Keytar?

ScotteD · Post by **ScotteD** » Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:55 am

Has anyone succeeded in using an Alesis Vortex wireless with a PA3x or PA4x?
Seems to work right away with a Kronos, but, I'm struggling with my PA4X

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 12:12 am

Hi Scott

I considered one of these a fair while ago - they looked like a lot of fun.

I would be surprised if the PA4X would "recognise" the dongle as a "MIDI IN/OUT" connection as it is using the type A USB port.
I am actually surprised that the Kronos does - but it does!!!!
I doubt the PA4X OS has the "plug-and-play" software component built in like the Kronos - but I could be wrong.

Pease let us know if you ever get it working.

Cheers
Pete

six_feet_under · Post by **six_feet_under** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 5:40 pm

Here's an alternate solution, rather than controllers for your synths: I converted my Kross1 into a keytar. This DIY keytar has 5 octaves of full size keys, with multiple splits, battery powered, under 10lbs, and one of the coolest looking KROG's ever made. https://youtu.be/I7YHznSAEYY

Korghelper · Post by **Korghelper** » Sat Aug 08, 2020 12:09 am

The thing that defines a keytar for me is the pitch strip, finally at a comfortable angle for your hand to play it naturally (it never feels as natural for me face down by the lever!)...

There are so many acoustic performance tricks that are so easy to pull off with a strip rather than a joystick or lever - trills, hammer-on/offs, scoops, falls, and real natural finger vibrato to name a few.

Yeah, you look a little 80’s, but what you gain in expression is well worth it.

six_feet_under · Post by **six_feet_under** » Sat Aug 08, 2020 12:43 am

Agreed, Korghelper,
I love the ribbon for those things! It feels more natural than any other pitch controller. Thats when I use my Roland AX-09.

Korghelper · Post by **Korghelper** » Sat Aug 08, 2020 10:17 pm

I'm a little more old school.... Still rockin' my Yamaha KX-5, despite its MIDI being archaic!

If there's one thing Yamaha know better than anyone, it's ergonomics. I've played them all, Korg, Roland, Casio, you name it. None of them put all the controls in exactly the right place at exactly the right size with exactly the right feel other than that damn KX-5, LOL

KorgPaEnthusiast · Post by **KorgPaEnthusiast** » Sun Sep 20, 2020 10:12 pm

The Pa4x recognises the Alesis vortex through the usb Bluetooth dongle.
Easy to set up using the Alesis preset editor.
Got it triggering all sorts of cool stuff, even songbook entries!!!!

Musicwithharry · Post by **Musicwithharry** » Sun Sep 20, 2020 11:57 pm

I have an Alesis Vortex, the original model. I use it occasionally with my PA700 and never had a problem. I just made sure that whatever program I was playing on the Vortex matched the program number on the PA700. I have not done much more than that with it.

I will say that it seems to work better with standard synths but I basically use mine for a custom guitar sound that I made on the PA700 and on my M50...

Grace,
Harry