Roland introduces two MIDI Keyboards, the A-49 and A-88, featuring professional response and playability in portable sizes.

Roland A-88

The smaller A-49 features synth-like action while the A-88 brings grand piano response in a slim and compact form designed for mobility.

These keyboards come with pitch bend/mod lever, assignable buttons and knobs as well as transpose and octave buttons with LEDs that provide good visual monitoring. One notable feature of both controllers is the D-Beam controller, which lets your hand gestures act as expression controllers.

Both MIDI Keyboards offer MIDI and USB connectivity, and also connects to Apple iPads via a Camera Connection Kit. They also have built-in control for Roland's SuperNatural-powered synths like the Jupiter50, Jupiter-80 and Integra-7.

The bigger Roland A-88 keyboard features full-size weighted keys built around Roland's acclaimed Ivory Feel-G Keyboard with Escapement. Its 88 keys feature the same Progressive Hammer Action keyboard found in Roland's stage and home pianos, giving the A-88 an authentic grand piano feel. The white key surface is also made of moisture-absorbing material that replicates the feel of real ivory. Although it is big and comes with an impressive keyboard, the A-88 remains light and portable, an ideal gigging controller/instrument for busy musicians.

Roland A-49

The Roland A-49 is built for mobile use featuring road-tough construction while being light, weighing in at under 6 pounds. It features 49 full-size velocity sensitive keys that respond like a professional synthesizer keyboard. The A-49’s keys feature a round shape for improved touch response and will let you comfortably use glissandi. Roland also equipped it with low mechanical noise keys with its vertical shake eliminated.

Finally both keyboards come bundled with Sonar X1 LE, which gives Windows users an easy to operate music production software. These MIDI controllers come default in black finish, the A-49 is available in white to match the color of a white-finished iPad.

The Roland A-88 MIDI Keyboard Controller is currently retailing for $999, while you can get the smaller Roland A-49 for $249.

For the complete technical details, you can head over to Roland Connect

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