I didn't buy this from Amazon because I really needed to try out the keyboard action before I decided to buy and it's not fair to buy from Amazon after trying things out at a bricks and mortar that's not an Amazon affiliate. So I bought from the place I tried it out at. Nevertheless, the place I bought from doesn't take reviews and there aren't many reviews for this. So here is mine. For the record, I've been playing the keyboard daily for about a month now.

I was looking for a digital keyboard without speakers in the $1500 range. I wasn't happy with the action and sound of the Casio Privia PX-3S I purchased last year from Amazon. I wanted a quiet action (I play at night with headphones with other people in the same room doing their own thing). I also wanted softer action than Yamahas, which I find too stiff. I tried out lots of keyboards in the $1500 range at two different bricks and mortars, and when I tried the Roland A-88 I was sold almost immediately. The only question was whether I was willing to live with needing a computer hooked up to the keyboard at all times. I only play at home and I already had a computer hooked up to my old setup although I didn't always use it because my old keyboard had built-in sound modules. I decided to get the Synthogy Ivory Grand Pianos II sound module from Amazon and I have to say that the combination of the Roland A-88 with this sound module is simply amazing. It's as close to playing a grand piano that I've ever experienced. The Synthogy Ivory software mimics every aspect of an analog piano (even sustain pedal noise and string resonance!) in exquisite detail. This, combined with the lovely feel of the A-88 and its high-quality sustain pedal really has me forgetting I'm playing on a digital rig.

Now for a few details, pros and cons.

As for pros: as I mentioned, the keyboard feel is terrific. However, action is personal and so I urge you to try it out yourself (and buy from where you try it at). The keys themselves have a nice matte finish that resists slipping. Roland calls it "ivory feel". It also has a nice mod/pitch control which I use when I'm composing with instruments other than piano. Some other reviewers have complained that the keyboard doesn't have aftertouch, but this isn't an issue for me. As a MIDI controller, it's highly configurable and that's been good enough for me for composition purposes, but I don't consider myself a MIDI power user.

Now for cons: a few of the black keys rub a bit against neighboring keys resulting in a friction noise. This is indicative of poor manufacturing quality control which I find annoying given the premium price of this keyboard. Nevertheless, it seems that middling quality is pretty much par for the course these days, unfortunately. It's not a big deal by any means, but it's disappointing. Another annoying aspect is that there is no music stand, not even as an option. I ended up cobbling together a custom solution that involved customizing a Yamaha music stand intended for a different keyboard, and a lot of velcro. It works but it's an ugly hack.

In conclusion, I am really happy with the combination of this keyboard and the Synthogy Ivory Grand Pianos II software, even though it's a somewhat complicated setup. I really able to lose myself in my playing now.

The Roland RD 100 that has been in our studio for 14 years finally started to give out and so we needed a replacement.
Because our studio setup is for VST instruments such as East West QL Pianos, we wanted a keyboard that had the best sensitivity and feel of a real piano or at least a high end Roland keyboard. The setup in Windows 8 took 2 minutes and we were off using the Bechstien ,Bösendorfer and Steinway D virtual pianos. Wow what magnificent sound. The velocity sensitivity and dynamic fit these samples like a custom made glove. Now finally we could fully appreciate the full dynamic range and nuances of this outstanding VST project.

Reading in the blogs there is lots of talk, like " I like the keyboard, but the setup and controls are terrible"..that just simply is pure nonsense. Doing the custom setups, be it for splitting the keyboard, working inside Sonar or the ability to customize anything from the banks for the midi channels was a breeze. The main complaint seems to be that you use the keys on the keyboard to choose the settings instead of buttons or switches. Quite frankly I find the idea innovative . The other complaints are the position of the mode wheel. Again, I think people just like to belly ache, for no real reason.
This is an outstanding product that is coming right at the perfect juncture in the computer age, where computers now have enough power and memory to properly virtualize a complex instrument like a piano.

For any studio musician or someone that is looking for a real authentic piano feel in a midi controller keyboard, look no further, this is it. Highly recommened!!

I own 2 M-Audio Keystation keyboards and they're great for composing - as a pianist the semi-weighted keys just doesn't work for me so I decided to look for a full weighted keyboard. Originally I was considering the AKAI MPK 88 but found out it was expensive, heavy and takes up a lot of space. I tried the Roland in my local shop and immediately fell in love... Lighter, thinner and narrower which helps when space is an issue. Very cool and modern keyboard with awesome features. I can now play and express myself and record easily playing this keyboard. Highly recommended for pianist and composers.

I love this thing.

I use it with an Integra 7 sound module, and Cakewalk Sonar X3 with VSTi plugins. The feel of the keyboard is just right for my hands. I have a Steinway Concert Grand from 1915, and honestly as far as the keys themselves I prefer playing this controller over that!

If you are looking for a high-end 88 key midi controller that feels like a real piano, you aren't going to find anything better. If you want a supernatural capable weighted controller for the Roland Integra and Jupiters this is the only option with the features built in, though any midi controller with programmable buttons would be capable for that as far as I know.

On the downside, if you are needing a midi controller with lots of features this won't do it for you. There are only 2 assignable knobs and then the d-beam can be assigned to different parameters. I think this is strictly meant for weighted key performance and nothing else.

I don't know where to start...
I have been shopping around for a long time for a weighted midi keyboard. Once I got this, I never looked back. The weighted feel is just like the piano I grew up playing at my parents. I use Addictive keys as the vst and it sounds amazing. It has octave controls, transposing controls, 3 slots for pedals (recommend getting the Roland RPU-3 (3 pedals) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0046R7NPI/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_48). It does come with a single pedal to dampening but I like having the 3 pedal option. My only issue with it is that it doesn't come with a sheet music hold or a slot to add one to. But honestly, that is perfectly fine since I use my laptop to read on anyway. If you have any hesitations, DON'T. GET IT NOW!