revious 609?
Everything has been updated with the GP9, including the core tone engine/piano sounds, the action (namely an updated sensor system), and the speaker system. It is a very substantial update. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for this. Wnen the GP 609 dropped a couple of thousand I thought of buying one based on your review of it. I'm an intermediate player, 63, and wasn't sure about spending the extra for the GP9.
somebody get this man a tailor to take those sleeves in
Having a bit of arm room is important for freedom of motion, which is important to playing at a high-level like Stu demonstrates in this video.
Does the German piano of RD2000 have the same sound as that of GP9?🤔
Hi! Brent here! In my experiences, they are certainly different sounds. In either case, they are both wonderful and engaging piano tones to play with though. :)
@@MerriamPianos
Thank you very much for your explanation
did not like the sound of the old supernatural engine (to clean and bland) but I really (really) dig this new sound
The new Piano Reality engine is fantastic and I certainly agree that it is a massive step up in terms of the musical/sonic experience it provides. :)
Vorrei sapere se il suono proviene dagli altoparlanti del piano
We generally take a direct line-out feed from the piano into an audio interface to capture a digital piano's sound unless otherwise specified. Sometimes, we do use microphones to capture the speaker sound, but Stu addresses that in the video in the cases that we do.
@@MerriamPianos sarebbe interessante fare una recensione col suono degli altoparlanti interni per verificare la bontà del piano nella sua completezza
Does the car come with it? (5:55)😀
I am not sure if I understand the reference. Did Stu mention a car? :)
@@MerriamPianos look closely at the side of the piano at about 5:55 and later
But what’s the price?
The price varies from market to market. Given that we have viewers in virtually all corners of the globe, getting into talking about price can get a bit confusing.
👍🏻
Thanks for tuning in! :)
Ayer estuve probando algunos pianos
La verdad que me lleve una gran desilucion con el nv5 de kawai. El tacto no me gusta nada además muy blando y el sonido regular.
Probé varios pero no tenía el gp6 de roland aunque lo. Veo muy estilo New York más para jazz. Pero tengo que probarlo. Los que si me gustó fueron los yamaha nu1x y por supuesto el avatgrand n1 para mí el. Mejor y el más costoso
Tone and touch preferences are a very personal and subjective thing. Every player will have their own personal tastes. The best bet is to test out as many pertinent models as you can to find the model that you resonate with the most. :)
I don’t know, I liked the previous style of review. this, although great but seems a bit too impersonal to me.
Thanks for the feedback! We're always experimenting with our format looking to refine things, but we always appreciate honest feedback. :)
Love Stu's expression when he was just adoring the uncannily real top octave of the GP-9. 🙂czcams.com/video/NpRejJF7uqA/video.html
Wish I have the space for this incredible instrument.
Roland has really knocked things out of the park sonically with the Roland GP9! That is for sure! :)
not a fan of the big (and ugly) Control panel there. Most high end are moving those functions and features to the app control or a small touch screen control panel on the side that disappears after use. Seems Roland is behind the curve in this regard.
The GP9's interface is a touchscreen with no buttons/knobs (aside from the volume knob). Furthermore, it can be turned off by pressing the power button twice. This allows you to continue playing while having the button-less aesthetic of an acoustic grand piano.
When will Roland realise that the discontinued EP760 was a gem. Plenty of power in the speakers, and basic but decent sounds. Roland should know how many EP760s were sold, and now need replacement. Jesus, like they offer crap replacements, 2.5 watts etc. rubbish. They had a winner in the old 76s and 760s. Brain dead development gurus. They know people used the 76 key units with 10 watts. Why the heck won’t they listen to the customer????
The EP760 was definitely an interesting offering from Roland that was very rich in features for its size and price point. The new EX10 has some similarities to that model and is worth investigation if you were a fan of the EP760. Of course, the speaker system is only 5 watts compared to 10 watts, but the sound is still quite substantial. Keep in mind that twice the amount of wattage does not necessarily translate to twice the volume or perceived volume.
Is nou een piano of keyboard. Ik hoor alleen een piano.😮
The GP9 is equipped with a wide array of onboard instrument sounds, which include both pianos and other instruments.
Roland = EnRolando! Comprei no site da Roland o FP-90X e comparando com meu RD-800 achei seu som abafado e pedi a devolução no segundo dia após sua chegada, depois disso virou um pesadelo. A Roland demora dias pra responder meu chamado, depois dias pra providenciar a coleta e o pior é que após 40 dias ainda não cancelou a compra no cartão de crédito que me recuso a pagar, pois se tivessem feito as coisas como deveria, a compra já estaria cancelada, agora o cartão me cobra o valor e multa, logo meu nome irá ficar negativado, por isso Roland pra mim virou sinônimo de EnRolando!
I'm sorry to hear that you did not have a positive experience with the FP90X. Naturally, different sellers/dealers have different policies when it comes to returns. Some companies only offer returns if a unit is faulty/defective. In any case, I hope that you are able to get your situation resolved as soon as possible and, in the end, I hope you are left with an instrument that inspires your playing.
@@MerriamPianos Agradeço sua atenção! Gosto dos produtos da Roland, tenho um RD-800 e agora comprei o RD-2000, minha intenção aqui é apenas deixar os brasileiros conscientes que é uma empresa que no Brasil, não oferece um bom atendimento ao cliente!
Why does it always have that plastic sound?!
When it comes to pianos/music, beauty is very much in the ears of the beholder. Everyone will have a different opinion/impression of a particular tone.
17:40: "...Ten or fifteen thousand dollar new acoustic grand piano..." Hmm. What decade are you living in? Used Steinway grands, last I priced them, (some years back now) were $40k to $50k.
Stu did not specifically say "Steinway grands". With that said, there are numerous Chinese manufactured brands that offer grand pianos that sell new within the $10,000 to $15,000 range, such as Pearl River.
for that money you can buy a REAL grand. my advice. Don't buy the electronic version, buy a REAL piano.
There are many circumstances where customers do not want the maintenance required for an acoustic piano (tuning, regulation, etc.). Furthermore, situations where volume control or headphone practice is required also demands a digital piano. There is a place on the market for both acoustic and digital grand pianos.