If you’re looking for a versatile, easy-to-use keyboard with great sound quality and features designed for players at any level, the Roland E-X50 Electronic Arranger Keyboard is definitely worth considering. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, this keyboard has something to offer. Let’s dive into why the E-X50 stands out and what you should consider before making your purchase.
First Impressions and Dimensions
The Roland E-X50 has a sleek, modern design that immediately draws attention. Its size is practical for a home setup or small gigs. Measuring approximately 41.7 x 16.1 x 5.5 inches and weighing around 15 pounds, it strikes a good balance between being substantial and portable. This means you can easily move it around your house, take it to rehearsals, or even bring it to smaller performances without too much hassle.
While it’s not exactly “ultra-light,” the weight is manageable, making it more portable than many keyboards in its class. For musicians who travel a lot, this portability is a major plus. It fits comfortably in most keyboard bags, and while you won’t be slinging it over your shoulder like a guitar, it’s definitely easy enough to transport in your car or carry short distances.
Sound Quality and Voices
When it comes to sound, Roland has always had a great reputation, and the E-X50 lives up to that standard. One of the highlights of this arranger keyboard is its expansive range of sounds. With over 600 built-in voices (sounds) at your disposal, you can play everything from realistic grand pianos to electric pianos, synths, strings, and world instruments. These sounds are incredibly lifelike and rich, giving you the feel of playing on much more expensive equipment.
The keyboard also comes with an impressive selection of drum kits and rhythmic backing tracks. Whether you’re experimenting with pop, jazz, rock, or even classical music, the E-X50 can handle it all. And with its arranger functions, you can layer tracks, add rhythms, and create full songs on the fly. This makes it a great tool for songwriting, performing solo, or simply practicing with a fuller sound.
Playability and User-Friendly Interface
The Roland E-X50 is built with playability in mind. It features 61 full-size keys that have a nice, responsive feel to them. While it doesn’t offer the weighted keys that mimic a traditional piano, the semi-weighted keys are comfortable and provide good control over dynamics, making it easy to transition between soft and loud playing.
The layout of the keyboard’s controls is intuitive, so even if you’ve never used an arranger keyboard before, you won’t feel overwhelmed. The buttons and dials are clearly labeled, and the central display screen provides all the info you need when selecting sounds, rhythms, or adjusting settings. This user-friendly design is especially beneficial for beginners, but experienced players will also appreciate how quickly you can navigate through the various functions.
Pros of the Roland E-X50
- Extensive Sound Library: With over 600 voices and numerous rhythms, you’ll never run out of sounds to experiment with.
- Ease of Use: Its interface is straightforward and easy to navigate, making it accessible for beginners and a time-saver for pros.
- Portability: While not the lightest keyboard on the market, its manageable weight and size make it easy to transport, especially for gigging musicians.
- Built-In Speakers: The built-in speaker system is surprisingly powerful for a keyboard at this price point. You can practice without external speakers, and the sound fills a room nicely.
- Affordable Price: Considering all the features it packs in, the Roland E-X50 is reasonably priced. It offers great value for its cost, especially for those who want an arranger keyboard without breaking the bank.
Cons of the Roland E-X50
- Non-Weighted Keys: While the semi-weighted keys are comfortable, pianists who are used to fully weighted keys might miss the heavier feel of an acoustic piano or more premium digital pianos.
- Limited Polyphony: The E-X50 offers 128-note polyphony, which is sufficient for most users. However, more advanced players who layer complex tracks might find the polyphony limits noticeable.
- No Battery Option: Unlike some portable keyboards, the E-X50 must be plugged in at all times, which limits its use in situations without easy access to power.
- Lack of Advanced Features: For the more experienced or tech-savvy player, the E-X50 might feel a bit limited in terms of deep customization or studio-level recording options.
Functionality and Features
The arranger aspect of the Roland E-X50 is one of its biggest selling points. With this feature, you can create backing tracks in real-time while you play. You can choose from a variety of rhythms, such as Latin, rock, pop, or jazz, and build a full-sounding accompaniment with just a few button presses. This is great for solo performances or songwriting sessions, giving you the feeling of playing with a full band.
For practice sessions, the arranger functions make playing fun and engaging. You can experiment with different styles and tempos, helping to improve your timing and improvisation skills.
The keyboard also comes with some handy tools like a metronome and recording functions. The recording option is useful for musicians who want to capture ideas on the go without needing to set up an external recorder. You can save your performances or compositions directly onto a USB drive and transfer them to your computer later.
Connectivity and Extras
The E-X50 doesn’t skimp on connectivity. It includes USB ports for both MIDI and audio connections, allowing you to integrate it with your digital audio workstation (DAW) or other external devices. This is especially handy for those who want to use the keyboard for studio work or digital composing. There’s also an auxiliary input, so you can connect an external audio source and play along with your favorite tracks.
The built-in speakers sound great for personal practice or small gatherings, but if you need more volume or depth, the keyboard comes with stereo outputs to connect to an external PA system or amplifier. Unfortunately, there’s no Bluetooth connectivity, which would have been a nice feature for wireless integration with mobile devices or tablets.
Conclusion
In summary, the Roland E-X50 Electronic Arranger Keyboard is a versatile, powerful, and affordable option for musicians of all skill levels. Its extensive sound library, arranger functions, and user-friendly interface make it a joy to play, whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience under your belt. While it may not have some of the advanced features or fully weighted keys that more seasoned players might seek, it offers fantastic value for the price.
If you’re looking for a portable, capable keyboard that can keep up with your creative ideas, the Roland E-X50 is a strong contender.