This is the keyboard on my wishlist right now. “The keyboard” has been changing several times over the past few weeks but I’ve finally decided that this is the one I want.
I really like Roland products and have played Roland keyboards for about 17 years. In fact, if you’re reading this and you happen to be a Roland employee, I’d be more than happy to discuss an endorsement or even just a review agreement if you’re interested in shipping one of these lovelies to a very friendly, blogging singer-songwriter guy.
Besides being familiar with Roland products, here’s what attracts me to this (from their web site):
- PHA alpha II weighted keyboard, which simulates a real grand piano by providing a heavier touch in the lower octaves that gets increasingly lighter in the upper range.
- It’s ultra easy to transport at about 36 pounds (16.4 kg), — yet built tough enough for the rigors of the road.
- Play audio through the RD-300GX 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.
Those are pretty much the main reasons. It’s a light, realistically weighted keyboard with a sweet USB Thumb Drive option. At this point, it’s not clear to me if I can start and stop my SP404 with this (via midi clock), but that would make me weep tears of joy if I could. Plus, after selling a couple other Roland keyboards that I currently own, I think I can justify the price of $1,400.
It doesn’t ship till late April, but I’ll keep you posted on this decision. In the meantime, here’s the product page where we can pass the time together.
Popularity: 17% [?]
March 10th, 2008 at 9:18 am
“I really like Roland products and have played Roland keyboards for about 17 years.”
Just can’t get enough of those ridiculously multi-functioned buttons huh? 27 layer drill down screens? Lackluster/hard to read and cramped user interface?
Well… at least it will be a vast improvement of the “weight” problem of your current keyboard.
[smile]
March 10th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Come on, Dan. Don’t bust up the good karma on this page with your hate. How is Roland going to hook me up with an endorsement with you bashing their good name around here!?
We’ll have to see how “feature rich” the menus are on this. That is a bit of a drag.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:34 am
Earlier this week, I got to play the RD-300 GX for the very first time and fell in love with it’s sounds (and action). Yesterday I ordered one. I’ll be playing it through a Bose PAS system. Sweet! Best of luck with your acquisition!!
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
Wow. I’m so excited to play one. Hopefully can purchase in the next month or 2.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:18 am
hi i’m torn between FP4 and RD300GX
FP4 has very cool session partner, +speakers
RD300GX looks sexy, has USB memory slot, SMF player
But I want both Session partner And SMF player
November 5th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Nick, you’d better just go for the RD-300GX — just purchased one myself. I’ve demoed the FP4, and I just think the RD-300GX is a better product all round.
BTW, nice tunes Jeff.