Simple, Space-saving Keyboard Controller
The A-500S is a 49-key, full-sized, simple MIDI keyboard controller designed by Cakewalk and Roland. It provides real keyboard feel and response in an ergonomic and portable design. Perfect for anyone making music at home or in a project studio with a computer, academic settings needing great sound at low cost, or live performances and mobile recording applications.
Make Music with Your Mac or PC
You have a computer, you have inspiration, now is the time to start playing and recording your music. The A-500S is the perfect musical keyboard for use with a wide variety of software on Mac or PC. For Windows customers just getting started the A-500S includes the Cakewalk Production Plus Pack. Best of all, the A-500S is easy to set up — if you can plug-in a USB Cable, you will be making music in no time at all.
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.
Three 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.
Hear, Try and Compare the Roland A500S USB Midi Controller in our showroom
Located in Leicester in the central Midlands and close to Coventry, Nottingham, Derby, Birmingham and Warwick we promise you that a visit to our specialist Digital Piano and Keyboard showroom will not disappoint. Try the full Roland range including the A500S USB Midi Controller and compare it with
Yamaha, Casio and Korg all under one roof. Whatever your playing standard our knowledgeable and friendly experts will help guide you through the Keyboard buying process and make sure that you are buying the right instrument for your needs. As ex teachers we are ideally placed to advise and answer any questions you may have. Lifetime support and product tuition with ALL digital pianos.
We sell Digital Pianos and Keyboards. That's it. Nothing else. No distractions and nothing to steal our focus.
Keysound reviews
Yamaha PSRE473 Keyboard
We had a long trip to Hinkley to See Steve and his wife at Keysound due to Lincoln having no keyboard shops. We were so pleased we did. They were both brilliant hosts for the time we was in the shop. There range of keyboards is excellent and they were demonstrated brilliantly by Steve who was inspirational and gave my son a real appreciation for what can be done. Many thanks
Yamaha Pre-Owned Tyros 5 XL Keyboard
Yamaha P145 Piano
Fantastic, help and advise from the staff and Steve, they went the extra mile.
Yamaha Genos 2XXL Keyboard
Excellent....above and beyond.
Yamaha Genos 2 Keyboard
From start to finish, my experience with Keysound was nothing short of exceptional. Delivery was easy, with my keyboard arriving as promised on time and in perfect condition. A good explanation of the Genos 2 was given to me on delivery and everything was setup ready to go. The USB they provided was helpful in exploring the capabilities of my new keyboard.
Any enquiries I had were met with prompt and friendly responses, and they went above and beyond to ensure that I had all the information I needed.
Overall, based on my experience, I would recommend Keysound for their combination of knowledge, reliability, and excellent customer service.
Korg EK50L Keyboard
Cannot find fault on service and prices. Will never use any other dealer.
Yamaha CSP295-PE Piano
Keysound are the most knowledgeable And helpful people ever I cannot rate them high enough. Our Piano was delivered on time and the guys told me at the time that the packaging was damaged when they unpacked the piano they found it to be damaged and told me before I even seen it. I had the choice to send it back then or keep it until the replacement was found. I kept it within two weeks. I’ve got a Piano. First rate service all around. I would highly recommend them
Yamaha PSRSX600 Keyboard
Absolutely fantastic service from Steve at Keysound. Expert advice, really friendly and helpful. Will be going back to store for some add ons very soon!
Korg PA5X Bonus USB Accessories
The service was extreme good in the item was downloaded to me almost immediate after my payment had been cleared into a USB stick.
No problem in transferring the information form the USN to the Pa5c
Yamaha CSP275-WH Piano
Couldn't fault it the delivery team took the old piano away and set up the new one in half an hour.
Yamaha PS500P-B Piano
Excellent service. Knowledgeable staff who are very helpful. No high pressure sales tactics. Straight forward and honest.
Installation team also excellent.
Yamaha YDP165-R Piano
Great service from knowledgeable people well worth a visit to see your purchasing, Staff first clay
Roland Fantom 06 Keyboard
I have purchased several keyboards from Keysound , and you always get a good service. You get a more personal experience, and they are always willing to take time to find you the best keyboard which suits your needs. After sales is also good, as they will help you with your new keyboard should you get stuck on anything.
Yamaha Pre-Owned Genos XL Keyboard
Nothing too much trouble and great after sales support and assistance.
Korg PA5X61 Keyboard
Great personalised friendly service, extremely knowledgeable of the products. I would recommend Keysound, especially to those who require additional support or aftercare with the products they purchase.
Casio CTX5000 Keyboard
Keysound were excellent. Other music shops take a generic approach about what people want and they have limited experience across multiple types of instruments. Keysound were interested in me and exacty what I wanted. They interpreted that and gave me invaluable advice. It was friendly, focused and specific. I would definitely recommend them and buy from then again. I also really like their view that buying a keyboard from them is just the start of the journey. They are there for in-person and online/on phone advice and help. I am extremely pleased with my purchase - which is not what I thought I'd be buying when I entered their shop.
Kawai CN301-B Piano
Very knowledgeable and helpful to make sure we got the correct piano for us
Yamaha Genos 2XL Keyboard
Steve and his staff were excellent. They spent a lot of time explaining and demonstrating various digital pianos and keyboards. After a few days deliberating I chose a different option to what I had set out to buy. The knowledge and service was second to none and inspired me to become a better player. I am very pleased with my purchase and looking forward to many hours of keyboard playing. Thank you
Roland HP702-CH Piano
I am so pleased I chose to visit Keysound Hinckley and purchase my new piano from them!!
I went in store to browse as I haven't bought a new piano in about 15 years, and the person who helped me (Sorry, I didn't get his name!) was so so helpful and knowledgable. I purchased my piano and within a week got the call to arrange delivery the following weekend!
The piano is amazing, but unfortunately has an issue with one of the keys. And rather than sending someone over to fix it, the manager called me yesterday to say they'll arrange for the piano to be replaced with a new one!! He said he would be happy if a brand new piano already had an issue, so he'd rather I have a brand new one. Honestly, couldn't ask for better service and nicer people :) Thank you so so much.
Roland HP704-DR Piano
Good customer service from staff who knew their product. Plenty of time given for testing each instrument and making up mind.