RD-2000 V-Piano In Depth

[@jacobalmer1300]

My left ear was enjoying it

[@gerardosantiago9317]

26:55 String resonance 28:39 Damper resonance 30:10 Hammer noise 31:24 Duplex scale 33:00 Key-off resonance

[@TopWorldPiano]

BEN: YOUR VIDEO IS JUST FANTASTIC..!!! Thanks for the time you spent to explain all this about the RD-2000. Really useful information for people making a thoughtful and conscious choice for the best digital stage piano ever designed.

[@benallen5967]

ALBERTO MACEDO Thank you!

[@TopWorldPiano]

@@benallen5967 Hello Ben. Today, very influenced by your video, I finally bought the RD 2000..!! I wonder if it would it be possible that you share to me some of the adjusments of EQ or other parameters that you present in this video? I can definitely hear the subtle but beautiful change in tone when you apply your parameters. I will apreciate so much your help, if possible, at least for the three main pianos you improved. Thank you in advance! My mail: [e-mail]

[@philipgraves7303]

Thanks Ben for such a helpful video, was such a help... my rd sounds great now!!! Phil

[@shimky301]

Very interesting, Ben. I liked the tweaks you made to the core sounds, especially with brightening up the top end. I can't wait to start noodling and fiddling myself!

[@funnzie]

I bought the RD-2000 in 2023, been working with it for a year. I believe this is a piano that can be adjusted (parameters) to perfection. EQ is the last resort to finding your good sound, and should be used in very small amounts, but another problem is there is no cutting only adding which is the opposite of the action we should be taking with EQ. We need the tuning and voicing parameters, but these parameters do not adjust sustain. The STAGE GRAND first patch has problem keys, such as the D5 and D6 (MIDI reference) that do not sustain as long as the keys around them. When the piano is uneven like this it is very difficult to correct. I have been tempted to buy the $150.00 GERMAN GRAND piano offered by Roland, but I will be very angry if the sustain is off like the STAGE GRAND. I thought my RD-2000 was broken and these keys were not functioning correctly, but it only occurs on any patch based on the STAGE GRAND. When going to other piano patches this sustain problem goes away. There are two main reasons we need huge parameter adjustment options for a Dpiano (digital piano). One: we are not all using the same sound reproducing devices, different speakers / headphones will change the sound of any Dpiano dramatically. Second: we all have in our minds what a piano should sound like..."our" piano. Sampled pianos always talk about what piano they used for sampling, but it is all hype, when you place microphones to record any piano, the room, the placement of mics, and all the audio engineering does not ever capture the actual sound our ears and brain hear. Then you have the problem do they sample what the musician hears, or the audience hears. Just walk around in an ever-expanding circle around a great grand piano as the musician plays and you will hear a thousand different versions of the same piano. On the stereo mod wheel, that is there for recording or stage use. On stage you do NOT want a stereo image, and recording you most definitely want the stereo image for solo piano. The string resonance, or sympathetic resonance is great advancement, but the huge problem with every Dpiano I have owned for the last 40 years is the decay rate of the strings depending on damper, velocity, lid, voicing, or key strike articulation. The decay rates were just too fast where the initial tones first heard after the key strike faded out 10x faster than an acoustic piano reacts. This decay rate is still a problem in 2024, they are longer, but still too short. Memory was expensive and samples were short in the 80s, 90s, but not in the 2000s. No excuses anymore for short decay rates in 2024. I appreciate the hard work Roland has done on this modeled piano, and will continue to work with this piano, but for now, the best sounding (most even voiced) piano I have ever owned is the Yamaha DGX-670, the evenness of the sound across all 88 keys is perfection (I have owned dozens of Dpianos for the last 40 years). This perfection means voicing your own piano is very easy, and in just 15 minutes had dialed in with the extensive parameters my "own" perfect piano. And in just another 15 minutes dialed in a soft felt ambient piano with the included effects: delay and reverb effects, filter, EQ, touch settings, resonance settings. I don't know how you recorded the piano for this video, USB to computer, Built in audio recorder, or stereo output (analog) to digital recorder (hardware or software?). IF the stereo outputs then you put the sound of this piano through DAC to ADC, then DAC to listen to the actual sound. Your recording sounded very good by the way! I am a solo pianist, have played the best and worst stage pianos in the world. I have to adapt to whatever is on stage in both voicing and action, and the overall construction and quality of instrument. And like guitars, the wooden sound board probably ages with grace and gets better sounding with age over a new piano.

[@DaveMorgan]

Playing starts at 6:31

[@viktora262]

Thanks Dave ))))

[@CirclesandSounds]

A most splendid demo of the RD-2000, my friend! Very good content here - please do keep it up :D

[@RRadtke1]

Ohh thank you so much Ben for posting this video so quickly. I really enjoyed it

[@trstack]

Can you please share the EQ changes you made to the default Stage Piano sound?

[@PetrGladkikh]

My left ear enjoyed it.

[@ep73rhodes83]

I am of the impression that this will be the stage piano other manufacturers have to contend with for the next 4/5 years

[@rondoge4375]

except kawai. and nord.

[@derekchapman5167]

Nord's piano actions are truly, truly awful: Fatar SL's from the 90's are better than Nord.

[@rondoge4375]

Derek Chapman no contest with kawai though.

[@makers721]

kawai is a bit lame

[@rondoge4375]

Matthew Akers how so?

[@trstack]

Found it in your other video....Thank you!

[@rondoge4375]

Very good demonstration. I was leaning towards the mp11 but this video has got me considering the rd2000

[@timmyivey2214]

wonderful representation of the keyboard. Is there a way you could list the exact parameter changes you made?

[@jolas149]

Hi, Ben, Thank you so much for doing this video, where you go into really good detail of not only the v modelled sounds, but the sheer editability of them, too. I've been contemplating getting hold of the RD 2000 since I've seen them, but was initially put off by lots of very negative comments about the tone. I now realise that every individual has a like for a piano with a completely unique personalised sound, and your video has been the most helpful I've yet seen. It surprised me that Roland hasn't done as in depth a video as you have, but I now know that buying one will be a great investment for creativity. The unlimited polyphony is another plus. Previous digital pianos suffered terribly with inadequate polyphony, which has made several pieces of music unplayable ( and unenjoyable) in my opinion. Absolutely brilliant, thank you again. Best regards, Steve

[@benallen5967]

Steve B glad you found it so helpful! I know you'll love the RD-2000!

[@jeffweiser3060]

What a terrific post. Thanks for so much useful info! [

[@benallen5967]

Jeff Weiser much appreciated, glad you enjoyed it.

[@jasminkasubasic6852]

wow so editable. awesome

[@dvamateur]

Does the RD-2000 have the same engine as the V-Piano, or is that a simplified version? I am asking, because I believe the cost of the RD-2000 is considerably lower than the original V-Piano. Granted, the long wooden keys are gone in the RD-2000, that would chop off the price considerably. But was the price reduction considerable enough to wipe out some part of the original V-Piano engine, or its editing capabilities?

[@ohsoleohmio]

is there realtime resonance harmonic modeling or other physical modeling like pianoteq etc between keys

[@therealborischang]

Cripes man, get on with it!

[@ferranmelero7727]

Can you do a demo of all the things you can edit and the efects of the rd?

[@pinestyankee]

Ben what speakers would you recommend for the rd2000 to get the best sound for at home use; and thank you for the reply

[@benallen5967]

What is your budget?

[@pinestyankee]

Ben what settings did you adjust on the first stage piano: can you share please

[@benallen5967]

pinestyankee I actually did so here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIeZc3Vpm8ZqZ9U

[@jrkuno]

Question… um… Is the built-in speaker of this keyboard is great?

[@jamessantos1102]

He has wesr coast and midigrand?

[@luiz2006sp]

Hi...could you please Tell us your monitor boxes Brand? Those connected to The Roland RD 2000. Thanks you

[@benallen5967]

Thanks for your question. I try to stress this in my videos, but you will almost NEVER hear the actual speakers when you are listening to my recorded sound. I record direct line in, straight from the instrument into an interface, and into the computer. You are not ever hearing the speakers themselves, except on the odd occasion that I may use an iPhone to record my voice. The speakers you see here are Focal CMS 65s. These have been discontinued, and I have replaced them with even better speakers. The Focal Shape 65.

[@davidmoya]

Nord Piano 4 or this RD2000 regarding keys action?

[@TimothyVazquez-r4i]

Hi Ben, I just bought a Roland RD2000 used off of reverb and had a question as I'm new to roland products. The 1/4 outputs are EXTREMELY low going into my interface even at MAX volume. I factory reset it as well, but this is the lowest output I've ever seen from any instrument. Am I crazy or does the RD have low 1/4 output jacks and I need to use the XLR outs?

[@TimothyVazquez-r4i]

for comparison I previously had a Korg Nautilus, and at max volume it was just below peaking through my interface

[@benallen5967]

Congrats on your new keyboard! I haven’t had an RD-2000 for many years now, but it’s still a great board. What interface are you using?

[@TimothyVazquez-r4i]

@@benallen5967 Thank you! And thanks for getting back to me! I'm using a Focusrite Scarlet 4i4. I'm plugged in to the back inputs (which have no software or physical volume knobs). I've used this with my (former) Korg Nautilus and my Korg Kronos with no issue. I plugged into the front twon jacks just now and even it max volume from my RD, I had to turn the gain knobs up to about the 10 o'clock position for it ti be managable. I noticed that some of the synths/other sounds are significantly louder than the pianos/Eps. Did you notice any of this when you owned the RD?

[@TimothyVazquez-r4i]

I just tried plugging in via the XLR outs and the difference was DRASTIC. So much more output. Is this normal behavior between the 1/4" outputs and the XLRs and should it be this big a difference?

[@benallen5967]

@@TimothyVazquez-r4iYou beat me to it. Yes the XLR output is louder. You can also check out page 9 in the Parameter Guide (not the owners manual) and see that you can boost the Input Gain for the EQ - per tone.. up to 15dB, which will raise the overall volume even if you don’t make any adjustments to the 5 band EQ itself. Also, keep in mind that you can have 8+ layers active at once, and so you need to be able to adjust those individually. To that end, you can adjust each ZONE, from its individual fader. And as for the question about differing volume levels… Roland is pretty bad about that across all their gear. Sorry to say.

[@hellogandara]

Amazing video, can i say that RD-2000 have the FP-90 inside with much more features/benefits? Thanks!!

[@DragosCambrea]

May I ask you what speaker stands are those? Are they good stable stands? Thanks! Nice work! Keep up!

[@benallen5967]

These are the following stands. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MS9045rd--ultimate-support-ms-90-45r-45-inch-monitor-stands-red-finish

[@Ang3lik4Sway]

I like the changes you made. Do you have these settings u could share or have a tutorial in how to do these changes?

[@benallen5967]

Achoo Choo please see this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIeZc3Vpm8ZqZ9U

[@RadWorship]

Ben, I was sure I watched a video of you opening the box and having a problem with knocking when releasing some of the keys. I can't find that video anymore and was looking because I'm having the same issue with certain black keys knocking upon release. Beautiful sounds and great in depth video here btw!

[@benallen5967]

I didn't have a video of me opening the box and having key action issues, but I have had some issues with two RD-2000s I purchased. You might want to take a look at the RD-2000 threads over on the Piano Forums website at piano world. I no longer have my RD-2000, either of them. I replaced them with a Nord Piano 3. I have a Korg Grandstage on preorder as well.

[@matthewantel8821]

What problems did you experience? And what made you change to Nord?

[@davidcollett3707]

Matthew Antel i

[@MrBeatles01]

Hi Ben, really interested to know why you'd change to Nord piano 3. I have one and love the sounds but hate the action, it's terrible. I felt it was heavy when I was trying it out but felt, being a heavy player I would surely adapt. Unfortunately not, the action fatigues my hands just after an hour or so of playing. Not only that, I've had it six months and it's been back back to the factory in Sweden twice. I've made up my mind to sell it and was convinced after watching your video that the Rd2000 was the answer. Then I read you've changed it for the Nord piano 3.. damn... :) I had a Roland fp 5 for 15 years prior and nothing but love for it. Just want a piano I can love again. Any thoughts anyone. How do you feel about the NP3 now. Would really appreciate your feedback. Cheers

[@MrBeatles01]

Also, what issues did you have with the Rd 2000?

[@station2station544]

Im an RD2000 owner as well. Have you figured out how to make a particular patch the default "power-on" patch. I typically use the same piano sound and I'd like to to always come up when I power the unit on instead of Stage Grand or whatever it is. I've dug thru a the various menu's and I just don't see it. Thanks.

[@benallen5967]

Station 2Station yes, very easily. Choose your program, hold down write and then press One Touch Piano. That is it!

[@station2station544]

Geez thank you. I looked high and low :).

[@makers721]

awesome! I own it as of last Thursday. LOVE IT

[@pianogospel]

Hi Ben. Can you tell me whitch studio speakers do you have? is it possible for you to record a video of the sound of the RD 2000 from the speakers? Thanks.

[@benallen5967]

This is what I am using. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CMS65v2. I'm not sure how helpful it would be to record a video of the audio from the speakers, since that is just going to be an example of the iPhone mics, or the Sennheiser e-935 I have, so not a true idea of what the Focals sound like that way. For live use, I use QSC K12 speakers. Hope this helps!

[@paulfarnell9071]

Thanks for the reply.My guess is it's sample sounds which most people can get along with.Unfortunately I have used a 250s since it came out and nothing else cuts through a Band like it.I have tried most sampled piano's to try and get rid of the weight but nothing has worked for me.This isn't at 21kg far away from the RD 250 at 29kg anyway, Regards.

[@pgtips4240]

This is a good buyers guide video but it would be really good to see some in depth teaching on all the functionality of the instrument.

[@paulfarnell9071]

Did the V Piano use Structured Adaptive Synthesis and does this use SAS for sound generation or is the MKS 20 A sampled reproduction of it.

[@benallen5967]

Paul Farnell good question! Those are questions about which Roland has been tight lipped, so my honest answer is, I simply don't know. The MKS sounds here are modeled, not sampled, but the methods they are using and the specific technology involved, I am not sure about those. The V-Piano sounds are generated by a separate chip, to the degree that you cannot even assign a V-Piano sound to any zone but the first one. Hope that helps!

[@WarrenPostma]

Did you hard pan your mic left? WAT?

[@benallen5967]

Warren Postma that was an oversight I didn’t have time to fix later.

[@richieringga]

Hi Ben, what is the brand & series of external sound monitor (in the back)? Sound so natural to me.. Is it the premium one?

[@benallen5967]

Richie, thank you for your question. I try to stress this in my videos, but you will almost NEVER hear the actual speakers when you are listening to my recorded sound. I record direct line in, straight from the instrument into an interface, and into the computer. You are not ever hearing the speakers themselves, except on the odd occasion that I may use an iPhone to record my voice. The speakers you see here are Focal CMS 65s. These have been discontinued, and I have replaced them with even better speakers. The Focal Shape 65.

[@Silmarieni1]

You may want to spread your mono-recorded voice on left & right. Especially useful for people wih one weak ear, listening with headphones.

[@7TekMedia]

Roland should be writing you cheque... :)

[@stratiastratiev]

Hey guys, does somebody is familiar of what is the main difference between FP and RD series?

[@benallen5967]

Hey man. Email me [e-mail], I'll gladly explain the differences for you.

[@stratiastratiev]

Ben Allen Thank you. I guess you are pretty busy to check you mail inbox. I wrote you the same day a week ago and still waiting for your answer.

[@Jacob_Shouse1984]

@@stratiastratiev The FP line, have speakers. The RD line don’t. They did make the RD88 that was the first with speakers. RD stands for (Roland Digital) I don’t know why (FP), stands for. Hope this helps.

[@stratiastratiev]

@@Jacob_Shouse1984 thanks for your reply! Very clearly explained.

[@leogamer98]

Hi ben, did you have some problem with the EQ of RD-2000 on the PA? I have a xps-30 and i have some problems with the EQ, i just want to know if this is a problem of my setup or it's happens with roland in general. Great video, keep it up.

[@benallen5967]

Leonardo Ferreira everyone will have to EQ their keyboard to taste. This is really true of any setup and any keyboard. The only one I have found doesn’t need additional EQ, is Nord.

[@pgtips4240]

Can I ask why you have the speakers in that position and orientation? Just curious.🙂

[@benallen5967]

It was a small room at the time, and this looked better on camera, as well as sounded better to me. Thanks for your question, and I like PG tips tea!

[@marcelosamples5222]

Meu sonho

[@kennedymuzyamba9988]

I still cannot understand why the designers had to be so stingy with the led display screen. Why couldnt they make it big enough like the mortif or the kronos? Was it deliberate or its just something they thought is insignificant?

[@benallen5967]

Kennedy Muzyamba I actually thought the same thing until I started using it. The Motif and Kronos, and the Montage for that matter, are all quite confusing and cramped with all the information that has been crammed into the UI. Roland has a very streamlined and well thought out system here, and while I too wish the screen were a bit bigger, especially coming from an RD-800, I'm finding the RD-2000 LCD to be surprisingly adequate.

[@colbalt95]

Its a stage piano.

[@therealborischang]

It’s a Stage/Performance Piano? All the more reason to have a bigger, higher resolution display. A studio/composer/arranger would be expected to be connected to a DAW and a large monitor. The less is better explanation doesn’t fly with me. For the price, a large touch-sensitive screen would be ideal for performance control. I appreciate the liberal number of dials and sliders (for example-nine sliders to present tonewheel organ drawbars). But trying to figure out what the current meaning of the dials and sliders is with a quick glance is more difficult IMHO. They could at least put little OLED displays below/above each assignable Control so that you know at a glance what that control is currently set for. I have a Midas M32R Mixer that has little displays below each fader to show me at a glance what is on that channel. The M32R is roughly in the same price range, and arguably has just as complex if not more of electronics inside.

[@dvamateur]

Well, I have a different opinion. To me a digital piano should have as little visible controls as possible. Reason? Aesthetics. This type of instrument is mostly likely to lean towards classical/jazz use than say, EDM. In terms of aesthetics and build quality, the RD-1000 is to me the highest point in stage pianos. The RD-1000 has very long wooden keys to deliver its unique action, and the front panel is an exercise in restraint and aesthetics. I greatly despise oversized touchscreens. To me, these look like a perfectly good instrument with an iPad slapped on it. Which is a shame to have a dedicated musical device (or instrument) with a mass produced, generic, consumer electronics part slapped onto it. So, going back to RD-2000, I give it a high thumbs up with the LCD screen selection. Next, I would prefer NOT to have the Nord Lead 3 style encoders. I mean, I love Christmas Trees, and I like how the TX816 lights up. But I don't like AIRA vodka bar style lighting. To put it simple, a musical instrument is not just the sound. It's also, look, feel, build quality, and yes: form factor. So, Roland went ahead with the blinking lights on the RD-2000 to please the millennials, and did the right side for people like me. The result is that it sells rather well. I'd personally get rid of the left side altogether, but I am not a businessman.

[@Dadee3]

Kennedy Muzyamba It's a stage/synth with most of the controls on the keyboard itself already, fool.

[@7TekMedia]

Can you blend 2 V-Piano sounds?

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Garnet F no, but you can layer a supernatural piano or other sound with a v piano

[@Rezakhor]

Great job man! At 16:05, what is it that you're playing? Sounds really nice and would love to learn that piece. Please share :) and thank you for the video!

[@benallen5967]

Reza Nia thanks for the compliments! I was not playing anything specific there, it was pure improvisation.

[@boboladouche5268]

Why for the cost and for the love of god do they have that tiny one-color low-res display?

[@therealborischang]

BoBo LaDouche A reviewer said the knobs and sliders are smallish and not very sturdy and he is concerned they might break under the strain of grabbing one and sliding it as an organ drawbar. So I wonder why Roland focuses only on the sound and the keybed, but the rest of the user interface is cheap/cheesy.

[@gman4674]

What type of stage speakers are you using?

[@benallen5967]

gman4674 the speakers you see here are Focal CMS 65s.

[@YotamPiano]

Hey man I like your channel. Would you say for a pro musician like me who doesn't really gig regularly and needs mostly for home and studio use, would that be a good instrument over the YAMAHA montage? if it's pretty much down to it, which insturment has the best Piano/Rhodes/EP sounds and "others" against an awesome keyboard action?

[@Dadee3]

Yotam Cohen The Montage is definitely more suited for home/studio use, obviously. But as far as which has better sounds is totally up to your liking. Yamaha pianos are great but they're tired to me since I've been playing them for years. The RD just has that more acoustic/woody realism the Yamaha lacks as far as piano sounds go. Electric pianos are all the same to me, lol.

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Dadee3 Interesting that you say that. Well I myself have not been inundated with the piano sounds of any one company, and I’m just not tired of any of their sounds, I could see that one would get tired of any current generation multi sampled keyboard sound, where I would imagine that the physical modeling way of doing it would movie never gets tiring or at least less tiring. For what it is worth I do like the modern Yamaha sound whether it is for piano electric pianos or general sounds

[@timoteiirimia571]

What monitors you used ?

[@benallen5967]

irimia timotei These are Focal CMS 65s. They have been replaced with Focal Shape monitors. I also very much like the JBL 7 series.

[@G.Saint-Star]

the fact that this piano has a V-piano engine, does this mean that this piano is practically a v-piano? perhaps even better cause it has a pha-50 action, versus the v-piano that has a pha-3 action? I'm confused about that. cause if that is the case why would i pay 5000 for the v-piano when i can pay 2500 for the RD2000 and have the same thing, if not better?

[@benallen5967]

impromptu it isn't the same as the actual V-Piano. Not nearly as many options to edit.

[@Brcinskij]

Hi Ben, I am a little bit confused now. I want to buy new DP stricktly for Piano Play. Which one of these would you recommend: Roland V-piano(+ original stand) -> used for 2000 EUR (new set 6000 EUR), Kawai MP11SE -> new for 2200 EUR, Roland RD-2000 -> new for 2500 EUR, Yamaha CP1 -> used for 2500 EUR, Yamaha CP5 -> used for 1500 EUR. Thanks.

[@ItsThatJahncke2]

Tomas Kubinec Well the Kawai MP11SE has the best key action in the world for a slab piano atm

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Ben Allen What extra options are there?

[@arelgozen3787]

thankss

[@amirprog]

Why would anyone favor the supernatural pianos over the v piano sounds? Aren't the v piano sounds superior?

[@benallen5967]

What do you ears tell you?

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Amir Amran It is a superior engine so to speak but sometimes samples give you that texture to the sustain that the physical modeling doesn’t

[@miguelangelhernandez8804]

But you better show the changes that you made so that way we can see it to make these changes .. you don’t see on the video…. Show us how to do

[@xp50player]

can't hear voice

[@neuron05]

Turn on your left speaker.

[@88omarz]

cool shirt :)

[@CugnoBrasso]

Finding the right piano is awful. I narrowed my choice down to this one and the latest Nord Stage... Roland pianos sound so much better to my ears, both the acoustic and the electric pianos, but you can't beat the Nord organs. The overdrive on the nord is also better to me compared to the Roland amp simulation, which is still pretty good. The Nord has countless cool features, but the Roland has the best keybed... Seems like I'll have to stick with my crappy Ketron-whatever for the foreseeable future. The Roland RD-2000 is glorious though...

[@Ritermann]

If it only wouldn't be SO UGLY :/ You can clearly see that this thing was build by engeniers and no bit designers. Of course Sound is the number one Priority. But At the end, the differences are not that big. So people also choose based on Design. And this thing looks ugly as it gets. Just the stupid Logo and model Name are way to prominent. The design looks like "wannaby 90s". Too bad, really.

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Aug24th I do wish it looked less 90s and if I bought it I would probably cover up the logo no offense to them though I would do the same for most brands

[@Iliek]

Jesus Christ man I know a lot of long-winded musicians but this is just ridiculous

[@paulsharp5473]

I can’t hear you speak up.