Roland
V-STAGE 88
$3,999
Roland V-STAGE 88 review: four hands-on engines built strictly for the stage
1.9 Beginner 4.7 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 6.7 Touch Reality 3.4 Value
88 21.8 kg
Roland V-STAGE 76 Review
Roland V-STAGE 76 review: the waterfall-key V-STAGE, built for organ, electric piano and synth hands
76 Keys 15.2 kg Semi-weighted Advanced
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$3,499
Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.
These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
1.9| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 0.5 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Bluetooth MIDI | No | +0 |
| Recording | No | +0 |
| Practice Basics (Metronome / Transpose / Layer-Split) | Yes | +0.6 |
| Stand Included | No | +0 |
| Damper Pedal Included | No | +0 |
| Preset Songs | 0 | +0 |
| Sound Variety | 400 sounds | +0.8 |
Night Practice
5.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 1.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1.3 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm | +0.9 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
| Line Out | Yes | +0.4 |
| Speaker Mute with Headphones | Yes | +0.7 |
| Key Action Quietness | Semi-weighted | +1.2 |
Portability
5.2| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 15.2 kg | +0 |
| Width | 1181 mm | +0 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 76 keys | +0.2 |
Touch Reality
2.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | Semi-weighted (grade 2) | +1.2 |
| Key Count | 76 keys | +0.8 |
| Polyphony | — | +0 |
| Sound Modeling | V-Piano modelling + SuperNATURAL E.Piano + Virtual ToneWheel + ZEN-Core | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | Standard | +0 |
Roland V-STAGE 76 review verdict
This Roland V-STAGE 76 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.
Mechanically the V-STAGE 76 is the same four-engine stage instrument as the V-STAGE 88 — the difference is that it trades 88 weighted hammer keys for 76 semi-weighted waterfall keys, and with them a good deal of weight and width.
Pros
- • The newly developed semi-weighted WATERFALL keyboard has the rounded, lipless front edge that organ playing depends on, so smears and palm glissandos come off without the keys catching.
- • Four engines run independently rather than as one layered patch: an Acoustic Piano engine built on V-Piano modelling, a newly developed Electric Piano engine from Roland's latest SuperNATURAL work, an Organ engine using Virtual Tone Wheel technology, and a ZEN-Core synth with over 400 onboard sounds.
- • Each engine has its own discrete panel section instead of sharing one menu system, so drawbar, EP and synth edits stay physical in the middle of a set.
- • 512 Scenes, 128 Scene Chains and 8 auto-saving EX Scenes are enough to carry an entire set list without a laptop alongside.
- • Channel aftertouch plus two assignable wheels and two assignable switches give real-time expression that most stage pianos simply leave out.
- • Serious stage I/O: balanced XLR mains alongside 1/4-inch TRS mains, two balanced sub outs, stereo line inputs, four pedal jacks, MIDI IN with two MIDI OUT/THRU, and a class-compliant USB-C audio and MIDI port.
- • An XLR mic input with its own volume control, dedicated reverb and MFX, and a vocoder — one fewer box for a keyboard player who also sings.
- • At 15.2 kg and 1181 mm wide it is meaningfully lighter and shorter than the 88-key model, a difference felt on every staircase and every load-in.
Cons
- • Semi-weighted keys with no hammer mechanism: if piano repertoire is the main job of the instrument, this is the wrong half of the V-STAGE pair.
- • There are no built-in speakers at all, so an amp, a monitor or headphones is mandatory — and only one headphone jack is fitted.
- • No Bluetooth of any kind, audio or MIDI, which rules out wireless app control and wireless backing tracks.
- • No onboard audio recorder; capturing a take means recording to whatever is connected over USB-C.
- • The carton holds an owner's manual and a power cord. Stand, pedals and a case are all bought separately, and 76 keys does not mean a small case.
- • Roland does not publish a maximum polyphony figure, so voice-stacking headroom across four simultaneous engines cannot be checked on paper.
The V-STAGE 76 is the version of this instrument for hands that live on drawbars, Rhodes-style voices and synth leads, and for players who count kilograms and centimetres on the way into the venue. Four engines with their own panel sections, aftertouch, a mic input with a vocoder, and full balanced I/O add up to a keyboard that can be the whole rig rather than one layer of it. The cost of that focus is the action: 76 semi-weighted keys will not satisfy anyone whose set is mostly piano repertoire, and the V-STAGE 88 exists for precisely that player. Decide which of the two you are before anything else, because on every other axis these instruments are the same.
Roland V-STAGE 76 evaluation points
Roland V-STAGE 76 key action and touch
The WATERFALL keyboard is new for the V-STAGE line and semi-weighted rather than hammer-action, with channel aftertouch and what Roland describes as refined velocity detection. The waterfall profile — a squared, rounded key front in place of the overhanging lip of a piano key — is the point of it: an organ player can slide off the front of the keys for smears and palm glissandos without a lip to catch a finger. The honest way to read this is as a fork in a single design. The identical instrument exists as the V-STAGE 88 with 88 weighted hammer-action keys, and nothing else separates the two. Picking the 76 is picking organ and synth technique, and a lighter carry, over hammer weight under the fingers.
Who the Roland V-STAGE 76 is for
Organ, electric piano and synth players, musical directors, and anyone whose stage rig is a stack rather than a single piano. It suits the player who cares what the front edge of a key feels like under a sliding hand, and who carries their own gear. Piano-first players — classical repertoire, solo piano work, anyone who wants weight to push against — should be looking at the 88-key version instead, and beginners should not be looking at either.
Roland V-STAGE 76 sound and speakers
The acoustic piano engine is built on V-Piano modelling rather than fixed samples, covering two concert grands, an upright and a felt piano, with Piano Designer available to reshape them. The electric piano engine is a fresh development of Roland's SuperNATURAL work, split into Tine, Reed, Digital and Clavinet characters with EP-specific effects rather than generic ones. The organ is a three-part console model driven by Virtual Tone Wheel technology, joined by two vintage transistor types and a pipe organ type, with overdrive and a rotary speaker effect on hand. ZEN-Core supplies more than 400 sounds on board and accepts SDZ Sound Packs and Model Expansions through Roland Cloud. Downstream sit 16 multi-effect systems across 93 types, 9 choruses, 7 reverbs, and a master compressor and EQ. With no speaker cabinet in the equation, what leaves the XLR outputs is what was built on the panel — flattering nothing, hiding nothing.
What to know before buying the Roland V-STAGE 76
Roland does not publish a maximum polyphony figure for the V-STAGE 76, and we will not guess one; treat any number quoted elsewhere as unverified. Registered owners receive the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, JX-8P and SH-101 Model Expansions free through Roland Cloud, which is a real addition to the instrument rather than a trial. Two USB ports are reserved for a Roland A-49 or A-PRO controller, which says plainly what kind of rig this was designed to sit in, and a separate USB memory port handles backups and sound packs. A 4.3-inch graphic LCD carries the display work. Roland has not positioned this as the successor to any earlier model, so it should not be read as a replacement for an outgoing stage piano. It was announced at NAMM in January 2025 and went on sale in Japan the following month.
Demo Video
Video coming soon for this model
We embed videos from manufacturer official channels and trusted reviewers. As soon as a suitable demo or review is available, it will appear here.
Specifications
| Keys | 76 |
| Key Action | Semi-weighted |
| Polyphony | — |
| Sounds | 400 |
| Weight | 15.2 kg |
| Speakers | — |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | — |
| Sound Modeling | V-Piano modelling + SuperNATURAL E.Piano + Virtual ToneWheel + ZEN-Core |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | Yes |
| Lesson Function | No |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | No |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 0 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1181×342×109 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | No |
Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →
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Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand not included (sold separately)
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
🎧
Headphones
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
🎹
Sustain Pedal
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
💺
Bench
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
Where to Buy
MSRP
$3,499
Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.
These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
How It Compares
V-STAGE 76 vs Electro 6D 73
The V-STAGE 76 scores higher in piano-like touch, while the Electro 6D 73 is stronger in portability. The Electro 6D 73 costs $800 less. Choose the V-STAGE 76 if piano-like touch matters most.
Nord Electro 6D 73 →V-STAGE 76 vs V-STAGE 88
The V-STAGE 76 scores higher in quiet practice and portability, while the V-STAGE 88 is stronger in piano-like touch. The V-STAGE 76 costs $500 less. Choose the V-STAGE 76 if quiet practice matters most.
Roland V-STAGE 88 →V-STAGE 76 vs Grandstage X
The V-STAGE 76 scores higher in quiet practice and portability, while the Grandstage X is stronger in beginner support, piano-like touch and value for money. The Grandstage X costs $500 less. Choose the V-STAGE 76 if quiet practice matters most.
Korg Grandstage X →Related Guides
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Read more →Sources & transparency
This page is written by the operator, who has run the piano-learning site Piano Juku since 2017, based on published manufacturer specifications. We are not a retailer or tied to any maker — every model is compared by the same criteria. About the operator
- Last verified
- Data referenced from
- Manufacturer official Official press release
How the 5-axis scores are calculated
We do not aggregate user reviews or star ratings (see methodology for why).
Spot a mistake or have a question about what's on this page? Let us know and we'll review it.
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Roland V-STAGE 76