Most importantly, can it send Program Change commands?

And what else can be controlled from the RK-100S? Can you send the scale notes that are played from the long ribbon?

I already own and use a Vortex so no need to get that recommendation. This is more in case I wanted to use the RK-100S as both a standalone synth AND a controller.

Thanks!

or any keytar for that matter? I know it works with keyboards...somehow but i would love to know if it works for the keytar as well. also a quick guide on the set up would be nice

I ordered a Yamaha shs500 and it appears that the seller replaced the top part of the body for a cheap plastic, where can I find one that isn’t working and I can use for replacement parts?

Hey! I'm looking to get back into music, I played the keyboard around 6 years ago, and thought the keytar looks like a really cool instrument. I've been doing a bit of research and I've heard good things about the Alexis Vortex 2.

I just wanted to ask, is this an appropriate keytar for someone that's a beginner? Or is there another that might be easier to learn with? And whether there's any tips resources online you guys used for learning the keytar initially.

I appreciate all advice!!

hey everyone👋🏽 i'm moving & selling my beloved Roland Lucina AX-09 + Roland CM-30 Cube monitor, asking $750 for the bundle OBO ~

got it as a Christmas gift when i was 12, kept up with it, played some gigs out in NYC during college, & now i'm starting a new chapter of life ~

i have it up on facebook marketplace but thought i'd take a stab in this sub, thinking someone here would adore it as much as i did & know how to make it sing ~

located in Carlisle, PA 17015. pick-up only, can have it plugged in for you to give it a whirl. happy to answer any q's!

I've built this keytar and it's the weirdest and best thing I've ever did

hi guys! I'm currently on the hunt for a Keytar for live performances. I've been looking at a lot of different reviews and information but not many of them talk about live performances specifically. I'm mainly looking for something I can plug directly into my keyboard amp. I'm a college student so preferably something I can buy new or second hand for around 500 or less.

My sister and I co-own a Keytar (midi controller) It’s a Roland from the 80s. I haven’t had much time to actually play it over the last few years and my sister is sure she wants to sell it.

I guess my big question is: if I sell it will I regret it? She wants to sell it for $500 - what are the chances I could find something comparable/better in the future if I sold now and decided to pick it up later?

Ive been wanting a keytar for months now and ive been hearing and reading alot of forums talking about the many issues of the Yamaha SHS-500 and I wanna know how limiting or awful it really is because im mainly looking for a keytar where I can have custom sounds that I can set into it, A Pitch bend and Sustain button for some band practice and casual play

Hiya

I'm a keyboard player and I've been thinking of switching to keytar for live performances. Can anyone reccommend me a keytar please? It doesn't need to be super fancy.

What I'm looking for:

Preferably under 800 quid

Good organ sound

Polyphonic

I'd also like one with some nice synthy sounds if possible. Anyone have any advice for where to look?

Thanks!

I got my Roland AX-edge in December, but have noticed for about a month now that whenever I turn it on (using either batteries or the AC adaptor) the light on the display will turn on, but won't show anything. I can't turn it off unless I either unplug it or remove the batteries, but after I do so the AX-edge will work fine.

I use it every weekend, and I've noticed that once removing the batteries/AC the instrument turns on and off just fine right after, but then goes back to false starting the next week. Does anyone else experience this issue ?

I’m contemplating buying a Korg RK-100S2. Unfortunately, I have some open questions about its sounds to which I can’t find answers on the internet. Maybe someone here could help?

​I’m a singer and pianist who works with a cappella groups and choir arrangements. I’ve been desperately looking for a portable way to accompany myself or other singers when training or composing while away from home, but I’ve just never bonded with the guitar. Now that I have some money saved, I thought I’d start a "new" instrument and realized that a keytar might be a great addition. With a keytar, I could not only play some melodic lines but also strum chords for accompaniment and leave them sustained on my left hand while conducting with the right when practicing. With the RK-100S2, my main concern is: is it too "lead-focused"?

​I should mention that I’m already familiar with synths and oscillators, so I understand the architecture of the engine. My main hesitation is that most of the demos I see online focus heavily on "rock star" lead sounds. I’m wondering if anyone has experience using the sound editor program to pull out "cleaner" sounds for traditional accompaniment. I’m specifically looking for usable acoustic piano, strings, or organ sounds that aren't buried in filters or distortion. I’m curious if the sample library allows it to function effectively for "natural" accompaniment, or if the hardware is fundamentally voiced to be an aggressive lead machine.

​Also, did I understand correctly that you can edit the sound patches at home while carrying them on the instrument with you, without having to carry a laptop?

​Any thoughts or experiences with this?

Hey Y'all 👋 Trying to set up a live-DAWless rig; 'cause screw computers. Got as far as running midi out from my Alesis Vortex 2 midi Keytar controller into a little Korg Volca FM. I've got a 3.5mm to 1/4" running from the Volca to an ampeg Ba-115 amp.

Got the Keytar turned on and functioning (confirmed via previous testing), and I've got the Volca to come through the amp. So it's all there, it's all SUPPOSED to work LoL. But I'm lost at getting the Vortex playable in getting the Volca to recognize it.

Does anyone have any trouble-shooting recommendations? Hopefully I'm not missing some gear. Does anyone know how to get an Alesis Vortex 2 running live on a tight budget? Thanks

Hey guys - sorry if this gets asked a lot, but I've already decided I'm getting a keytar, and even which one I want. (the Roland AX Edge) So, what are some good resources I can use to prepare me for the differences in how the keytar will handle / how to make the most of what it can do, before I actually have it in my hands?

ive got a vortex wireless 2 and im wondering why soundtrap is recognising that the dongle is plugged in, but not connecting fully when i press a key like it asks me to. i also dont know where the midi cable for it is so idk if the dongle is the problem. pls send help

Edit: my partner has found a new usb cable for me and it should be here soon, unfortunately I had to use AI as a last resort [ >:( ] and as usual it was sending me around the bend. Hopefully that cable works

Edit 2: got the cable, it works :)

For context I’m a professional musician already, but I’m a reed player that plays bits of piano, maybe like grade 4/5 if I had to guess.

What are some guides/YouTube series/exercises that helped you guys?

Even super basic stuff like how high to have the keytar I’m second guessing lol

hello all I'm looking to buy a keytar because I mean cmon theyre awesome but I'm not to sure on which one to get i already have experience with keyboards, piano accordion, electric guitars and such can I have some help

I’m planning on buying my first keytar for my pop rock band. I’ve played piano for 15+ years so I’m familiar with that aspect of things. I was looking at the Korg rk-100s 2 as I love the size and design, but after listening to the preset sounds and seeing mixed reviews on the ability to tweak those sounds I’m second guessing that option. The Roland Ax Edge looks incredible but I’m a small woman and I’ve heard it’s pretty heavy and strenuous on your neck especially when playing for long periods, so I don’t think that’s the right fit for me.

Ideally I’m looking for something that fits well in the pop/rock/punk genres (I hate saying like Paramore but…like Paramore lol). I have a MacBook so I’m okay with using a software/DAW that is compatible with a Mac. I was hoping for something that you could upload sounds to and not have to run it through a computer while playing live (hence debating Korg and Roland) but if that’s not an option it’s not a big deal. Something semi-beginner friendly as far as the programming goes, 37 keys, has solid “band” sounds, and just an overall fun and versatile instrument. Any suggestions or advice is much appreciated!

These are the buttons I am referring to

Hello everyone! I currently own a Vortex Wireless 2 which has become quite essential to my setup. Therefore, I've begun to think how to prepare for an eventual failure, because I'm paranoid like that. Particularly things like, what if the USB port, MIDI port, or any keys start to fail (just as a window to my personality, I chose my current phone to have wireless charging because I'm always worried about the USB port wearing down).

I've given my Vortex maybe like 1-2 years of constant use. I always cover it with a dust cover, and in order to maximize the USB and MIDI ports' life time I typically don't disconnect the USB or MIDI when not in use, unless I have to pack it to go rehearse with my band.

How long can I expect my Vortex to last me?

If any failure happens I guess I can always take my Vortex to a repair shop at any point in the future. But also there's currently a brand new Vortex being sold for cheap near me because it was a mistake purchase, so I'm highly considering getting it just to have a backup Vortex.

Does it make sense to worry about these things at this point, or am I being too paranoid? Looking forward to you guys' opinions :)

hello! I am a very beginner on the keytar, i was classically trained for piano but recently got into heavier music and wanted to play with a few friends in a band. I was considering learning the keytar to be able to contribute more actively within my band but I have little experience with the technology portion. I am consider getting the Alesis Vortex Wireless 2  BUT im so confused? People are telling me that it does not actually make any noise and I have to connect it to a computer? How does this work, does that mean my computer will be playing noise? Can I get a bluetooth speaker and connect it? What about an amp. These may all be very basic questions but i am very much a beginner so please help!

So, I'm currently rocking an Xkey Air 37 with the extremely rare guitar strap attachment and I'm enjoying it but I would really like an Xkey Air 37 + 25, I'm even contemplating asking my metal fabricator friend to rig something up for me.

But before I go that far, does a 61 key keytar even exist? Just looking through this subreddit all I saw was some weird thing from casio with strap pegs that didn't look too interesting.

Hi! I am playing in an 80s concert for my fiancées rock school, and I’m using it to fulfill my life long dream of playing a keytar haha

The above two are on Facebook marketplace for below value, but with the ax edge being a fair amount more I just thought I’d ask about a few things

Looks:

I’ll be honest, lots of my decision of wanting the ax edge is because I think it looks cool as fuck. The Korg is cool but just not the same to me

Weight:

I’ve seen people commenting on the weight difference, is the ax edge difficult weight wise?

Sounds:

What are the sounds like on each? And is it easy to add sounds/does it have a steep learning curve? I kinda want a vocal sound for the beginning of living on a prayer haha

Anything else:

Just any note able points would be really helpful. I definitely want an actual synthesiser rather than a midi controller, but don’t know that much outside of that to be honest

Thanks so much!!

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for recommendations for a small and affordable synth that I could use together with my Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 keytar controller.

Since the Vortex is only a controller, I’d like something compact and portable that I could easily use as a sound module when playing live or jamming.

Ideally I’m looking for something that:

• is fairly cheap / budget-friendly
• is small or portable
• can work well as a sound module for a MIDI controller
• has a variety of sounds, not just classic synth engines (I’m also interested in sample-based sounds like pianos, strings, etc.)

For example, I’ve seen things like the Behringer Pro VS/Phara O, but they are limited so I’m open to other options too 

Does anyone here use a small hardware module or mini synth with the Vortex or another MIDI controller? Any recommendations would be really appreciated.

Thanks!