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I'm trying to upgrade the churches upright piano to a nice keyboard. I noticed Roland's RD300nx is discounted to $1299 from $2k, most likely a new model coming out soon.
I have an older XV88 so I know what the sound engine is like. It seems like a good deal but wondered if there is another brand at around the $1300. price that's better.
I need audio out, midi in/out all have that. USB, maybe record to stick and polyphonic is 128, some others are only 64.
The reason for the change from piano is to record the next weeks praise music , burn to cd or email mp3's for the praise members, so the 5-7 members can know what's going on on Wednesday night practice. With only a 1 hr practice, sometimes nerves get frayed.
All the different keyboard will connect to the sound system but would like opinions and thoughts as to what KB other that this one might be better
Thanks Wyndham

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All of the main brands have good piano sounds. The feel of the keyboard is what matters to me. I like the weighted keys of the Roland digital pianos over the others. Later, Ray


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Check out the Casio Privia series in that price range - the PX5 is a really nice all around gigging board with great piano, EP and B3 sounds. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PX5S

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I have a Roland 700-NX, I absolutely adore it. It has fantastic action and the piano sounds great. I notice you can get these very cheap at present, new, as they have just been replaced. Its very robust in construction, plays like a very decent grand, it has certainty and class.Organs, and electronic pianos are all also very good.

Z


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I'd love to get the 700nx very similar to my xv88 but with better options.
I just got a quote for $995 on the 300nx which is over half of any 700nx I've seen.
Personally I'd get the 700 but the church has a budget and not everyone sees the value of a KB
Wyndham

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I have recently purchased a Roland RD800, and it's without a doubt simply amazing, the best DP I've ever seen, heard or played. It's amazingly flexible, nuanced, easy to program, sounds phenomenal, with wonderful action. You need to talk the church into spending the $$$ for this baby as I can't recommend it highly enough.

Having said that, I know quite a few who are very happy with a simple keyboard, even a nice soundless one, such as the Kawai VPC1, that plays through PianoTeq. I've never tried this program, but they swear by its sound, customizability and cost savings. You pick your poison I guess.

A great resource to check out for prolonged discussions on DP purchases and use is the Piano World Digital Pianos Forum.

Last edited by Pete S; 09/28/14 04:36 PM.
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For a church, you probably want the weighted keys... beyond that, I don't think you need to spend $1300 to get what you want. Visit a music store and see what they have that does what you need.

Prices are coming down as technology keeps getting better.


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Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker

Prices are coming down as technology keeps getting better.


I am sure your right - overall GH, but I was in a piano store and played the new roland top of the range (RD 800), its definitely got a cheaper build that the 700NX, it had another tiny screen that was called large, the knobs and genral build was poorer. Action, well I didnt get dug in.
Maybe the same applies to the new 300NX?

Z

Last edited by ZeroZero; 09/29/14 12:51 AM.

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I have noticed the cheaper build quality on several Roland kb's but the price is still up there.
Weighted keys for sure but midi out to soft synths can do somethings, Roland hardware hasn't keep up with.
Wyndham

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Go here

http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2616826/Searchpage/3/Main/176873/Words/px5s/Search/true/Re_New_Casio_Privia_PX5S_in_th#Post2616826

The PX5S is talked about all the time on KC because it sounds terrific, is affordable and only weighs like 12 pounds.

Bob


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^^ See what Bob wrote up there about the Casio Privia PX5S? I'm telling you, I think it runs circles around everything else in it's price range, and I'm not alone in that camp. Casio is back with a vengeance.

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How do the Casio play as compared to the weighted keys of the Roland. Casio says something about tri scaler key action or something to that effect.
Looks good, sounds good, need to add it to the short list.
Wyndham

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You will have to judge the feel for yourself. Keep in mind with any of these that there will be a sensitivity adjustment of some type that will modify this a bit.

One thing I like about the Casio keys is that the surface of them is not completely glossy; there's a bit of intentional non-glossiness (it's hard to describe)that helps. I wish my Casio XW-P1 had the same surfacing. It's almost like fake oak, or really old school ivory (playing these keybeds reminds me of the 1800's era upright we had in our basement when I was a kid with wooden surface black keys and real ivory surfaces on the white keys.)

You'll have to judge this for yourself. Here's a pretty glowing review of this specific model from Keyboard magazine: http://www.keyboardmag.com/combo---do-all/1191/casio-privia-pro-px-5s-review/29374 It doesn't shed any light on the tri-sensor action - but this specific site at Casio talks about it a bit, but I don't think it will give you an idea for 'feel'.
http://www.casio-europe.com/euro/emi/technology/trisensor/

Here's the good news, there's tons of value out there. You might be more comfortable with the Roland brand name, you can't go wrong with it, but since this is likely a church budget, you might put overall cost higher on the priority list. One other thing that might not play well, is it's appearance - it doesn't even try to look like a church instrument.

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Bob and Scott are right. Do yourself a favor, and try out a Casio Privia series... the touch is terrific, and all the other positives (including price) are top notch as well. I sold my Roland controller, and bought a Privia PX-3... then I went and bought a PX-5S (and I ain't rich). The touch on the PX-3 is great, on the PX-5S even better.

They are both more fun to play than my Yamaha 7' grand. That says a lot.


Brad -- My FAWM
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I will,errr my wife will try one out the next trip to the big city(guitar center).
Security is also an issue, 2 nearby churches were broken into and sound systems and KB's were taken.
The local sheriff's dept said it's likely druggies but offered no help on recovery. Barny Fife is still alive and well in these here parts.
Wyndham

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