****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Looking at previous reviews, not sure why everyone had a challenge with Mac. Plug in, installed driver from Roland site - done! Works great! So far worked with Reaper and Logic Pro and amazing keyboard with enough functionality and midi controls to do some pretty awesome effects like bends, slides, etc.Great product. I bought at a replace to my MK249 as it doesn’t support big-Suhr. Works great!The package delivered had the wrong s/w included on a cd. As I was not aware of this and that the keyboard did not turn on it was decided by Amazon rep to replace it. The replacement did not work either until I went onto the Roland website and downloaded the correct MIDI s/w. Also the first unit was returned as instructed but never updated on my account as received. The date for return is expiring and I have no update after almost 2 weeks.This is the no-frills, zero BS, solid action keyboard Ive been searching for. The size is perfect for my desk, and the keys are some of the best I've experienced on a midi keyboard (and at this point I have owned MANY). If you're looking for a controller without all the extra knobs/ faders/ pads/ etc this is the one. I like the joystick (versus the traditional mod/ pitch wheel), but d-beam will probably be of minimal usage for me personally. Keep in mind this keyboard does not have aftertouch, but that aftertouch can be assigned (to d-beam or expression, i believe).My only complaint is that it doesn't come out of the package as "plug and play" as with most midi keyboards I've owned. You need to either need to install the driver (from the site- because lets be honest, who has a CD drive anymore on a modern computer) or turn off the "advanced midi control" by hitting function + adv + the "minus" button.I have several Roland products. My favorite keyboard remains the A-37, which is long out of production. This keyboard has a roughly similar feel; a bit less weight in the keys, and a bit more spring tension. It is a lot better than other similar-sized keyboards you'll see for sale right now. Very worthwhile keyboard! All the features I need, and then some.I wanted this to be better than it was. The features and compact size seemed perfect for my needs, for a semi-mobile project studio. The first positive thing that impressed me was the quality feeling of the keys. The weight, springiness, and shape of the keys was just right and felt completely 'pro' to me. But everything else had drawbacks: 1) The two knobs have a smooth rubberized sort of finish that tended to slip under my fingers, and they are unusually small as well. 2) The mod stick has a short throw from min to max and very coarse resolution (0 to 127 in about 35 steps, with some increments of 4 or 5), which makes it unsuitable for fine musical control (for example, sample libraries which use mod wheel for continuous dynamics, or synths with filter sweep control. The stair-stepping was often plainly audible). 3. The D-beam is interesting but I was frustrated by its touchy, abrupt response. I was hoping to achieve smooth 'Theremin' type expression but could not. 4. Despite the great feeling keys, I felt that the velocity response was slightly different between the white and black keys, which is not the case on some other controllers I have used, even cheaper ones. In the end, I returned it, mainly because of issue #2.Cost a little more but well worth it. Keyboard action is really good! So much better than other 49 key controllers, action is as good or better than any high-end synth with non-weighted keys.Fantastic feeling synth-type action. Solid, fast and quiet. The build quality is very good and feels like a pro level controller. I was VERY pleasantly surprised for the price. I'm using it as a controller for iPad soft synths. There is no noticable lag or latency issues. Highly recommended if you just need a portable controller with full size keys and doesn't feel "cheap".There are some Catalina horror stories in the reviews, but I can confirm that the controller works perfectly on Big Sur on my x86 16" MacBook Pro. Great midi controller!I think it's worth the extra 5k or so bucks to get this over something like M Audio or Nektar 49 which come for 10k or less. The key bed feels much better than either of those, the quality is definitely way better- the build feels sturdy, the keys aren't also noisy as M Audio keystation 49. I used to use M Audio Mk II 49 before this and Roland definitely has a better feel to it.If you want a 49 key keyboard and do not care about extra knobs and faders, and want a good keybed and playing feel, then this should be your go to.I've been using it for 10 months now and I'm pretty satisfied with it, and enjoy the feel of it.I was a little hesitant to buy a keyboard that debuted so long ago, but no others met my needs.I wanted a keyboard with good synth action, full size keys, but minimally deep as to fit nicely on a desk. In my search there were many more appealing options at first glance, with pads and various controllers, but they all seemed to have reliability problems or lacked a good feel. Since my other keyboard is a Yamaha U1 piano (super old and nothing fancy, but its a real piano none the less) I need the key feel. This sure doesn't feel the same, but it feels good all the same. Synth action, not piano action, but really nice synth action.The mod / pitch controllers work well, although I've heard complaints that the pitch is not high enough resolution, for my needs that hasn't been an issue.I miss the pads but honestly I'm happy to be able to get some on the side.Really enjoying playing this as an instrument - not just an input device. That's the difference here. Its old but it still feels good.For mac users- you have to download latest version software from Roland website.Install it, then restart the mac.connect usb cable,Press and hold function, assign and pitch.Disconnect the USB cable.Connect USB again, ?The key bed is quite good I think. The feel is smooth and weighted although it is plastic. The options are limited but I don’t need an abundance of features. The manual is ok . I am still unclear how to use S1 and S2. Really enjoying playing it and learning.Better than Nektar n M audio..go for this blindly.
