Uping my budget

N

nautilus

New member
Previously i have posted a topic to get some feedback comments from you guys between the Yamaha CP33 & the roland Rd300SX. After doing some painstaking research & testing out the keyboards at shops. I found that I need more than just a keyboard. Although not a professional at this area nor a good keyboardist, I am increasing my budget. I have 3 particular keyboards in mind and would like to hear your opinion if you have any hands on experience in anyone of the mentioned synth.

1) Yamaha S90ES.
2) Yamaha CP300 ( Not tested this yet).
3) Roland RD700SX.

I am leaning towards the S90ES but was thinking if there is any paino samplers in the market to enhanced the piano sound? The S90ES i find so flexible compared to the other 2 since it is a synth instead on a purely stage piano?
 
Nautilus, the question to ask (as always) is: what do you want to use the keyboard for?

In your previous thread, you are considering the 2 stage pianos (CP33 and RD700SX). I assumed then you want a keyboard for gigging with the intend of live performance. You now add S90ES into your selection list. You need to know that the S90ES is a different animal from CP33 (and CP300) and RD700SX. The CP and RD series are stage pianos. They are targeted towards live performance and so are ergonomically designed to be so. The S90ES is a synthesizer - it does more than just playback sounds from a stage piano. It lets you go into the waveforms to tweak and manipulate the sounds. In the past, stage pianos don't play back midi sequences - now they all do. Stage pianos used to have only the usual bread-and-butter keyboard sounds - now they have the entire GM/GS/XG template. So the gap between the stage piano and the synthesizers are narrowing - the main difference being the ability to manipulate waveforms.

The RD lets you expand with SRX cards - which narrow the gap further. Yamaha kept the difference more obvious - the CP series are still not able to take in their expansion cards.

So it now comes to this - what do you want your keyboard for? If you do live performances, stage piano is way more user-friendly and stage-friendly than synthesizers. The S90ES isn't much more "flexible" as you imagine. The CP300 now has 4 assignable faders (compared to the older sister P250 which has none) which makes it as good a controller as the S90ES. You can sequence with both of them using external sequencers. Both has a great template of sounds, although the S90ES has somewhat a different template. Of course, there is a piano expansion card you can get for the S90ES to "enhance" it. But really, if you want good piano sounds, the only solution is softsamplers. ROMplers piano sounds will always be limited no matter what. And in live performances, it is quite acceptable since you lose definition when the sounds is blasted through the speakers. If you want solo or acoustic piano recordings of which the detailed nuances of the piano sound is important, go for softsamplers.
 
Cheez..once again thanks for your input. I apologised for posting with inadequate knowledge of products i.e. Synth Vs Stage piano. Or maybe I'm just confused...

At this point maybe you could lead me to the correct path.

Ok what i'm really into is piano. Bascially for home use. Dun mind paying more for quality keyboards even though I don't live performance. Just wanting to get a keyboard equipped with one of the best piano sounds plus good/excellent touch. Additionally an expansion slot would definitely be a plus! Also I would like a keyboard that is portable.

I know we have probably discussed that Yamaha is touch whereas Roland is Sound. But really, I have not been able to get my hands on the 700SX. There's no display piece at swee lee and apparently they do not have stock at current. As for the CP300 similarly not in yet but i believe Yamaha should have the stock quite about soon. I believe that i would not be able to get my hands on an RD before the CP300.

Thanks
 
Nautilus, you need to know that if you get the S90ES or the RD700SX, you need to include monitor speakers into your budget.

I think (my opinion) that the CP300 will best suit your needs. It has build-in speakers (and very good ones) which makes playing at home easy. It has excellent touch which you, as a piano player, will appreciate greatly. The piano sound from the CP300 is one of the latest generation from Yamaha (which is multi-sampled). It should suffice your needs (although I always feel Yamaha piano sounds to be a little too bright - but then the CP300 has EQ faders of which you can adjust!). The 4 assignable faders mean you won't be getting something that gets outdated. This finally puts the Yamaha stage pianos on par with the Roland - their older ones don't have much midi controllers.

If you don't need to go too much into techno/electronic sounds (ie MOTIF stuffs), CP300 sound template should be sufficient (50 CP300 specific sounds, 480 XG sounds, 12 drum kits - that's more than enough!). You probably don't need much more expansion.

If the CP300 isn't in yet, you can try the P250. The CP300 is basically a hyped up P250 - ie the main difference being the 4 assignable faders. I don't know if they improved the key action, but I think it may be the same generation of keys. I got the S90 instead of the P250 mainly because I needed assignable faders which the P250 didn't have. If the CP300 came out earlier, I would have bought it instead.

For me, sound was not the main concern since I'm using softsamplers. Touch was the main thing.

Another thing - I believe the P/CP series does not come with aftertouch. If you're mainly a piano person, this won't make much of a difference to you. Some sounds are good to have aftertouch for control - but it's nothing that isn't replaceable by other controllers such as the mod wheel and the sliders.
 
Oh, and if Swee Lee doesn't have RD700SX, try the RD700 (ie if they have it). The Roland people put in a lot of thought in RD700SX. The differences between the RD700 and the RD700SX isn't a lot but enough to make a live performer smile. The buttons are improved to give a better touch/feel. The piano sound is one generation higher.
 
Cheez, yes i'm fully aware that the RD700SX & the S90ES doesn't comes with an inbuilt speakers. But that is immaterial or should not be a decision making factor.

The CP300 should be coming in a week time as per Yamaha. I should be getting a call from them when the stock comes in. It would be great with some hands on experience with the real thing and decide for myself. I guess you are correct that it may be suffice for my needs.

As for the RD I am not considering the RD700 since it came out with the RD700SX but really...thanks for mentioning and I appreciate it.

It's just unfortunate that the CP300 is likely to come in before I could try on the RD700SX. ( Hands very itchy and really want to get akeyboard soon). It would be ideal that i could have tested both keyboards before a decision is made. At this point I may get the CP300 if I like it after testing since the RD700SX is not likely to be in very soon.

Cheers
 
I guess the speakers will be a consideration if you are on a budget. But if budget is not a problem, excellent!

Also, what I meant about trying the RD700 is to feel the touch and the ergomonics which is similar to the RD700SX - if the latter isn't out yet. Of course, you'll have to try the RD700SX to really get the feel. I tried it when I was in the States - it was really nice to play something so easily controllable especially when you need to play live. But the RD700 is already very well thought of in terms of the ergonomics (having own one before) - you can try it first if your hands are itchy! They are quite similar.

Do update us on your decision!
 
Cheez, Thanks!

It's such a shame if i really can't try on the RD700SX. Pricing wise both are quite similar. Not sure if I can wait. But will give swee lee a call again tomorrow and check for availability again.

Yes definitely will keep you guys posted.

Have a great weekend!
 
have you considered getting a real piano? i just got (another) one for less than $3000. Second hand but the touch and tone is beautiful.
 
Hi, infact I did. But eventually decide on something more portable. I know nuthin's compare to the real acoustic pianos but really the latter takes up to much space.
 
do you really need the portability? i mean, you gig with a 88-key keyboard?

88key keyboard takes up the same foot print as a 88key piano. :wink:

maybe lesser coz no need speakers + amp.
 
Hi soft, at least it's more portable than an acoustic piano =). There are a couple of ways to fit an 88 into a car though a van would be more ideal but really not neccessary.
 
Oh in addition to that...eventually I will get an acoustic piano...it's a matter of time. Eyeing on a U5 though

Cheers
 
There's a way (the only way) an 88 key can fit into a car. Put the front passenger seat all the way down. The keyboard (preferably in a hardcase to protect it) slots into the feet area of the front passenger seat and laid flat on the inclined front passenger seat. It will extend to the back seat behind the front passenger seat - so nobody can sit behind the front passenger seat. Make sure the seat belt is fastened round the keyboard (can be done) to secure it and stop it from moving when the car is turning). Drive slowly and carefully. I've done it many times even in very small cars.
 
Cheez, yeah ...I had the same thinking on how i'm gonna fit the keyboard into the car. =)

Yup saw it and sent him a PM. See what he comes back with.
 
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