PERFECT Kronos Keytar!

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:07 am

A bit offtopic, but for those interested using a keytar but don't want spending much:

http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Band-Wireles ... B003RS19N4

Positive: MIDI out, full size keys, octave up/down button (but hard to use during play), very cheap (around $30).

Negative: 'ribbon controller' quite unusable, strap too loose, most buttons not useful (e.g. program change).

But for $30, you cannot expect too much. I use it during a few songs so I can stand next to the guitarists (with about 6m MIDI cable), and sometimes one of the singers use it to play some effects so I have both hands free.

studio429 · Post by **studio429** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 11:26 am

I bought the wired version last year (had I known there was a wireless version coming I'd have waited). Brilliant at what it does, the accelerometer annoys me sometimes (moreso on a small gig when I use it with my Triton Extreme than a larger gig with the Kronos) but for the money it's great. I've got the Alesis padded case for it too which is good. I don't use it extensively, but it's nice for coming out front to play sometimes!

tomto66 · Post by **tomto66** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 6:30 pm

If anyone is interested: after a couple of nights of trial & error I now have the following working:
- setup in which the Vortex pads function like the Kronos pads (triggering chords). The param guide is very confusing - at first read it seems to imply that only Korg products like the Nanopad can trigger Kronos pad but I got it working
- setup in which the vortex pads trigger Karma scenes. I can't make the start/stop button start or stop Karma, but I managed to get one of the knobs to do this.

Both setups involve setup @ Vortex as well as Kronos - if anyone interested I can publish instructions.

kronos2 · Post by **kronos2** » Sat Aug 08, 2015 11:33 pm

My Vortex is in FedEx truck, I used a Kronos2 and will be nice if you post the steps to patch the pads panel on the Vortex and using this like the NanoPads.

Thank you in advance

kronos2 · Post by **kronos2** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 7:03 pm

WOW...i just received my Vortex wireless Keytar, Plug and Play with the Kronos
But I need HELP....I programmed the Keyboard Zone (Lower) Midi Channel 1 and (Upper) to Midi Channel 2, volume control in the Keytar in midi channel 1 working but when changed to midi channel 2 (upper key) Sound loud but Volume Control is not working..sound like is in the 127 value, I can see the values moving from 127 - 0 in the Keytar's Display but the Kronos don't accept the volume change from this channel....I tried from Channel 2 thru 16 same problem...How can I fix this ?
Thanks

jetrocker · Post by **jetrocker** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 2:22 pm

Sorry, old topic but wanted to clarify. I have a kronos 1. I'm seeing here that it's possible to simply plug the Alesis wireless dongle into the USB port of the Kronos and have a wireless midi connection? I was under the impression that the wireless dongle only worked if plugged into a computer. Sounds like I'm wrong?

Perilous · Post by **Perilous** » Mon Aug 27, 2018 2:24 am

jetrocker wrote:Sorry, old topic but wanted to clarify. I have a kronos 1. I'm seeing here that it's possible to simply plug the Alesis wireless dongle into the USB port of the Kronos and have a wireless midi connection? I was under the impression that the wireless dongle only worked if plugged into a computer. Sounds like I'm wrong?

Yes, the USB wireless dongle works with the Kronos. Plug and play--at least confirmed with the Kronos 2. The Vortex Wireless version 1 and 2 should also work with the MicroKey! Pretty nifty.

jetrocker · Post by **jetrocker** » Mon Aug 27, 2018 3:04 am

Very cool. Thanks!

six_feet_under · Post by **six_feet_under** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 5:28 pm

I got frustrated waiting for Manufacturers, and converted my own Kross1 into a keytar. This 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

IMHO, Keytars would be sooooooo much better without wasting the player's left hand on a stupid simulated guitar neck. Let us be keys players and stop trying to simulate a guitar!

Moreover, I believe that any manufacturer selling synths under 10 lbs should include guitar strap posts (either optional attachments, or hidden under a flap, or pop-ups). They could sell the same unit to two markets: workstations and keytars. Easy money for them!

omvibraphone · Post by **omvibraphone** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 9:23 pm

Sorry to drag this thread up again, trying to get an old Vortex wireless 1 to work via wireless with my ls88, everything fine apart from the ribbon controller, which I can't seem to get to send data to the Kronos. I suspect I am doing something simple incorrectly, anyone enlighten me on what I'm doing wrong?