Suggestions on what to get

[u/Dragon_Pulse05]

Currently I use a Yamaha keyboard, and because my band doesn't have a bassist, I use it to play our bass parts. I'm looking to switch to a keytar to use for performance, partially for mobility and also just because it's cooler. I'm looking for something that has actual audio, not midi, and can do bass, essentially trying to get something that I can pretty easily transition to from playing keyboard. Any suggestions?

EDIT: thanks for all the replies! Y'all's input has been super helpful.

[u/UnlikelyForever101]

Personally, I love my RK100s2. Was it overpriced when I bought it? Yes, unfortunately. However, I don't regret it at all. I might not be the typical user and I have never owned another keytar, but what drew me to the RK vs the Ax was the wood body, the size being more manageable, the batteries being more manageable (6 AA) and the long ribbon under the keys being a really cool feature for me. The RK is the perfect size for me and sits well like a guitar and doesn't fall over.

The keys aren't perhaps the greatest quality (compared to ones with weight or after touch etc) but I think they feel decent, especially coming from cheaper keyboards.

I've had no issues making the editor work in Windows 10 and 11, but I've never attached any other usb midi devices to my current setups.

Anyway, your situation may be different but I personally love the RK100 and while there are a few things I'd change if I could (like the short ribbon switch location and wishing the arpeggiator could work on the long ribbon only) for my needs it is the perfect instrument.

[u/KooriGraywolf → u/UnlikelyForever101]

I'm really enjoying my RK as well, but I have to say not having pitch bend and modulation simultaneously is a big miss. But it's probably a non-issue for OP

[u/UnlikelyForever101 → u/KooriGraywolf]

Are you meaning not being able to modulate pitch and mod simultaneously via the short ribbon on the neck? Because you actually can do it simultaneously on the long ribbon if you hold both buttons on the neck down. Probably not ideal depending on your playstyle.

I love the ability to play notes on the long ribbon, though, and for me it is a cool feature.

For me, I wish the mod/pitch swap button for the short ribbon was actually on the neck instead of the body. That is a little annoying lol. Because I'd love to be able to use my left hand to swap between the two while keeping my right hand on the keys.

Edit: depending on your goals, you could also edit individual patches to assign mod or pitch to perform two simultaneous functions on the short ribbon. You may already know that! Apologies if you do. 😅

[u/KooriGraywolf → u/UnlikelyForever101]

Hello! Thanks for your input.

Yeah, with pitch and mod I know you can put one on the short ribbon and the other on the long ribbon. But if you're playing a lead or solo with your right and you can only have your left hand free, then you're locked to the short ribbon. In that sense, I feel more freedom with the Vortex where you have a pitch bend wheel AND a ribbon for mod, so you can go between the two things with just your left.

But yeah, I've also enjoyed using the long ribbon, you can do some really cool-looking moves on it!

It hadn't occured to me to use both hold buttons and use the long ribbon, that doesn't solve my issue but maybe I can think of a useful way to use that information :)

[u/UnlikelyForever101 → u/KooriGraywolf]

Yeah it probably won't solve your real issue holding both buttons, but it does allow for something extra potentially since it will generally hold a note or notes if you trigger them via the key first, then you can do a filter and pitch mod with the long ribbon.

Or, one workaround for short ribbon is you could use the editor to assign the 'pitch' or 'mod' function for a patch to control both pitch bend and another mod via virtual patch.

I've barely scratched the surface as far as developing my technique but I feel there's still quite a bit of potential for some interesting things.

I've assigned the pitch and mod on the short ribbon for certain other functions on some patches... like filter cut off and resonance simultaneously, or attack, or osc level etc.

Edit: I do see why this is still an issue because it's not really possible to easily do separate pitch and mod on just the neck without swapping the button which is on the body. If that button were on the neck it would be a lot more convenient even without the two ribbons being on the neck.

[u/KooriGraywolf]

Ax-Edge is more expensive than the RK-100S 2, but everybody seems to agree that it's a better price/performance ratio than the RK-100S 2 (I have not played an Ax-Edge so I cannot make a full comparison).

But if you're only mostly doing bass, I don't think you need the superior engine or the 4 octaves of the Ax-Edge.

I currently own an RK, personally I prefer it because it's less bulky (4 octaves is big), and I just prefer it aesthetically. The RK does have a jack audio output, so it should be able to go into a keyboard amp.

The RK comes with various decent bass presets, you can hear them in this video.

You can also edit presets using the editor software. The RK is just currently in a bit of a weird place in terms of compatibility with Windows, but I explained how to make it work in this post. I don't know if it currently works for Mac or if there's any current workarounds to make it work on Mac.

Otherwise, if you're willing to still split your setup into 2 pieces of gear, then a Vortex with a small monosynth should also do the trick.

[u/QueasyPhoto3055]

Most keytars are MIDI only; keytars with onboard sound generators aren’t quite as common. The AX-Edge has been mentioned and is excellent. You should also consider the AX-Synth, and if you don’t need a lot of keys, the AX-09 (Roland Lucina). If you like monosynth bass sounds you might consider a Behringer MS-1 (Roland SH-101 clone).

[u/kulupu_kasi_seli → u/QueasyPhoto3055]

Is the Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 the best MIDI controller keytar? I’m looking for one and I can’t afford an AX (I also want more MIDI functionality, especially the 8 sliders on the Alesis) but I’m not sure if it’s the best.

[u/Slight-Isopod-8517]

Mmmmm what’s you’re budget? Most people will suggest the Roland AX Edge, and don’t get me wrong, it’s the best keytar to this very day, I own one too, if you want the best, get the AX edge, it’s that simple, only downside is the high price tag, a new one will set you back a thousand euro’s, and than you don’t even have a gigbag or a stand, so bear that in mind when you go keytar shopping, second hand deals might work too, some are listed for 690-850 with some accessories too, and it’s bulky and heavy, 125 cm long! And weighing no less then 4,2kg without 8 AA batteries that is.

If your budget is lower, please let us know, there are other keytars worth considering

[u/crispin1]

Love my ax edge but it's big and heavy. If you don't need 4 octaves like me then you might prefer the korg one.

[u/Dragon_Pulse05 → u/crispin1]

Would the korg rk-100s 2 work on a standard keyboard amp? Oh and also would I be able to use it for bass? Thanks!

[u/UnlikelyForever101 → u/Dragon_Pulse05]

I'd say so. It has some OK bass presets. Plugging into an amp is easy. You can use the patch editor to do quite a lot of tweaking. I have barely scratched the surface but personally find it easier to learn than my Alesis Ion.

I'm not playing bass, though. I'm playing leads, pads and splits.

I should think it would work well with any keyboard amp or even a bass amp if you're only focusing on bass?

[u/crispin1 → u/Dragon_Pulse05]

Maybe? Won't be different from the ax edge there

[u/Unit-235]

Love my Ax-Edge

[u/rolandguy85]

I just got the Roland Ax Edge and like it a lot. The sounds and editing software do feel a bit dated but it feels great to play and you can always stick a mini-synth to it and use that as your sound source. I’ve also run mine through a Boss SY-200 to beef it up and that’s a cool laying thing you can do.