On my Wishlist: Roland RD-300gx
Categories: distractions, mymusic
Written By: Jeff
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.
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.
January 15th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Looking to go back to playing the piano after 30 years without access to one. Live in a small apartment so size is an issue for storage. It’s for personal enjoyment only and to re-learn the basics. Play by ear. Would like to possibly write songs for myself and personal films.
This will be my first purchased digital keyboard.I’m torn between Roland FP7 and the RD-300GX. Any practical advice/suggestions, best deals and what to be aware of before committing to buying?
Thanks,
Chris
January 15th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Hey Chris – Is there a reason you’re not thinking about the FP4 – which is closer in price to the RD-300GX? That’s the model I ended up going with. The RD300 doesn’t have speakers, so you’re stuck using headphones or getting amplification. I can’t remember what stood out about the FP7, but I’m really satisfied with the FP4. It’s light, has weighted keys, speakers, and some amazing sounds and effects. Have someone who KNOWS the keyboard show it to you. It’s deeper than it appears.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:49 am
Wow, I wish I’d stumbled on this discussion before. I’m totally torn between the FP-4, FP-7 and RD300gx.
In my opinion, the FP-7 is far superior to the other two – in sound and action (which is gorgeous). It’s the best digital piano I have played. (And it has all the features of the other two – the Session Partner and the audio key). The only drawback is the weight – almost 20 lbs heavier, and I’m going to have to take it to gigs. For that reason alone, I probably have to settle for the FP4 or RD300. IMHO, anyone who can afford the extra money and doesn’t have to travel with it is missing out if they don’t go for the FP-7.
As for the other two, they just don’t sound as good. But the weight is practical. In addition, the RD300 action is very mushy – but I’m tempted by the audio key. Can anyone who owns either one give me their experience – especially on gigs?
In particular, Jeff did you go for the RD? Are you happy with it?
-thanx
March 31st, 2009 at 9:58 am
Steve, I did go with the FP-4. Its light weight and built in speakers made the decision easy for me and I haven’t looked back. Each sound bank has a variety of options and the registration mode lets you save layers and effects (which are fantastic, btw). The organs are some of the best you’ll find in this price range, I’m convinced. You can toggle the rotor with an effects button, so even though there’s not a modulation wheel, it’s not a problem. I’m happy.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I’ve had my RD300GX now for about 10 months. I LOVE it. The action works really well for both piano and non-piano parts (organ). It’s very flexible in how you can configure setups and is one of the few digital pianos (especially weighing in under 33 lbs) that contains decent Brass and Sax sounds. It IS pretty wide. I wish they had positioned the Mod & Bend wheels above the keys instead of to the side. If I had to make the purchase all over again, I’d buy another RD300GX.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:36 am
Thanks for the feedback, guys…I appreciate it. Any other happy (or disgruntled owners). Jeff,Peter… what kind of amp do you use?
One of my problems is that I can only try these KB’s out in crowded, noisy music stores through lousy amps…makes it hard to know what the piano can really sound like.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:16 am
My amplifier of choice for my RD300GX will always be the Bose PAS. I wouldn’t settle for anything less.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:41 am
I, on the other hand, frequently settle for a lot less. I use the built in speakers on the FP4 and whatever the venue has. No amp here.
May 11th, 2009 at 9:38 am
hi guys, its me again. i bought the korg sp250 which is good for pianos. but now i have a need to gig with 88keys with more sounds. i hope to get a single solution rather than buying a module. im convinced about roland’s piano sound quality, however, saxes are important for me too. i couldn’t find any sax demo, i will greatly appreciate it if anyone could post tenor and alto sax mp3 demo of rd300,700, fp4 or fp7
May 11th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Hey Nick,
I happened to have my keyboard up and on and a portable digital recorder next to it. Here are two of the main sax patches. I assume there are a couple more in the GM soundbank. No mod wheel or pitchbend on the FP4 if you’re concerned about that.
http://www.jeffcaylor.com/saxdemo.mp3
May 11th, 2009 at 10:26 am
jeff i can’t thank you enough! it sounds good and not thin at all.
i have to forget about RD700GX because of its infamous ivory key wear problem.
now im choosing between fp4 and rd300gx. depending on the price. i’ll report here. thanks again jeff
May 12th, 2009 at 2:40 am
Hey guys,
Many thanks to everyone who helped me in my decision making. I went for the FP-4, half expecting to regret it…but I gotta say I am very happy with it. I thought it make not cut thru my (mono) amp on a gig, but it sounded really good. The acoustic piano, the B3 ‘jazz’ patch, and two e.p.’s are all I would probably use, but that’s enough for me. I wish it had the FP-7’s superb action, and I wish it had the audio key, but I’m convinced considering the choices out there, it’s the best for me….and the 33 lbs. advantage is definitely nothing to sneeze at
b.t.w, the sax patched sound really cheesy, imho. but i’ve never heard a sax patch on any keyboard that doesn’t.
cheers to everyone,
steve k.
May 31st, 2009 at 8:27 am
I loved the RD-700GX at the music store, but they didn’t have an RD-300GX. Other than price, what are the differences between the two?
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:06 am
Fewer sounds. I don’t think there is any comparison to the sounds of the RD700gx. Some of the patches might be the same, but many are not. The piano samples in the RD300gx are not the same; they come from the older RD700sx.
The 700gx has a great action; the 300gx action is very soft and mushy to my taste – there is little resistance to push against. (But some people like a light action.)
On the plus side, the 300gx is almost 20 lbs lighter – That’s a big difference.
Good luck….I just went through all this myself.