Anyone Using A Midi Controller as Keytar?

Keytars are back along with the Eighties revival (yes I used to own one). Some like the Roland AX are bringing big money. Seems a light wieght controller with strap buttons would work well. Any ideas?

**That is besides shut up and play Jazz Piano, old man!**

Say no to keytars or "wearing" keyboards....just sit your ass down and play.

Shut up and play Jazz Piano, old man!

But having said that, if you're doing an 80's tribute band or something like that, then yeah, that's pretty much a given. Just make sure your bassist plays a Steinberger headless bass.

Say no to keytars or "wearing" keyboards....just sit your ass down and play.

+1

You're kidding, right? KEYTARS FTW!

Let the '80s die already

its my dream to have keytar.

:love:

No, but I wanna play the new Roland AX-Synth when it comes out in the fall.

I'm ashamed to say I've done this...

It works pretty well, although pitch/mod wheels are often hard to reach. Naturally, the solution to this was to cut out a corner of the controller:

It's also a matter of taste where you put the top strap button - I found putting it at the other end too awkward for runs up and down, so I now have it half way along, where it balances better.

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My mom thinks I'm cool!

i wanted really to pre-order the ax synth, but come to think of it, it's FUGLY

prefer a yammy KX5

Let the '80s die already

NEVER!

I just scored a Korg RK-100 for $200. It has no velocity but looks awesomely 80's. I may have to invest in a wireless midi for this.

The AX is ugly as all, but I like the idea of the vibrato controls. Smaller would have been nice. Just the MIDI controller version with an included wireless MIDI kit would have been nice (or some sort of proprietary external box?)

Yes, you can make a keytar .. or a guitar ... or ANYTHING look like a dork if you already look like a dork, but it's easy to do that with anything.

I do think the ergonomics kind of fail though... though a melodica plugged into a Supersonic Fuzz Gun is tempting, but lacks the coolness of the keytars

I guess you didn't actually have to grow up in the '80s.

That's all you need. I've done it a couple of times as a gimmick with an old Yamaha MIDI controller I got for cheap. Wahoo.

I'd personally rather mod one of those MIDI controllers than suffer the expense of buying a Roland AX.

[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE]

This keytar wielding geek got Amanda hot and groovin...

Owned a Korg RK-100, looked cool but the midi output only went to half volume. Supposedly a mod existed to correct that. After thirty plus years behind the keys, standing up of course, I find myself singing ( you do sing, right?) a bunch of eighties tunes. That and the sudden need to stomp guitar players at thier own game (think Chic Corea meets Eddie VanHalen meets Jordan Rudess) in thier own place, front of the stage. If you have not checked the price of Roland AX's etc get ready for a shock, thier pricey. I've also owned a tiny Yamaha analog synth, CS10 ?, that I played keytar style. And yes, when I do a solo Jazz piano gig I do sit down.

If I could find an AX-7 reasonably, I'd pick one up. Doubt I'd use it but it would be nice to have in case the need suddenly presented itself.

The new AX synth is WAY too huge. They used a big overweight guy to demo it and it looked massive even on him. What the hell were they thinking?

PASS

-Mc

Hey Goofball! Try this on for size...

You can get a t-shirt on Ebay that says "Let's get keytarded" on it.

I might have to pass on that. Wouldn't go down too well with the special needs adults group at my work:poke:

Good plan!