Cakewalk by Roland A-500S MIDI Keyboard Controller

4.5 (15)

2 Reviews

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Page last updated Feb 25, 2026

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Unleash your creative potential with the Cakewalk by Roland A-500S MIDI Keyboard Controller, a compact powerhouse designed for musicians on the move. Ideal for both stage and studio, this 49-key, velocity-sensitive controller offers a seamless blend of portability and functionality. Its sleek design fits comfortably on your desktop, while the side-mounted connections keep your setup tidy and accessible. Whether you're crafting beats in your bedroom or performing live, the A-500S is engineered to adapt to your creative workflow.

This intuitive controller comes equipped with a rubber-coated Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever, giving you expressive control over your sound. Need more flexibility? Enhance your playing experience by connecting sustain and expression pedals via the side panel jacks. Power options are versatile too; choose between USB bus power, AA batteries, or an optional AC adapter to suit your needs.

Included with the A-500S are three virtual instruments and the SONAR LE software, enabling you to dive straight into music production. From synth tones to dynamic drum parts, you're equipped to compose and produce right out of the box. Compatible with any DAW on Mac or PC, this MIDI controller is your ticket to a world of creative possibilities.

Key Features:

49-key velocity-sensitive MIDI controller keyboard
12 velocity curves and fixed velocity mode
Rubber-coated Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
Rotary encoder with 3 digit 7-segment LED Display
Octave buttons for expanded range
Side panel connections for easy access
MIDI Out port with low latency FPT transmission
Power options: USB Bus, AA Battery, or AC (Optional)
Includes 3 virtual instruments and SONAR LE software
Compatible with Mac or PC DAWs

Videos

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Cakewalk A-500 S [engl.]

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Cakewalk A-500 S

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Cakewalk A500S Demo

DarrylJ4u

Roland Cakewalk A800 & A500 S Pro Controller

PromenadeMusicTV

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Cakewalk by Roland A-500S MIDI Keyboard Controller.

Build quality

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Four slider caps are missing, but sliders function without them. New caps can be purchased if needed.
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Features and functionality

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Roland A-500S has a smooth and silent keybed favored over newer models with inferior key quality.
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Setup and maintenance

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Cleaning up a poorly maintained unit may require alcohol for restoration due to visible wear.
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Comparisons

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Alesis V49 is considered a better choice over a poorly maintained Roland A-500S, despite the latter's superior keybed.
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Value and pricing

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100€ is acceptable for a unit in excellent condition; poor condition units should be priced closer to 25€.
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User experience

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Owners find the Roland's interface and knobs more difficult to set up compared to modern alternatives.
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Owners suggest using a Linux-compatible USB MIDI interface with the A-500S for ease, noting the 5-pin MIDI connector can be an alternative to USB.
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Software and compatibility

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The Roland A-500S can operate in a class-compliant mode, allowing it to work on Linux systems without proprietary drivers.
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To use the A-500S on Linux for sound production, a soft synth and a host are necessary, as the controller itself produces no audio.
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Popular free DAWs for Linux compatible with the A-500S include Ardour and LMMS; Reaper is a low-cost option with a robust demo.
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Odin 2, Surge XT, and Vital are recommended free soft synths for Linux users new to the Roland A-500S.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 15 Ratings

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chacho

342

almost 10 years ago

great

for the most part on my tracks my melodies are done from scratch on fl studio using just nexus or whatever plugin, but lately I have started using a midi i find it way easier because you can move a lot quicker

killingsun

almost 11 years ago

Roland A-500S MIDI Owner Opinion

It is a very versatile and smartly designed piece of equipment, recommended for anyone working at a small home studio, you'd definitely want something fancier for more serious producing.