Jeez Louise shows you how to combine your digital synths with analog guitar effects – so you can create face-melting prog keytar solos.

via JeezLouise666

You probably already know that synth meetups are a great way to meet and learn from other people that are into synths. This video, from Pacific Northwest Synth  2009, documents five more reasons to go to a synth meetup.

5 Reasons To Go To A Synth Meetup

1. They are the synth geek equivalent of a trip to the Playboy Mansion – everywhere you look, you see something gorgeous.
2. Everybody there thinks that guys rocking out with keytars are cool.
3. Where else are you going to see a giant Mini Modular?
4. Analog IS better than digital. Especially when it’s digitally-controlled analog.
5. Three words: MIDI-controlled skulls

If you made it to Pacific Northwest Synth 2009, leave a comment with your experiences or links to videos and photos from the event!

via redmartian:

Here is a live performance of the MMM demo number four featuring the stack of MMMs behind, the Syntar (the father of the MMM) and the new AcidLab MIAMI in MIDI mode.

The bass line, arpeggio and drums were sequenced in Logic.

The Skulls were triggered via Logic (the percussion tracks) using Division-6’s MIDIFY.

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!

Description:

Created with the art of performance in mind, the AX-Synth allows keyboardists to connect with their audience as guitarists and singers do. Real-time controls such as the Ribbon, Modulation Bar, D BEAM, and aftertouch knob controllers give musicians the ability to perform memorable and expressive solos. When wearing the battery-powered and wireless AX-Synth, keyboardists can create kinetic musical performances, moving freely around the stage without any encumbering wires or cables.

The AX-Synth features 49 velocity-sensitive keys and is the first shoulder keyboard to include a 128-voice polyphonic sound engine with 256 distinct tones accessible from eight bank buttons, plus a collection of ultra-expressive sounds generated by Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine. The AX-Synth also includes an easy-to-use software editor/librarian for designing and storing user-created sounds.

This is a demo of a customized Korg micoKORG: The MK-101:

This is my customized microKorg. It was largely inspired by the Roland SH-101 and other vintage synths.

It’s a blast to play. You can hear it used in some songs and find pictures of it at the Polaroids of the Pyramids MySpace page

Nice custom work, performed by Custom Synth.

via PolaroidsPyramids

Ever get tired of going to Guitar Center, or your local music store, and hearing guitarists “shred” on Smoke On The Water?

Check out this strange and wonderful cover of Smoke On The Water, on keytar & Melodica.

It does nothing to disprove the theory of the curse of Herbie Hancock.

But let us not forget, there is hope.

via chuuta2003:

I give it to Mrs. Kusumi of my fan first (and last?) in the “REAL” world.So,,Sorryyyyy,,,,I’m a Foolish man in JAPAN……:(

Sunday Synth Jam: This video captures a keytar jam, featuring a DIY “cello-keytar”.

via Owam1986:

Me improvising with my homemade keytar, my first DIY project.There are some mistakes… don’t mind…

Majic Conner doing an impromptu version of his song Bach Rock on his Roland AX1B.

via pacdream

Rick Wakeman and Adam Wakeman trade keytar licks on a new Rick Wakeman track, Tudorock.

In case there’s any question, that would be Rick Wakeman in the gold cape!

via YesFanDon:

From Rick Wakeman’s Six Wives of Henry VIII concert on May 2, 2009 at Hampton Court Palace. This is an excerpt from one of Rick’s new songs, called Tudorock, played as an encore.

This concert will be available on commercial DVD soon.

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 …

Image: Shani Silver

What’s wrong with this picture?

Absolutely friggin’ nothing.

Juliette Commagere, of the band Hello Stranger, melts faces and hearts alike, wielding a Moog Liberation as her axe of choice – something that helped establish Commagere as our first Goddess of the Keytar.

There’s a whole slew of great Hello Stranger photos at Shani Silver’s Flickr page.

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

Image: Zom Zoms

Phil looking good with his keytar on the 2004 Summer Zom Zoms tour.

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

Image: Elfworld

Can the curse of Herbie Hancock be broken?

Jean Michel Jarre is doing his part to reform the keytar’s image, busting out the keytar chops during his May 13ths show in Oslo Spektrum.

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

Wave Machines’ new video for I Go I Go I Go fails to disprove Herbie Hancock keytar curse.

Single out 8th June
myspace.com/mywavemachine
wavemachines.co.uk

Image: vectorfunk

Gruff Rhys From Neon Neon Sports His Applause! Sign While Standing Next To His Keytar.

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

The Brett Domino Trio on Britain’s Got Talent.

Great keytar work….but it’s an act, isn’t it?

via brettdomino

Think that the keytar isn’t geeky enough for you?

Then you may want to build a DIY Kaossilator Guitar.

James Haskin came up with the idea for this project after seeing a video of Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips. He had mounted his Kaossilator on a guitar and a taped the neck of a video game controller next to it to make it look like he was fingering the notes.

Instructions for building the Kaossilator Guitar Synth are available at Instructables.

Some keytar shredding – POLITREP Customized Keytar Lead Solo, John Petrucci Cover by Matrix, S4K user

via Space4Keys

This is a pretty awesomely horrible demo of the Yamaha SHS-10 Keytar MIDI Synth, “for all you dirty keytar heads out there”, from a guy who “hasn’t used it much, in forever”.

Enjoy!

via vibrationrebel

This is a sort of cheesetastic – an 80s Synth Medley (3 guys, 6 keyboards).

via EnvelopeGenerator:

Three guys, six keyboards, fifteen hits of the 1980s. All played live!

Keyboards:ARP Axxe, KORG MicroKORG, KORG Triton Extreme 61, M-Audio Axiom 61, Roland Juno 6, Yamaha SHS-10 Keytar

via PeterC on Twitter

JT Playing the Keytar @ HP Pavilion.

You can’t really tell what Justin Timberlake is playing from this video – but, from the fan reaction, it looks like he may actually be brining sexy back to the keytar.

via chickEbabe