Should You Pay $1200 For This!?…| Roland A-88 MKII Midi Controller Review! | 

Yup. I bought the Mk1 too myself after finding out it has the exact same keybed as the Roland Juno DS88. It will be arriving today. The MKII has a different keybed that's lighter action called PHA 4 that's found on thr Roland FP 30 digital pianos. MKI has a more heavily action of what I like after playing on the Juno DS800 known as the ivory G feel keybed. Nothing beats Roland quality control as I heard way too many quality issues with StudioLogic keyboards esp the fatar keybeds going bad after a few years. You pay more money for Roland as you know is going to last. I still own a 15 year old Roland PC-800 built like a tank. Is one the most well built midi controllers I've ever owned out all the other ones that fell apart or hand filmsy keys.

@@eman0828I agree with you on that 100%

🙏🏾

FACTS!

Thanks bro…you can get it here! a.co/d/gJs89Ze

You can get rd88 if you add like a bit money as well.

@@amanshrestha2147 it would be a waste if you are just using it as a controller which pretty much defeats the purpose of controlling virtual instruments in a DAW or using sound module's. You buy an RD88 if you are gigging musician that doesn't want to carry around a computer on stage.

Thank you so much for this information. So there's nothing different in terms of feel with the FP-10?

@@edonave no - it’s the same exact Keybed. The difference is in features on the software and hardware side.

@@landonp629 Awesome. I'm sold. I was about to get the A88 but FP-10 it is! Thank you so much!

Yup! Totally agree!

Correct!

Well I’ma get it lol

dope ill check it out!

@@Johnmike you won't be sorry, it's still a little bit pricey after all these years, but once you play one and it really experience everything it can do, you'll see why, they retailed for about $4,000 when they were new

I have 1986 Technic amp as My home stereo amp. Sounds great.

@@Johnmike I'm a witness to this, my father bought one brand new in 1997 and after 4,000 + gigs he still performs with it to this very day and everything on it still works just as good as it did the day he bought it, this keyboard is literally everything that any musician would want in a musical instrument, they're extremely reliable and tough machines, kind of heavy though, close to 40 lb, every sample is extremely realistic even by today's standards, the legendary Korg Triton, which was released 4 years after this, paled in comparison, the Technics sx kn7000 was basically the Korg Kronos some 14 years before Korg made it, the keys are very "PSR like", but I promise you will immediately fall in love with this board when you play it, what really bought the price up on this keyboard was the extremely fast midi capability and the ability to connect it to other keyboards and create custom sounds on those boards via the sound controls on the Technics, meaning you could hook the Technics kn7000 up to a board like, say, the Casio ctk 700 and create custom sounds on that Casio!!!!! You really need to check this board out!!!!!

@@Am71919 4,000 bucks was the lower end of the price spectrum for these boards, sometimes I saw some going for close to seven Grand

Its NOT the same keybed. I own the original Roland A-88 which has the same keyed as the Juno DS88. I played on Juno DS88 a few times. The Juno DS88 uses the Ivory Feel-G keybed while the MKII A-88 and FP 30 uses the PHA 4 keybed. The original A-88 MKI has a heavy keybed action that feels more premium high end. The Fantom G8 has a similar keyed that also uses the ivory feel from the last time I played on it.

@@eman0828there is no such thing as a premium Keybed it depends on the player. I’m not a fan of the Juno DS 88 and the Roland Fantom Keybed I like plastics because it slides right with your fingers compered to the ivory feel the other keyboards had.

I’m a huge fan of the mk1 how much did get it for ? Sir

@@lioneltakudzwazhou4076 600 before shipping fees and all, I got it used on eBay

Thank you 🙏

i just received mine today. The keybed is actually better than the MKII, that's feel more premium that uses the Ivory feel G keybed. I played on the Roland FP 30x that shares the same PHA 4 keybed as the MKII A-88 at guitar center, it had a lighter action feel but just didn't have that heavy feel I was looking for. After playing on the Juno DS88, it just felt right given that the Juno DS88 also uses the same Ivory Feel-G keybed as the A-88 MKI.

dope! it's a project im working on and will be releasing soon..currently not available anywhere

The trinity will FOREVER be one of my favorites…had a friend that had a studio back in the day that had one…I used to go to his spot all the time just to play on it!

Yeah, I frankly have not heard good things about the Fatar TP-100 keybeds in the NI S88MkII and others like the SL88 Studio. Most people say its one of the stiffest actions of any hammer action key-bed, and also mention some issues with velocity curves, stuck notes, etc. Frankly, I LOVE my Roland FP-10, which has the PHA4 action just like this keyboard mentioned in this video - but clocks in at $600 new. It has triple-sensors in the key-bed (the Fatar Tp-100 does not), meaning its more velocity correct - and it also has a more 'piano-like' feel with the graded action and the escapement on the keys.

I opt for the the original Roland A-88 that has the Ivry Feel-G keybed which is the same keybed found in the Juno DS88. I feel like Roland leaps everyone in Quality Control when it comes to midi controllers. You buy one and they will last you a life time. The older Studio Logic keyboards were better made, newer models are plaqed with QC issues. I just dodge a bullet.

No I didn’t

@@Johnmike Thanks for getting back to me! Keep doing what you do!

The oxygen Pro 49 is a great board! If money isn’t a total factor I would go with the Novation SL49 or the Native Instruments S49…those are my favorite feels

@@Johnmike Thanks a lot for your answer!

Maybe one day

yea it's definitely a heavy feel...but the Velocity adjustment makes it a little better...but it's a heavy feel no doubt!

good question

@@SingleSidedFilms got the answere from roland and it was a No can't do. Returned it since then

lololol...it really is "Black Magic" bro! 🤣

Comes with software and a terrible Keybed

Coming up soon

MK2 is a better board

​@@brickcitybikeman3108 It's the same Fatar keybed as a KKMK2 88, ergo it's objectively not great.

@@HammyHavoc I don't mind it, still gets the job done just fine for me

@@HammyHavocit’s not the same Keybed as Fatar buddy.

@@tuneunleashed I know. Both manufacturers use Fatar. This is not new information.

Charlotte NC

Or, if you just want the 'feel' of the Roland Key-bed, but don't want to pay $1,200 for you - you can get a $600 FP-10 and get the same key-bed as this at half the price.

@@landonp629 The keybed is not the issue with the FP-10. It's the limited half-pedaling on the FP-10. It can do half-pedaling but it's not a variable control with the pedal. It can only do on, half, off (those 3 stages only). To get variable half-pedaling with the DP-10 pedal, you have to move up to at least a FP-30x. If variable control of half-pedaling isn't important to people, FP-10 is fine.

@@landonp629 this has a triple sensor for fast note repetition; trills etc, and made for midi, uses usb c for lowest latency, so it will work natively with daws etc, plus this can use a double or triple pedal unit, the fp10 can't

@@hj-82 "this has a triple sensor for fast note repetition" - The FP10 has a triple sensor as well. In fact, it uses THE SAME EXACT key-bed found in this keyboard. Whatever you can do on the keybed on this, you can do on the FP-10. "uses usb c for lowest latency" I'm a computer sciences guy - USB-C does not result in lower latency at all. USB-C is purely about socket type, and the MIDI-information transferred via the USB is not even 1/10,000 the amount needed the saturate USB 2, let alone USB C (3). The USB 2 port on the FP10 will carry the same information this will, at the same speed, and the same latency. USB-C is interesting as a universal port design, but it DOES NOT equate to faster speed - the USB spec does - and since MIDI doesn't even come close to saturating USB2, USB3 is totally unneeded. "so it will work natively with daws" No such thing as work natively with DAWs. This controller sends exactly the same midi commands as any other midi controllers, across a broad range of 0-127 note values. Any controller that sends those note values will work 'natively' with any DAW that accepts a midi input signal. You won't find a preset for 'Roland A-88 mk2' in your DAW. "plus this can use a double or triple pedal unit" True enough - but the triple pedal unit that works natively with this, as neat as it is, really isn't that useful except to traditional piano players. If you need triple pedal support natively, I suggest the Studio Logic SL88, as it accepts 1x on/off pedal (sustain) and 2x universal (sustain or mod). The triple pedal unity for this only does 3x on/off as far as I'm aware. But the better option is just to use the sustain pedal on the FP10 and buy two additional USB-midi foot controllers for any additional foot controls you need - the cost would still be about $500 cheaper than this unit, and the pedals would be more useful to composers and such.

@@landonp629 my fault, pardon, i just went off of a misinformed review, i had thought since the fp10 was made primarily as a digital piano that it wouldn’t be efficient as a midi keyboard solely made for midi duties, as few digital pianos are compatible with daws etc, thank you for your reply

Actually, the TP-40W in the SL88 Grand has a triple sensor as well. There lower-model TP-100, found in likes of the SL Studio and the NI S88 Mk2 is only double sensor.

@@landonp629 You're wrong. From Studiologic website: "...Each of the keys provides 3 contacts for superior performance..." - this does not mean, that the keybed has 3 sensors / tri-sensor system. This is a delusion that is deliberately presented by this Italian manufacturer and many people are left with wrong impression; they buy this wooden "3 sensor" keyboard and are happy with it. But the truth is different. SL Grand is a budget midi controller. It has the same system as the TP100LR keybed- there are 3 contacts on a rubber strip placed on a PCB under the keys. It works as standard 2-sensor keyboard.

@@boyanmladenov I mean no offense to you at all - but is there a way to back up that information? StudioLogic (which is basically Fatar) says its a triple sensor, and you say it isn't. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just wondering how you came about this information? It wouldn't shock me if you where right, but I'd need some evidence of this in some form. Not that it really matters - I think the StudioLogic line is vastly inferior to even entry-level pianos from likes of Roland - in terms of action, accuracy, and overall usefulness. I'm happy with my FP10.

@@landonp629 I have an experience with the SL88 Studio.They say THE SAME for the SL88 Studio, equipped with TP100LR- ""3 contacts per key""- you may refer to their website. They say this for both controllers, not for the SL Grand only! Yes, there are 3 contacts per key, this is correct, but the keybed works as standard 2 sensor keybed. Watch this video. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kwGEMZhk1tA.html

I bought the MKI A-88 after finding out it has a different keybed from the MKII. Turns out that the original A-88 has the exact same keybed as the Roland Juno DS88 while the MKII shares the same Keybed as the Roland FP-30. The MKII A-88 uses the PHA 4 keybed with lighter action while the MKI A-88 uses the Ivrory feel G keybed. I really liked the feel of the Juno DS88 better. My keyboard will be arriving today.

Shit no aftertouch. Damn I thought this was looking to be it. Oh well.

SL88

the Roland A88 Mark 2 in my opinion its just more durable in the long run you would have to get use to it but trust me once you break it in its over but it feels weird though but more durable.

@@tuneunleashed I read like those before 2001. fatar tp100 or tp40 wood, would have problems. the new ones wouldn't have...have you tested both?

@@johnnylong2023 Had a Nord Stage 3 (88) it won't have problems but it gets lose and it will become noisy over the year. Mine got lose in just too years. It still feels great but be aware of the noise.

@@tuneunleashed and what keyboard do you recommend / in terms of how it feels and how durable it is?

All of Roland's gear is overpriced, Yamaha is where it's at

@@Am71919 it is expensive because of midi 2.0 Almost the same price as rd 88

S88 seems overpriced too considering sl88 also has the same keybed as s88, which is like half the price and keylab wins in every category including design and software still priced lower than s88.

Keylab not as great as s88 for NI VST users. I am completely happy with my NI s88 for studio use i havent found any better. But for both gigging and studio the portability of this thing is very good.

@@wilkopiano I don’t take mine out to gig it’s strictly for studio. But it would be fine if I did tho

Thanks bro!!! ✊🏾

I agree!

What synth has an 88 key keybed with this high quality a feel? I'll buy one.

You wouldn't find a new flag ship workstation synth for $1,200 band new. Maybe an old used one. You are going to be spending around 3k to 4k for a MONTAGE, Fantom or Kronos. Roland is petty well known for having high quality key beds. I think that make some of the most durable and quality midi controllers on the planet. I played on hundreds of midi controllers ad keyboards ove the years and all of them felt cheap and plasticity. Some of them were noisy esp Yamaha. I'm still rocking my old PCR-500 built like a tank that out lasted many M-Audio controllers I've owned over the years.

@@eman0828 Yamaha MODX8+ Synthesizer £1500 that's 61 key not sure if it comes as 88.

@@HOLLASOUNDS That's not a flagship workstation more like your middle of the road entry level. It has a lot more plastic and cheaper material as well. The Montage is the flagship model that continues from the MOTIF XF. I'm not sure of decision why Yamaha decided to change the name but I guess it's no different than the Korg Triton being the evolution of the Trinity.

Thanks bro! Yes sitrrr! I’ve lost 40 pounds in the last 3 months…

MIDI 2.0 coming down the pipe.

They use similar keybeds which justify the price. Roland is known for quality. They are even better built than the AKAIs. I remembered the Akai MPKs keys would pop out.

The SL88 Grand is a fine controller - but 'feel' of the key-bed is important to some (and less so to others). To me, the Tp-40W key-bed in the Grand seems stiff - frankly tiring to play for long periods of time. I find the PHA4 action from Roland to be much more enjoyable to play on. Feels more like a real piano.

@@landonp629 I could play the SL Grand for hours without tiring. It is slightly stiff but not mushy like some that have aftertouch. It was lighter than Yamaha keybeds for me and not as sluggish as Roland’s. I also own the old Fantom x8 I love. It’s weighted feel was one of Roland’s better offerings in the last 20 years.

The faders and knobs on most keyboards tend to be complete junk. This is aimed at people who want the best of everything and no junk.

@@HammyHavoc How faders n knobs can be complete junk ? That's why it's called a controller in the first place...most ppl using a controller usually require faders n knobs for mapping purposes....so not quite sure what u talking about.

@@simbaking6338 Very easily. Dead zones on faders (top and bottom), bad resistance on faders, poor single track wobbly faders, short throw faders, inconsistent feel between components on a single product, low-resolution ("quantizing"/"stepping") on faders where you don't get 0-127 values, they move in stupidly large or inconsistent steps. Bad knobs? Inconsistent feel, quantizing/stepping, wobbly knobs, annoying resistance. I'd also argue finite knobs are bad in 2022 instead of infinitely spinning encoders. I do consulting for products like these. I could go on.

@@HammyHavoc ... Majority will tell u,they never had those kind of problems with faders n knobs...smh.

@@simbaking6338 "SMH", the Roland keybed isn't for the majority of people. It's a high-end tool for a very specific demographic of people. Enjoy using the low-resolution faders built into your keyboard controller if that's what works for you, mate. Likewise, respect that what might be good enough for you isn't good enough for others. If it isn't for you, it isn't for you, and that's perfectly fine. Not every product is for everybody. Simple as that.