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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Yamaha KX5, an iconic MIDI keyboard controller that seamlessly blends into any modern musician's toolkit. Designed for expressive control and live performance, the KX5 is a nod to classic keytar designs, offering both portability and dynamic musical capabilities. Featuring a 37-key velocity-sensitive keyboard, it allows for nuanced playing, whether you're crafting beats in the studio or rocking a live stage.

The Yamaha KX5 stands out with its ergonomic design and lightweight construction, making it a favorite among performing artists who need freedom on stage. The onboard control panel is straightforward yet powerful, providing quick access to essential functions to keep your performance fluid and engaging. With MIDI connectivity, it integrates effortlessly with your existing setup, whether you're using it to control software instruments or hardware synthesizers.

Ideal for musicians who value both style and substance, the KX5 supports creative exploration with a range of expressive controls including pitch bend and modulation wheels, ensuring that your performance is as dynamic as your musical ideas. With its blend of classic design and modern functionality, the Yamaha KX5 remains a beloved choice for keyboardists seeking both innovation and tradition in a single instrument.

Key Features:

  • 37-key velocity-sensitive keyboard
  • Lightweight, ergonomic design for stage performance
  • MIDI connectivity for integrating with software and hardware
  • Onboard control panel with essential functions
  • Pitch bend and modulation wheels for expressive control
Dan Clarke

Dan Clarke

Yamaha KX5

Video thumbnail for Yamaha KX5 by Dan Clarke

Yamaha KX5

Dan Clarke

Dan Clarke

Video thumbnail for Yamaha KX5 \ Yamaha TG500 by Musicnectar

Yamaha KX5 \ Yamaha TG500

Musicnectar

Musicnectar

Video thumbnail for Yamaha KX5 KX 5 KX-5 keytar solo MIDI controller remote shoulder synth demo with NI Kontakt by DIY Music

Yamaha KX5 KX 5 KX-5 keytar solo MIDI controller remote shoulder synth demo with NI Kontakt

DIY Music

DIY Music

Video thumbnail for YAMAHA KX5 PERFOMANCE by Kai keyboard mafia

YAMAHA KX5 PERFOMANCE

Kai keyboard mafia

Kai keyboard mafia

Video thumbnail for The Yamaha KX5 "Keytar" and my MODX7 by archivestereo

The Yamaha KX5 "Keytar" and my MODX7

archivestereo

archivestereo

Video thumbnail for 80s Keytar Series Episode 5: the Yamaha KX5 midi Controller by Keytar Kris 🎹🎸

80s Keytar Series Episode 5: the Yamaha KX5 midi Controller

Keytar Kris 🎹🎸

Keytar Kris 🎹🎸

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha KX5.

Features and functionality

  • The Yamaha KX5 does not store presets; all programming is done from the connected audio source.

    Source
  • The KX5 requires a MIDI cable for connectivity, though some users recall seeing remote capabilities.

    Source
  • Some CME WIDI Master units can operate with power from MIDI out alone, given that the KX5 provides sufficient power.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Stuck notes are a common issue with older MIDI equipment, often requiring a full power cycle to resolve.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The KX5 can select MIDI patches using "Voice" and "Bank" buttons to match desired patches on the target synth.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Wireless MIDI solutions like Yamaha's and WIDI are available but may struggle with stuck notes on older gear, requiring reconnection after power cycling.

    Source
  • The M-Vave Ms1's firmware update from v5 to v61 has reportedly fixed SysEx issues, enhancing its functionality for KX5 users.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The M-Vave Ms1 MIDI Wireless System Interface is a recommended solution for wireless MIDI, with a recent firmware update resolving previous SysEx dump issues.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners have successfully used the M-Vave Ms1 for wireless MIDI, noting improved reliability post-firmware update.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
kangarousuzuki

Nice Old-school

The midi keyboard for the live performance! The nice pitch-bend wheel.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mike Shinoda uses Yamaha KX5

Mike Shinoda

Singer, Guitarist

Linkin Park

...
Verified via reverb.com

According to Reverb, Mike Shinoda used the Yamaha KX5, which is highlighted as part of Linkin Park's gear history.

See how Jean Michel Jarre uses Yamaha KX5

Jean Michel Jarre

Keyboardist, Music Producer

The Dustbins

...
Verified via Muzines

"The remote keyboard was actually a transformation of the Yamaha KX5, but customised for my own needs - the visual, and the ability to send program change data to the Fairlight and the Emulator. The other one - the big round one - was actually a prototype of what I'm developing now. It's a kind of audio visual instrument that can interface between the musician, synthesisers and lighting effects. In other words, when you are pressing keys you are not actually playing music like on a chromatic keyboard, but you can actually switch on musical effects and synchronise them with the lighting. At each key you have a MIDI signal, along with other digital and analogue signals, to control other things."

See how A.R. Rahman uses Yamaha KX5

A.R. Rahman

Singer, Keyboardist

SuperHeavy

...
Verified via Videosinspire

A.R. Rahman utilized the Yamaha KX5 during his 1990s music concerts and film compositions, as showcased in images on Videosinspire.

See how Ryuichi Sakamoto uses Yamaha KX5

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Keyboardist, Composer

Yellow Magic Orchestra

...
Verified via YouTube

On his performance in Media Bahn Live in 1986.

See how Herbie Hancock uses Yamaha KX5

Herbie Hancock

Keyboardist

The Headhunters

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo circa 1987 you can see him playing a KX5 while Michael Brecker is playing a saxophone

See how Peter Gabriel uses Yamaha KX5

Peter Gabriel

Singer, Keyboardist

Genesis

...
Verified via Discjapan

Gabriel can be seen on the back cover of this bootleg album playing a Yamaha KX5.

See how Chick Corea uses Yamaha KX5

Chick Corea

Keyboardist

Return to Forever

...
Verified via YouTube

0:00 The KX5 is a midi Controller Keytar

See how Thomas Dolby uses Yamaha KX5

Thomas Dolby

Singer, Keyboardist

Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club

...
Verified via Muzines

"There are three sound sources", he explains. "There's an Akai S900 which has samples transferred from the Fairlight Series III, a Roland Super Jupiter and a Roland MKS20 piano module. All of those go into an Akai MIDI mixer and through two effects: a Yamaha SPX90 and an Alesis Midifex. They're all mapped by a Cooper Electronics MIDI Link, and I play them from a KX5 slung round my neck and a couple of Yamaha pedals. They put out program numbers to the MIDI link and that sends out separate program numbers to everything else. In other words I'll build up an entire patch with sound sources, a mix, effects and a stereo output, and store it. Then, when I send one program number into it from either the keyboard or from the pedal, it'll send the appropriate numbers out."

See how Lights uses Yamaha KX5

Lights

Singer, Guitarist

Young Artists for Haiti

...
Verified via Songkick

Lights has used this specific keytar multiple times while performing live.

See how Howard Jones uses Yamaha KX5

Howard Jones

Singer, Keyboardist

The Conspirators

...
Verified via YouTube

On the right side of Howard Jones, you can see that customised keytar

http://www.matrixsynth.com/2005/11/howard-jones-20th-anniversary-concert.html

See how Jan Hammer uses Yamaha KX5

Jan Hammer

Keyboardist

The Mahavishnu Orchestra

...
Verified via YouTube

Jan Hammer rocks out with his Fairlight and Yamaha KX5 remote keyboard on BBC Rock School series 2 from 1987

See how Minoru Mukaiya uses Yamaha KX5

Minoru Mukaiya

Keyboardist

Casiopea

...
Verified via YouTube

Playing Yamaha KX5 in this video.

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 Yamaha KX5, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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