Also, I have recently begun doing solo piano gigs which requires a huge step up in tone from my Yamaha S9, which when buried in a band situation got by. I tried the GX700 and was impressed by its action. I also liked the sounds – although, it appeared plinky in the upper mids, a seemingly unavoidable by product of digital pianos. Are there any digitals that don’t get thin and nasally in the mids?

Apparently, from reading your forum, I’ve gathered that there are more realistic actions, which to me means too stiff. Also, there are better sounding boards, but that they come with stiffer actions and weigh too much. I gotta have something I can carry, and the GX is already 55 pounds. Do you use the sounds on board or are you midied to a library called Ivory?

One of your responders mentioned increasing the stiffness of the GX’s action to eliminate overdriving the mids. I’d like to hear your response on that, please. How much stiffer does the action get when compensating for the plinkyness?

Here are Steve Rose’s comments from Oct 2008:
“After 2 weeks of having trouble with the RD sounding too nasal in the upper mid and generally washy when hammered, I stumbled on why. I’m over blowing the notes. I’m switching the thing to the balls-out, wack-sample too easily which is why it sound nasal (too many harmonics). Bingo! Turning the touch level up to heavy + 6 brings the instrument into my control range. Wow does it sing.”

Also, it seems that the GX may be the best compromise for my needs: Easy but fairly realistic action, reasonable weight, and excellent sound. Whaddya think? Thanks for your consideration.

PS: This board has been around for awhile. Do you know if something new and better coming out by any chance?

TS

It just goes to show… when it comes to this topic, it’s a subjective personal opinion in the end. The economics of the music industry depends on such a debate!

Regarding the A-90… Yes I have and agree that from a controller standpoint, it was one of the best ever produced. Shame that some of the MIDI control became diluted in the RD700 series but I believe the action is a moderate improvement since that time… but yes, it’s a great board, and I wish it were still available too!

We’ve had one of our contributors here give it (SuperNatural Piano Kit) pretty high marks. I plan to buy it shortly and give it a go as well! Will post back when after! From everything I’ve heard, yes, it’s worth the upgrade!

Cheers,
Adrian

Sure! Be happy to elaborate; but you might have also noticed that unlike the past, I have yet to sell my MP8 – and probably won’t do so. The decision to move to the Roland was a trade-off. I still believe the MP8 (not the MP8II) and the MP9500 have the most authentic piano action available. For most people, this is simply too heavy of an action, however. But if you’re accustomed to playing on acoustic grands, you’ll feel right at home – no question about it. The other argument against these older boards is the quality/range of on-board sounds; like you, I discount this completely because I use a variety of sample libraries – I view the sound argument as simply a trade-off. It also comes down to the type of music you’re playing/composing. I play jazz and mix in quite a few synths, etc so I needed a slightly lighter action and RD700GX provides that without a loss in playing dynamics.

Roland’s V-Piano PHAIII is the corollary to the MP8 but its size and price tag just don’t suit me. If I were to fast forward to today, I’d certainly keep the MP8 in the running, probably compare it then to the GX700 and THEN add the Yamaha CP5 or CP1 (both have the same action) into the mix. The CP1 is interesting and may very well fit right between the GX and the MP8 having true wooden keys. My only hesitation with the CP1 is that it’s not a graded action, and I believe this is important for creating that authentic feel you’re striving for.

That said, everything above is just my humble opinion… but hopefully that gives you a range of choices to “road test”. Let us know what you ultimately decide (and why)?

Many thanks,
Adrian

I also agree that sample libraries still rule the day although the margin is become increasingly narrow.

For me, I’m still much more interested in the action/dynamics/and controller capability because my unit remains inside the studio. If, like you, a gig piano was also of interest, I would suggest comparing the Roland GX to the (new) Yamana CP5. The CP series is clearly going to give Roland some serious competition. That very well may be where I land next!

Hope this helps!

and thanks a lot for your helpful insight! I just tested RD700GX and V-Piano with Synthology Ivory samples and was very impressed of the sensitivity. I preferred V-Piano – it seemed to have a wider dynamic range and a little heavier keys, though 700GX was not bad at all. My reference is Yamaha P-200, which I have used 10 years pretty happily. Now I feel it has a bit plastic touch compared to the new models, and it is harder to play with dynamics. I was wondering if you have any opinion about V-Piano or HP307 (the same PHA III keys) as a master controller for Ivory and other libraries.
The sounds of the digital pianos are not quite to the level of the better sample libraries, I think. Also the issue of keys wearing out worries me – maybe it is fixed with the new PHA III?

Actually the best option for me would be a gig piano with very good master controller capabilities (for sample libraries) and best possible piano-like touch. V-Piano though is too expensive, I can only afford about 2500 euros instrument.What would you suggest?

Great idea for a site and all comments very useful. I just thought I would add my bit to the key wear problem on the 700GX. My first one had the whole action replaced after a few months use and I was told that it was an updated surface that would not wear. I could not play the old one as I could feel the wear under my fingers and it detracted from any enjoyment I was getting from the sound or the action. After 2 months the new one is going the same way, which is very disappointing. Looks like the Yamaha CP5 for me, unless this also has issues with the ivory feel keys. My 130 year old grand at home (and I’m sorry but it does have real ivory) is a pleasure to play, but really for a usable stage piano, I think I would rather have the plastic than the uneven graining feel of a worn action.

Regards

Paul

the rd300gx has a different key action (pha ii ALPHA) which is lighter than the pha ii of the rd700gx.

If you want the best sound and portability, you should wait for the new yamaha cp50

Thanks for stopping by and posting! You know, I haven’t spent enough time on the 300gx to provide an objective reply. I do know that the feel is slightly different, obviously because it lacks the “ivory feel” (which from a wear/tear might be better:); but my recollection in playing it ever so briefly way back when I got the 700GX was that despite having the same PHA II action, it just felt “different”. I recall it lacked the responsiveness of the 700GX but not by a large margin. Really, it could have been simply owed to the different feel under my fingers. My suggestion would be to spend some time A-B testing each; you’re right in that it’s far more portable and it does have a good % of the 700GX sounds. Again going off memory but I also recall the older 700 series feeling very close to the 300GX – so perhaps that’s the better comparison?

Certainly would love for others to chime in on this coz I feel I’m not in a great position to advise Steve on this one….

Many thanks,
Adrian

-Adrian

Thank you so much for this amazing review!
Nimrod

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and post! I can’t say that I have tried mono with the GX because I’m recording straight into a studio environment, not using it for live performance. But I believe we do have people who are following this thread who are indeed live performers, and perhaps they can comment on any phase issues.

Cheers,
Adrian

thanks for the nice homepage.
One question concerning the MIDI-capability of the RD-700 GX.
Is there a possiblity to use the original multi-effects when playing the RD via an external MIDI-sequencer?

Thanks a lot!
Michael.

I’ve been in a quandary until just recently as to what ONE keyboard I can use for my live performances. I do mostly senior venues, private parties, and really low-volume stuff. I was so hot on the 700GX until I learned how heavy it is! The 300GX looked like a nice alternative and sounds great, but then I had to consider the length of these machines with the wheels at the end of 88 notes! Then, all of a sudden, Roland comes out with this lighter weight, 76-key board which should be available next month… VR700. It is piano, synth and drawbar organ all in one. I am selling my Roland RD-170, Korg Triton, and Korg CX-3 for this! Can’t wait to get it, wish me luck!

It’s what I’ve been waiting for.. Wooden Keys and Yamaha Sounds.

I’m leaning toward the CP5 for money reasons.

I know the store model are heavily used by all kinds of nasty fingers…but…over time ?

The one thing that is holding me back on the Roland is the key surface problem.

I’ve been playing the Rolands @ both my local Roland dealers and each piano has significant surface wear. On a scale from 1-5; I would say the issue is a 4.5. An absolute deal breaker for me. But I don’t like the plastic keys on any digital piano so I’m caught in a pickle. If the Yamaha had an Ivorite or wood key surface I would get the Yamaha because of it’s additional features. But the Yamaha plastic keys are a deal breaker for me.

As per usual the sales guy know nothing and choose to ignore the obvious wear marks on the Roland 700

Let’s see if this thread can run well into 2010 :-)

Peter

But when you take all of the other GX benefits into account (better MIDI, space, arguably better sounds, clearly something designed for performance), I opted to use it and still do. The concept of using the +6 heavy setting doesn’t represent a workaround for me because while that will indeed affect the pressure one must apply to trigger a MIDI message from the key, it doesn’t affect the physical weight of the key (the sensation you feel when you’re playing)… I guess the easier way to explain it is the “feel” you have on a keyboard with the power off, just playing it physically on the keys… When you do this (MP8 vs. GX) the MP8 has a heavier physical action – what you feel between the time your finger hits the key and the point where the MIDI message is triggered – that’s what I was referring to in my original post.

I just happen to believe it’s a trade-off… and to be fair to the GX, I can play at faster speeds with less fatigue on the GX. But I feel I can play more “expressively” on the MP8. I would just never use the MP8 for practicing technique and some of the thread contributors were inquiring from that perspective. When I was using the MP8, I found it equally suitable for practice — today, I jump on the Steinway for scales, etc. Hopefully this clarifies? Of course, I’d welcome opinions to the contrary coz maybe I’m missing something!

Again, appreciate your inputs and encouragement!

-Adrian

Great thread you have going here. Your responses have proved so valuable for so many, my hat off to you. My situation is that I want a stage piano, to save on space, max midi and my top two must haves are action & sound. Regarding action, I want something as close to the real thing as possible. Your top choice seems the MP8, with the 700GX second, were it not for the lighter feel. Steve Rose mentioned bringing the touch level up to heavy + 6 and his problems were solved. I’m wondering if you’ve had a chance to try the heavier touch settings and what your take is any improvement this setting offers to match the weighted feel of the MP8? Thanks

From the GX, Select the EDIT pad (on top of the unit):

next, select Utilities….

next, select Rec Settings…

There, you will see Local Control which defaults to Yes (meaning you have to switch it off for use in the studio world)…

Here’s the kicker… the GX does not save this setting so one must repeat the above every time the GX is power cycled. Not convenient, but guaranteed you’ll memorize the command.

I asked Roland about this and their reason was that the GX is primarily designed for stage/live use – I still don’t like the inability to save your own preferences, but alas, it’s not a perfect world.

Hope this helps!

-Adrian

I recently purchased a Roland RD700gx and have been searching the internet trying to enable a function I cannot find in the manual. You and your site seem to be a wonderful resource.
I need this keyboard to TRANSMIT program change data to an external sequencer.
I have successfully mapped the sliders to CC controller numbers and they transmit perfectly.

Is there a way to use the 10 tone select buttons to transmit patch changes incrementally? I have mapped MSB to 0 and LSB to 32, and now would like a tone select key to send patch change 0-9.

Thanks for any help in this.

Mark