I've had this  controller for a while and to be honest I've never really used the dynamic pads. I've been doing a bit of finger drumming with them tonight and boy do these suck! Velocity is very hit and miss and it's almost impossible to drum with any kind of consistency. I also find them frequently missing hits even if I hit them just off center. You also have to hit them way too hard, they're not very sensitive. 

Could it be that they're just stiff through lack of use and that they'll "break in" over time? 

Because at this rate I'm gonna get myself a Maschine 

I changed the Pad Velocity Curve setting (KEYBOARD/PAD > PAD VELO CURVE) from "1" to "2".
But I don't used these pads as drums, simply because 8 aren't enough  (and also I'm happy hitting black/white keyboards).

I find finger drumming to be much easier on pads than on the keyboard. Unfortunately these Roland pads just don't cut it....they just miss hits too frequently, no matter how careful you are about hitting them dead on. 

Ya I completely agree. I just upgraded from the M-Audio Axiom to the Roland A-800 PRO and the only thing I miss are the pads. The axiom pads were amazing. The ones on the A800 are a joke. Very hit and miss. The velocity spikes randomly and there's really no way to drum with any feel. Also they are too small and too sensitive no matter what velocity curve I use. Anyway, this is not an issue for me now cuz the A-800's keys are brilliant and a joy to drum on. The axiom's keys were way too heavy and clunky for drumming. 

I added an Akai MPD26 to my setup because of the A=Pros pads.  I use that for finger drumming now and use the A-Pro pads to turn other stuff on/on for the most part.
 

I use the pads on my A-500Pro every once and a while, but agreed they are a little stiff. They need to be smacked dead-center too. Overall, I think they're OK for just getting the hits down but going back into Sonar to tweak the velocities to ensure a good sound. Yes, they could be better, but I think Cakewalk just added them to win over a few more crowds.

I have an Alesis Control Pad so am not overly concerned about the pads on the A800 PRO, however I did come here to read about it because I need to get a new keyboard controller.
Other than the pads how is the A800 PRO, is there some other controller I should consider? I will be using it with an Octa-Capture or via USB right into the computer. Thoughts?
Obviously I am considering the A800 because I am going to use it with Sonar and other Roland products.
 
Thanks,
Julien

jbow
Other than the pads how is the A800 PRO, is there some other controller I should consider? I will be using it with an Octa-Capture or via USB right into the computer. Thoughts?
Obviously I am considering the A800 because I am going to use it with Sonar and other Roland products.

 
What you need to know about A-Pro before buying it:

- as has been pointed out, the dynamic pads aren't good for drumming (I don't use them for drumming so it's not a problem for me)
- aftertouch sensitivity/curve isn't good (I don't use aftertouch. I use an expression pedal for modulation, etc.) 
- the black and white keys have slightly different velocity sensitivity at the velocity value of around 120 and above (due to the material used for key chassis, but I've never heard anyone else mention this so you probably won't notice it)
- the keys are somewhat shorter than the standard keyboard (would've been nice if the standard size had been adopted but I'm ok with this size)

If you don't mind about these, A-Pro is a very good product. However, I don't know if the A-Pro and Sonar relationship is better than that of other keyboard controllers and Sonar, because I think it's the ACT feature that needs improvement. Remember this thread?
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FR-Cakewalk-you-really-must-improve-APro-Control-Surface-Plugin-for-Sonar-m2790490.aspx
 
You might also want to check this one (I haven't really read it):
http://forum.cakewalk.com/ACT-Poll-m2855912.aspx
 
Hope that helps