Roland A-37 MIDI Keyboard Controller review

The A-37 is a discontinued 76-key MIDI controller, not a current model with a fresh support promise. Roland's US page still documents its configuration, so this assessment focuses on whether that specific arrangement fits a hardware-oriented rig. It is a source-based review of the published specifications and support record; I have not played, owned or tested the keyboard.

Why its 76-note range stands out

Seventy-six keys sit between the common 61- and 88-key sizes. That middle span can be useful when a 61-key board leaves too little reach for split parts or two-handed passages, but a full 88-key chassis is more length and weight than a desk or stand can support. Roland describes the keys as synth-weighted and specifies both velocity and channel aftertouch. Those are manufacturer descriptions, not a report about the actual feel, condition or response of a used unit. No key width or action measurement is published in the sources reviewed here.

The 47-1/16-inch case is the practical counterweight to the range. It weighs 17 pounds and is listed at 10-11/16 inches deep. A desk limit should include more than the case: leave space for hands, the music rest if present, pedal leads and the MIDI cable. Its body is short of a conventional full 88-key board, but it is not a compact controller.

Zones and controls are aimed at a MIDI rig

The product page lists two independent keyboard zones, 128 user patches, Lower, Upper, Layer and Split modes, a Data Entry slider, transpose and clock controls, plus sequencer Start/Stop buttons. That makes the A-37 more than a note keyboard with octave buttons: it has on-board patch and zone controls intended for a multi-device performance setup. The combined bender/modulation lever adds a familiar performance control, while a damper and expression input leave room for separately chosen pedals.

Roland also lists MIDI IN, OUT A, OUT B and THRU. Two physical output sockets give the model a different routing story from the later single-output A-PRO keyboards. However, the captured US support route exposes the MIDI Implementation document rather than an accessible English operating-manual file. I therefore do not claim that each zone can be assigned independently to OUT A and OUT B, or that both outputs carry separate parts simultaneously. Confirm that exact routing from the manual or the specific unit before planning a live set around it.

Plan an external power and sound path

Unlike current USB keyboards, the A-37's specification does not list a USB connection. It lists dry AA batteries and an AC/DC adaptor jack, with the adaptor optional, and says that a MIDI cable is included in the original package. That is a coherent arrangement for an external MIDI instrument, but it is not a direct USB connection to a modern computer. A computer-based setup would need a compatible MIDI interface and its host support; the interface, driver, cable and audio output path are separate parts of the system.

The manufacturer labels the unit a MIDI keyboard controller and lists MIDI connections, but no audio output or built-in sound engine appears in the reviewed specification. Treat it as a source of control messages, not as a keyboard that makes audible sound by itself. A connected sound module or computer instrument has to generate the audio and feed headphones, speakers or a mixer through its own audio connection.

Where it compares with the A-PRO models

The A-800PRO is the closest later Roland option in this group if the priorities are a large playing span and direct USB-to-computer workflow. It has 61 keys, an eight-pad bank, nine knobs and nine sliders, but is shorter and lighter than the A-37. The A-500PRO is a 49-key alternative with the same broad control panel in a smaller footprint. Neither should be treated as an A-37 replacement if the two-output arrangement or 76-key span is the main requirement. Conversely, the A-37 is not the answer for someone who needs USB-C, a current driver list or a compact laptop controller.

Checks before considering a used unit

Roland marks the product discontinued. No price, stock, warranty or seller condition is established by its product page. For any used listing, confirm the exact A-37 name, all keys and panel controls, both MIDI outputs, the input and THRU sockets, the power switch and adaptor jack. Check which accessories are actually included: the historical page lists batteries, a MIDI cable and music rest, but that does not establish a present seller's package. Verify the connector format on the unit before buying cables; the captured product specification names MIDI sockets but not their pin count.

The A-37 is therefore best considered as a specific legacy tool for a player who values its 76-key range, channel aftertouch and multiple MIDI sockets more than a modern host connection. If those distinct traits are not essential, compare newer documented USB models first. If they are essential, verify operating instructions, exact routing and condition before deciding—the published page alone cannot settle those questions.