List of keytars
Encyclopedia
List of Keytars
| Dates | Model | Type | I/F | – | a portable miniature piano in horizontal harp form. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Weltmeister Basset | electric bass piano using struck reed |
– | an electric piano bass, similar to Hohner Bass or Rhodes PianoBass Rhodes piano The Rhodes piano is an electro-mechanical piano, invented by Harold Rhodes during the fifties and later manufactured in a number of models, first in collaboration with Fender and after 1965 by CBS.... , used by dance bands in East Germany probably late 1960s. |
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| 1966 | Joh Mustad Tubon | electronic bass organ | – | ||
| 1977 | Hillwood RB-1 | synth piano | – | used by Haruo Chikada (The Vibratones). | |
| 1979 | PMS Syntar | synthesizer | (CV/Gate) | an earliest synthesizer keytar product, prior to the Moog Liberation in 1980 | |
| 1980 | Davis Clavitar | controller | (CV/Gate) | used by George Duke George Duke George Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music... , Herbie Hancock Herbie Hancock Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound... in early 1980s. |
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| c.1980 | Davis Clavitron | unknown | unknown | ||
| 1980 | Moog Liberation Moog Liberation The Moog Liberation was the first commercially produced keytar synthesizer released in 1980 by Moog Music. The instrument is comparable to the Moog Concertmate MG-1 and the Moog Rogue but it is most closely related to the Moog Prodigy; however, as a keytar the Liberation was designed to be played... |
synthesizer | CV/Gate | ||
| 1980 | Powell Probe | controller | (CV/Gate) | Roger Powell Roger Powell Roger Powell is a musician, computer programmer and magazine columnist best known for his membership with the rock band Utopia.-Musician:Powell's musical career started in the late 1960s, programming analog synthesizers for commercials... 's keytar by Royalex |
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| 1980 | Royalex | controller | (CV/Gate) | Jan Hammer Jan Hammer Jan Hammer is a composer, pianist and keyboardist. He first gained his most visible audience while playing keyboards with the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early 1970s, as well as his film scores for television and film including "Miami Vice Theme" and "Crockett's Theme", from the popular 1980s... 's keytar in early 80s |
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| 1980s | Dynacord Rhythm Stick (Jamma) | percussion controller | MIDI & CV/Gate | ||
| 1982 | Roland SH-101 Roland SH-101 Roland SH-101 is a synthesizer from the early 1980s, manufactured by Roland. It is a small, 32 key, monophonic analog synthesizer. It features one oscillator with 3 simultaneous waveforms, an 'octave-divided' square sub-oscillator, triangle and square/pwm waveform. It has a low-pass filter/VCF... |
synthesizer | CV/Gate | control grip was optional. used by Bob Casale (Devo). |
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| 1982 | SCI Remote Prophet | controller | SCB | SCB:Serial Control Buss, a MIDI prototype developed by SCI used by Geoffrey Downes (ASIA). |
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| 1982 | Yamaha CS01* | synthesizer with breath controller | CV/Gate | used by Chick Corea Chick Corea Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer.Many of his compositions are considered jazz standards. As a member of Miles Davis' band in the 1960s, he participated in the birth of the electric jazz fusion movement. In the 1970s he formed Return to Forever... in early 1980s. |
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| 1983 | Yamaha KX1 | controller | MIDI | used by George Duke George Duke George Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music... in mid 1980s. |
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| 1983 | Korg Poly-800 Korg Poly-800 The Korg Poly-800 is a synthesizer released by Korg in 1983. Its initial list price of $795 made it the first fully programmable synthesizer that sold for less than $1000. It featured a 49 key non-velocity sensitive keyboard, two buttons for data entry, and a joystick controller, which could... * |
synthesizer | MIDI | ||
| c.1983 | Yamaha CS01II | synthesizer with breath controller | CV/Gate | ||
| 1984 | Korg Poly-800 MkII* | synthesizer | MIDI | ||
| 1984 | Casio CZ-101* | synthesizer | MIDI | a midium size keyboard with strap pins | |
| 1984 | Korg RK-100 | controller | MIDI | ||
| 1984 | Yamaha KX5 | controller | MIDI | a midium depth keyboard | |
| 1985 | Lync LN1 (The Lync) | controller | MIDI | ||
| 1985 | Roland AXIS | controller | MIDI | ||
| 1985 | Yamaha DX100* | synthesizer | MIDI | a mini keyboard with strap pins | |
| 1986 | Casio AZ-1 Casio AZ-1 The Casio AZ-1 is a polyphonic MIDI keyboard in the form factor of a keytar. It has a distinctive white body with a long neck, with detailing in a pale blue. This instrument is designed to be played, with the aid of a shoulder strap, in an approximation of an electric guitar... |
controller | MIDI | ||
| 1986 | Siel DK70 Siel DK70 -Description:It is very similar to a Korg Poly-800, in that it operates like an analog synth, but its oscillators, LFO and envelope generators are all digital. Like the Poly-800, the DK-70 has eight oscillators/voices, but all the voices are mixed together through a single "monophonic" analog... |
synthesizer | MIDI | control grip was optional | |
| 1987 | Korg 707* | synthesizer | MIDI | a synthesizer with strap pins | |
| 1987 | Yamaha SHS-10 Yamaha SHS-10 The Yamaha SHS-10 is a keytar manufactured by Yamaha and released in 1987.It has a small-sized keyboard with 32 minikeys and a pitch-bend wheel, vibrato and sustain buttons, an internal Frequency modulation synthesizer offering 25 different voices with 6-note polyphony, two operators, and a very... |
electronic keyboard | MIDI | ||
| 1987 | Tyco HotKeyz | toy keyboard | – | a toy keyboard | |
| 1988 | Lync LN4 | controller | MIDI | also Jan Hammer Jan Hammer Jan Hammer is a composer, pianist and keyboardist. He first gained his most visible audience while playing keyboards with the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early 1970s, as well as his film scores for television and film including "Miami Vice Theme" and "Crockett's Theme", from the popular 1980s... signature model was exist. |
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| 1988 | Yamaha SHS-200 | electronic keyboard | MIDI | ||
| 1989 | Tsumura JD21 | percussion controller | MIDI | ||
| 1990 | Lync LN1000 | controller | MIDI | ||
| 19xx | Formanta Mini | synthesizer | (MIDI) | ||
| 1991 | Junost 21 | synthesizer | (MIDI) | ||
| 1993 | Roland AX-1 Roland AX-1 The Roland AX-1 is a keytar ,produced by Roland, that does not produce its own sounds but controls other devices via MIDI.... |
controller | MIDI | ||
| 1999 | Baldoni Midi Accord | accordion controller ? | MIDI | ||
| 2000s | Suzuki MK-3600 YAMAHA YMK-80 |
electronic keyboard | MIDI | a keyboard for marching band | |
| 2000 | Lag LeKey | controller | (MIDI) | ||
| 2001 | Roland AX-7 Roland AX-7 The Roland AX-7 is a keytar that was manufactured by Roland Corporation from 2001 to 2007. This modern instrument contains many more advanced features than early keytars such as its predecessor, the Roland AX-1, and the Yamaha SHS-10. It runs on 6 AA batteries or an external power source. It has a... |
controller | MIDI | ||
| 2002 | Casio SA-75 | electronic keyboard | MIDI | a mini electonic keyboard with handsfree microphone and strap pins | |
| c.2007 | Zen Riffer Solo Axe | keyboard controller | (MIDI) | ||
| 2008 | Behringer UMA25S* | controller | USB & MIDI | ||
| 2008 | Zendrum Zendrum A Zendrum is a hand-crafted MIDI controller that is used as a percussion instrument. It is the commercially available version of the Drumitar, invented by Future Man. There are two Zendrum models that are well-suited for live performances, the ZX and the LT... |
percussion controller | (MIDI) | ||
| 2009 | Roland AX-Synth Roland AX-Synth The Roland AX-Synth is a keytar that is manufactured by Roland Corporation, and was released in late August 2009. This modernized instrument builds on the features of its predecessor, the Roland AX-7. The most notable change is the addition of an internal synthesizer... |
synthesizer | USB & MIDI | ||
| 2009 | Stoneboard | controller | MIDI | ||
| 2010 | Politrep* | controller | MIDI | ||
| 2010 | Roland Lucina AX-09 | synthesizer | USB & MIDI | ||
| 2010 | Mad Catz Rock Band 3 Wireless Pro Keyboard | Video game controller | PS3 & MIDI |
* - keyboard model without (possibly optional) control grip
Rare keytar products
- Delmar Brown "Illuminator" (illuminating display attached to keytar)
- Guess Musical Instruments "Schizotron", a product which combined keyboard and guitar/bass
- "Nissin C-16", a custom keytar version of Casio SK-1Casio SK-1The Casio SK-1 is a small sampling keyboard made by Casio in 1985.It has 32 small sized piano keys, four-note polyphony, with a sampling bit depth of 8 bit PCM and a sample rate of 9.38 kHz, a built-in microphone and line level input for sampling, and an internal speaker...
, distributed as lottery goods for promoting NissinNissinNissin Foods is a world-wide company that makes instant ramen noodles. It was established in Japan on September 4, 1948 by Momofuku Ando as and ten years later introduced the first instant ramen noodle product, Chikin Ramen . They established a US subsidiary Nissin Foods in 1970 and sold instant...
Cup NoodlesCup noodlesCup Noodles is a brand of instant ramen noodle snack manufactured by Nissin, packaged in a polyethylene foam, hard plastic or paper cup. The product is known for being inexpensive and easy to prepare... - SuzukiSuzuki Musical Instrument Corporationis a Japanese company that produces a range of musical instruments.-History:Suzuki was founded in 1953, as a harmonica manufacturer.Suzuki's western U.S...
"OmnichordOmnichordThe Omnichord is an electronic musical instrument, introduced in 1981 and manufactured by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation. It typically features a touch plate, and buttons for major, minor, and diminished chords...
" and "QChord", electronic chord instruments inspired by Oscar SchmidtOscar SchmidtOscar Daniel Bezerra Schmidt is a retired Brazilian basketball player. He is also known as Oscar Schmidt Bezerra in Spain, where he played for Fórum Valladolid for the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons, and simply Oscar or Mão Santa in his homeland. At his peak, he was 2.05 m tall and weighed...
AutoharpAutoharpThe autoharp is a musical string instrument having a series of chord bars attached to dampers, which, when depressed, mute all of the strings other than those that form the desired chord. Despite its name, the autoharp is not a harp at all, but a chorded zither. -History:There is debate over the... - "Zen Riffer", used most notably by Jordan RudessJordan RudessJordan Rudess is an American keyboardist best known as a member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater and the progressive rock supergroup Liquid Tension Experiment.-Biography:...
of Dream TheaterDream TheaterDream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
.
Drum/Perussion keytars
- Dynacord Rhythm Stick (or "Jamma" since 1982)
(EP 0195038 A1 (published on 1986-09-24), WO 8601927 A1)
(a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 871,442, filed as PCT EP85/01927 on Mar. 22, 1986, now abandoned.) - Tsumura JD21
- Drumitar / ZendrumZendrumA Zendrum is a hand-crafted MIDI controller that is used as a percussion instrument. It is the commercially available version of the Drumitar, invented by Future Man. There are two Zendrum models that are well-suited for live performances, the ZX and the LT...
(2008) - "Riday T91"
Custom made keytars
- "Alien Guitar Simulator", a selfmade keytar by Le OrmeLe OrmeLe Orme is an Italian progressive rock band formed in 1966 in Marghera, a frazione of Venice. The band was one of the major groups of the Italian progressive rock scene in the 1970s...
keyboard player Michele Bon. - "Lag Circulaire" made for Jean Michel Jarre
- "Lag Insecte" made for Jean Michel JarreJean Michel JarreJean Michel André Jarre is a French composer, performer and music producer. He is a pioneer in the electronic, ambient and New Age genres, and known as an organiser of outdoor spectacles of his music featuring lights, laser displays, and fireworks.Jarre was raised in Lyon by his mother and...
- "Lag Mad Max" made for Jean Michel Jarre
- Matthew BellamyMatthew BellamyMatthew James Bellamy is an English musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, pianist, and main songwriter of the alternative rock band Muse.-Early life:...
's "Keytarcaster" Manson, made for playing Undisclosed Desires from Muse's 5th studio album, The ResistanceThe Resistance (album)The Resistance is the fifth studio album by English alternative rock band Muse, released in Europe on 14 September 2009, and in North America on 15 September 2009.... - PrincePrince (musician)Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
's "PurpleAxxe", also played by Tommy BarbarellaTommy BarbarellaTommy Barbarella is an American keyboardist. He was a member of The New Power Generation, Prince's recording and stage band, from 1991–1996.In 2010, Barbarella became a member of Nick Jonas and the Administration along with other former members of The New Power Generation, drummer Michael Bland... - "Remote" for Jean Michel Jarre's studio by Lag
- "Politrep", a copy of the Zen Riffer keytar made to order by the website space4keys.com
- "Syblade", a keytar designed to be unique and to inspire.
- Lady GagaLady GaGaStefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
's custom made keytar during The Monster Ball TourThe Monster Ball TourThe Monster Ball Tour was the second worldwide concert tour by American recording artist Lady Gaga. Staged in support of her album The Fame Monster and comprising a set list of songs from that and her debut album The Fame , the tour visited arenas and stadiums from 2009 through 2011...
in 2010.
Customized keytars
Based on minimoogMinimoog
The Minimoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer, invented by Bill Hemsath and Robert Moog. It was released in 1970 by R.A. Moog Inc. , and production was stopped in 1981. It was re-designed by Robert Moog in 2002 and released as Minimoog Voyager.The Minimoog was designed in response to the use of...
keyboards
- Custom minimoog keyboard used by Gary WrightGary WrightGary Malcolm Wright is an American musician, best known for his song, "Dream Weaver". He was the piano player on Harry Nilsson's version of "Without You".-Early life:...
and Steve PorcaroSteve PorcaroSteven Maxwell "Steve" Porcaro is an American keyboardist and composer, who was an original member of the rock/pop band Toto....
around 1976. - Jan HammerJan HammerJan Hammer is a composer, pianist and keyboardist. He first gained his most visible audience while playing keyboards with the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early 1970s, as well as his film scores for television and film including "Miami Vice Theme" and "Crockett's Theme", from the popular 1980s...
's early custom keyboard with block shaped controller. - Plexi minimoog keyboard used by George DukeGeorge DukeGeorge Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music...
Based on Yamaha KX series
- Jean Michel JarreJean Michel JarreJean Michel André Jarre is a French composer, performer and music producer. He is a pioneer in the electronic, ambient and New Age genres, and known as an organiser of outdoor spectacles of his music featuring lights, laser displays, and fireworks.Jarre was raised in Lyon by his mother and...
's custom KX5, two versions: Houston and Docklands Concerts. - Lights Poxleitner plays a rare Yamaha KX5 keytar.
Based on Roland AX series
- Vadim Pruzhanov of DragonForceDragonForceDragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
and Henrik KlingenbergHenrik KlingenbergHenrik "Henkka" Klingenberg is a keyboardist and singer. He joined the Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica in late 2002 and currently resides in Kemi, Finland, when not on tour....
of Sonata ArcticaSonata ArcticaSonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
both use a custom Roland AX-7 (although nowadays Henrik KlingenbergHenrik KlingenbergHenrik "Henkka" Klingenberg is a keyboardist and singer. He joined the Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica in late 2002 and currently resides in Kemi, Finland, when not on tour....
uses custom Roland AX-1) - Christopher Bowes of AlestormAlestormAlestorm is a folk metal band from Perth, Scotland. Their music is characterized by a pirate theme, and as a result have been dubbed a "Pirate metal" band at a popular heavy metal related website....
owns a Roland AX-7 which he has customised over the years with various stickers of animals. - Jeff Abbot, long-time keytar player and product demonstrator for MusicLab plays a custom wooden keytar based around a Roland AX-7.