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. Skip to the best keytar controller.
What is a Keytar?
So what is a Keytar, and what makes it different from the keyboard?
A keytar is a synthesizer instrument just like a keyboard synthesizer on a traditional stand, but it is tied to a strap and worn like a guitar. It’s played mostly for live or stage performances. It differs from a keyboard on a stand in that it has a smaller range of keys, and can be worn. 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 keyboard on a stand.
Unlike a piano, the keytar sends computer messages using a protocol called MIDI, that say “I played this note, this hard.” Then the software receives the information from the instrument and synthesizes the note with different sounds. For this reason, a keyboard or keytar can sound like anything: a piano, a guitar, a bagpipe—anything, really!
Note: Nowadays you do get Keytars that come with a built-in sound engine, so they’re able to generate their own sounds, and are not just plain midi instruments.
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.
The Keytar is now making a comeback; when a keyboardist shows up with a wearable keyboard, people do take notice. While most brands have stopped production, Roland and Alesis still continue to make keytars.
Comparison Chart
- Best budget keytar (for beginners): Yamaha SHS-500 Sonogenic Keytar
This keytar sends MIDI via Bluetooth or USB, and can run on batteries allowing for a great portable keyboard experience. - Best Powerhouse keytar: Roland ST-AX2 Stand for AX-EDGE Keytar
49-Key Keytar. Killer sounds and styles. Includes Free Wireless Earbuds (Stereo Bluetooth In-ear) - Best Overall (Top Pick): Alesis Vortex Wireless 2
49-key USB / MIDI Wireless Keytar Controller with professional recording suite. - With Vocaloid Feature: Yamaha VOCALOID VKB-100
37-keys, Vocaloid Keyboard
Best Keytars
Here are our recommended Keytars:
Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 Keytar Keyboard Controller
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.
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.
Roland AX-EDGE Keytar Synthesizer
Roland’s AX-EDGE keytar is loaded with killer on-board sounds and effects, a rechargeable 4-hour battery, and style to burn. 49 full-sized keys, and a sound-set crafted specifically for keytarists. Thoughtful design features give you the freedom to truly express yourself on stage.
Yamaha VKB-100 Keytar (Vocaloid)
Yamaha’s Vocaloid ‘singing synth’ guitar is a big hit in Japan, and is used a lot in ‘anime’. The Yamaha Vkb-100 Vocaloid Keyboard comes with 37 keys. Read more here.
Watch: Yamaha Vocaloid keytar
Also Read: Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard for Wii and WiiU
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.
Top Keytar Brands
- Alesis Keytar
- Yamaha Keytar
- Roland Keytar
- Casio Keytar
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.
Keytar Buying Links
Checkout more synthesizers and keyboards on our site.
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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