Which Roland?

[sax_fan]

So ... I've been looking at keyboards and think I may have narrowed things down. I'm going to be using the keyboard to learn to play better and for recording purposes. Oh, and the most important purpose of all ... to play and have fun! These are the finalists ... opinions, please?

(1) Roland RD700SX

(2) Roland Fantom X8

(3) Roland Fantom XR with a separate weighted key controller (probably a Studio Logic).

Additional notes: I will do sequencing on the computer; I am not into sound editing, so the presets will pretty much stay as they are; I had looked at the Yamaha keyboards, but the Rolands seem much easier to use.

Thanks.

[jpfour23]

I just bought the FantomX8 from www.bpmmusic.com and it is INCREDIBLE. The sounds and options are phenominal. I can't stop playing with it.

By the way, don't know if you've thought about where to get one... but Dwight @ BPM Music sells the x8 considerably lower than other large retail stores like Musicians Friend, Sweetwater, etc.

My vote is Fantom X8. You won't regret it!

[SonicAlbert]

The stock pianos in the Fantom series are good, but the piano in the RD700 is better. however, as an all purpose synth, with tons and tons of great sounds, the Fanotm series is hard to beat.

If you have a compelling reason to get the XR module with a controller, that would save you some money. Otherwise, having it all in one keyboard would be nice. The X8 has the big screen, the drum pads, and all the rest of the goodies.

[sax_fan]

JP, thanks for the link and your vote. Just out of curiosity, is keyboard your main instrument? Have you been playing for a long time?

Albert, I appreciate the info. Do you know anything about the sounds on 700SX? Since it allows for 2 expansion boards, I would guess you could get some pretty good sounds on that too. Is it safe to say that the 700SX would likely be used more by someone who just needed a good piano sound for the stage, while the X8 would be more for someone who wants a broader spectrum of sounds and things for the studio?

[jpfour23]

Yes, sax, I would put it that way.

If you want some great piano sounds, the RD700 is pretty sweet. If you want a multipurpose keyboard that can do everything except bake you cookies... X8 is it. The sequencer is pretty amazing on this beast.

As for me, I've played keys now for about 5-6 years. Can't read music, but I have a pretty incredible ear. My dad is an excelent pianist. I must have learned a thing or two from him. My primary instrument is guitar of 12 active years.

The x8 is one of those machines that if you don't know jack, you can learn pretty fast to make some awesome music. OR, if you are an exceptionally good player, the x8 can do more things musically than you can think or imagine. With BPM's pricing, you'd be crazy not to get it, IMO..

Although, it might not be your thing... i'm just really excited about it!

[SonicAlbert]

I think the RD700 is more about the piano touch, and of course the piano sound built in. The Fantom piano is really pretty good though too, and you can always get the SRX-11 piano expansion if you want something more comparable to the RD700.

The RD700 doesn't allow all the programming possibilities of the Fantom series. So even though you can use the same SRX cards, you can't do as much with them. For a full-on synth, the Fantom series is excellent.

If what you really need is *primarily* a piano with a great weighted touch, then the RD700 might be the better option.

[sax_fan]

Thanks again to you both.

Albert, I guess my problem is I don't really know what will suit me best yet. As I am fairly new to the recording stuff, I don't know what I am likely to want to do down the road. At the moment, I want to do everything! Maybe that argues in favor of waiting and seeing how my interests progress. Right now I really like the idea of the simplicity of the RD700SX, but the power and the versatility of the Fantom is just as enticing.

JP, thanks for the heads up on BPM. I hope you have a great time with your new toy (I mean, professional keyboard )