Roland A-33

The A-33 is a user-friendly MIDI keyboard controller with all the essential MIDI functions -- but at a more affordable price than comparably equipped keyboard controllers. It features 76 weighted keys and two MIDI outputs for comprehensive command abilities and operational versatility. Capable of handling everything from onstage performance duties to studio programming, the A-33 boasts an unlimited range of applications. It is even battery operable for spontaneous control whenever and wherever it's required.

The A-33's piano style keyboard has a 76-note range and weighted action to satisfy even the most discerning musicians. The velocity-sensitive keyboard responds to your touch, accurately reproducing the feeling and subtleties of your individual performance. With three selectable velocity curves, the A-33 allows you to find that all-important keyboard feel -- not only for your individual playing style, but also for the sounds and musical genre you're working in. Changing keys over a two-octave range is done simply by pressing the octave Up/Down button. This extends the keyboard control to accommodate the full MIDI note range. With the Key Transpose function, the A-33 lets you play even the most intricate chords or solos in the key most comfortable to you.

For added expression, the A-33 is equipped with a Bender/Modulation lever, as well as jacks for an optional sustain switch and expression pedal.

# Professional weighted 76-note velocity-sensitive keyboard
# Two selectable MIDI Outs, one MIDI In, one MIDI Thru
# Two key zones, Split and Layer modes
# 32 user patch locations; 32 presets for use with GM/GS sound modules
# Dedicated buttons for Octave Up/Down keyboard transposition, +2 octaves
# Start/Stop button for sequencer control
# Bender/Modulation lever for added expression
# Battery or AC powered

No sounds. The A-33 is a user-friendly MIDI keyboard controller.

A powerful controller for stage or studio.
The A-33 has two key zones, enabling you to split the keyboard into upper and lower zones. You can also choose either Single, Split or Layer key mode. In split mode, for example, you can play bass with your left hand and violin with your right. Layer mode lets you combine different sounds -- like piano and strings -- for an enhanced variety of creative performing styles. Each zone can also be assigned to an independent MIDI channel setting. With two MIDI outputs, the A-33 is capable of controlling multiple MIDI devices without using the "Thru" connector. This affords additional control via MIDI OUTPUT ON/OFF switches. An expression pedal and sustain switch can be controlled separately for each zone or for the two zones together. The built-in Data Entry slider provides full MIDI parameter control for quick data programming in the studio and comprehensive realtime control during performance.

Easy access to an immense variety of GM/GS sounds.
The A-33 allows you to directly select Instrument Group Tones from easy-to-see logic buttons. This is especially useful when using the A-33 with popular GM/GS sound modules. With the "CC00" button you can quickly change banks to access the GS Variation Tone required for swift and effortless control over GS sounds.

Direct sequencer control.
With the Start/Stop button, you can start or stop an external MIDI sequencer directly from the keyboard. You can also use the Data Entry slider to control tempo, a feature especially useful for solo performers.

32 Patches for instant selection.
The A-33 allows you to store up to 32 instantly retrievable Patches in its memory. Simply save parameter settings to an assigned Patch, which of course can be edited and programmed to suit your specific creative requirements. Factory preset Patches are configured to match GS sound modules and each Patch contains Tone selections, upper and lower zones,volume level, reverb/chorus, MIDI channel settings and separate MIDI OUT1/OUT2 ON/OFF status. Connect the A-33 to a GS sound module, press the desired Patch button and you'll retrieve settings ideally suited to your MIDI system, right away!

THIS KEYBOARD IS A NIGHTMARE, THE PCB BOARD IS FULL OF DRY SOLDER JOINTS, I HAD TO CRACK MINE OPEN, TO RESOLDER THE DAMN THING, VERY TEMPREMENTAL KEYS, I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME MODEL, HIS KEYS ARE ALL OK, BUT SAME DRY SOLDER JOINTS AND HIS MIDI PORT BROKE!!!!!!!!!! KEYBOARD WHEN WORKING IS QUITE EASY TO OPERATE, DOSENT WEIGH TO HEAVY SO GOOD TO GIG WITH

FETURES ARE OK, DOES NOT HAVE MULTI TIMBRAL, TOUCH SENSITIVE KEYS DO A GOOD JOB

WHEN WORKING, KEYBOARD SOUNDS OK, I USE MINE FOR CLASSICAL, BUT PURCHASED A KORG WHICH IS FAR MORE SUPERIER

PUT IT THIS WAY, I WOULD NOT TAKE THIS GIGGING WITHOUT A BACKUP, THIS THING HAS LET ME DOWN TO MANY TIMES!!!, VERY UNRELIABLE,

N/A TOO OLD

I WOULD NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE OF THESE, I HATE THE THING!!! IN FACT IM GOING TO TAKE IT OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW AND SMASH IT IN TO OBLIVION (HOLD ON 5 MINS) JOB DONE THAT FELT GREAT!!! IF ANYBODY NEEDS ANY SPARE KEYS I NOW HAVE REMOVED THESE WITH A HAMMER!!!

For once, the Roland Manual is pretty clear. If you understand how MIDI bank messages work, you can program this thing with a minimum of fuss

This thing is a live performance board. I place it atop my Hammond xk-2, and with a little bit of post-it tape, I have all the presets right at hand. This is a no-BS board that always feels right

NA

This thing always works, never had a problem. The batteries even last a long time,

Roland has always been great for me with customer support

I miss this puppy when I go out on the road and have a backline supplied and I have to use something else--no one ever has these available. It's a cheap little piece of junk that does its job better than anything else I have tried. The key-feel is great, the presets are RIGHT THERE!! there's not a speck of extra clap-trap to muck things up. The newer version is not as good--Thank Elvis for E-Bay!!

Calling up patches (on an external synth\module) through this midi controller keyboard is a pretty long process and could be confusing due to the lack of a screen (there isn't even a digit-screen to show you what number you just chose for bank\program change).

The manual is generally fine and simple, though there's nothing mentioned about the midi-in and what it can be used for.

It's just a controller so polyphony, effects, expansions etc. is irrelevant.
It is a semi-weighted keyboard with 76 keys (6 1/4 octaves), but the action is a bit too light even for a semi-weighted.
2 midi-outs, one midi-in, sustain jack, expression pedal jack, pitch and modulation combined, and one slider. The wheel is too short for the modulation, but I don't use it much anyway.

There is no aftertouch to the keys but the modulation wheel can be used for channel aftertouch. It reacts to velocity the way you expect it considering the light action of the keys. You can also change the velocity depth (but not the offset, though the module I use is capable of this).

I can certainly depend on it. I own it for about 8 months and the guy I bought it from had it for a year and a half. No problems so far. I gigged with it for 6 times.

Today I would have bought something better (88 keys fully weighted), but after all it's very good for the money I paid for it.

Not very ease to use, but for this price should be more userfriendly. Very good & understandly manual. Long acces time to change any presets or patches. Not helpfully in a gig.

Only two layers - maybe I should say more than one. But one extra - mixing midi from MIDI input and keyboard on MIDI Output - could use with another one to play together on one synthesiser/sequencer. This is IMHO bests feature. Pressure sensitive, half-weight keys, but without aftertouch, but could be imitadet by Data Entry swich.

Velocity works good, more programmable functions but that ends ;)

Yes - I could depend on my A-33 and use on any stage play or in studio.

Company was wery helpfully & friendly.

three wishes - more functionally numeric keypad, arpeggiator and some LED or LCD display - my TRG-MK149 light 49-keys second master keyboard got one