Product: Gem RP-X
Price Paid: USD 599
Submitted
07/14/2009
at
07:31pm
by
Henway
Ease of Use
:
10
The rp-x is powered by Generalmusic's break-through technology DRAKE. DRAKE (Dsp-Risc_Advanced-Keyboard-Engine) is the ultimate DSP. Probably the most advanced piece of musical hardware in the world, at least so says the manual. However, I'm on my second one that doesn't work right, perhaps the manufacturer is having quality control issues. I was able to use this one enough to get a fair assessment of it's features and what it sounds like. The GEM Generalmusic RP-X is a simple half rack space piano tone module with a few bland pads, strings, and choirs thrown in for good measure, but more on the sounds later. Ease of use:
5 buttons and one volume knob, two headphones jacks on the front panel, hmm I only have two ears, I'm sure how to wear two sets of headphones, maybe these are intended for a classroom environment so the instructor can plug her headphones and listen to what you're noodling around with before smacking your hand with the ruler.
Editing is very limited and involves effects parameters, split points, voice layer levels, detuning etc, but no envelop levels, rates, filtering, string resonance. For the "the most advanced piece of musical hardware in the world" I'd have thought you'd have a little more control over the parameters.
There is a USB jack on the back for patch management and midi from PC/ MAC but I never got around to installing the supplied software as I'll be sending another defective unit back and NOT getting a third one.
Features
:
5
It's stated in the manual the maximum number notes that the Gem RP-X will sound is 72 in single mode, and 36 in 2 layer mode. In contrast an acoustic piano is 88, 89 if you bang your head on the side of the piano as a percussion instrument. Maybe I'll post that performance on YouTube.
The Gem RP-X has 50 stereo/ mono pcm, physical modeling sounds.
These sounds are 15 various acoustic pianos, 2 harpsichords, 4 clavinets, 2 wurlies, 1 dx ep, 4 rhodes', a vibe, a marimba, 6 strings, 4 pads, 3 choirs, 2 turtle doves, and 1 partridge in a pear tree, sorry, I couldn't resist throwing those last two in.
The Gem RP-X RealPiano Expander has built-in effects consisting of 6 reverbs, 4 send effects: Chorus, Phaser, Tremolo, Stereo delay. 2 Insert effects: Wah-Wah, Compression.
and a 5 band full parametric EQ.
The display is a 3 digit LED 888 in probably the brightest, blinding blue you've ever experienced.
The unit has it's own pedal inputs for switches and continuous control, so you can control the Wah-Wah via CV pedal like an EV-5 or FC-7, of course it also controls via midi CC#004 from your master keyboard.
Expressiveness/Sounds
:
3
Sounds, well that's what it all boils down to doesn't it? Let me preface the next part of this review with some perspective. I've been playing semi-pro since 1978, as a keyboard player I lean toward keyboard-centric jazz and prog-rock, but go out and play 3 or 4 solo classical piano gigs a month for old-folks party atmosphere "I know, I can't believe they'll pay for that anymore, but they do". My point is: that I know what a good piano sounds like, and the Gem RP-X isn't it.
The pianos that came in the Roland Sonic Cell are better, the Kurzweil triple-strike is better, and the new V-piano is about the best simulation that I've played yet. I'm constantly on the look-out for a piano module that I can play with my old Yamaha KX-88 controller and drag around to gigs. I wanted the RP-X for acoustic pianos mainly, but was hoping that the rhodes and wurlies would be good enough to merit keeping it, they're NOT, of course I'm spoiled with the Nord electro rack which has great rhodes, wurlies and clavs but bland acoustic pianos also.
I'm still searching for a great sounding piano sim I'll probably try the Kurzweil SP3X next and ditch the KX-88 as a controller.
Reliability
:
1
I'm sending back my second defective unit and not trying a third.
Customer Support
:
1
The US rep will return an email, if only to say "I'll email Italy to see what they think" Evidently it takes a week or so for an email to reach Italy, are you guys still on dial up?
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
Poor quality control from the manufacturer played a part in this review, but all in all it's the mediocre sound quality and features that hurt this unit the worst. If you have one that works and like the sound then good for you, it's just not for my tastes.
In my opinion piano simulations that sound much better are:
Korg M3, Kurzweil SP2 & SP3, Roland V-piano
