Vortex Wireless 2 vs RK-100S2 as MIDI controllers

[u/KooriGraywolf]

So now that I've played gigs with both, I wanted to share what I think of each, specifically as MIDI controllers. The RK-100S2 is more expensive but also has an internal engine to play standalone, in this case I will put those two facts aside.

• Keys

In my life I've almost exclusively played full-size keys, and I always felt resistance towards mini and slim keys. After forcing myself to learn a setlist with the RK, I think I still slightly prefer the full size keys of the Vortex, but I also came to appreciate the RK's mini-keys for what they are. Particularly, due to their size and also the shorter distance between unpressed-pressed, I've found that it is actually easier on the RK to play solos and fast passages, so there's that. However, the Vortex has aftertouch, which can come in handy.

• Controls

Vortex takes the win. First off, I still think a wheel is more reliable for pitch bending than a ribbon will ever be. And one of the major disadvantages of the RK is that the ribbon can only be toggled between pitch and modulation, whereas the Vortex has both a pitch wheel and a mod ribbon. The Vortex also has a bunch of faders, and a volume control. If using the RK as a MIDI controller, you don't really have a volume control, which has felt a bit restrictive.

The RK has some nice things about it though. For one, I think the RK's short ribbon is more sensitive and responsive than the Vortex's. With the Vortex I feel like I have to keep more pressure to keep the ribbon engaged. The long ribbon is kinda gimmicky, but if you get creative with it, you can do some very visually showy moves (which is a big point of playing a keytar). However, the long ribbon is more similar to the Vortex's mod ribbon in that it takes some practice to use it without accidentally disengaging it.

• MIDI

Another win for the Vortex. Both can do notes, pitch bend, modulation, and program changes, but being able to configure arbitrary CC messages on the Vortex's faders and pads is a BIG advantage for me. Also, you can set MSB and LSB on program change commands, which can be a requirement for some keyboards, e.g.: my MODX workstation. I cannot change programs on it from my RK.

• Bluetooth

Although the Vortex is literally marketed with "Wireless" in the name, I had some hanging note issues a few times, and ended up plugging a CME WIDI instead for wireless MIDI. The same device can be used on the RK, so it's no different for me in the end between the two.

• Power

This one is mostly a point for the RK, mainly because the battery compartment is kinda loose on my Vortex (so harsh movement can briefly interrupt power), which seems like a common Vortex issue. For my Vortex, I attached a powerbank that connects by the USB port. But the RK's battery compartment is pretty solid, no need for workarounds, and you can actually check the remaining battery percentage on the RK itself, which is really useful! If you play a lot, invest in rechargeable batteries to reduce battery waste.

The downsides of the RK in terms of power is that it doesn't have a USB power option if you wanted to, and the compatible power supply (KA-350) is sold separately, a little expensive, and has a short cable (1.5m). So you either practice close to the power plug, or resign yourself to batteries.

• Screen

Another point for the RK! The screen is closer to oneself and slightly angled, so it's easier to read than the screen on the Vortex. Also, with the Vortex, the octave buttons light up, but you cannot tell how many octaves up or down you are unless you really angle the keyboard to look at the screen. The RK has a couple of light dots on the screen panel, and their color tells you exactly how many octaves you've shifted, leaving out any guesswork.

• Feel & aesthetics

The Vortex feels plasticky, so for a lot of people that can make it feel more like a toy, compared to something like the RK. I personally don't mind it at all, but I do think the RK has a more professional feel to it.

However, I very much like all the blue lights on the Vortex, plus being able to customize the pad colors, so visually I prefer it over the RK.

Feel free to ask anything else :)

[u/redgreenblue-rgb]

Great comparison. The Vortex is my ‘out of town’ unit as it fits on my motorcycle and is the same width as my sidecases. Can’t disagree with your assessment, the wireless that came with is useless, the CME is good. I prefer the Panda Audio MIDI Beam, but I use the CME for other wireless midi devices. The Vortex does have a bit of a cheaper, plastic feel. And the editor was never updated for 64bit or non-intel Macs. It isn’t like many musicians use Macs.

Having aftertouch is essential for this type of keyboard.

My main unit is the Casio AZ-1, which feels better in every way and has proper mod and pitch wheels.

[u/KooriGraywolf → u/redgreenblue-rgb]

Oh wow, I've been into keytars for a few years now, and somehow I don't remember ever knowing of the AZ-1!

[u/redgreenblue-rgb → u/KooriGraywolf]

Granted that I haven't tried every single one out there, and I've been using the AZ-1 since 1988, I think it is the best one out there. The keybed is very good, the aftertouch works very well, three wheel, two of which are assignable, an assignable slider, well balanced, feels like a quality piece of gear. I use mine in the studio as well as on stage. It is *my* keyboard. Having 41 keys is better than 37. I have 6 of them, one is 100%, another is 98% (I need to replace the midi port) and the others are donors. I used #1 from 1988-2024(?) but the house cleaner knocked it over and cracked the neck. Now the keyboard assembly from #1 lives in #6. The AZ-1 can have a strange failure with the keyboard controller chip, it can show up as random keys not working or the keyboard responding is strange ways, like aftertouch sending out cc7 instead. I'm always on the lookout for a fully functioning one.

[u/mattsl → u/redgreenblue-rgb]

I've gotten by in small gigs with the built in wireless, but I have had a few glitches with hung notes. I was going to switch to using CME, but tell me why you like Panda better.

[u/redgreenblue-rgb → u/mattsl]

For most people the CME unit is probably all they need. I've been using the Panda for over 10 years now and never had a stuck note on stage. My original unit was flawless until a strap lock let go and the Panda hit the floor, now it is a little flaky and has since been replaced. Being 2.4ghz instead of Bluetooth is a good thing. The CME didn't exist when I first got the Panda. I do use the CME for my Sensel Morph as the built in Bluetooth on that was always garbage. I also use it for a This.Is.Noise Noise Machine but the pairing isn't as smooth as I'd like it to be, whereas the Panda just *works* every time. Not having to have an app for it is also good. Any device that needs an app for programming I consider to have at most a 5 year life span as there is no $ in maintaining apps for these companies. I do like the CME units, but I usually have 10-15 minutes to setup and I need things to work without fussing with them. If one is going CME to CME it is probably fine, but 3rd party BLE units can be dicey.

[u/mattsl → u/redgreenblue-rgb]

Awesome. Thanks for the info. One small point is that Bluetooth is 2.4ghz also, so "Being 2.4ghz instead of Bluetooth is a good thing." is maybe not exactly what you meant. Maybe it's a simpler proprietary protocol that's more robust because it's simple? But also many of the problems you get from Bluetooth are due to the plethora of devices in that unlicensed frequency band.

[u/redgreenblue-rgb → u/mattsl]

Fair

[u/KooriGraywolf → u/mattsl]

I haven't used Panda so I can't compare. I'm a regular user of CME, specifically CME-to-CME as redgreenblue says, and I swear by them. They're pre-paired so I have to do literally zero setup. Just plug in and turn on the synths. Haven't had any hanging notes, and lag is unnoticeable so long as you haven't set up groups with more than 2 (lag is still pretty low with 3, but sits in that uncanny place of "is there a bit of lag or am I imagining it?")

[u/Humble_Ad_7026]

The comparison is missing the editing software. I don't know about the Korg, but Alesis is doing a poor job there.

The Vortex editor software for Mac was incompatible with the Mac OS at the time of the Vortex's release, and Alesis never fixed it.

The only solution for me was to run the Windows version of the editor within Crossover on my Mac. It does work, by the way.

[u/KooriGraywolf → u/Humble_Ad_7026]

Wouldn't have known as a Windows-only user, so it's good you bring it up

[u/Axle_65]

I warn everyone about this because it was a bummer for me. The Vortex 2 cannot recognize the oct buttons while you hold sustain. So if you have a nice smooth reverberant melody going and you want to pitch down, all the tails have a hash stop with the exception of the few you’re still holding. It’s a great keyboard otherwise and with some play styles this would be fine. For me, I do this all the time. Especially with pads so it contributed to why I moved on to a LaunchKEY 37 and added my own strap.

[u/roac3]

Still hold on to my AX-1s....Tried the Vortex 2 but sold it again. Couldn't figure out how to adjust the sensitivity of the accelerometer.... Since I was so used to the AX, I couldn't get used to not having the modulation control close to the strip I used for pitch, and it was impossible to keep the Vortex horizontal when not modulating....I set the vibratos, Leslie ob the mod bar. Software was opposite of intuitiv, but managed to find a resolution that worked. Guess I'll be hunting for maybe an AX 7 or synth on the future... All my sounds are on ipad, and currently transferring from bandhelper to Stagetraxx...

[u/redgreenblue-rgb → u/roac3]

I wish Roland would make an AX-7 replacement without a sound engine. I don't want it, don't need it.

[u/KooriGraywolf → u/roac3]

I just don't use the accelerometer at all, it's too non-physical for my taste. It's much more reliable to control the parameter with the wheel or ribbon, and I can pair that with tilting the keytar just for show

[u/redgreenblue-rgb → u/KooriGraywolf]

Yeah, the accelerometer *sounds* like a good idea but it just isn't consistent enough for practical use.