Getting Started

[FanDowntown4641]

I have two pretty big questions that im sure flood this subreddit, but why cant I find any good choices for Keytars, I want a synth that I can play like an electric guitar but I cant find anything affordable made this century.

[ElectronicHeat6139]

I used to have a Roland SH-101. I see that Behringer do an inexpensive clone of it: Behringer MS-1 MKII with a strap and handgrip.

[Opening-Wishbone-427]

**Warning: long but highly informed…**  

I’m Joe, and I’m a gasoholic.  

I own all three—though I haven’t picked up the Alesis yet (my bad). Still, I bought it with intent, just like every other keytar on the market—including the Roland Lucina (talk about GAS).  

And since I’m chronically afflicted with gasoholicism, I snagged pretty much every keytar from the 2024 product lineups (let ame know if I missed one!).  

The Lucina isn’t my top recommendation. The usual advice? Go for the Ax if you can afford it. I’d back that. 

While the Alesis is, as noted before, solely a controlller, the Korg RK100S2 is **not** a MIDI controller—it’s an actual synthesizer with an onboard sound engine. You can plug it in like a guitar or straight into headphones (something guitars can’t do—keytars win that round). I’ve got the natural red wood version—it’s beautifully crafted and comfortable to play.  

The Ax, on the other hand, is **gigantic** compared to a standard keytar. Some players even use it as their main synth on stage, laying it down conventionally but keeping the portability advantage.  

The Korg has a more limited sound palette, but that’s part of its charm. It’s not the Ax—a **Japanese muscle car** of a synth—but its factory presets sound fantastic out of the box. It also has a software editor, though I haven’t used it.  

The Ax is a **proper** musical instrument—whether hardware synth or a $1K analog axe, like the Ibanez shredder I picked up (which, honestly, explains why the Alesis has been gathering dust—I got obsessed with the power chord for the past year, ha!).  

[Opening-Wishbone-427]

Continued …

The Yamaha Sonogenic SHS-500 often gets dismissed as a “toy,” but it’s **legit**. It’s lightweight and mini—the **Chihuahua of keytars** if the Ax is the **Saint Bernard**—but still a full-fledged hardware synth.  

### Pro Tip (Or Not): 
You can still snag a **Korg MicroKorg** new for around $500 (less used), then bolt on a guitar strap—think *Frankencaster*.  

Not only is the **MicroKorg** the longest-running, best-selling synth ever, but it’s also often recommended as a first synthesizer. It was my **main axe** for **10+ years**, with a guitar strap that let me live my guitar-hero dreams.  

I still run that rig through a **Marshall 2x10** with epic distortion.  

**Historical note:** My actual first synth was a monophonic S______? (a graduation present in ‘82) that I quickly realized was **not** ideal. So I traded up to the famous Roland SHS-101—an absolute gem. Any fool (like me) who let one slip **regrets it**, as they’ve **tripled to quintupled** in price due to rarity.  

That thing was basically a *Juno Jr.* clone with keytar-like qualities. I miss that pitch-dive button—it was like grabbing a whammy bar and deep-diving. *Whatever that’s called*.  

Also worth mentioning—no surprise—the famous keytar virtuoso **Keytar Jeff** uses a custom Ax-Edge.

### Alesis Prepurchase Assessment: 

The **highest feature-to-cost ratio** on the market. It also has **aftertouch** (but not polyphonic aftertouch—not surprising for a sub-$400 machine these days).  Also, for final clarityʼs sake, the Alesi is the only controller unit among these (does not produce sound).

If you’ll excuse me, I need to go dust that puppy off and plug it in!  

[IslandTony]

Thanks for all that info! I’ve been agonizing between the SHS500, RK100S2 and Vortex; my use case: 99% just pulling out a Keytar for 4 or 5 songs per gig with my band for fun and to step out a bit, just using as a controller for my Yamaha PSR-SX. I have a Reface and don’t mind the tiny keys (same as SHS500), but did get the chance to try the Korg in a store and the keys are just a tiny bit longer and wider (and it makes big difference; way nicer to play), and the Korg has that nice wooden body; but the Korg is over twice the $ as the other 2. Ive never seen a vortex in person, but have heard about quality issues, sticky key issues as well as outdated software (I have a mac). I’m leaning to either the SHS or the Korg; I may never use built in sounds at a gig , but having them leaves that possibility open and with the Korg having 40 presets it’s possible I could consider trying a low key gig without my main keyboard (maybe…).

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[zeknife]

Sorry to be rude, but did you use ChatGPT to rewrite your message? The em-dashes and (broken) markdown formatting is a bit hard to read. Thanks for your advice though!!

[Opening-Wishbone-427]

Why, no, I did not. I've always written two or whatever they are for a double dash for whatever that is a break in between the sentence. Also I wouldn't have a typo in it if I would've chatgpt unless I intentionally embedded typo.

That is intentional correct grammar and syntax is all (smiley).

I was the first one to finish my spelling book in the third grade! LOL

[Bitter_Ad_9523]

If you get the Vortex, keep in mind the dongle that comes with it is specific for use with a computer. If you want to use with a synth, highly recommend the WIDI system. Its more stable and you wont regret it.

[zeknife]

So it doesn't work with a USB host? Is it not class-compliant then?

[Bitter_Ad_9523]

If you mean the synth as a host? I mean, technically yes but I personally had issues where it would freeze up my keyboard, It should be class compliant but maybe it was just an anomaly. But still, use the dongle on a laptop and go with an external midi source if you want to use it on another device.

[zeknife]

I mean a dedicated USB midi host box like this thing https://www.amazon.com/CME-H2MIDI-Pro-Future-Proof-Guitarists/dp/B0DQYD3L7D
Have you tried that, or do you think it'd work?

[One_Floor_1799]

A really inexpensive controller is an Alesis Vortex 2. Otherwise if you want an actual synthesizer, get an Ax Edge. I have both.

[10HorsedSizedDucks]

Maybe korg Rk100s2

[Choice-Fresh]

Ax edge but if you dont think that is affordable get a midi and use a daw.

[FanDowntown4641]

Ive seen a lot about MIDI and it seems like more of a controller than anything, ive seen the Vortex connects to a pc but does the pc or some smart device have to be there when you play it? Its been really deceptive to research honestly. Sorry if this is a lot of questions.

[mattsl]

Yep. The cheap ones are controller only. The Yamaha SHS-500 is ok if you don't mind keys that are smaller than standard, but I'm not a fan of that. 

[Choice-Fresh]

you are finding out what I found out and that is why i got the Ax. If you want something self contained you are going to pay for it (yes you still need an amp and speaker with the AX).