Roland
V-STAGE 76
$3,499
Roland V-STAGE 76 review: the waterfall-key V-STAGE, built for organ, electric piano and synth hands
1.9 Beginner 5.5 Night Practice 5.2 Portability 2.5 Touch Reality 3.1 Value
76 15.2 kg
Roland V-STAGE 88 Review
Roland V-STAGE 88 review: four hands-on engines built strictly for the stage
88 Keys 21.8 kg Weighted hammer action (escapement, Ivory Feel) Advanced
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$3,999
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
4.7| 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 | Weighted hammer action (escapement, Ivory Feel) | +0.4 |
Portability
3.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 21.8 kg | -1.5 |
| Width | 1331 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
6.7| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | Weighted hammer action (escapement, Ivory Feel) (grade 7) | +4.2 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | — | +0 |
| Sound Modeling | V-Piano modelling + SuperNATURAL E.Piano + Virtual ToneWheel + ZEN-Core | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Roland V-STAGE 88 review verdict
This Roland V-STAGE 88 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.
The V-STAGE 88 is the piano-weighted half of Roland's V-STAGE pair: four separately controlled engines — acoustic piano, electric piano, organ and ZEN-Core synth — in a stage instrument with no speakers and nothing in the box.
Pros
- • Four independent engines, each with its own panel section, so moving from piano to organ mid-set is a hand movement rather than a menu dive.
- • The acoustic piano engine is built on V-Piano modelling, with two concert grands, an upright and a felt piano, all editable through Piano Designer.
- • Stage-grade outputs: balanced XLR mains alongside 1/4-inch TRS, plus two balanced sub outs for a monitor or recording feed.
- • An XLR mic input with its own volume, dedicated reverb and MFX, and a vocoder — useful for players who also sing.
- • 512 Scenes, 128 Scene Chains and eight auto-saving EX Scenes, which is the kind of set-list depth long shows actually need.
- • ZEN-Core carries over 400 sounds and expands through SDZ Sound Packs and Model Expansions; JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, JX-8P and SH-101 are free to registered owners.
- • Four pedal jacks (hold plus three control) and a class-compliant USB-C audio/MIDI port that needs no driver.
Cons
- • No speakers at all, so it makes no sound until amplification or headphones are connected.
- • Neither Bluetooth audio nor Bluetooth MIDI, in a year when far cheaper instruments include both.
- • The box holds an owner's manual and a power cord; stand, pedals and case are all separate purchases.
- • There is no onboard audio recorder, so capturing a performance means an external device or a computer.
- • At 21.8 kg and 1331 mm wide it is a two-person load rather than something to move casually.
- • Roland publishes no maximum polyphony figure, so the headroom under four stacked engines cannot be checked on paper.
The V-STAGE 88 asks to be judged as stage equipment, and on that basis it holds together: four engines with genuine panel control, balanced outputs, a mic channel, and scene management deep enough for long nights. The omissions — speakers, Bluetooth, an audio recorder, any included accessory — read as consequences of that brief rather than oversights, but they also make it the wrong instrument for a living room. If the requirement is a piano-first board that still covers organ and synth in a working rig, it belongs on the shortlist; if organ and synth playability matters more than the weight of the keys, the 76-note version is the better half of the pair.
Roland V-STAGE 88 evaluation points
Roland V-STAGE 88 key action and touch
Roland gives this keyboard no model name in its specifications, which is unusual. What is published is simply 88 weighted hammer-action keys with escapement and Ivory Feel keytops — it is not called PHA-4 or PHA-50 anywhere, so it should not be assumed to be either. The intent is clear enough from the description: a hammer mechanism with a let-off notch near the bottom of the key travel, and a moisture-absorbing white key surface, aimed at players arriving from an acoustic piano rather than from a synth. The 76-note sibling takes the opposite route, with a semi-weighted waterfall keyboard and channel aftertouch.
Who the Roland V-STAGE 88 is for
Working players who carry one keyboard to a job and need piano, electric piano, organ and synth out of it, with an action solid enough to hold a piano part. It is not an instrument to learn on: no lesson features, no speakers, no pedal supplied, and a design that assumes a stage or a studio at the other end of the cable.
Roland V-STAGE 88 sound and speakers
This is not one engine wearing four hats. The acoustic piano side uses V-Piano modelling; the electric pianos come from Roland's newest SuperNATURAL work, with Tine, Reed, Digital and Clavinet types and their own dedicated effects; the organ is a three-part console model driven by Virtual Tone Wheel technology, joined by two vintage transistor types and a pipe organ, with overdrive and rotary; and ZEN-Core covers the synthesizer ground. Around all of it sit 16 multi-effect systems with 93 types, nine choruses, seven reverbs, and a master compressor and EQ — the tools that let one instrument keep its place in a mix all evening.
What to know before buying the Roland V-STAGE 88
Roland has not positioned this as a replacement for the RD-2000; the RD-2000 EX remains a current, separate product, and the two answer different briefs rather than following one another. Connection-wise there is MIDI IN with two MIDI OUT/THRU, a USB memory port, and two USB ports for an A-49 or A-PRO controller, so the instrument can act as the hub of a rig instead of a passenger in one. The panel adds a 4.3-inch graphic LCD, two assignable wheels and two assignable switches. Note that there is only one headphone jack, so shared monitoring needs a splitter.
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 | 88 |
| Key Action | Weighted hammer action (escapement, Ivory Feel) |
| Polyphony | — |
| Sounds | 400 |
| Weight | 21.8 kg |
| Speakers | — |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| 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) | 1331×353×143 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | No |
Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →
Will it fit your space?
Enter the space you have and we'll check it against this piano's footprint.
Enter your available space above to check the fit.
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
$3,999
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 88 vs Grandstage X
the Grandstage X is stronger in beginner support and value for money. The Grandstage X costs $1,000 less. Choose the Grandstage X if beginner-friendly features matters most.
Korg Grandstage X →V-STAGE 88 vs Grand 2
the Grand 2 is stronger in portability and piano-like touch. The V-STAGE 88 costs $500 less. Choose the Grand 2 if portability matters most.
Nord Grand 2 →V-STAGE 88 vs RD-2000 EX
the RD-2000 EX is stronger in beginner support, piano-like touch and value for money. The RD-2000 EX costs $1,099 less. Choose the RD-2000 EX if beginner-friendly features matters most.
Roland RD-2000 EX →Related Guides
Best Stage Pianos for Gigging Musicians (2026)
A stage piano is a different kind of instrument. It lives in a gig bag, loads into a venue, and has to sound professional the moment you plug in. Unlike a home digital piano, the priorities shift to portability, durability, and the controls you can reach mid-song. This guide walks you through what actually matters when you play out, and which models hold up night after night.
Read more →Digital Piano Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
Buying a digital piano can feel overwhelming. Hundreds of models, confusing specs, and marketing jargon make it hard to know what actually matters. This guide breaks down everything you need to understand, in plain language, so you can make a confident decision. If you learned piano years ago and are returning rather than starting fresh, the priorities are different — see our [guide for returning players](/en/guides/digital-piano-for-returning-senior-players/).
Read more →Graded Hammer Action vs Weighted Keys: What's the Difference?
"Weighted keys" and "graded hammer action" are two of the most common terms you'll see when shopping for a digital piano. They sound similar but refer to different things. This guide explains exactly what they mean, how they affect your playing, and which type you should look for.
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 ×2 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.
Suggest a correctionSimilar Pianos
Closest in the same lineup
Same brand and the same product category, sorted by smallest price gap.
Roland
RD-2000 EX
$2,900
Roland RD-2000 EX: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
3.1 Beginner 4.6 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 4.3 Value
88 21.7 kg
Roland
RD-2000
$2,500
Roland RD-2000: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
2.7 Beginner 4.6 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 4.3 Value
88 22 kg
Alternatives from other brands
Different makers in the same category and a similar price band, ranked by how closely the spec-based scores match this model.
Korg
Grandstage X
$2,999
Korg Grandstage X: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
3.5 Beginner 4.7 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 7.0 Touch Reality 4.0 Value
88 25 kg
Nord
Grand 2
$4,499
Nord Grand 2: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
1.7 Beginner 4.4 Night Practice 3.5 Portability 8.3 Touch Reality 3.7 Value
88 21 kg
Kawai
MP11SE
$3,699
Kawai MP11SE: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
2.3 Beginner 5.3 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 9.4 Touch Reality 4.3 Value
88 33.5 kg
Search retailers
Roland V-STAGE 88