For those of you who are looking to buy a premium MIDI controller that will give you a real piano feel with pro-grade control, Roland is the right brand. At Melodica Music Store, the collection by Rolland is dominating the market for MIDI controllers. Among the many models, their flagship model is the Roland A-88MKII, the controller built for real pianists with the 88-note weighted keys. It’s a perfect instrument for those who just don’t compromise on expression or touch. Here is a technical guide on this Roland MIDI keyboard.

Feel and Keybed: a true instrument under your fingers

What constitutes a great MIDI keyboard is its key action, and the Roland A-88MKII comes with the PHA-4 Weighted keybed with ivory feel tops and escapement. The design helps to recreate the nuance of the acoustic piano, but with the slight resistance at the top of the down-stroke and a responsive return for faster repetition and expressive control. This matters because it will change how long you will be able to sustain a note easily and how naturally it will offer a change between the pianistic techniques and synth playing.

Build quality and ergonomics for studio and stage

Roland introduces the premium chassis and wooden elements for this keyboard that reduce the vibrations to give it a sturdier feel. The unit has a shallow depth and a flat surface, which integrates smoothly into any keyboard stack and studio desk. The weight and the balance feel amazing on the stage. The RGB-Lit encoders and pads offer excellent visual feedback and make it much easier to map control for the DAW parameters and plugin macros.

Connectivity & future-proofing: MIDI 2.0, USB-C, and flexible routing

A modern workflow requires a performer to have modern ports, and the A-88MKII comes with USB-C class-compliant connections. This allows support for the low-latency audio/MIDI with iPads and Laptops. Roland has also introduced the MIDI 2.0 support with an updated software system to offer a high-resolution expression with much better parameter data for compatible devices. Multiple pedal inputs, programmable zones, and traditional MIDI In/Out options make the A-88MKII a comfortable keyboard for laptop-based production setups.

Expressive tools that matter in real playing

Other than the keyboard and the connective, Roland has integrated performance tools that are quite helpful in practice. This includes the high-quality pitch/mod lever, a chord memory, an advanced arpeggiator, and 8 RGB-assignable pads and knobs. The three-zone keyboard allows you to split or layer instruments without the external routing. The control app of this MIDI keyboard lets you store and recall those complex mappings; it is a real time-saver for those live performances.

Sound & workflow integration — it’s not a sound module, it’s a controller

You must remember that the A-88MKII is a controller and not a sound source. The function it offers is to feel right and talk to your synths, hardware, and host with precision. In this role, this MIDI keyboard excels, featuring the fine dynamic response of the PHA-4 keyboard and low latency, sample libraries and expressive synth engines. For a studio producer who has to rely on a high-quality piano library, this tactile connection is a massive contributor to the great performance rather than the library itself.  

Price and positioning — pro hardware for serious players

Visit the Melodica Music Store, where the Roland A-88MKII MIDI keyboard is listed under the premium options by Roland. It’s the highest-priced Roland MIDI unit and is made for players who require a fully weighted and stage-ready action keyboard with comprehensive controls. If you are after a compact, portable, and simple DAW-control keyboard, there are smaller models available, like the Roland A-49. It is much lighter and a cheaper alternative to the Melodica but has different propositions.

Why buy the A-88MKII from Melodica Music Store?

Buying your Roland MIDI keyboards from Melodica Music Store helps you get your instruments from a specialist retailer. In the case of a high-end piece of equipment like the Roland A-88MKII and buying it from Melodica gives you three advantages. You can get the demo of it in-store, enjoy the local warranty, and get that after-sales support. Not just these, but you will also be able to get the hands-in setup help for integrating this unit into your stage rig or studio setup.

Bottom line

If you are a pianist or a keyboardist, you need a weighted action with expressive control. The keyboard that offers the multi-zone capability with modern connectivity supported by Roland is the A-88MKII, one of the best professional MIDI keyboard controllers available at Melodica Music Store. With Melodica, you get the verified stock, a live demo test, and a post-sales service. And, if you are in need of something light for travel, the Roldan A-49 is the perfect portable option for studio and stage gigs.