AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer at NAMM 09
This is Roland’s official NAMM video for the Roland Ax-Synth (don’t call it a keytar!)
via RolandChannel:
The AX-Synth represents Roland’s new generation of remote keyboards, but for the first time, this one has a sound generator onboard. Its self-contained and equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Rolands latest synths.
I have to say that I don’t think that Roland could have made more bad decisions with this other than painting it with lead based paint. If Roland couldn’t sell the AX-7 at $500 how on earth are they going to sell this at $1100? Why do I want to run audio cables from something that I’m going to carry around on stage? If I’m running audio and midi then I have 3 cables hanging from a ‘portable’ device. If they think that people are actually going to have dual wireless transmitters they are sadly mistaken. Plus the thing is too darn big.
Roland, just bring back the AX-7 and have done with it.
ax 7 with midi wireless I can move where ever i want
i do sound checks 25 feet out front of the house
I must admit that i prefer the design of the AX-7. This new one is ugly, and the synth on board is completely unnecessary. They should have just done the AX-7 with built-in wireless midi, or possibly wireless for controlling software on a pc remotely. But i’m still much more willing to pay $1100 on this, than $2000 on an ebay AX-7.
Sigh. One day, someone will make the ultimate keytar at a reasonable price. I’d still love to get one of the starlabs z-tars, if they weren’t so expensive.
I don’t see much difference between the AX-7’s design and the new Synth’s design. The AX Synth just has a little more meat on its bones.
As for the on-board synthesizer, I think it’s a great option for players. It allows them to have things on hand without plugging it in to a midi board, and gives them the ability to customize the sounds they can keep on it.
Even if they painted it with lead paint, I’d play it. Hell, I’d lick it if it meant getting it sooner.
I love it-its a fun board-it has great onboard sounds-i have owned probaly 50 boards-my rig
in the 70's included a rhodes,clavinet,mini moog,string thing, and a wurlitzer.
I bought a wireless for it. During sound check at church I walk around the auditorium and
help the sound men balance things.
Negs-Its a bit heavy and a little thick under the neck.
Overall it has some great sounds and its just a ton of fun to play-BUY IT.
I love it-its a fun board-it has great onboard sounds-i have owned probaly 50 boards-my rig
in the 70's included a rhodes,clavinet,mini moog,string thing, and a wurlitzer.
I bought a wireless for it. During sound check at church I walk around the auditorium and
help the sound men balance things.
Negs-Its a bit heavy and a little thick under the neck.
Overall it has some great sounds and its just a ton of fun to play-BUY IT.