A new toy
 

If I don't count my Fatar SL161 as an instrument, I have been without a proper keyboard instrument for years. Now I finally decided it's time to get one again and start playing and practicing again.

Naturally it all started as an innocent 350 euro second-hand Alesis QS8 plan. I almost had one, but the seller backed up. Too bad I already had gotten quite a severe case of GAS so it all led to the classic comparisation vortex. "With 350 I could get that one, but if I add 70 euros, I could get that one... But with 50 euros more it's already on that league...". Finally I ended up with this one and porished moderately.

At least I hope that a real playing focused instrument helps me to get back my inspiration. I still have to wait for a week for it, but it's worth it.

Fine looking set of keys? How's the weight on 'em?

I played around with one in a local music store and the keys felt quite good. A bit lighter than on a real piano (afterall the RD-300SX only weights 15 kilos) but enough to get a piano feel.

I also test drove the RD-700GX which had the heavy realistic key action from FP-pianos. It really didn't feel so much better than the lighter touch on the RD-300GX that I'd feel the urge to spend huge pile of extra cash and lug around way over 20 kilos of keyboard around.

I should get my hands on my RD-300SX next week. Then I can give a more in depth review.

Have you tried the weighted keys on a yamaha? I lean towards those.

In addition to RD-series I tested Yamaha P140 and Kawai MP8. The touch on the P140 was indeed great, but it lacked good electric pianos. Also the MP8 was a total Mercedes of stage pianos: Insanely good, but way over my budget. That's why I ended up with the RD-300sx. I got a good second-hand deal on one.

Juho:

I agree about the Kawai MP8-II. It is a monster (I have one of it's predecessor's, the MP9000) and nothing on the market comes close to its sound and feel, (not even the venerable RD700GX). Period.

The other problem is at 73lbs (nearly 100lbs in a case), its just a beast to move around. That's why mine stays in my studio.

I think you'll like the RD-300SX, especially if you bought it at the right price. I looked at it too, but for the difference in price new (and I prefer a heavier action), I went for the Yamaha CP33 (and I'm a yammy piano guy anyhow) and it's been awesome for my live straight ahead jazz combo gigs.

Congrats on the new ax.

That's on of the reasons why I picked the RD-300SX. Afterall I'll have to travel with the keyboard in a train, so the less is better.

I think I won't be dissapointed with the RD. It has generally good sounds and I have always liked the Roland sound. Some people say they sound over processed, but that's not aproblem as long as it sounds good, right? Hehe.

Thank you. It's a pain to wait for it. So while waiting for it I ordered a new mic, Audio Technica AT2020, and good headphones. It's solo career & YouTube crap time. Yay!