Great review Dave. I was anxious to get your take. I'm quite sure you would give the RD700GXF a very similar review. It's honestly astonishing how much better the GXF is over the GX thanks to the SN piano sounds. Just makes the GX more playable, more dynamic, and overall, just better as a piano. Add the RPU-3, and you've got a nice little digital piano set up. The RD700NX is a really nice piece of kit. Beautiful LCD screen and you're right, very intuitive layout.

Here are my thoughts on the RD300NX, without trying to off topic. If the RD300GX to the RD700GX is anything to go by, the RD300NX is bound to be much much more watered down, and far less capable than it's larger 700 series sibling. Not to knock the RD300GX because it's proven to be a great little light-weight gigging board, but it's not nearly as capable as the RD700GX(F).

- I think it'll have PHA II Ivory feel keys, not PHA III.
- I think it'll have a single SN piano, possibly a few based off the prime SN piano (like Mellow, Bright, etc.) then probably the Expressive Grand from the GX.
- I think it'll have a larger LCD screen, but not like the RD700NX.
- It'll probably have some SN EP sounds, and maybe the Sound Focus feature.

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Where did you get this info about the release of a V-Piano 2 ?? I am dreaming of this, but unfortunately, I don't expect anything like this soon. So, any additional comment on this rumor will be welcomed.

thanks

I went today with my piano teacher (and 2 AKG 240 mk2) to a very large reseller that had on display to try all the EP that we wanted to test:

- Kawai MP10
- Roland V-PIANO
- Roland RD700-NX
- YAmaha CVP 509
- YAMAHA Avantgrand n2

I came with the idea of buying the CVP509 because it has everything in one: Piano, Multiple sounds, and many many features to make piano more fun.

But... after 4 hours of test, we really did not like the keyboard of the CVP, nor the keyboard and sound on the Kawai, and did not get so much impress by the Avantgrand.

So... The winners, by far (for our taste) are the 2 Rolands. The V-Piano being very very slightly better than the RD-70O NX, but really the RD-700 NX at half the price of the V-Piano impressed us a lot.

So, my question is: If I take the V-Piano or, more likely the RD-700NX, is there a midi rack/module that I could plug in the V-Piano/RD-700 through Midi, and that can add to the Roland everything that the CVP509 or a TRyros has (additional sounds, arranger, rythmes, sampler, Accompaniment style, drums kits...).? A sort of Tyros4... RACK :-)

Thanks in advance for your advices

Anyone had a problem with their wav recorder? I don't know if it's my memory stick, the recorder, or something else, but some of my recording go blank at random. Some files windows media player won't recognize, some are OK, some are OK for a bit and then go silent. Any ideas?

I don't remember if this video regarding an issue with the 700NX has been posted before.

I hope it's a sporadic case.

Fabrizio

Surely Yamaha makes something? Is there a motif or similar? In the "old" days they had the MU-90 and 100 that would have ticked a lot of your boxes; even had a rudimentary mixer onboard and ADCs to take mic/guitar/other line level sources and add effects at the same time as being a pretty elaborate (for its day) XG tone/rhythm generator.

2 Little questions:

- I find that the original RD-700's stand (KSG8) does not have enough stability. Can the bigger V-Piano 's stand be used with the RD-700 ?

- I tested the RD-700 with the Roland DS7 Bi-Amp monitors. I found them very good, but... (1) I read that they are discontinued by rolland ! Is it true ? What monitors you recommend ? (2) Will the DS8 be worth the increased price in term of quality ?


thanks

Nope it's not. I have the same problem with my RD-700GXF. It must be be something with the SuperNATURAL piano, because when I switch over to the non-SN pianos it doesn't have that bazaar cut off. I tested the RD700NX when I briefly owned it, and it did the same thing. I have NO idea why the SN pianos do that. The V-Piano does not though. I checked it.

Question about headphone: I found that the internal headphone AMP of the RD-700 is not strong enough for my AKG 240 MK2/AKG271. I need to put volume all the way up to get the same volume that a V-Piano will provide at 50% volume.

--> Are some people using a Headphone AMP with their RD-700 ?

Or Will a more sensitive headphone solve the problem, but the AKG 240 are already quite efficient since they are OK with MP3 players. May be a Grado headphone ?
_________________________
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever

On youtube some people reported an issue with supernatural piano. Does your RD's behavig like that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_d2zKuBV2I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNNGiJjPEI4

Sorry for my bad english.

This is no rumor. I wrote, "For all we know..." because sooner or later the V-Piano will be superseded. Ideally, there will be the V-Piano 2. But don't expect an upgraded model this soon.

Most of the time I don't raise the volume level of my NX more than halfway with the headphones I am using.

Like I said over the KC forum, the headphone output of the 700NX is pretty hot.
When I was checking it out for the first time the other day I had my 240s. I couldn't turn the volume all the way up without it being pretty darn loud--at least to me. In comparison my CP5 isn't loud enough with the 240s, I could probably use a good 30% more headroom.

I agree with Dave and Classical. Around 50% is loud enough on my 240s. I may vary a bit depending on which piano I am using, but at full volume I would expect to destroy my hearing with regular use.

I also noticed this and contacted Roland about it. They are trying to find a solution for this, they told me.

Has anyone tried out the 700NX yet??

I bought one from Sweetwater music back in November and returned it, but not because I didn't like it. Only because there was virtually no difference other than a small difference in the PHA II action on my RD700GXF vs the PHA III action on the RD700NX. It's a fabulous digital piano, with exceptional action and piano sounds. Coming from a GXF, there were no surprises though. I'd strongly recommend the RD700NX to anyone looking for great piano sounds and great action.

To 700NX owners:

Do your keys get "dirty" over time with regular playing?

My keys, especially the midrange ones, are getting a bit dirty. The dirt seems to form some kind of wood grain patterns on the keys, perhaps from the "moisture absorbent" nature of the keys themselves. I tried using a wrung wet towel to wipe them off but to no avail. Any idea or similar experience?

Dewster,

Congrats on your RD-700NX buy.

Hope you can give a detailed review of the product.

Also, you were contemplating between the FP-7F (in-built speakers) and the RD-700NX (no speakers). What made you go for the latter. Were you able o compare the KEY actions and other features betwwen the two.

Would appreciate detailed reviews from others too. Either 7F or 700NX.

Brian

Thanks, I hope to as soon as I can sort out my MIDI sequencer issues. I truly wish the NX had better MIDI => WAV rendering capability. All of this connectivity and no way to do anything it seems.


No, ordered the NX sight unseen based on some hands-on with the GX. If the 300NX was available at the time, or if the 7F were offered by RMC Audio, I might have considered those, but all the extra sounds in the 700NX were rather compelling, not sure I'd want anything less - though the weight and length are certainly something to consider if you move it about at all, and crappy internal speakers and a music rest would have been very welcome additions I would have certainly paid extra for.

Hi, this thread is rather long and it has perhaps been mentioned somewhere already, but has the polyphony problem with the SN board been solved by Roland. (Annoying note stealing / cut-off when playing comfortably within the 128 notes polyphony limit) ?

If not - will the RD300NX show the same problems or will it have a newer revision of the SN implementation (guess not, but who knows) ?

Can anyone comment on the rest of the sounds in the NX? Same as the GX?
Seems like the pianos have improved over the GX but what about the electric ones?

Geez. Not that again. The 700NX hasn't been out long but it if the premature wear issue still exists, a few months of rigorous playing is going to start revealing it. Call for a warranty replacement while you can.

What a great thread. I'm in the market and have been doing a lot of reading and this thread helped a lot. For such new gear it's hard to find it on the floor to demo. Sam Ash and GC wouldn't open one and told me to play the fp-7 which is very similar. (I guess they both were having bad days). I have a Roland A-90ex which I love but is breaking - up to about 7 keys now and is close to retirement. It's served it's time. So I've been using a Yamaha KX-8 and running mainstage for about 6 months. I play every Sunday so I'm looking for both a stage piano and a controller.

The KX-8 is awful in a live environment. It's great if I'm laying down tracks in my home studio but the Key bed response and the latency issues when jamming with the band were enough for me to buy a real stage piano. Enter the 700NX.

I have read a lot of posts about all the new keys out today but the keybed feel and the Sound Focus Feature makes the 700nx a clear winner for me when comparing. When the band gets hot, the keys are the first to go in muddy waters so the fact that Roland is trying to accomodate us keyboarders in bands is awesome - even if it doesn't work......

I haven't seen a lot of posts of 700nx's in a live environment though which made me think of jumping into the thread. Also the teaser trailer by Roland is not very good either for asking you to invest $2.5k. Did you see the one posted by Sweetwater about the 300NX at NAMM? Ughh - I feel sorry for the keyboard. It's like catching a glimpse of a supermodel sittin' on the can with no make up on while having all the potential of a centerfold. I don't know if it's the camera or the amp to blame bit it doesn't do Roland justice. wouldn't even do Casio justice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVE7yVcf4Ls&feature=player_embedded

I have never bought anything so expensive without playing it first so I'm still very nervous about it but as with anything you buy, there are advantages and drawbacks to everything but all in all - the 700nx is getting superb feedback and wins for what I need it for. I will provide feedback on playing it live in later posts. The new axe is to arrive on Friday and hope to break the bottle over it on Sunday's set.

BAND SET UP
2 guitars (acoustic/electric), bass, drums, lead singer and 2 back up singers and KEYS.

I agree. That video of the RD300NX is a rather poor demonstration. Why are they performing Lady Gaga songs to demo a stage piano? This will be a nice cheaper alternative to the RD700NX, but for live use, I've been very disappointed with how the SuperNATURAL pianos cut through. They sound anemic in a mix. Through headphone and studio monitors, the SN pianos sound just amazing. It's too bad they lose their character on stage. Perhaps the RD700NX's Sound Focus can help. I'd like to hear one live.

.

That's so bad its good ..... thanks for the laugh

I hope not... AFAIK, the "dirt" does not resemble the key wear problems on the V-Piano I saw in Guitar Center. The keys while getting dirty, remain smooth and not rough and grainy like the latter. Let's hope that there exist some key cleaning solution to get the dirt out without ridding the key gloss..

That video is a joke ;-) I couldn't even see it through to the end, it's pathetic. Lucky enough the guys on this forum will see through bad demonstrations like this and value the instrument on it's own. Anyone knows when the RD300NX will hit the shops, so we can expect some real user demo's on line ?

They are still looking clean, but some keys on my NX are starting to have little scratches on them. After only two month of use (and always short finger-nails!).
The key-wear-problem isn't solved, I believe.
This and the cut-off thing is really annoying. Sad, because otherwise its just a great playing-experience.