Introducing: A-PRO Series MIDI Controllers

Cakewalk introduces the new A-PRO Series, USB MIDI Controllers for Mac and PC. The A-300 Pro (32-key), A-500 Pro (49-key) and A-800 Pro (61-key) are brand new keyboard controllers developed in conjunction with Roland. The A-PRO series focuses on intuitive real-time performance and ergonomic playability, making it a must-have controller for soft-synths in a live or studio setting.  This new line gives musicians the best of both worlds: Cakewalk’s legendary ease of use and Roland’s world-class engineering and keyboard expertise: http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/controllers.asp

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http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/controllers.asp

Here's a link to the overview video that shows you the line:
http://www.youtube.com/us...=cti#p/u/0/kcZ11_LsGZU

Here's a link to our blog entry featuring a video of  Brandon giving a demo for Sonic State:
http://blog.cakewalk.com/...-pro-series-keyboards/

Also some folks have asked what is the difference between the A-Pro series and the PCRs. Here is a post I put in another thread.


Hi guys,

The PCRs and the A-Pros do share some commonalities (shape, mod wheel) but very quickly you will find these controllers are new and different.

First is the back-light LCD display which makes editing and changing settings a breeze. To change the settings of a slider you enter edit mode (a button press), touch the control you want to edit and then dial in the new value in the display. That's it! So there are no crazy combinations of buttons and notes that have to be pressed to get a new assignment to a control. I also really like the velocity meter on the display which is shown while you play. It is very useful to see that when working with patches in Rapture. Many Rapture patches have velocity mappings in them.

The keyboard bed itself has been upgraded significantly. These controllers play like a synth and not a MIDI controller. I love my XP-60 (bought brand new when they first came out) because of the feel of the keyboard bed and the responsiveness to after touch. Until the A-Pro I still used the XP-60 exclusively as my controller in my studio. However, now I like the A-Pro better, I really do.

The Pads are also new. They are velocity sensitive and have after touch. They can also be latched so working with the matrix view, samplers, drum machines etc is a very rewarding experience.

The button configuration, layout and function is also brand new. We (Roland and Cakewalk) listened to customers and incorporated their feedback into the work-flow and usability of the controllers. The A-Series is very easy to navigate and the controls are definitely arranged in a way where you can comfortably use and access the controls. For example the transport control section is above the keys, the sliders are significantly wider and flatter, and so on.

The ACT implementation is redone from the ground up.

The drivers are also brand new which means the already stable and responsive PCR drivers are taken to the next level. All the playability in the world is useless if the drivers aren't responsive as I know all of you know.

Finally, all three of the A-Pro series controllers have the same number of sliders, knobs, and pads and the same functionality. The only difference is the number of keys.

The A-500S can be run on batteries along with the SD-50. At the booth we have the A-500S and SD-50 running with the BA-330 PA all running on batteries. Obviously, this is great for live use.

Expect the controllers in stores worldwide in April 2010.

Robin

It is my understanding the docs will be online once the product ships. This is pre-release info and could change.

The hold button is a way to "latch" pads. Probably not so useful for playing a beat but very useful if you are using the matrix or other cell based environment.

Robin

Brandon's video sure makes it look like the ACT switches its configuration based upon whatever has focus, but maybe I'm just inferring that incorrectly.  So I'd still like to get a definitive answer about that.  Thanks.

Hi Robin.  Thanks for the info.

Inside the control surface plugin you can change all the behaviors and create resets for different configurations.

Does that mean that anything has gotten any more complicated as far as the learning aspect for various VST's?  With the PCR-800, it was quite transparent as long as DMAP was enabled.  Whatever soft synth or effect had focus was the one that would have learning enabled and the user never had to actually see any mappings anywhere - they just got made and saved somewhere automagically when using whatever facility the particular VST had for its "learn" capability.  Is that still the same (or maybe even better) ?

Hey Paul,

Yes. You should have no problem running SONAR LE and the MIDI Controller on your computer. I have a Dell Inspiron 1420 at home with factory settings (no external HD) and have yet to crash it running the same setup. The keyboards are expected to be released at retail in April.

Best,
Kate

They've got the price at the tail end of that video post.  I dont remember all of them but the largest one was 399.  Hopefully that's USD.     

Hi Robin.  Could you please review post #9 in this thread?  Thanks.

Excellent.  Thanks.

Kate, how are we going with availability in April??
Mick

Mick,

We are still on target for an April release. Stay tuned :). We will post more information as we get closer to the release date.

Best,
Kate

Can you please tell me how all the three of the A-Pro series controllers have the same number of sliders, knobs and the same functionality

Yes, they all have the same control surface on them.

The choice is really about how many keys do you have the space for in your work area.  If you have to go smaller, you don't have to worry about sacrificing any of the pads or sliders or anything.

Hey jamin,

Yes, you'll get all the same functionality with the A-Pro controller, and the Control Surface plug-in in SHS7 as you would with the full version of SONAR.

Thanks for the 'introduction' but it's useless unless I can buy one somewhere. That was in January and it's fast approaching the end of March... wise up Cakewalk.