Roland AX-Synth
Encyclopedia
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. A UV Black-colored "premium" model called "Black Sparkle" was released in September 2010.
or an external power source. It has 264 built in tones, 128-voice polyphony, and a 3-character LED
display. The AX-Synth also has all of the AX-7's stage performance functions such as the touchpad
-like pitch bend ribbon, expression bar, sustain
switch, and volume control knob, all on the upper neck of the instrument. As with the AX-7, there is also a proprietary "D-Beam" interface, made up of infrared
sensors that detect nearby motion.
IN>DOORS tour. The white model keytar was painted in black to reduce reflections produced by the laser and lighting used during the concerts. Later during the tour, Roland Japan provided him with an official black production model. The black sparkle AX-synth model is now available from Roland and is in high demand.
Henrik Klingenberg
of Sonata Arctica
also plays a custom purple, black, & white AX-Synth.
Lady Gaga
uses a number of modified AX-Synths on stage, particularly during The Monster Ball Tour
and for a performance on Saturday Night Live
in 2009.
The Black Eyed Peas
have used the Roland Ax-Synth for a number of performances since 2009.
Tim Minchin
used one during his tour, Tim Minchin vs Orchestra during the song 'Cheese'; and on his 'Ready for This?' Tour during the song 'Bears don't dig on dancing'.
Brett Domino
has used the AX-Synth in several videos.
Imogen Heap
uses one in her Ellipse
tour.
Stephen Devassy
Jay Metarri (Recording studio collaborator to Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber,
Madonna, U2, Pink Floyd)
The Human League
Keytar
A keytar is a relatively lightweight keyboard that is supported by a strap around the neck and shoulders, similar to the way a guitar is supported by a strap. Keytars allow players a greater range of movement compared to conventional keyboards, which are placed on stands...
that is manufactured by Roland Corporation
Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
, and was released in late August 2009. This modernized instrument builds on the features of its predecessor, the 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...
. The most notable change is the addition of an internal synthesizer. A UV Black-colored "premium" model called "Black Sparkle" was released in September 2010.
Features
The AX-Synth extends the keyboard to 49 keys (from the AX-7's 45) and also adds dedicated V-Link functionality to control audio and video onstage. It runs on 8 AA batteriesAA battery
An AA battery is a standard size of battery. Batteries of this size are the most commonly used type of in portable electronic devices. An AA battery is composed of a single electrochemical cell...
or an external power source. It has 264 built in tones, 128-voice polyphony, and a 3-character LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
display. The AX-Synth also has all of the AX-7's stage performance functions such as the touchpad
Touchpad
A touchpad is a pointing device featuring a tactile sensor, a specialized surface that can translate the motion and position of a user's fingers to a relative position on screen. Touch pads are a common feature of laptop computers, and they are also used as a substitute for a mouse where desk...
-like pitch bend ribbon, expression bar, sustain
Sustain
In music, sustain is a parameter of musical sound over time. As its name implies, it denotes the period of time during which the sound remains before it becomes inaudible, or silent.Additionally, sustain is the third of the four segments in an ADSR envelope...
switch, and volume control knob, all on the upper neck of the instrument. As with the AX-7, there is also a proprietary "D-Beam" interface, made up of infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
sensors that detect nearby motion.
MIDI Functionality
The AX-Synth has full MIDI functionality like the AX-7, but also adds an internal synthesizer with 128 voice polyphony and stereo output. It has both MIDI in and out ports and as is common with more recent synthesizers, it also has a USB port which can also be used to communicate MIDI messages, and edit the sounds via Roland's free patch editor/librarian software for PC and Mac.Notable users
French composer Jean-Michel Jarre used a prototype version of the AX-Synth during the first concerts of his 20092009 in music
The following is a list of notable events and releases in 2009 in music. Susan Boyle's album I Dreamed a Dream became the biggest selling album in the world for 2009, selling 8.3 million copies in five weeks; more than any other artist's in the whole year...
IN>DOORS tour. The white model keytar was painted in black to reduce reflections produced by the laser and lighting used during the concerts. Later during the tour, Roland Japan provided him with an official black production model. The black sparkle AX-synth model is now available from Roland and is in high demand.
Henrik Klingenberg
Henrik Klingenberg
Henrik "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 Arctica
Sonata Arctica
Sonata 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.....
also plays a custom purple, black, & white AX-Synth.
Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani 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...
uses a number of modified AX-Synths on stage, particularly during The Monster Ball Tour
The Monster Ball Tour
The 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...
and for a performance on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
in 2009.
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
have used the Roland Ax-Synth for a number of performances since 2009.
Tim Minchin
Tim Minchin
Timothy David "Tim" Minchin is a British-Australian comedian, actor, and musician.Tim Minchin is best known for his musical comedy, which has featured in six CDs, three DVDs and a number of live comedy shows which he has performed internationally. He has also appeared on television in Australia,...
used one during his tour, Tim Minchin vs Orchestra during the song 'Cheese'; and on his 'Ready for This?' Tour during the song 'Bears don't dig on dancing'.
Brett Domino
Brett Domino
Brett Domino is the alter-ego of Youtube musician Rob J. Madin. As Brett Domino, he is a musician, internet celebrity and TV presenter from Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. He is best known for his YouTube videos, in which he plays mostly covers and medleys of popular songs on the Stylophone and...
has used the AX-Synth in several videos.
Imogen Heap
Imogen Heap
Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap is a Grammy Award-winning English singer, composer and songwriter from Havering, Essex. She is known for her work as part of the musical duo Frou Frou and her solo albums, which she writes, produces, and mixes...
uses one in her Ellipse
Ellipse
In geometry, an ellipse is a plane curve that results from the intersection of a cone by a plane in a way that produces a closed curve. Circles are special cases of ellipses, obtained when the cutting plane is orthogonal to the cone's axis...
tour.
Stephen Devassy
Stephen Devassy
Stephen Devassy is an Indian pianist. He composes, sets tunes and arranges music for the Indian music industry.-Early life:...
Jay Metarri (Recording studio collaborator to Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber,
Madonna, U2, Pink Floyd)
The Human League
The Human League
The Human League are an English electronic New Wave band formed in Sheffield in 1977. They achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s and have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s up to the present day.The only constant...