🎹 Roland Digital Piano Actions | PHA 4 - PHA 50 - Hybrid Grand | Digital Piano Actions Explained🎹

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0:00 - Introduction
1:08 - Opening Playing Demo on the Roland FP90x with PHA 50 Action
1:41 - Video Overview
2:03 - PHA 4 Action Features/Models
2:07 - PHA 50 Action Features/Models
2:15 - Hybrid Grand Action Features/Models
2:18 - What are the key differences between the PHA 4, PHA 50, and Hybrid Grand Actions?
2:41 - Difference #1 Pivot Length
3:54 - Pivot Length on the Roland PHA 50 and Hybrid Grand Action
4:24 - Difference #2 Materials
4:58 - PHA 50 and Hybrid Grand Action Wood Components Discussion
6:11 - Difference #3 The Stabilizing Pin on the PHA 4/PHA 50/Hybrid Grand Actions
7:58 - Midi Triple Sensor on the Roland PHA4, PHA50, Hybrid Grand action
8:26 - Difference #4 Key Texture and Finish on the Roland PHA 4, PHA 50, and Hybrid Grand Actions
9:19 - Playing experience on the Roland PHA4 action
13:12 - Playing experience on the Roland PHA50 action
14:14 - Playing experience on the Roland Hybrid Grand action
15:01 - Which Roland Digital Pianos have the PHA4, PHA50, Hybrid Grand actions?
16:19 Which pianos have the Roland Hybrid Grand piano action
17:11 Video outro

Welcome to the Merriam Pianos YouTube channel! Today, we’ll be walking you through everything you need to know about the core Roland 88-note weighted digital piano actions currently available throughout much of their lineup.

We’ll be covering the PHA4, PHA50 and HybridGrand actions by running down the specs, giving our impressions as to what it's like to play them, and noting which Roland digital pianos feature which actions.

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Video Overview
The three main key actions which you’ll find throughout the vast majority of Roland’s current lineup are the PHA4, the PHA50 and the HybridGrand action. Let’s unpack the critical differences between these three actions.

What Are The Key Differences?
Difference #1: Pivot Length

The single biggest difference between these three actions isn’t what you might expect; it’s not the materials but rather the pivot length.

When we say pivot length, we mean the distance from the front of the key to the point at which the key is hinged. The reason this is such a huge factor for actions is that this is what determines how much motion there is throughout the key, and how the key feels depending on where on the key your fingers happen to be.

Pivot length also determines the sense of weight and depth of a key. With a longer pivot length, the player is typically afforded more dynamic control and evenness across the length of the key.

The PHA4 has the shortest pivot length, the PHA50 is longer, and the HybridGrand is by far the longest, with its pivot length approaching that of a 6 to 7 foot acoustic grand piano.

Difference #2: Materials
Now we come to materials. The PHA4 is entirely made of plastic, while the PHA50 and HybridGrand fuse plastic with wood. Some people argue that adding wood is purely cosmetic, but many others attest that it genuinely improves the feel.

Difference #3: The Stabilizing Pin
Next up, we have the stabilizing pin. Every single key has two stabilizing pins, which essentially perform the same function as the balance rail pin on an acoustic piano. These pins laterally align the key and provide strength to ensure the key doesn’t torque to one side.

The PHA4 does not have any stabilizing pins, but they are present on the PHA50 and HybridGrand.

Difference #4: Key Texture/Finish
The white keys on all three actions appear to be exactly the same. However, there is a difference among the black keys. On the PHA4, the keys have lightly textured satin finish.

Over on the PHA50 and HybridGrand, the texture is more exaggerated for better glide.

The Playing Experience

PHA4
The PHA4 is different from the other two actions in that the static resistance is higher than the dynamic resistance, though this does lessen after the action is broken in. Some people actually appreciate this for jazz and pop playing, though generally, it isn’t preferable for classical playing.

There’s also a lot more lateral give due to the lack of stabilizing pins, whereas there’s almost no lateral give whatsoever on the PHA50.

The PHA4 also feels like it has a deeper keybed.

PHA50
The PHA50 feels a lot different than the PHA4. While it is heavier, sometimes it actually feels lighter due to a lower dynamic and static resistance of the key than on the PHA4.

The PHA50 avails itself to a wider variety of styles compared to the PHA4, and will likely be preferred by folks who do a lot of classical playing.

HybridGrand
The HybridGrand is essentially a stretched version of the PHA50 - the technology is identical, but the pivot length and key-stick length is longer...