Uping my budget

[nautilus]

Hi Cheez, just a quick question. Since you are a "piano" person. Have u actually considered the RD700SX since you have tried it? I mean so far i see positive comments on the 700SX but why did you prefer the Yamaha instead?

According to manufacturer specs, I personally feel that the RD700SX offers slightly more (comparing to the CP300)?

Are you leaning toward the Yamaha just because of touch?

 

[Cheez]

I'm not prefering one over the other. It's all about functionality - what I need them for.

There was a time when I was just starting on sequencing. I had a workstation then (the SY77, then the SY99). When I started to move into softsamplers, I got rid of them and got a controller instead (Roland A70 which I still own). Then there was a stage when I was perfoming live more often - then the RD700 came in because it is just perfect for the job. When I had to go overseas, I don't perform live as much - so I got rid of it. Now as I'm overseas and I don't have a piano, I need to teach my son piano which means I need something with a touch as close to a piano as possible. There's why Yamaha. I didn't get the P250 but the S90 because I wanted the controllable sliders for my sequencing. So you see, for me, it's all about what I need it for. If I'm to start performing live more often, I would get the RD700SX without a shadow of doubt.

So for me now, touch was the most important. Yamaha gives me that. Although Roland has better acoustic/orchestral sounds than Yamaha, I don't need them since I'm using Gigastudio.

In the end, you'll have to feel the keyboards for yourself. There's always the "X" factor which pushes you towards your decision. That "X" factor is different for everybody. After you try both, maybe you feel the differences in touch between the RD700SX and the CP300 to be negligible for you - and you may decide to go for the RD700SX. That's fine. I love the RD700SX - it's just a dream to play it because every button is located where it should and it's just so easy to operate in a live situation.

 

[Cheez]

The other thing that usually helps me in my decision: although sound is important, it's easy to expand sounds (by getting modules etc in the future). But once you get a keyboard with not so good touch, you're stuck with it unless you get another keyboard. You can expand sound but you can't change touch short of changing keyboard.

But do note - RD700SX touch is also quite good. It's just that the Yamaha is slightly better (and slightly closer to the real thing). Also note that the CP series has no aftertouch. These are small factors that may or may not be important in your decision. Also know that touch is a subjective thing, just like sound preference.

 

[nautilus]

Cheez, thanks. This is indeed very informative! Yes I do agree that sound can be "enhance" but not touch. Like you've mentioned it stays unless I changed another keyboard. Kudos to you for bringing up this point.

I have tried the RD300SX and don't really like the feel. Sound is ok but really I do feel what you felt. I just don't feel like playing further when I tested it. But however I don't have any hands on experience on the RD700SX ( as i do not have the chance to). I believe the different between 300 & 700 SXs since the earlier is has a compact progressive hammer action while the other expressive progressive hammer action. I don't know how the 2 differ.

But if the the latter still have a good feel but may not be comparable to the Yamaha & if the difference between the Yamaha & the ROland is only "slight" I may settle for the RD.

Another point that captures me about the roland is it's design as a whole. To me it really looks robust compared to the Yamaha. Additionally it's 2 SRX expansion slot is definitely a plus point. =) Weight is also another factor. Yamaha is around 33kg whereas Roland is roughly 10kgs lighter.

In all, although both offers comparable functions but at this point I may not use them until a later stage. So it's always good to have...hahhahahhaha

 

[Cheez]

The RD700SX is very different from the RD300SX. Don't compare them. The RD700 is similar to the RD700SX though.

 

[Jazzfish]

dude, im the guy with the RD700sx. unfortunately, im dealing with a decent guy with regards to the stage piano.But if it doesnt work out Ill update you.

It is a really nice keyboard to play with though

 

[nautilus]

No worries. I wish you luck. =)