🎹 Roland RD88 vs RD08: Ultimate Head-to-Head Comparison! 🎹

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Күн бұрын

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#rolanddigitalpianos#rolandrd88#rolandrd08
Roland RD08 vs RD88: Ultimate Head to Head Comparison
Description:
Join us as we dive into a detailed comparison between the Roland RD08 and its older brother, the Roland RD88. In this video, we'll explore the key differences and similarities, giving you a comprehensive understanding to help you decide which digital piano is right for you.
Introduction:
My first reaction to the RD08 was really positive. I thought it brought a ton to the table for the price point. But today, we're going to be doing a direct comparison with its older brother, the RD88. There are several differences I wanted to check out and really get a sense of by sitting behind them.
Key Points Covered:
Speaker Performance:
Is there a difference in the speaker performance between the RD08 and RD88?
My perception sitting behind the RD08 was that the top speakers seem to have slightly lower output volume compared to the RD88. This affects the highs, resulting in more bass presence and midrange warmth on the RD08.
While not a massive difference, it's worth noting for those sensitive to these details.
Control Surfaces:
How noticeable is the absence of some buttons and control surfaces on the RD08 compared to the RD88?
The RD88 offers more presets and easier navigation with nine category buttons compared to five on the RD08. This makes it easier to build and navigate presets, especially in live situations.
Presets and User Slots:
The RD88 comes preloaded with more factory presets, including lush and complex sounds that take advantage of the Zencore engine.
While the RD08 allows you to create similar sounds, it requires more effort to do so.
Action and Feel:
No difference in the key action between the two models. Both have the same feel and reinforcement in the key bed.
Ports and Connectivity:
The ports on the back of both models are identical, offering the same connectivity options.
Ideal Users:
The RD08 is a phenomenal option for those looking at alternatives like the Yamaha P225 or Kawaii ES120 and wanting more user slots and onboard tones at a competitive price point.
If you have the extra budget (around $300 difference), the RD88 is ideal for users needing additional features like USB MIDI interface, more presets, and better navigation for live shows.
Conclusion:
In summary, the RD88 is a no-brainer for those who need more advanced features and presets for intricate performances, while the RD08 offers great value for its price.
Sound Samples:
Stay tuned till the end for some quick and punchy sound samples from both instruments, showcasing the unique capabilities of the RD88's Zencore engine and the juicy pads it offers by default.
I'm Stu Harrison from Miriam Pianos on KZfaq. If you enjoyed this video, please consider subscribing. We hope to see you soon!
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Пікірлер: 51

@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Ай бұрын

Ok. Now I'm starting to miss the longer videos now too. This was nice, however at some point it feels kinda rushed🎹🎶

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

Thank you for the feedback. Our production team is always experimenting with things and trying to keep things fresh, but I will be happy to pass along your feedback to them.

@mfurman Ай бұрын

I completely agree with you. These videos are more marketing presentations than reviews Michael

@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Ай бұрын

@@mfurman yes exactlly🎹🎶

@odmusicman Ай бұрын

I bought the RD88 based on a number of things including your review a while back. I have not been disappointed over all. My biggest thumbs up is the feel of the keys and PH4 response, I love it. I always love to sit down and play a nice VST piano on this keyboard. I find myself playing far longer than I intended, which is a good sign of the playability and feel. A gripe, no surprise, is the menu diving. However, now that I know what I'm doing, I can create things much faster. I am also using some of the big sounds in this beast for my mixes and they really stand out as stellar and professional sounding. Thank you very much for your continued work Stu.

@Am71919 Ай бұрын

The rd2000 blows both of these out of the water

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much for the support! We're happy to hear that you found our videos helpful. Congrats on your RD88! It is a powerhouse piano for the money with plenty to offer. While there will always be a bit of a learning curve with a new instrument, the RD88 is quite user-friendly once you learn the ropes. :)

@PatrickRosenbalm Ай бұрын

Excellent overview as always. The points that you made about the RD-88 is the reason I bought it over the RD-08. I also recently bought a Fantom 06. Making time to use it is my only problem. Also, making some videos of my teardown of the FP-10 keybed and RD-88 keybed, and sending Merriam some of the photos I have taken of them disassembled so you can use them if you like. I also have an FA-08 and plan on including it too. I have pro Canon cameras and lenses do to photo and video stuff, but what I never seem to have anymore is the time to do it. I'm working on that. 😉 Your reviews have helped me and I will share me work with you you in return.

@MerriamPianos 29 күн бұрын

Thank you so much! That is very kind of you. It sounds like you have quite the collection of Roland products, which is awesome. They make wonderful pianos, stage pianos, and workstations. Thanks again and happy playing! :)

@sonic2000gr Ай бұрын

The price difference in Europe is about 200 euros. If you buy the optional RD-08 upgrade pack you will end up paying more than the RD-88. So the use case of RD-08 is to buy and use as is. Personally I would love to have an RD-73.

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

The RD88 does have more functionality, so, given this pricing dynamic, I think RD88 is the better value buy overall. And an RD73 would be quite exciting! I suppose we'll see if Roland goes down that road. :)

@djramosf Ай бұрын

Thanks for the video!, I was waiting for it to see the main difference between them, and also wanted to know if I made a good decision buying the RD-88 instead of the RD-08 (paying additional 299 dollars to enable certain functionalities was a big differentiator as well the big discount that was at that time on the RD88)

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

You're welcome! We're glad that you found the video helpful. They are both excellent offerings from Roland given their corresponding price points of course. We hope you enjoy your RD88! :)

@StringFusionLive Ай бұрын

We sold our RD88 a month after purchasing it. It had bad note drop outs when doing octave tremolos with the damper pedal down while the right hand was doing some chords or runs. Activating dual tones and playing with the damper pedal down also resulted in severe note drop outs. Is this issue fixed in the RD08?

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with your RD88. I haven't heard about these issues before, so it sounds like you may have had a bad unit. In any case, I hope that you find a reliable instrument that suits your needs.

@CrazyDriverSwed Ай бұрын

Is there any editor available for creating your own zen core sounds or tweaking the pianos from a computer?

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

That is a good question. I don't believe that is an option at this time, but I could be mistaken.

@MerriamPianos 13 күн бұрын

Hi there! Just a follow up. There is an editor available to create your own Zen-Core sounds via the Roland Cloud, which is called Zenology Pro. Thanks and hope this helps!

@quillster0 9 күн бұрын

New RD88 EX just came out, it would be awesome to have a comparison with that one. I believe it is only the sounds that were changed.

@MerriamPianos 8 күн бұрын

Yup - we should be getting our first shipment of RD88EX units very soon. You can certainly bank on review/comparison videos featuring the model soon. :)

@vicmartinez4532 Ай бұрын

The PHA 4 action comes with hammers on front and behind the keys .. I would like to know the difference if it's possible

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

Perhaps, we will need to tackle an action comparison video where we actually open up the units to investigate these differences. At the end of the day though, the most important thing is the way htese actions feel to the player.

@QalinaCom 26 күн бұрын

Great piano, but it's very strange to have such a flimsy looking power supply with it... Thank you for another great insight, Stu, great playing too, as always.

@MerriamPianos 26 күн бұрын

Brent here! Both of these models are powerhouse offerings for the money. Thanks for tuning in! I will be happy to pass along your kind words to Stu. :)

@EdPin_ Ай бұрын

Guys, it feels like you could make a mini-series about those two (3 episodes?) This thing here is more like a brief look.

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

A follow up video may certainly be required. There is a lot to dig into with these two amazing Roland stage pianos.

@MinstrelTray Ай бұрын

When plugged up to an amplifier there is a lot of key noise almost like hammers hitting wood, it's like when you press a note you hear the note and a slight thumping along with it, has anyone else notice this? I am not talking about the mechanics of the keys I'm talking about the sound itself. I know there's clicking noise from the keys which is aggravating but the piano sound has a weird after sound

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

I have not personally experienced this issue when running the RD models in conjunction with Roland KC keyboard amplifiers, so, unfortunately, I cannot really comment on this specific issue. Is the same sound occurring when using the onboard speakers or headphones?

@MinstrelTray Ай бұрын

@@MerriamPianos it doesn’t occur on the on board speakers I only hear it through my Roland kc 400 & I can hear it in your videos and others as well

@MinstrelTray Ай бұрын

@@MerriamPianos maybe I got a bad one I’m swapping it out for another one

@mfurman Ай бұрын

With recent price reduction in Canada, RD-08 (C$1450) does not make any sense when compared with RD-88 (C$1500). The cost of enabling Digital Audio Interface in RD-08 is U$300. I liked clean design and perhaps even PHA-4 implementation in RD-08 but I returned it after hearing some clicking noise in my recording of some pieces played on RD-08. Michael

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

The current RD88 sale price definitely makes it the more compelling option right now. In terms of the clicking noises you are hearing, that is a bit strange to hear. Were you capturing the playing via a microphone on the speakers or via a direct line out feed from the piano?

@mfurman Ай бұрын

@@MerriamPianos Roland RD-08 does not make any sense with current pricing. It is easy to find Shenandoah in D Major - Roland RD-08 to hear a few clicks during normal playing 😊

@pauldixon3953 Ай бұрын

Eight minutes is not long enough for any kind of review that properly uses Stew's talents.

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

We appreciate the feedback. I'll certainly pass it along to our production team. :)

@qwe1231 Ай бұрын

Currently there's a $100 difference in US at some stores, not $300.

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

It depends on where you are located. Price disparities differ in different markets.

@mfurman Ай бұрын

@@MerriamPianosOnce again, in Ontario (where Merriam Music is located) the difference is C$50!

@DruDilly Ай бұрын

Yes, this is true. I believe on American Musical Supply they recently lowered the price. That $100 difference makes it a virtual no brained to get the RD-88.

@bobaasmr9347 Ай бұрын

Sounds quite nice through my iPhone speaker. I do like Roland stuff.

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

Roland make excellent instruments - there is no doubt about that. :)

@x-plane11photovideo19 27 күн бұрын

I've bought the RD-88 and although I like this digital piano it lacks the detailed sound of the piano of the FP-series of Roland (no sympathetic string resonance, hammer noise etc.). The same is even more true about the Fantom 08 which also lacks sympathetic damper resonance. And what really sucks is the rhythm unit. You cannot save it properly into favorites and when changing sounds during playing it goes back to 120 beats per minute. I've already contacted Roland about this but they don't want to do anything about it. For me it makes the Rhythm unit useless. So yes it's a full packed machine but it has some annoying quircks.

@MerriamPianos 27 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights with the model. I'm sorry to hear that you weren't fully satisfied with some of the sounds and features. Of course, it may not compete with other models' sounds and features, particularly given its price point and how much has been packed into the unit. But, I can certainly understand the frustrations with some of the functionality issues.

@FirstLast-nr6gf 22 күн бұрын

I also liked old reviews better. They were very technical with a lot of useful information. I don't know why this review doesn't mention rd-08 system upgrade software. It is not clear from Roland web site if it is free or you have to pay for it and how much. The price difference between RD-88 and RD-08 in US is only $100. I think only Roland has this hidden costs. I'm a Yamaha user (DGX-670, MODX+). USB audio interface and drivers are available for free.

@ampac 22 күн бұрын

The upgrade is not free but priced at 299 USD. In Europe, that makes the 08 with the upgrade more expensive than the 88. The only advantage of the 08 is that the upgrade includes the latest version (3) of the SN Piano, which is not available in the 88. Moreover, Roland might release extra upgrades to further differentiate the product , but these will imply extra costs.

@MerriamPianos 22 күн бұрын

We appreciate your honest feedback. I will be happy to pass it along to our production team that makes decisions on our video formats.

@rolexmarcelo3218 Ай бұрын

First wow

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

Thank you! :)

@CrazyDriverSwed Ай бұрын

Lots of speculations that could have been confirmed with the help of a screwdriver.

@MerriamPianos Ай бұрын

I will pass along the feedback to our production team. Perhaps, we will have to take a deeper dive into the internal guts of these various models in future videos. :)

@mfurman Ай бұрын

I very much agree. There seems to be some resistance to tests and numbers (instead of “feelings”) in recent Merriam Music videos.