Narrative Comparison: Roland RD-88 vs Casio PX-560

Narrative comparison: Roland RD-88 and Casio Privia PX-560.
Both are solid, full-featured stage pianos, yet each has their own major strengths!
See additional videos and purchase links below.
Buy the Casio PX-560 at amazing cost savings:
www.PianoManChuck.com
Buy the Roland RD-88 here:
amzn.to/2ZN3Y4R
Roland RD-88 Full Overview/Review:
• Roland RD-88 - Compreh...
Casio Privia PX-560 Full Overview/Review:
• Casio Privia PX-560 - ...
Casio PX-560 Hex Layers:
• Casio's Hex Layers - I...

[@NoLuv4Hoz]

Amazed to see the Casio PX-560 still giving newer keyboards a run for their money so many years later. But not really all that surprised since it was revolutionary when it came out. Thanks for this very informative comparison!

[@PianoManChuck]

Couldn't agree more!

[@1Steve]

man, your reviews are so clear and well detailed, so useful and informative for those not expert and needing to know and understand like me, thank you very much, peace

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks Steve!

[@grahamcmusic]

Brill as always Chuck You demonstrate (certainly to me) that you really know your stuff and that you tackle your reviews very thoroughly and logically to give a keyboard player the kind of info that helps him understand and make a choice Thank you

[@PianoManChuck]

Many thanks!

[@anshumanbose7430]

Thanks Chuck for sharing your immense knowledge on pianos and the detailed description of their features and putting all the facts together in a simple yet effective manner so that people who don't have such deeper knowledge of these features could too get a grasp of it Greatly appreciated... Kudos ✌️ to your work

[@PianoManChuck]

My pleasure!

[@creekwoodjoe1607]

Excellent Chuck!

[@sammyfrenkel]

thanks for also going into the synths!

[@dalaimama13]

Thank so much for this!!

[@faautobahna9416]

Very good review.

[@regmason2329]

The touch screen on the Casio is a huge feature- HUGE! ESPECIALLY, if your a solo performer. Good review Chuck!

[@PianoManChuck]

Even better when playing in a band... I can get to any sound/instrument right away without having to waste time looking for it.

[@seniscram7958]

Dude!!! So thorough.!..very cool man.

[@PianoManChuck]

Appreciate it!

[@seniscram7958]

@@PianoManChuck - would you want to do a video on how to use the midi sequencer on the px560 to arrange songs? Is that a step sequencer and what is the difference between that and a pattern sequencer?

[@JamesAWSmith]

I bought the Casio Privia Pro PX-560 in 2018, actually bought 3 of them for 3 churches. I wanted to upgrade to the Roland Fantom 7.......I Did. I gave MY Casio PX-560to my Son's ministry. Now......I am considered buying my grandson the Roland RD-88......both are great

[@kaberigomes2117]

Damm you buy alot of keyboards, 😅. What's your opinion on px-560 for a beginner, and perform in mass as goal.

[@tronlady1]

REALLY COOL 🤩

[@ili626]

Really like that intro musical comparison

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks Tom. That would be "Forgotten" (one of my originals). MIDI file for it is available at www.PianoManChuck.com/MIDI.html

[@ili626]

@@PianoManChuck Nice! I’ll check it out. I like the call/response ..well used for the comparison.

[@robertbrown6879]

I would like to see Casio add a section on the Display for Registrations (Setlist, Songs, whatever you want to call them). One problem I had was after saving a sound or settings for a song, I couldn't remember where I saved it in the Registrations. An icon on the Display for this would help greatly and allow for easier setting up of set lists and make it far easier to get back to songs/registrations you have saved. They could even allow for a search function to search for titles of Songs/Registrations. If I have four sets of ten songs each, that's a lot of scrolling. If you can search for a title of your song you could get right back to it. Allow for displaying a list of songs by Registration that you could scroll through quickly would be fine. I actually ran across a list I made on my iPhone from 2016 that had a list of Registrations for the song (registration) settings I had for various songs in the setlist. It is too easy to misplace a handwritten list of songs or a set list. Given a fair amount of time, without a fantastic memory, try hunting and pecking. I've done it a number of times. Frustrating. And allow for more character length in naming files/songs/registrations. 12 characters isn't bad but with modern computer technology there's no reason to all for longer file names.

[@Frank-in-NY]

Really extensive comparison of these two excellent Keyboards. I think the Casio AIR and AIX Sound modules are tops. If they can get little better Keybed, I'd grab one in a second. Oh yeah...the Blue color is awful. I bet a refreshed 560 is gonna be killer. Roland, great stuff, built to last.

[@BrightMessyWorld]

I'm curious about the comparison of pedal assignments. The PX-560 pedals are assignable to different effects, etc. Is that true of the Roland RD-88?

[@onrode]

Is it still worth it to get the Px S560? Or would you say there's a better or comparable/recommended newer model around nowadays?

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

I have an RD-88. I have trouble finding some of the sounds that I want. I want a nice lush and sharp Arco string synth sound, cannot find one on the Rd-88 and cannot find a way of adjusting the envelope. There doesn't appear top be an envelope generator (ADSR) on board the RD-88 to alter the sound shape. My old Roland Juno Di had lovely Arco string synth sounds. So I can import any sound from the Rd2000 into the RD-88? How about better organs like from the VR-09? I was going to buy the Kurzweil SP6 but the onboard speakers in the Rd-88 won me over.

[@wildnites558]

A lot of restaurants and bars are switching to outdoor events now -- in NJ anyway. We just did a great outdoor gig in Rockaway this past Friday. The whole parking lot (with tents and tables) was filled to capacity. One of the managers there told me they’re doing better on the outdoor gigs and they did indoor, at least for now. Everyone had loads of fun- we had them dancing in the parking slots! I used my MX88 for piano/elec. piano duties.

[@PianoManChuck]

Awesome! Looking forward to getting something like that happening here, but Los Angeles County isn't doing so great right now :(

[@YASIR.K]

man, you are great ... thank you so much. 🍻

[@j.p.gagnon3432]

BRAVO MAN, Your videos and knowledge learn me a lot. You,ve convince me and so I received my brand new Privia Px 560 last friday. Now the ''work'' begins to understand all that. Many thanks for your advise. One little question, my Px is equipped with version 01.15 and Casio is on 01.16 for this piano. Is it important that I do the dload right now. Wish you the best. JP

[@PianoManChuck]

I'm still at 1.14 without any problem...

[@TECH3_]

cant wait to get my first piano bought the px560 but its getting delayed in the delivery

[@jitendrasinhthakor]

Are there world-style sounds/tones in these two keyboards? Please reply I get confused.

[@RayTones]

I bought a Privia PX-560 from you a couple years ago and have never regretted it. Looks like Roland has a good new one that rivals it mostly and surpasses it in a couple of areas that I don't really use (midi control for one) One of the very few good things to come from this stupid pandemic is that with a lot fewer gigs, this mostly guitar player has had time to develop some more acceptable keyboard chops. :-)

[@PianoManChuck]

Great to hear you're in the group that's actually taking advantage of the pandemic to improve themselves in something!

[@tronlady1]

Ray Tones? Seriously? Tones? Love it 🤩

[@user-bl3si3kq6x]

Just got my young son this because he write so much music

[@sorefoot6329]

That’s interesting that the RD88 has only been out a few months (in the midst of a pandemic/economic slowdown) and yet the demand is strong enough that Roland raised the price $100. I know a lot of people are stuck at home and taking up music in one form or another and we are certainly in different retail times but I don’t think the RD88 ever even made it into stores like Guitar Center. I’ve been looking at buying one of these this fall when I’ll have some extra money but the price raise is a bit of a turn-off.

[@johnnyparker2128]

After owning the RD-88 for about a year, I really wish it had a rotary knob for navigating the menu.

[@PianoManChuck]

Me too! But in actuality, it boils down to just playing a specific number of instruments, and saving those for recall in realtime.

[@jokeyman2943]

Based on chuck's video, i would get one in a heartbeat-oh wait, I did! One of the few keyboards that manages to duplicate a few of my SY77 sounds i'd never heard anywhere else. It's not FM, but the database of raw samples-and this is a fully "editable" synth-somehow Casio programmers managed to duplicate some of the the SY77's more complex evolving sounds. Put drawbars on this beast-maybe a few more advanced modulation routings, possibly a slightly easier way to keep track of the registration settings onscreen-which is how you can store these mammoth layer combinations-and this will compete with the best of the other workstationsfor at least half the price of anybody else-it will become a workstation, it pretty much already is-although considered a "stage" or "consumer" piano-but if you own one you will see it's a rare bird even for Casio-editing envelopes-the big color screen-I don't have the newest Fantom, Montage or other multi-thousand dollar workstations-although I do have an older "obsolete" rare 88-key workstation that beats all of them-(hint-8 track audio recorder and sampler built-in) and I have kept my PX560 despite my other rarity obsoleting everything else I own, it does not obsolete the 560. The Roland here sounds a bit more "brittle" to my ears. Thanks again Chuck nobody does these demos better!

[@tamirorkoby]

More appropriate comparison is the casio px s3000 vs the Roland RD 88. To my opinion.

[@markfyt1]

Dear Piano Man Chuck, thank you for the excellent, in-depth comparison! I find your reviews very helpful. At the time you made this video, the PX-560 was your main instrument for gigging with a live band. You said that you would take the RD-88 out on the next gig, and see how it performed. So now two years later, has the RD-88 replaced the PX-560 as your go-to 'board? I am having a hard time choosing between these two, but I have to pick one over the other. I currently use a Roland RD-300NX. Thank you in advance for your feedback.

[@PianoManChuck]

Wow, Roland RD-300NX is nearly 12 years since it was released! So the Casio PX-560 or the Roland RD88 will be quite an improvement for you! The PX-560 is definitely much easier to navigate, you can fly around that entire board with the color touch screen, and the hex layers allows you to create luscious, unique layers (up to 24 instruments per hex layer tone)!.... but the sounds on the RD88 are much more up to date. So your deciding factor would most likely be between navigation and sound quality. Good luck!

[@rogerlee440]

Wonder when Casio is going to upgrade the PX560? Great review. I really appreciate your reviews.

[@PianoManChuck]

Good question... wish I had an answer.

[@robertbrown6879]

Been asking this for years now.

[@musicaldracula2017]

@@robertbrown6879 Yes, better action with PX-S 7000 sound engine.

[@Vala_Chhakchhuak]

Is it worth buying PX-560 in 2022

[@madness8556]

I had a Casio PXS3000 and sold it because whilst it sounded great and had a great compact form factor, it's user interface was anything but user friendly! It also crucially lacked a modulation wheel and the on board organ sounds were frankly crap compared to the vastly superior Roland ones. Electric pianos and strings were also better on the Roland, but both Roland and Casio have decent acoustic piano sounds for the price.

[@MrIn4man]

Thanks

[@PianoManChuck]

Welcome

[@markblock5602]

Great vid. So does the new PX-5S also have the newer shorter keys you mentioned? I take in the fresh from factory PX-560 is still the same' longer keyed' keybed you like in the one you own..?

[@PianoManChuck]

PX-5S is not new, in fact its older than the PX-560. They both have identical keybeds.

[@markblock5602]

@@PianoManChuck okay cool.. Been trying to decide on a midi controller - SL 88 Grand, A88, and PX-5S. Want the best combination of great AP EP piano action, as well as on VST orchestral/brass/etc.. action. I've heard of Casio Privia's shorter key is a compromise to fit into the narrower form factor of the S1000 and S3000, and as I've learned here, is also true in the new PX-560. I want to get the keyboard feel right this purchase, so good to know the PX-5S has the original longer key version of Privia keybed, that you like.

[@PianoManChuck]

PX-560 was released in 2015 - its NOT new. And the PX-5S is even older than that! All keys in ALL models are the same length to the pianist.... its the length under the hood that can't be seen (past the fallboard) that's different. What you've "heard" has absolutely no bearing on reality... you need to physically try all models to find what's right for YOU. No one's opinion, review, or otherwise (including mine) is of any value compared to your own experience.

[@dankaufeld710]

Thanks for an interesting and and informative comparison. I have a question for you, though, PianoManChuck - your trick for getting 4 simulatenous sounds across the entire keyboard, at 11:25 in your video, by setting the split point at the top key (this is C8, right?) - doesn't seem to work for me on my PX-560. I only get the "lower" two sounds across the keyboard, up to C8, where the upper two sounds take over for that one key. Is there something else I need to do to make all 4 sounds play across the keyboard? What level is your firmware? I am still at 01.15. This would be a very useful function to have, would very much appreciate any insights you could provide.

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks for catching that, it was misworded (typo) - The trick is to use the LAYER SECTION to choose any ONE sound (of the 4) to spread across the entire keyboard - this way you have all 4 of the sounds in that layer screen available to choose from (using only one sound at a time) rather than fishing through menus or using registrations or otherwise selecting tones that take multiple button presses. So much easier to choose any one sound (from a palette of 4) where any of them (with the top key trick) enables the entire 88-keys for each sound. Turn the Split icon ON to choose from one of the bottom 2, or have the SPLIT icon OFF to choose from one of the top 2. It's explained more clearly in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXS8gHZ9p7ZpiKc

[@dankaufeld710]

@@PianoManChuck - Thanks for the quick, helpful response with reference! I watched your video and tried it and that definitely works as you described! Like you said, it gives you a palette of 4 full-keyboard-range sounds for 1 registration. I was kind of hoping there would be some magical way to get all 4 at once, but the way "split" works prevents that. But if I really need 4 at once, that can be accomplished with Hex Layers anyway. The background for why I was interested in this is I also make use of an older Ensoniq KT-88 at our church. I don't know if you're familiar with this keyboard, it has many parallels with PX-560 functionality. Each of its sounds can be comprised of up to 3 individual waveforms (Tri-Layers?), you can create your own from their set of samples in memory and store them as user sounds. Their version of "registrations" is called "presets" and each one can have 8 different sounds to select from, alone or in any combination, so, like the PX-560 with Hex layers, this gives you up to 24 waveforms per preset. It is not unusual for me to use as many as 4 sounds together in a registration. More gets problematic as this instrument only has 64-note polyphony. A lot of their samples, particularly their electric pianos, orchestral instruments, and bell tones, are very good, but... no offense to the now-demised Ensoniq Co., their piano and string ensemble sounds are pretty bad compared to the PX-560!

[@assafamir1]

I like the review as always. But I think that Casio consider the px5s as there's flagship stage piano. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@PianoManChuck]

Ok then, you're wrong! The PX-5S is geared toward a very technical target of people. A couple of years later, they introduced the PX-560 aimed at both technical and novice users at $200 more, with better/improved sounds, much more capability, the ability to have 4 hex-layers at the same time (the PX-5S could only do 2), a large color touch screen and a plethora of things way to lengthy to list here. You stand corrected.

[@WellMix]

good job!

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks!

[@DAVID_PIANISTA_TELFORD_PA]

HELLO AGAIN PIANOMANCHUCK. I HAVE SOME OTHER QUESTIONS; WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PXS560 AND THE PX5S? WHICH ONE IS BETTER?? DOES THE PXS560 HAS THE SAME QUALITY IN THE SYNTH PADS?? OR THE HEXLAYER IS AS GOOD IN THE PXS560 AS THE CASIO PX5S? I WILL APPRECIATE YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS TO DECIDE WHICH CASIO WILL BE BETTER FOR ME BECAUSE I LOVE THE PIANOS/PADS AND THE E.PIANOS WITH PADS IN THE PX5S. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE PXS560 BRINGS THE SAME HEXLAYER, PADS SYSTEM TO COMBINE IT WITH THE PIANOS.

[@PianoManChuck]

Please see our policies at kzbin.infoabout

[@DAVID_PIANISTA_TELFORD_PA]

@@PianoManChuck THANK YOU FOR THE ADVISE. I'M JUST THINKING IN BUYING A CASIO BUT I'M CHECKING ALL THE OPTIONS FIRST TO FINALLY DECIDE WHICH ONE OF THE GREAT CASIO PRIVIA PXS SERIES I BUY THIS WEEK. I'M A YAMAHA FAN BUT YOUR VIDEOS MADE ME NEW FAN OF CASIO👍.

[@Zoco101]

Listening again, I'm impressed by the facility to cancel onboard speakers manually on both models, or keep them sounding of course. This means we can use the headphone jack to feed additional monitor(s) (so useful on stage) without switching off our onboard speakers. Logically the main L&R lineouts are required for the main mixer and front of house speakers. On some other models you end up having to carry a small mixer if you don't want to silence the onboard speakers. I always carry at least one monitor to stage gigs, because you don't know what you'll find there, and I can increase my monitor volume myself if I suddenly can't hear myself. I am sad that the RD-88 doesn't come with a music rest. This slightly detracts from its portability because we pribably have to carry a heavy music stand or tablet stand. Rats!

[@PianoManChuck]

In the classic rock band I play with, I can't hear the built-in speakers anyway - on ANY keyboard that has built-in speakers. Those low-wattage speakers simply can't keep up with the band's sound system. Built-in speakers are good for home use, or maybe a very small coffee house.

[@Zoco101]

@@PianoManChuck Yes, I do understand. On gigs where there's a big rig, onboard speakers are useless, or worse than useless. On my "bijoux" gigs they are often helpful, but not quite enough on their own of course. Putting speakers in stage pianos has two purposes IMO. 1. You can audition sounds offstage. 2. They help customers to try the instrument in the showroom. I've had to walk away disappointed from several stores/showrooms, because the staff were too busy to lend me headphones, or connect the stage piano up to something. I try to bring headphones with me, but often I discover a new store when I'm sightseeing in Europe. There must be many potential customers like me, who come in spontaneously, and unprepared.

[@kastrop256]

In Germany the 560 is available for 800 EURO from time to time which is about 950 USD, while the RD-88 is for 1150 EURO which is about 1350 USD

[@tronlady1]

With the Roland you are simply paying for the name and nowhere near the functionality of the Casio

[@metal1mark73]

Casio for the victory!

[@Raptor-lq4iz]

Yeah I am finding myself choosing CASIO more and more over Roland and korg now. Specially their Privia piano sounds are so fuller and neutral. Rolands to bright on highs and thin in mids. Korgs are too gothic / dark! Plus their hex layer of a game changer. For instance I was about to checkout Roland FA-06 and left my cart right there and checked out Casio mz-x500 for my workstation Now thinking to completing the setup (saving up in a year cause I don’t do credit) with a stage piano 88-key. Privia px-560 will definitely have awesome used deal by then!!

[@msxmax2422]

About keybed would you prefere?

[@PianoManChuck]

Please see the "NOTE" section of our policies at kzbin.infoabout

[@msxmax2422]

@@PianoManChuck ok thank you

[@kyle6569]

What song is he always playing ?

[@PianoManChuck]

Its one of my originals called "Forgotten". See www.pianomanchuck.com/MIDI.html and look for "Forgotten".

[@kyle6569]

PianoManChuck ok thank you

[@dalejirschele1299]

I'm going to buy one of these two keyboards soon, I appreciate this review but I"m still not sure which one to get. It seems to me that the keys (actual piano keys) on the Roland is better, is that true?!

[@PianoManChuck]

Neither is 'better' - only 'better for you', and you're the only one that can make that determination.

[@dalejirschele1299]

@@PianoManChuck I had (and sold) a Roland FA-08 and that had what they call the (Ivory Feel-G Keyboard ). It was really clunky sounding, just wondering if you are familiar with that keybed and how it differs from the Roland RD-88 keybed? Thanks for your time, Cheers!

[@vspatmx7458]

px 560 vs privia 3100 which one is better for 1) piano sound 2) key action

[@PianoManChuck]

See the "NOTE:" paragraph at kzbin.infoabout

[@vspatmx7458]

@@PianoManChuck no problemo. I understand. if possi would love a comparo between px560 and privia 3100 like the one u had between privia and CDP I do hope that doesn't burden u in any way. also I take it that.. Mrs chucks health has performed a full recovery and that ur less harrowed these days. as de stressed as one can be in this state of logistics and economy.

[@PianoManChuck]

Since the 3100 is not much different than the 3000, I won't be doing a video on that. However, I do have a video that compares the PX-560 with the PX-S3000. The majority of that will apply to the 3100. You can catch that video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5PCh3-ep8ZqrNk And thanks for asking about Mrs Chuck!! Much appreciated. She's doing much, much better (albeit slowly). Can now walk on her own and even starting being able to do short drives... I'm so happy for her!

[@vspatmx7458]

@@PianoManChuck thank you for the details and guidance. Absolutely delighted to hear that Mrs C is doing so well. wishing you both more relaxed and fun frolicking healthier wealthier times ahead.

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

Hmm...What’s the polyphony on all those hex layers once they’re all activated at the same time?

[@PianoManChuck]

That's going to vary greatly depending on what instruments are used. Most non-piano instruments are low polyphony anyway, so unless you're going to layer 24 pianos together, it won't be a problem.

[@_thewaymusic]

If I may ask, what interface do you record into? I can't get my Roland to sound like that if I tried :(

[@PianoManChuck]

I record directly into the Zoom F6.

[@_thewaymusic]

@@PianoManChuck Thank you!!

[@tronlady1]

The CASIO pisses all over that Roland by the sound of things AND IS CHEAPER!! That touchscreen is gorgeous and having access to 24 sounds at once is absolutely unbelievable! PLUS AUDIO AND MIDI RECORDING WOW! Who wants 3000 sounds anyway?! Pffffffft.....Roland shmoland! This is an absolute no-brainer lol

[@Henrique-td5ru]

Como eu queria falar inglês pra entender esse vídeo

[@scottrogers2831]

PX-560 is an extraordinary instrument.

[@PianoManChuck]

Ditto that!

[@robertbrown6879]

I think the keyboard manufacturers have come to the decision that their displays are TOO LARGE. They want to reduce them to about 1/4th the size. The idea is that you should only get to see 1 character at a time and scroll through all the rest of the characters. That is where Casio went wrong on the PX-560. The display is way too large, too easy to read!

[@Nathan_Jay]

😂😂I love it!

[@vrod2144]

Only downside of RD 88 is no music stand. So stupid from Roland

[@carlosfaustino6332]

roland tem mais corpo sonoro....

[@waterbuffalo867]

Can you lower the screen brightness on Casio?

[@jumpingman8160]

1st

[@VicinalElk44104]

Lmao it has a translation to English, and it is the exact same thing😂

[@cardotaduran7797]

I owned that 2 of that but i prefer the 560.. Rd 88 has bunch of useless sound. .

[@eliasbispo2113]

I was in doubt between these two but now I'm going to buy the 560 from Cássio.

[@eliasbispo2113]

I'm about to buy Roland's has a more resistant finish to spend many years Cassio's has more fragility in the material but I'm going with Cásio's.