I purchased a RD-2000 based on this alone. After many years with an old S90ES, this keyboard is a breath of fresh air.

Darrick, this was really superb. Thank you so much. Beautiful playing style, brilliant and clear explanations, everything. My RD-2000 is coming Monday, so I’m eating videos about it, and yours was by far the most enjoyable. Anyway, best, God bless, etc.

Really good video. Thank you. The RD 2000 a fantastic Masterkeyboard. I use i t with external sound sources from VST and Synthesizers. And it made a great job.

Really love you videos!!! Thank you sooo much for all your indept analysis!! The videos are also super entertaining

Darrick ... I just picked up a Roland RD-2000 ... your in depth assessment & demo video has been extremely useful in shortening my leaning curve with one of the most versatile and deeply layered stage pianos on the market ... Gracias, Senor - Bart

It all comes down to preference and taste. I play Roland and there’s many things I like about Roland. I play Korg and there’s many things I like about Korg. I play a Nord stage whatever and it sounds great. I play Yamaha and I love the sounds. Just depends what sound you’re looking for for that particular gig.

Thanks a lot, that review's a lot helpful!

You have a great presentation style.

Sounds very perfect for the software I use. Currently using Roland Zenbeats and I'm thinking of saving up money for that.

Love the way you played bass/pn split :)

Thanks for the vid. A few options other than those you mentioned at the start: the Yamaha P515, Kawai MP7SE, Korg SV-2, Viscount Legend. The RD seems solid but I really don't like its interface at all, compared to the Yam CP, Nord Grand or Korg SV-2.

I got the RD-2000 for Christmas of 2017. I LOVE it! Has been my favorite keyboard I've ever owned.

I have never been interested in playing any sort of instrument until about a month ago. I secretly bought a Roland RD-2000 and picked it up today, with Rolands KC 80 amp and Rolands RPU-3 foot switch pedal and headphones and ( she doesn’t know ). It will be my first time touching a keyboard. I want to master the piano over the rest of my life and I turn 60 in one month. Long story short, my wife had 12 years of lessons and played piano for the church for 25 yrs. She is 60 and she started playing when she was 4 yrs old. So, she’s pretty much a pro. I am not going to tell her and I will surprise her when I sit down at her piano and play “Fur Elise”. BTW, I’m putting the Roland RD2000 piano in my home office and only playing it with the amp when she is not home otherwise it will be with the headphones. She never comes into my office because it’s far enough away from the central part of the house and is over the garage. She’s going to freak. Wish me luck. 🙂👍

I bought this keyboard last year and I am satisfied with the sound of this RD2000. In addition, this keyboard is very customizable compared to other stage pianos.

Very good video!

Hey Darrick, thanks for another detailed video. I’ve learnt a lot. I use an RD2000 at church, and the sounds are MEH. The Keybed is great and it’s static on stage. My Moxf8 pads and synths are amazing, the piano sounds are ok. So here are my thoughts - I’m thinking of getting a Montage 6 and use it alongside the RD2000 via USB/MIDI. I’m hoping the portability and sounds of the Montage 6, combined with the Rd2000 could be a winning combo? I’ll keep some of the Montage layers triggered only using the montage keybed Any thoughts?

I have an RD-2000 it is my first good keyboard and like you say the keybed is great. You kept just using the Stage Piano and no thrilled with it's sound, but there is a lot of acoustic piano in the RD-2000 from both engines. I rarely use the Stage Piano. Something I've noticed about the RD-2000 is it's output seems kind of low and when running lower volumes the sounds are kind of dull. But if you turn up the volume on the keyboard to around 50% then the sounds really start to wake up. I've been thinking of getting a workstation and you talking about using the RD-2000 as a master controller seems like it would be a great combination especially with the RD's keybed. It would also mean I could get a smaller workstation 61 or 73 keys and have best of both worlds of synth-type keybed and RD keybed. So really appreciate your videos, thank you for making them. Korg should thank you too because after watching your recent video on Kronos that's probably the workstation I'll get.

Very nice review. Your are a very good pianist. I love the RD2000 a lot it has decent piano sounds but the action is really fantastic. I love Kawai MP11se because it has fabulous pianos sounds and action feels like real piano. RD2000 is more versatile in a not so heavy also there’s no compromise in built quality. If anyone looking for best piano which can sound like real piano then V piano expansion may solve the purpose. Thanks!

Thanks for this boss

HI. been watching your videos. I think you said somewhere that you like the Rd2000 as a controller. But: 1. When controlling an old Synth like the Korg Triton 61 keys, do you know if this would return sound for all range of keys? So if I play C73 on the RD2000 would it return that C73 sound from the triton even though it's only 61? 2. Also, you can control different keyboards and programs via RD2000, but if controlling the keyboards and programs via midi, how do you return the audio back to the RD2000 if it only has 1 input audio jack?

I had the chance to try this one recently up close. As far as key action is concerned it really isn't very well weighted. The keys are very light to be be compared to even other digital pianos let alone an acoustic piano.

I now use a Korg Kronos LS. Had to change to the lighter key bed as playing weighted keys for a full gig was becoming painful.

I appreciate all the information and opinions expressed regarding the RD 2000. I would love to know if you’ve played the Kurzweil Forte SE. I’m ready to purchase a new keyboard and I’m pretty sure I’ve narrowed it down between these two models. I’m a worship leader and love the fact that you understand what features are preferred in that venue. Thanks!

Thaks Darrick, excelent video. I am thinking to buy one. Nowadays, the RD2000 still a great option or it´s outdated?

I'm thinking of buying an RD 2000 and you have answered most of the questions I've had about the instrument that the local dealer could not answer. Thank's for the info. Feel more confident about making my purchase.

Darrick - Thank you for taking the time to put this together. I've been shopping for a workstation for the kids and think I'm going to go with a stage piano instead, most likely the RD-2000. Most of the workstations on the market are designs that are several years old and they seem to be getting eclipsed by controllers. I'm going to focus on getting them a quality keybed instead and let them play around w/ the DAW if they want workstation functionality.

Darrick, thank you for this very informative and professionell made Video. Your honest opinion is really where this video shines. I really appreciate those videos. Wonderful, thank you and your playing of course. By the way what is your favorite Piano-VST ? And in terms of keytouch and feel, what is your favorite keybed in your stage-piano-set? I am asking a lot because i have to buy one stagepiano, just for my personal purpose, at home, not for gigs or the stage.Right now i just own a midi-controller but that´s not what i am really happy with. It´s ok but far away from a good weighted hammer action, what i am looking for.My focus is primarily on playing piano-stuff and now and then a bit e-pianos and layered sounds.But i am not an organ player. Maybe you can help me a bit with your experience, would be very nice. Thank you in advance Darrick and hope to hear from you soon, if you like. Greetings from Germany Oliver

Is there a you can make a video how setup the midi AND is there way you make one of the knobs control the main volume of the modx

0:05 what keyboard is that?

Hi. I am in the market for purchasing a stage piano and roland rd 2000 and Dexibel vivo s7 pro are my top choices. Could you please advise what is the better option of the 2 stage pianos? What made you swing on 1 over the other?

You got to learn the board you have!

I would think for Gospel, those SuperNatural RD-1000(MKS-20) would be a must have.

Dope

What monitors do you recommend for this piano at home?

Between all those keyboards you mentioned in the intro which one is the best and light weight too

I’m curious if you’ve ever played a Yamaha Clavinova and the keybed compares.

if RD2000 had FM synth module in it, it will be almost perfect for me. although I bought this model and use it as a main keyboard.

Came here from watching your Nord stage 3 video. First thing that strikes me is how unremarkable the pianos on the RD are. I own the RD2000 and like it for many reasons not least of which is the action and bang for buck when it comes the extra sounds you get. But I keep reading in forums etc that you can tweak the RD to sound as good as the Nord, it makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong and has me questioning my sanity. What is your honest opinion Darrick? I'm obsessing about getting the stage 3 as I want the best aps, EPs and organs you can get but would I be wasting my money? Your honest opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thank

Merci ;)

I purchased the RD2000 shortly after it came out. LOVED it! Sadly ... returned it. It weighs a ton and just barely fit in my car. It was a tough decision. If I had a road crew ... I would have kept it for sure. I replaced it with a MODX7. I know ... a completely different animal ... but, the MODX weighs in at just 16.5 pounds (joy!) and for the gigs I do it covers all the bases patchwise and then some. Best of all it fits in my car! The MODX is probably not the right choice for classically trained musicians who insist on weighted keys. Of course the MODX8 does have weighted keys. Anyway loved the Roland. I just couldn't see myself hauling that bad boy to gigs.

Roland ♥️

Hi could you please tell me how to combine piano and strings THX

I cant play a lick, but I want one. Should I get it…?

Your experience with all of the different brands certainly lends to your credibility . I’m curious, which 88 weighted keyboard would you pair with Nord Stage 3 Compact (my keyboard) to round out capability? I was considering Montage8 or Kawai MP11SE, but also thought about a move to Arturia Keylab 88 MkII, to focus more on my software libraries. I am missing a great piano action to pair with the strengths of Nord Compact, and wouldn’t mind picking up another board that could increase my sound palette.

I own an RD-2000, which I got fairly early in 2017. For the most part, I totally agree with your assessment. But I do have some issues with it. First the good (most of which you mentioned): 1. It makes a great MIDI controller, and the mixing sliders are super convenient. Panel layout is excellent and build quality is great. 2. The keybed is one of the best, and better even than the Montage or Kronos 3. The V-Pianos are very good. Also, there are many Supernatural acoustic pianos, so if you don't like the V-Pianos, there are still many excellent choices. 4. There are many other sounds, most of which are fairly decent and usable, if not the absolute best 5. It's not too heavy and quite portable, although a little long for some cars 6. OS updates have added some more V-Piano presets and improved some early issues. 7. There's an excellent 3-pedal unit available as an option. Now the bad: 1. At least in my early version, the panel text is not white but is a medium grey color that's almost invisible, especially on a dark stage. 2. The display is Ok, but the viewing angle is very narrow. In a multi-keyboard stand, it's often difficult to read, since you can't view it from directly above. 3. The leslie for the organs is terrible--way too fast and unrealistic. Not a huge deal and it can be adjusted, but still annoying. Unfortunately, for me, disadvantages #1 and #2 are killers and really destroy the utility of the instrument as a master keyboard on stage. If you're thinking about buying one, carefully check out those two points. If I was buying it now, I'd probably spend the extra $1500 and get a Fantom 8, which has the same sliders, V-Piano engine, and keybed, but a much better display, white panel text and updated Zenology sounds (as well as many other capabilities). For studio use, I might also consider a Kawai MP11SE, which has an even better action. It's too big and heavy to use as a touring stage instrument, though. A great instrument in many ways, but buy with caution.

Darrick, check out the new V-Piano expansion when you get the time and see if you can do a review on it.

Damn 38:40 beautiful progression of chords!! What piece is this may i ask ??

Not long ago I went through process of selecting a new stage piano. My conclusion was the Roland Rd is excellent, especially its controls and variety of sounds, also tend to have a strong preference Roland - but ultimately I didn’t buy it as it fails in one crucial area...when I directly compared it to the Korg main stage & Yamaha, the Rolands acoustic piano sounds are just not as good. The modelled V-piano is great in theory but just don’t think it stands up to its sampled piano competitors. If my main need was 88 keys as a controller keyboard the Roland would be my first choice.

He has west coast and midiEgrand?

One word...yes. Next question?

Good video but why did you shoot it all so close up?

The best piano in my opinion is the mellow Nx concert grand

CP 88 is a good Piano sounds They updates the sounds Every six months 1.4 is beautiful

The best digital piano is always the one that can be edited the most. Unlikely you are going to buy a Dpiano that perfectly matches your speakers/amp or a changing pro house sound system you have little control over. Begin with good sound, but then include extreme editing options. Without a doubt the RD2000 V-Piano is the most editable piano in history and on the market today. Many musicians only care about their performance perfection and care little about sound quality unless it is horrible, for others the smallest adjustments in sound can make all the difference from one venue to the next; IF the keyboard offers that ability.

Do you RD-2000 owners find it heavy/awkward to transport by yourself? It weighs 48 lbs plus the weight of a hard case. As great as the RD-2000 is, I wonder if that's a significant deterrent for me to use on gigs 8x per month. I'm an average size guy in good shape but getting older. I don't need to hurt my back.

Well now with the Nord Stage 4 it's the Nord obviously ;-) I'll get the popcorn.

CP88 offers the greatest key touch among others. But it sucks in terms of poor sound choices. I’ve downloaded the latest version but only added 1 more grand piano and EP (which I like the most fortunately) since a year ago. I wonder why Yamaha don’t feed more samplings anyway.

No, depends on what your thinks on these. Think dexibell is a step from disappearing. Me and friend repair keyboards and was a warranty station for Kurzweil for years. We laugh at some of the boards when you open them up and there is one little board inside :{ Then most of the sounds all sound the same . Best thing is put your hands on as many as you can that you thinking of purchasing. You have to live with it and will drive you crazy if you miss something. Compare the manuals. Kronos has an 1200+ page parameter guide seperate from owners manual. 9 synth engines and simply cannot be compared to limited functions of other models. Yes, it weigh's a lot!

The stage grand did u Tweak the sound on it , minds don’t sound like that

Or eQ diffidently

when you're done,just mail it here..

You're right brother. The piano sound on this Roland model average. Yamaha has the best acoustic pianos. And now with the new montage the EP's are top notch

I don't agree with you on many of your conclusions. I have found the piano sounds offered by the RD 2K is some of the best on the market for stage pianos.

The Nord Stage 3 is the greatest stage piano ever made ever!!! None of these keyboards can sample and take away all the presets in the board. Plus it’s red and stands out...so...yeah...it’s a no brainer.

One thing I find to be an issue with your representation is you stay defaulted for the most part, to "stage grand". Especially when critiquing it for how authentic it may or may not sound. In other videos they sample more piano sounds to apply towards whatever they are playing. Even a classical guy pulled up an odd piano name that you wouldn't think would be for Rachmaninoff, but yet it sounded pretty good for the application. However, as you talk about the RD's inability to produce the most authentic piano, you are not taking us through the many different voices for piano. You just stay on "stage grand"! If that means like Billy Joel...it sounded pretty good for that. But certainly not Rachmaninoff!!

Stage Grand is one of the weaker pianos … Acoustic03 is far better, in my opinion. Shame it’s the one that loads by default, and it’s the one that always seems to feature in videos like this one.

Polyphonic aftertouch ? Stright fingers....ha ha, dont lerned classic ,😄

An hour of watching someone waving their hand constantly over the keybed...

Answer to the question..... No, it is NOT!

Roland's pianosounds have always been thin and artificial sounding, no exception on this keyboard...

I donot consider the RD 2000 keyboard the ultimate keyboard of 2023.