Roland RD-500

I've had this keyboard for around 13 years I guess. Before that it was an Kurvweil PC88 (keys constantly broke). It's a heavy beast and I'm getting too old to lug it around.

The manual is fine. I don't edit anything on it. The preset pianos are OK, but never really sounded good on stage until I got a motion sound KP100. Of course running direct in the studio or into a professional stage mixer through a big PA, it's awesome and cuts through any mix.

It's a STAGE piano, so I don't tweak it much. No general midi, so midi implementation sucks. No sequencer, but again that's typical for a stage piano.

Great for piano mostly. Acoustic and electric bass is great and splits work well. Velocity and aftertouch are really good. The other sounds (organ, no harpsichord, clav etc.) are a joke. The "leslie" control knob is total crap as are the organ sounds. The fender rhodes sound is OK, but kind of tame. Still better than lugging the real thing around.

I play jazz, blues, old school r&b and classical on it.

Never carry a backup. Never broke a key. If you learn to set up your stage monitoring properly, you won't have to bang on it to hear yourself (not that that does anything anyways).

I took it apart and bolted in a tranformer for a flourescent light on the music stand. Drilled out a hole and installed an amphenol connector. What's another pound when the case and board weigh 50 lbs. togeather?

I don't deal with Asian manufacturing customer "service" organizations.

Overall it's about a seven. There is NO reason to lug something this heavy around nowadays. Save your back. Your band mates will appreciate it and they get tired of helping you drag around all your other stuff. If it stays in one place (like a church) and you're on a budget you can't go wrong.

I've been using this RD- 500 from the very beginning, 90's.
Change it for A-90 after a while and return to another unit RD- 500.
After that I owned RD- 600, a couple of, RD-700 (the silver one), FP-8, FP-9, FP-5, FP-2 (for a gig, 14 kg. . .) FP 7 and RD-700 SX expanded.
For perfomance and Live Concert I've JUST bought another RD- 500.
I think they didn't realize yet what they did with the RD- 500, and how they made it.
Of course, I would like to change the entire keyboard for one of last generations, keys are week. But the entire instrument is inbeateable.
Things that happens . . .

The polyphony show you how to play without useless "too much vegetables" ideas . . . to be ergo and echonomic . . . thanks. I've already say about the action.

All the instruments are very useful as patches. Why use combinations if you can handle by midi others modules? . . . If you use the normal split, (piano + bass, por ex.) you are not going to find any problem. Just apply commun sense: an "Cosmic galaxy dream" plus "Pad of voices and strings" would let you without any voice . . . and you'll have a reasignation Concert . . . even though if you have 64 voices . . . Think about it.

No. No this neither other.

I've never sent a single unit to the Roland Service. Why? . . .I don't play soccer with my instruments. Have a very close friend technicien who teach me about the keys reparation.
Only one word: if the RD-500 is new, hardly to find, no problem at all.
If it's used, which probably you can't avoid, check in deep the keyboard (keys black and white) this is the Aquiles corner of this magnificent instrument.

It seems that the keyboard/ digital piano was just evolving into what we are familiar with today when the Rd-500 was created. This keyboard is very easy to just sit down and play, but if you want to do simple things such as layer sounds or transpose, some tinkering around is required. I am finding out that there are a lot of ways to customize the sound (equalizer, brightness, variations of patches, value bar, etc.) that can allow you to customize tone quality to your liking. The features as far as software goes are not very impressive. I might expect a better keyboard from Roland than this one, eventhough it is not up to date.

Built in effects: 2 (reverb/chorus)
Polyphony: Probably 32
Midi Capabilities: In/Out
Audio Outputs: L/R Out, L/R out fixed, mono out

Key action is mediocre at best. Hammer action, yes, but not hardly realistic and definately not graded hammer.

Best feature: Layering two sounds together with different sound variations.

The only realistic sound is the E. Piano. The other sounds suffer very badly (especially the piano sounds). Those Roland guys couldn't get the samples to sound good enough with this one. Sensitivity is very good. It bites when you hit the keys hard enough, which is every keyboard player's desire of a good keyboard. Attack and release are customizable on-board with a few button strokes.

Very dependable, but this keyboard is much TOO HEAVY for me to gig with! Keys have a terrible knack for breaking. If you open the case up, you can fix them with super glue. The hammers (metal weights that go up when you press the key and go down themselves when you let go of the key) will break because they are attached with cheap plastic. Roland was trying to save money and still charge a lot for the board. Aluminum would have solved the prob for sure. Too bad though...

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I acquired this keyboard from my church. It was in a back room in storage and was going to be tossed away because a few keys were broken (hammer was disconnected). I saved it from the dumpster because it is perfectly good. I fixed the keys with super glue and it is fine. A few scratches are on it and you can see only a couple of rubbed places on the plastic where some other plastic item rubbed off on it leaving a white streak (this will be fixed). Hey, I want to sell this thing so I can put the money toward a Yamaha P-140, so e-mail me at TRSTY4THEHLYGHST@Gmail.com if you want to see pictures of this particular one and want to talk about a price.

The preset sounds are great, but after loaning my RD500 to a far more professional musician than myself, it came back even better! patch editing is difficult, as is reading the stupid manual, but then when I brought this model I was only ever playing a piano and had no need for the various patches. However life changes and so now I am using several different patches of which I have dumped into the setup memory.
I use this RD500 in both the studio and gigging.

Can't rememeber what the polyphony rate is, although plenty of others on here have already answered the same question. I do use the basic onboard EQ, and somethimes the chorus, but thats about it.

The onboard instruments are great, especially the Pianos and Rhodes. I had an old fender rhodes years ago, and whilst the RD500 can't replace it completely, it does come a close second. I primarily used this keyboard in a contempory church setting, however now I use it for a classic Rock/Disco band and up until now it has been just great....except for the damn keys breaking! I have always liked the warm sounds that Roland keyboards seem to have. I have played plenty of Korg and Yamaha keyboards, but just couldn't get the same warmth.

This is an interesting one. Up until now, I have had to depend on it, even if I broke a key mid gig. I remeber the first time I broke a key, I was just mortified. Being in New Zealand at the time, right on Christmas (Couldn't get hold of the repair guy) so like most other on here I pulled it apart, far more that I had too and rebuilt the offending key. The job took 2 of use about 3 hours, however now I have gotten it down to a fine art and it takes about 5 minutes. I like the idea I read about leaving the screws out in order to fix mid gig on stage. I carry plenty of spare keys (for repairs) and discovered recently that some of the keys will work on different notes. I too have had the same problems with the hammers breaking, and up until now I thought it was just me! I have replaced some, but I really need to replace the lot now. I am now in the process of buying an RD700SX so my RD500 will now become my backup.

Customer support from Roland in New Zealand was practically nil. I understand now, that the sales office is now closed and everything is though a local dealer, which made getting hold of spare keys even harder. I had to put up a good arguement for them to sell them to me.

Yes it was worth every cent that i paid, and if it were stolen or damaged, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. In fact I probably should get a second hand one for spare keys! Over the last 10 years it has been used nearly everyday, been on countless tours around New Zealand and now Australia, and has been hired out to other touring musicians. After 10 years of solid use, I can honestly say that I have more than gotten my moneys worth.

It took me ages to find what I really wanted to get when buying this keyboard, but after a trip to Australia and observing other keyboardists (whom I hold in high regard) using the same model, the day after I got home I went and brought one.

I have gigged this machine now for around ten years and do on average ten gigs per week so that's a lot of transporting. I loave the sounds and the way it can just cut right through the mix. Don't know why but the newer RD's just don't do it the same. The sounds are still great after all, if it sounds like an acoustic piano, what room is there to improve on that. It can't sound more like a piano if I'm already convinced!!!!!!!!

Editing patches and reading manuals though best left to those who can interface with machines telepathically.

The same as everyone else, I have had to superglue almost every single hammer. The RD is currently in being serviced and EVERY hammer is being replaced. I miss it so so so much. My best friend is guitarist and even he drools over it. The polyphony is quite shocking when you start to layer stuff though although I love the action. I take a simple midi out and send it to a VA 76 (arranger thing) which allows me to use the auto chords, still play a full left hand part, allows me to use the full keyboard on the VA as seperate synth and also simplifies the MIDI through for layering with my JV 1080 and control my harmonizer. Clever eh???

I gig with the RD (MIDI'd to a JV1080) two VA76's (one midi'd to a JV1010 and an MDC-1 (the rare dancey module thingy)) although I've had a G800, G1000, XP10, Korrrrrrg Trinity and various other things and I'm really missing it. It's just a really natural machine for me to play. The feel of the keys and the sound really enhance my performance.

Well 10 years, 10 gigs and the worst that's happened is a crackly volume slider ( bearing in mind this thing's had more cans of coke spilled on it than I've probably ever drank) and a few broken hammers. Also I melted the MIDI out socket in an accident with a soldering iron. Never mind, I just hard wired a midi lead onto the midi board. I think I can depend on it. When everything else around me is falling to bits the old RD keeps right on going.

Roland service is absolutely average although I've never had to deal with them regarding the RD, I have had considerable experience with other machines. To be fair, they have always resolved my problems, even to the point of replacing a VA76 once, however, my main problem is that they take so long to do anything. I am a professional musician, NOT a hobbyist and so lack of keyboard = lack of wages = lack of food for me, wife and two kids.

I would actually have bought another one if I could've but I've just put mine in for a major service instead. I could have got a Fantom X8 for less than it will cost to fix my RD but I love it so much I'm spending the money on it.

There are lots of presets but I bought this and use it only for the piano sounds. The pianos are top notch and, in my opinion, better than those in the newer rd-700.

A lot of the synthy presets are good enough to get by with but I use a non-weighted keyboard synth for everything but piano. The RD does pianos wonderfully and has many grand pianos to choose from. You can easily edit to get the amount of brightness you desire (as well as all the other parameters - but I find the brightness is the main thing I adjust). There are several Rhodes patches that are pretty good too and even the clav is useable (but clav is best played on a non-weighted keyboard).

Not sure of the polyphony but it seems to have plenty, I never notice it dropping out but I'm not layering.

Effects are dirt simple -- I don't use much.

I don't really use any of the extra features (split, layer, midi controller) - I just use it as a piano.

I only care about the piano sounds - they are excellent.

All the default settings for accoustic pianos have too much reverb for my taste -- so I reduce the reverb drastically and reduce the chorus a bit, play with the brightness a little and then I have piano sounds that rival anything else out there. Roland seems to nail the piano sound that works well in the mix, either recording or playing live - it just really mixes nicely where the piano is clear and it doesn't muddy up the mix.

These pianos (and several other models that share the same keyboard) are notorious for the hammers breaking. Roland has figured out the problem and corrected it. The hammers used to break even without playing the piano - they were cracked when they were new because of the way the plastic shrunk when it cooled. The metal weights were encased in plastic and when the plastic shrunk it would crack open and the weights would then fall out - instant dead key. This model is quick and easy to replace the hammers - get the new style hammers that don't break and you've got a fantastic piano.

I'll give it a 5 -- the old style hammers get a 0 for reliability and the new hammers have held up wonderfully.

Roland is notorious for horrible support. But their gear sounds so good people keep buying it anyway.

I'd replace it with same model. The only thing that is any better in the newer models is the organ/leslie -- but who wants to play organ on a weighted keyboard? Not me. For piano I think this model beats the newer models.

It took a long time (months) to get used to switching from one sound to another while playing. The presets are great and the ability to tweek them is also a plus for me. I am a non midi piano /extras performer with different bands.

The limitations of this instrument become evident when one layers violins and piano or organ presets while playing 8 or 9 notes and changing them quickly. The bigger the sound, the slower the response of the system, and distortion results. The fix is not to play the cathedral organ sounds layered along with the bass and drum, or other complex combinations. Keep it relatively simple for fast fingering.
Pressure sensitivity is great and uniform. Weighting is excellent ( for about 8 years, then the weights fall off of early versions) I have only touched the capabilities of this instrument, but love to play it into headphones.

Wonderful sounds are available for any piano player.

It is extremely reliable for about 8-10 years from manufacture. I am convinced that the design of the hammers, and the molded plastic material and process used , limits the life of the hammers to about ten years, if you play moderately.

I recently talked to the service manager for the keyboards. He was friendly and professional. He quickly addressed my problem and directed me to the proper service person in my area to rectify my problem.

I love my RD500. It's heavier than the newer models (they were listening to our complaints). The awesome sounds that are available to manipulate and save are worth the extra effort. The fact that the days are numbered on the hammer weights is very disturbing to me, as well as a lot of folks whose testiments I have read. I truly hope that Roland will continue to stand behind their products with respect to their hammer design problems. This instrument is a wonderful thing to play.

I bought the RD500 when it was just released, probably some 10 years ago.
There are mainly three sounds I use from it: grand no 1, organ no 1 and strings no 1.
The piano is a nice piane with good feel and a great sound. The organ I use when playing Pink Foyd stuff. I stayed with the 500 because of this.
The string sound is I use in comfortably numb, but also is great for lots of other music. For all three sound applies that it sounds good from left to right on the keyboard, each octave has its own character, therefore I don't need to change to another sound.

Beside it I use a vk-8 organ and a nord lead 1 synthesizer.

Sometimes I use the equaliser mid to make it a bit more hearable in a heavy dual guitar distorted environment.

see intro

So far very good.

I once (half way) had new key's installed by the dealer, a few where broken.

If the thing has reached the end of it's (mechanical) life I hope I can put the sound engine in a (more portable) box for the three sound I love so much

it's easy to get the factory sounds out of it..duh, but there is a learning curve to using it as a controller, and editing, and saving sounds. i find the manual demonic, and unreadable..have you seen, 'lost in translation'? you do need to muck around w/ trial and error to learn all the midi stuff.

no sequencer, 32-polyphony, no expansion options, midi capabilties are very basic. the features are definitely behind todays standards, but are still useful to the average gigger. the action on this board was the best, imesho when it bought it ten years ago. i'm still statistfied w/it, although the current flagship rd700sx is superior

i've always preferred yamaha's (p200, p90) pianos because they sound slightly 'fuller' and more natural, but i prefered the action of roland at the time of purchase. The most expressive sounds on this instrument are the pianos, and there are enough to cover the gamut of classical, rock..jazz. The electric pianos are adaquate, but there is nothing on it that sounds like a real rhodes, or is funky enough to qualify for a wurly sound. i'm no expert on b3, but i think they are barely servicable, and not very expressive..the rotary effect is a joke even to my novice ears. i actually like the synth pads, and at first i thought the string were 'harsh' sounding, but they are a slow burn and i've changed my view slightly. overall, the sounds are above average

i've had three problems:(1) one broken key (gee, i guess i'm lucky). i fixed it w/ glue, but it broke again..i might try it w/ tape next time. (2). my 'variation' and 'layer' bottons imploaded. i have yet to find any users w/ this problem, and there is nothing in the manual that's coherent enough to teach how to get around it (w/ my dumbass). i have a phobia about sending my gear out to be serviced unless absolutely necessary, so i'd appreciate any suggestions from other users. (3). the damn phone input clips and fizzes the sound out. i have yet to experience how it sounds w/ headphones

this is a professional instrument, otherwise&overall

roland truly sucks in this department. i'm afraid to send them my rd, because of what i've read, and what i've experienced w/ simply trying to get questions answered

this is not an intrument i'd buy again, unless i could find permanent solutions for the reliablity issues aforementioned, and the price was $300. the action is wonderful, and it's a pro-instrument, but i'd buy a yamaha p90, or something more up-to-date.

the keyboards i own are kurz 2661, korg x3/x5dr, rhodes mark 1/73 and a yamaha u1 acoustic piano

Well, seems like the last guy is the only one I've read that doesn't like this board. Yeah, the manual is not particularly user-friendly, but who really ever reads the manual anyway? You have to get into it and play around. I don't think I have a single factory preset in there anymore. If you spend some time with it you can tweak the sounds, touch, etc. and come up with some nice patches. Some editing is definitely needed......

The action on this baby is wonderful. It's a pleasure to play and it can be tweaked to pretty closely mimic the touch and dynamics of a real piano. It's not a synth per se.......works best as a piano.

I use it primarily for piano, organ, and some strings. The piano patches I have created are quite nice and have some adjustability. Rich acoustic grands, attack piano, honky tonk, piano w/string overlay, piano w/organ.....I have 4 good organ sounds.....2 different Hammonds, a Farfisa, and a church type. Clav is okay......strings by themselves are weak, and synth is weaker yet. It plays wonderfully and is nearly as responsive as the real thing.

I've had it for 10 years and transport it in an SKB case. My two problems.....the weights on the hammers (big surprise) and a couple switches. Onstage I can have it apart, switch hammers and be ready to go in about 3 minutes (of course, the first time it happened was a near calamity...). I just had it apart to clean a couple of finicky switches and fix a hammer (3M CA4 adhesive, then wrap with aluminum tape)and counted 8 I have repaired in 10 years.

Huh??

Well, I'm a bassist first (40 years), then a guitarist, then keys. For about the last 20 years I've played guitar and keys in rock and country bands. About 12 years ago I went country, got rid of the 3 board stack and went with one.....when I got the RD-500 I became one with the universe. I have certainly gotten my money's worth - ten years of constant gigging with only a few minor glitches. Great feel, great sound, and a real horse overall.

*If anyone knows where to get replacement hammers or microswitches PLEASE let me know.