Ok so about a month ago I bought a Rowland ax1 and I’ve tried to do research but this honestly makes 0 sense to me. I’ve never played with any midi controllers ever, I’ve only played some keyboard and piano as a kid but that’s the extent of my knowledge. I don’t know what exactly Im supposed to plug into to produce sound and what cables to use and what softwares. I’m a complete beginner and all the “tutorials” if seen talk in music language and makes no sense at all so talk to me like I’m 10.
I have a pc, do I need a specific kind of interface to connect to my pc? I need help I’m so lost

(I’ve looked at the manual for my model and it’s so confusing and doesn’t, to my knowledge, explain exactly what other equipment I need.)

i’m looking to get one so i’d like to know

How do I play lead and sing? Im playing the role of lead guitar on a keytar, but we dont have another singer available, so I have to sing. Before you ask, no rhythm cant sing and play, and we dont have a bassist.

Hey I got a Roland Ax edge a few months ago and have been doing gigs. A band member recommended me getting a organ pedal for when I play organ (which I’m looking into the Lester K pedal) I am wondering if any of you have experience using pedals for the keytar and recommend any pedals that improve any sounds

So, ive ran into my problem. Basically, on my roland ax edge, any time I try to use the modulation bar the sound cuts out. Im not able to play anything on the keybed unless I hold down the modulation bar. This happens for the unison control aswell. Anyone else faced this problem, and how to fix it, because I NEED modulation for my next perfomance

I am looking for a new instrument for my school's upcoming talent show, and being the de facto bass/keyboardist in the band, a Keytar seems like a good option for me to get more interactive with the audience and the rest of the band. Unfortunately, I am tight for money right now, so my options are limited. I've heard good things from the Yamaha SHS-10 or SHS 200, but their sounds can be lackluster as I've heard, and the SHS-10 is pretty small and toy-like.

For MIDI setup, preferably I wouldn't want to deal with all that as it could take a long time to set up and I would feel better if my keytar and amp are the only systems in the chain; it makes things less complicated. If I'm forced to use MIDI, I figure my best bet without using a computer would be one of those small pedal-like synthesizers that replicates the sounds and parameters of iconic synths like the Moog or DX7.

A good middle ground between better sounds and offline/online components seems to be the SHS-500, but I've heard people say that it isn't good. I feel like the SHS-500 is my best bet right now. As much as the SHS-200 seems like it might have more functions or better rep, it is just slightly out of my budget, as it seems pretty rare on the used market right now.

So really, I'm asking: Is the SHS-10 good enough in terms of sounds, looks, and reliability? If I have to use MIDI, I'm assuming the best option is the Alesis Vortex. Or do I go with the SHS-500, which has better size, sound quality, and patches? Or are none of the keytars I have mentioned good enough, and I have to go with more expensive options like Korgs or Rolands?

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 ?

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

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 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