Roland announces the RD-700GX SuperNATURAL Piano Kit

[bobmusic]

Thanks a lot for uploading the demosong, much appreciated!

[madAhorn]

I like what I hear!!!

[dewster]

Could anyone who owns the SuperNATURAL Piano Kit do me a huge favor? If you could run the DPBSD MIDI file through it and post an MP3 of the result I'd be most appreciative! The README and MIDI file are located here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=7ef2fd9c0f59e62824a6...

I already reviewed the HP-307, which I assume is the same thing, but I am curious as to whether it actually is or not. For some reason we couldn't get the HP-307 sympathetic resonance to work while playing a MIDI file, which is kind of strange. If you can somehow manage to capture sympathetic resonance in the DPBSD MP3 result file that would be extra great!

[sandord]

Hi, here's my recording. Note that I also didn't manage to get the sympathetic resonance on it when playing a midi file. A bummer but fortunally it does work while playing

I noticed that the recording of the HP-307 has reverb in it while the readme clearly states it shouldn't.

[sandord]

I must add that I've really come to appreciate the kit, much more than I initially did. I guess I just had to get used to play something different from what I've been used to for quite some time. I'm not custom to play a real piano but I've come to the conclusion that this kit comes much closer to a real piano (grand) than the stock pianos do. I think it was a matter of letting go of the confined dynamics of the stock pianos and get used to a more 'real' thing.

[lisandro]

I can reproduce sympathetic resonance too. RD700gx its indeed a nice piano.

NOTE: I do it without the expansion.

[dewster]

Woo hoo! Thanks so much for the MP3! I just listened to it and the levels look pretty good. I see and hear something that looks like a bit of sympathetic resonance, but it isn't too definite. I also hear a fairly realistic buzz when the pedal damps near the end. I'll have to compare it to the HP307 in depth.

Someone said that the reverb you hear in the HP307 sample is actually the cabinet resonance? Not sure. I also have an email into Roland asking for the HP307 MIDI implementation, so perhaps we can turn this stuff on in the DPBSD file and finally capture it. Not sure why it isn't on by default for MIDI playback like it is when normally played from the keyboard, but if you have any insight I'm all ears.

If anyone else is interested in listening to the files they are at the share point. I also have a thread over at piano world where there is some analysis with pictures and such:

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1...

I'll take any samples I can get. So far the project has been quite eye-opening in terms of the technology used across manufacturers and lines.

[dewster]

So you use the in-line effect built into the RD-700GX? How does it sound? Fairly realistic even if turned up and exaggerated, or kind of reverby and fakey?

Do you know if the expansion module has any sympathetic resonance, or is it purely samples?

[sandord]

To me the sympathetic resonance sounds very realistic, but without the kit it already did. I'm not sure if there's even any difference.

I think that there's only samples on the board and that everything else (mainly the decay but perhaps also advanced sympathetic resonance) is modelled by the built-in ARX02 (SuperNATURAL Electric Pianos) as that thingy has quite some processing power of its own. That's probably why the kit is not available for the RD-700 or RD-700SX because those machines do not have the ARX02.

[jagannath]

Hi everyone!!
I just installed my RD700gx1 and I must say it's a very very great improvement; I'm accustomed to play on my grand piano and the new board is the closest feeling to the real thing because of the seamless dynamic transition. The sound I like the most is the main SN Grand Piano; from the other 16 patches I specially like SN Grand Piano 4. I'm happy with the purchase!!

[John Cagle Sr.]

how does the usb stick upgrade go? Does it operate like an auto-exec file for a hands free OS update? Explain that part if you don't mind. I'm waiting on mine to arrive next week. Thanks.
John

[sandord]

@John Cagle Sr.: The stick upgrade is really easy. You will have to hold two buttons (don't remember which) while turning the GX on and it will install from the stick. That's it.

@jagannath: I fully agree. I'm very happy too, appreciating it more very next day. I've tried the stock pianos a few times again and realized how much dynamics, depth and precision I was missing.

[John Cagle Sr.]

Thanks guys. I pre-ordered from here in the USA, and the dude from SW called me yersterday, and told me the product will ship to me on Friday 3/5/10. I love the GX already, and I'm looking forward to the upgrade. You guys enjoy. As soon as I get mine (whenever), I'll post my thoughts.
John

[jagannath]

John Cagle Sr.: as sandord says it's very easy to install; inside the box there's even a screwdriver and a tool to fix the card. After that everytime you turn on the piano, the new SN sound is the one that appears on screen (you can also change this). By the way, I live in Spain and ordered the kit in Germany; I'm surprised how fast it came to me.

[lisandro]

I cant imagine a even better RD 700 GX piano...