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Average Price: $700

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$1501+

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Description

The Roland AX-1 is a keytar that blends the world of synth and performance, offering musicians the freedom to express themselves on stage like never before. Designed with the performing artist in mind, this classic keytar provides an engaging way to interact with your audience. It connects effortlessly with MIDI-compatible devices, allowing you to control your favorite synthesizers and sound modules with ease. The AX-1 features 45 velocity-sensitive keys, giving you a dynamic range to explore your musical creativity.

Its intuitive user interface is equipped with a variety of performance controls, including a pitch bend ribbon, a modulation bar, and multiple assignable buttons, ensuring you have all the tools needed for expressive play. The AX-1 also includes a sustain switch input and an external footswitch control, providing additional flexibility for live performances. With its lightweight and ergonomic design, the AX-1 is comfortable to wear and easy to maneuver, making it perfect for energetic stage presence without compromising on functionality.

Key Features:

  • 45 velocity-sensitive keys for dynamic play
  • MIDI capability for controlling external sound modules
  • Pitch bend ribbon and modulation bar for expressive control
  • Multiple assignable buttons for customized performance settings
  • Sustain switch input and external footswitch control
  • Lightweight and ergonomic design for comfortable use on stage
  • Intuitive user interface tailored for live performance

Product specs

Brand Roland
Model AX-1 45-Key Keytar MIDI Controller
Finish Black, Red
Year 1992 - 2001
Made In Japan
Categories Keytar MIDI Controllers
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output
Number of Keys 45 Keys

FAQs

What kind of connectivity options does the Roland AX-1 keytar offer?

The Roland AX-1 keytar features MIDI Input and Output ports, allowing it to control other MIDI-compatible devices and synthesizers.

Is the Roland AX-1 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Roland AX-1 is designed for live performances with its lightweight design and full-size keys, making it easy to play while moving around on stage.

Does the Roland AX-1 produce its own sounds?

No, the Roland AX-1 is a MIDI controller and does not produce sounds on its own. It must be connected to an external sound module or synthesizer.

How many keys does the Roland AX-1 have, and what is their action type?

The Roland AX-1 has 45 full-size keys with a synth action, providing a responsive and dynamic playing experience.

Can the Roland AX-1 be used with modern MIDI equipment?

Yes, the Roland AX-1 can be used with modern MIDI equipment, as it features standard MIDI Input and Output connections compatible with current MIDI devices.

Ben Wilshire

Ben Wilshire

Roland AX1 Keytar! Short Demo Playthrough!

Video thumbnail for Roland AX1 Keytar! Short Demo Playthrough! by Ben Wilshire

Roland AX1 Keytar! Short Demo Playthrough!

Ben Wilshire

Ben Wilshire

Video thumbnail for Roland AX-1 Keytar Demo.avi by finelinebargains

Roland AX-1 Keytar Demo.avi

finelinebargains

finelinebargains

Video thumbnail for playing Roland AX1 by Weder Clay Oliveira Ferreira

playing Roland AX1

Weder Clay Oliveira Ferreira

Weder Clay Oliveira Ferreira

Video thumbnail for "Roland AX1" Test by synthartist69

"Roland AX1" Test

synthartist69

synthartist69

Reviews

PROS

  • Great gift for music enthusiasts

  • Requires additional equipment for sound output

CONS

  • Perceived as outdated by some users

  • Negative association with "joke bands"

  • May have shipping or tracking issues

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland AX-1.

Setup and maintenance

  • Locktite blue is recommended for strap locks to prevent them from loosening.

    Source
  • Ensure the AX-1 transmits on the same MIDI channel as the Juno Stage to facilitate proper communication between devices.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The AX-1 is MIDI-only and requires an external synth for sound production.

    Source
  • Setting up the AX-1 to ignore bank change commands can allow seamless patch changes without affecting other synths like the Juno Stage.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Using a CME WIDIjack enables wireless MIDI connectivity to iPads or iPhones.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Roland Sound Canvas app offers a diverse set of sounds for use with AX-1 when connected to iOS devices via a MIDI interface.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Playing different patches simultaneously on the AX-1 and Juno Stage requires specific MIDI channel configuration and understanding of patch commands.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Roland AX-1 (MT Apr 93)

muzines.co.uk

Revamping the keyboard player's stage presence, the Roland AX-1 is a portable MIDI controller that lets you rock out like a guitarist. While not without its quirks—such as awkwardly placed controls and a limited 45-note keyboard—the AX-1 offers a playful and expressive playing experience. Its unique design and features, like the touch-sensitive pitch bend and modulation controls, make it a standout for performers seeking freedom from static setups. Though it lacks onboard sounds and the sustain button is hard to reach, its GS MIDI compatibility and expressive capabilities offer a fun and functional solution for keyboardists seeking visual and performance impact.

positive

4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 7 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Björn Böttcher uses Roland AX-1

Björn Böttcher

Keyboardist

Funker Vogt

...
Verified via Photo

Björn Böttcher is seen using a custom-painted Roland AX-1 with a camouflage design, as shown in a user-uploaded photo on Flickr.

See how Mistheria uses Roland AX-1

Mistheria

Keyboardist

Vivaldi Metal Project

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by Mistheria, the artist is shown using a Roland AX-1 keytar on stage. The post, captioned "Feeling a moment on stage 💙💜 @vivaldimetalproject" and credited to photographer Francie Baldwin, confirms Mistheria's use of this specific gear.

See how Stephen Bier uses Roland AX-1

Stephen Bier

Keyboardist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this live concert several times he is seen playing this instrument

See how Jem Davis uses Roland AX-1

Jem Davis

Keyboardist, Composer

UFO

...
Verified via Fmofficial

Scotty - Hi there Jem, being the most technology-minded in the band, do you have a studio at home and what stuff do you use? Are any of the other band members into that kind of thing or do they leave it up to you? Looking forward to the new album. Scotty.

JD - I have my Mac at home and run Logic with Motu 828 interface for recording. As I said earlier I'm old-school so I love my keyboards hence I have a 1973 Minimoog, Nord Stage 88 as my main keyboard for Logic, Nord Stage Compact, Korg PA1 x pro, Korg M3 73 with Radias, Roland Fantom G7, Roland Fantom X6, Roland Fantom XR, Moog Little Phatty, the excellent Nord C1, best Hammond emulator I have ever played. 2 Korg o1/w, Roland AX-1, Roland AX-7... Well you did ask! Pete is well into recording and programming, Merv writes with a Korg pa80 and is getting quite a nifty keyboard player, Jim has a ProTools set-up and Stiv... well, we are still teaching him how to text! But when you can sing and write songs like he does, who cares!

See how Walter Savelli uses Roland AX-1

Walter Savelli

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

Walter Savelli used the Roland AX-1 synthesizer during various years on tour with Claudio Baglioni, as shown in a photo shared on his Facebook page.

See how Nik Green uses Roland AX-1

Nik Green

Keyboardist

Blue Murder

...
Verified via Photo

Nik Green has been documented using a Roland AX-1 red keytar, as evidenced by an image available on Equipboard.

See how Daniel “Nephil” Estrin uses Roland AX-1

Daniel “Nephil” Estrin

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via YouTube

Daniel "Nephil" Estrin is confirmed to use a Roland AX-1, as he is seen performing with it live during a keytar duel against Christopher Bowes at ProgPower Atlanta on September 5, 2018, as documented in the YouTube video by user cramx3 titled "Voyager vs Alestorm Keytar Duel (Daniel Estrin vs Christopher Bowes) @ ProgPower Atlanta."

Album Usage

The Roland AX-1 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland AX-1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Roland Jupiter-8
Roland Jupiter-8 Synthesizers
1
Roland JD-800
Roland JD-800 Synthesizers
1
Roland Jupiter-6
Roland Jupiter-6 Synthesizers
1
Opcode Studio Vision
Opcode Studio Vision Music Software
1
Roland JX-3P
Roland JX-3P Synthesizers
1
Roland Juno-106
Roland Juno-106 Synthesizers
1
Roland G-707
Roland G-707 Digital Modeling Guitars
1

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