Opinions wanted: RD700 vs X8 (regarding sound only)

First of all, do you have the 700 plain or the 700-SX ?

Roland Fantom X8

Event TR8 Studio Monitors

I have the original RD-700, not the newer SX.

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Main Instrument: Roland RD-700
Secondary Instrument: 1968 Baldwin Orgasonic Organ

I can´t speak for the 700

But I can assure you pianos and EPs on the Fantom X8 are killer.

Roland Fantom X8

Event TR8 Studio Monitors

I own an RD700 plus a Fantom XR...I think that RD700's el. piano (and other sounds..) are better than the Fantom...
but this is my opinion..

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::Rix::

I don't know about the 700, but I have the original RD-300s. The accoustic piano on the X is much better, but I think the EPs and others (especially the vibes) on the 300 are better.

Carl
Fantom X-7, RD-300s

This is a very personal thing. There is no substitute to comparing the two instruments side by side and deciding what you like best. I have a Fantom X8 and think both the pianos and EPs sound great. The X8 shares some of the RD piano patches, plus has some additional patches based on over 700 samples, where every note on a piano has been sampled at four different key velocity levels. To my ears these sound very realistic. The architectures of the X8 and RD 700 are different so the same patch played on each may sound slightly different. X8 also weighs a tad under 30 kg and can be quite heavy to lug around to different venues. Whereas as the RD 700 weighs in at 24 kg. Alternatively, you can extend the RD 700's sound pallet by adding SRX-11 which includes some multisample piano patches like the X8 & RD700SX and / or add the SRX-12 which has some very good EP patches.

Keith

I too have a RD700SX and a X7 and i have to say the EP sounds are far superior to that of the X7. Though in saying that, the X7 has some great Piano sounds i.e. True Piano.
I also have a Ultimate Keys Expansion in the RD700SX and the B3 etc. sounds are the best.
I also have a KORG TR which has some great piano sounds. And sorry to disapoint you Roland Guys but the TR's Vox sounds are trully breathless.
On another note the Complete Orchestra Expansion in my X7 has great real sounding Harpsichords that put the RD700sx to shame.
While playing live in a Progressive Metal Band require all of the above sounds, they (the keys) all must come along.

Horses for courses!!!!!!!!!