Roland A-49chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

A large number of users struggled to discover that holding Function+Assign+Pitch while connecting power enables standalone mode, since it isn't clearly documented. Many call it a frustrating 'puzzle' that took a long time to figure out.

@frytor2240

To have the midiout to control a shynt i have to press whattt? And have the drivers installed in your pc? I heard you can attach some potable batery, and use the midiout without pc, again you have to press some combination.... thus combination is so frustatinglaunch

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May 8, 2026

@tommylarsson2025

Great review! Just a question since i ordered this keyboard. Its no on/off button so for me that primary is a guitarist i wouldnt want the keyboard being on all the time when i play the guitar. So how do you turn this thing off without shutting down the whole computer? Unplug the power? And do you have to do all this stupid button combination when you plug it back again? Thanks!launch

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November 2, 2025

@krzysiekszymaniec4086

Traditionally Roland for scattered people like me uses puzzles - you need YouTube to know how to turn this on, plus with the synchronization when inserting the adapter. How to control the volume, I still haven't figured it out - maybe someone can help.launch

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October 28, 2023

@ARGON023

NOTE! NOTE ...WARNING, WARNING: The instrument can be powered without a computer, contrary to what is written in the manual... The company does not officially provide this information, but when connecting a regular phone charger to the Roland A-49 it is enough to hold down the FUNCTION + ASSIGN + PITCH keys and the instrument will work in STANDALONE mode (without the need to connect a laptop, USB hub, etc.). This is very important information for professional musicians using real hardware instruments (not toy software) with sound modules/samplers, etc.launch

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April 18, 2023

Multiple users struggled connecting Roland's own EV-5 expression pedal or sustain pedals, encountering incorrect polarity or non-linear sweep behavior until learning the pedal needed separate calibration.

@Zebrart0

Hi Paul, I am new to midi controllers and have recently been gifted the Roland A49. I purchased the recommended Roland sustain pedal to add in but it is not switching the polarity correctly. There is no physical switch on the pedal so I’m wondering if this will be the same issue with other pedals as I noticed you had mentioned something about this in the comments. I am just starting with midi controllers so I’m a bit stuck. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thankyou for the great video.launch

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December 21, 2025

@ElkaOrganLover38

For users of a Roland A-49. \nIf you want to use a Roland EV-5 Expression pedal and the pedal does not work on the full sweep of 0-100% but only starts working when you have depressed it for 1/3, \nplease keep in mind that the problem is not in the settings of the A-49. \nBut that the EV-5 needs to be calibrated because the potentiometer of the pedal needs to be adjusted in relation to the pedal mechanismlaunch

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April 19, 2025

@edgarscheffers8420

I have a A-49, the choice for this controller was because it still have the traditional 5 din-midi out.\nA option for a hold/sustain pedaal and a expression pedal.\nBut there is where the problem starts, Roland advices a Roland EV-5 or EV-7.\nThe EV-7 is no longer in production, so I buy a EV-5 instead.\nBut with the combination of the A-49 and EV-5 something stranges is goining on.\nThe expression pedal is not operating from 0 to 100% but starts by 50% when the pedal is pushed halfway down.\nSo the total volume range is between 50 and 100% in the range of the pedal sweep.\nIs there any explaination for this problem?\nBecause I can't find any details on the EV-5 or A-49 what can be wrong.launch

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August 4, 2019

Several users found connecting the A-49 to iPads confusing, requiring specific hubs, cables, or power supplies, with inconsistent results between users with seemingly identical setups.

@redstrat1234

Was going to buy one of these things. Thank you for the info. It's too confusing to set up with my ipad, the power issue etc, I just want to plug and play. 99% of other keyboards will do this, I'll buy one of those.launch

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November 29, 2025

@RobinWestpark

I've been using the A49 since it came out, and never new the hacks to get it to work with iPad? Roland need to apologise for this, I bought other additional keyboards because of this? crazy!launch

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November 27, 2024

@stefytreil7370

Hello i live in paris and i have the same but with à New iPad. And me i need a USB hub and another cable. I don't understand because i have the same. Can you explain me why it doesn't work with me ???launch

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May 16, 2018

One detailed technical report found the pitch bend sends only 4-bit MIDI resolution instead of the expected 14-bit spec, resulting in steppy, imprecise pitch changes. Another user separately notes the pitch/mod stick has low resolution.

@manny_f

Absolutely! This keyboard is fantastic and grossly underrated. I love the fact it has no fancy features, it's just a keyboard that works and works well. Not a single feature of it doesn't work as I expected, which for me means fewer distractions. Nothing is more distracting than a keyboard where half the features don't work or half-work. The octave and semitone transpose is one of my favorite features, way better implemented than any other keyboard I've ever used. My only small complaint is the pitch+mod stick which has very low resolution (especially the pitch wheel if you set the target synth pitch wheel range to several octaves. It's a pity people getting into music production are drawn to the pretty LEDs and bells&whistles.\n\nIt would be nice to see a v2 with aftertouch (maybe even poly AT and better (bigger) knobs, maybe 4 of them.launch

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April 26, 2025

@bengarland

This A-49 sucks but not for the reason you mention (which isn't true). It sucks because the PITCH BEND only sends out 4-BIT MIDI message! FOUR. Pitch Bend is supposed to be 14-bit, so instead of over 16,000 possible pitch bend positions you get only 16! So the pitch bend sounds super steppy like an old video game or something. Totally ridiculous. I verified it by examining the MIDI messages in real time... no matter how slowly I move the pitch stick, it jumps 512 values at a time instead of 1 value at a time. Even cheap MIDI controllers send 7-bit messages (nearly 10x the resolution of 4-bit), but the A-49 is marketed as a professional level controller and in this day and age there's no excuse for not doing 14-bit which is the MIDI spec since version 1.0 in the early 80s!launch

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December 16, 2019

A couple of users report that velocity response feels uneven or can't reach maximum values even when playing hard, and are unsure how to fix it via settings.

@RobertoMarraChannel

I've the same model but even when I play harder the key velocity isn't so good. I can't reach the maximum value (127) and I've also pressed the function button and then set the velocity...but nothing. Any suggestions?launch

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February 14, 2023

@WhiteFalconus

Your amazing video was one of the reasons I bought just this keyboard. I am facing a problem though as every key seems to produce different velocity even when it feels I use the same kind of pressure. Is there any trick setting the velocity curves or how did you manage to make the piano sound so natural, complete in control of the velocity there?launch

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March 22, 2020

At least one user reports the modulation joystick failing and sending wrong MIDI messages after only a week of use, calling the unit worthless as a result.

@cozmovox

Apart from the fact you can't use it without a computer it is a worthless keyboard. The modulation \"joystick\" started to send out wrong midi messages after 1 week of use ! \nit's a useless piece of crap ! I understand and share your utter frustration.\nDO NOT BUY THIS KEYBOARD ! I am a happy person right now because I got myself ANOTHER ONE !launch

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May 1, 2018

One user felt the roughly $300 price is excessive for a decade-plus-old design, especially compared to cheaper modern alternatives with more features.

@combofriend4461

I was looking at this controller bc I hate that the Roland style pitch/mod joystick went out of style for the big bulky separate vertical wheel design... I already have midi controllers that have the quality level and workflow features I need, I'm basically only looking for something barebones, sleek/not too bulky, that just needs a decent keybed and the Roland style pitch/mod control. I can't find anything newer than this, and this looks about as close as I'll get to what I'm looking for- but $300 for this seems CRAZY to me... even when it was brand new, but especially now what it's so old... FL Key 49 is also 49 key, has a very nice keybed, great build quality, and WAY More fetures, and it's almost $100 cheaper. In 2025, even with inflation this thing should be like 100-150 max...launch

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September 8, 2025

A user notes there's no dedicated power switch, raising concerns about how to turn the unit off without unplugging or shutting down the whole computer.

@tommylarsson2025

Great review! Just a question since i ordered this keyboard. Its no on/off button so for me that primary is a guitarist i wouldnt want the keyboard being on all the time when i play the guitar. So how do you turn this thing off without shutting down the whole computer? Unplug the power? And do you have to do all this stupid button combination when you plug it back again? Thanks!launch

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November 2, 2025