The RK-500’s built-in sounds faithfully reproduce the characteristics of real instruments, and more. The piano, in particular, is based on stereo multi-sampling that fully captures the nuances of a full concert grand piano — from impressively strong bass end to sparkling treble. To complete the experience, the RK-500 is equipped with a Progressive Hammer-action Keyboard with escapement, which is provides an authentic, natural touch.

VIMA directly links to large-screen TVs and digital movie devices, so you can incorporate your own sounds with movies and images. Connect a host of devices, such as a portable audio/video device, digital cameras, video cameras, and CD and DVD Players. While you're playing the keyboard with your right hand, for example, you can change the images with your left, as if you were playing the visual media as a musical instrument. Enjoy easy control over your music and images!

First-timers and pros alike can enjoy the RK-500. The large, easy-to-read buttons are arranged according to function, making it easy to locate the controls you need. When a song is playing, the song title is clearly displayed on the onboard LCD panel. The LCD is also a touch panel, enabling a wide variety of friendly point-and-touch operation functions.

The RK-500’s onboard songs span a wide variety of genres, ranging from timeless standards and pop hits to classical music, jazz, and beyond. The ever-expanding VIMA TUNES™ CD-ROM library (available separately) will continue to provide you with an ongoing source of new titles for building your collection of music.

The RK-500 is equipped with echo and other fun vocal effects to enhance and alter your voice. Get into the party mood by changing from a woman's voice to a man's during a duet, or croon with uniquely altered voices that sound like a duck, robot, alien, and more. In addition, you can use the RK-500’s D Beam to make smooth alterations to the sound by moving your hand over the invisible beam. A simple hand motion can add an expressive touch to your songs.

Equipped with Roland's state-of-the-art speaker system, the RK-500 delivers a rich, resonant, full-frequency sound that has presence and depth. Fill your room with great sound, and it’s all built into the RK-500, so there are no additional speakers, amps, or cables to connect.

To start a karaoke party, simply plug in a microphone (sold separately). With multi-colored lyrics displayed on a large-screen TV, everyone can sing along. If you connect another mic, you can enjoy duet performances. Use the supplied remote control to select songs and play, return, and stop, or to adjust the tempo and key. You can use Melody Mute to reduce the recorded voices on prerecorded CDs so you can sing lead vocals with the original backing band.

During playback, you can see a graphical Piano Roll representation of the sound using computer-generated images. There are two modes: One is inspired by the classic punch-hole paper Pianola rolls of the early 20th century, while the other mode displays notes in colored bands. Additionally, you can chose to watch traditional music notation scrolling onscreen as the music plays. It’s educational and fun!

While a song is playing back, you can have fun by adding your own contribution to the music using a single finger. If you want to learn a song, the Tempo Adjustment and Melody Mute functions will make the process easier for you. For example, you can practice songs as they play back at slower tempo. By muting the melody part, you can play along with a full orchestra or band.

Each of the RK-500’s songs is automatically programmed with three recommended Tone choices for the melody. When you activate a song, you can instantly choose from the trio of recommended Tones with just one button. You’ll likely find the sound you want from the selection of three, but you can always freely choose other sounds too.

Roland is proud to announce the new VIMA Recreational Keyboard earned Best in Show honors at the Winter NAMM Show in January 2007. The popular Best in Show panel capped NAMM University’s free breakfast sessions offered during the show, held January 18-21 in Anaheim, California. A group of industry experts were invited to shop the show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, pick their favorite companies, products and services and present the winners in five categories during the Sunday morning panel. The Roland VIMA earned Best in Show accolades.