Quick fire questions:
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How many sounds does the Roland V-Stage have?
The Roland V-Stage range has 4 engines which offer a range of sounds per engine, the Zen-Core Synth offers over 400 sounds! You’re also able to save up to 512 scene memories.
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What type of keyboard does the V-Stage have?
The Roland V-Stage comes in two flavours:
– V-Stage 88: 88 Hammer Action Ivory feel keys
– V-Stage 76: 76 Semi Weighted Waterfall action keys
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Does the V-Stage require a DI for live performance?
No! Both V-Stage keyboards feature XLR outputs meaning that your sound engineer won’t need to reach for a DI box.
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Controls?
The Roland V-Stage offers a ton of reachable controls, such as drawbars, filter controls. Everything you might want to reach for instantly on stage.

Roland V-Stage vs. Nord Stage vs. Yamaha CP88 Stage Keyboards:
Lets take a look at the Roland V-Stage with the other Stage Keyboard titans Nord, Korg and Yamaha. The Nord Stage 4, Yamaha CP88 and the Korg Grandstage X have all been excellent choices for musicians over the years, but how do they compare?
Keybed and Playability:
Roland V-STAGE:
The V-STAGE 88 features a hammer-action keybed with escapement and Ivory Feel keys, offering a natural acoustic piano feel. It also includes channel aftertouch, which is particularly useful for expressive control in organ and synth performance. The 76-key version uses a compact design while retaining expressive playability.
Best For: Musicians who need a versatile keybed for various styles, from piano to organ and synth techniques.
The CP88 offers a natural wood graded hammer action keybed with synthetic ivory keytops, providing a realistic touch for piano purists. This focus on acoustic piano playability makes it a favourite for traditional pianists.
Best For: Pianists looking for a classic acoustic feel and straightforward usability.
The Nord Stage 4 includes a Triple Sensor keybed across its models, with weighted hammer-action keys in the 88 and 76 versions, and semi-weighted keys in the Compact version. The Triple Sensor design improves responsiveness, particularly for dynamic synth or organ playing.
Best For: Players who require versatility for layered performances, especially with synth-heavy setups.
The Korg Grandstage X features an RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) keybed, which is graded and offers a responsive, authentic piano touch. The 88-key version replicates the feel of a grand piano, with heavier keys in the lower range and lighter keys in the upper range. It is well-suited for pianists who value a traditional touch, but its versatility extends to organ and synth performance.
Best For: Pianists who want a highly realistic piano key feel while also accommodating organ and synth needs.
Sound Engines and Realism:
Roland V-STAGE:
Powered by four sound engines—V-Piano, SuperNATURAL Electric Piano, Virtual Tone Wheel, and ZEN-Core Synth—the V-STAGE excels in versatility and realism. The V-Piano engine offers full polyphony and natural dynamics, while the ZEN-Core engine delivers expansive synth tones with Model Expansions. The Virtual Tone Wheel provides convincing organ emulations.
Unique Feature: Combines piano realism with extensive synth and organ capabilities in one instrument.
Yamaha CP88:
Features 128 polyphonic voices, including 57 sounds such as grand pianos, electric pianos, and clavinets. The CP88 focuses on delivering authentic piano and electric piano tones, with a simpler, more curated sound set than the Roland and Nord.
Unique Feature: High-quality piano sounds with a focus on classic tones, ideal for pianists prioritising simplicity.
Nord Stage 4:
The Nord Wave 2 Synth Engine allows for three independent layers, while the Organ section includes award-winning simulations of vintage tone wheel and transistor organs. The Piano section features enhanced grand, upright, and electric pianos, alongside a vast sample library.
Unique Feature: Comprehensive layering capabilities and organ emulation for complex, dynamic performances.
Korg Grandstage X:
The Korg Grandstage X boasts seven individual sound engines, including the SGX-2 Acoustic Piano Engine, EP-1 Electric Piano Engine, CX-3 Tonewheel Organ Engine, and AL-1 Analog Modeling Synth. This combination provides exceptional versatility and realism, from rich grand piano tones to dynamic synths and vintage organ emulations. The SGX-2 engine utilizes unlooped stereo samples for unparalleled piano sound fidelity.
Unique Feature: A diverse array of seven sound engines with premium-quality acoustic and electric piano tones.
Interface and Workflow:
Roland V-STAGE:
Designed with live performance in mind, the V-STAGE offers a 4.3-inch colour display, 512 scene memories, and 128 scene chains for seamless transitions. The interface is intuitive, with dedicated sections for each sound engine, making it easy to adjust tones and effects during performances.
Best For: Musicians managing complex setlists or frequently switching between sounds on stage.
Yamaha CP88:
The CP88 features a straightforward dial-and-button interface with a small LED display, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. Its seamless sound switching ensures smooth transitions during live performances.
Best For: Players who prefer a no-frills, user-friendly interface tailored for piano-focused performances.
Nord Stage 4:
The newly designed panel includes dedicated LED faders for each layer and physical drawbars with LED indicators for the organ section, enhancing real-time control. It also includes an intuitive preset library for quick access to sounds.
Best For: Performers who need fine-tuned, on-the-fly adjustments, especially for layered performances.
Korg Grandstage X:
The Grandstage X has an intuitive interface designed for live performances, with a colour OLED display and dedicated knobs for quick sound and effect adjustments. Its split and layer functionality is simple to use, allowing for seamless integration of multiple sounds. The favourite buttons enable quick access to commonly used settings, making transitions smooth and efficient during performances.
Best For: Performers who prioritize straightforward navigation and ease of operation in live settings.
Portability and Connectivity:
Roland V-STAGE:
Weighing 21.8kg (88-key), the V-STAGE is relatively lightweight for an 88-key stage keyboard. Connectivity includes balanced XLR outputs, USB-C audio/MIDI, dual USB ports, and an XLR mic input, making it highly versatile for stage and studio use.
Best For: Musicians who need robust connectivity options in a portable design.
Yamaha CP88:
The CP88 is lightweight and portable, making it easy to transport. It also includes XLR outputs and USB integration, ensuring compatibility with live and studio setups.
Best For: Gigging musicians prioritising portability and straightforward connectivity.
Nord Stage 4:
The Nord Stage 4 varies in weight depending on the model, with the 88-key version being lighter than the Roland V-STAGE at 19kg. It includes comprehensive connectivity, such as USB and multiple audio outputs.
Best For: Musicians who value portability with advanced connectivity.
Korg Grandstage X:
The Korg Grandstage X weighs 20.8kg (88-key), balancing portability and durability. Connectivity includes balanced XLR outputs, 1/4-inch line outputs, MIDI in/out, USB audio/MIDI, and a damper pedal input, making it versatile for both live and studio environments.
Best For: Musicians seeking a balanced combination of portability, robust build, and comprehensive connectivity options.
Want to hear them all in action? Here’s our very own Jack D & Dan Bingham doing their blindfold comparison:
Responses & Questions