Roland A-800PRO MIDI Keyboard Controller review

The A-800PRO is Roland's discontinued 61-key member of the A-PRO family. It combines a five-octave controller with a large assignable panel, pressure-responsive pads, USB computer MIDI and physical MIDI IN/OUT. It occupies more desk than a compact controller but stops short of the length and weight of an 88-key board. This is a review of the manufacturer's published specifications and manual, not a hands-on performance test.

61 keys with an expressive control surface

Roland specifies 61 velocity-sensitive keys with channel aftertouch. The documentation describes the keyboard response but does not identify a weighted action category, so there is no basis here to claim piano-style hammer action or a particular feel. Sixty-one keys are a meaningful step above a 49-key span for two-handed work, octave reach and splits, though they are not a full 88-note range. At 39-1/2 inches wide, the chassis is also a more demanding desk fit than a compact 32- or 37-key controller.

The surrounding surface is what distinguishes the A-800PRO from a plain keyboard. Roland lists eight Dynamic Pads, nine knobs, nine sliders, four buttons, a transport section, a bender/modulation stick and a backlit two-line LCD. The shared manual's PAD AFTERTOUCH CURVE setting maps pressure on the eight pads to aftertouch data; the keys themselves separately provide channel aftertouch. These controls can support a more tactile DAW or hardware workflow, but custom assignments and control maps still need setup. A specification count does not show which software parameters are mapped in a particular session.

USB and hardware MIDI can coexist with the right setup

The A-800PRO supports USB computer MIDI and USB bus power, plus MIDI IN and OUT. Roland's product image shows a Type-B computer port and standard DIN sockets. The shared manual explains the MIDI I/F setting: in the interface mode, computer messages from USB can be sent out to an external MIDI sound module; in the alternate mode, Roland's support instructions describe direct controller-to-MIDI-hardware routing without a computer. This is a useful capability, but it depends on the chosen operating mode and saved configuration.

A computer-hosted arrangement can power the controller over USB. A direct hardware arrangement without that host needs the separately sold compatible AC adaptor or another supported USB power source. The A-800PRO is a MIDI controller, not a documented sound module or audio interface. The computer instrument or external synth generates audio and needs its own output to a monitor, headphones or mixer.

Compare the A-PRO sizes by the job

The A-300PRO reduces the family to 32 keys and a 23-7/8-inch width while keeping the broad control idea. The A-500PRO has 49 keys and a 33-1/16-inch body. The A-800PRO's 61 keys and 39-1/2-inch chassis fit someone who needs more reach, but its nine-pound-fifteen-ounce weight and control bank remain real space commitments. These models share an operating concept, yet the key count, dimensions and note-range constraint are not interchangeable; choose based on the largest passage and actual placement rather than assuming more controls compensate for missing keys.

The A-500S is another important comparison because it also has 49 keys. It is a simpler surface with one MIDI OUT, no documented pads or key aftertouch, and battery power. The A-500PRO and A-800PRO add channel aftertouch, pressure-sensitive pads and a broader set of controls, but they do not document the A-500S's four-AA-cell power option.

Software and condition checks

Roland marks the A-800PRO discontinued. The original package list includes an A-PRO CD-ROM and an Ableton Live Lite serial card, but this does not establish what a present seller includes or whether an old license can transfer. Roland's product page lists named drivers for certain Windows and macOS releases; check the exact current host, interface mode and control-map editor before depending on computer control. No price, stock or present warranty is established here.

For a used unit, verify the model label, all 61 keys, pad response, knobs, sliders, display, pedal inputs, USB port and MIDI sockets. Check whether the original USB cable, optional AC adaptor, control-map software or serial card is actually present. Measure the desk and stand, adding plug and hand clearance beyond the 39-1/2-inch body dimension. If you need a compact controller or modern USB-C connector, the A-800PRO is not that product; if you need a larger playing span with multiple controls and wired MIDI routing, it remains a clearly specified reference worth assessing carefully.