Pls HELP: RD-150 or P80 ?

Hello,

I would really appreciate if someone could help me on this one.
I am about to buy a digital/stage piano but I have difficulties deciding between RD-150 and P80.
Both of them have decent piano sounds but the feature that could decide the winner would be a MIDI control.
I know that both of them have just basic MIDI capabilities but I don't need a lot.
I would like to connect RD-150 or P80 to an arranger keyboard (like korg PA80) and control the chords through it.

Did anybody try MIDI capabilities of RD-150 and/or PA80?

Thanks a lot
Dennis

What about price?

Hello sk880,

The boards are in the same price range.
(RD-150 = $999 and P80 = $899).I am more worried about its ability to control another module/arranger.

D.

Since this is the Generalmusic area... I would suggest neither of them and look at the pRP-8 which is has both generalmidi and GMX sound sets built inside of it. Furthermore it has FFT merge technology to give a more realistic piano sounds.It can easily control outside midi devices.

[This message has been edited by PaulD (edited 01-30-2003).]

Denis,

Hello to you. I meant, are you willing to pay more? If yes, there are other options from Roland, GeneralMusic, Yamaha that you can use.

Hello SK,

I focused on those two models because I need just a "light" stage piano with midi capabilities.
I know there are many other boards out there but I don't want to pay extra for something that I don't need.
I already have Roland Xp-30, which gives me more than I need in sounds(as you probably know XP-30 has one of the best sound collection in the class). The only thing that I miss is a 76 or 88 hammer action key controller with very good piano samples to complement the Xp-30.

Another big issue is the weight.
"Monsters" like Roland XV-88, A-90, RD-700 or Yamaha S80 are simply too heavy for frequent gigging.

Which models did you have in mind ?

Cheers
Dennis

I was going to suggest XV-88

There is the new GeneralMusic ProMega2

I have not looked at it... but it seems impressive

The Promega 2 is 49lbs (I think that is the final weight, but if not that is close) Although it is going to be out of his price range. The pRP-7 and pRP-8 are both real good when it comes to connecting them via midi, as they are both Generalmidi and GMX compatible. I am not sure about the instruments that you have been looking at looking at, but some of the basic digital pianos are very hard to setup as a control, such things like local on/off control. How do you invision using this new instrument, how would you want to set it up? If you say exactly how you would use it, I'll look at the owners manual of the two units for you and let you know if they can do what you require.

Hello PaulD,

I am planning to connect a RD-150 or P80 to my Ketron X1 on stage so I can play nice piano while the arranger is providing the backup.
I play some jazz tunes which require piano range and piano action which I can not achieve on 61 synth keyboard.
Therefore, when I play piano I will not have time to change chords on the X1 because I need to keep both hands on RD or P80, and that's why I would like to use left part of the piano as a controler and still keep the piano sounds from the RD150 or P80.

Thanks
D.