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I feel for you, Dave. I went through exactly the same mental gymnastics. Might be worth checking out the MP6 before you commit (would save you a few pounds and a few more bucks).

Since you're not averse to change, maybe pick up a lightly used 700SX, which should be much cheaper than the NX, but based on largely the same architecture and form factor. Okay, no SuperNatural, maybe an upgraded action, but just an earlier iteration of the same beast. See if it's something that would work for you...and by that time, we may be at NAMM '13 and they'll have the next big thing out.

I actually have one sitting eight feet from me...just a thought...

you won't like the EP's on the RD700NX ...

You know, I've never understood Roland's problem with EPs. They even owned the Rhodes brand for a while. They produced the great SA synthesis EP in the RD-1000 (and I can vouch for the strength of that sound, as I owned the HP2000 with the same sound engine back in the late 80s). Since then, their attempts have been somewhat lame, to put it mildly. They even tried to convince us that we should embrace their newfangled and original SN EP sound when it was first introduced, when all that anybody wanted was a good Rhodes/Wurlitzer emulation. I think they were trying to recreate the buzz that surrounded SA and Yamaha's DX7 when they first appeared, without realizing that you can't market your way to iconic status - it can only occur organically, based on a serendipitous piece of engineering.

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My favorite actions these days are the CP-1/CP-5 and the RD-700NX/FP-7F, but I can't deal with the weight. I liked the FP-7 too, very similar to the NX/7F, the biggest difference being the lack of the ivory-ish finish. What these heavy boards have in common is, perhaps counter-intuitively, their light feeling actions (lighter than other Rolands and Yamahas that actually weigh less, lighter than Kawais or Korgs). I wish I could find a lightweight weighted board that played as lightly as these heavy boards do!

I can't for the life of me figure out why you need a RD700NX if you've got a CP5 with better EP's and probably at least for live Jazz a better live AP sound. I get how its different for me but if your actually spending your own real $$$$ I think you should really just buy yourself a nice sturdy handcart and use the CP5. Forget the CP50 ...after playing the NW-Stage action they feel like dinosaurs. Nothing wrong with the RD700NX mind you its one of my favorite DP's but you don't really need it. Now if you were to say ..."yeah I just want one" .... then that's a different story.

I agree - just use the CP5. And Dave, if you didn't really get on with the RD-700GX why would you like the NX more? A third sensor on the action but an action with the same feel. The same (flaky) Ivory Feel surface. The same sound engine for the APs and EPs. Great APs of course if you like their signature but the NX doesn't really do ANYTHING the GX didn't do. Before jumping you need to reflect on the GX experience because that is pretty much what you'll get. A very fine DP but it wasn't for you.

Anyway, I think the Nord p*sses all over the others for an organic and real sounding hardware DP. Although purely for your purposes the CP5 is probably as close to perfection as you're going to find at the moment.

Is part of this "itch" the fact that it is simply nice to change sounds/action once in a while? I bet if you were to put the Nord away for a month or two and then go back to it you'd really like it again.

Whatever you do, good luck!

Steve

Dave, is it possible that you have the "my digital piano sucks because it is no acoustic" syndrome? This syndrome will drive you from one DP to the next but is actually incurable I suppose (at least for the time being). I agree with what the others have said - stick with the two you have; if the NP action is bugging you, go to the CP5, if the latter's sounds are unsatisfactory, go back to the NP. A new digital piano will probably help just for a few weeks or months before you are back in the syndrome cycle.

When you have a Steinway D at home everything else can a bit disappointing

Indeed - the painful, but inevitable truth.

I had quite bad experience owning a real small Yamaha grand for a few weeks last year - too loud and in a space that just didn't work with it. But there are things it did that I long for. Things that no digital can do.

My advice to anyone with a half decent grand piano that they are struggling with (for whatever reason) is to do anything and everything they possibly can to make it work - sell an internal organ if necessary - before ditching it and going digital. And I consider myself a very content Avant Grand owner insofar as it goes - but it ain't an acoustic! Add a digital by all means (for recording with software, gigging or late night practice) but don't swap an acoustic for a digital.

I was seriously considering to change my NP to 700NX or CP5. My friend has the NX and I've tested the CP5 many times at the store. I liked the CP5 more of those two. It had some very nice features and sounds that almost made me buy the thing. However the acoustic piano samples just wasn't as good as in Nord Piano. In my ears, the APs in the NP sound better than in any other DP I've heard. Plus I love the interface.

I'd like to try out the CP5 and NX at a gig - see how those work live. How would you compare the NP and the CP5 (/700NX) at a gig? (Just based on the AP sound)

I echo Steve's comments 100%. I think you should pack the Nord away for a while, use the CP5, then go back to the NP1. I bet you'll kick yourself later if you pick up the RD700NX.

Selling my CP1 is something I regret every day. Take that CP5 back on the road. IMO, it has the best action out thre for stage use and despite any technical shortcomings, has piano and EP sounds that always sound fantastic live.

I would also go for the 700NX. I was never a huge fan of Roland pianos, but I think they nailed it with the 700NX. The action is very nice and the SN piano's sound great and respond very naturally.

I'm not huge fan of Nord gear. I don't like their actions and generally speaking, I haven't found a pure sample based piano that I enjoy playing all that much. I'm not overly impressed with the pianos on my Kronos either. The EPs are a different story but those are modeled.

You're messing with the very foundation of this forum. Be careful!

Yeah, I think we can all empathize with you, Dave. I can't speak to the NP experience as I've never tried it, but I really like my NX, both the SN pianos and the action. My opinion hasn't gone down in the 7 months I've owned it, and I thought I would never say that about any DP.


Dave, I don't recall whether you had the SN board installed in your GX, but if you didn't, then Steve has a good point.

As has been noted from time to time on other threads, you can improve the pallid out-of-the-box NX EPs considerably by layering: try sneaking in a little Vibraphone or Celesta, for instance. IMO one of the current Rolands' greatest virtues is their great tweakability.

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Any DP I've heard so far does sound harsh and grating... in comparison with a real piano.

Dave the only thing that sounds good to me is that Steinway B I played at my gig last week. I will post pictures of me and my bass player. The best action, best tone, best experience I've ever had playing a piano, whether digital or acoustic. My Nords, particularly the NP1, is nothing more than a tool to earn money on. I live it's sounds, interface, feature, weight, etc. but part of what pushed me to buy the AvantGrand N1 was I needed something far better to practice on than the NP88 action. It's a good lightweight action, the pianos sound great, but there's nothing about it that really compares to a good acoustic piano, let alone a high end grand like a Steinway B. I support whichever decision you make - after all, between November 2010 and July 2011, I bought the RD700NX, RD300GX, NP88, NE3 61, and my AvantGrand N1. All in the pursuit of an inspiring DP to play. It's kinda hard to put a price on that.

My recent experience has been that a softer velocity curve really makes the NP sound much better. The "harshness" is transformed to "realism". Of course, this means dragging a second board around, but lately I've been carrying the P-250 for the "bells and whistles" (literally). I was really surprised at the difference in the sound.
I'm thinking about a scripting a Midipipe velocity curve tool for the Nord. Maybe I'll try it next week.
If I could carry my Baldwin to gigs (or play in places that have grands) I would ditch all of these DP's ! No, I better keep one, the Baldwin doesn't have a volume control or a headphone jack !

BTW Bruce did you get the Kronos fixed yet ? The Korg corporate police banned me (and a lot of others) over there So I can't keep up with progress

Wish I could have a journey like yours Zach. Back in the days of GigaStudio I bought pretty much every sample library for the piano.

Hi Dave, whatever you do you have my support. You must have come a long way to arrive at your dilemma.

Really? You weren't even causing trouble. Thats BS.

Not fixed yet. Waiting for parts. Still can't endorse the Kronos though. Sounds great but crap is crap.

Yeah a few people who wouldn't tow the Korg corporate line and pushed for a recall rather then a warranty repair got their accounts binned ... you must have escaped by the skin of your teeth So much for the "Independently moderated" I guess.

i do agree with this. i think player/listener fatigue with DP sample/sounds is very real. for me its even true with recordings, the more i listen to them, the more i hear stuff i don't like- to a point where that's all i hear. and then if i don't listen to them for 3-6 months- and i play them again, i think they sound fine and wonder what i was being so critical about.

but i still think there is a place for a DP, even if you own a nice AP. I spend a lot of time practicing runs/ chord inversions/ reharmonizations. if i do that on our grand, my wife inevitably walks in and says- "can't you just play a song?". So the privacy of a keyboard- to me- is a critical part of my learning experience. maybe i wouldn't say that if i built a piano room with the right acoustics in my house, but then where would my wife put our daughter's wedding pictures?

As others have posted before, I'm not really sure if the 700NX is really what will make you happy.

From what you wrote I gather two main problems:
1. You're pretty satisfied with your CP5, the thing is just too damn heavy.
2. You're not happy with your Nord Piano, although its portability is attractive.

That sounds rather like a transport problem than a need for a new piano. As you know, the Roland isn't lighter or smaller than the CP5, so you would save nothing. If I were you, I'd consider three options:

1. Get a case with wheels or have wheels retrofitted to your existing case. I'm sure it will make a substantial difference. It's so much easier to wheel those bulky pianos than actually carrying them.
2. If you don't have a lot of stuff to move and are usually in charge when moving your CP5, you could even consider ditching the case and getting a Soundwear Stagebag with wheels. Those things are great. I have one myself and for my personal use I would not go back to flight cases.
3. If none of the above appeals to you, why not get a collapsible hand truck and a couple of belts or straps to attach the keyboard case to it. They make life so much easier – not just for piano cases but also power amps, speakers … whatever. It's a purchase you will surely not regret.