I think what Shambler means is that this problem isn't due to faulty units (as in ones that deviate from the norm) but rather due to an ongoing unresolved issue that has been present in Roland keyboards for several - if not more - years. If it is a shame to buy a $400 board and not get the promised aftertouch, imagine paying $2-3,000 for a Fantom synthesizer and having the same problem. I was worried I was going to break it testing the aftertouch in the store. 

The unfortunate part about using the modulation stick for aftertouch (other than the obvious paying extra for aftertouch and not getting it) is that you sacrifice the modulation effect. This isn't a big deal on patches where both the mod stick and aftertouch control vibrato, but in the case of patches where the mod stick controls vibrato and the aftertouch controls, say, a filter sweep, assigning aftertouch to the mod stick eliminates your ability to control vibrato. It sounds like it could be limiting. I don't see why I would want to buy an A-500Pro for however much it is when I could get a $99 new Alesis Q49 and just as easily assign aftertouch to the mod wheel.

No joke Randy, every synth I have had from Roland i.e. Fantom X, V-Synth GT (top of the range board there) and now the A-800 all exibit very hard to trigger aftertouch compared to other synths I have owned Yamaha MotifXS,Korg Triton.

It IS so much harder to operate that you would think that it is broken.

See second post here from 2008  http://forums.rolandclan.com/index.php?action=show_thread&thread=24781&fid=1&page=1

post 13 here http://forums.rolandclan.com/index.php?action=show_thread&thread=22017&fid=4&page=1
 
Post #133 here http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2066417-What-do-you-like-the-least-about-the-synth-you-like-the-most/page7 but then the post after someone says their board is OK.

I was sort of expecting the A-800 to be similar and yes it is, even after all the hype of their advertising.

I'm still (im)patiently awaiting a reply from Roland US about Aftertouch on the Apro.  Whatever I'm told, I'll pass on here.  I doubt if it will be any better than what's been posted from Roland UK.

Shambler, I see that bvc interpreted your earlier post correctly - that you were saying the problem wasn't due to individually defective units, but an overall >ahem< "feature" of Roland keyboards. 

It really is amazing - the supposed "King of Keyboards" cranking out units that have virtually unusable Aftertouch on them.  Shocking really - and such a disappointment to me.  I haven't bought a new keyboard in Decades, I get excited not only with the ACT controls, the "famous Roland key action," but also because for the first time, I was going to get Aftertouch on a keyboard.  Disgusting that the company lies and tricks budget-conscious people like me into getting something that is just not going to fill all their needs as promised.

bvc-I need to clarify something.  You said, "...The unfortunate part about using the modulation stick for aftertouch (other than the obvious paying extra for aftertouch and not getting it) is that you sacrifice the modulation effect..."

I have a special map with Aftertouch programmed to the Mod stick, but it isn't what I'll be using all the time.  This mapping is for the Garritan Libraries that use Aftertouch for vibrato, and Modulation for volume.  But CC1 ("modulation") is interchangeable with CC11 ("expression") in Garritan Libraries, so I have my pedal for controlling their volume, Mod stick for vibrato.  See?  But that is very non-standard MIDI programming that they do in Garritan, and so the regular Sonar Map will be what I use for other synths/samplers, so that CC1 for vibrato is available on the stick, as usual.  If I need Aftertouch for any of those instruments, I'll have to go back to what I've always done - draw it in the PRV of Sonar, or maybe I'll program it to the R9 knob, since I find Master Pan the least needed control.

Randy B.

          Shambler

Well it didn't take long to get a response from Rolank UK but it doesn't sound very promising. 

  Hi. 
  
Than you for your email. 
  
The aftertouch is indeed a little harder to activate on the A Pro series. 
I have just tested this with my A800 Pro. - Maybe over time it will ease.... 
I hope this helps. 
  
Does it help, hardly.  
I suggest someone US based contacts Roland US to see if they get a more helpful reply. 

To quote Cakewalk representative Robin Kelly from the stickied message at the top of this forum:

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.

Is it at least -a little- better than your other Roland boards, Shambler? I find it very hard to believe customer dissatisfaction with the aftertouch sensitivity would be referred to and then not improved upon.


Then again, you WERE told by Roland that the aftertouch would get better over time, which is about the most outrageous thing I've recently heard in the name of corporate nonsense... and I've heard a lot of it lately. I'd personally rather hear "yes, your complaint is valid, but we're never going to change it, so get used to it or buy something else," but of course we don't live in such an honest world. 

If anything it is as bad as the V-Synth GT.

Here is some interesting info on someones experience with a Roland G7...
 
http://forums.rolandclan.com/?action=show_thread&thread=36393&fid=8&page=1

Heard from Roland support today about the poor Aftertouch in the Apro.  Here's the message, predictably unhelpful:
-------------------------
Subject: A-800Pro Aftertouch inquiry

Question: I'm finding the Aftertouch on the keyboard to be unusable even after changing the response to the most sensitive setting.  Online I now see that it's widely known to be a problem with this and other Roland keyboards.  The only advice I've seen so far for a fix is to have a technician replace the sensor strip in the machine, which would of course void the warranty.

Any help would be much appreciated.
Randy Bowser
-----------------------------
Hello Randy,

If you feel your unit is not working properly you can send it in to have it evaluated although we do not have any way to alter or modify the unit beyond its manufactured specifications.

There are settings in the A800 Pro for the aftertouch curve as well as min and max values. If you need more control you can also assign a foot pedal or slider to aftertouch as well.

Sincerely,
Roland US Product Support
-----------------------------
There ya go folks.  Roland support on both sides of The Big Pond basically refuse to acknowledge there's anything wrong with their keyboards. 

Minimum and maximum values for Aftertouch - Hmmm, I guess I haven't changed that, I assumed the factory pre-set would be good.  I'll look for that - don't believe I've seen that, only the curve setting.

Randy B.

$400 for a keyboard without aftertouch? That's like some kind of sad, twisted joke.

Fare thee well, Roland. Give me a call when you catch up to the real companies!

bvc


$400 for a keyboard without aftertouch? That's like some kind of sad, twisted joke.

Fare thee well, Roland. Give me a call when you catch up to the real companies!

Well, it does have Aftertouch, it's just not very sensitive when triggered from the keys the way most people want to use AT.  If you can be happy with a map that has AT assigned to something like the pedal, or the Mod stick, then full, sensitive AT is available.  Just seems to be something funky in the Roland sensor strips under the keys. 

RB

I'm seriously thinking about going back to a fully fledged synth now just to get a good controller.

I had a further communication from Roland UK,

Your unit may be faulty - but I do agree the aftertouch is a little tough to activate,
 
I think the only way of telling is if you can test one in a store to see if it is the same or not. 
 
Maybe Robin Kelly can comment on why our experience differs totally from his?
 
It is hard for me to get to a store where they have A-Pro to demo.
 
I am thinking of Kurzweil PC361 as it will add to my audio palette ( not just a rompler ), but I definitey need to go test one first!

I have just set up my A-Pro 800.  I have been trying out the aftertouch. As this is the first keyboard I have had with aftertouch I do not have a bench mark for comparison but I do think it seems a bit stiffer than I would have expected if I had not read the posts here.
 
However I am finding mine usable so far (on the default setting) and I have been having some fun with the vowel morph patches in the Kontakt 4 choirs. I am using Kontakt stand alone, I can go through the full range consistently and after a little practice accurately.
 
I wonder if there was a bad batch of Friday afternoon boards??