"This add-on board makes RD-700GX stage piano actually sound like a piano -- finally. But it doesn't improve all the other poor s" submitted August 2, 2011
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Sound:
Finally, good sound from my expensive RD-700GX. Roland should have GIVEN it to customers, because the keyboard, without the pinao sounds on this card, is a joke -- my $100 Casio sounds better.
Feature:
This product adds good new piano sounds that, in practice, totally replace the horrible original sounds (though the old sounds can be used, perhaps to play really bad songs).
Trouble is, the rest of the keyboard is not improved, so the organ sounds still are poor, horns sound unrealistic, built-in rhythms are bizarrely bad, etc.
Really, every other keyboard I own, all much cheaper, sound better. Really. An Alessis 88.2 keyboard action isn't as good, but the sounds are great. A couple of Casio PK models are 90% as good as Roland at 25% of the price.
Ease of Use:
Easy to install, easy to use -- just dial in the sound like any other sound in the keyboard.
Quality:
Seems fine, but time will tell how it holds up on the road. The keyboard has held-up so-so -- knobs lose their shiny little caps (every one I've seen in a store is missing them, as is mine) so not much reason to be optimistic.
Value:
Roland is NOT recommended.
I bought the sound card on sale so a decent value for the improvement it provided, BUT it is correcting such a horrible original sound that it should be FREE.
At least my RD-700GX is now reasonably useable, though I'll be buying something else, probably Casio, from now on -- there's no longer any justification for Roland's high prices.
Manufacturer Support:
I've called Roland US many times, and never reach anyone who seems to know anything. Certainly they can't answer questions or even discuss the product reasonably. I get a lot of "I guess" and "maybe" and other answers that could also have come from my dog. Roland might be the most over-rated company I've encountered.
The Wow Factor:
It's an internal card so this question is not applicable
Overall:
Already searching for the next keyboard, undoubtedly will be a Casio once they evolve a couple of generations past current PK-3. If they can hold the price line and do just a tiny bit more tweaking, Roland will be a has-been brand.
My opinion based on owning several keyboard brands and models.
1 of 1 people
(100%) found this review helpful. Did you?
Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?
Questions? Our gear experts can help!
800-zZounds(800-996-8637)
Mention Reference
Number
MFV-9DCY When You Call.
Toll Free En Español: 800-460-7976 m-f 9AM to
5PM EST
Follow zZounds on:
Customize Search Results for Your Location
A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.
A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.
enlarge