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Description

Unlock your creative potential with the Cakewalk by Roland A-800PRO MIDI Keyboard Controller, a perfect blend of advanced Roland engineering and Cakewalk's user-friendly design. Whether you're an aspiring musician or a seasoned professional, the 61 keys with aftertouch provide a responsive and dynamic playing experience that adapts to your unique style. The A-800PRO is designed to cater to a wide array of setups, from home studios to live performances, ensuring you can produce and perform seamlessly.

With a thoughtful layout, the A-800PRO brings all controls within reach, making music production more intuitive. The ergonomic design, featuring 9 sliders, 9 knobs, and a dedicated Transport section, offers fully assignable control over your DAW or virtual instruments. The side panel connections simplify your setup, allowing you to easily connect USB, MIDI IN/OUT, and pedals without hassle.

The A-800PRO's 8 velocity-sensitive Dynamic Pads are perfect for triggering samples and grooves, adding a touch of creativity to your performance. Customize your setup effortlessly with the A-800PRO Editor for Mac and PC, and enjoy real-time control with ACT-enabled DAWs like SONAR. Plus, with Roland’s FPT (Fast Processing Technology), experience low-latency MIDI transmission, capturing every nuance of your performance with precision.

Key Features:

  • 61 keys with aftertouch for expressive play
  • 9 sliders, 9 knobs, 4 buttons, and dedicated Transport section
  • 8 velocity-sensitive Dynamic Pads for trigger control
  • Ergonomic layout for intuitive access
  • Side panel connections for easy setup
  • Roland’s FPT for low-latency MIDI transmission
  • A-800PRO Editor for Mac and PC for easy customization
  • Compatible with ACT-enabled DAWs like SONAR

Product specs

Brand Roland
Model A-800PRO 61-Key MIDI Keyboard Controller
Finish Black
Year 2010 - 2025
Categories Keyboard MIDI Controllers, Pad MIDI Controllers
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Weighted
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, USB MIDI
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Number of Pads 8 Pads

FAQs

Does the Cakewalk by Roland A-800PRO MIDI Keyboard Controller require an external power supply?

No, the A-800PRO is USB bus-powered and does not require an external power supply. However, an AC adaptor is optional if needed.

Is the Cakewalk by Roland A-800PRO compatible with my DAW software?

Yes, the A-800PRO works with any DAW on Mac or PC, providing broad compatibility with popular music production software.

How many keys does the Cakewalk by Roland A-800PRO have, and are they velocity-sensitive?

The A-800PRO features 61 full-size, velocity-sensitive keys with channel aftertouch, providing a responsive playing experience for serious musicians.

Can I use sustain and expression pedals with the Cakewalk by Roland A-800PRO?

Yes, the A-800PRO supports the use of sustain and expression pedals, which are available separately, to enhance your playing capabilities.

What kind of controls does the Cakewalk by Roland A-800PRO offer for MIDI triggering?

The A-800PRO offers 45 assignable controls, including knobs, sliders, buttons, and 8 dynamic pads for versatile MIDI triggering and control.

NicHasegawa

NicHasegawa

Roland A-PRO Series MIDI Keyboard Review! Thoughts After 8 Months!!

Video thumbnail for Roland A-PRO Series MIDI Keyboard Review! Thoughts After 8 Months!! by NicHasegawa

Roland A-PRO Series MIDI Keyboard Review! Thoughts After 8 Months!!

NicHasegawa

NicHasegawa

Video thumbnail for Before you buy the Roland A-800PRO by Stephen Mendes

Before you buy the Roland A-800PRO

Stephen Mendes

Stephen Mendes

Video thumbnail for Roland A-800PRO MIDI CONTROLLER KEYBOARD by Stephen Mendes

Roland A-800PRO MIDI CONTROLLER KEYBOARD

Stephen Mendes

Stephen Mendes

Video thumbnail for Roland A-800PRO MIDI Controller is definitely a Best Buy by Stephen Mendes

Roland A-800PRO MIDI Controller is definitely a Best Buy

Stephen Mendes

Stephen Mendes

Video thumbnail for Ep. #342 Roland A-800 Pro Midi Controller and the Tyros 4 by The Johnny O Show

Ep. #342 Roland A-800 Pro Midi Controller and the Tyros 4

The Johnny O Show

The Johnny O Show

Reviews

PROS

  • Extremely lightweight without feeling flimsy

  • Can run on USB or Roland power supplies

  • Transmits RPN, NRPN, CC and program changes

  • Allows typing custom System Exclusive messages

  • Perfect for complex workstations needing secondary control

  • Easy MIDI channel switching with main knob

CONS

  • Black keys feel slightly narrower than normal

  • Keys have a diving board feel, limiting play depth

  • Aftertouch requires excessive pressure to activate

  • Cannot transmit negative values

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Cakewalk by Roland A-800PRO MIDI Keyboard Controller.

Software and compatibility

  • It's noted that the A-800Pro can operate in both class-compliant and advanced modes, with the latter requiring drivers for enhanced functionality.

    Source
  • Users experience issues with MIDI CC mapping in FL Studio when using third-party VSTs like Vital and Arturia B3 Organ, requiring manual configuration for proper functionality.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users report the black keys are unusually thin and shorter, affecting playability for those accustomed to standard key sizing.

    Source
  • Aftertouch functionality can become unreliable, particularly in keys Eb, E, and F above middle C.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The keyboard's channel aftertouch sensitivity remains an unresolved issue, which could impact expressive playing styles.

    Source
  • The Roland Mod/Pitch stick is favored for its flexibility, allowing modulation without fixed positioning, unlike traditional mod wheels.

    Source
  • The A-800 Pro's automatic recognition as a Cakewalk A-Series type in FL Studio can complicate MIDI routing with certain VSTs, necessitating manual adjustments to ensure full control.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Users highlight that the 9VDC power input requires a smaller tip than typical power supplies, posing a compatibility challenge.

    Source

Build quality

  • Users report slider knobs frequently falling off, with some owners missing up to five out of nine knobs.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Alesis VI61 is suggested as an alternative for those preferring heavier semi-weighted keys with solid velocity response.

    Source
  • The Novation SL61 MkIII is mentioned as a potential alternative, although concerns about key feel remain without hands-on testing.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners find the mod wheel effective for switching between fast and slow Leslie speeds on the Arturia B3 Organ, but encounter difficulties repurposing other controls like expression inputs.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Roland A-800 Pro review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Cakewalk by Roland A-800PRO MIDI Keyboard Controller stands out in the crowded market with its impressive array of controls and good keyboard action. It's lightweight and versatile, suitable for both studio and stage use. The generous software bundle adds value, though setup requires some effort, and the pitch/mod stick might not suit everyone. Despite these minor drawbacks, it integrates well with popular DAWs, making it a strong contender for musicians seeking a comprehensive MIDI controller.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
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danilo_dawson

Excelent

Is the best 64 midi controller ever, it never gets old. It is a unicorn in midi controllers, 9 faders are perfect for controlling hammond vsts, this and having aftertouch (although I do not use it often) and MIDI THRU is a rare combination.

Pads are not very sensitive (it feels like it has 3 velocities) I used them as transport bar or for marking tempo.

You can power it via USB or DC.

Key action is good, keys are small, but we are talking about an amazing midi controller that weights less than 5kg. I used it for more than 10 years without problem.

Artist usage

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See how Sigala uses Cakewalk by Roland A-800PRO MIDI Keyboard Controller

Sigala

Music Producer, DJ

...
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Genre Usage

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