I'm thinking about buying this "shoulder keyboard" aka Keytar. This unit was released in 2009, I believe, so I am concerned that the unit has become outdated . . . and that Roland may introduce a new upgraded model. Have you heard anything about what Roland might be planning regarding new Keytar products? I'd rather not buy one that is close to being obsolete. Any thoughts??
Roland AX-Synth
- Thread starter Danno
- Start date
happyrat1
Destroyer of Eardrums!!!
Keytars haven't been cool since 1982 
Seriously though, why pay a premium synth price for a mediocre sound engine?
Why not get an Alesis Vortex Wireless controller for $199 and add a second hand motif or triton or roland sound module instead?
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VortexKBW
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=motif rack&clk_rvr_id=941301298438&mfe=search
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=triton rack&clk_rvr_id=941321442137&mfe=search
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=roland fantom rack&clk_rvr_id=941323738550&mfe=search
You'd have a hell of a lot more quality sounds to play with and a good MIDI controller never goes obsolete. You just upgrade the sound module instead.
Gary
Seriously though, why pay a premium synth price for a mediocre sound engine?
Why not get an Alesis Vortex Wireless controller for $199 and add a second hand motif or triton or roland sound module instead?
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VortexKBW
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=motif rack&clk_rvr_id=941301298438&mfe=search
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=triton rack&clk_rvr_id=941321442137&mfe=search
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=roland fantom rack&clk_rvr_id=941323738550&mfe=search
You'd have a hell of a lot more quality sounds to play with and a good MIDI controller never goes obsolete. You just upgrade the sound module instead.
Gary
Gary: Thanks for your reply. You make some very good points . . . . and I haven't ruled out the Alesis. The advantage I see with the AX-Synth is that it has an extra octave. Of course paying an extra $800 for this seems ridiculous. Maybe my relative inexperience programming MIDI and sound modules makes me think that having a built-in sound engine would be simpler to use . . . . and the AX-Synth has midi outputs which, I believe, would let me use an external sound module if I need to go that route in the future. If I was confident in my ability to program patches via the keyboard the Alesis would seem to be preferable . . . particularly since it is already wireless. I just thought I'd ask if you knew what Roland's plans might be re: an updated AX-Synth. As for Keytars not being cool since the 80's . . . . you are right. My new rig will end up being a Keytar, a small keyboard on a stand, a set of midi bass pedals and a tenor sax (played simultaneously w/ keyboards). Sounds crazy .. . . but what the heck. Any thoughts about my thoughts?
Any thoughts about my thoughts?
happyrat1
Destroyer of Eardrums!!!
My advice would be to wait and see what Roland comes out with at next month's Winter NAMM exhibit.
As for controlling a MIDI module with any controller, keytar or otherwise, it's simply a matter of reading the manual and programming the knobs and sliders to send the right MIDI messages the module is expecting to see. It's not really that hard.
As for the extra octave and the lousy 256 voices? I agree it's not worth an extra $800.
You could just as easily take any 4 octave controller and add a neckstrap to it to make it wearable. The only thing you lose is the ribbon instead of a mod wheel and pitchbend.
And since you're a sax player maybe you'd be interested in buying a custom built Kimophone
http://kimolobo.com/
Might be pricey but it would definitely be a unique hook for a stage act.
Gary
As for controlling a MIDI module with any controller, keytar or otherwise, it's simply a matter of reading the manual and programming the knobs and sliders to send the right MIDI messages the module is expecting to see. It's not really that hard.
As for the extra octave and the lousy 256 voices? I agree it's not worth an extra $800.
You could just as easily take any 4 octave controller and add a neckstrap to it to make it wearable. The only thing you lose is the ribbon instead of a mod wheel and pitchbend.
And since you're a sax player maybe you'd be interested in buying a custom built Kimophone
http://kimolobo.com/
Might be pricey but it would definitely be a unique hook for a stage act.
Gary
Check this one out too!
I've not picked one up in a store so can't give you a personal view...I'm too scared to, I worry that I'll be forced to buy it, looks like too much fun!
I've not picked one up in a store so can't give you a personal view...I'm too scared to, I worry that I'll be forced to buy it, looks like too much fun!
Keytars haven't been cool since 1982
Gary
Be Brave, bring back the Keytar! I see more and more key players strapping them on, just to play the bread and butter stuff (organ/piano/pads). Even saw a country band with a keytar player last month! Its not just for 80s Pop anymore.
One big problem is: we can't get manufacturers to bundle a modern synth into a keytar shape. Here's my latest plea to Roland: https://www.keyboardforums.com/threads/next-generation-keytar.27154/