Keytar Alert! New Roland Lucina AX-09 An “Affordable Shoulder Synthesizer”

roland-lucina-ax-09

keydarMusikmesse 2010: Synthtopia’s Super-Doppler Keydar™, the most powerful gargantuan mega keytar alert system ever devised, shows that Roland is going to introduce the Lucina AX-09 “shoulder synthesizer” tomorrow at Musikmesse.

They can try to sneak it under the radar by calling it a “shoulder synthesizer”, but our Keydar™ early-detection system, right, says there’s a 100% chance of keytar by tomorrow.

This new keytar is being directly influenced by Los Niños.

According to Roland, in christening the synth “Lucina”, a name taken from the goddess of birth in Roman mythology, they hope the product will inspire a new generation of children to become synthesizer players.

And play the keytar, like Santa.

While the Lucina is designed with kids in mind – it has features that may appeal to keyboard players of all ages:

  • Lightweight, compact design
  • Easy-to-use, intuitive user interface
  • 150 high-quality sounds that cover a wide stylistic range
  • 37-note velocity-sensitive keyboard, 128-voice polyphony
  • External-In Jack and USB-Memory Audio Player Function
  • Runs on AC or battery power
  • It’s a cheap keytar!

In addition to the standard white finish, the Roland Lucina AX-09 is going to be available in black:

roland-lucina-keytar-black

So – are you going to let the kids have all the fun with this thing?

Check it out and let us know what you think!

Description:

roland-luxinaFeaturing a lightweight body and 37 keys, the Lucina AX-09 is a great family keyboard that can be easily handled by small children.

It can be played in either a standing position using a shoulder strap or in a traditional horizontal tabletop orientation. There are many high-quality sounds onboard, organised by category for quick and easy sound selection.

A USB host port allows users to play WAV and MP3 music files directly from a USB flash drive, making it easy for them to jam along with their favourite songs. Audio from an external MP3 or CD player can be played by connecting the device to the EXTERNAL IN jack.

Designed for mobile operation, the Lucina AX-09 runs for up to four hours on eight NiMH batteries. To get up and running, a tutorial DVD and quick guide is included, along with a handy panel sticker that helps users become acquainted with the keyboard’s various functions.

Keydar image by alexlc13

37 thoughts on “Keytar Alert! New Roland Lucina AX-09 An “Affordable Shoulder Synthesizer”

  1. Interesting marketing angle. I think I like this more than the ax-synth, but still less than the ax7.

    Interesting also that they put the buttons under teh palm, that might make it easier to trigger some things without taking your fingers off the keys.

    Someone needs to make a keytar that has a one octave mini keyboard for the left hand for playing bass notes.

    Someone also needs to make an affordable z-tar.

  2. Ooo, I'm rubbing myself with excitement. Okay, maybe not so much, but if the engine is nice & beefy, that'd be an interesting controller for home studios, rather than just being a glam-tar. It DOES say its aimed partly at kids, but if there is a modest editor for that USB port, it'd be a good basic synth for controlling other gear. Playing WAVs is also a big boost. However, if the keyboard clacks like Granny's dentures, I take back everything good I said, snort!

  3. Ooo, I'm rubbing myself with excitement. Okay, maybe not so much, but if the engine is nice & beefy, that'd be an interesting controller for home studios, rather than just being a glam-tar. It DOES say its aimed partly at kids, but if there is a modest editor for that USB port, it'd be a good basic synth for controlling other gear. Playing WAVs is also a big boost. However, if the keyboard clacks like Granny's dentures, I take back everything good I said, snort!

  4. This will work as a midi controller too ,since it has midi out .
    I have preordered my black AX-09 ,when it arrives, i will use my
    midi wireless transmitter with the AX-09 . 🙂

  5. Poor Roland. Always missing the mark. OK, so I am interested in the black one. I’m waiting for the full specs to be released, but it seems to be intended as a semi-toy.

    Roland, please bring back the AX7, in non-gay colors (black will do nicely), with freely configurable controllers (Behringer manages that, why not Roland?), and a more secure power and MIDI connection. Oh, and with a gigbag ferkrissaskes!

  6. Poor Roland. Always missing the mark. OK, so I am interested in the black one. I’m waiting for the full specs to be released, but it seems to be intended as a semi-toy.

    Roland, please bring back the AX7, in non-gay colors (black will do nicely), with freely configurable controllers (Behringer manages that, why not Roland?), and a more secure power and MIDI connection. Oh, and with a gigbag ferkrissaskes!

  7. help! is this worth it or not. I am trying to buy for my son as a Xmas gift. He is desperate to get one. He's 16 and plays piano/keyboard and definately has talent. (not just mom bragging) Plays regular gig at a Blue's Club. Don't want to disappoint him with something that is one grade above a toy and doesn't offer much. He said get a Roland because they're top of the line.

  8. I haven't personally tried them, but the ax synth appeals to me more. I'm also 6'5", I think this smaller one would look silly on me, it is worth considering the size of your son.

    The Ax synth has more on-board sounds, and I know it has an editor so on-board sounds really have no limit. Is this true for the Ax-09? I'm not sure. If your son uses MIDI though the Ax-09 may be a great option.

    Buy it from guitar center or something so that he can open it on Christmas and make his holiday awesome! and then if he wants to he can go to GC, explore the equipment and then decide if it is what he really needs. Win/win.

  9. I haven't personally tried them, but the ax synth appeals to me more. I'm also 6'5", I think this smaller one would look silly on me, it is worth considering the size of your son.

    The Ax synth has more on-board sounds, and I know it has an editor so on-board sounds really have no limit. Is this true for the Ax-09? I'm not sure. If your son uses MIDI though the Ax-09 may be a great option.

    Buy it from guitar center or something so that he can open it on Christmas and make his holiday awesome! and then if he wants to he can go to GC, explore the equipment and then decide if it is what he really needs. Win/win.

  10. I haven't personally tried them, but the ax synth appeals to me more. I'm also 6'5", I think this smaller one would look silly on me, it is worth considering the size of your son.

    The Ax synth has more on-board sounds, and I know it has an editor so on-board sounds really have no limit. Is this true for the Ax-09? I'm not sure. If your son uses MIDI though the Ax-09 may be a great option.

    Buy it from guitar center or something so that he can open it on Christmas and make his holiday awesome! and then if he wants to he can go to GC, explore the equipment and then decide if it is what he really needs. Win/win.

  11. I haven't personally tried them, but the ax synth appeals to me more. I'm also 6'5", I think this smaller one would look silly on me, it is worth considering the size of your son.

    The Ax synth has more on-board sounds, and I know it has an editor so on-board sounds really have no limit. Is this true for the Ax-09? I'm not sure. If your son uses MIDI though the Ax-09 may be a great option.

    Buy it from guitar center or something so that he can open it on Christmas and make his holiday awesome! and then if he wants to he can go to GC, explore the equipment and then decide if it is what he really needs. Win/win.

  12. I haven't personally tried them, but the ax synth appeals to me more. I'm also 6'5", I think this smaller one would look silly on me, it is worth considering the size of your son.

    The Ax synth has more on-board sounds, and I know it has an editor so on-board sounds really have no limit. Is this true for the Ax-09? I'm not sure. If your son uses MIDI though the Ax-09 may be a great option.

    Buy it from guitar center or something so that he can open it on Christmas and make his holiday awesome! and then if he wants to he can go to GC, explore the equipment and then decide if it is what he really needs. Win/win.

  13. I haven't personally tried them, but the ax synth appeals to me more. I'm also 6'5", I think this smaller one would look silly on me, it is worth considering the size of your son.

    The Ax synth has more on-board sounds, and I know it has an editor so on-board sounds really have no limit. Is this true for the Ax-09? I'm not sure. If your son uses MIDI though the Ax-09 may be a great option.

    Buy it from guitar center or something so that he can open it on Christmas and make his holiday awesome! and then if he wants to he can go to GC, explore the equipment and then decide if it is what he really needs. Win/win.

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