The A-500S from Cakewalk is a compact and portable 49-key USB/MIDI controller that features a Roland keybed. The controller is perfect for anyone making music at home, or in a project studio with a computer, academic settings needing great sound at low cost, or live performances and mobile recording applications.
The keyboard can be personalized via one of the 12 velocity curves, or played using the fixed velocity mode. A rotary encoder and 3-digit, 7-segment LED display aid in navigating the keyboard's features. Other controllers include a MIDI channel button, program change button, octave shift buttons and a combination pitch bend/modulation lever.
A Production Plus Pack software bundle includes Cakewalk Sound Center, Rapture LE and Studio Instruments Drums for Mac and PC, as well as SONAR 8.5 LE (PC Only), allowing you to start making music instantly.
- A keyboard controller that you can use in at home, or in a project studio, in an academic setting or for live/mobile applications
- Perfect keyboard for use with a wide variety of software on a Mac or PC based computer, including Ableton Live, Cubase, FL Studio, Garage Band, Logic, Nuendo, Pro Tools, SONAR and the included Production Plus Pack
- Easy to set up - plug-in a USB cable, and you'll be making music in no time
- Players can control a wide dynamic range with incredible subtlety
- Rounded key assemblies offer responsive reaction to your touch and allow for more comfortable glissando
- Enhancements have been made to eliminate vertical shake and reduce the already low mechanical noise on key strokes
- With selectable velocity curves you can fine tune the controller to match your playing style.
- Pick from 12 velocity curves to precisely match your playing style ( 4 different velocity curves and 3 kinds of sensitivity - Light, Medium, Heavy)
- A Fixed Velocity Mode is provided where the A-500S always outputs a fixed velocity (from 1 to 127) providing practical input for drum and percussion programming in step recording
- MIDI control is provided via a rotary encoder, which is both easier and faster than using the notes for numerical values
- With this knob you can set up MIDI channel, program change, control change and more and instantly see the values on the LED
- When working with virtual instruments, you can set this knob for quick control of your favorite LFO, filter, or other controls
- The A-500PRO provides easy access connections on the side panel so that you can have a computer monitor or laptop in the ideal position behind the keyboard - a must for educational use
- Connect USB, MIDI In/Out, hold and expression pedals without having to reach behind the keyboard
- Offers MIDI Transmission using Roland's proprietary FPT (Fast Processing Technology), providing stable, high speed, low latency and low jitter MIDI transmission
- When working with virtual instruments, FPT provides lower latencies to give you the feel of playing a real instrument
- Suite of music creation software includes SONAR 8.5 LE recording software (PC only), and 3 high-quality and versatile virtual instruments for Mac and PC - Rapture LE, Cakewalk Sound Center, and Studio Instruments Drums
- 3 choices of power for any situation - USB bus power, batteries, or AC Adapter
- No power supply is required when connecting via USB cable
- Battery power requires 4 AA type batteries (not included)
- Or via BOSS PSA series AC adaptor (not included)