AX-Synth

The new Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer (aka keytar) is now available.

AX-Synth Features:

• Built-in sound engine with voices from Roland’s latest synthesizers.
• Ribbon controller, D Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stage.
• USB MIDI for easy connection to PC.
• Dedicated V-LINK button for video/visual control.
• Innovative bender mode for expressive solos.
• Long battery operation (approx. 6 hours).

The AX-Synth is now shipping with an MSRP of $1,349 USD.

If you’ve used the Roland Ax-Synth, leave a comment with your thoughts! Read more…

Jean Michel Jarre jams on the Roland AX-Synth in Koblenz.

via MytubeMichi:

The AX-Synth is the first wireless keyboard (keytar) with build in sounds.

Jean Michel talks about the BLACK AX. On stage he seems to have much fun with his new toy …

AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer at NAMM 09

This is Roland’s official NAMM video for the Roland Ax-Synth (don’t call it a keytar!)

via RolandChannel:

The AX-Synth represents Roland’s new generation of remote keyboards, but for the first time, this one has a sound generator onboard. Its self-contained and equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Rolands latest synths. 

This video, via SOS, captures a Winter NAMM Show demo for the Roland AX Synth “shoulder synthesizer”, which is pretty killer, as “shoulder synthesizers” go.

Roland seems to be very careful about avoiding the “keytar” moniker, though. Any guesses why?

The 2009 Winter NAMM Show is underway, and Synthtopia is on site to bring you the news about the latest electronic music software and gear. 

Day 1 was a whirlwind of announcements. We’ve already posted news about:

• the Native Instruments Maschine,
• the Roland V-Piano,
• Roland’s new keytar the AX-Synth,
• the awesome Akai APC Controller for Ableton Live, 
• Ableton Live 8
• Updates to the Jazzmutant Lemur

Celemony demonstrated the latest Melodyne, easily some of the coolest technology at the show, which lets you edit polyphonic audio files.

And we’ve seen more than our share of NAMM oddities:

We’ll have more news throughout the day, so check back throughout the weekend for complete NAMM coverage!