Just came from the store where I got a chance to play the new Roland HP 307. It’s a beautiful instrument and pleasure to play. I was told the bottom price is $ 4199. I also noticed that black keys have visible rough surface. Do you guys also noticed this on your keys? Another question I have about USB stick (Jump drive). Does it record in MIDI or Audio? Can I plug it into my laptop and play it what I’ve recorded using Windows Media Player?

Thanks for your responses. I’m seriously considering this piano.

You can find the HP-307 owner's manual here:

http://media.rolandus.com/manuals/HP-307_OM.pdf

It only saves (or sends) MIDI to whatever is connected to the USB port. Windows Media Player will play back midi files.

Regarding pricing in the U.S.A.: I have one on order, and I'll post my purchase price once it comes in (maybe it will mysteriously rise). Anyway, it is currently much less than the $4199 you've been quoted. But I have to pay sales tax, and also pick it up and assemble it myself (it is a 230 mile round trip to the store). Hopefully it will arrive in the next week or two.

Good luck...

If it's anything like my HP-207, assembly is a no brainer.

Ye don't worry about assemble, it's easy if you follow the manual. You just need 2 persons, 3rd will help with alligning keyboard to the stand.

"Another question I have about USB stick (Jump drive). Does it record in MIDI or Audio? Can I plug it into my laptop and play it what I’ve recorded using Windows Media Player?"

As far as I know, on the stick you can only save MIDI. Play, however, you can both MIDI and Audio files.

[quote=trolls99
As far as I know, on the stick you can only save MIDI. Play, however, you can both MIDI and Audio files.[/quote]

OK, so I won't be able to play on my PC what I have recorded on HP-307. Correct?

That's what I would assume. You need an external recorder (PC, MP3-Player with Line-In etc.) for recording your play.

I believe that no digital piano will allow you to directly save the audio (workstations can do that); but of course can you save audio if you connect a soundcard to the Line-out of the DP.

Hi Trolls,

I believe the new Yamaha CP-5 will record and playback audio as well as MIDI.

Quote from the specifications:

"Record and playback functions for MIDI and audio"

Would you (or anyone else) know if the HP-307 is using the same synthetic ivory keys as the HP-207; you know, the one with the "dandruff" issues?

Best regards,

Colleen

Key dandruff was an issue with the plastic formula on an early batch of PHA-II keyboards, allegedly solved long ago by Roland. Roland UK are replacing keyboards with this issue I believe, even when they are out of guarantee so I wouldn't worry.

My Clavinova can save audio direct to USB, no problem. It's a great facility to have. It's a shame Roland are not specifying this on their stuff.

By the way, I've heard only very positive stuff about the HP307. I spent an hour today with a Roland UK product specialist who had come to discuss my V-Piano with me: his main area of interest within the company is synths and pro gear. He told me the 307 is the first "cabinet" piano he has heard that really does it for him, he said it is amazingly nice.

Cheers,

Steve

KAWAI CA63 / CA 93 and other brands as well have this feature (record audio directly to a USB stick).

Audio to USB is a very handy feature, I agree...my Yamaha PSR-S901 has it too.

I'm surprised that Roland hasn't implemented this convenient feature as well, even on the upper range, but I'm more surprised the CP-5 has it, while the more expensive CP-1 is without.

I've been busy gigging (the S910 is a great little one man band), so I haven't been following the threads closely, so if I'm asking something you've already answered, please accept my apologies.

Have you tried the Roland RD-series piano with the new Supernatural board?

Did the key dandruff issue involve the RD as well, and if so, was it also resolved?

Snazzy

Hi Snazzy,

Well there's a story here...today Roland sent someone along to discuss my issues with the V-Piano...yes, midrange woes I'm afraid that I find difficult to live with, just like Lawrence. The outcome is that I am returning it in exchange for a RD-700GX, Supernatural upgrade kit and some other stuff. There is only one upgrade kit in the UK and they are trying to get that for me, if not I'll have to wait a while for that. So I haven't played it yet. The RD-700GX as standard is pretty good, not mind-blowing by any means but decent enough. I considered a CP1 (or a CP5 which to be honest would have been the one I went for) but it was a difficult situation to resolve and I have had to stick with Roland for the time being which in view of how good the upgrade is alleged to be is no bad thing for a couple of years.

As I understand it the dandruff issue was actually first highlighted on the RD-700GX. I'm not an insider but my understanding is that is is all resolved. My V-Piano came with an info sheet on it and it said the keys wear in over time (note wear IN not OUT!!) and it is a characteristic of the unique material they use blah blah.

Cheers,

Steve

Steve, I'm here in my official capacity to formally beg you for a DPBSD of the best stock piano in the RD-700GX, as well as one from the Supernatural upgrade when you get it .

For some reason with the HP-307 we weren't able to capture any key or pedal noises or sympathetic resonance via MIDI playback. You might want to confirm that this is indeed possible on the 700GX expansion - not being able to do that would be a deal killer for me.

Ok will see what I can do. It will either be this Saturday or Thursday next week. Cheers!

Im almost sure you can find which midi data represents the information to play the pedal sound etc because when you record it on piano and play back it is still there. The manual lists some functions implemented in midi but I have no idea what they all mean or how to check it.

Well, congratulations, it looks like you have joined the exclusive FV-POC ( "former V-Piano owners" club). I opted for the CP1, have had it for about a week, and am loving it. I hope your V-Piano exit plan works out as well! (In my case, I realized that I have played Roland's for a long time, and perhaps became burned out on the "Roland piano sound". (I still play a HP-207, though, every week). So, although I did consider the RD-700GX, the CP1 offered the oppourtunity to get a different piano sound.

Lawrence

I play the HP-207 each week to rehearse a choir. In fact, I used to own two HP-207's - one in my home studio, and one for the above mentioned choir.

I will be very interested to play the HP-307 to see what enhancements have been made.

Anyone know where I can get the MIDI implementation for the HP-307? I've got the users manual, but I don't see any SYSEX info in there. In particular, I want to know how to control the "piano designer" doodads:

Lid
Damper Resonance
Hammer Noise
Duplex Scale
String Resonance
Key Off Resonance
Cabinet Resonance
Damper Noise

TIA!

What about RD-700GX MIDI implementation?? Could it be similar??