Moon Zero Two Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 I did a gig with my Stage Compact and the GEM RP-x Piano expander on Friday - acoustic pop/jazz - all I can say is - the problem with the piano sound on the Nord Stage isn't the keybed -like a lot of people have been telling me - oh of course you can't play piano from the compact keyboard - wrong - oh the Stage only sounds good in Stereo - Wrong - oh you need a two thousand dollar sound system if you want the Nord to sound good - wrong - the problem is the internal Stage Piano sound is terrible. MONO, STEREO, whatever: it stinks. I used the Gem RP-X on Friday and couldn't be happier. Sounded great. I ran it and my Nord in stereo through two Barbetta's 41C's - bass player came over to me after one song and said "What's different? The piano sounds great this week." I only used the first couple of presets - mostly the first one. Look I love the portability of the Stage, I love the ease of use - the rhodes sounds amazing, I did a big band thing last Wednesday and only used B3 sounds and the band loved the sound. (there was a piano player besides me - she played a real CP70B - I used to think the Nord internal CP sound was good - but a real CP70 blew it - and any other CP sound I have heard - away. B@lls like you wouldn't believe.} I have tried a lot of things to get a piano sound out of the Stage that was decent and just haven't been able to do it. People in the crowd have told me how awful the piano sound is so it isn't just me. The GEM module kills it. The two together are gonna make this boy a happy camper. If you aren't happy with the Stage piano sound get a GEM RP-X. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Link Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I love hearing about folks who hit upon a perfect solution for their gigging situation, but for the cost of the Nord Stage, I wanted it to be, well...perfect (or at least close). Glad to hear you've hit upon a good solution and are obviously enjoying it. Have fun. aka âmisterdregsâ Nord Electro 5D 73 Yamaha P105 Kurzweil PC3LE7 Motion Sound KP200S Schimmel 6-10LE QSC CP-12 Westone AM Pro 30 IEMs Rolls PM55P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKeys Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I am telling all .... Buy keyboard of choice be it for the keybed or sounds and then add the RP-x and you will have a KILLER piano on top of it all. GEM RP-x RULES "is there gas in the car" that means a Casio/RP-X combo for the back. Jimmy Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT www.steveowensandsummertime.com www.jimmyweaver.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 BluesKeys, I'm overdue for another livingroom jam at your place. I want to hear the GEM. I've been playing tonight against Doobies - Livin' on the Fault Line. Michael McDonald - that's some blue-eyed soul. Sounds like he grew up in our neck of the woods. Don't tell Cydonia, but I found the Electric Sheep setup on my Kurz. Electric Sheep... that's just wrong. "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botch Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I've been playing tonight against Doobies - Livin' on the Fault Line. The title cut of that album is probably my favorite Doobies tune, extremely tasty! Botch In Wine there is Wisdom In Beer there is Freedom In Water there is bacteria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeNZ Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Great, you found the Electric Sheep setup. Phillip K. Dick has not been forgotten!! Read the book and it will all make sense - the movie doesn't give you any clue. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglow Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Jamey Was Right, I've been using my Nord Stage 88 and RP-X for a couple of months now and I whole-heartedly agree with everything you've said. This is truly a match made in heaven! Now we finally have a grand piano on par with the Stage's stellar B-3 and Rhodes. Interestingly, I use a Barbetta as well, albeit an SE-32 run in mono. I round out my set-up with a Korg Trinity as I also need ROMpler sounds (e.g., brass, acoustic violins, flutes, etc.). I've been diggin' patch #4 on the RP-X as I play in a really loud band and need something to cut through. However, patch #1 is really sweet; I would definitely use this for solo work. One word of caution: be really careful in adjusting the velocity sensitivity on the RP-X while using the Nord Stage.....a little goes a long way. This is more of a Nord Stage issue than an RP-X issue as there is no way to adjust the velocity curves on the NS for "Extern" sounds. Have you explored the RP-X editor? Im hearing this is a must do. Hopefully, I'll be taking take the plunge soon! "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzwee Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I've been thinking of the Casio CDP-100/Gem RP-X combo for awhile. This is really worth considering. Is there some online sample of RPX piano sounds somewhere? Hamburg Steinway O, Crumar Mojo, Nord Electro 4 HP 73, EV ZXA1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Samples here, albeit way too short: http://www.musik-service.de/gem-rp-x-piano-soundmodul-prx395758425de.aspx Click on the Demos tab. The Fazioli piano is the one most people are raving about. Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moon Zero Two Posted May 14, 2007 Author Share Posted May 14, 2007 gotta find out how to adjust the velocity level in the GEM - when I cycle through the edit menus with the fron panel button it skips over velocity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
area51recording Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Don't have it in front of me, but I think if you press the edit button until the display reads "ALL" then you can adjust the velocity, as I believe it's a global parameter. BTW I've had mine since Friday and it is indeed a GREAT sounding piece of gear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglow Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 gotta find out how to adjust the velocity level in the GEM - when I cycle through the edit menus with the fron panel button it skips over velocity It shouldn't. Turn your RP-X off, then perform the following operations, sequentially: 1. Turn on the RP-X. 2. Press the "Edit" button once. 3. Press the right arrow (>) button four times (i.e., until "ALL" appears). 4. Press the "Edit" button twice ("00" will appear). 5. Use the arrow buttons to increase/decrease velocity sensitivity. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moon Zero Two Posted May 15, 2007 Author Share Posted May 15, 2007 Moonglow That did the trick - I kept using the edit button to cycle through the sections. Moral is to read the manual. And frankly I am glad you confirm my feeling about the GEM/Stage. I was told to stop whining over at the Nord forum for the same post above - and I probably should - I mean Know Your Audience - just that the GEM just blew the Stage out of the water in the piano department - sounded great right away and I am sick of being told that the Stage sounds like a real piano so either it's my ears or my sound system or the organ touch keybed. The Gem just sounded great right out of the box - I got it at 4 in the afternoon and was gigging with it by 9 o'clock. Couldn't be happier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3_john Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I found two Concert Piano samples here: http://www.purgatorycreek.com/documents/25.html [purgatorycreek.com] Scroll down to GEM RP-X and hit the details button to the left. What other piano-esque sounds does the RP-X have? Brighter "live band" pianos? Any EPs of note? I can find almost nothing online about this piano module. John GP sacred cow of the year: Jimmy Vaughan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harmonizer Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 great thread, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keynote Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 What other piano-esque sounds does the RP-X have? Brighter "live band" pianos? Any EPs of note? I can find almost nothing online about this piano module. John There are 50 patches total with about 12 acoustic pianos including an Upright. You have Rhodes, Wurli, Clav, several Pads and Choirs, but NO Organs. GEM calls it a Piano module and that's what you basically get. For all those who are loving the RP-X sound module from GEM I salute you and I'm really glad the RP-X is turning out to be a great Piano sound module. OTOH, I would like to put out a shameless plug for another Italian Keyboard manufacturer that is probably not well known to a lot of keyboardists yet they too have some great products to offer in my opinion. In fact I believe in the near future this keyboard company i.e. "Ketron" will begin to make some serious inroads into the mainstream of the music scene that will reverberate world wide. Ketron also offers sound modules with the latest called the "SD2" sound module. Not only does it have various Piano and Elec. Piano sounds like the GEM RP-X but the Ketron SD2 has a vast array of other sounds including Organs, Strings, Percussion, Guitars, Bass, Woodwind including Sax, Brass, etc. NOTE: The Ketron SD2 has RCA output jacks but you can easily get some RCA to 1/4" etc. connector cables from the likes of Hosa and so forth. The SD2 also has a USB interface and a Midi IN/THRU interface. The SD2 also supports channel Aftertouch. PS: This is an alternative sound module that is not meant to compete with the GEM RP-X. If you only want basically just Piano sounds then I highly recommend the RP-X. The Ketron SD2 may be an option for someone who wants an inexpensive solution for gigging or for using at home and/or with a computer. For those of you who don't have a keyboard already you can use the SD2 with a Master Controller keyboard, which are fairly inexpensive, or use the keyboard you already have to supplement your sounds. >> The SD2 is indeed inexpensive at under $400. Although the only place I've been able to find it online is at www.musiciansbuy.com If you do some searching you may find it cheaper at some other online store. Here are several demos showcasing the SD2's sounds. (There are several in my opinion that would be worth the price of the SD2 in and of themselves). Also at the bottom I've included some additional info about it if anyone is interested: BTW, I am in no way affiliated with Ketron. I am just a passionate musician who is interested in all facets of music making and am providing this information simply as a way of expanding the opportunity and the knowledge for others (as well as me) to do just that. Again, not meaning to detract from the GEM RP-X which is proving to be an outstanding and inexpensive Piano Module, just giving another option to someone who may be looking for more than just Piano sounds - in a module form. All sounds are from the SD2 - i.e. lead voices and/or otherwise. Enjoy! Ketron SD2 Various Sound Demos Ketron SD2 Various Sound Demos 2 Ketron SD2 Pop Piano Ketron SD2 Organ Ketron SD2 Rock Organ Ketron SD2 Various Sound Demos 3 Ketron SD2 Various Sound Demos 4 Ketron SD2 Various Sound Demos 5 Ketron SD2 Orchestral Demo Ketron SD2 Bolero Demo Ketron SD2 Demo 1 Ketron SD2 Demo 2 Ketron SD2 "Slow" Demo Ketron SD2 "Soka" Demo Ketron SD2 "Strat Guitar" Demo SD2 Spec Sheet SD2 Brochure.pdf SD2 Manual.pdf Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglow Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I found two Concert Piano samples here: http://www.purgatorycreek.com/documents/25.html [purgatorycreek.com] Scroll down to GEM RP-X and hit the details button to the left. What other piano-esque sounds does the RP-X have? Brighter "live band" pianos? Any EPs of note? I can find almost nothing online about this piano module. John Patch #4 is a bright piano that is excellent for cutting through a band mix. I play in a loud band so I need this type of patch. I've heard that patch #1 also works well in a live band situation, but it seems this is best accomplished after modifying the patch with the editor. I don't play the RP-X Rhodes patches very much (I prefer the Nord Stage), but they are very nice. Hope this helps. P.S. Do a search on this forum for more RP-X info. There's been a lot of recent banter regarding this axe. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andi.k Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 @b3_john: you should find some specs and user manuals on the GEM homepage: http://www.generalmusic.com/html/prodotti.asp?cod=xserie&lingua=eng&frame=ca For the EP's on the RP-X - it has 4 different Rhodes, 2 Wurlys, 2 Clavinets - all of them physically modeled and 2 other Clavinets based on PCM samples. Has anyone tried a tube preamp (simulator) on the Rhodes/Wurlys/Clavs of the RP-X? I prefer this very much over the Clavia patches!!! It sounds way more alive and in addition the RP-X mimics the key-off noise of these vintage keys pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jook Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 andi - care to share some recordings of your RP-X EP's (through a tube preamp or however you like it)? I have yet to hear any of the GEM physically modelled EPs which are to my liking... the previous demos that I have heard all sound somewhat artificial and lacking in the details I enjoy. I love GEM's pianos however and the theory of their physically modelled EPs appeals to me (I kinda imagined that ideally it would be even better than MrRay for example, which is also physically modelled). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanZea Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I'm also interested in a recording of the Rhodes sound through a Tube-amp... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3_john Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 The real question is where can I find an RP-X online? Preferably in the US? John GP sacred cow of the year: Jimmy Vaughan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglow Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 The real question is where can I find an RP-X online? Preferably in the US? John b3_john, Check your PM. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Aiken Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 The real question is where can I find an RP-X online? Preferably in the US? John b3_john, Check your PM. Could someone please PM me a source for this module as well? Thanks!!!! Moog The One, VV 64 EP, Wurlies 200A 140 7300, Forte 7, Mojo 61, OB-6, Prophet 6, Polaris, Hammond A100, Farfisa VIP, ,Young Chang 6', Voyager, E7 Clav, Midiboard, Linnstrument, Seaboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangsu Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 WHY IS IT A SECRET? "........! Try to make It..REAL! compared to what? ! ! ! " - BOPBEEPER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKeys Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Beethree check your PM Jimmy Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT www.steveowensandsummertime.com www.jimmyweaver.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jook Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 I've wondered when gangsu would appear on this thread! Glad to see you here, coz yes, it is noted that you've said many times how great the GEM pianos are on this forum People should really listen! I think partially the excitement comes from the fact that the piano sound is now being available in a portable, convenient form which can be easily added to people's rigs without having to reconsider all their other boards... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangsu Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Hey jook! I just wondered why the PM'ing? If there's a dealer, tell us about it. "........! Try to make It..REAL! compared to what? ! ! ! " - BOPBEEPER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKeys Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 gangsu, I was under the impression it was taboo to "advertise" here on the forum. I am just following "forum decorum." Jimmy Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT www.steveowensandsummertime.com www.jimmyweaver.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangsu Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Hi Jim - It might be inappropriate to advertise price, but location seems harmless enough. "........! Try to make It..REAL! compared to what? ! ! ! " - BOPBEEPER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3_john Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 b3_john, Check your PM. Huh, I got nothin'. No new PM... John GP sacred cow of the year: Jimmy Vaughan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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