I deleted my earlier comment, kept watching and ate crow... this is the best, most informational, and most thorough comparison and review of the RD-2000 I have seen on youtube. Well done, man

Hi Ben ! I have been watching several of your recent videos which I deeply congratulate you for ! I am amazed by the relevance and technicity you instill inside them; moreover you don't seem to be a retailer and therefore don't seem to have a financial interest in doing so ? Thus, your enthusiasm simply looks like "passion", doesn't it ? that''s becoming rare : round of applause !.. I am the recent owner of a rd2000. I very much agree with yr comments about the incredible quality and precision of the rd action, that's mainly why I chose it to handover my former Yamaha CP4. Right, the rd keyboard is a little bit stiffer but very little only, and this leads it to a quasi perfect approach of an acoustic piano.The CP4 was not bad actually but rd feels slightly better for me ! On the sound aspect your comparison with Nord is quite interesting and translates what I've felt testing those 3 boards : Nord sounds too brilliant, too metallic. It probably suits better to pop and new-wave. CP4 is softer (CFX), the sound is "enveloped" or maybe could you say "round" (I'm not native english speaking, not sure of all terms;..); it's with no doubt the one on which I would prefer playing a Chopin Nocturne or Serenade. RD2000 (Grand Stage) is a real balance between the other two, although a bit more "colored" than the Yam. It is pretty adapted to Jazz, my preferred register. On the interface plan, Roland have made a fantastic job on the ergonomics: it has never been so easy to access mix and match the different sounds available. it's very smart to be able to prepare one or several sounds (4 internal +4 ext.) before playing and recall or layer or introduce them at a moment of your gig with one finger only. I hate the on/off disastrous effect occurring on many dp when switching from one sound to another !.. To conclude, I am for the time very pleased with my new rd2000 and even expect to adjust it to "my ears perfect sound" according to the hardly infinite setting availabilities it offers. My only worry is presently a bad harmonic resonance on the 3rd D, but I wonder if it rather comes from my PA (Stage Pass Yamaha 400i). => Ben, have you encountered such a mishap - D key mainly affected - D# and C# : default audible but much less ? PS : Why has Roland settled such an "anecdotic" rhythm box in this 2000 ?..I've read here that rhythms of the formers rd's (700 or 800 as far as I can remember ?) were even better...not difficult ! => to James Harrison, on the topic "Stands" : As Ben explains, the KM is actually excellent ; I've just mounted the rd2000 on a Proel 260 double stand which is very good too. The lower tier is absolutely immobile even if punching on yr board ! The upper tier can be lowered very close to the main one as requested by James. Regards to all piano lovers in the U.S - Gilles - southern France ;-)

Great video!, also Roland is full editable, you can make it sound so much better than the video, both are excellent keyboard.

I just bought a rd although I didn’t like the pianos at first once I updated to firmware 1.5 and did a few simple tweaks with the tone designer I find it much much warmer and expressive

Ben, you are one excellent pianist, I am a fan! Thank you for the comparison, I believe the Norred one this particular one, I am a owner of a RD 2000.

At first when I heard about the Roland RD 2000 I was excited to learn that it had the V Piano engine. Later I was disappointed when I understood that it does not have all the V piano models, triple string, silver string model, etc. As I listened to the presets, they sound basically the same. I think my main consideration now to purchase the RD 2000 is the key bed and the controller features. The Roland V Piano is still in a class by itself.

Wow, I'm amazed at how good a player you are! Nice compare, I bought a Nord Electro 6, so am glad to see how it stacks up against some of the other big players.

que coisa linda esse nord e o roland parabens eu vou ter um deste um dia .

Really appreciate the effort you put into these videos. Would be very interested in knowing how you find the experience of playing (not just the sound) the RD internal sounds (sampled and modelled pianos) against the use of VI's (Ravenscroft / Garitan)

May I add I watched this video a while back but it did not have such an impact on me the 1st time, but after a few years of tweaking and improving my monitoring setup, through which I listen to Utube videos and also do other music, this time around, your keyboard sounds on this video simply jumped out of the speakers in their perception of clarity - to my ears, everything sounded so crystal clear, compared to all other keyboard demo videos. There must be something you are doing differently - or is it just the quality of your cables - and audio interface - or the quality of your video recorder or the way you upload it to KZfaq. THere just is something extremely good about what you have done - I suspect it is painstaking attention to detail. What audio cables do you use, and what audio interface did you record this with? So much to learn from you, not just about piano but everything else that adds up to the clarity I hear in this. In conclusion monitoring and playback can absolutely change how one perceives these piano sounds, I once did not appreciate the Roland RD2000 sound but from watching this I realise there must have been something wrong with the speaker(or the RD200 setup) in the store where I have played this keyboard on many occasions.

at 18:46 and 18:59 and 19:28... Mind = Blown!! Awesome melody! (to my ears at least :))

Hello. Really enjoy your playing. Thanks for the comparison. I've narrowed it down to the mp11se, rd 2000, and the nord grand. In totally clueless when it comes to stage pianos and external amplification and speakers. Can you please give me an idea of speakers for a stage piano? Which ones are you using,? Someone suggested the kc 200 by roland which is an amplifier. Do I need 2 amplifiers? Thanks so much for any help you can provide

for me. the rd-2000 is great. the advantage of the nord ARE the organ sounds

How does that K&M stand, handle a heavy board like the RD, when really rocking out? ;) From photos, it just doesn't look like it would be able to handle it ... And also, can that second tier go any lower? I'm searching for something that allows me to get both tiers as close as possible. Not to mention looks good on stage too. :) I currently use the quiklok QL-742

hey Ben ! Just wanted to say thanks for all the in depth videos you've put together for us RD-2000 newbies..I have one question regarding the RD that maybe with your inquisitive mind and expertise you might be able to answer? Is there a way to take all or most of the dynamics out of say a pad sound but have the piano it might be layered with still have the dynamics and velocity I set up under 'Key Touch"? when that layered piano/pad sound thing first started the synths ( of the 70s and 80s) had no velocity sensitivity and I prefer it that way so the pad sound just has a fixed level while the piano sound has the ups and downs (dynamics)...i tried messing with some of the "Velocity" settings in the Zone edit page but still couldn't get the result I was looking for. Best regards and again thanks for all the informative vids, Nat

For a modelled piano, the Roland sounds great. In a world of multi sampled piano libraries, it may not be perfect for all situations, but it sounds pretty excellent on its own. In terms of key action, both the RD-2000 and the Montage 8 feel incredible and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either.

Hello Ben Thank you for all the nice videos. I play most classical music and I want to ask you which piano is best for this music style in the sound and keyboard feel (Nord piano 3 or roland rd 2000). Best regards Ahmed from Sweden.

Hello Ben, thanks for your videos, I have a question. Do you have any tip to equalize the RD2000 live? I know it's a very subjective subject, because it depends on many factors, but if in your experience you can help me with something I'll thank you since I could not give you a good live sound. Thank you.

Can you please please please tell me what speakers you're using. I have no idea what speakers to get for the Rd 2000. Never had a stage piano before. Thank you very much

Ben Allen, what would you suggest for a keyboard amp/or stage monitor that you consider has the clarity for an even tone, no hype of any frequencies, i.e closer to a studio monitor - flat or at least not significantly colored - I like hearing things as they are, and adjusting my playing to this truth., and if any adjustments are in order I like the speakers to be the arbiter of truth - no adjustments there as much as possible. If you still have these RD2000 and a Nord, could you also do a comparison, whenever time is possible with you, of the electric pianos of the keyboards you have with you? Thanks _ I also love electric pianos, Wurlitzers and Clavs, and organs, and strings, and pads, and horns - I know - Im an Oliver Twist - more, more please - Subscribed....

I agree with you about the character of the v-piano sound not being completely realistic sounding. I think the problem might be that the model of the piano is "too perfect". On a real piano there is always going to be slight differences between each key on the piano. Slightly differences in the hammers, strings and tuning etc. will all contribute to the 'liveliness' of the real piano. A sampled piano does incorporate those differences because they sample the individual keys. I think the v-piano modeling is not yet advanced enough to incorporate all these differences for each key. But future models might improve on this.

My goodness Ben! How can I get your fingers? You play soooooo good. Do you teach? Any playing tips?

Hi Ben, there is one other issue I would like your comments on: The built in audio interface on the RD appears wonderfully functional. How is it in terms of sound quality / latency? Absolutely fine, or best to stick with a good quality separate box?

Hey Ben are you using the Roland dp10 damper pedal and does it work well through midi as in your setup with the nord electro.

I have exactly both instruments. Is it easy to connect them?

Very Nice playing! Is it all improvisation or are you playing pieces from a composer? In case you want to tell me witch composers you listen to because i like the dramatic stuf you are playing. can you recommend me some good artists? Thanks!

Can i use my roland digital piano 88 keys in nord electro 3 73? So that i can enjoy the 88 keys in playing the nord electro 3 73 key

This was a well done analysis/comparison. I was thinking seriously about the Roland, but the Nord sounds just seem so much more subtle and lively to me, so now leaning toward the Piano 4. I don't think the action is as good but is it tolerable? I wish there was a local dealer with that instrument but it seems not...

Hola Ben. Excelente vídeo de 1 hora!!! BRAVO!! No comprendo el inglés hablado (perdóname), me podrías decir cual de los 2 pianos esta sonando en el minuto 19:28 hasta 19:47 ??? GRACIAS

Nord needs to seriously up their polyphony if it's still so limited. Their huge, great piano sounds need it. I'd like to know it's possible to play things like Rach Moment Musical 16.4 and Chopin's Ocean Etude on it. Imagine what those would sound like on the royal grand, provided the polyphony doesn't run out! Oh man!

Hey Ben....can you use (and save) Cut off/Resonance on the Piano sounds as well? This would be very important for me. Would you mind and send a short reply asap... Thanks in advance!!!

Very interesting listening so far but to my ear the Roland was absolutely and noticeably quieter when you were demonstrating the low dynamics. I couldn’t understand why you were saying that the Nord was softer. It clearly isn’t or do you disagree having listened back to it?

how do u connect the Nord to play through the Roland? can i connect a yamaha synth to my roland and play the sounds ? thanks

Oustanding - and your audio quality is simply different from most of what I hear on Utube. What audio interface did you record this with? Of course I love your playing. One day when I become rich I'll come and take private piano lessons or encourage you to develop a teaching programme. You live and breathe piano, the essence of beautiful sound - every note has a purpose, nothing extraneous, nor omitted where needed. You exemplify the term "Soul" - your playing tugs at every heartstring. But it also reveals the excellent soul that resides within you. To God be all praise. I am incredibly inspired. All of the world needs to hear you play, To understand the joy of music and the beauty of a true musician. And I appreciate your consummate knowledge on the technology behind digital pianos. Your communication style is simple and very trustworthy. Nothing quite like this video in Tubeland. This excels in richness of content, audio quality, relevance everything, and your masterful playing style... Of course it would be nice to have both a Nord and a Roland, but from this video if I had to choose one it would be the Roland....Not that its better, just prefer its more percussive piano with that "bite". I have played the main acoustic grand on the Roland many times in stores and was never impressed, but your demonstration has been so comprehensive, the next time I play it in the store, I will explore the NX pianos, which I absolutely loved on the NX700 but was not aware they were ported to the RD800 and now the RD2000. By the way although you have focussed only on the acoustic pianos, which I had thought were a weak point of the RD2000, based on its main piano, I do love the RD2000's electric pianos - there is something absolutely special about a few of these, which I find no identical comparison of, in other keyboards. You are a brilliant educator, and such an example of what humanity could achieve. Well done. and Thanks, that we can all watch such amazing artistry and technology at work.

Ben, thank you so much for your videos - I must have watched hours of comparison in my decision process - Nord, RD-2000 and Kawai MP11SE are my three "survivors" (so far!). As I don't play well, is there any chance for you top provide a few of your demo short pieces as MIDI files? Then playing the same piece on diffent keyboards in my own setting would help a lot. Thanks for all you do - amazing work.

You say "there's alot of resistance when you need it" (referring to the keyboard action). I say it doesn't matter "when" you need. either there's resistance, or there isn't.

I have a RD 700GX (so SuperNatural but no V-Piano) and I agree that the Nord in some situations sounds more natural. Especially short notes in the mid range (listen to 28:48 and try to ignore the bass notes) have something pretty unique to them that the SuperNatural/V-Piano sounds don't accurately reproduce. I don't know what it is exactly, but when I tried out a Nord at the store (luckily they had good headphones) I just really fell for the illusion of pressing down the key of an actual piano. A feeling which I never had to that extend with my Roland. But then again it is more or less only a nuance and I don't know if the Nord Stage 3 is worth the extra ~1500€. I know there is also the Nord Piano 3 but that just seems way too limited to me in terms of polyphony, split points, Piano Memory, and basically anything besides pure piano sounds. Also the keybed on the RD is a whole lot better compared to the Nords... I just don't know whether I should go for the RD or a Stage 3...

Thanks for showing this video id love to hear your opinion on Yamaha CP4 against the RD2000.

Nord are always going to sound way better .... But the Roland RD has the better feel .... So triggering a Nord with a Roland RD seems to be ideal ...

I have been listening to a few of this comparison and the more I listen to them. I settled for rd 2000 to me is a better sound and for the price is a knock out dawn to nord.

Is it K&M omega keyboard stand? Can you recommend it?

Both are excellent piano sounds! The best? Ah, this is very subjective!

Hi Ben, could you tell me what speakers you use? Thanks.

Ben, your eval of these two keyboard is great! Thank you! You mentioned playing the Roland because it is a better keyboard to play (key action) vs the electro5. I am curious about your opinion on the Nord Piano4 action, compared to the Roland. I played the Roland, and loved the keyboard actions, but not fond of the sounds. The nord samples sound amazing, if the key action is as good as the Roland on Nord Piano4, its a no brainer in my opinion. Care to share your thoughts about Nord Piano4.

Hi Ben, I have the Roland RD300NX and all the Concert Pianos from Roland have caracteristic Roland parameters set by the factory. When I received a Roland I always edit the sound parameters, and the sound become more real, according to my feeling. A friend of mine has the FA08 the piano sound and keyboard is the same of RD300NX, however due to I edit the sound he asked to me, what did you do? your sound is more powerful and deep, please set my keyboard the same. I did the same with another sounds as organ, strings, accordion (I add the sax voice with the Italian accordion + adjusts). When I compare the Roland keyboard with the others I did some adjusts, and my impression is the the Nord is a piano with a medium zone sound caracteristic and too bright, when you play a real Grand Piano you realized that the sound is kind of stuffy, no matter the brand, I am talking in general point of view. So the sound depends on you, your feeling, because when you put the piano in a gig or the church the sound is quite the same with same different propose, in brief both have beautiful sounds.

Roland 👍

This video just reminds me of why i sold the RD-2000 but kept the Nord Stage 3 88.

Ben, what do think you about Korg Kronos? Korg Kronos have loop in sound decay like Roland?

When you played the Harry Potter themed from the Roland, you could here the nuanced "clicks, felts, and hammers" as you said. It's an amazing instrument.

The rd has the west coast?

nord sounds have a character

Nord piano 3 action or Korg GrandStage action ?

Thanks for the detailed review and comparison ! As a Roland user for over 2 decades (currently own the Rd300nx), Nord sounds MUCH better. Both sound not even close to any good VST. Nord is best for stage and live performance. PS, modern sampled pianos also use some modeling, sympathetic resonance and other fx

Roland for me!

Not really sure how Nord get away with calling their keyboards "Piano's" when there is nothing remotely piano action about their keybeds what so ever. I haven't purchased the RD yet but feel confident that I can handsomely achieve pretty much any piano sound I like with it. Nord for electric pianos all the way though.

Nord sounds more real and "placed" in a room... sounds more resonant and sympathetic than the RD... just saying! Nice comparison!!!

Great video, Nord sound processed Roland pure real piano sound.

what speakers are those? pls reply

Make a demo of nord electric pinos vs rd2000

NORD IS TOO GOOD🌹🌹

Nord triggering the perfect rd 2000 Keybed I will forever argue is amazing

Rd 2000 sound better and more profestional for live gig

The grand imperial it’s a Bosendorfer

Im watching a comparison piano keyboards that i cannot afford

I was very underwhelmed by the sound of the RD2000 piano sounds until you switched to the NX pianos. The V Piano sounds so artificial. The Piano sounds on the Nord impress me much more. Torn between a Stage 3 and an RD-2000, although maybe I'm better off with this setup, get the feel of the RD2000 keybed action with the sounds of the nord pianos.

You mention that the V-Piano has unlimitted polyphony, but you don't mention that the polyphony on the Nord is only 40 notes. That is just unacceptable for a professional instrument in 2017, especially at Nord's prices. A few big chords and scales and you'll be stealing notes. Even the Roland's sampled pianos have 128 notes. I also think that the Roland needs a bit of EQ adjustment to sound its best. Comparing the Roland without optimizing the EQ doesn't really show it off properly. With the looping, velocity switching, limited polyphony and ridiculous pricing of the Nord, I'd really be inclined to the Roland.

roland rd 2000!

Roland rd 2000 vs nord electro 5d???? kkkkkkkkkkk não seria justo Roland 2000 vs nord stage 3 88 teclas Hammer????

You said the Gran imperial was Fascioli that’s not true

Are you kidding me?! Lol how can anybody take this video serious. You played all of the nord sounds thru the Roland keyboard via midi. Anybody who knows anything about midi knows that that’s not fair. I have the Roland V Piano and I assure you that any piano I play via midi from the keyboard/keybed of that Roland v piano makes it sound entirely different. Even very old Yamaha sampled pianos sounds very good being played by midi from the Roland V. It gives the old sound tonal qualities and dynamic range that it could never have. However, I’m a Roland fan so it really doesn’t matter to me but if I were a nord fan, I’d be pissed. You nord fans should speak up about that. 🤪

No open architecture on the Roland.

57 mins....

All talk

1. The RD-2000 has a pitch bending control on the side and not up like on the nords. It makes pitch bending actually usable. 2. It has all the controllers you can ask from a keyboard. 3. Its cheaper. RD-2000 wins. Why complicate stuff? I made it easier for you.

Roland hands down. For the price of the Nord you’d think it come with wooden keys.

Roland sounds very "ringy" and toy-pianoish in the upper registers. Nord much more pleasing to the ear. Just wondered though, aren't you getting the "feel" from the Roland keybed? A Nord piano could possibly have been a better comparison?

Nord = woody but keybed is the worst Roland - not as authentic but just the best feel ever, on the other hand pop into piano designer and play with the buttons and note character. Keytouch on light!

Roland sounds so digital.... not useable for the ones with ears.

The Nord sounds a thousand times better than the Roland.

there is not Midi connection between Roland and Nord; how is it possible he play Nord sounds? Fake?

Why do you frezee when you finish testing each sound? like a robot oh and next time....i cant hear youre voice...try ti mix the keyboards and youre mic the demo it was very good