GEAR REVIEW
ROLAND RD-08 PERFORMANCE KEYBOARD | Bruce Adolph
KEY FEATURES
• Authentic RD Sound
• Lightweight keyboard
• Built-in speakers
• Weighted hammer action
• Affordably priced
OK , I must be honest with you . I have been liking and selling Roland keyboards since the early 1980 ’ s . Starting with the amazing Juno 60 ’ s . Then came the Juno 106 , next the JX- 3P followed by the D-50 and so on and so on . All the while these popular synths were rolling out during the 80 ’ s . But something new was born in 1986 , their brother from a different mother , the RD Stage Piano . This new series of keyboards were gracing the platforms of churches as well as the major touring acts both Christian and mainstream . Roland has always striven to make the best electronic keyboard for the stage .
Now from this long-running RD series of stage pianos arrives an entry level board for performing musicians that gives you a lot for your money , all the while delivering a nocompromise sound and playability . It even has built-in speakers !
This RD-08 sports versatile sounds ( more on that later ), an intuitive interface , and an openended upgradeable design factor . Players can add even more sounds and features as needs change . That is smart .
Next merit badge earned is the on-board digital effects . Warm pads and atmospheric patches are more popular than ever in modern worship music so reverbs and cascading delays are part of your bread and butter . Add Roland ’ s SuperNATURAL technology to create the acoustic pianos and electric Rhodes style patches and the ZEN-Core sound engine ( found in flagship synthesizers like FANTOM and JUPITER-X ) which generates the B-3 type organs and lush assortment of strings … and you have real versatility .
And yes , it is easy to layer or split your sounds . The RD-08 features an intuitive panel for smooth operation . Top-level buttons provide fast access to sound selection , transpose , and other functions , while four multi-function knobs offer hands-on control of layers , effects , EQ , and more . All keyboard tweaks can be saved within Scene memories and then be ready for instant recall while performing . That is handy .
The PHA-4 88-note keyboard features weighted hammer action and Ivory Feel keys for a nicer-than-usual piano feel . Roland has skillfully reduced the weight of this keyboard without compromising the feel or performance ( just a hair under 30lbs ). This is surprising given the RD-08 has built-in stereo speakers . Thus , eliminating the need for an external amplifier while practicing at home , playing at rehearsals , and even performing in small venues ( remember , a lot of us are playing in small churches ).
86 June 2024 Subscribe for Free ...