Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer

zZounds' Take on Roland AX-Synth

Live keyboard players have never had it easy. Let's face it, it's tough to connect with your audience when you're buried behind walls of workstations. It's almost enough to make a keyboardist want to switch instruments and strap on a guitar -- almost. And that's why the keytar was invented: to free keyboardists from the tyranny of their massive rigs, and finally make playing keys look as sexy as it sounds.

With the release of the new AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer, the keytar is back in a big, bad way -- with a stellar internal sound engine derived from the Roland Fantom G, and a host of expression controls built right into the neck. And with 6 hours of battery power, you can now rock the stage unencumbered by MIDI cables or power adapters.

High-Quality Internal Sound Source

Roland's famous AX-1 and AX-7 keytars were mere MIDI controllers that produced no sound on their own. Keyboardists were required to bring racks of sound modules to make those now-discontinued instruments sing. But the new AX-Synth is called a "synth" for a reason: the 128-note polyphonic internal sound engine means you don't have to connect to external MIDI modules just to make a sound. The AX-Synth comes loaded with 256 high-quality tones designed to cut through the mix on your keyboard solos: analog-style leads, basses, polysynths, pads, synth guitars, squawking saxophones, and more. Organs, pianos, and clavs round out the selection, while Roland's four SuperNATURAL tones (Violin, Cello, Shakuhachi, Trombone) and four SPECIAL tones (Trumpet, Sax, Strings and Jazz Scat) take particular advantage of the expression controls. After all, everyone will be looking at you when you wear the AX-Synth, so you may as well give them something great to listen to!

Express Yourself

Expression controls make the AX-Synth's total of 264 tones come alive. Play solos with your right hand while you use your left to manipulate the touch-sensitive modulation bar on the AX-Synth's neck. Slide your finger left or right on the ribbon strip to bend pitch, or press the bar to add vibrato. Activate Bender Mode to bend a single note while leaving others unaffected. Press the Portamento button to glide from pitch to pitch without clearly defined steps. Press the Hold button to simulate a sustain pedal (or plug in an optional footswitch to the Foot Pedal socket). Wave your hand over the invisible D-Beam controller to change pitch or filter a sound's cutoff frequency (brightness). Playing a bass part? You can shift the keyboard up to three octaves up or down in Octave Switch mode, or hold the Octave + or - buttons to quickly play a few notes in a higher or lower octave before returning to the keyboard's normal pitch. And of course, you can transpose the AX-Synth to any key.

Extreme Playability

Since the whole point of a wearable keyboard is to sound good and look good, you certainly don't want an instrument that feels awkward. If you've never played a keyboard tipped vertically, you'll find it's very comfortable. Keyboardists report that the well-balanced AX-Synth is natural and easy to play, and that it takes only a few minutes to adapt to the keytarist point of view. The AX-Synth's 49-note, four-octave, velocity-sensitive C to E keyboard is playable at many angles, like a guitar. Roland has even made traditional two-handed playing a genuine option, with four different places to attach the included strap. If you're a keyboardist, you've probably got a horizontal board or two already in your rig -- so when 49 notes aren't enough, play leads with your right hand on the AX-Synth while filling in a left-hand part on your existing board. When it's time to rock out on your keyboard solo, leave the rig behind and take your rightful place at center stage.

Advanced Tone Programming

The AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer is clearly a blast to play live, but what about in the studio? After all, if you're spending four figures on a sweet new keyboard, you expect some production capabilities. This is where the AX-Synth shines as a fully-fledged synthesizer -- off the shoulder. Plug in the included AC adapter, connect your AX-Synth's USB port to your Mac or PC, and run Roland's free editing software to modify and save all aspects of the internal tones to your liking. You can store your new settings in the AX-Synth for use on stage, and of course, you can use the board as a MIDI controller with your sequencer software or any other MIDI gear.

The Next Big Thing?

With Roland AX-Synth's new onboard sounds, expression controls, and eye-popping design, it's no wonder that artists like Imogen Heap, the Black Eyed Peas, and even Lady Gaga are now strapping on keytars. It just may be time to give your old keyboard rig the cold shoulder. But watch out: this is one keyboard so stylish, your guitarist might want to switch instruments.

Features:

- Built-in sound engine with 256 tones plus 8 SuperNATURAL/SPECIAL tones
- Ribbon controller, modulation bar, and D-Beam bring your tones to life
- Powered by 8 rechargeable AA Ni-MH batteries for up to 6 hours
- Included AC adapter
- Easy-to-read display
- USB MIDI as well as standard MIDI I/O
- Dedicated V-LINK button for video/visual control
- Free AX-Synth Editor software available on Roland's website
- 128-note polyphony
- Two 1/4" output jacks (L/Mono, R)
- 1/4" stereo headphone output jack
- Foot pedal connector
- Shoulder strap included

Manufacturer's Description for Roland AX-SYNTH Shoulder Synthesizer

Escape the keyboard rig once again with the new black sparkle AX-Synth. Representing Roland's new generation of remote keyboards, the AX-Synth is the first of the legendary AX-Series to offer an onboard sound engine featuring a collection of the best of Roland's cutting-edge synth sounds.

Features

- Equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's latest synths
- Ribbon controller, D BEAM, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for the stage
- USB MIDI for easy connection to a PC
- Long battery operation (approx. 6 hours)
- Dedicated V-LINK button for video/visual control
- Gorgeous optional Black Sparkle glass-particle UV finish which reacts to various lighting conditions

Specifications

- 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
- Long battery operation (approx. 6 hours)

All In One

Plug in and play - what could be more convenient? The Roland AX-Synth has everything you need to steal the show. Unlike most remote synths of yesteryear, the AX-Synth is self-contained and loaded with hundreds of Roland's greatest sounds. External MIDI devices are not required. Everything is built-in and ready to rock.

Be a Control Freak

The Roland AX-Synth is packed with cool controllers for expressive live performance. Glide your fingers over the Ribbon Controller for ultra-smooth pitch bends. A Modulation Bar and dedicated control knobs are also provided for real-time sound shaping. Wave your hand over the invisible D Beam for attention-getting effects.

USB MIDI

While the Roland AX-Synth is completely self-contained, it's also capable of driving external instruments via MIDI. Plug into a MIDI device, and enjoy an unlimited world of sounds and textures, all controllable from the AX-Synth.

Custom Programming

The AX-Synth has a vault of great solo sounds onboard, but if you want to customize your sounds, you can download the dedicated PC software editor/librarian application. The AX-Synth's USB/MIDI connector makes communication to and from your computer fast and convenient. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Roland products.

Specifications
- Keyboard: 49 Keys (with velocity)
- Maximum Polyphony: 128 voices
- Tones: 256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)
- Controllers: D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, Modulation Bar, Volume Knob Controller, Aftertouch Knob Controller, Portamento On/Off, Hold button On/Off, Bender Mode: Normal/Catch+Last
- Connectors: Output Jacks: 2 x 1/4 inch phone type (L/MONO, R), Headphones (Stereo 1/4 inch phone type), Foot Pedal, USB connector (USB MIDI), MIDI connector (IN/OUT), AC Adaptor
- Battery: 8 x Ni-MH rechargeable Batteries
- Display: (3 x 7) segment LED
- Accessories Included: Owner's Manual, Shoulder strap, AC Adaptor (PSB-1U)
- Width: 1,142 mm, 45 in.
- Depth: 266 mm, 10-1/2 in.
- Height: 87 mm, 3-7/16 in.
- Weight (excluding batteries): 3.9 kg, 8 lbs. 10 oz.

In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice.

Power Supply: Can be powered either by 8 AA-type Ni-MH batteries (Not Included) or PSB-1U AC Adapter (Included)

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Black, with Free Roland ST-AX Stand

Shipping Weight: 25 lbs

White, with Free Roland ST-AX Stand

Shipping Weight: 35 lbs

Black

Shipping Weight: 15 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 51 x 16 x 7 in

White

Shipping Weight: 25 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 51 x 16 x 7 in