The two new kids on the block have got a lot to prove.
With new technology and shiny lights which stage piano is the best and why?
We want to strip it all back and get down to the nitty-gritty but first let's check out a quick spec comparison of the main features.
Kawai MP11
Roland RD800
Polyphony: 256 notes
Maximum Polyphony: 128 voices
Sounds: 40 voices
Tones: 1113
Sound Source: Harmonic Imaging™ XL (HI-XL), 88-key piano sampling
SuperNATURAL Piano ,SuperNATURAL (E.Piano, Clav)Virtual tone Wheel Organ PCM Sound Generator
FX: Reverb (Room, Lounge, Small Hall, Concert Hall, Live Hall, Cathedral)
Parameters:
PreDelay, Reverb Time, Reverb Depth
FX Types:
129 types (23 categories)
Max 10
Amp Simulator
Types: 5 types (S. Case, M. Stack, J. Combo, F. Bass, L. Cabi)
Drive, Level, Amp EQ Lo, Amp EQ Mid, Amp EQ Hi, Mid Frequency,
Mic Type, Mic Position, Ambience
EQ: 4-band equalizer (Low Gain, Mid1 Gain, Mid1 Q, Mid1 Freq., Mid2 Gain, Mid2 Q, Mid2 Freq., High Gain)
FX: Modulation: 4 systems, 56 types
Tremolo/Amp Simulator: 4 systems, 5 types
Reverb: 6 types
Delay: 5 types
Sympathetic Resonance (Only for SuperNATURAL Piano)
3-band Compressor
5-band Digital Equalizer
Virtual Technician
Touch Curve:
6 types (Light+, Light, Normal, Heavy, Heavy+, Off), User1~5
PIANO: Voicing, Stereo Width, String Resonance, Damper Resonance, Key-off Effect, Damper Noise, Hammer Delay, Fall-back Noise, Topboard, Brilliance
E.PIANO/SUB: Key-off Noise, Key-off Delay
Temperament & Tuning:
7 types (Equal, Pure Major/Minor, Pythagorean, Meantone, Werkmeister, Kirnberger), User1~2
Fine Tune, Stretch Tuning, Key of Temperament
Individual Note Voicing
Tuning: -50.0 – +50.0 cent
Level: -50 – 0
Character: -5 – +5
* adjustable in individual notes, Only for SuperNATURAL Piano
Audio File Player Play MP3/WAV
AUDIO FILE PLAYER: Audio Files WAV format, 44.1 kHz, 16-bit linear
Recorder Internal:
10 songs – approximately 90,000 note memory capacity, Transpose song, Convert song to Audio, Load SMF, Save SMF
Audio:
Play MP3/WAV, Save MP3/WAV, Overdub, Recorder Gain
Recorder: WAV format, 44.1 kHz, 16-bit linear
Rhythm: none
Rhythm: 200 Patterns
Output:
¼” LINE OUT (L/MONO, R), XLR OUT (L, R) with ground lift switch, Headphones
Input:
¼” LINE IN
MIDI & USB:
MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, MIDI THRU, USB to Host, USB to Device
Foot Control:
DAMPER/SOST. SOFT (for F-30), EXP
OUTPUT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
OUTPUT (L, R) jacks: XLR type
INPUT jack: Stereo miniature phone type
Pedal (DAMPER, FC1, FC2, EXT) jacks: TRS phone type
MIDI (IN, OUT1, THRU/OUT2) connectors
USB (COMPUTER) port: USB type B
USB (MEMORY/WLAN ADAPTOR) port: USB type A
PHONES jack: Stereo 1/4 inch phone type
As you can see above there are some pro's and cons for both. Let's take a look.
Firstly you'll notice that the RD800 has more sounds than the MP11. Straight up you'll discover that there is more on offer from the RD800 delivering all the favorite tones that you would expect from Roland. Question is, are there fillers in the tones to make up the numbers? Well, as a player, you have to make up your mind up as tones and voices are totally or tonally subjective.
Meanwhile, the Kawai MP11 seems to have gone for the less-is-more approach. High-quality voicing's and sample rates with fewer tones to experiment with
The feel of the piano is always the first thing that a player will judge the piano by. In this case it's hard to go past the Kawai. With almost a century of acoustic piano building, the Kawai key bed and timber keys are superior to most on the market. The MP11 has a more upright piano feel than a digital piano feel.
The other side of the fence promises the feel that Roland players have always loved and can't help but go back to. The weight of the key and the almost " balkiness" to it makes it feel heavy and more solid. This is, of course, one topic that you can argue till nauseous but the "proper" feel is really what you get used to and what feels right while performing.
Navigation can always be a problem on a stage piano with some makes and models offering almost no logic whatsoever. But on both the MP11 and the RD800 navigation is simple and fast to get your head around. This has long been the view of previous models and in turn made them the perfect choice for churches. Not because they are simple but because large numbers of people with different technical abilities need to use the piano. The layout and logic have proven itself for years, and the new models are no exception to the rule.
What Roland does well is the ability to pull great pad sounds with ambient effects and the touch of a button. For such a powerful stage piano, it is incredibly easy to navigate. Plus setting up your favourite voices are easy. It also delivers all of the ins and outs you need to perform anywhere, and coming in at 21.7kg's, it is all built into a lightweight metal/plastic chassis. In all the Roland RD800 a great all-rounder that can deliver on many different genres and applications with flexibility and performance options.
The Kawai is different in that its sole focus is on quality piano tones without all the stuff you don't need. Suited more to someone who just wants a great range of piano and electric piano tones and who wants a simple interface without menus and operational nightmares. Although the Kawai is heavier and more cumbersome to move around it does deliver on what it promises - the feel and tone make a difference. It's a very clever yet simple design that wins hearts every time.
Are you comparing the Kawai MP11 or the Roland RD800? Do you own one of the 2 or another keyboard you think should compete? Let us know in the comments below or hit us up on Facebook.