Over the past few years, Roland has introduced its GO series of keyboard instruments, aimed at more beginner musicians who want to learn how to play the piano.
There are now five models in the lineup. All have similarities, but two have a greater focus towards pure piano learning, while the other three include more features found on general keyboard instruments.
Here we take a look at them — how they compare, what’s different, and which you should choose if you’re considering purchasing one of them.
The Five
The first models were released in 2017. The five are:
- GO:KEYS (GO-61K)
- GO:KEYS 3
- GO:KEYS 5
- GO:PIANO (GO-61K)
- GO:PIANO 88 (GO-88P)
The name — KEYS or PIANO — denotes whether the instrument is considered more for pianists or general keyboard players, while the number denotes how many keys the keyboard has — either 61 or 88.
Comparison
We’ll look at the most important aspects most consider when choosing a keyboard instrument.
Keys
All five instruments have synth/organ style keys. They are not weighted at all. This keeps the weight and cost of the instrument down, but means the playing experience compared to an acoustic or more expensive digital piano is less authentic. That said, especially for younger players, a lighter touch can make it easier to play. The key size and spacing is full-size compared to a piano, and the key shape is boxed rather than flat (as found on synths, organs and many home keyboards) which also adds to the realism.
All keys are touch sensitive, meaning the faster you strike them, the louder the sound. There is no aftertouch, which is as expected on instruments in this price range.
The GO:PIANO 88 has the full range of 88 keys, while the others have 61 keys (five octaves).
Sounds
The GO:KEYS 3 and GO:KEYS 5 feature Roland’s ZEN-Core sound system, which promises a high level of realism of real world sounds including pianos, other keyboard instruments, strings and such like. Roland doesn’t specify what system is being used on the other three models, but we can assume it will be of a decent quality given Roland’s history in the digital piano and synth market.
The original GO:KEYS and the two PIANO models have a decent 128 notes of polyphony, while the GO:KEYS 3 and GO:KEYS 5 have 256.
All the GO:KEYS models have hundreds or even over one thousand built-in sounds, while the GO:PIANO has 40 and the GO:PIANO 88 just four. This underlines the difference in expectation of playing style between the two sets.
Accompaniments
The GO:KEYS 3 and 5 both have over 200 accompaniment styles and a chord sequencer, while the original GO:KEYS has a loop mix feature and interactive chord function. It also has ten performance pads, which no other model has.
The GO:PIANOs have no accompaniment feature at all, although they do have a built-in metronome.
Recording
All but the 88-key GO:PIANO have some form of recording, be that purely MIDI or audio based. Capacity and storage varies between models.
The GO:KEYS 5 has a microphone input.
Sound System
All models have built in amplification and speakers. The GO:KEYS and GO:PIANO 61 have two 2.5W amps, while the GO:PIANO 88 has a more powerful 10Wx2. The GO:KEYS 3 and 5 don’t specify the amplification rating.
All have fairly decent speakers, with bigger ones on the 88-key PIANO, and something called passive radiators on the GO:KEYS 5.
Connectivity
All models have headphone/audio line out, pedal jack, USB, and power in. The GO:KEYS 5 has two pedal jacks so a sustain and a controller pedal can be used. All models can run from AC or battery power.
Dimensions
Size dimensions are fairly similar across the board, excepting the 88-key GO:PIANO which is wider to accommodate its extra keys.
Weight varies from 3.9kg for the original GO:KEYS up to 7kg for the GO:PIANO 88.
Colours
Available in the following colours:
- GO:KEYS – Red
- GO:KEYS 3 – Turquoise / Dark Red / Midnight Blue
- GO:KEYS 5 – Black / White
- GO:PIANO – Black
- GO:PIANO 88 – Black
Pricing
RRP is as follows:
- GO:KEYS
- GO:KEYS 3 – $349.99 Buy
- GO:KEYS 5 – $499.99 Buy
- GO:PIANO – $349.99 Buy
- GO:PIANO 88 – $391.99 Buy
Specifications
GO:KEYS (GO-61K) | GO:KEYS 3 | GO:KEYS 5 | GO:PIANO (GO-61K) | GO:PIANO 88 (GO-88P) | |
Keys | |||||
No. Keys | 61 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 88 |
Key SIze | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
Key Weight | Synth | Synth | Synth | Synth | Synth |
Velocity Sensitive | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Aftertouch | N | N | N | N | N |
Sounds | |||||
Sound Engine | Unspecified | ZEN-Core | ZEN-Core | Unspecified | Unspecified |
Polyphony | 128 | 256 | 256 | 128 | 128 |
Parts | 16 | – | – | – | |
MIDI Format | GM2 | – | – | GM2 | – |
No. Sounds | 554 | 1154 | 1154 | 40 | 4 |
Effects | Multi-Effects/ Chorus/ Reverb | Tone MFX: 2 systems, 93 types Total MFX: 1 system, 15 types Reverb: 1 system, 4 types | Tone MFX: 2 systems, 93 types Total MFX: 1 system, 15 types Reverb: 1 system, 4 types | Multi-Effects/ Chorus/ Reverb Damper Resonance | Reverb |
Keyboard | |||||
Transpose | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Octave Shift | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
Dual | – | Y | Y | N | N |
Split | – | Y | Y | N | N |
Auto Accompaniment | |||||
No. Styles | – | 203 | 203 | – | – |
Functions | – | Start, Stop, Intro, Ending, Sync Start, Variation1, Variation2, Variation3, Variation4, Part Mute | Start, Stop, Intro, Ending, Sync Start, Variation1, Variation2, Variation3, Variation4, Part Mute | – | – |
Chord Sequencer | – | 304 types | 304 types | – | – |
Loop Mix | |||||
Loop Mix Set | 22 sets | – | – | – | – |
Number of Patterns | 1232 | – | – | – | – |
Chord | Interactive chord function | – | – | – | – |
Tempo | 5-300 | – | – | – | – |
Performance Pad | |||||
Number of Pads | 10 | – | – | – | – |
Function | Bender: Pitch Bend/Modulation Effect: Roll/Filter | Pitch bend wheel | Pitch bend wheel | – | – |
Recorder | |||||
Save Format | SMF0 | Proprietary / audio | Proprietary / audio | SMF0 | – |
Song Storage | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 | – |
Note Storage | 30,000 | 70,000 | 70,000 | 30,000 | – |
Mic Effects | – | – | Auto Harmony: 9 types Voice Transformer, Compressor, Noise Suppressor | – | – |
Bluetooth | v4.2 | v5.0 | v5.0 | v4.2 | v4.0 |
User Scenes | – | 256 | 256 | – | – |
Arpeggiator | – | Y | Y | – | – |
Metronome | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Other | |||||
Display | Custom backlit LCD | Graphic LCD | Custom backlit LCD | – | |
Amplifier | 2.5Wx2 | Unspecified | Unspecified | 2.5Wx2 | 10Wx2 |
Speakers | 12x6cm x2 | 12x6cm x2 | 5cm x 2, Passive Radiator x2 | 12x6cm x2 | 15x6cm x2 |
Connections | Phones/Output, Aux In, Pedal, USB, DC IN | Phones/Output, Pedal, USB, DC IN | Phones/Output, Aux In, Pedal x2, Mic In, USB, DC IN | Phones/Output, Aux In, Pedal, USB, DC IN | Phones/Output, Aux In, Pedal, USB, DC IN |
Power Supply | AC or battery | AC or battery | AC or battery | AC or battery | AC or battery |
Size Dimensions | 877x271x82mm | 950x286x87mm | 950x286x87mm | 877x271x82mm | 1283x291x87 |
Weight | 3.9kg | 4.5kg | 4.9kg | 3.9kg | 7kg |
Conclusions
All models offer an accessible and cost-effective way in to making music and learning to play piano. All are very capable instruments. The KEYS range are more geared to a general keyboard instrument learning while the PIANO focus more on that, but all in the range have on-board piano sounds.
Other entry-level instruments from other manufacturers are also worth considering, but the GO series are definite contenders.
