Best Keytar Reviews: Keytars look cool, hanging around the neck/shoulders giving you the freedom to fly around the stage and entertain. The earlier keytar models were more like a midi controller; a cable used to go from the Keytar to a sound module to trigger the sounds. However, recent models are wireless and can also generate sounds of their own.
What is a Keytar?
A keytar is a synthesizer instrument (with a strap) that is worn like a guitar. The Keytar is also called by various other names such as guitar keyboard.
Musicians really enjoy being able to move around on stage, and having the ability to really interact and engage with the audience. Keyboard players don’t really have that flexibility while seated.
A Keytar provides that flexibility to keyboard players, which is one of the main reasons these are used for live or stage performances.
Because of the way it’s held, it’s probably best used for one-handed solos, rather than 2-handed playing that is more common with the normal keyboards (on a stand).
Most musicians like the keytar because of the freedom the instrument offer while performing.
You can use the keytar for playing lead lines or rhythmic chords. Players commonly use it to play main riffs and solos.
Advanced players who wish to cover a wide range of octaves use the octave switch button on the keytar.
A favorite song of many to play on the keytar is “Tom Sawyer” by Rush. The keyboard lick in the middle is iconic, and with a keytar, the audience can actually see the notes that you play.
Most Keytars nowadays come with a built-in sound engine, so they’re able to generate their own sounds. In the past, Keytars were plain midi instruments that had to be used with synthesizers or sound modules.
When the Keytar first became famous, there were several manufacturers who caught onto the popularity of the keytar including Yamaha, Moog, Roland, and Casio. However, as its popularity declined, most manufacturers stopped its production.
While most brands have stopped production, Roland and Alesis still continue to make keytars.
Best Keytars
Here are our recommended Keytars:
Roland AX-EDGE Keytar Synthesizer
The Roland AX-EDGE keytar is a powerhouse keytar with killer sounds and styles.
It features 49 full-sized keys, rechargeable 4-hour battery, has a cool finish (available in black as well as white) and has a sound-set crafted specifically for keytarists. Thoughtful design features give you the freedom to truly express yourself on stage.
Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 Keytar Keyboard Controller
The Alesis Vortex is more of a mid-range (budget) wireless keytar that sends MIDI via Bluetooth or USB, and can run on batteries allowing for a great portable keyboard experience.
Equipped with MIDI and USB, 37 touch-sensitive keys, a spread of velocity-sensitive pads, and a host of pitch and modulation controls ergonomically placed on the neck. MIDI-assignable accelerometer responds to neck tilts and subtle movements with pitch bends, vibrato, and other fun performance features. Read more.
Yamaha Sonogenic Keytar
The Yamaha Sonogenic is a 37-key mid-range keytar suitable for beginners. Its best for practicing songs or for jamming with friends. The keys are slightly smaller in size but very usable.
Features include 30 voices, transpose buttons, sustain buttons, modulation. Filter, reverb, dynamics, chorus slider. It works on battery or adapter. It comes with power supply, strap, 1/8″ Aux cable and MIDI Breakout cable.
Korg RK-100S2 Keytar
The Korg RK-100S2 is an upgraded version and comes in a stylish, compact and lightweight body, features a built-in analog modeling sound generator.
The RK-100S 2 available in wood grain finish stained black or red. 200 stage-ready presets covering various genres. Two ribbon controllers, an arpeggiator, and a vocoder. It also has “favorite” buttons for one-touch selection; assign sounds to the row of buttons for quick access.
More Keytars
Take a look at these popular Keytars that were used by musicians over the years. In the past, lot of manufacturers made Keytars but now very few of them actually produce these.
Popular Keytars in the Past
Alesis Vortex Keytar
The Alesis Vortex is a USB/MIDI “keytar”, with 37 velocity-sensitive keys (with aftertouch!), eight velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads, a ribbon controller, pitch wheel, and more.
It connects wirelessly to your computer and integrates with popular virtual instruments, plugins, and DAWs. 37 velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch, 8 velocity-sensitive drum pads. Several knobs, buttons and neck controls. Tweak sounds using the MIDI-assignable touch strip and MIDI-assignable accelerometer. Offers multiple connectivity options and comes equipped with USB-MIDI and MIDI Out.
Alesis Vortex Wireless Keytar Keyboard Controller: Vortex Wireless works hand-in-hand with a USB dongle for a wireless connection to any computer,so you can rock software synths on stage.
Roland ST-AX Stand for AX-SYNTH: Keep your Roland AX-Synth close at hand with this lightweight metal stand.
Roland AX-Synth
Roland AX-Synth: Shoulder Synthesizer Keytar
Watch: Roland AX Synth Demo
Roland AX-7
The Roland AX-7 was manufactured during the period 2001 to 2007, and comntained several advanced features compared to its predecessors Roland AX-1 and the Yamaha SHS-10. The Roland AX-7 was later discontinued and gave way to the Roland AX-Synth.
Roland AX1 Keytar
Roland AX-1 is a MIDI controller only, so the sounds are generated from another source. Comes with 45 keys, velocity sensitive keyboard, pitch bend ribbon, touch like expression bar on the neck, sustain switch.
Roland Lucina AX-09
The Lucina AX-09 had a slimline design and easy to use user interface. 150 high quality sounds, 37 keys, velocity sensitive keyboard, 128 polyphony. V-Beam for additional expression.
Roland SH-101
Roland SH-101 was a popular synthesizer in the early 1980s. It had 32 keys and was a monophonic analog synthesizer.
Yamaha SHS-200
You can still find the Yamaha SHS-200 Keytar on the web, definitely on e-Bay. It comes with on-board Voices and Rhythms, MIDI connection, pitch bend wheel, and can be played using a variety of pedals (along with a sound module or effects unit).
Watch: Yamaha SHS-200 demo
Yamaha SHS-10 Keytar
The Yamaha-SHS-10 Keytar comes with 32 keys, a pitch bend wheel, a FM Synth offering 25 different voices, and 6 note polyphony. Also features a chord sequencer, MIDI port.
Watch: Yamaha SHS-10 Keytar Demo
Casio AZ-1
The Casio AZ-1 was a polyphonic MIDI keyboard, designed in the shape of a keytar. Popular in the 1980s, it looked great. Every button, key and knob was midi-programable. Had an external midi jack.
Junost-21
The Junost 21 was actually a portable synth that had a handle on it so that the player could throw it over their shoulder and play it. Released in the 1980’s, the Junost featured a range of sounds, had a filter control, an octave transposer, a tuning pot.
PMS Syntar
The PMS Syntar was designed by George Mattson in the late 70s. P.M.S. (Performance Music Systems) manufactured these units, but by 1980 Moog Music had a more popular Syntar in the market.
Moog Liberation
Moog Liberation was the first commercially produced “keytar” synthesizers, released in 1980 by Moog Music. 2 VCO synth, LFO with three selectable waves, sliders and switches, ribbon controller.
World of Keytars
Most keyboardists are happy performing on-stage in a seated (or standing) position, but some of them really wish they could move around on the stage (like the guitarists).
The Keytar, a combination of a synth-style keyboard and a guitar styled look, makes that possible. Unlike a traditional keyboard, which is placed on a keyboard stand, the keytar is strapped around the shoulder (like a guitar) and played on its side, with one hand.
After it was first introduced (by Moog), the Keytar went on to become an icon of modern music. In the 1970s, several musicians wore keyboards around their necks, but technically those were not considered keytars (because of the missing neck).
The Keytar today is a popular choice for artists and bands around the world.
Facts About the Keytar
In 1980, the Keytar was first mentioned in the Illianabeat Magazine. Not many are sure about its inventor, but Moog sold the first mass-produced Keytar.
Who invented the Keytar?
The keytar’s existence is credited to composer and guitarist Steve Masakowski. Although, he invented an instrument which was more of a guitar that had actual keys, Steve never claimed to have invented the Keytar.
But, I guess, his design inspired gear manufacturers to make the Keytar.
That is why Keytar fans gave credit to the jazz guitarist and college professor for several years as being the father of the keytar.
The first ‘Real’ Keytar
Robert Moog produced the first Keytar that was sold for the masses. The inaugural keytar, named ‘Moog Liberation’, was released in 1980.
The Keytar had keyboard/synthesize and guitar-like construction (combining features of both).
Although it was a revolutionary design, and it did gain some popularity initially, but its popularity was short-lived.
However, the instrument surely seems to be making a comeback.
Alternate Names for Keytar
Here are some alternate names that are used by musicians around the world to refer to the guitar.
Shoulder keyboard, strap-on synth, keyboard guitar, synth-axe (not to be confused with the SynthAxe), remote keyboard, belly-synth, synth guitar (not to be confused with MIDI Guitar), master keyboard (as most were used as MIDI controllers), electroponce, Schmidtkeytar, Kaytar, piano guitar (in French Canada), keyboard controller, Synthar, Guitboard, Keyboard Axe (in Australia), Keyboard-tar, Glam Board.
Most musicians also use the term “keytar” to refer to the playing style and sound of an electric or acoustic guitar via a synthesizer, sampler or computer.
Popular Artists Who Play the keytar
Lots of players have used and currently use a keytar! Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater, Herbie Hancock, and Stevie Wonder all shred on Keytar!
They were popular in the 80’s, but have recently become popular again with the introduction of new technologies into the new Roland models.
It takes a certain amount of confidence for a keytarist to be ok with the stigma having “guitar-envy”!
Unique keytar Designs
Williams keytar
The Williams keytar, on the other hand is more like a guitar where piano keys are arranged over a set of strings so that pressing a key “activates” the associated key. Basically, its a guitar with a fretboard replacement. one hand operates the keys while the other hand strums the strings.
So while the Keytar was designed to provide mobility to keyboard players onstage, the Williams keytar was originally designed to make it easy for a piano keyboard player to play the guitar.
Midi KEYTAR Made Out of a Scanner
James Cochrane makes a midi keytar using an old HP Scanjet. For this, the Maker has taken an Arduino, a stepper motor driver, a MIDI interface and an off-the-shelf keyboard, and integrated it into the flatbed scanner’s original features.
Watch: World’s first MIDI-controlled HP Scanjet keytar
Useful Keytar Links
- Keytar Basics:Includes a history of the keytar, other names for the instrument, and fun facts.
- Moog Liberation: About the famous Moog Liberation model of keytar (technically, the first Keytar).
- What is a Keytar?: More basic information about the famous instrument and what makes it unique.
- Keytar Central: Videos, pictures, and information on all kinds of keytars.
- Devo: Popular 80s band that used the keytar extensively.
- Herbie Hancock: Famous musician who revolutionized the keytar in his music.
- Weird Al Yankovic: Hilarious singer/songwriter who often used the keytar in live performances.
- Edgar Winter: Discography of this unusual and talented artist who used the keytar in many of his songs.
- Keytar Fun: Facts, fun, and a video all dedicated to the wondrous instrument.
- Keyar Hero: Who needs Guitar Hero when you have Keytar Hero? Play the game here!
Keytar Festivals
Denver Keytar Fest
The first-ever Denver Keytar Fest, featured several artists who displayed their skills on the keytar.
Here’s what concert promoter Claudia Woodman has to say about the keytar:
- People (keyboard and piano players) like Keytar because of its portability. Most models also run on batteries (and some also have built-in speakers)
- Being not tethered to the grid also feels liberating to many.
- You can also dance while playing, though it’s harder than you might think.
- It might look simple to play but it has its own challenges; even trained pianists take time getting adjusted to it, because it’s so awkward to look at keys from that angle.
The festival also featured keytar wizards like Luke Leavitt of Cop Circles and X-Ray Visionaries.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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