Cakewalk A-800PRO

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

61 ratings velocity sensitive

What connection (MIDI, pedals ...)?

MIDI yes, but mostly self-powered USB

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is it enjoyable? Should your use?

The touch is very nice, it's Roland ...

The manual is clear and sufficient?

The manual is very comprehensive, especially as many configuration options are

The general configuration is it simple?

Not really tried it yet, but the software that came with the keyboard seems to help a lot of things

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you been using?

I use it for a month and I'm very happy. I remake this choice without any doubt, is € 280's all good

I was attracted by what he offers on paper and is generally well built specifically:
- Keyboard 61 touch sensitive keys
- 45 assignable controls: controls, sliders, buttons.
- 8 velocity-sensitive pads for playing drums with his fingers and transmit MIDI commands.
- Lever Pitch Bend / Modulation to Roland (normal)
- A small screen
A top connector:
- Possibility to connect pedals maintenance and expression
- Port midi in and out (for that it will buy a power supply more ...)
- USB bus powered - no AC adapter required for it.

Compatible with any digital audio workstation running on Mac or PC.

Moreover, it seems to me almost indestructible (the first day that I, I go home, I forgot to close my window to close, he floated above ... But it has not done anything. I also lugs around all week, he accompanied me in my 500 weekly terminals) and is very lightweight (4.5 kg, it's really really handy!).

This is exactly what I needed.

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is it nice? Should your use?

I find the feel very well built, I'll even sometimes a little hard with samples of my Clavinet. It is really great for electric pianos, organs and synths, but the piano sounds, I prefer a digital piano connected to midi (on my soundcard Edirol, Roland really good things!).
Regarding the pads "velocity sensitive" is better, you can edit velocity curves etc.. But I find them very spoiled (to my taste was a very poor response, remaining support, depending on the angle of attack it will begin to replay itself ...). Let's say it's pretty.

The manual is clear and sufficient?

Okay, but anyway I am a big draw (bouhouhou!).

The general configuration is simple?

I use it mainly with Logic, I just galley (see previous question), I never managed to serve me properly in their preset map for this software but I set myself via keyboard shortcuts, and I have what I need (plug-in change on hand for use live, play, pause etc. ...).
And obviously in Kontakt, it's easy! (Right click to summon his zipper organ and it's done!) Can also get a list of instrument and del'un move to another simply by turning the dial. I did my Nord Electro geek. Of course there are split and dual functions easy to use.
Otherwise, their demos of software I do not use it, so sorry, no opinion on it.

The selection of MIDI channels, patches is easy?

The LCD does a good job, I get confused easily, and most importantly, the bulk Knob to do anything next to the screen (although not very precise: the beginning of his race often done in a vacuum. For example to switch from one to two midi channel it will turn 2 steps) which is very convenient and easy to use.
But what about the screen, I find misguided: it's going up, but it is not sitting quite inclined and is illegible, it must raise a bit in bed to see what it involved.

OVERALL OPINION

Did you try many other models before getting this one?

I use it now for several months, I have used before was a simple keyboard controller M-Audio (Keystation 49e I think), I was afraid of hitting something like that, but not the quality Roland has ben there! Otherwise the rest I know very well especially the touches of digital pianos (here this is not what it is).

What thing do you like most/least about it?

Most is its ergonomics, versatility, connectivity, I like the look too, its quality ... It does very well what he is asked. The USB bus power that's cool too!
The least these are his pads, and the least screen defects duo / Knob approaching so perfect!

What is your opinion about the value for the price? Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?

I found a promo music store while the keyboard is exactly what I was looking (désespérément!) for 280 €. I judge the value for the incredible price, except for a little over 300 € when you see the competition I find it excellent.

Looking for a more extensive MIDI keyboard to come to replace my Korg NANOKEY, I was looking for a model with a reasonable amount of keys.
Also, following a board I turned toward the mark Roland (here "cakewalk by roland" because the software provided with ...). The model, recently to believe there is little information available that match my search was then this one:

-61 Buttons
-USB for use with plug-ins VST
-45 Controllers assignable to midi
Aftertouch-

UTILIZATION

touchdown is pretty nice. I was very wary of what might be on the internet keys "plastic", but I'm not disappointed. So of course this is not a piano (so no sensation "percussions hammer"), but the keys are closed and have a good response for the return. To compose or play a simple song That fills my keyboard. Now I can play silently (although the return of the keys is a bit noisy) and play with instruments, if I returned to my real piano to decipher a waltz by Chopin ...

Overall, the development road is very simple: plug and play, USB, provided you do not miss the little booklet Annex Quick Start, the configuration on Cubase, Sonar, Logic, DP, Live, GarageBand, GM2, is easily done with presets. Better yet, it is recognized natively in Reason 5 and requires no adjustments!
However very few publishing explained. How so, but MIDI for me uninitiated is a crazy language! I gave up the custom, even if in the cubase (excellent) fader changes the pitch of my instruments "Quantum Leap East West"!

last negative point about the versions mentioned below: the modulation back to the center, and sometimes you have to elbow! but in use it is only moderately annoying.


OVERALL OPINION

The past three months, he has not left my office and I am fully satisfied. Despite some complications customization noon, I am very happy to purchase a first of its kind. Structurally sound, sober and elegant, it's already fun to see everyday.
Good surprises me even waited at the opening: of the VST plug-ins provided (virtual instruments) some are very good for "lite" version no particular sequence, battery light on my computer with me now Cell.

I found him still a very attractive price performance ratio: in this range you have aftertouch and all the positive points mentioned above ... coupled with a pedal and a good virtual piano, you can already find a good feeling, but more importantly, by using as a front NANOKEY, this keyboard I was without a doubt open up new possibilities. Remains to be seen in the long term!