App support & MIDI 2.0
The A-88MKII Control (PC/Mac) app has plenty of options. First up, you get graphical editing of the Layer/Split settings so it’s much easier to visualise what’s going on. Next, you can modify the CC assignments for the pedals and the modwheel, and also the function of the two control change buttons (S1 and S2), which can act as either control change or program change buttons. Finally, you can edit the pads and control knobs including backlit colour settings. With three categories, 16 banks of eight pads and CC options for the knobs that’s quite a few potential parameters. Options include MIDI learn for note assignments and latch and monetary function for CCs. The app makes setting things up easy.
Talking of MIDI, the A-88MkII is one of the first to be MIDI 2.0 ready (and indeed Roland’s first 2.0 ‘board). This new version of MIDI allows more channels and a greater resolution for various parameters, and also enables hardware to communicate better with software – VST3 and MIDI 2.0 will supposedly be best of friends.