Yay i used to want one so badly but they stopped making them but now roland have a new ax synth keytar (well its new to me). Its a bit expensive at £800 but i may have to get 1. Does anyone have any experience with keytars. I havent got a clue but they would be awesome for gigs so we could give the guitarist a run for the money and be more connected to the audience.
keytars are back
- Thread starter airean
- Start date
Keytars are fantastically good fun. I don't care what anyone says about 80s throwbacks, it doesn't diminish that fact - they obviously haven't played one! I had the opportunity to play an ax-synth a couple of weeks back and it's wonderful. It's layed out to feel just right around your neck with the bender ribbon where it is. The keys are light enough to pull off the fastest runs and shredding with out too much exertion (the second half of "Eruption" just flows beautifully!). Piles of fantom-quality sounds onboard eliminating the need for expensive wireless midi, and the d-beam, while no entirely practical, is fun too.
In conclusion, it's hugely self-indulgent and annoys guitarists, and bypasses the bit of my brain that says I should save money for sensible things like food, or a decent workstation keyboard....
(Incidently, I don't work for Roland)
In conclusion, it's hugely self-indulgent and annoys guitarists, and bypasses the bit of my brain that says I should save money for sensible things like food, or a decent workstation keyboard....
(Incidently, I don't work for Roland)
sounds awesome i was wondering if you got sounds built in it or you had to put midi's in urself i would kill to have a go on 1 ur lucky. The 80's were awesome and more bands are trying to recreate that sound. Now all i need is £800 lol
The new AX-synth has built-in sounds, while the old AX7 does not.
Mourndark, I totally agree, keytars are versitale, and used on lots of stuff other than the 80's. I even saw a country band last month that had a keytar player. I use it a lot for the Bread and Butter organs/piano/pads. I only have to resort to my horizontal keys, when I need splits or more than 3 octaves.
Lets convince the manufacturers that there are plenty of buyers out there! Here's my recent plea to Roland: https://www.keyboardforums.com/threads/next-generation-keytar.27154/
I got the Roland AX-Synth a few years ago. I use the on board sounds, but found that a line6 midi interface and my Ipad generate some very cool sounds. Mainly organ and piano. Love playing it with the band as it adds spice to being able to mingle with the group.
Fred Coulter
Collector of ancient keyboards
Why would you want to hang out with guitarists and bass players?
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I have a Roland Lucina. It's fun to grab it and go to a jam... can run on batteries but still need to plug into an amp. Sounds aren't perfect, but are OK for a jam... pianos, organs, overdrive guitars. takes some getting used to playing a keyboard vertically.
happyrat1
Destroyer of Eardrums!!!
Personally I still prefer to think of a keytar as an accordion on steroids 
(Obligatory accordion joke)
What's the difference between an accordion and an onion?
Nobody cries when you cut up an accordion
Gary
(Obligatory accordion joke)
What's the difference between an accordion and an onion?
Nobody cries when you cut up an accordion
Gary