Heartache over - RD700NX on its way

So I did it.

And whilst I would love to have tried two of the competitors, I'm at peace with this decision, having tried it out again with cans.

I did notice this disclaimer in the manual, and wondered whether this was a new update to cover their rear ends:

Caution when Playing Back Audio Files
Playing back an MP3 file or changing the playback tempo of an audio file places a significant processing burden on the RD-700NX, and in some cases may cause it to be unable to completely process all of the performance data from the keyboard.
If this occurs, you may be able to solve the problem by taking the following actions. • Use WAV format data rather than MP3 format data • Return the song tempo to its original setting (to 0%)

I am very grateful to the many Pianoworld contributors who have made this decision both more complex (as a result of more knowledge) and ultimately more informed than it would have been had I not found this fabulous resource.

Congratulations 10fingers! I hope it works out for you. Are you getting the 3 pedal unit too? It's not necessary but it is nifty.

DPs are all a mixed bag, but IMO the NX is kind of tough to beat. The keys are nice, the internal architecture and UI are fairly straightforward, having three different SN APs is interesting, and all the other stuff is fun to play around with. I find myself still listening to JulianMaurits's NX recordings and I'm constantly bowled over by the subtle expressiveness the NX APs and EPs are capable of (in his very capable hands!).

I really wish there was a MIDI recorder and the ability to render MIDI => WAV. I also wish it had an SN harpsichord and pipe organ, a way to save presets over the factory ones, was less long & heavy, and had a music rest, but you can't have everything it seems.

I finished the combo speaker / amp today and my wife gave it a spin. We both thought the Studio Grand sounded better - less boxy than the Concert Grand - when amplified this way. But to me the Concert Grand sounds best through headphones.


Not sure if they reworded it, but IIRC that basic statement has always been there.

Congrats ! I'm actually thinking of using some of my earmarked store credit for the Kronos and applying it towards the 700 or 300.

Playing the Kronos the other day (not from a weighted board) , I actually had more of a blast on the 300NX.

Thanks, Dewster. I've no doubt that I'll love it. I wasn't planning on getting the the 3-pedal, as I have several pedals already, and it seems like an unnecessary expense right now. I don't remember which of my pedals supports half pedaling, but I'm sure that at least one does. The double pedal (bought when I was struggling with a Fatar contrller) probably does just on/off, but I think that for una corde and sostenuto that's all I need right? I've dipped into the online manual a bit (OK, a lot) and there seems to be quite a high level of control possibilities available through use of an expression pedal (continuous controller), so if you have any suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them. Oh, I've just remembered - the unit ships with a cc pedal also!!



Well that sounds interesting, Dave. I've heard a couple of other people say they preferred the 300 over the 700. Let us know if you go that way.

Jonathan

Congrats 10fingers!

James
x

I think the 700NX is a great choice for someone who is primarily focused on pianos. It has a nice action and the SN pianos have a rich tone and nice detail. Just make sure to key an eye on your keytops. The 700NX at the local Guitar Center is pretty filthy like the Fantom Gs they have on the floor.

The guys over on the Korg forums are pretty dismissive about the SN pianos. While I do prefer the sound of the new Korg pianos, I think the SN pianos are impressive and certainly think the 700NX is a more appropriate board for those who are primarily focused on piano.

I'm not completely satisfied with either the Roland SN or the Kronos pianos in terms of the primary presets out of the box... but if all I cared about was piano, of the two, I'd probably pick the Roland because of the better feeling keyboard (at least based on the FP-7F I played).

The action on the Rolands are better. The action on the Kronos is perfectly playable and responsive, but it is a bit noisy. That being said, I am accustomed to the Kronos action at this point and have no complaints about the way it performs. Did you play a weighted Kronos because there aren't many, if any, on the floor anywhere? The Kronos does come with about 10 piano presets. I like the Kronos German grand with the lid half open and damper noise reduced by a notch.

Without a doubt, the 700's action is superior to the 300. Also the sound , at least through phones, is more detailed and in your face. I'm just guessing, but the 700 has probably a higher quality D/A converter or processing on the sample similar to the CP50 vs 5 sound scenario.

My CP5 isn't going anywhere, at least for the time being, so my main motivation towards the 300 is one of a portability factor. I never say never but I don't need another 55 lb. DP to haul around. Just playing the 300 twice in the last week it had a nice player connect to it. Although I feel it's a definite one trick pony just for the SN Grand.

I think the people there are more keyboard type players interested in synth or organ stuff--not more dedicated pianist types.

That being said, I've always felt that the Roland piano sounds (in the past, can't speak about the newer SN pianos and sound focus features since I've yet to use one live) were more suited to certain types of Jazz, Classical and more lyrical pop stylings then higher volume RnR, RnB or Funk/Fusiony band scenarios.

No, I was basing the comment on playing the SV-1 which is supposed to be very similar.

Congrats 10Fingers!!! I'm certain you would love 700NX! I can perfectly relate to both the heartache from before and the calm of knowing one's choice was the correct one

Congrats again!
Rafa.

It comes with their DP-10 pedal that supports half-damper. I just got one, too.

Action is the same but Kronos has aftertouch. The sounds are very different, especially on the piano end.

10fingers. You won't regret buying the RD700NX. I've had one 4 months and I appreciate it more now than when I got it. I find the piano sounds while not the same as an acoustic piano offers a musical experience I really connect with. It is a such a joy to sit at I rarely play the acoustic upright sitting next to it. The Brilliant piano when EQed and tweaked a bit can have a woody type of piano sound with little resonance that I find great for playing jazz and rock & roll.
Adding layers or playing with a rhythm pattern are great extras to have as well. You won't regret it - Enjoy.

Right... Let me restate in case there was confusion... The Kronos and SN pianos sound different, and--based only on the primary presets--neither totally satisfies me. Therefore, if I were going to choose one for nothing but piano use, I'd choose based on which felt better to play.

Having played the FP-7F (to give me an idea of what the RD-700NX feels like) and the SV-1 (to give me an idea what the Kronos weighted action will feel like, even though the sound is very different), if I were going to choose between the RD-700NX and the Kronos for piano based on which felt better to play, I'd choose the Roland.

I was just pointing out that the sounds on the SV and Kronos are generated by different sound engines and do not sound the same at all. If you have only played the SV, it is a very different experience from playing the Kronos. That being said, I do think the action on the NX is better and think the Kronos would be wasted on most people around here who are primarily looking for a piano.

If I were solely looking for a piano for the home, I would easily choose the NX, CP or MP10 over the Kronos simply because all those boards have refined actions, less distractions and more robust construction.

I didn't mean to ever suggest otherwise. Only that the feel of the Kronos 88 should be expected to be very similar to the feel of the SV. Therefore you can use that as a guide as to which keyboard action you will prefer, Kronos or Roland's.

Definitely. The RH3 on the Kronos feels pretty much the same as the SV1, which isn't the greatest compliment.

Got one of these after a lot of searching and reading advice on the forum here.

All I can say 10fingers is this: man you will not be disappointed. Its an awesome board and having tried a lot of actions, it really strikes me as realistic.

Congrats, 10fingers! Best wishes for many years of enjoyment.

b

Thank you all for your good wishes. I must admit it's a little pathetic the way I have been checking UPS tracking data just in case they move the delivery time up. (Although I know they just don't do that).



Yup, that's what I'm looking forward to: having three distinct SN pianos to play with.

One of my favourite ever piano sounds was the 'Mellow piano' on an old Emu Proformance piano module. It was just so woody, and the connection to keyboard seemed so good. No doubt these things are relative to what one is used to, and perhaps all its faults (pitiful 4Mb of samples, I believe) would be apparent if I heard it today, but that sound had so much character, I just loved it.

...one more day to go

10fingers,

Was wondering if you received the piano, as of yet?
(Several days have passed, since your post date.)

Do hope that you will have it very soon.

Thanks, pv. The reason I have been AWOL is that the piano arrived, and all I have time to say right now is

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Back to my den - I'll be posting a more in depth review when I can surface for more than 10 minutes.

A happy customer then! Congratulations

Glad to hear you finally received it... should be a very nice piano!

Congratulations 10fingers. You will love it as I do. I have one little gripe regarding the key tops though, I know it's been said before but the problem has not yet been resolved. My NX is 4 months old and the other day I noticed for the first time my middle C key top feeling a bit rough at the end of the note. In the daylight I see scratches on this and several other notes within a two octave area. My finger nails are extremely short (I'm a long time biter) I'm sure the problem is caused by the sides of both the thumb nails when they come in cotact with the key top. As I really rate this board I will live with this issue for now unless it gets much worse.

Maybe Roland outdid themselves in trying to re invent the wheel. I love the new action but plastic keys with no problems would have been fine for me. After all I had a RD700 for 7 years and I didn't mind the action or key top. (although the key tops did get quite moist playing a function under lights) Saying all the above I still don't regret the purchase though.