Roland RD-700NX

I use this as my main gigging piano and have done for the last seven years. I have had to go into the editing as deep as I can to get the acoustic piano sound that satisfied me, but I feel I have now achieved this. It can be hard to get a good live sound with this board straight out of the box but with work it can be done.
I have recorded extensively with this piano and it is compares well with an acoustic grand piano and better than many I have played.
In my opinion is is a better gigging machine than the RD800 which has much more plastic in its construction . I am happy to see that the new RD2000 has gone back to the metal casing set up. I've yet to try one to see if it is worth changing from my RD700NX.

I have done at least 700 gigs with this piano and it has never let me down, I have played all the major brands but I still find the combination of action and sound (once edited) to be the best all round gigging piano.

Ivory heavy touch with Escapement; 128-voice polyphony; 4 multi-timbral voices LiveSet + midi file 16 votes; SuperNATURAL (3 + 3 acoustic pianos electric pianos); Tone Wheel Organ emulation; Effects 1xEgaliseur 4-band tri-band 1xCompresseur, 1xReverb, 1xChorus, 8xMFX (2 per layer); keyboard master 4 lanes (2 +1 twelve o'clock twelve o'clock OUT OUT / THRU USB + midi); MIDIFILE, WAVE and MP3 playback; (USB connection key + PC) ports; User memory for 100 LiveSets (numbering 200 in the soft version 2, these are LiveSets terminological equivalent performance).

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use, except perhaps browsing USB key, a little farfetched. Excellent keyboard master in each LiveSet (and this for each of the 4 channels) can be stored parameters as Program Change, Velocity Sensitivity (to reduce eg the velocity response of a sound without forcing it to a fixed value) , envelope, cutoff, reso, transp, pitch bend, dosage chorus / reverb, 2 control change choice, midi channel output DIN +, etc ... very useful for the expander control without having to create a Combi (or perf). Moreover, the whole registration RD (except compressor "master", and rare common settings / system) is saved (EQ settings, based on all pedals, etc ...). Each channel has a slider. The downside, however, prevents the faultless in this area: no aftertouch ...
The Ivory keyboard is very nice, and when we got into the habit of practicing RD700, the occasional passing on real piano is no problem (having previously owned a CVP401, so I admit I was often baffled by the game a real hammer mechanics). The finish of this keyboard is exemplary: no excessive play between the keys, as on a SV-1, or even a Physis. However, under the synthetic ivory, the keys are made of resin, not wood (like a high-end Kawai, reference material). This poses no problem of course, this keyboard is perfectly associated with the sound engine, even if the touch is one of the heaviest I have ever met.

SOUNDS

Excellent for acoustic pianos, Tone Wheel and various sound board; disappointed with electric pianos; the latter, although remarkably served by SuperNATURAL technology (expressiveness and dynamic), ring cold: in fact, the harmonic content that wins the timbre according to the increasing velocity is too high rank to match Rhodes Tines in their forms most heard.

Each of the three acoustic pianos course comprises of small flaws, but almost imperceptible: the Concert Grand lacks a bit of roundness in the bass and sounds so "cartoner" rating on 2-3 ds the lower midrange, Studio Grand lack of veracity in acute attacks, and Upright, uniformity in the response curve to the velocity (this is compensated quickly). But it is rare to meet as few defects on a digital piano.
Whenever I had the opportunity to try a competitor, I was initially attracted (the grass is always greener on the meadow nearby) because it sounded different from RD700NX (all like a real piano sound different a little different). Then I detected one or more fatal flaws there.
The headlight of a Grand Piano Nord Piano slap beautifully, but only slam, and more poorly balanced attack / sustain.
A SV-1 is clearly feels the lack of velocity layers (by the way, sounds remarkable Rhodes Korg!).
The piano samples are lovely at Yamaha, but it feels different niches velocity levels (between 3 and 5 depending on model), and when we got into the habit of SuperNATURAL Roland (timbral variation substantively continuous function of the velocity, velocity layers 100!), it is easier to detect this kind of weakness.
The Physis seems to induce some latency calculation, and although expressing a natural musicality (the head proves workable range), it lacks a bit in his equations, the "wood" and mixing / harmonic evolution that is expect at this price level (to watch, however, physical models grew over the updates).
I would say that Kawai (MP10, CA93) has been my best experiences after RD700NX in the range of digital PCM (I forget Kurzweil, but have never tried it).
There are probably about three pianos RD700NX, what you need at time T (except perhaps a good emulation CP80, it's true ...) and there are all of musicality and expressiveness (accuracy shades) unparalleled in a digital. No discernable closure, despite the considerable length of the held note (especially for the Studio Grand).
Plan studio monitors (the Prodipe Pro Ribbon 8, for example, are already well) to honor the rich harmonics of piano samples RD, otherwise the machine may prove disappointing on your stereo Salon ...

Other sounds available are of unquestionable quality, and are much more numerous than suggested by the 300 LiveSets presets (nearly 1,000 sounds, many of which are actually dynamic). The number of 2 per channel / voice, multi-effects available are 8 in total (8 x 83 well-known types Roland for many years, developed and precise)! Chorus and reverb are as usual, parallel and shared. The noise level, so it makes a very good sound module, although its architecture is better tailored to the midi out for MIDI in.

It is therefore a real keyboard scene, combining excellent digital piano.

OVERALL OPINION

Not perfect, but least perfectible digital, its expressiveness is its greatest asset, and is even higher than most pianos. Indeed, the Uprights, the limited length of the keys affect the amplitude of possible shades. Unless you towards the high-end Schimmel / Skip (15-17k €) or Yamaha SU118 (€ 11k), you will not find any oncoming expressiveness. However, these new rates, you will have beautiful and authentic instruments of incomparable class, inimitable sound resonance, high durability, that they can not discuss their electronic rivals.
But do not forget that if a good piano happily reached a longevity of 5 decades, its strings and soundboard are aging; the sound is changing, becoming more "wealth" but not in the direction of the sound quality (loss of accuracy, then what about the sound resonance?).
Gare therefore false good opportunities; I think (and this is only my opinion) is better for good musicianship, a good present a Yamaha U1 (or other brand) quarantine digital, especially since this solution brings lightness (relative: 25kg for RD700), versatility, and low maintenance for probably a good 15 years.
The obsolescence of digital devices compared with galloping technological developments, this is yet another question. That said, the asymptotic curve of progress, we stand today, probably closer to the unattainable perfection, as infancy sampled piano. Let's see where we will conduct physical modeling ...

On paper, the specs are impressive on paper: I was looking for an instrument for the stage appearance live, I'm spoiled! the live-set programmable
are a real treat and the editing interface is clear and effective: It allows me to prepare configurations, including my improvisations leaving the settings once the field open to creativity.

I could see in the reviews before I purchase some felt the connection as the weak point: for my part, I feel no technical limitation at the moment so I'm fine.
The only downside: weight, at this level it is not easily transportable compared to my old keyboard I walked under the arm

UTILIZATION

I'm not trained pianist, but the quality of touch has always been weighted problem is affecting the playability is the velocity of execution.
Here we feel the limitation of this type of keyboard, but for the first time, I felt more at ease!
Regarding the configuration and editing of live-set the number of settings is staggering. I have not exploited all: the interface is easy to learn, even without the manual, it is more useful to understand some features or parameters: RAS for me from this point of view.
In addition, knobs and sliders easy alterations and adjustments
rather well thought out!

SOUNDS

Soundfounts at the size of the range is impressive, and a good deal of good quality leaves a field of impressive possibilities: we begin to see some videos on youtube showing owners how can the beast!
My favorite sounds: the piano are generally very good, are
guitars, or synths, some woods are excellent when control
the joint. The strings are for me the most disappointing attacks too soft, I have not found good approaches to exploit
except staccatos ...
The drum machine has no interest in this instrument!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it daily since early January so after three months, I began to see what he can do with this keyboard.
I love the touch, it was immediately a thunderbolt historically having had only instruments yamaha, initially I was looking at Yamaha CP5 or another. I have a special affection for the Yamaha grand piano. But I did not find anything comfortable Yamaha: perhaps p-155 which is not too bad headphones, by amplification against disastrous ... When I tried the RD-700 NX immediately a good feeling to play, despite soundfonts Roland: I made an effort to adapt and despite some flaws, I do not regret it for the moment!
Weakness: sound problem: I have not found anything satisfactory: I'm still looking

See instructions.

UTILIZATION

Touch is trs enjoyable. It is too soft, as in all keyboards numriques tonn but is what he can do anyway.
The configuration is very simple.

SOUNDS

The piano sounds are trsralistes but I found none so beautiful. Unfortunately the same goes for electric pianos and organs. Attention, I only give my opinion ...
The expression is satisfactory trs and keyboard really ractif Despite its softness.
The chorus and delay are correct but the most is that they are adjustable rev quickly and faade, ie without going into sub menus. For other effects, I'll post my opinion later.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it occasionally with a friend from this t.
It offers many more possibilities than the North and the Korg also found around 2000. Like the two previous ones, it is extremely easy to take control unlike the Yamaha CP5 (I have at home). It replaces a real piano less than does the Yamaha.
The report quality price is right.
Instead of my friend, I would do this choice.