Review: Roland RD-88 EX – Stage Piano

When it comes to stage pianos, you can never have too many sounds—and Roland seems to have taken this to heart with the RD-88 EX. The updated model now includes an acoustic piano expansion and an additional 3,000 non-piano sounds.

You can combine this vast selection of sounds into scenes and layers, then shape them with over 90 types of effects—no other stage piano in this price range offers more possibilities. But how does this portable piano, which could almost be mistaken for a synthesizer, actually perform?

Format, Build Quality, and Feel

One immediate improvement over the RD-88: the small footswitch (Roland DP-2) has been replaced with the half-pedal-capable Roland DP-10—thank you, Roland!

Not only is the RD-88 EX extremely compact, making it easy to transport and set up, but its build quality and overall feel are top notch. The Ivory Feel concept extends beyond the keyboard to the chassis, which has a pleasantly textured, grippy surface and feels exceptionally sturdy.

Its nine control knobs are firm and stable, as are the two wheels for modulation and pitch. While the compact design means the RD-88 EX uses smaller wheels, these perform exceptionally well.

The display is clear and easy to read, though at first glance, it seems a bit small—an impression that becomes even more apparent during use.

Flexible Connectivity

The Roland RD-88 EX offers plenty of connectivity options. To start with, two USB ports allow simultaneous connection to a computer and external storage devices. However, there is only one classic 5-pin MIDI OUT port, meaning MIDI input is only possible via USB.

The three pedal inputs provide versatile functionality. You can either connect a three-pedal unit like the Roland RPU-3 for a grand piano-style setup or use three separate pedals—one for sustain and two freely assignable ones. Moreover, the RD-88 EX supports half-pedal functionality.

Last but not least, the RD-88 EX offers a variety of audio connections: There is a microphone input and a line-in for external sound sources alongside a stereo output and headphone jack. Additionally, the built-in USB audio/MIDI function allows seamless integration of computers and mobile devices into the stage piano’s audio system.

Excellent Keyboard with a Realistic Playing Feel

Naturally, the keyboard is our main focus, and the RD-88 EX delivers a fantastic playing experience—kudos to Roland for this. The PHA-4 hammer action keyboard offers a remarkably realistic feel, enhanced by Ivory Feel keytops and let-off simulation for both comfort and precise control.

The key weighting is perfectly balanced, resulting in a pleasant, natural touch. With keys that glide effortlessly under your fingers, you can perform fast passages with precision. There’s no risk of finger fatigue from excessive resistance, nor does the action feel overly light or spongy.

The keyboard is pleasantly quiet, which can likely be attributed to the RD-88 EX’s compact and solid construction.

The key surfaces are comfortable to play—while the white keys have a slightly rougher texture than the black ones, all keys provide a secure grip. The key travel and scale length further enhance the impression of playing an acoustic piano.

What’s particularly impressive is that you can physically feel the hammer action through the keys—much like on an acoustic instrument and something I personally appreciate.

High-Quality Sounds in Abundance

Roland has a distinct sound, particularly when it comes to acoustic pianos—of course, sound is a matter of personal taste. That said, the RD-88 EX delivers technically impressive sound quality, thanks to its ZEN-Core sound engine and SuperNATURAL sound modeling for both acoustic and digital piano presets.

With 39 dedicated piano presets—referred to as “scenes” by Roland—the RD-88 EX offers a wide range of tonal possibilities. Of course, it also includes the “One Touch Piano” quick-select button, providing instant access to a core piano sound that impresses with its brilliance and presence. Other instrument categories include E. Piano, Clav/Mallet, Organ, Strings, Pad/Choir, Guitar/Bass, Brass/Winds, Synth, and Other.

The electric pianos and mallet presets sound consistently excellent and highly realistic, although I’ve heard better Clavinet sounds. I also really like the organs, although the selection of classical organs in this category feels somewhat limited. The strings were a pleasant surprise, delivering a warm and natural tone. As with many other digital pianos and keyboards, the brass, guitar, and synth sounds fall slightly short.

Mini Display and Handling

There’s little to criticize about the sound. However, navigating through the RD-88 EX’s extensive sound library reveals one drawback: the menu system feels a bit clunky and unintuitive, partly due to the small display. Skipping between scenes isn’t as seamless as it could be and may be a challenge for some users. While not a deal-breaker, it’s a shame that Roland didn’t refine this aspect a bit more.

How Do the Speakers Sound?

The RD-88 EX’s speakers can best be described as “small but mighty.” Roland has strategically placed the four speakers according to their function on the top and bottom of the instrument, allowing enough internal space to accommodate 12 cm full-range speakers on the bottom.

Sonically, this design pays off—despite the compact size of the RD-88 EX, the speakers deliver impressively deep and punchy bass. Even in the contra and subcontra octaves, the piano presets maintain plenty of depth and presence. String and synth sounds also have a well-defined bass. For chamber music settings, the built-in speakers may even be sufficient on their own, provided the required volume can be achieved solely through the stage piano.

The tweeters deliver smooth, sparkling highs without sounding harsh or tiring, even during extended playing sessions. Despite the relatively small perforations in the case, Roland has managed to achieve a remarkably clear and direct projection of highs and mids, with a wide stereo image.

One feature I particularly appreciate is the ability to switch off the built-in speakers at the touch of a button, for example when they are unnecessary or even distracting in a studio setting. For live performances, however, they double as on-stage monitors—perfect!

Conclusion: I’d Love to Keep This One, But…

Compact, lightweight, and packed with sounds and effects—what more could you ask for in a stage piano at this price point? The RD-88 and RD-08 have already proven to be solid instruments, earning high marks in our tests. The Roland RD-88 EX takes things a step further in terms of features, but while it retains the familiar design, it also inherits some of the shortcomings of its predecessors.

This stage piano is particularly well-suited for musicians who need quick access to presets in the studio or on stage. However, those who want to dive deep into sound design will need patience, as the small display and somewhat cumbersome menu navigation can make editing less intuitive.

Despite its extensive selection of sounds and effects, the RD-88 EX isn’t exclusively geared toward professionals. Its size, weight, and price make it equally appealing to beginners and ambitious hobby pianists who want a great keyboard, excellent piano sounds, and a broad sonic palette—whether for home practice or small performances.

Roland RD-88 EX – Overview

Release date: August 2024
Keyboard: 88 graded, weighted keys with Ivory Feel and let-off simulation
Polyphony: 128 voices
Included: Stage piano, power supply, sustain pedal
Manufacturer/Distributor: Roland

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