Roland RD-2000chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

The paid EX/V-Piano expansion is repeatedly praised as adding realistic resonance, hammer and damper noise, and subtle imperfections that make the piano sound far more authentic than the stock patches. Multiple owners say it finally made the instrument worth keeping.

@LuísGuilhermeGermano

I never expected to like a Roland piano sound this much. This time, though, I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised. What a beautiful instrument!\n\nI’m currently deciding between this and the Yamaha CP88. Considering the V-Piano modeling engine, though, I’m really drawn to what it offers. Since I already own a Yamaha Montage M6, I think the RD-2000 EX would be the perfect complement, bringing together the strengths of two outstanding brands.launch

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July 27, 2026

@bsidetelevision

After upgrading my RD2000 to the EX version, I'd say it is 1000% worth it! ($199 US at the time of writing). I could never connect with the RD2000 pianos and ended up renting it out to a friend of mine for the past few of years. After seeing this video, and Stu's seemingly hyperbolic claims, I decided to retrieve my RD2000 and do the upgrade, as I've been on a quest for finding better digital piano sounds. In short, the expansion pianos are les short of stunning and incredibly inspiring to play. Roland has captured the level of detail that I really loved in Roland's S90, but with WAY MORE options. \"This results in the most authentic and versatile collection of pro-level acoustic piano tones ever assembled on a physical instrument.\" I definitely concur! Thanks Stu and Merriam! Thanks Roland for making finally making my RD2000 worth buying!!!launch

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October 14, 2025

@boccatomarcel

I almost bought the fp-90x this month, but in the official stores here in Brazil the sellers informed that it will be updated soon, possibly for the EX expansion, and with that they no longer have in stock for immediate delivery. I'll wait for the 90x update to decide whether to buy it or the RD2000ex. This update of VPiano is the most realistic thing I've ever heard on a digital piano!launch

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August 20, 2024

@borispradel1037

I updated my original RD2000 a couple of moth ago for $150 (Ex expansion) and got all these new sounds. It made an already excellent instrument even better.launch

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August 4, 2024

Reviewers consistently praise the mixer section and panel layout for making the RD-2000 an outstanding master keyboard for controlling external synths, VSTs, and software rigs on stage or in the studio.

@donclorepianomusings3537

Stu is amazing, and it’s worth listening to Stu’s reviews just to hear him play; so marvellous. This is a great review, and it inclines me towards getting an RD-2000 EX. AndI I really enjoyed seeing Stu’s enjoyment and connection to the V-Piano sounds. There is, however, one nit, or at least, a respectful difference of opinion. The idea that it is a complete non-starter to run software piano plugins from a computer on stage………I just can’t agree with this. I use an M4 Pro Mac Mini, set to boot up into Gig Performer it is headless; I carry an iPad for the unlikely situation that I need a monitor, and a dongle that lets me use the iPad as the monitor for the Mini. The M4 Pro is SOOOOOOO Much more powerful than the CPU’s in any dedicated hardware keyboard, that it just completely changes the game. Now, I also respect that Stu may not want to rely on a Mac Mini onstage, and a lot of keyboard players might not want to. Stipulated, I was a software engineer for 30 years, so….I have utter confidence with my ability to cope with the Mac Mini in the onstage environment. It is in fact, a lot LESS scary than carrying around the old school analog synths I used to schlep (Prophet 5 and Prophet T8, et. al.); those things could leave you high and dry in a NY minute, and did, but I depended on them for a living for years. Modern PCs are a completely different ballgame - MacOS is hardly bugfree, but neither is the software in an RD2000 EX or my MP11SE (there are many bugs in the MP11SE software; you just learn to cope with them). So forgive me, Stu, but….I’m a child of the PC revolution of the 80s, and this is something I’ve very passionate about, and I just think…..your viewpoint is entirely valid, but with respect, I have another viewpoint, that I also think is completely valid.\n\nNone of this changes the fact that the RD2000 is a really nice keyboard, and the V-Pianos are warmer and more organic than Pianoteq modelling (although Modartt’s ‘pure’ approach to modelling, as opposed to the V-Piano algorithm, has its own virtues). I’ve spent several days haunting my local music store, playing the RD, and I have to say, I’m probably going to end up with an RD-2000 EX. I don’t love the ‘German Concert’ patch much, or really any of the brighter pianos, but Open Warm 2 is very nice, and you played some of the presets here that I skipped over, and I realize I gave them short shrift. In particular, I had dismissed the upright pianos without even listening to them, and wow….you blew me away with some of those in this video.\n\nThat said, I’m not optimistic that I’ll ever make any of these pianos sound as good as you do :). Such a pleasure. I feel like I should watch these videos, slow them down, and learn everything I can. This channel is fantastic, and you bring me a lot of listening pleasure, and your passion for these beautiful instruments shines through, and…..it’s inspiring.launch

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November 4, 2025

@Oscar-z3t1g

I have a Roland RD-2000 with the EX upgrade. The RD-2000EX is designed for the uncompromising pianist who hates unnecessarily complex and cryptic interfaces. Unlike much of the competition, the overall layout is extremely intuitive and easily navigated. The fully weighted and graded wooden keys provide the responsiveness of an expensive grand piano. Up to eight of the over 1100 internal voices can be easily and seamlessly blended to create your own unique sound. If you love to PLAY your piano instead of slogging through complex manuals and memorizing cryptic two letter codes, buy the Roland RD-2000EX.launch

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May 30, 2025

@davidgurwin2233

THIS is the Roland piano to get. Great keybed. Great piano sounds. Great as a MIDI controller. I do not understand how Roland is pushing the new V-Stage 88 that has: 1) the SAME V piano engine; 2) fewer sounds; 3) a much less refined keybed; and 4) costs more than $1000 more. Get this one instead.launch

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January 27, 2025

@tyreepenn-hasan6307

What’s the fuss? Yamaha did the same essentially with the Modx and ppl barely made fuss. This is a stage keyboard that’s made to work with your software and hardware. You’re paying for the technology and connectivity moreso than the sounds. Great board to run a rig off of. This with purchased Roland cloud plugins or any other software equals a Fantom. I have a RD88 and definitely going to grab this soon. Also, Roland makes sounds that are meant to be tweaked. The presets be ok but it’s definitely a patch programmer’s brand.launch

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July 30, 2024

Commenters across many years consistently single out the PHA-50 wooden keybed as one of the best actions in any digital stage piano, some rating it above the Montage or Kronos. It's the reason several professional pianists bought the instrument despite initial doubts about the sound.

@Oscar-z3t1g

I have a Roland RD-2000 with the EX upgrade. The RD-2000EX is designed for the uncompromising pianist who hates unnecessarily complex and cryptic interfaces. Unlike much of the competition, the overall layout is extremely intuitive and easily navigated. The fully weighted and graded wooden keys provide the responsiveness of an expensive grand piano. Up to eight of the over 1100 internal voices can be easily and seamlessly blended to create your own unique sound. If you love to PLAY your piano instead of slogging through complex manuals and memorizing cryptic two letter codes, buy the Roland RD-2000EX.launch

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May 30, 2025

@davidgurwin2233

THIS is the Roland piano to get. Great keybed. Great piano sounds. Great as a MIDI controller. I do not understand how Roland is pushing the new V-Stage 88 that has: 1) the SAME V piano engine; 2) fewer sounds; 3) a much less refined keybed; and 4) costs more than $1000 more. Get this one instead.launch

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January 27, 2025

@geoffk777

I own an RD-2000, which I got fairly early in 2017. For the most part, I totally agree with your assessment. But I do have some issues with it. First the good (most of which you mentioned):\r\n1. It makes a great MIDI controller, and the mixing sliders are super convenient. Panel layout is excellent and build quality is great.\r\n2. The PHA-50 keybed is one of the best, and better even than the Montage or Kronos\r\n3. The V-Pianos are very good. Also, there are many Supernatural acoustic pianos, so if you don't like the V-Pianos, there are still many excellent choices.\r\n4. There are many other sounds, most of which are fairly decent and usable, if not the absolute best\r\n5. It's not too heavy and quite portable, although a little long for some cars\r\n6. OS updates have added some more V-Piano presets and improved some early issues.\r\n7. There's an excellent 3-pedal unit available as an option.\r\n\r\nNow the bad:\r\n1. At least in my early version, the panel text is not white but is a medium grey color that's almost invisible, especially on a dark stage. This is totally stupid, especially since so much effort went into making the faders and dials lit and easily visible in the dark.\r\n2. The display is Ok, but the viewing angle is very narrow. In a multi-keyboard stand, it's often difficult to read, since you can't view it from directly above.\r\n3. The leslie for the organs is terrible--way too fast and unrealistic. Not a huge deal and it can be adjusted, but still annoying.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, for me, disadvantages #1 and #2 are killers and really destroy the utility of the instrument as a master keyboard on stage. If you're thinking about buying one, carefully check out those two points.\r\n\r\nIf I was buying it now, I'd probably spend the extra $1500 and get a Fantom 8, which has the same sliders, V-Piano engine, and keybed, but a much better display, white panel text and updated Zenology sounds (as well as many other capabilities). For studio use, I might also consider a Kawai MP11SE, which has an even better action. It's too big and heavy to use as a touring stage instrument, though.\r\n\r\nA great instrument in many ways, but buy with caution.launch

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February 7, 2022

@SharonsPureMusic

Thank you for your in depth review. The reason why I want to avoid nord grand is because of the keybed. I am pretty shocked why people dont complain about the extremely light keys. I know it has decent sensitivities but still the velocity comes out too loud even in heavy setting to a classically trained pianist. The reason why I watched this video is because I like roland’s touch. As you mentioned it feels very realistic. I haven’t tried out this specific model, but had a chance to play fantom. It definitely has amazing keybeds. Do you think spending more money for fantom8 worth it for the zencore? Any opinions about rd88? Thanks so much!launch

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April 7, 2021

Long-term owners describe the RD-2000 as a dependable instrument they've relied on for years of gigs, praising its build quality and calling it one of the best investments they've made for their music.

@solojim

I can tell this a highly endorsed product by you. I know it was/is your stage board too. Love to watch you play. I had a 2000 and sold it to buy a Genos 1. I played the G1 2 days and regretted every minute (just not my thing). I get my 2000 back tomorrow. What an awesome product. I play Korg/Yamaha and Kawai too.launch

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December 1, 2025

@geoffk777

I own an RD-2000, which I got fairly early in 2017. For the most part, I totally agree with your assessment. But I do have some issues with it. First the good (most of which you mentioned):\r\n1. It makes a great MIDI controller, and the mixing sliders are super convenient. Panel layout is excellent and build quality is great.\r\n2. The PHA-50 keybed is one of the best, and better even than the Montage or Kronos\r\n3. The V-Pianos are very good. Also, there are many Supernatural acoustic pianos, so if you don't like the V-Pianos, there are still many excellent choices.\r\n4. There are many other sounds, most of which are fairly decent and usable, if not the absolute best\r\n5. It's not too heavy and quite portable, although a little long for some cars\r\n6. OS updates have added some more V-Piano presets and improved some early issues.\r\n7. There's an excellent 3-pedal unit available as an option.\r\n\r\nNow the bad:\r\n1. At least in my early version, the panel text is not white but is a medium grey color that's almost invisible, especially on a dark stage. This is totally stupid, especially since so much effort went into making the faders and dials lit and easily visible in the dark.\r\n2. The display is Ok, but the viewing angle is very narrow. In a multi-keyboard stand, it's often difficult to read, since you can't view it from directly above.\r\n3. The leslie for the organs is terrible--way too fast and unrealistic. Not a huge deal and it can be adjusted, but still annoying.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, for me, disadvantages #1 and #2 are killers and really destroy the utility of the instrument as a master keyboard on stage. If you're thinking about buying one, carefully check out those two points.\r\n\r\nIf I was buying it now, I'd probably spend the extra $1500 and get a Fantom 8, which has the same sliders, V-Piano engine, and keybed, but a much better display, white panel text and updated Zenology sounds (as well as many other capabilities). For studio use, I might also consider a Kawai MP11SE, which has an even better action. It's too big and heavy to use as a touring stage instrument, though.\r\n\r\nA great instrument in many ways, but buy with caution.launch

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February 7, 2022

@toddmorrison7342

I'm 64 and was asked to join a band last year after a twenty-year hiatus. After trying all the top contenders I chose the RD 2000 as it meets all of our bands needs and I was able to learn most of its amazing functions pretty quickly for an ol', out-of-touch piano player. I recently bought a Roland System 8 synth so now I'm set. This video nails it, good show!launch

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October 16, 2021

@jameswattles7341

I've had my RD 2000 for almost 2 years now and I can't imagine a life without it amazing. I love blending the different sounds it makes. Best investment I've ever made for my music.launch

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May 7, 2021

Up to eight zones and over 1100 voices can be blended, and users appreciate how well it integrates with laptops and other hardware, making it a flexible hub for complex live setups.

@Oscar-z3t1g

I have a Roland RD-2000 with the EX upgrade. The RD-2000EX is designed for the uncompromising pianist who hates unnecessarily complex and cryptic interfaces. Unlike much of the competition, the overall layout is extremely intuitive and easily navigated. The fully weighted and graded wooden keys provide the responsiveness of an expensive grand piano. Up to eight of the over 1100 internal voices can be easily and seamlessly blended to create your own unique sound. If you love to PLAY your piano instead of slogging through complex manuals and memorizing cryptic two letter codes, buy the Roland RD-2000EX.launch

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May 30, 2025

@tyreepenn-hasan6307

What’s the fuss? Yamaha did the same essentially with the Modx and ppl barely made fuss. This is a stage keyboard that’s made to work with your software and hardware. You’re paying for the technology and connectivity moreso than the sounds. Great board to run a rig off of. This with purchased Roland cloud plugins or any other software equals a Fantom. I have a RD88 and definitely going to grab this soon. Also, Roland makes sounds that are meant to be tweaked. The presets be ok but it’s definitely a patch programmer’s brand.launch

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July 30, 2024

@laptoples

HELP QUESTION for whoever can answer !!!\nI literally just bought a used RD2000 a day ago 7/23/24.\nAre these all new sounds for it in this video ?\nReading the comments, it sounds like there's only 2 new sounds.\nA German one and an Essential piano ?\nWhy would Roland add this video of all these other sounds if not to showcase them off as all new ???\nAnd I only spent an hour so far on the RD2000, (busy till the weekend) but for all the players who say that the sounds are terrible.... Isn't the fact that you can layer 8 sounds and EQ etc etc etc to thinkin up the final sound and pretty much make any possible sound to your liking, a really good aspect of this keyboard ? \nIf anyone can help me feel justified in my purchase, please do. \nAll I see is very negative feedback on here and how terrible the sounds are... \nThanks !!! \nHave a great day !!! \n:-)launch

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July 24, 2024

@DagToreLarsen

If you wanted something that can control all your keyboards you should take a look at Camelot Pro, Italian program that via midi can do program changes to unlimited keyboards and soft synts with one button. it even have timeline so you can put backing tracks there and program layers and splits on multiple keyboards. 9 parts? with Camelot you can easily set up to play from a keyboard 100 sounds layered on top of eachother if you have the hardware to support all the parts. Not that you want, but you CAN if you want to. So you can combine several sounds from Korg, Yamaha, Roland, MCP or divide them on one 88 hammer action and one or two synth keys with multiple zones so you have all the sounds at your fingers .. dont need to touch any control panel at all Camelot will change for you even mid song. \n\nAnyway.. The reason I could want a RD2000 is for the piano sounds alone. For me they sounds pretty much mixready out of the box (I do maily pop/rock recording) while pianos like Nord is very midheavy and will fight with the vocal over the frequency spectrum. So I need to do heavy mid scouping on those boards, while on RD2000 as I can hear, it will just sit in the mix without any major work needed to be done to it,. Save time in the mixing process. Unless offcause you are recording a classical piano concert. But in pop/rock I can see RD2000 is perfect for the studio. You are saying that RD2000 is perfect in stage as it can cut through, but you see as pro audio engineer with 30 years experience, that apply even more to the studio where we do not know what speakers the listeners are using. In pop the vocal will always be nr 1 and the piano will take the backseat. The piano as you said before is eating up a lot of the frequency room , I suppose that is also why the natural sounding piano is not used in such recordings. When it is used, it is mixed to sound pretty much like the RD2000 allredyis sounding straight out of the box. So for me that would be the perfect piano to use in a studio recording of pop/rock music.launch

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November 28, 2023

Users highlight the ability to individually voice, tune, and adjust the timbre and volume of every key across V-Piano sounds. One professional pianist spent hundreds of hours personalizing patches and says the results feel like a real grand piano.

@Oscar-z3t1g

I have a Roland RD-2000 with the EX upgrade. The RD-2000EX is designed for the uncompromising pianist who hates unnecessarily complex and cryptic interfaces. Unlike much of the competition, the overall layout is extremely intuitive and easily navigated. The fully weighted and graded wooden keys provide the responsiveness of an expensive grand piano. Up to eight of the over 1100 internal voices can be easily and seamlessly blended to create your own unique sound. If you love to PLAY your piano instead of slogging through complex manuals and memorizing cryptic two letter codes, buy the Roland RD-2000EX.launch

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May 30, 2025

@laptoples

HELP QUESTION for whoever can answer !!!\nI literally just bought a used RD2000 a day ago 7/23/24.\nAre these all new sounds for it in this video ?\nReading the comments, it sounds like there's only 2 new sounds.\nA German one and an Essential piano ?\nWhy would Roland add this video of all these other sounds if not to showcase them off as all new ???\nAnd I only spent an hour so far on the RD2000, (busy till the weekend) but for all the players who say that the sounds are terrible.... Isn't the fact that you can layer 8 sounds and EQ etc etc etc to thinkin up the final sound and pretty much make any possible sound to your liking, a really good aspect of this keyboard ? \nIf anyone can help me feel justified in my purchase, please do. \nAll I see is very negative feedback on here and how terrible the sounds are... \nThanks !!! \nHave a great day !!! \n:-)launch

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July 24, 2024

@TopWorldPiano

I'll copy here for you what I wrote some days ago in another review of Roland RD-200 on YouTube. Hope it helps you, if you haven't bought your new digital piano yet!\nALBERTO MACEDO WROTE:\nThanks for your good review! I'm a professional pianist, very difficult to be pleased by any digital keyboard. I've always been fan of Yamaha, and have had almost all their stage pianos (CP-4 my last one). My last Roland was the RD-600 which made me promise myself I'd never buy Roland again (sound was good in its time, but key system was weak and chap, breaking in every performance!). All I look for when buying a keyboard is a great and NATURAL piano sound that responds EXACTLY to what I picture in my mind in terms of sound color and intensity. I've owned the RD-2000 for one year. Though in the store I wasn't crazy about the sound I fell in love with the most FABULOUS ACTION ever found in a digital stage piano. I decided to buy it not just for this, but because after a thorough exploration of the manual in the store, I realized it was posible to PERSONALIZE every single V-Piano Technology sound (the best ones in the instrument), not just in terms of EQ, effects, hammer noise, string resonance, damper noise, cabinet resonance, lid, etc., but specially in terms of individual VOICING of each of the 88 keys! You can change in every key, separately, the timbre OR CHARACTER of the sound, from dark and mellow to bright and crispy, the individual VOLUME and even the individual TUNNING of each note you play. This is just fantastic and never before found in any other keyboard. I've spent hundreds of hours doing this during the last year in just my 6 favorite acoustic pianos. The results are just AMAZING!! IT FEELS AND SOUNDS just like a REAL GRAND PIANO (actually like 6 different real grand pianos!), exactly designed to my personal taste, but ONLY AFTER ALL THIS WORK. I'm really happy now with this instrument. I can make MUSIC with it and be able to communicate my feelings and emotions almost as exactly as I do with a real quality grand. Obviously you can save all these personalized sounds in an external USB. My only question/complain is... Why Roland musicians and designers didn't do this in the Factory and released an instrument with gorgeous factory sounds??? I'm sure a lot of sales are lost because of this. A real shame! Most employees at music stores don't even now how configurable the RD-2000 sounds are! And most musicians don't have the patience or time to do it.launch

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December 6, 2019

@TopWorldPiano

Thanks for your good review! I'm a professional pianist, very difficult to be pleased by any digital keyboard. I've always been fan of Yamaha, and have had almost all their stage pianos (CP-4 my last one). My last Roland was the RD-600 which made me promise myself I'd never buy Roland again (sound was good in its time, but key system was weak and chap, breaking in every performance!). All I look for when buying a keyboard is a great and NATURAL piano sound that responds EXACTLY to what I picture in my mind in terms of sound color and intensity. I've owned the RD-2000 for one year. Though in the store I wasn't crazy about the sound I fell in love with the most FABULOUS ACTION ever found in a digital stage piano. I decided to buy it not just for this, but because after a thorough exploration of the manual in the store, I realized it was posible to PERSONALIZE every single V-Piano Technology sound (the best ones in the instrument), not just in terms of EQ, effects, hammer noise, string resonance, damper noise, cabinet resonance, lid, etc., but specially in terms of individual VOICING of each of the 88 keys! You can change in every key, separately, the timbre OR CHARACTER of the sound, from dark and mellow to bright and crispy, the individual VOLUME and even the individual TUNNING of each note you play. This is just fantastic and never before found in any other keyboard. I've spent hundreds of hours doing this during the last year in just my 6 favorite acoustic pianos. The results are just AMAZING!! IT FEELS AND SOUNDS just like a REAL GRAND PIANO (actually like 6 different real grand pianos!), exactly designed to my personal taste, but ONLY AFTER ALL THIS WORK. I'm really happy now with this instrument. I can make MUSIC with it and be able to communicate my feelings and emotions almost as exactly as I do with a real quality grand. Obviously you can save all these personalized sounds in an external USB. My only question/complain is... Why Roland musicians and designers didn't do this in the Factory and released an instrument with gorgeous factory sounds??? I'm sure a lot of sales are lost because of this. A real shame! Most employees at music stores don't even now how configurable the RD-2000 sounds are! And most musicians don't have the patience or time to do it.launch

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November 28, 2019

At least one longtime user noted that despite dissatisfaction with new sound patches, Roland's customer support was fast and helpful when problems arose.

@WayneMusicianUK

Gotta say that after using the new Roland RD2000 at my gig last weekend and for it being their top flagship model, I'm sorry (but for me personally) it was utterly Rubbish, i won't ever buy Roland keyboards again, same old sounds, nothing stood out at all... they are well built those that, just really really weak sounding patches, no guts or bite onstage... come on Roland! they are so far behind the other manufacturers (sound creation wise) hopefully they'll improve and fast🙄 not everyone wants to use VST's and Mainstage... they were my favourite brand at one point and at one stage they were ahead of their time, a benchmark in everything \"80's\" - classic patches etc... I'm still using my Roland Fantom X8 onstage which is fine... it's never let me down, but shocking for their new stuff, so dissapointed..... however.... I can't fault their customer service and when I get stuck, I always get help fast👍🏻launch

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July 31, 2017