Taking meticulous care to accurately reproduce the beautiful, clear sound of the Flemish harpsichord, Roland has painstakingly re-created the brilliance and luster of each individual note, incorporating the deep, magical reverberation of this wonderful instrument―and even faithfully reproducing the sound of the plectrum on the strings. The five enticing harpsichord sounds, as C-80 sound amazing, but also add breadth to every performance.

As its heart, the harpsichord is a plucked strings instrument. So after carefully analyzing the keyboard, strings and touch mechanism of a traditional harpsichord. Roland developed a proprietary click-action keyboard for the C-80. Its authentic, natural feel-a touch unique to the harpsichord-provides a realism that results in complete satisfaction while playing.

It is said that the life of a harpsichord is determined by the number of times it is moved. With the C-80, this is no longer the case. Plectrums and strings never need replacing. And since the C-80 is not affected by vibration or changes in temperature and humidity, the correct pitch is always maintained. Because it’s digital, the C-80 can be played anytime and anywhere, with no fluctuation in timbre and pitch. Players can also change to Baroque pitch (A=415Hz) with the press of a single button, and do fine tuning adjustments with a single knob.

The many classical temperaments have been preset in to the C-80, to help players perform in the beautiful harmonies intended by the great composers of the Baroque period. A single switch let you change between Werckmeister, Kirnberger, Vallotti, Meantone, Pythagorean, and Equal tunings. The keynote can also be changed for further variation in temperament.

It’s no secret that the acoustic characteristics of the performance environment will shape and color the sound being played. The C-80’s reverb function brings out those characteristics. With the reverb knob, you can re-create the acoustic effects of ay setting, whether it’s a small room or large hall. You can also adjust the volume for playing at home, at concert hall, or for playing in an ensemble. Headphones (optional RH-50 or RH-25) also available for unrestricted playing at any time.

Keyboard instruments of the Baroque period were designed for beauty―to appeal both to the ear and to the eye. The C-80 is a work of art that embodies this tradition, with reverse white/black keys, an adjustable lid, and a genuine oak wood finish. The C-80 was also designed with function and practicality in mind. It is rich in features, yet, being lightweight with removal legs, is very easy to transport.