The catch
Roland FP-E50
You can’t punch in during audio overdubbing to fix a short passage. Plan the take ahead, or use separate software for detailed editing.
Side by side
Roland FP-E50 vs Yamaha DGX-670 for recording or shared lessons: Yamaha edits MIDI parts and Roland layers audio, but neither is a vocal multitracker
Quick verdict
FP-E50 is the choice for headphone sessions for two people and for building audio in separate passes without a computer. DGX-670 is the choice when arranging and revising individual MIDI parts matters more. Yamaha can record a final WAV with the microphone, but its 16 MIDI channels are not 16 vocal tracks. Roland’s audio overdubs start at the beginning and cannot punch into just one section. DGX-670 also has only one shared headphone/output jack.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Rework the backing before the singer joins in
When a household builds a song together, the DGX-670 keeps the keyboard arrangement as separate MIDI parts that the player can keep working on. Someone else can then sing over it and the result goes into a finished WAV. A voice is audio, though, so the 16 MIDI channels don’t add up to 16 editable vocal tracks. The FP-E50 takes another shortcut, layering hands, backing and singing as audio passes. That works if everyone can get through their pass, but Roland doesn’t let you punch into one small mistake.
Where this comes from
Yamaha keeps 16-channel MIDI recording apart from audio capture of the microphone and song playback. Roland documents staged WAV overdubbing with no punch-in/out. No vocal pitch editor is assumed.
The catch
Yamaha DGX-670
A voice isn’t captured as editable MIDI by the 16-channel MIDI recorder. A single PHONES/OUTPUT socket is all there is.
Roland FP-E50
- Why pick it
- Two people need wired headphones together, or you want to add audio parts over separate passes and are fine with full-song overdubs.
- After allowing for the stand, rest and cables, your room suits its 322 mm body depth better than Yamaha’s 445 mm.
- The catch
- You can’t punch in during audio overdubbing to fix a short passage. Plan the take ahead, or use separate software for detailed editing.
Yamaha DGX-670
- Why pick it
- Before making a final recording with a vocal, you want to revise the keyboard and accompaniment parts.
- A score display helps your practice, and one headphone connection is enough for the setup you have in mind.
- The catch
- A voice isn’t captured as editable MIDI by the 16-channel MIDI recorder. A single PHONES/OUTPUT socket is all there is.
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What this page compares
Making songs at home, FP-E50 or DGX-670? Compare editable backing parts, recording vocals, headphone practice for two people and room requirements.
Weighted keys, accompaniment, a microphone input and USB audio are all on both. A home player can reasonably pick based on how differently each one helps put a song together.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A parent and child listen together at evening practice
Two headphone sockets are on the Roland. For Yamaha you need a suitable added listening arrangement and the right speaker setting.
- Roland FP-E50
- Better fit
- Yamaha DGX-670
- Caution
You keep reworking individual parts of a song arrangement
With Yamaha’s MIDI workflow, note parts stay available for revision. It is not a multitrack vocal editor.
- Roland FP-E50
- Caution
- Yamaha DGX-670
- Better fit
You plan to put singing on top of finished accompaniment
Mic input and audio recording come on both. First decide if you want audio overdubs or a backing you can edit as MIDI.
- Roland FP-E50
- Good
- Yamaha DGX-670
- Good
A study desk shares the bedroom with the piano
Roland’s body is 123 mm less deep. Count the actual stand and the clearance you need to play.
- Roland FP-E50
- Better fit
- Yamaha DGX-670
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
Rework the backing before the singer joins in
When a household builds a song together, the DGX-670 keeps the keyboard arrangement as separate MIDI parts that the player can keep working on. Someone else can then sing over it and the result goes into a finished WAV. A voice is audio, though, so the 16 MIDI channels don’t add up to 16 editable vocal tracks. The FP-E50 takes another shortcut, layering hands, backing and singing as audio passes. That works if everyone can get through their pass, but Roland doesn’t let you punch into one small mistake.
How we worked this out
Yamaha keeps 16-channel MIDI recording apart from audio capture of the microphone and song playback. Roland documents staged WAV overdubbing with no punch-in/out. No vocal pitch editor is assumed.
Having a second headphone connection can count for more than the screen
A parent sitting in on evening practice may want to catch mistakes without the speakers playing. The FP-E50 already has two headphone connections. The DGX-670 has a score display but just one headphone/output socket, so two listeners require a suitable splitter or headphone device. That Yamaha socket also doubles as the analog output route. If you need headphones and an external speaker system both, check the whole connection plan. To have Yamaha mute its speakers when headphones go in, choose the Headphone Switch speaker setting. Neither piano quiets moving keys or someone singing in the room.
How we worked this out
Based on the exact connection layouts and page 105 of the DGX-670 manual. Compatibility and levels of any added headphone device have to be checked on their own.
A desk still has to fit alongside the recording setup
Next to the DGX-670, the FP-E50’s body is 123 mm shallower and 97 mm narrower. In a bedroom that doubles as a study, that can keep a walkway or some usable work surface once you add the stand, cables and music rest. Yamaha’s extra depth can be worth it if you will use its MIDI editing and score functions every week. For someone who already arranges in computer software, both pianos give you USB audio and MIDI, and the larger body then needs some other reason to earn its space.
How we worked this out
Width: 1397 minus 1300 equals 97 mm. Depth: 445 minus 322 equals 123 mm. These are differences in the bare body. They are not installed footprint or accessibility guarantees.
Option A
Roland, FP-E50
FP-E50
Two people need wired headphones together, or you want to add audio parts over separate passes and are fine with full-song overdubs.
- Best for
- Two people need wired headphones together, or you want to add audio parts over separate passes and are fine with full-song overdubs.
Facts we checked
- Building an arrangement: WAV overdubbing with onboard accompaniment
- Repairing a short mistake: No punch-in/out in the audio overdubber
- Final vocal recording: Mic input and WAV overdubbing
- Two listeners: Two headphone sockets and separate line outputs
Option B
Yamaha, DGX-670
DGX-670
Before making a final recording with a vocal, you want to revise the keyboard and accompaniment parts.
- Best for
- Before making a final recording with a vocal, you want to revise the keyboard and accompaniment parts.
Facts we checked
- Building an arrangement: 16-channel MIDI recording with style accompaniment
- Repairing a short mistake: Song Creator editing and MIDI part re-recording
- Final vocal recording: Mic input and WAV recording with keyboard, song and style audio
- Two listeners: One combined PHONES/OUTPUT jack
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Roland FP-E50 | Yamaha DGX-670 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building an arrangement | WAV overdubbing with onboard accompaniment | 16-channel MIDI recording with style accompaniment | Roland builds up recorded sound in layers. Yamaha can hold the keyboard arrangement as note data until the final audio recording. |
| Repairing a short mistake | No punch-in/out in the audio overdubber | Song Creator editing and MIDI part re-recording | The recording formats differ, and neither converts a recorded vocal into MIDI you can edit. |
| Final vocal recording | Mic input and WAV overdubbing | Mic input and WAV recording with keyboard, song and style audio | Either can finish a sung performance, though each gets to the file differently. |
| Two listeners | Two headphone sockets and separate line outputs | One combined PHONES/OUTPUT jack | For two people to listen on Yamaha, you need a suitable additional listening arrangement. |
| Bare-body depth | 322 mm | 445 mm | Before playing clearance, Roland saves 123 mm, about 4.8 inches. |
| Computer recording | USB audio and MIDI | USB audio and MIDI | If onboard editing starts to hold you back, either can hand off to compatible recording software. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Roland FP-E50
- The DP-2 in the box is an on-off pedal. A continuous pedal and a furniture stand are bought separately.
With Yamaha DGX-670
- The 445 mm body depth leaves out the music rest and cable clearance. Check the full placement.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Daily needs include shared headphone lessons and a shallower body
Go with Roland FP-E50. The FP-E50 does without a listening accessory and takes less body depth, and it keeps the singing and arranging tools.
Most of the time goes into reworking the accompaniment before anyone sings
Go with Yamaha DGX-670. A 16-channel MIDI workflow comes first on the DGX-670, ahead of the final audio recording.
You expect to do detailed vocal editing wholly inside the piano
Neither model fits. In neither documented workflow do you get what a dedicated multitrack vocal editor does.
Decision guide
Before you buy
A complete song should come together even before you can play every part perfectly. One workflow builds layers of finished sound, and the other keeps more control over the notes until you record the vocal.
What this page can’t tell you
- We claim no measured winner for sound, key noise or teaching outcome.
- MIDI editing and audio overdubbing cannot replace each other.
- Clearances for playing are not part of the bare-body dimensions.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the digital pianos we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roland FP-E50 |
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| Yamaha DGX-670 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Roland FP-E50
Two people need wired headphones together, or you want to add audio parts over separate passes and are fine with full-song overdubs.
After allowing for the stand, rest and cables, your room suits its 322 mm body depth better than Yamaha’s 445 mm.
See price & reviews on AmazonYamaha DGX-670
Before making a final recording with a vocal, you want to revise the keyboard and accompaniment parts.
A score display helps your practice, and one headphone connection is enough for the setup you have in mind.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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