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On Bück dich, Richard of [Rammstein](https://equipboard.com/band/rammstein) used a Roland PC-200MKII, as seen in this photo. more
"Chris started this one off at home — he’s got an Apple PowerBook with Logic, a Roland SC88, and a PC200 keyboard, which he uses to write... more
"A handy and cheap little controller keyboard, not good for playing notes on, but very useful for its ability to assign controllers to an... more
The Roland PC200 MIDI keyboard is on the gear list of Daniel's Home Studio, originally published in the December 1998 issue of Sound On S... more
Reviews
Trusted musician and artist reviews for Roland PC-200 MK II
Based on 2 Reviews
Fun relic from the past
Used for live performance and practice. A fun relic from the past.
Nice to have around
The Roland PC-200 MK II is a no-frills 49-key MIDI controller that can operate from a 9V battery or an optional power adapter. It provides velocity sensitivity, an old-style Roland bender that has pitch bend but an "on/off" style modulation control. It also provides transpose buttons and a slider that can be assigned to various MIDI messages. Aftertouch is not provided, although the slider can be assigned to channel aftertouch, which is...a nice touch!
For its day, the PC-200 MK II was a nice companion to Roland's synth modules; the first time the author saw one personally, it was being sold in a package with a Roland SC-55 Sound Canvas.
In the present year, there are better, USB-capable (and powered) alternatives. However, this unit is very inexpensive and can be handy if you're throwing a module in your duffel back for a weekend trip. The author uses this as a test device when working on DIY synth designs to avoid damaging potentially far more costly equipment when experimenting with electronics.
That said, the PC-200 MK II might be interesting for those on a tight budget looking for MIDI controller. They are often available for practically nothing in local listings (Craigslist, etc.) and eBay. Even then, however, potential purchasers should consider something else first: there are a panoply of budget controller options available today that are superior to the PC-200 MK II.