Roland A-33

What motivated my choice to it's mostly 76 keys in a footprint and a moderate weight.

It only lacks aftertouch.

2 "midi out" it is very convenient to control two expanders on stage.

UTILIZATION

The hit is good enough "heavy" to control virtual synths and piano with hints in the game.

The programming of the beast is not the most "simple" but it is complete as long as one is manual at hand.

It is difficult to learn by heart the keystrokes for programming and lack of screen does not help, but with the manual, it does very well.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for more than 10 years on stage and at home, I had many keyboards.
I love the feel of this keyboard, its size and weight.

The "indestructible" side of the contraption still appeals to me, I've played shows with and
it is still perfectly functional and aesthetically very good.

At the bargain price, it is still a good "76", solid, safe bet.

- What technical specifications motivated your choice?
Size of the keyboard
Touch
Connectors

- What connector (MIDI pedals ...)?...
See other opinions. Retailer is

UTILIZATION

- The touch keyboard is it enjoyable? Should your use?
Yes

- The configuration gnrale Is it easy?
Not

- The select MIDI channels, patch is easy?
Yes

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Yes

Missing some CONTRL and aftertouch.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
6 months

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
Goodies:
Its large size
low weight
Enjoyable touch
The connection

Cons:
No aftertouch
One Controller (c'tait not fashion knobs)
Configuration boring. Fortunately there is a max of memory.

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
Some

- How do you report qualitprix?
For me, since I have excellent touch 150 euros!
It seems the rate 200 euros opportunity and I think a good plan.

- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
Yes. And I'm not prt of me spare.

Chet had a PC-160A to connect on my MC-505. A first attempt. In practice, c'tait too short.
I hsit between the A-33 (for all over above) and PCR-50 (for the knobs and sliders).
Finally, I chose a PCR-50 since I came across a good deal (200 euros) and I'm glad because with my "group of bars," the A-33 would be too wide and sc no.

A few weeks after I fell from my prs on A-33 150 euros. I took it and I do not regret it. For my other group, although all trs complte PC + MC-505 + PCR-50 + A-33. The PC continues to serve 160-A, a branch of sp-303 for now.

- Size (76 marks light)
- 2 midi out (allows to enable or disable a particular device)
- Two areas (split / layer) easy (to) activate, ideal for adding a p'tite water behind a piano in the chorus .....
- Button 2 octaves up / down (very useful)
- 2 buttons for reverb and chorus on / off

UTILIZATION

- The touch keyboard is it fun?
is soft, well, there is no hope of playing a classical dynamic control perfect ..

- Should your use?
in master keyboard on my expanders, nothing to say, it's nickel, for the stage, the main controls are there, arranged immediately

- The general configuration is it simple?
yes, but the memory of certain parameters for users presets can be a bit laborious

- The selection of MIDI channels, patches is easy?
2 banks (2 buttons) of 16 memories (16 buttons), it can not be simpler: two clicks to select the preset maximum

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
I looked once at the beginning, since ............

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
since ... humf! almost 7 years!

- What is so special that you like most and least?
live fast control layers, 2 out

- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
no, it was the only one in my budget at the time who offered me all this

- How would you rate the quality / price?
well

- With experience, you do again this choice
unhesitatingly

Roland moved, with the A-33, a keyboard master with mid-range of 76 notes weighted midway between the synth and piano touch.

It is rather comprehensive as it has a joystick combining pitch bend and modulation, 4 MIDI 1 IN / 2 OUT / THRU 1 and 2 connectors for pedals jack sustain and expression (optional 200FF each ).

Another nice feature, the A-33 provides the split or layer the keyboard.

Last point: Unlike FATAR, A-33 is not cheap. The construction is solid: He is made to last!

UTILIZATION

Touch, as mentioned above, is a good compromise between the synth and piano. No need to have fingers of steel ... and better sensitivity than a keyboard synthesizer. Verse with a sustain pedal, it's very effective!

The configuration, however, is somewhat "complex". The manual is fairly well fortunately, is essential to start the program. With no monitor, this program (not obvious key sequence to remember) is blind. It's a bit confusing from Roland!

That said, the 32 recordable configurations are ample, and once you have programmed the 2 or 3 configurations necessary, we can classify the manual and start to really enjoy the keyboard.

Another delicate point, the velocity curve. Apparently, it is exponential, which does not facilitate the setting. The single programmable slider can be assigned to control, but it will be at the expense of another controller (eg volume). The assignment of another controller is very complicated (see preceding paragraph), I bypassed the problem by programming the same way the first controller configurations near (velocity for the first volume for the second, etc. ... )

Regarding the selection of patches, A GS-33 is compatible, which can cause problems with modules just GM.

OVERALL OPINION

With the A-33, Roland has almost pulled it off. At just over 3000FF, this keyboard offers a touch with a good sensitivity (proper velocity once found) and enough configurations to meet all needs.

Damage so that this configuration is so difficult.

Roland have added a small LCD control and a few extra buttons for direct access to most controllers fully utilized, this keyboard would have been perfect ...