Comparison – FG vs GX

[Cesarsound]

For live gigging use, what keyboard you recommend?

Fantom G8 or RD700GX

Considering:
The best E-pianos, Acoustic Pianos, Hammonds and analog Pads.

By the way, what's the news about the RD700GX?
Is it shipping yet?

Thanks for opinions.

[madAhorn]

RD700GX is cheaper and slighty more compact.

The G8 has far more features for live and studio use.

You will be able to get any sound you want out of the G8.
Patch Remain.
Ability to save hundreds of custom sounds.

I do love the rhythm programs in the RD series and wish I had access to them for the Fantoms.

[keysme]

Both the Fantom G and RD-700GX are suitable for live gigging use. The Fantom G has Live Mode where changing between tones is seamless (no cut out) and it is a first for a workstation keyboard. That in itself makes the Fantom G extremely live use friendly. The Fantom G also has a new expansion board technology ARX to be exact. One of the expansion boards is exclusively EP's i.e. ARX 02. The RD-700 GX does NOT have the Live Mode feature that is on the Fantom G, at least not that I'm aware of anyway. The RD-700GX also does NOT have aftertouch nor a Sampler, although a Sampler may not be important to you. There are many more patches on the Fantom G, of course if you are only interested in EP's, AC Pianos, Hammond sounds and Pads then either board should be an excellent choice for your needs; although because the Fantom G contains many more patches available for the sounds you are interested in there would therefore be much more of a variety of those sounds included on the Fantom G.

[Septimo]

I don't see why Roland even bothers to make the RD series when they are trying to make the G into an even better perfromance board then their own dedicated perfromance board, the RD..

inteligent people lacking common sense.

[madAhorn]

Because it is cheaper.

Some people do not need or want all the features of the Fantom.
Or, maybe they just do not want to pay for them.

RD is a Stage Piano.

Fantom is a Performance / Workstation

[SRUT, BUT...]

inteligent people lacking common sense.

Sept, is it that difficult to see? They are designed for different target groups.

RD700GX vs. G8:
-------------------
pianos (all sorts) vs. pianos + other sounds + synth engine
live performance functions vs. live performance + studio functions
2000 euro vs 3000 euro
specialist vs. allrounder

Simple? Well, somehow...

edit: Mada was quicker!

[Septimo]

Ahh,,, Jack of all trades, master of none... I get it... I get it....

[SRUT, BUT...]

Septimo, I assume you wanted to answer with the full version:

"Jack of all trades, master of none, though ofttimes better than master of one."

...because the abbreviated (half) version is frequently used a insult...

[Septimo]

No SRUT, I think I answered the way I wanted... I'm not sure what you meant though... :-\

[Joey]

I will buy the RD and my decision wasn´t so clear...

I am a proud owner of a Fantom X7 with fabulous range of sounds for my live gigs. But the new RD wins because of:

1.) it is easier to handle (click > rhodes; click > piano, an so on)
2.) I have most of the internal Fantom G sounds with my SRX boards and ... (the most important fact for me)
3.) it is easier to carry (8kg lighter than the G8)

This shows me, that there isn´t an electronic instrument for all belongings: a wide range of different, superb sounds, great keyboard, sequencer, ... and easy to carry for live gigs. And because of that, I will use the RD AND the FX in future

@Cesarsound: I´ve ordered the RD 2 weeks ago and it will hopefully arrive this or next week in germany ))

[Martin Hines]

The Fantom-G and RD-700GX are different products with different core buyers.

The RD-700GX is a Stage piano, so it has some features geared to live performance that the G does not have:

-- More realistic Acoustic Piano sounds. The G really has to treat all samples equally. The RD-700GX provides more control over the sound via its Piano Designer function. I think the RD-700GX also samples every piano note.

-- Easy playback of midi, .wav, .aif, and .mp3s

-- the RD700GX has an "escapement" feel.

-- 3 midi outputs

-- more dedicated controls