We compare Clavia Nord Grand and Roland RD-2000

Functions

Nord Grand

• On the Nord Grand you can layer or split the piano into different sounds. It has two channels, one for acoustic piano sounds and one for everything else, like strings, brasses, synths, choirs and more. The Synth section can be adjusted with Attack, Decay/Release and dynamic controls and category buttons for quick navigation and choice of sounds. You can change all the sounds with basic effects like delay, EQ, Amp/Comp and reverb with three modes – Room, Stage and Hall. It is also possible to make your own samples though the software Nord Sample Editor, free and easy. Furthermore, you can choose from three modes of key sensitivity, to customize the sound to your liking and taste.
  It has a very simple and intuitive user interface

Roland RD-2000

• On the Roland you can layer and split the piano as well. You can make your own sounds by layering up to 8 different sounds or effects. It has two independent soundmodules, the first of which is a dedicated acoustic piano module. The second is SuperNATURAL based with 128 voicing polyphony with electrical pianos and extra sounds. In this soundmodule you’ll find an updated version of the RD-1000 sounds and the MKS-20 soundmodule from the 1980’s. It has Virtual Wheel-organs, modern and vintage synthesizers, clavinet, strings, brasses and much else, over 1100 non-piano sounds. You can download even more sounds on Roland’s webpage.
  The piano has 100 Scene-memories for saving setups, and also has a rhythm section and a metronome.
  The user interface is intuitive, it has 8 knobs with LED status indicators and 9 sliders for control of sounds and effects, and a tonebender and two modulation wheels. Via the RD-2000’s USB audio/MIDI interface, it’s easy to integrate software instruments with a studio DAW or a laptop running your favorite host software on stage. You can control soft synths with zones along with internal sounds and route their audio through the RD-2000 to create a powerful hybrid rig. 

Keys

Nord Grand

• The Nord Grand is equipped with Kawai’s full-weighted RHA (Responsive Hammer Action) keys with a synthetic ivory surface and real hammers. The well balanced and responsive triple sensor keybed features an advanced mechanism providing extraordinary control both when playing percussively as well as pianissimo, with fluent repetitions and retriggering without lifting the key completely. 
  The keys are made so that the hammers in the low end of the piano are heavier than in the light end, like in an acoustic piano. The Let-Off mechanism ensures that the key’s release moves like on Grand Piano.
  The weight of the keys is light, authentic and responsive and the ivory surface helps your fingers to stay put on the keys.

Roland RD-2000

• This piano has Roland’s PHA50 (Progressive Hammer Action) full-weighted keys with Escapement. They are hybrid keys, constructed of wood and molded materials, combining classic feel with rugged durability. Together, Roland’s advanced sensor mechanism and hammer-action design results in an authentic and sensitive keyaction.

Sound

Nord Grand

• Nord’s unique Advanced String Resonance reproduces the intricate interplay of piano strings resonating at their fundamental or harmonic frequencies when other notes are played on the Grand and Upright piano sounds. It also adds the rich resonant ambience of a real piano when playing with pedal down. 
  The Nord Grand factory bank includes 10 Grands, 9 Uprights, 10 Enhanced Electric Pianos, Clavinet, Digital Pianos and more from the exclusive Nord Piano Library. Nord’s Sample Library 3.0 is packed with a large selection of string sounds, brasses, Synths, choirs and much more. Both the Piano library sounds, and the Sample sounds can be downloaded for free on Nord’s webpage.

Roland RD-2000

• The acoustic piano sounds of RD-2000 uses Rolands brand new V-Piano mechanics with total polyphony, which means that the acoustic pianosounds are very natural, responsive and overtone-rich. Roland’s SuperNATURAL soundboard does not use “sample looping”, but their own 88-key, stereo multi-sampling technology. This means that every single note on the piano is modeled in full length from an acoustic piano. It also has a completely natural tone-decay effect and fluent, organic transition between dynamic levels, which contributes to the sensitivity of your playing.

Design

Nord Grand

• The Nord design is simple and elegant, and the Grand looks a lot like the classic Fender Rhodes from the 70’s. It is small and compact with a flat surface and a sloping user interface. It is very recognizable with its dark red Nord color and the Grand stands out by being made completely out of wood. It is both a piano and a beautiful piece of furniture.

Roland RD-2000

• The Roland has a classic stage piano design; it is longer and broader than the Nord (to make room for the tonebender). The user interface has a sloping angle, so it’s easy to use while playing. The buttons are lit up with LED indicators, so you can adjust your settings if you’re on a dark stage. This instrument focuses more on functionality than on design. It is colored black.

Conclusion

Both stage pianos are quality products with many exciting features. Roland has many more all-around functions and effects, especially for rhythmic music, recordings, and performances. The V-piano technology and the SuperNATURAL sounds are incredibly authentic and of the highest standards, and their 88-key sampling really makes Roland stand out. It is a piano that you won’t get bored with, with unlimited customization and sounds from countless different instruments.
Nord has considerably fewer sounds and effects, but has significant strengths in its pianosounds, its unique design and its innovative key-mechanism. Therefore, it is much more suitable for a classical pianist or anyone who cares more about the weight and mechanisms of the piano, than about funky soundboards and tonebenders. Acknowledged by pianists all around the world, this piano is seen as one of the most realistic stage pianos on the market. You can really get in touch with the music with the sensitive and responsive keys which are developed in corporation between Kawai and Nord.