REVIEW: Roland C-30 Digital Harpsichord

Roland's now discontinued C-30 digital harpsichord is highly sought after for performances and rehearsals. It offers a complete package of French and Flemish harpsichord sounds, postiv organ, fortepiano, with temperaments at the touch of a button. Here is a review and try out of all the sounds. There are musical examples from the Bach Sinfonias, the Clavierubung II, Mozart, and Byrd

[weightlessliving]

Wow. Those two Positiv organ tones were very impressive. This would make a great chamber organ. What a lovely instrument, and lovely playing as well!

[pianissimist]

I own one of these. It's very versatile. The "dynamic" harpsichord setting actually has a good use: with the buff and 4' combined, it provides a good clavichord simulation.

[soarornor]

The renaissance painting recreation is on the other side of that panel. It slides out. I ended up removing the lid to accommodate a Roland C-200 above it. All the Roland Classic series keyboards are great but for some reason, Roland was ultra quiet about letting people know about them. They were never featured in music gear catalogs. Apparently the strategy was selling them in piano stores exclusively which really limited their exposure. This harpsichord was kind of a labor of love between Roland’s founder and his daughter who played harpsichord and wanted the most accurate electronic version. They worked hard to get it right and they did. I love the forte piano sound on this as well as the two organs which can be combined. The C-200 has all of this and more but not as much effort went into the harpsichord sounds as the C-30. Still decent though. The C-230 is another piece that came out around the same time as the C-30 and has similar casing structure. This one is all about the organ but has excellent harpsichord sounds as well. Also includes forte piano, celeste, and chimes. You can combine many of the sounds. I’m surprised that you didn’t demonstrate the wonderful clunky, woody key noises that are adjustable and bring added realism to the sound. This is indeed a great piece and worth the outlay. My first exposure to the Roland Classic series was the C-180. It has great organ sounds, and includes piano, strings, choral, and a few others . The organ sounds (with stops) are excellent and where the main focus was. It’s all plastic construction and very portable. Finally, when you played the organ I immediately recognized the piece and my brain went into overdrive to identify it. I guess the keyboard player for Soft Machine borrowed that as an intro to the song “A Certain Kind” on the first Soft Machine album. Who is the original composer?

[sukeyfrugalfrau]

I never knew this existed. Now of course I would like to get my hands on one. Bach of course is one of my favorite composers and in addition to that I love the medieval and Renaissance music too. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

[BookOfFaustus]

I have wanted one of these for over 10 years, I still do!

[EmberwolfXR]

OK another thing to add to my bucket list that I want now!!❤

[eugeneseed]

You are very lucky to have acquired this instrument. This instrument is no longer available for purchase in Japan. I tried it out at a music store when it first came out, and it was a wonderful instrument. Since it is an electronic instrument, I think it will reach the end of its lifespan at some point, but I think it can still be played well, so please enjoy it.

[SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior]

That actually surprised me and now I want one. Great demo!

[kewnbbe]

This was great and I appreciate your playing, comments and presentation of the instrument's possibilities. We have had a lot of problems with our modern, acoustic harpsichord and I am searching for an alternative. Strings breaking and issues with plectra among other things has me on the lookout for an electronic instrument than can co-habitate with acoustic strings and baroque winds. This sounds like it might fit the bill. Thanks again. Mostly Baroque (US)

[IvanEDaza]

I would think Roland confused a Haprsichord with a Clavichord and that’s why they came up with that design of the instrument and keys, it would make more sense imo.

[jeannetebebing]

The best so far for me, love this one.😊😊😊

[liebestraum]

I didn't know there are digital harpsichord! Amazing video and playings, thank you for uploading!

[Muzikman]

If I had read/heard about this instrument in passing I think I really wouldn't have seen the point. Watching your demo I completely get it! Great little instrument (and, evidently a good demo too, nice one!)

[james.flores]

Thanks for reviewing this compact little instrument.

[paacer]

Lovely sounding instrument . Great review, thanks .

[mammutan]

Nice room and nice presentation.
I love the C-30 harpsichord sound of the key release and resonance of the sounding board.
I know it's sampling. But it's important to reproduce the harpsichord sound faithfully.
My C-30 in Japan has so beautiful picture board printing angels playing music.
It makes me feel better.

[pyramos]

Danke vielmals.Das "Roland" ist viel besser als ich dachte. Ich wurde angenehm überrascht.

[dees]

So regrettable that they stopped producing these. Such a need as they are a great work horse. We’ve used them a lot. Dread the day they stop working. Thank you for the great video. Well done finding one! It’s like getting the best prize ever at the bottom of the box of cereal……

[benjaminniemczyk]

The C-30 is one of the best digital harpsichords ever produced, but I agree that the keys could be better. They do feel toy-like and are small, so rehearing on the instrument requires a change of thought and technique. I do wonder why Roland did not try to reach the quality of their at-the-time Rodgers keyboards? Even so, the C-30 is excellent and absolutely qualified for Baroque performance. Once the orchestra plays, it is difficult or impossible to tell the difference. And no tuning needed! The temperaments are a brilliant addition, and the fortepiano allows for all those great Mozart and Haydn works. A curious note, the manual states that one must combine fortepiano sounds to achieve the authentic minimum, which is a bit odd. But I suppose that allows for more individual sounds? Anyway, great video! Make more!

[TheCaffeinatedOrganist]

I enjoyed this. I see the C-30 is still on the Roland website… I own the Rodgers 2-manual version called “Grand Double Harpsichord” from 1994. It was $10, 000 back then, but I paid under 6, 000. Thanks again