Roland RD-2000 EX Review: Elevate Your Performance to New Heights

Elevate Your Performance to New Heights

Roland has been a leader in the music technology industry for decades, known for producing high-quality instruments that combine cutting-edge technology with unmatched sound. The RD series, especially the RD-2000, has garnered praise from professional musicians for its power, versatility, and realism. With the introduction of the Roland RD-2000 EX, this model further pushes the boundaries of stage piano performance. Released in 2024, the RD-2000 EX offers enhanced features, refined sound engines, and an exceptional user experience, making it a go-to option for performing pianists and studio musicians alike.

Overview of Features and Functions

The Roland RD-2000 EX is a powerhouse stage piano that seamlessly blends top-tier sound quality, exceptional key action, and a wide array of features. With dual sound engines, a comprehensive collection of acoustic and electric piano tones, and a professional-grade control interface, the RD-2000 EX is designed for versatility in live performances and studio production.

Realism and Quality

The RD-2000 EX excels in delivering ultra-realistic piano tones. Its piano samples are meticulously recorded, resulting in sounds that are rich, vibrant, and full of depth. Whether you’re playing a grand piano passage or an electric piano groove, the instrument’s dynamic sound adjusts to your playing style, offering a true-to-life acoustic piano experience.

Sound Engine

The RD-2000 EX is equipped with two sound engines: the V-Piano technology and SuperNATURAL sound engine. The V-Piano engine provides flawless, modeled acoustic piano tones, offering unparalleled realism and expression. This engine allows for smooth, continuous variation in the sound, perfectly responding to the nuances of the player’s touch. The SuperNATURAL engine, on the other hand, covers a wide range of additional tones, including vintage electric pianos, synths, strings, and more, offering a broad sound palette for various genres and styles.

Voices and Tones

With over 1,100 tones, the RD-2000 EX provides a comprehensive selection of sounds, from meticulously sampled concert grand pianos to retro electric pianos, synths, organs, and more. The electric pianos are modeled with care, replicating the classic tones from the ’60s and ’70s, making them ideal for jazz, funk, and R&B. Additionally, the synth sounds provide excellent flexibility for modern pop, rock, and electronic music performances.

The RD-2000 EX features Roland’s PHA-50 keyboard, which combines wood and molded materials to create keys that feel like a traditional acoustic piano while offering the durability required for stage use. The keys are fully weighted, providing a natural, responsive feel with a balanced hammer action that replicates the touch of a grand piano.

Responsiveness

The RD-2000 EX’s keyboard is highly responsive, allowing for exceptional control over dynamics and articulation. The touch sensitivity adapts to different playing styles, ensuring that the player’s expression is captured accurately, whether performing delicate classical pieces or hard-hitting rock tracks.

Materials

The PHA-50 keys are made from a combination of wood and synthetic materials, offering a premium feel without compromising durability. This blend gives the keys a solid, responsive touch while ensuring they can withstand the rigors of touring and regular performance.

Build Quality and Portability

Construction

The RD-2000 EX is built to handle the demands of professional musicians. Its robust metal chassis ensures durability, while the premium materials used throughout the design contribute to its longevity. The instrument feels solid and dependable, making it suitable for regular gigging and studio use.

Portability

Despite its solid construction, the RD-2000 EX is surprisingly portable for a high-end stage piano. Weighing approximately 47.4 pounds (21.5 kg), it strikes a balance between build quality and portability, making it manageable for gigging musicians who need to transport their instrument regularly.

Design

Aesthetically, the RD-2000 EX has a sleek and modern design, with a clean control panel that offers easy access to all essential functions. The controls are thoughtfully laid out, ensuring that performers can make adjustments on the fly without being overwhelmed by complexity. The well-lit display and intuitive buttons make navigation simple, even in low-light conditions on stage.

Features and Connectivity

Additional Features

The RD-2000 EX is loaded with useful features, including built-in effects such as reverb, chorus, EQ, and delay, as well as layering and splitting options that allow musicians to create rich, complex textures. The instrument also features a powerful arpeggiator, providing creative possibilities for live performances and studio productions.

Connectivity Options

Connectivity is one of the RD-2000 EX’s strong points. It includes MIDI and USB connections, making it easy to integrate into any setup, whether you’re using it as a standalone instrument or as a controller for virtual instruments in the studio. The stage piano also features balanced and unbalanced audio outputs, as well as a dedicated USB audio interface, allowing for direct connection to computers and recording systems without additional hardware.

User Interface

The Roland RD-2000 EX boasts a user-friendly interface with a high-resolution display that provides clear information about your settings, tones, and effects. The layout is intuitive, with dedicated sliders, knobs, and buttons that offer precise control over your sound, whether you’re adjusting tone layers, effects, or split points in real time.

Value for Money

Price Point

The Roland RD-2000 EX is priced as a premium instrument, reflecting its high-end features and professional-grade performance. While the cost is higher than some other stage pianos on the market, its dual-engine technology, extensive sound library, and exceptional build quality make it a valuable investment for serious musicians.

Comparison

When compared to other stage pianos in its price range, such as the Yamaha CP88 and Nord Stage 4, the RD-2000 EX holds its own with its versatile sound engine combination, superior key action, and modern interface. It offers a comprehensive feature set that makes it suitable for both live performance and studio work, giving it an edge over many competitors in terms of flexibility and sound quality.

Included Accessories

The RD-2000 EX comes with a sustain pedal, but additional accessories like a stand or carrying case are typically sold separately. The sustain pedal is of high quality, and additional pedals or controllers can be connected via the dedicated jacks for even more expressive control.

Pros

• Superior sound quality with dual V-Piano and SuperNATURAL engines
• Fully weighted PHA-50 keyboard with an authentic acoustic piano feel
• Wide selection of tones and voices, covering a range of musical genres
• Robust construction and sleek, professional design
• Comprehensive connectivity options for studio and live performance

Cons

• Higher price point compared to some competitors
• Lack of built-in speakers may require external amplification for some users
• Slightly heavy for musicians needing extreme portability

Conclusion

The Roland RD-2000 EX is a flagship stage piano that offers an unparalleled blend of sound quality, performance features, and build quality. Its dual sound engines, extensive tonal library, and professional-grade key action make it a perfect choice for serious musicians who demand the best from their instruments. While it comes with a premium price tag, the RD-2000 EX delivers outstanding value for those seeking a versatile, reliable, and top-performing stage piano for both live and studio use.