For Immediate Release

Rebecca Eaddy
Marketing Communications Manager
Roland Corporation U.S.
(323) 890-3718
Rebecca.Eaddy@RolandUS.com

ROLAND ANNOUNCES NEW FP-2 DIGITAL PIANO

The Perfect Piano Playing Experience with Session Partner, USB and More

Anaheim, January 15, 2004—Roland is proud to announce the latest addition to the popular FP-Series digital pianos, the FP-2. This affordable instrument’s stunning sounds and 88-note Progressive Hammer-Action Keyboard give players the feel of a fine concert grand, but in a space-saving design that’s both compact and stylish. The affordable FP-2 also features Roland’s popular Session Partner auto-accompaniment, a new Sound Control feature and USB.

With space more and more at a premium, the FP-2 arrives as the perfect way to put a grand piano in the home or studio. This stylish digital piano’s lightweight design makes it easy to move, while its compact body fits almost anywhere. And with high-quality speakers built in, players can enjoy lively performances with all the excitement of an acoustic grand. Roland’s new Sound Control function enhances the lower register for an even more impressive tone, while the 4-band digital equalizer makes it possible to tailor the piano sounds even further.

The FP-2’s 64-voice sound engine includes expressive new acoustic and electric piano sounds, plus newly sampled bass, harpsichord and more. All of these sounds are playable from an 88-note Progressive Hammer-Action Keyboard with a heavier touch in the lower range and a lighter touch in the upper range—just like an acoustic piano. The addition of Roland’s Session Partner adds to the fun, giving players a choice of accompaniment in many different styles—80 patterns in all! The Session Partner can supply backing chords, bass lines and drums with preset or user chord progressions.

Rounding out these impressive features is a USB port, which makes it possible to use the FP-2 as a high-quality controller or sound module when sequencing on a computer. And since the FP-2 is GM2-compliant, it’s perfect for use with Standard MIDI Files.

Connections include stereo 1/4-inch Line outputs; stereo 1/4-inch Line inputs; two stereo 1/4-inch Headphones jacks; Damper. Soft and Sostenuto Pedal inputs; MIDI In and Out; and a USB port.

Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of electronic musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia products and music accessories. For more information, contact Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., P.O. Box 910921, Los Angeles, CA 90091-0921, (323) 890-3700 (x3718 for media use only), www.RolandUS.com. All trademarks are property of their respective owners.