All user reviews for the Roland A-80

I bought my A-80 nearly 2 years ago, works like a dream. The best electronic keys I've ever played on. The guy I bought it from had been using it in his studio (pro) for years. I'm using it mostly in my home-studio and about once a month on gigs. Takes two to carry (30 kg and then comes the flightcase...), but for a 4-hour gig it's become a must to me. Using a Nord Electro 61 as sound-system, plays piano (and organ...) just wonderful. The keys are as mentioned a dream to play on, there are enough real-time controllers for my use and it never fails (knock on wood..). The display and concept of programming is a blast from the past, but once you've got a grip on it you don't mind. My only worry is what can possibly replace this wonderful thing when it one day has to go.

So, I have had an A-80, purchased new, since the 1990s and it never failed me. After buying a backup unit used in 2014, my original finally had its only failure to date -- a single key contact went "dead". My repair technician quickly had it fixed up, for only his base shop fee, and even returned to me, in a little ziploc bag, the piece of debris that had caused the fault.

So: ultra-reliable.

Also, packed with features. Last month an outdoor concert performance in 100 degree heat and direct sunlight caused my backup unit to apparently "burn out" on stage (fortunately, after the very last song of the set). Well, no, it did not burn out; it self-protected. There is, apparently, an undocumented thermal overload protection feature at least in the MIDI transmit-receive circuit. The next day, the factory reset key combination brought the A-80 fully back to life! Aside: don't ever play in direct sunlight; my stupidity; the surface of the A-80's console was so hot that I could not touch it without pain.

The button-press sequences take a few days to become "muscle memory"; but once you have them, they are very quick and provide nice general control of any MIDI-compliant device. The MIDI implementation is very complete.

I don't mind the four-slider restriction because you can assign the sliders to MIDI channels. I use a few of the keyboard's patches to cover 16 MIDI channels. Patch changes are fast and simple. By the way, the sliders are way nicer on stage than rotary controls; you can see where they are set, and tweak them by touch alone.

I originally used my A-80 with some Roland rack modules: P330 piano and U-220 sample player. Nowadays, this keyboard controls a Yamaha Rack Motif unit, a Nord Lead 4 Rack unit, and an INTEGRA-7. The beauty of a pure controller like this is that you get to update your sounds without losing your relationship (and muscle memory) with the keyboard itself.

This keyboard is way too good for me to bid it farewell any time soon.

It is on the heavy side, so you should consider getting a flight case to protect it; that extra weight of the case is worth it so that you don't have to be "careful" with a heavy object.

Rock on, A-80 players!

Gregory B.

This master keyboard is usually found only in recording studios for several reasons. First, its price, second its quality with hammer action and a keyboard that doesn't like to be moved around much, and, finally, its weight.
There's no comparison with "current" pianos! The manual is a bit disconcerting, giving its technical aspect. With patience you can tame the beast, which features MIDI management of 4 channels and once configured offer a seamless implementation. Pitch and modulation wheels, path bank or other MIDI and instrument management groups can be folded into your configuration. You can connect sustain, volume, etc. pedals, up to 4 of them!!

UTILIZATION

The keyboard wasn't conceived with people who play synths in mind. We are in the domain of real acoustic pianos, which means it's a weighted keyboard worthy of the best pianos.
The setup is poorly explained, but with a little bit of logic and some experimentation you can find your way.
Once the channels and other paths have been defined, you only need to press a couple of buttons.
The manual seems to go into details that make everything more complicated.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for 3 years and every time I press the 88 keys of this piano I get shivers, unlike with synths.
I regret that "AUDIOFANZINE" hasn't dedicated a single article to this subject! Although it's beautiful product that is starting to age, it's never too late to revisit it!

This piano is for pianists, meaning people who want to have the same keyboard or the same sensation as on an acoustic piano. It has nothing to do with a synth. It weighs about 65lbs and it is very good as a stage piano, necessarily coupled with an expander. Changing sound is pretty easy if you have spent some time with the piano. It can be coupled with 4 expanders. Very comprehensive piano, unmatched to this day.

UTILIZATION

Nice piano given its similarity to an acoustic piano (hammer system). Easy setup when you need to couple it with an expander.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for over 10 years. What I like least it its weight, that's the reason I sell it. (65lbs).

There's not much to add about the features, I think What motivated my purchase was the keyboard and operation (which isn't that easy at first) of the piano, it's truly a Rolls Royce. I haven't had any issues with MIDI management, everything works fine!

UTILIZATION

Operation -> A real pain the first week, but then you get a hold of it. The manual is abnormally complicated! It's actually better to do without it and just go for it! I love the controls' sensitivity curves...that's a must! The keyboard is superb and very expressive, be it sweet or biting, the velocity is the best, there's nothing like it. This piano needs some maintenance for the keyboard to work fine! (like a real piano!)

OVERALL OPINION

There are several points to consider before you purchase it: If it hasn't been modified, the aftertouch will be virtually unplayable due to a very low resistance value of the op-amps that handle aftertouch (a well-known problem that Roland admitted in '94!). The keys are fragile, which is something you notice when you do maintenance to the instrument. When you disassemble the 88 keys you'll bump into 1 or 2 that are damaged or broken (and each key costs almost $20!). Even if it's hard to tell, this piano is not free of defects. The backlit display, for example, is not very sturdy, so you have to replace it from time to time ($40!). Its weight make it impossible to transport, so you have to use it in the studio with a VERY solid stand!

On the other hand, it's probably the best piano to play with, and I'm not exaggerating: The keyboard, the way the velocity and polyphonic aftertouch are handled!!! I haven't found anything better.

88-key piano with MIDI control. The piano is weighted (unlike the A50) with polyphonic aftertouch. It has 4 split zones, 64 patches, 4 split points with channel, wheel, velocity, aftertouch, and program change assignation.

UTILIZATION

Technically speaking, the piano is very easy to use, but it is very poorly explained in the manual. The keyboard is very nice, it provides, partially, the sensations of an acoustic piano. It obviously isn't a Steinway or a Bösendorfer in terms of comfort, but it is a real delight to play.

OVERALL OPINION

I think it's a very good master keyboard aimed especially at pianists. Organ and synth players would be certainly thrown off by the keyboard. Despite its piano keyboard it nevertheless allows me to control some of my synthesis expanders, but also some of my virtual synths at home.
I've used it for 7 years and I am still very pleased with it. While I certainly prefer to play a real piano, I really enjoy playing it. I use it often onstage, since it's lighter and more practical to move than an acoustic piano.
Plus, it provides me some autonomy on tour, because some venues don't really observe the riders (although it's pretty rare to be totally honest). I prefer to play my A 80 rather than a cheap and out-of-tune piano.


Sarah.

(Originally written by bubblebe/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Everything has been already said. Compared with modern Midi master keyboards, it doesn't offer many controls for live performances. (only 4 faders). But its main advantages are elsewhere.

UTILIZATION

Its main asset is the piano feel. I already owned several keyboards. They where all supposed to be half-weighted (W30, A33, XP80) but this one is not comparable. It's a true delight to play it.

I had no problem with the setup. I just decided to give it a go on my own and I never felt lost.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for two years. I love the playing feel. It's quite heavy but the playing feel more than compensates for that (the weight contributes to the good playing feel). I never regretted having bought it. Don't hesitate to buy it if you need a studio keyboard.