Roland RD700GX

Description

The Roland RD700GX is discontinued. Check out the new model RD700NX

 

 

 

Features
Step onstage to the world’s most impressive stage piano. With EPs onboard, plus audio-play and master control features, the RD-700GX is powered by Roland’s latest sound engine for incredible sound quality. The flagship RD-700GX leads the market with its SuperNATURALâ„¢ instruments and a PHA II “Ivory Feel” keyboard with Escapement.

Stunning 88-key stereo multi-sampled piano sounds
88-key weighted keyboards: PHA II “Ivory Feel” with Escapement
SuperNATURAL electric pianos for unprecedented realism
Audio playback of .WAV, AIFF, and MP3 files via USB memory; easy onstage control with Audio Key feature
Piano Designer function for creating the perfect custom instruments, plus eight multi-effects processors
Three MIDI outputs, multiple zones for master-control functionality

Perfect Piano
The RD-700GX is anchored by Roland’s finest 88-key stereo multi-sampled piano engine, including a brand-new expressive piano sound, with every note captured using a generous amount of wave capacity. In addition to its super-expressive onboard piano sound-sets, other essential instruments are built into this new piano, including EPs. You can even customize and save your sounds for instant recall.

Perfect Touch
Your fingers will love the RD-700GX’s top-of-the-line PHA II “Ivory Feel” keyboard with Escapement. This amazing keyboard technology reproduces the real surface feel of ivory acoustic piano keys providing a familiar stability and comfort to the pianist. The keys are designed to absorb moisture, ensuring a secure, slip-proof feel, even in the hottest stage environments where sweaty hands can spell disaster.

SuperNATURALâ„¢ EP
Another distinguishing feature of the RD-700GX is its electric-piano sound bank derived from Roland’s unique SuperNATURALâ„¢ technology. Enjoy realism, expression, and control like never before with this special selection of EPs that provide amazingly authentic and organic tonal response.

USB Audio Enhancement
Play audio through the RD-700GX directly from a USB memory key. Flexible file compatibility enables playback of Standard MIDI Files, .WAV, AIFF and MP3s. The “Audio Key” feature lets you use the bottom 15 keys for controlling start song, song length, etc. In addition, you can connect directly to a PC via USB and tap into Cakewalk SONAR LE software, included in the RD700GX package.

Custom Shop
For those who like to get inside an instrument and customize its sounds, the RD700GX’s Piano Designer feature is your key to unlocking and personalizing the sound-set, down to the smallest details such as Hammer Noise, Damper Resonance, Duplex Scale and more. In the RD-700GX, sounds can be further customized with the eight channels of powerful onboard multi-effects.

Sound Expansion, Master Control
Expand and personalize the internal sound-set by adding up to two optional Roland SRX expansion boards, then take your music to the stage. The RD-GX series make great master controllers, thanks to multi-zone functionality and multiple MIDI outputs (three MIDI outputs).

Specs:

88 keys PHA II Ivory Feel Keyboard with Escapement
Sound Generator
Conforms to General MIDI 2 System, 88-key Stereo Multi-sampled Piano Sound
Part 16
Maximum Polyphony
128 voices
Wave Memory
256MB (16-bit linear equivalent)
Normal Tones: 242
SuperNATURAL E.Piano: 10
Tonewheel Organ: 10
General MIDI 2 Tones: 256
Rhythm Sets: 5
General MIDI 2 Rhythm Sets: 9
Setups x 100
Effects: Multi-Effects: 2 x 4 systems, 124 types,
Reverb: 6 types,
Chorus: 3 types,
Sound Control: 3-band Compressor
4-band Digital Equalizer
SMF/Audio File Player File Format
Standard MIDI File: format-0/1, Audio File: WAV, AIFF (44.1 kHz, 16-bit linear), MP3
*Audio File can be played with Audio Key Function.
Connectors Output Jacks (L/MONO, R): 1/4 inch phone type, Output Jacks (L, R): XLR type,
DAMPER Pedal, FC1 Pedal, FC2 Pedal, MIDI (IN, OUT1, OUT2, THRU/OUT3), USB (MIDI, Memory), Headphones Jack: Stereo 1/4 inch phone type, AC Inlet
Others Arpeggiator
150 styles
Rhythm Pattern
200 patterns
Display
128 x 64 dots graphic LCD with backlit
Controllers
Zone Level slider x 4 (Assignable), Equalizer knobs, Reverb knob, Chorus knob,
Multi-Effects Control knob x 2 (Assignable), Pitch Bend/Modulation lever, Assignable Switches (S1, S2)
Expansion Slots
SRX expansion board: 2 slots
Internal Memory
4M bytes
Power Supply
AC 117/230/240 V (50/60 Hz), AC 220 V (60 Hz)
Power Consumption
12 W
Accessories
Owner’s Manual, Audio Key Utility 2 Quick Guide, CD-ROM (Audio Key Utility 2, SONAR LE), Damper Pedal, Power Cord
Size and Weight Width
1,444 mm
56-7/8 inches
Depth
375 mm
14-13/16 inches
Height
148 mm
5-7/8 inches
Weight
25.0 kg
55 lbs. 2 oz.

 

 

Questions and Comments

“I CAN’T stand the roland piano sound – It’s so moody & depressing!”

Hi Graham,

Hope all is well.

So after my 12 hour journey to Cornwall to get the ”acclaimed” ROLAND RD700GX…. I just sold it on Saturday!! I was pleased with the price I got for it as well I made a tidy £600 quid profit on it!! (Brought for £1000, sold for £1600!!!)

Why did I sell the RD-700GX?? How do/can I put it politely?? It sounds…….. CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES I SAID IT!! I have MANY good friends who are professional working musicians/keyboard/session players who are using this board & they quite shocked to hear me say this as well, BUT in all honesty? It doesn’t really sound ”AMAZING”

I found out that Roland basically takes a Steinway D & a bosendorfer splits them in half then joins them up… I couldn’t stand the ”mellow” sound on the GX.. Sounded so DULL, UN-INSPIRING & FLAT!! Also the ‘ivory’ keys were/are a PAIN!!!!!!! Why not just give plastic???? The ivory seems to wear off after 10 minutes of light playing…. Common problem I found out this is happening to ALL GX owner’s (all over the Internet..)

I have to admit I do LOVE the sound of Yamaha pianos. I LOVE THE S6!!! Is nice & bright BUT still cuts through. And I prefer the Yamaha s90es/xs but as these are ‘balanced hammer’ and all the keys are the same? I really prefer the graded hammer piano mimic weight such as the CDP1’s.

Now I am studying for Grade 1 Theory & Practical with ABRSM (I will be Classically trained, have all them rudiments & I already play by ear too.

And I have £1,000-1,500 to spend on a digital or stage piano (providing I find 1 that I like)

I wanted to ask you, what can I get around this price range that is REALLY BETTER than the classenti CDP1 in terms of touch/sensitivity/key weight??

I’m so glad I kept the classenti and didn’t end up selling it, a true blessing in disguise!!

I just read the whole of your 7 things you must know pdf AND I LIKE IT!! WAS A GREAT READ GRAHAM!! Thanks for this.

I have looked at the following to come up against the CDP1:

Roland RP-201 – How is this against our beloved CDP1?? (if this has the same sound as the GX?? cross this out STRAIGHT AWAY!!!!!!!)
Yamaha CLP430 – How is this against both the 201 & CDP1?
Yamaha CP50 – Stage Piano I know but it LOOKS/SEEMS to be a GOOD 1.. Have you played this? What can you tell me??
Yamaha P-155 – Looks good but has tiny speakers?? Hmmmm…
Anything else you want to throw against the CDP1??

I was even contemplating to buy an upright (Yes I am getting deeper & deeper with the piano…) and I checked out a Yamaha U1, Kemble Studio, but the maintenance just bugs me, having to have it tuned & its seems I would need to spend atleast £3,000 to get a ‘good decent” upright?? etc etc of course nothing can/will ever replicate a real piano!!

I LOVE the CDP1 as you know, but the piano sound just now sounds abit to sharp as I’m learning more… I can however put up with it..

I am looking for something BETTER than the CDP1 & something with more touch sensitive levels for the keys.. To allow me to play with expression/feeling etc etc

What can you advise??? I can call you if this is easier for you??

If all else fails? I will be more than happy to practice my grades on the CDP1 & keep it! It has become my trusted workhorse!!

Rhe roland is a shame, I actually CANT stand the roland piano sound!! It’s so moody & depressing!!

I’ve read some good & bad things regarding the CP50… I ain’t too sure on it.. And here in Coventry???????? There isn’t alot of shops to try out the ‘high end boards’ they all seem to stock……. Casio home 61 keyboards…. Yamaha p95s…. These aren’t EXACTLY in the same league as the bigger models!

I think I will stick with the CDP1 for the time being.. It hasn’t let me down since I brought it from you!

I will give you a call though shortly

Thanks G,

Danny

P.S. I’ve learnt how to read music in 3 lessons!!!! I cant play & read fluently yet but I know where all the notes are for treble & bass clef!! And I am able to play slowly. Jermaine has given me such a solid foundation to build upon man!!!!

Reply/ Hi Danny

Sorry to hear you didn’t get on with your Roland.

If you find the tone too mellow then Yamaha is
certainly the way to go.

The Yamaha CP50 could be the right piano for you…

The Yamaha sound is sampled from their own
concert grand piano. So it’s a brighter, harder,
slightly more metallic sound than the Roland.

The key touch is also firmer, with a harder feel
at the bottom of the key’s down stroke. This
might suit you more because you’re used to
playing the firm Classenti touch.

I don’t think you’ll like a different Roland piano.
They all have the mellow tone mostly in the
central region of the keyboard.

Yours pianistically,