Bought RD-2000. Keep XP-50?

[AndreasT]

Hi there.
I recently got myself a RD-2000. I haven't had the opportunity to fully explore it yet and I would like some advice as to whether I should keep or sell my XP-50, which, to be frank, haven't seen much use in the last 10 years or so and is just sitting in it's case anyway. As we're moving these days I also need to take a long hard look at what equipment I really need and what can be sold off.

Superficially I see that many of the sounds at least looks like they're in the RD-2000, so I guess what I'm asking is if I will lose any sound or editing capability of the XP-50 or any other significant feature if I let it go.

Thanks for any advice.

[DesertBoat]

RD is a solid keyboard, but you have 1441 essentially fixed sounds. If you want to do any editing, you might want to keep the XP-50. Although the RD with Zenology for any additional sounds would also work as well.

That old XP-50 sound engine comes from the JV-1080, which sort of remains the core of Zenology.

I am space limited as well, but also jealous of Ed's keyboard wall.

[AndreasT]

Thanks, DesertBoat, that's useful information.

Looks like the Zenology sounds are not compatible with the RD-2000, just the RD-88 among stage pianos. Shame.

The Jv-1080 plugin also looks interesting and could bridge the gap for me, but then I'd have to use a DAW live which I'd rather not do anymore.

Still, either of these would be a useful studio solution.

Leaning towards letting the XP-50 go if I can get a decent price for it.

Thanks again.

[rd2000fan]

Remember that the RD-2000 is a digital piano, not a synth, despite of the variety of sounds that it has, it's still a digital piano. The XP 50 is a synth (a vintage synth). Two different type of instruments. So if you really want a full variety/collection of synth sounds, the best way to go is to have synths (not just the RD).

My setup is RD 2000 with DAW. Then in the computer, I have many software instruments. And the RD 2000 is a great controller (master keyboard). I don't see anything better than that right now at that price.

You can have the XP-50 sounds in software as well, and control it (play it) with the RD 2000, with the DAW (laptop).

With the Roland Cloud subscription you can also have Zenology, JV-1080, XV-5080, D-50, TR-808, System 100, SRX series synths, and much much more, and play it with the RD 2000. The subscription prices range from $2.99 to $19.99/mo. And you can enjoy all of those legendary Roland synths and more. All of that, you can play it with the RD 2000, with a DAW (laptop).

But the software instruments world have too many instruments, great instruments. Some of my favorites are the Spectrasonic Omnisphere, Trillian, RMX, Serum, Native Instruments Komplete, Miroslav Philharmonik, etc. etc. etc.). There are too many choices, and most of them are much more affordable than having a collection of synthesizer hardware, and they sound amazing.

The setup is also very easy, and there are tons of tutorials for the RD 2000 in youtube on how to use it with a DAW.

And the best of this is that you can take your collection of legendary and contemporary synths, you can take them all to your tour, in your laptop, and play it with the RD 2000, without the need of additional equipment because the RD 2000 has its own audio interface.

Additional equipment would be your keyboard amp (if necessary). We use headphones with P-16, in my band, so I don't need the amp there, just the DI box. The sound engineer does the rest.

All I use is the RD 2000, and my laptop (DAW) with a collection of software instruments. That's the best way to go if you want the full bundle.

[AndreasT]

Thank you for your advice, rd2000fan.

I'm considering using Mainstage live again, but after I had a scare during a show a few years back with a crash, I've been avoiding using the computer live. I haven't had any issues afterwards and the setup is very clean so it could be just a freak accident. I use it in my home studio and also use several plugins.

What I would have liked was a way to bring the sounds you make with the Roland sub with you on the road without the computer. I see the Zen-Core sounds are compatible with the rd-88 and it annoys me that they are not compatible with the much superior rd-2000.

[DesertBoat]

What I would have liked was a way to bring the sounds you make with the Roland sub with you on the road without the computer. I see the Zen-Core sounds are compatible with the rd-88 and it annoys me that they are not compatible with the much superior rd-2000.

One solution is RD 2000 with Jupiter Xm, essentially using the Xm as a module, plus a small keyboard for a riff, etc. You get all the RD controls, plus all the Zenology sounds in the Xm, plus the analog models. You can use Zenology Pro to edit and setup, it once everything is set and loaded in the Xm, no computer is needed.

This is my setup.

[AndreasT]

Yeah, DesertBoat, I was reading up on the Jupiter Xm for such a scenario just this morning and it does look like a a sweet setup that will fulfill my need nicely. I have been using a Novation as my second keyboard.
I was disappointed by the Jupiter Xm's price though, but at least it's possible.
Thanks for your input on this.

I was also looking at the groovebox mc-101, but it looks like it's Midi capabilities are somewhat limited as a sound source as well as limited polyphony as far as I could tell.

[rd2000fan]

Thank you for your advice, rd2000fan.

I'm considering using Mainstage live again, but after I had a scare during a show a few years back with a crash, I've been avoiding using the computer live. I haven't had any issues afterwards and the setup is very clean so it could be just a freak accident. I use it in my home studio and also use several plugins.

What I would have liked was a way to bring the sounds you make with the Roland sub with you on the road without the computer. I see the Zen-Core sounds are compatible with the rd-88 and it annoys me that they are not compatible with the much superior rd-2000.

I understand AndreasT. When that happens I optimize the laptop and update all devices and all software. Also it is important to make sure the computer exceed the requirements (when playing live, you want to combine multiple sounds, and sometimes, depending on what you're playing, it puts stress on the computer).

And yes, I'm mad at Roland for not making the RD-2000 compatible with Zen-Core, but they make an inferior keyboard (RD-88) compatible with Zen Core. They can easily fix that with an update but it seems like they stopped working on the RD 2000 at some point. Apparently they are working on something else right now.

I love Roland, but sometimes they make things that don't make any sense. As other brands as well.

I like the idea from DesertBoat, using the Jupiter XM as a module, and the RD-2000 as a controller. So you can have both, the Zenology sounds and the RD sounds. And the XM can also work as a secondary (small) keyboard. Thank you DesertBoat for sharing this.

I still use the laptop. All I do is to make sure the laptop can support all the setup and run smoothly without clicks or crashes. Also I do some stress test with the laptop at home to make sure it will be ok on the stage. But I totally understand your concern. But all you need is to check the system requirements exceed the "maximum" recommendations.

Unfortunately Roland hardware is expensive. That's the other reason why I use the laptop, because their software instruments sound as great as the hardware synthesizers, and is much more affordable than the hardware. It saves me a lot of money, and gives me access to much more (a huge collection of synths).

Something I like from the RD 2000, is how great it is as a controller, and the scenes function. I can transition from song to song smoothly with completely different synths (and combinations) for each song if I want, by just touching one button (the scene buttons). All the work is done at home, and enjoyed on stage. This is great when you have a lot of different synths. And I don't really touch the laptop when playing live, the RD controls everything. I create my programs and scenes at home, in a way that I don't need to touch the laptop live. The downside of this is that the laptop has to be ready for it, and it requires some research on finding the right laptop, or upgrading it to run smoothly without any problem.

If you need help and support on any of these ideas (the laptop or the idea from DesertBoat), we are here to help. :-)

[AndreasT]

Thanks for your thoughts rd2000fan. I appreciate the advice.