Roland Redefines Stage Pianos with RD-2000 EX and RD-88 EX

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In an era where the stage piano has become an essential tool for live performance and music production, Roland has once again set a new standard with the introduction of the RD-2000 EX and RD-88 EX stage pianos. These instruments mark a significant advancement in the evolution of the stage piano, building on the legacy of the RD series that has stood at the forefront of digital piano innovation for over three decades. The RD-2000 EX, Rolands flagship model, represents a culmination of years of research and development, offering no-compromise performance for the professional performer. At the heart of this instrument lies the V-Piano modeling technology, a revolutionary sound engine that provides unlimited expressive capabilities, far surpassing the traditional sample-based sound engines of the past. Introduced in 2009, this technology has been refined through high-speed digital processing to deliver a piano experience that is indistinguishable from an acoustic piano. Players can shape their sound with rich, responsive tonal details and enjoy full keyboard polyphony for a truly immersive playing experience. The V-Pianos deep customization options allow pianists to craft their unique sound, a dream for those who seek to personalize their instrument down to the finest nuances. The RD-2000 EX doesnt stop at acoustic piano sounds; it also features two pre-installed V-Piano Expansion titles, bringing even more sonic diversity to the stage. The German Concert expansion, inspired by concert-class grand pianos, and the Essential Upright expansion, capturing the intimate sound of high-end upright pianos, both offer a range of tones suitable for solo performances and cutting through dense band mixes. Enhancing its versatility, the RD-2000 EX integrates with modern workflows, thanks to its independent sound engines powered by both V-Piano and SuperNATURAL technologies, a high-end PHA-50 hammer-action keyboard, and comprehensive controller features. Its a complete package for the stage and studio, designed to meet the demands of todays professional musicians. For those who require the essence of the RD series in a more accessible format, the RD-88 EX retains the core qualities of its predecessor while introducing new sounds to its palette. Launched in early 2020, the RD-88 brought RD sound and playability to a lightweight and affordable instrument. The RD-88 EX now comes pre-installed with the SuperNATURAL Acoustic Piano 3 Expansion, adding a premium concert piano sound to the already versatile SuperNATURAL acoustic and electric pianos. With 15 distinctive tones and 20 scenes, the RD-88 EX is ready for any musical style, from dynamic live band performances to introspective solo pieces. Roland has also shown its commitment to continuous improvement and customer value by offering RD-2000 and RD-88 owners the opportunity to upgrade their existing instruments with the new EX sounds. Available for purchase on Roland Cloud, these upgrade packages ensure that musicians can always have access to Rolands latest advancements. The significance of the RD-2000 EX and RD-88 EX in the evolution of stage pianos cannot be overstated. These instruments not only push the boundaries of what digital pianos can achieve but also affirm Rolands dedication to inspiring creativity and providing musicians with the tools they need to realize their artistic vision. Whether on stage or in the studio, the RD series continues to redefine the modern piano experience, blending tradition with cutting-edge innovation in a way that only Roland can. The RD-2000 EX, Rolands flagship stage piano, has charted a remarkable course since its initial launch in 2017. Designed to offer the ultimate performance tool for professional musicians, the RD-2000 EX stands as a testament to Rolands commitment to excellence and innovation in musical instrument development. This stage piano has undergone significant advancements, maintaining its position at the pinnacle of stage piano technology. The dual sound engines are a core feature of the RD-2000 EX, providing a wealth of sonic possibilities for performers. The V-Piano technology engine is a breakthrough that allows for an unparalleled level of expression and realism in digital piano sound. It accomplishes this by modeling the complex interactions and characteristics of acoustic piano strings and resonances, rather than relying on static samples. This engine provides players with the ability to shape their sound with intricate detail, achieving the tonal variations and dynamic response of a grand piano. Complementing the V-Piano engine is the SuperNATURAL sound engine, which extends the RD-2000 EXs capabilities beyond the acoustic piano. This technology brings to life a vast array of electric pianos and additional sounds, each with its own distinct character and response. With SuperNATURALs 128-voice polyphony, musicians have access to a broad spectrum of instruments necessary for diverse musical genres, from jazz to rock to classical. The RD-2000 EX boasts the premium PHA-50 keyboard, which offers a playing experience that rivals the finest concert grands. This keyboard combines the traditional feel of wooden keys with the durability of modern materials, ensuring a responsive and tactile performance. The inclusion of escapement and advanced sensor technology allows the RD-2000 EX to translate the subtlest nuances of touch into sound, providing the artist with the control needed for expressive, dynamic performances. As a comprehensive solution for professional performers, the RD-2000 EX is equipped with a multitude of features designed for the stage and studio. It includes a vast selection of over eleven hundred non-piano sounds, such as Virtual ToneWheel organs, strings, brass, synths, and more. The sound layering and effect processing options open up even more creative possibilities, enabling musicians to tailor their sound to any performance or recording scenario. The RD-2000 EX also excels as a controller, with deep integration capabilities that allow for seamless operation with software instruments and DAWs. The panels knobs, sliders, and LED indicators provide real-time control over sound parameters, making it possible to adjust textures and layers on the fly. The keyboards eight assignable zones can be used to map sounds across different key ranges or combine sounds for complex setups. With its robust build, exceptional playability, and vast sound palette, the RD-2000 EX is not just an instrument but a reliable partner for musicians seeking to push the boundaries of their artistry. It embodies Rolands dedication to providing tools that inspire and endure, ensuring that the RD-2000 EX will remain a staple in the music world for years to come. The V-Piano modeling technology is a cornerstone of the RD-2000 EXs unparalleled sound quality, setting it apart from traditional sample-based sound engines. This innovative approach to digital piano sound generation transcends the limitations inherent in sample playback, offering a level of realism and expressiveness that was once the exclusive domain of the acoustic piano. Where sample-based engines rely on recorded audio to reproduce piano sound, the V-Piano modeling technology uses powerful digital signal processing to simulate the many physical components and behaviors of an actual piano. This includes the intricate interactions between the strings, the way the soundboard resonates, and the countless nuances that occur as hammers strike strings at different velocities and positions. The result is a rich, living piano sound that responds organically to the players touch. With full keyboard polyphony, the RD-2000 EX allows for every note to be heard, regardless of how many keys are pressed simultaneously, without any note dropouts. This full polyphony ensures that complex passages, dense chords, and sustained notes are all faithfully reproduced, providing a truly immersive playing experience. For players who seek to tailor the instrument to their personal taste or the requirements of a particular piece of music, the V-Piano modeling technology offers extensive customization options. With the onboard Piano Designer tools, one can adjust individual note tuning, change the hardness of the pianos virtual hammers, and even alter the character of the pianos resonance. This level of control allows for the creation of personalized instruments that can range from historic replicas to futuristic designs that challenge traditional acoustic norms. Moreover, the V-Piano modeling technologys real-time response to adjustments means that players can feel the changes they make immediately under their fingertips. This instant feedback is invaluable for both live performance and studio work, where the ability to shape the pianos sound on-the-fly can make the difference between a good performance and a great one. In essence, the V-Piano modeling technology within the RD-2000 EX represents a fusion of art and science, providing musicians with a canvas on which to paint their sonic landscapes. It is a tool that responds to the artists intention and brings the subtlety and dynamism of real piano performance into the digital realm with uncompromising fidelity. Building on the RD legacy, the introduction of the RD-88 EX marks an expansion of Rolands stage piano horizons. This instrument retains the core qualities that made its predecessor a favorite among musicians, while also introducing a wealth of new sounds and features that enhance its versatility and appeal. The RD-88 EX is designed to be lightweight and portable, making it an ideal choice for gigging musicians who require the trusted RD sound and playability without the extra weight. At its core, the RD-88 EX continues to utilize the acclaimed SuperNATURAL and ZEN-Core sound engines, which deliver exceptionally realistic acoustic and electric piano sounds, as well as a diverse array of additional instruments that are indispensable for a wide range of musical genres. One of the significant enhancements in the RD-88 EX is the pre-installed SuperNATURAL Acoustic Piano 3 Expansion. This premium addition offers a selection of concert-grade piano sounds that complement and expand upon the already robust sound set available in the RD-88. With fifteen distinctive tones and twenty scenes, the RD-88 EX provides musicians with an even broader sonic palette that ranges from bright and commanding to soft and intimate, ensuring suitability for both solo and ensemble settings. The expressive PHA-4 hammer-action keyboard remains a defining feature of the RD-88 EX, offering nuanced touch response that captures the subtleties of a pianists playing. Along with its intuitive interface and onboard stereo speaker system, the RD-88 EX is not just a stage piano but also a comprehensive creative tool that caters to the needs of modern performers. Rolands commitment to continuous improvement is also evident in the availability of EX sound upgrades for existing RD-2000 and RD-88 owners. Through Roland Cloud, musicians can now access these upgrades, which add the latest sound expansions to their instruments. This initiative underscores Rolands dedication to customer value, ensuring that the investment musicians make in their RD pianos continues to deliver cutting-edge performance year after year. The RD-2000 EX Upgrade and RD-88 EX Upgrade packages on Roland Cloud come with a Lifetime Key purchase, reflecting Rolands promise to support and enhance the musicians instruments throughout their creative journey. These user-installable upgrades are part of Rolands broader vision to create a seamless ecosystem that evolves with the artist, offering new sounds, features, and possibilities that inspire creativity and elevate performance to new heights. The RD-2000 EX is not merely a stage piano; it is a comprehensive toolkit designed to meet the demands of todays performers, whether on stage or in the studio. Its extensive controller features place it at the heart of any performance setup, offering unparalleled flexibility and control. At the core of the RD-2000 EXs functionality as a controller are its numerous assignable knobs and sliders, complete with LED indicators that provide visual feedback and facilitate precise adjustments. These controls allow musicians to manipulate sounds in real-time, effortlessly adjusting parameters such as tone color, effects depth, and balance among layered sounds. The sound layering capabilities of the RD-2000 EX are particularly noteworthy. With eight fully assignable zones, performers can map different sounds across the keyboard or stack multiple layers to create complex, textured tones. This feature is invaluable for live performances, where quick transitions between sounds are crucial, and for studio work, where layering is often key to achieving the desired sonic depth. The RD-2000 EXs onboard USB audio/MIDI interface further enhances its versatility. Supporting 24-bit audio at rates of up to 192 kHz, the interface ensures that musicians can use their highest-quality sounds in every performance. This high-fidelity connection is ideal for integrating the RD-2000 EX with virtual instruments and DAWs, allowing for seamless recording and playback of digital audio alongside the pianos internal sounds. Software integration is another area where the RD-2000 EX excels. The pianos control support for Apple MainStage, for example, enables performers to integrate the RD-2000 EX with their software setups, providing access to an even broader array of sounds and effects. The customizable settings can be saved as Scenes, which store all keyboard settings and can be recalled with a single touch, ensuring that performers can focus on their artistry rather than on managing technology. The RD-2000 EXs sound library is expansive, catering to an array of musical styles. With over 1100 SuperNATURAL-driven sounds, including Virtual ToneWheel organs, orchestral strings and brass, world instruments, and an extensive collection of synths, the RD-2000 EX is equipped to handle any musical genre. The inclusion of classic electric pianos, such as the RD-1000 and MKS-20, along with vintage-style effects like the BOSS CE-1 Chorus Ensemble and Roland Dimension D, adds to the RD-2000 EXs rich sonic tapestry. For musicians seeking a stage piano that can double as a central hub for their creative setup, the RD-2000 EX is a compelling choice. Its integration capabilities, controller features, and vast sound library make it an invaluable asset for performers and producers alike, ensuring that the RD-2000 EX is ready to bring musical ideas to life in any setting.