Roland RD-700sx and PC....

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Hello, I want to buy myself a nice keyboard and I think I'll take rd-700sx.
One problem: it's a great stage piano, but it's not a music workstation (like Korg X-treem Triton, or Roland Fantom X-series), and actually, I don't want to spend more than 2200 $.

My question is: is it possible to create a workstation out of a "simple" keyboard with your PC? I mean, I would rather buy a PC, than pay extra 1 200 $ for a workstation (rd-700sx 2200$ = perfect stage keyboard, fantom x8 - 3400$, lots of stuff I don't need, on stage).
Besides, I also want to performe in a band, and stage keyboards are much lighter and smaller. RD design is better too (my opinion, no offence)

[jeebustrain]

so what features of a "workstation" are you looking for? Sequencer? Sampler? Yes, you can do all that with a PC. Use a software sequencer and use some sort of sampling software (like Kontakt or GigaSampler) and just use your board as a controller.

You have to give specifics on what features you want that the RD-700 is missing.

[Omega Monkey]

Well, that would work fine as long as you only plan on using a few standard sounds live. The sounds the RD has are pretty good but there arent very many of them. With a workstation or even just a regular rompler you have a lot more control and flexibility with the sounds.

But it seems like a better idea would be to maybe go for one of the more "scaled down" versions of the major workstations. Maybe something like a Mo8.

Another solution would be to buy a controller keyboard and a rack version of a synth. But doing that you lose a lot of the proprietary controls and hardwired interface features of just buying the workstation in the first place.

As far as weight, I wouldnt really worry too much about that. For any 88 key board, you are pretty much always going to want to have 2 people carrying it, if only for stability, and in the range we're talking about 10, 20, or even 50 pounds isnt really that big a difference for 2 people to carry.

As far as price, why not go for a lightly used Fantom S8 or a MOTIF8? You will save a LOT of money as opposed to buying the newest hottest thing fresh from the factory, get a lot of the same features, and if you decide to resell it, you will get a much higher % of your original cost back in the end (maybe even more than you payed).

[ktriton]

Yes. And if you're worried about live performance, get a laptop and not a PC.

EDIT: Although, the RD-700 is something I'd buy in a heartbeat if my studio was complete :P

[hephiroth]

why don't you take a look at the alesis fusion 8hd. it's only 1499.99 brand new and is probably the most flexible keyboard out there right now besides the oasys.

read up about it here: http://www.promusicproducts.com/forum/phpBB2/index.php

the fusion has a lot of great sounds, a VA engine, an FM engine, a PM engine, plus basically unlimited sampling. check it out. it's a workstation, too, so you wouldn't need to buy extra stuff for PC

-jeff-

[ktriton]

Again though, it depends on what you want to do. I'd never feel comfortable recording and producing commercial tracks on a keyboard workstation, but if you're more of a singer/songwriter kind of person, it just might be great for you. A PC/MIDI controller setup is wayyyy more flexible than an Oasys or even a Neko, but at the same time, you won't get an easy, streamlined approach to recording. It's really about what you're using it for.

EDIT: Just re-read the first post. I still say it depends on what you want onstage. Remember, there is a very limited "upgrade-ability" to most keyboards. If you can afford to go a little over that $2000 budget, I'd highly suggest Open Labs' Neko (http://www.openlabs.com/gen2_p1.htm). It's muccch more versatile than the Oasys just because of its Open Architecture setup. Basically it's the best of two worlds--a computer workstation in a keyboard. It'll be about 50 lbs (I think), but that's the normal weight of an 88-key. Also, you'd never need another keyboard :)

Regardless, a LOT of musicians these days go with just a laptop and a MIDI controller.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Thanks for you replies...

The things I want:
to performe in a band (for that, Rd-700sx is more than enough)
I also want to compose music, like our music guru, Jordan Rudess :biggrin: .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtaYQbxrh2M&search=jordan%20rudess
- something like that :eek:

So I need all tones I can get, I supose. (I wanted to buy a weak lapton, or touch tablet with a good soundcard - I need laptop anyway...)
Fantom x8 has 4 SRX expansion slots, Rd-700sx only 2 - but, I think I only need 1 (complete orchestra)

I also need the feeling, that I'm playing a real piano (That's why I want 88 key keyboard with hammer weighted action).

Size doesn't really matter, but fantome x8 looks so much bigger, I don't know why

[ktriton]

Well if you're only interested in composition--i.e. not production, post-production, distribution, etc.--any workstation will do fine, really.

A Triton or a Motif would be more than adequate. The Fusion is good, too, but be warned that it's mainly for synthesis. It isn't a rompler like the other two.

[jeebustrain]

The Fusion is good, too, but be warned that it's mainly for synthesis. It isn't a rompler like the other two.


yes it is. It's got a full set of sample based sounds (that are infinately more expandable than a Triton or a Motif) along with the VA, FM, and PM engine. Plus, it's got all of the normal workstation features (sequencer, etc...).

[-=AnatomiC=-]

That's not my point....
I really want a stage keyboard, without extra cool features. My first priority is to have fool "real piano simulation", like realistic sounds and hammer action.
I also need a user friendly keyboard (I think Rd-700sx is very userfriendly).
I am a moderate piano player (12 years so far), but I'm n00by composer.
So, I don't really need a workstation, because cheaper workstations don't provide the same level of realism, as rd-700sx. And I can't afford (and I don't want) an expensive workstation.
My conclusion: Rd-700sx is just perfect for me.

My question was: can I creat a music workstation at home, with other hardware/software and rd-700sx? Not a super workstation, but a decent one, where I will have all features I need to compose music. (I need extra tones, in real time. Like a soundexpansion board, but with a computer)

And what disadvantage would have a workstation like that? (exept for size)

[jeebustrain]

That's not my point....
I really want a stage keyboard, without extra cool features. My first priority is to have fool "real piano simulation", like realistic sounds and hammer action.
I also need a user friendly keyboard (I think Rd-700sx is very userfriendly).
I am a moderate piano player (12 years so far), but I'm n00by composer.
So, I don't really need a workstation, because cheaper workstations don't provide the same level of realism, as rd-700sx. And I can't afford (and I don't want) an expensive workstation.
My conclusion: Rd-700sx is just perfect for me.

My question was: can I creat a music workstation at home, with other hardware/software and rd-700sx? Not a super workstation, but a decent one, where I will have all features I need to compose music. (I need extra tones, in real time. Like a soundexpansion board, but with a computer)

And what disadvantage would have a workstation like that? (exept for size)


that being the case, yes, you can easily do that. As I said in my first post, you can just use a software sequencer and use some sort of sampling software (like Kontakt or GigaSampler) and just use your board as a controller. You can also use VST instruments to get additional sounds beyond that.

[Omega Monkey]

You should think about getting a used S90 (actually you could probably get a new one for your budget if thats important to you, though I would go for used myself). Those things rock. Basically, its the Motif sound engine, but without sampling or sequencing (although you can play back sequences which might come in handy). The sound is awesome and the piano is one of the very best Ive heard and Yamaha is well known for their very nice keyboard action. Also, they have balanced hammer action rather than progressive, which makes more sense for playing anything but acoustic piano sounds. Used S90s typically go for about 1100-1300 or so on ebay. Then you would have a bunch of money left over to buy an amp, or upgrade your PC/buy software, or whatever else you needed.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Nah, rd-700sx is ok for me. I want to stick with Roland, I don't know why...
I don't trust e-bay, everybody says it's safe, but I just don't trust it. Besides, I want my own, new instrument.

But thanks anyway.