Product Overview

The Roland RD-88 EX is an exciting update to the popular RD-88, designed to push the boundaries of stage performance and creativity. It builds on the legacy of the RD series, which has been a staple on stages worldwide for over three decades, by introducing cutting-edge technology in a lightweight, portable form. At just 29 lbs, the RD-88 EX is perfect for musicians who need professional-quality sound without the burden of heavy equipment.

One of the key upgrades in the RD-88 EX is the integration of Roland’s powerful ZEN-Core Synthesis System. This advanced sound engine allows you to craft incredibly detailed tones across a vast range of instruments, from vintage synthesizers to cutting-edge modern sounds. Whether you need expressive acoustic piano tones, rich synth textures, or complex layers, ZEN-Core provides unparalleled flexibility for live and studio settings. Coupled with Roland’s renowned SuperNATURAL™ Piano technology, the RD-88 EX delivers authentic acoustic piano sounds with stunning realism and dynamic response.

The RD-88 EX also features Roland’s trusted PHA-4 Standard keyboard, ensuring a highly responsive, natural feel that replicates the touch of a grand piano. With over 3,000 sounds at your fingertips, you have endless creative options to suit any musical genre, while onboard effects and customizable controllers give you full control over your sound.

In addition, the RD-88 EX comes equipped with a high-quality speaker system, perfect for practice sessions or small performances when an external amp isn’t available. Whether you’re a professional stage performer or a recording artist, the RD-88 EX offers the best of Roland’s RD series at a price point under $2,000, making it one of the most powerful and versatile stage pianos on the market today.

Action

The Roland RD-88 EX features the trusted PHA-4 Standard action, offering a professional-grade playing experience that rivals higher-end instruments. This fully weighted, 88-key action comes equipped with high-resolution sensing for precise responsiveness, ensuring that every nuance of your playing is captured with incredible accuracy. The PHA-4 action is renowned for its realistic feel, with ivory-like textures on the white keys and an ebony feel on the black keys, providing a natural grip and comfort during long performances.

One of the standout features of the PHA-4 action is its escapement mechanism, which simulates the subtle “click” felt when playing a grand piano. This attention to detail makes the RD-88 EX ideal for pianists seeking an authentic acoustic experience. The keyboard construction is solid and durable, designed to minimize mechanical noise or distracting “clunks” during play, even in the most dynamic performances.

Although not always highlighted, the PHA-4 Standard is a triple-sensor action, ensuring that the MIDI output is highly accurate, making it a perfect companion for home studio production. Whether you’re performing live or creating in the studio, the PHA-4 action in the Roland RD-88 EX delivers a superior, expressive feel that enhances your musical performance.

Tone

The Roland RD-88 EX is powered by the impressive combination of Roland’s SuperNATURAL™ sound engine and the advanced ZEN-Core Synthesis System, delivering an unmatched range of tones and sound-shaping capabilities. With 256-note polyphony and a massive library of over 3,000 sounds, the RD-88 EX covers everything from expressive acoustic pianos to vintage electric pianos, cutting-edge synths, and a wide array of instruments including strings, brass, pads, and percussion. Whether you’re seeking modern textures or authentic recreations of classic sounds, the RD-88 EX has you covered.

The RD-88 EX offers extensive sound customization with 90 types of Zone multi-effects, Zone EQs, and a variety of modulation options including choruses, delays, and reverbs. You also have eight assignable control knobs and two assignable tone wheels, providing hands-on access to key parameters for live sound manipulation and studio creativity. This makes it an excellent tool for musicians who want real-time control over their performance.

In addition to its vast sonic palette, the RD-88 EX includes a built-in speaker system, which is a unique feature for stage pianos in this class. While the 12-watt speakers are modest in power, they are perfect for rehearsals, practice sessions, and smaller performances when an external amplifier isn’t available. For larger stages, you’ll still want to plug into an amp, but the onboard speakers offer a convenient solution for everyday use.

With the powerful combination of the ZEN-Core engine, SuperNATURAL technology, and an array of editing options, the RD-88 EX provides a fully customizable and versatile sound experience, making it one of the most flexible stage pianos available today.

Connectivity

The Roland RD-88 EX is equipped with a comprehensive range of connectivity options to suit a variety of performance and studio needs. For audio output, it offers two 1/4″ line outputs (L/Mono, R), ensuring compatibility with external amps, mixers, and PA systems. There’s also a stereo mini jack input, allowing you to connect external audio sources, like smartphones or music players, directly into the piano for playback during practice or performance.

For pedal inputs, the Roland RD-88 EX features connections for damper, control, and expression pedals, giving you added versatility and control over your sound. MIDI connectivity is fully supported with both MIDI in and out ports, perfect for integrating the RD-88 EX into a larger keyboard rig or studio setup. Additionally, the instrument includes a USB memory port for data storage and a USB-B port to connect directly to your computer for MIDI or audio recording.

While the RD-88 EX doesn’t include Bluetooth connectivity, which is available on some models in Roland’s FP series, its robust physical connections ensure you’re well-equipped for both live and studio environments. It also comes with a standard 1/4″ headphone jack, making it easy to practice in private. Whether you’re performing on stage, recording, or just playing at home, the RD-88 EX offers the connectivity to meet all your needs.

Notable Features

It’s worth highlighting again just how impressive the Roland RD-88 EX’s portability is. Weighing in at only 29 lbs, it is ideal for gigging musicians who need to travel light without sacrificing sound quality. Plus, the inclusion of an onboard speaker system is a huge convenience, providing built-in sound for rehearsals or small performances when an amp isn’t available. This combination of professional features and portability makes the RD-88 EX a standout in the stage piano world.

• ZEN-Core Synthesis and SuperNATURAL Piano engines
• PHA-4 Standard 88-note keybed with escapement and ivory-feel keytops
• Onboard 12W stereo amplifier with two speakers
• Compact and lightweight at just 29 lbs for easy transport
• Over 3,000 sounds, including synths, strings, brass, and more
• 90 types of Zone multi-effects, Zone EQs, reverb, chorus, delay, and more
• 8 assignable control knobs and 2 assignable tone wheels
• MIDI Master Keyboard functionality and DAW control
• USB-to-host and USB memory ports for computer connectivity
• Compatible with DP-10 sustain pedal with half-damper control

Conclusions

The Roland RD-88 EX is a versatile, professional-quality stage piano that brings the renowned RD experience to a new level of portability and affordability. With its lightweight design, powerful sound engines, and extensive features, it’s an exceptional option for musicians seeking top-tier performance at an accessible price point.

Roland RD-88 EX Owner’s Manual

• [English] RD-88 EX Owner’s Manual