Roland A-33 MIDI Controller Keyboard

THis unit is so simple to use I hooked it up and began playing in under 5 minutes. I then recreated all the onboard patches to get around the trouble described by some other reviewers. I can only wonder if they didn't read the manual?

Great features for the price. Joystick, MOD/Aftertouch contol, 2 8va up/down shift + transposition; in short, almost everything you could need ( i miss a realtime controller knob, but then again, with a Peavey 1600x to the MIDI in, this becomes the world's best 76 key setup in a VERY compact size. Perfect for Multimedia studios.

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All Roland gear is built like a tank. Don't spill liquids in it or get it dusty and it will last forever.

Although I never called about this product I give Roland CA a 9 for general responsiveness and a great support line available during regular business hours.

Would definately replace with identical unit. This is part of a total studio filled with gear. it controls a Roland 1080, 2080, Ensoniq QR, etc.

This keyboard has gotten mostly mixed reviews here and I guess I'll be adding another one although I have to say overall I'm pretty happy with it because a 76-key controller with good action and weighing only 17 pounds for under $500 is a cool thing even with its limitations.

Others have noted how complicated it is to enter commands and customize presets. Basically you have to sit there with the manual in front of you and walk through the many non-intuitive steps for performing most functions and this can really test your patience. Not very friendly towards those last minute changes as you're rushing off to a gig. But I give it decent marks on ease of use because the functions it does have are available through dedicated buttons so, once you've programmed it, doing something like switching a split on or off during live performance is easy.

I like the action on this puppy. Semi-weighted. When I like the action on a keyboard its usually for piano or organ/synth but not both. The action on this keyboard actually comes close to splitting the difference and that's not a common thing. Mostly I use it for organ/synth and I like it for that even though the keys have alot of travel relatively speaking. The texture and size of the keys is good.

At 17 pounds this is the lightest 76-key that I know of. This is important because I am usually using it as the controller that sits on top of a weighted action keyboard. Not that I'm worried about crushing what's underneath, just that I'm interested in keeping my overall burden down to a reasonable level. I will use it on battery power for gigs, but with the power supply at home.

As a controller it is not very flexible. You can change the controller assignment for the one slider, but not for the pedal. That's a drag.

Here's the main thing I don't like, the A-33 seems to send weird midi information in ways I can't control. This occurs with some modules but not others. For instance, with my Voce V5, it sends an "18" controller message which has the effect of switching the chorus/vibrato to a certain setting (not the one I want). I don't know how to shut that off. There's stuff going on here that I can't get a handle on. So far, nothing too problematic. One of the reviewers below said you can't use this for anything besides Roland gear and I think that's an overstatement but I do think that before buying this keyboard if you can actually try it out with the modules you'll be using it with, that would be advisable.

No onboards. For under $500, that sounds about right.

I mentioned above that the action is not so bad for use with piano sounds. However, I find that the sensitivity to variations in velocity leaves something to be desired.

Its been reliable for me, and I've given it a fair bit of use thus far.

This is far from being the end-all of controller keyboards, but depending on your purposes it might serve you well. I wanted something with 76 keys. The Fatar line doesn't give you the on-the-fly adjustment options of the A-33, and I definitely appreciate having those. The Kurzweil SP-76 is a much more sophisticated controller. But both the Fatar and Kurzweil are heavier and only operate with a wall wart. I don't like the action on the Roland A-70 and its also very heavy for its size. And I like the action on the A-33 better than any of these others. For these and other reasons, the A-33 continues to be my favorite organ/synth controller, in spite of its limitations and the ghosts in the machine. At this point, until something better comes along, if the A-33 were lost, I would go out and get another.

Lots of button pushing. Although it could be a great controller keyboard, the problem is controlling other products eg.. Korg, Computer interfacing.

The 76 keys and semi-weightedness are nice but the lack of controlability is the real issue.

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Although it hasn't broken down, can't say it has been reliable for what i intended to use it for.

Useless

Although I have not been impressed with this keyboard overall, I would be willing to communicate with other users who may have been able to get around it's linking problems.

A lot of button pushing to change a few parameters such as keyboard velocity, but since I'm not using it live, I have not serious complaints.

The main features of this midi-controller is the great semi-weighted keyboard action for the price. The multiple midi-ports are good too.

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With the power supply, this is a very dependable unit.

Haven't had the need to us it.

This is an excellent unit for the price. The piano-sized keyboard gives you room and range, and the transposition feature allows for quick changes of key.

Probably works great for Roland gear but don't try using it with anything else. The fact that this was designed around a Roland standard and not an accepted industry standard means a living nightmare for someone who simply wants a board to drive various racks. If you plan to use it as a controller for anything but a roland product forget it. Buy a Fatar.

If you press the black and white keys a MIDI note on message is sent. If you take your finger off the key a MIDI note off message is sent. That's about as feature laden as it gets, unless, of course, you are hooked up to a Roland synth in which case it's exactly what you need. The thing runs on batteries and they were too cheap to include so much as a wall wart power supply.

Sounds: it goes "click" (this is a controller, not a synth.) Brand new some of the keys tended to stick and the action was uneven across the board.

I picked this up in a bind, my Fatar controller after years of faithful service and abuse went on the blink and a key went bad (I mean the thing was ABUSED) but the Roland had only two gigs and was retired to an emergency backup status. I'd be afraid to trust this thing for anything more than a backup considering the sticky keys mentioned above.

Oh, I've got lots of experience with Roland. Can I vote ZERO? I won't elaborate more, I'd be here all night.

I'm admittedly biased against roland. I have bought many, many Roland products. See, the problem is they are the greatest thing today and the first thing to become obsolete tomorrow (with a few classic exceptions.) The biggest problem as I have said is that this keyboard is meant to drive roland synths. My E-mu boxes moaned the whole time they were hooked up to it and my computer wasn't much happier. This unit served its purpose briefly and now collects dust, like all my other roland gear. If I had it to do over again in the same bind I would have just bought any old MIDI compatible used synth instead. Forget about all the buttons, I found them utterly useless and ended up plopping my rack next to me on stage and manually changing patches on the racks (yeah, what fun!)

This is a relatively easy keyboard controller to use. There's no LCD so no scrolling through menus is reequired for programming. This is only a controller, and is not expandable like the A70/90, so there are no sounds. Editing patches is not difficult but does require lots of key presses which makes this not an ideal controller for making patch changes within your sound source on the fly. For example, I use a JV1010, and to change the bank and program it requires from 10-12 button pushes depending on the patch number. It takes 4-6 to change within the same bank. So you see it can take many seconds to change and if your on a dark stage without a little lamp light or anything seeing the numbers could be difficult making it take even longer. Thankfully there are patches, but only 32. The manual is better than I was led to believe, all of the essential functions are explained adequately enough to get you up and programming quickly. I felt as if I knew everything I needed to know and was creating presets within a coulple of hours. The manual comes in 6 different languages and mostly concentrates on use with GS modules, which is what it's designed for, but it works with anything, especially other Roland stuff, such as the JV series.

The keyboard action is great on this board. There are 76 full sized, closed front, semi-weighted, velocity sensitive keys, no aftertouch unfortunately. The keys themselves are a bit different from any other Roland keys, the sharps are nice and flat and kinda square and are not shiny and slick. I really like this for a synth, it helps me lessen those little finger slips that I often get on regular rounded top slick shiny keys. Plus, the naturals are closed front, like on a piano. When you look at the front of the board it looks like real piano keys. IMO Roland should use this type of keys on more of their keyboards, especially the VK organs. Hammond does it with their XK-2 to the acclaim of organ players, so Roland should maybe take a hint from them. All in all a nice compromise between synth action and piano action. Controller features are numerous. They include two MIDI outs, plus a MIDI IN and Thru, and sustain and expression pedal ins. Two independent zones that can be split or layered, a programmable data slider, a Roland style pitch/mod lever, which curiously can be turned off, and sometimes needs to be turned on. I don't know why you wouldn't want the pitch lever to be inactive since you can't program any other controls to it. Three velocity curves are available, transpose, octave up and down buttons, sequncer start/stop, plus 32 presets with store all of your parameters for both the upper and lower zones. When I bought it I thought there were going to be actually 64 presets because they say it comes loaded with 32 GS programs and 32 user programs when in actuality the 32 user programs must overwrite the GS programs. No big deal for me since I don't use GS but just to clarify for those who do. 32 presets doesn't give you a lot of freedom for extra sounds in addition to those you need to use live but it's adequate for me anyway.

No sounds, it's merely a controller.

It seems pretty solid and Roland has a great reputation for very reliable gear. The only problems I could possible forsee are buttons and sliders wearing out, or key contacts getting dirty, but that would probably be a long way off.

I'm not sure that Roland even has customer support. I guess it does since I hear of people calling them, usually to not much help. I've never needed to contact them, but it really upsets me that if ever I did I would be getting unsatisfactory assistance. For the amount of money paid for their gear I think we deserve qualified customer support.

This is a great controller for someone who is not extremely demanding and doesn't need lots of complex functions. Certainly this board doesn't compare featurewise to the more expensive A-70 and the ultimate controller the A-90ex. In my experience you almost never get everything you want in one package, the only thing I could ask for is maybe another data slider, aftertouch, and the ability to accept Roland VE series expansion boards. With the semi-weighted keyboard and full sized keys I find myself plaing much better than with my previous synth action controller, and that's a one of the best features of all.

This master keboard is a bit fiddly to set up but once my patches were in the hardest thing to do is to remeber my chord changes!

I think for the lack of phisical things you can do with a mother keyboard it does them very well. The fact that it has function keys escaltes it beond the compatition like FATAR. I cant imagen stopping playin to change a patch by pressing a button and then a key, that's stupid!

This is my keboard now. (yes the only one) it's a bit disposable at the price but easy enough to fix (no help from roland so far!) I have giged it up and down the uk for two years now and I's only developed one problem that was fixed in an hour.

In the UK they can't even get my name right. I cracked the PSU and found it impossible to get another one at short notice. I warned them I needed it in four days they didn't even order it for 5 (I cancelled it and fixed the old one) The keyboard also lost it's touch sencitivity on one key (Middle D!) after a quote for neearly a third of it's cost I took it apart my self. It only needed cleaning. And to get a manual is #20 why you can get yammah manuals on-line

It mate butifully with my TG300 module. The actions good and the weight (phisicaly!) It could do with a software editor, but other than that it's ok. I would definatly buy another one. I'm due to play on the milenium celebrations so I'll try to keep some batteries in it just incase the power fails due to the Milenium Bug!

Pretty straightforward. I only control one module with it at the moment so I've not been too demanding. It took a long time to figure out how to change the preset buttons' effects. Finally one night I decided to give it another try but couldn't find the English manual. I tried the Spanish manual and suddenly it became clear. Since I still haven't found the English manual I don't know whether I just had the right insight into the instructions or if the Spanish is actually better.

It's not quite a fully-weighted keyboard but was the closest I could come in my price range. Even with 76 keys I occasionally fall off the left side of the keyboard so some day I'll come up with some cash and buy an A90 which is by far the best controller that I've played.

No sounds. It's a controller

Never had a problem. It's worth spending the $20 for the external power supply more so you don't have to worry about having dead batteries because you forgot to turn it off.

I tried to get an answer to my programming question and never heard back from Roland.

Depending on how much money I had I'd probably get the A90, but in my price range this is the clear winner.

Pretty straight-forward. Easy to use.
Indeed, a typical Roland manual, with sections for about eight thosand different languages. I'm glad English was included. The manual spells out the fine tuning features.

Action is very nice. The semi-weighted feel is real versatile. Not a fully weighted piano feel, but not a plastic synth feel either. 76 full sized keys, and programmable pitch bend/mod joystick.
The split/layer outputs to two different MIDI channels on a single MIDI port. Unlike the A-30, the A-33 has a second MIDI port, making it simple to drive two separate modules. Fits like a glove for the Sound Canvas (or probably any GM synth.) All displays are LEDs on the buttons.
Lightweight. Easy to carry around. Battery operated, or external 9V supply can be used.

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Seems pretty tough. Haven't had it long enough to tell.

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I use this with the Roland Sound Canvas. It's a perfect fit. If you want a decent controller that's affordable, this is a good choice. You can get these new for around $495, or used for between $350-$400

Very easy but I'm glad I have the users guide.....

The stock Chorus is way-overkill ...almost detuning..but it can be tweaked....I think ?

Seems reliable. For roadwork I think an internal power supply with a normal power cord would be more reliable...then the wallwart but then the cost would be more.....

I've heard some bad comments but my inquiries and response for JUNO II users guide and replacement keypads about 5 years ago was good.

mine was a returned store item /original packaging etc. so I got a great discount The average price seems to be about $499. new in box