Cakewalk A-500S 49-Key USB/MIDI Keyboard Controller
No longer available at zZounds
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Perfect for your Mac or PC, this affordable controller gives you reliable MIDI transmission anywhere you play.
Overview
From the designer of Sonar recording software and the A PRO series keyboard controllers, Cakewalk brings you the A-500S compact and portable 49-key USB MIDI controller keyboard. Designed to simplify your communication with you r favorite DAW, the A-500S shares many of the same design elements as the A-PRO series keyboards making them ideal for home studio musicians and producers. This low-cost keyboard fully compliments any mobile or project studio with a computer, academic setting or live performance.
Mac or PC Compatible, the A-500S is an extremely musical keyboard for use with a wide variety of software on Mac or PC including SONAR, Music Creator, Garage Band, FL Studio, Ableton Live, Sequel, Cubase, Reason, ACID, and others. For Windows users, the A-500S includes the Cakewalk Production Plus Pack.
Features
- 49-note, velocity-sensitive, standard keyboard
- Quality feel and response for serious players
- Match your playing style with 12 velocity curves and fixed velocity mode
- Sure grip, rubber-coated Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
- Rotary encoder and 3 digit 7-segment LED Display
- Octave buttons
- Expand playability by adding Sustain and Expression Pedals (sold separately)
- Side panel connections for streamlined routing
- MIDI Out port with low latency FPT transmission
- Choose your power: USB Bus/AA Battery/AC (Optional)
- Ready to play with 3 included virtual instruments
- Works with any DAW on Mac or PC
- Includes the Production Plus Pack music creation… read more software
Real Keyboard Feel and Response
With a newly designed key mechanism, taken from Roland's 30 years of synthesizer development, players can control a wide dynamic range with incredible subtlety. The new key assemblies have a rounded shape for better reaction to the player's touch and more comfortable glissando, plus enhancements have been made to reduce the already low mechanical noise of the A-500S and eliminate vertical shake on the key strokes. The newly developed pitch bend and modulation design offers you easier and more expressive control. All these features add up to a keyboard that even the most discerning player can appreciate.
Match Your Playing Style with Selectable Velocity Curves
Pick from 12 velocity curves to precisely match your playing style. As the A-500S has 4 different velocity curves and 3 kinds of sensitivity (Light, Medium, and Heavy), you can find the combination that perfectly suits you, so you can produce the precise MIDI performance and programming of a true professional. In addition 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.
Easy Connection to Computer (and more) with Side Panel Ports
The A-500S cleanly provides connections on the side panel so that you can easily have a computer monitor or laptop in the ideal position behind the keyboard, a must for educational use. All connections are located on the side, USB, MIDI OUT plus separate Hold and Expression pedal ports.
3 Digit 7-segment LED and Rotary Encoder
MIDI control on the A-500S 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.
FPT Low-latency MIDI Transmission
Don't trust your MIDI to anything else! The A-500S offers MIDI Transmission using Roland's proprietary FPT (Fast Processing Technology). You can rely on FPT for stable, high speed, low latency, and low jitter MIDI transmission. In layman's terms, that means that subtleties of your performance are going to be captured regardless of the music application you are using. And when working with virtual instruments, FPT provides lower latencies to give you the inspiring feel of playing a real instrument.
Production Plus Pack
The Production Plus Pack is a powerful suite of music creation software that ships with the A-500S. It includes SONAR 8.5 LE recording software (PC only) and three high-quality and versatile virtual instruments for Mac and PC: Rapture LE, Cakewalk Sound Center, and Studio Instruments Drums.
3 Power Sources--Play it Anywhere
No matter what environment you are in, you'll be able to use the A-500S because it offers the flexibility of three separate power sources: USB bus power, batteries, or AC Adapter. The A-500S is compatible with USB-Bus power. No power supply is required when connecting via USB cable. The A-500S can also be powered via batteries (AA type x 4) or by an AC adaptor. 3 choices of power for any situation. Batteries and AC adaptor (BOSS PSA Series) are optional accessories.
Power Supply: USB Cable (Included) or DC 9 V AC Adaptor (Not Included - only required if using A-500S without a computer) read less
Mac or PC Compatible, the A-500S is an extremely musical keyboard for use with a wide variety of software on Mac or PC including SONAR, Music Creator, Garage Band, FL Studio, Ableton Live, Sequel, Cubase, Reason, ACID, and others. For Windows users, the A-500S includes the Cakewalk Production Plus Pack.
Features
- 49-note, velocity-sensitive, standard keyboard
- Quality feel and response for serious players
- Match your playing style with 12 velocity curves and fixed velocity mode
- Sure grip, rubber-coated Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
- Rotary encoder and 3 digit 7-segment LED Display
- Octave buttons
- Expand playability by adding Sustain and Expression Pedals (sold separately)
- Side panel connections for streamlined routing
- MIDI Out port with low latency FPT transmission
- Choose your power: USB Bus/AA Battery/AC (Optional)
- Ready to play with 3 included virtual instruments
- Works with any DAW on Mac or PC
- Includes the Production Plus Pack music creation… read more software
Real Keyboard Feel and Response
With a newly designed key mechanism, taken from Roland's 30 years of synthesizer development, players can control a wide dynamic range with incredible subtlety. The new key assemblies have a rounded shape for better reaction to the player's touch and more comfortable glissando, plus enhancements have been made to reduce the already low mechanical noise of the A-500S and eliminate vertical shake on the key strokes. The newly developed pitch bend and modulation design offers you easier and more expressive control. All these features add up to a keyboard that even the most discerning player can appreciate.
Match Your Playing Style with Selectable Velocity Curves
Pick from 12 velocity curves to precisely match your playing style. As the A-500S has 4 different velocity curves and 3 kinds of sensitivity (Light, Medium, and Heavy), you can find the combination that perfectly suits you, so you can produce the precise MIDI performance and programming of a true professional. In addition 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.
Easy Connection to Computer (and more) with Side Panel Ports
The A-500S cleanly provides connections on the side panel so that you can easily have a computer monitor or laptop in the ideal position behind the keyboard, a must for educational use. All connections are located on the side, USB, MIDI OUT plus separate Hold and Expression pedal ports.
3 Digit 7-segment LED and Rotary Encoder
MIDI control on the A-500S 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.
FPT Low-latency MIDI Transmission
Don't trust your MIDI to anything else! The A-500S offers MIDI Transmission using Roland's proprietary FPT (Fast Processing Technology). You can rely on FPT for stable, high speed, low latency, and low jitter MIDI transmission. In layman's terms, that means that subtleties of your performance are going to be captured regardless of the music application you are using. And when working with virtual instruments, FPT provides lower latencies to give you the inspiring feel of playing a real instrument.
Production Plus Pack
The Production Plus Pack is a powerful suite of music creation software that ships with the A-500S. It includes SONAR 8.5 LE recording software (PC only) and three high-quality and versatile virtual instruments for Mac and PC: Rapture LE, Cakewalk Sound Center, and Studio Instruments Drums.
3 Power Sources--Play it Anywhere
No matter what environment you are in, you'll be able to use the A-500S because it offers the flexibility of three separate power sources: USB bus power, batteries, or AC Adapter. The A-500S is compatible with USB-Bus power. No power supply is required when connecting via USB cable. The A-500S can also be powered via batteries (AA type x 4) or by an AC adaptor. 3 choices of power for any situation. Batteries and AC adaptor (BOSS PSA Series) are optional accessories.
Power Supply: USB Cable (Included) or DC 9 V AC Adaptor (Not Included - only required if using A-500S without a computer) read less
Specs
Keyboard: 49 keys (with velocity)
Controllers:
- MIDI Channel Button
- Program Change Button
- Octave Shift Button (+/-)
- Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
- Value Knob
Display: 7 segments, 3 characters (LED)
Side Panel:
- Power Switch (USB/OFF/DC)
- Advanced Driver Switch (ON/OFF)
Connectors:
- Hold Pedal Jack
- Expression Pedal Jack
- MIDI OUT Connector
- USB Connector
- DC IN Jack
Power Supply:
- USB Bus Power
- DC 9 V (AC Adaptor - Not included)
- Dry battery LR6 (AA) type (alkaline) x 4
Current Draw: 150 mA
Dimensions (WxDxH): 32-13/16 x 7-1/4 x 3-5/16 inches (833 x 183.8 x 84 mm)
Weight: 6 lbs (2.7 kg)
System Requirements:
Windows:
- OS: Microsoft Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP2* or later
- Computer: Windows-compatible computer equipped with a USB 1.1 port
- CPU: Intel-compatible Processors 1GHz or higher
- Memory: 512MB or higher
- Hard Disk: 100MB or more free space
Mac**:
- OS: Mac OS X v10.4 or later
- Computer: Apple Macintosh series with on-board USB port
- CPU: Intel Processor or PowerPC G4 1GHz or higher
- Memory: 512MB or higher
- Hard Disk: 100MB or more free space
Production Plus Pack 3 System Requirements
Windows:
- OS: Microsoft Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP2* or later
- CPU: Intel-compatible Processor 2GHz (3GHz or higher recommended)
- Memory: 1GB (2GB or higher recommended)
- Hard Disk: 8GB or more free space
-- (EIDE /Ultra DMA 7200 RPM or SATA recommended)
- Hardware: WDM or ASIO compatible audio interface, DVD-ROM drive for installation
Mac**:
- CPU(Clock): Intel Core Duo processor
- Memory: 1GB or higher (2GB or higher recommended)
- Hard Disk: 6GB or more of free space, EIDE / Ultra DMA
-- (7200 RPM or SATA recommended)
- Hardware: Core Audio compatible Audio Interface, DVD-ROM Drive for installation
* This product does not support Windows XP Media Center Edition or XP Professional x64.
** This product does not support Macintosh computers running Microsoft Windows.
Power Supply: USB Cable (Included) or DC 9 V AC Adaptor (Not Included - only required if using A-500S without a computer)
Controllers:
- MIDI Channel Button
- Program Change Button
- Octave Shift Button (+/-)
- Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
- Value Knob
Display: 7 segments, 3 characters (LED)
Side Panel:
- Power Switch (USB/OFF/DC)
- Advanced Driver Switch (ON/OFF)
Connectors:
- Hold Pedal Jack
- Expression Pedal Jack
- MIDI OUT Connector
- USB Connector
- DC IN Jack
Power Supply:
- USB Bus Power
- DC 9 V (AC Adaptor - Not included)
- Dry battery LR6 (AA) type (alkaline) x 4
Current Draw: 150 mA
Dimensions (WxDxH): 32-13/16 x 7-1/4 x 3-5/16 inches (833 x 183.8 x 84 mm)
Weight: 6 lbs (2.7 kg)
System Requirements:
Windows:
- OS: Microsoft Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP2* or later
- Computer: Windows-compatible computer equipped with a USB 1.1 port
- CPU: Intel-compatible Processors 1GHz or higher
- Memory: 512MB or higher
- Hard Disk: 100MB or more free space
Mac**:
- OS: Mac OS X v10.4 or later
- Computer: Apple Macintosh series with on-board USB port
- CPU: Intel Processor or PowerPC G4 1GHz or higher
- Memory: 512MB or higher
- Hard Disk: 100MB or more free space
Production Plus Pack 3 System Requirements
Windows:
- OS: Microsoft Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP2* or later
- CPU: Intel-compatible Processor 2GHz (3GHz or higher recommended)
- Memory: 1GB (2GB or higher recommended)
- Hard Disk: 8GB or more free space
-- (EIDE /Ultra DMA 7200 RPM or SATA recommended)
- Hardware: WDM or ASIO compatible audio interface, DVD-ROM drive for installation
Mac**:
- CPU(Clock): Intel Core Duo processor
- Memory: 1GB or higher (2GB or higher recommended)
- Hard Disk: 6GB or more of free space, EIDE / Ultra DMA
-- (7200 RPM or SATA recommended)
- Hardware: Core Audio compatible Audio Interface, DVD-ROM Drive for installation
* This product does not support Windows XP Media Center Edition or XP Professional x64.
** This product does not support Macintosh computers running Microsoft Windows.
Power Supply: USB Cable (Included) or DC 9 V AC Adaptor (Not Included - only required if using A-500S without a computer)
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
(3 ratings)
Submitted June 30, 2011 by a customer from att.net
"Amazing Controller"
Verified Purchaser
zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.
i expect this controller to be around for quite awhile,i like what it does and it serves all my recording controller needs.won't be replacing it any time soon.
Sound
I use SonarX1,and the A500S works very well with any synth that i can load on it and im not a keyboard player but this board makes it simple to adjust to playing.
Features
with great features,one that i really love is the fact that i dont need to plug another wall wart into an electric socket for power,it operates on usb power from your computer.
Ease of Use
easy to learn and use,not alot off features and buttons and perameters to learn before getting started,just plug up the midi or usb cable,load a synth and your off and playing.
Quality
i gave the quality an 8 because i don't care for the plastic body much,even though it's pretty sturdy im afraid it may break easy.
Value
honestly,i think this board is worth a little bit more than it sells for the board,features,feel of the keys makes it a worthy tool to have on your studio desk top.
Manufacturer Support
Never had to call for any reason.
Musical Background:
Active musician,Recording Engineer
Musical Style:
Jazz,Gospel,R&B,Pop
4 of 5 people (80%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
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