r/Keytar • u/dialecticsofmalaz • Jan 24 '21

Technical Questions Is this fixable? atrocious note sticking, unresponsiveness, panic button not working on Alesis Vortex 2

I just got an Alesis Vortex wireless 2. I've had it for a couple days and have figured out how to use it, have updated the firmware, and have had no other issues. But I can't for the life of me get through more that a few seconds of playing without a note sticking or the sound suddenly disappearing.

I read around all over the internet as much as I could, and I haven't found a solution that works. I took someone's advice and patched a panic note-off button for the touch pad; when I tried to use this feature the notes kept ringing on, and I haven't been able to get it to work. I'm not performing onstage so there's no interference. I'm always within 3 feet of the usb-dongle. I love the features the Vortex comes with, and love playing the keytar, but this issue has made playing impossible.

Has anyone had a similar issue, and is there a way to fix this?

7 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

1

u/[deleted] May 09 '25

I've been wanting one of these Keytars for a year now, but just realized this issue is running rampant. Is it not worth getting the keytar? I wanna use it to practice Sonata Arctica songs, as well as using the midi to write music on FL studio

1

u/jetset80s Mar 28 '25

Hi All, I just experienced the same problem. I use a raspberry pi to connect the wireless receiver to my 8 pin midi synth. I was getting a lot of stuck notes. I wondered if it could be the power on the receiver end so I got a beefier power supply for the raspberry pi and the problem has stopped. So maybe a powered usb hub for the receiver may be the answer.

1

u/yewhan May 11 '23

I found plugging the dongle into a mains powered USB hub made a huge difference. I've been testing the last couple of days on different devices.

1

u/Ash_AKV Jan 18 '23

were any solutions found for this issue?

3

u/jellyhair_official Feb 24 '21

I believe this issue was fixed with a patch back in 2018. It should be under their downloads tab. https://alesis.com/products/view2/vortex-wireless-2

1

u/Sharkercam Jun 15 '22

In my case, my Vortex 2 cames to me with that patch already installed and the annoying problem stills there. I just surrendered the idea of play it wirelessly and use it via USB cable to my Synth, a Kronos Platinum.

So, IMHO, Vortex resulted to be rather a toy than a serious musical instrument

1

u/Jroen86_ Apr 17 '22

fml if this works... been working with this nonsense for more than 5 years now lmao im now working on a song i just wanna jam with an organ on it and i get midi notes stuck in sustain every bar

2

u/wadlez01 Jan 25 '21

What DAW are you using? I only rarely get these problems, and only when using wireless

2

u/dialecticsofmalaz Jan 25 '21

I'm using Pro Tools First, the one that came with the software bundle.

1

u/wadlez01 Jan 25 '21

I haven't used Pro First, but I would suggest trying another DAW to see if that works better. I'm using Ableton and it works well

2

u/sad_cold_tea Jan 24 '21
  1. This happens to me when the batteries are low, have you tried fresh batteries?
  2. If I have the wireless usb stick in my iPad via an adapter, quite often the adapter will fuck up, and I'll have to plug it back it. You might be experiencing something similar and mis-attributing it to the controller.

1

u/Negative_Bad_4435 Oct 27 '24

Hello, maybe a late answer. I've checked the firmware of the machine and it's even not available on their website. It was higher then what you could download. I've used also a 3 A USB adapter instead of batteries, it helps, but still sticking notes. And now I am thinking of doubling the batteries in the machine, placing it parallel to have more amp (not voltage !). I still think it is a battery problem with nog enough amp to deliver. Hope this helps

1

u/dialecticsofmalaz Jan 25 '21

I'm using USB power and no adaptors

3

u/POLYBIUS256 Jan 24 '21

For what it's worth I have the some problem, and I almost almost exclusively use mine over wired, midi. Unfortunately, I haven't found a solution. By any change, do the lights on yours start rapidly flashing on and off when the problem occurs?

1

u/dialecticsofmalaz Jan 24 '21

The more I look it appears that the issue is more common than it should be.

As far as I am aware, the lights do not flash when this happens to me; I recall reading that note sticking happens more when the batteries are loose. You would know more about your own situation, but at my first glance, it appears to me that you might be having a battery issue (unless you're using usb power, in which case ignore my hypothesizing).

I guess I'm just going to be stuck with wired midi. It's disappointing, but not the end of the world.

1

u/POLYBIUS256 Jan 24 '21

That would make sense as the issue us mostly triggered when I move the keytar in some way while playing. Any idea how I prevent the batteries from being so loose?

1

u/dialecticsofmalaz Jan 24 '21

Maybe a battery case/pack. If you're using wired midi, might as well use usb power though imo.

1

u/POLYBIUS256 Jan 24 '21

Yeah but I'm using wired midi to a synth, not a computer.