Roland RD-88 Review

Are you searching for sensational sound and superior style? The Roland RD-88 could be the perfect pick for you! This professional-level stage piano offers exceptional features, flexibility, and portability, making it one of the most sought-after keyboard pianos.

Featuring Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine and built-in speakers, the RD-88 provides an authentic piano experience with a surprisingly lightweight design. Plus, its progressive hammer-action (PHA-4) keys with escapement provide an incredibly realistic feel.

So, if you’re looking for a well-rounded, reliable, and affordable piano, the RD-88 is the ideal choice.

Key Takeaways

  • The Roland RD-88 is a versatile and flexible stage piano that delivers more than expected at its price point.
  • It features Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine, providing authentic piano sounds, outstanding electric piano voices, and over 3000 total tones.
  • The built-in speakers, powered by dual 6-watt amplifiers, enhance portability and convenience while providing decent sound quality for its size.
  • The progressive hammer-action keys with escapement on the RD-88 simulate a real piano feel, ensuring a smooth and natural playing experience.

Sound Quality

You’ll be impressed with the RD-88’s sound quality, thanks to its SuperNATURAL sound engine. Authentic piano sounds with sympathetic resonance, outstanding electric piano voices and built-in effects give the RD-88 more than 3000 total tones, including standout synth sounds.

It has a high-quality sound engine comparable to flagship models. Its piano tones are further enhanced by the escapement, which allows for natural note resonance and an authentic playing experience.

The RD-88 is an excellent choice for those looking for a versatile and flexible stage piano with unbeatable sound quality.

Built-in Speakers

Equipped with 4.7-inch woofers and 0.78-inch tweeters, the Roland RD-88 is powered by dual 6-watt amplifiers. Its built-in speakers offer good sound quality for its size and provide various benefits.

They’re great for practice, eliminating the need for external amplification. Plus, they’re portable and lightweight, adding to the convenience of the RD-88.

With its built-in speakers, the RD-88 offers an authentic and immersive playing experience with its SuperNATURAL sound engine. The high-quality sound engine is comparable to flagship models, with excellent electric piano voices and built-in effects.

It’s a great option for those seeking a quality, versatile keyboard piano.

Keyboard Feel

Its keyboard feel is one of the RD-88’s greatest strengths, featuring progressive hammer-action (PHA-4) keys with escapement. Weighted keys make it feel surprisingly authentic for its size, and the escapement adds a natural resonance as you play. This allows for an authentic playing experience, so it feels like you’re playing on a real piano rather than a digital one.

The keys get lighter as you move up the keyboard, providing a smooth transition. Roland’s experience ensures the RD-88 has a great feel, and it stands up against many of its competitors. If you’re looking for an instrument that provides a realistic playing experience, the RD-88 is a great choice.

Portability

With its lightweight design, the RD-88 is incredibly easy to transport. Weighing only 19.4 pounds and measuring in at a slim depth of 5.5 inches, this stage piano offers convenience and portability without compromising on sound.

And with its built-in speakers, you don’t need to worry about bringing an external amplifier. The RD-88 also comes with a padded carrying bag, making it easy to take it to gigs and rehearsals.

Whether you’re a gigging musician or a bedroom producer, the RD-88 offers a great balance of sound quality and portability. Its size and weight make it ideal for those who need an instrument that’s easy to transport, but still packs a punch.

Integration

The RD-88 offers excellent integration with DAWs and external gear, allowing you to easily expand your setup. It’s compatible with most popular DAWs, so you won’t have any trouble connecting it to your current setup.

The RD-88 also features a wide range of external gear integration options, so you can connect the keyboard to synths, drum machines, and other instruments. This makes it easy to create unique sounds and experiment with different combinations.

The RD-88 provides an intuitive, streamlined experience that allows you to quickly and easily expand your setup. With its wide range of integration options, the RD-88 is perfect for both experienced producers and beginners looking to expand their gear.

Comparisons

Comparing the Roland RD-88 to other stage pianos, you’ll find that it offers more authentic sound across all voices. It has competitors worth checking out, such as the Kawai ES520 and Kurzweil SP6, but the RD-88 is more well-rounded.

It has a high-quality sound engine comparable to flagship models, and is more advanced than the Casio PX-560. The RD-88 features Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine and outstanding electric piano voices. Its progressive hammer-action (PHA-4) keys provide a smooth and natural transition. Escapement allows for natural note resonance and an authentic playing experience.

Price Point

How affordable is the Roland RD-88 compared to its competitors?

When considering value for money, the RD-88 is a great option. It’s positioned nicely at its current price point, offering a versatile and flexible option compared to the competition.

Despite its low cost, the RD-88 delivers more than expected, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a quality stage piano. Its lightweight and portable design make it ideal for gigging, while its integration with DAW and external gear add to its RD 88 value.

With its great affordability, you can experience the RD-88’s SuperNATURAL sound engine and authentic piano sounds without breaking the bank.

Conclusion

With its outstanding sound quality, feel, and portability, the Roland RD-88 is a great choice for any musician looking for a professional-level stage piano. It offers a great value for its price point, with features that can’t be found on other pianos.

With its impressive SuperNATURAL sound engine and PHA-4 keys, the RD-88 is a great choice for any musician looking for a reliable and affordable stage piano.

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