Roland A-33 Midi Keyboard Controller
Roland A-33 Midi Keyboard Controller
It’s been a while since I’ve found anything decent in the used music shop I frequent in Nagano city, Japan, but today I found nice little ( or big ) gem.
Just this morning they got a mint condition Roland A-33 Midi Keyboard Controller with midi cables, case, and adapter. They were selling it for $45, so I instantly jumped on it. The keys are slightly yellow and I’m not sure if that’s normal or not, but it didn’t really matter as it played beautifully. Like I mentioned above, the condition is absolutely flawless. The things I like about the Roland A-33 are as follows:
1. The professional weighted 76-note velocity-sensitive keyboard is outstanding. It really feels great to me.
2. The two selectable MIDI Outs, one MIDI In, one MIDI Thru are very much needed with all the hardware sound modules I have.
3. Having the two key zones, Split and Layer modes allows for quick modifications to the keyboard setup.
4. The 32 user patch locations; 32 presets for use with GM/GS sound modules should be useful for custom setups.
5. Dedicated buttons for Octave Up/Down keyboard transposition, +2 octaves is very accessible. Awesome!
6. The A-33 is battery powered, has a Bender/Modulation lever for added expression and a Start/Stop button for sequencer control.
7. There is a Roland A-33 software application to help visually program the keyboard which is nice.
I don’t need any computer connectivity as I don’t use one when performing and if I do use the computer I send the audio through a mixer. The newer USB Keyboard controllers are not necessary for me although I do have an Edirol controller should I need that.
I’m really excited about finding the Roland A-33. It really feels great and when connected to a couple of sound modules, it’s very flexible. It’s a really nice set of keys for just a controller.
Update: Here is a list of CONS in case anybody is interested in the negative aspects of the Roland A-33.
No Aftertouch
The pitch bender is not smooth
Only one data entry slider
Keys are not full size (length is shorter)
No progam up/down button
Velocity sensitivity is not full range of MIDI velocity
I pretty much bought this for the 76 keys and the two midi outs. I think for the price and condition, I really couldn’t go wrong with picking one up to try out.
Jim
hi, i just got one of these as well, through ebay, i’ve been using a Roland A-30 for almost a decade now but my hammond organ volume pedal stopped working, so i wanted the A33 for it’s expression pedal input…
i foolishly gigged with it on saturday night without properly making sure it was set up right for my gear, & it worked great, i’m used to the feel anyway, but the Roland EV-5 expression pedal that i got hold of to control my hammond volume behaves in the opposite direction… all the way up & it cuts the volume, back down & the volume is on full…
i thought i could deal with it, but it completely threw me…
any ideas?
PS – later today an A37 is finishing on ebay – it’s got too much for me… but i was looking at it… it has a screen & aftertouch x
Robbie Knight
January 31, 2011 at 11:24 am
Hello Robbie!
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I’m not sure exactly how to fix your problem with the EV-5, but I was curious if you have tried the following software to adjust the parameters of the A-33. http://www.uttis.de/a33/index.htm
I noticed on my A33 I have a very hard time programming the settings or getting them to save via the A33 itself. When I connect to the software I have no problem at all adjusting the parameters or settings. Perhaps this might be a part of the problem if you are only using the A33 to adjust settings.
I like the A-33 very much although it took some time to get used to the length of the keys feeling short. My fingers are long and they would some time hit the top of plastic cover above the keys. The width is fine and they keys have that flat surface unlike some other keyboards that are more rounded. It’s a decent controller.
I’ll have to check out the A37 and see what that’s all about. I’d agree that too much controller can get in the way of my general playing..laugh.
Thanks again,
Jim
jimdatwood
February 1, 2011 at 2:44 am
hi jim, it turns out that the problem with my EV5 is in the hammond box i’m controlling, although it would be useful if i could invert the signal going through the A33… but i don’t know how to do that…
i have indeed tried the software, or at least some software… it makes life so much easier…
in general i’m loving the A33 & i’m it’s giving you some joy too x
Robbie Knight
February 17, 2011 at 7:41 pm