Chris Senner*Keyboardkraze now has a nearly 24/7 chat service directly with me should you have any questions regarding keyboard/plugin choices! This is connected directly to me and it is not AI.
The Roland Ax-Edge is a remake of the original Ax keytar and it is a good one. Due to Alesis moving the keytar game forward, Roland has now jumped back in with their own answer.
I am very happy that they finally made this as it has been years since its predecessor.
Roland has stated that their goal with this instrument was to make something that was geared towards live performance.
It is well known now that bands are getting more and more creative with their live show and Roland saw this as an opportunity to relaunch their Edge keytar.
The Ax Edge has dethroned my personal favorite, the Vortex 2 by Alexis. If you're looking for something with a solid key-bed and some fun internal sounds, this is such a fun one.
Let’s also be clear: Roland is no stranger to making incredible keyboards. Roland keyboards are typically state-of-the-art in their design and overall functionality.
Why is MIDI important in a keytar? MIDI technology in this instrument is important because it literally allows you to play any possible sound and still have the ability to move around the entire stage with the Bluetooth technology.
Roland Ax-Edge
Roland had discontinued the first version of the Ax keytar due to a lack of sales and use in the music industry.
However, in the last few years, Alesis has come along with the Vortex 2 and they have basically controlled the keytar market since then.
The first thing we wanted to look into with this Roland keytar is to see if they had improved their MIDI ability.
This keytar has a super sleek design similar to its predecessor, but I think it looks even cooler. Another thing to note is that it comes in white and gold or black and red.
Something that I found interesting with this keytar is that it comes with 49 keys, not the traditional 37 keys that most keytars come with.
It is also a vocoder and this feature is one of the coolest things about this product overall.
Sounds Of The Roland Ax-Edge
The internal sounds of the Roland Ax-Edge are pleasant sounding. The big knock myself and most keyboardists have on keytars is that the internal sounds are usually quite bad. I have long been a Roland synthesizer fan and it is nice to see a keytar that has good internal sounds.
On top of the internal sounds, it also has Bluetooth MIDI capability. Roland definitely did this in order to compete with the Alesis Vortex 2 and we are starting to see more and more controllers have wireless technology.
I am a big fan of newer MIDI controllers because I have relied on them for live performance in a touring band for the last 5 years now.
I feel like with every new release, MIDI technology is getting better and better and the Edge has great MIDI capability.
The Ax Edge actually makes as a great 49 key MIDI controller with pads, even though it’s a keytar.
Layout Of The Roland Ax-Edge
The layout on this instrument is quite nice with everything being very easily accessible.
The one thing that I will note is that I was used to playing the Vortex 2 which only has 37 keys and although I like having the 49 keys that the Ax-Edge provides, it took a little bit to get used to.
37 keys on a keytar make for a smaller keytar that isn’t as bulky, however, I will say that after I got used to it, it was quite nice to have a bigger key-bed.
The ribbon controller is located on the neck of the Ax-Edge so you can easily bend your notes and access it.
The LCD screen so you can see what patch you are on is located in a nice place on the top left of the keytar. The patch is shown here and it also is lit up which really helps for performances where the stage is dark.
There is an arpeggio button located next to the patch buttons on the instrument in case you want to arpeggiate a patch or VST.
I really like the portamento feature of this keytar as I’m a huge fan of portamento. This is also accessible along with a patch switch button and octave buttons.
Key Features Of The Ax-Edge
- Keys: 49 full sized keys that have aftertouch
- Vocoder: Built-in vocoder with a mic input
- Patches: Over 500 different preset sounds
- Effects: 79 different effects available
- Ribbon Controller: Ribbon controller for expressive control for certain parts
- Batteries: Batteries last up to 4 hours of straight playing
- MIDI: Bluetooth MIDI capability for wireless control of your instrument
- Weight: 9 pounds
- Colors: Available in white and gold or black and red
Jordan Rudess And The Ax-Edge
Jordan Rudess has recently added this instrument to his keyboard rig for live shows and I think this is awesome. For those of you who don’t know Jordan Rudess, he is one of the best rock keyboard players currently playing today.
The band that you can catch him playing with is called Dream Theater for those of you unfamiliar.
Typically, Jordan is playing his Kronos keyboard, however, it is nice to see him play the Ax-Edge.
Overall Thoughts On The Roland Ax-Edge
Overall this is a solid instrument with great Bluetooth MIDI capability. The internal sounds of the product are some of the best on a keytar and you could make a valid argument for the best internal sounds yet. I love that this instrument has aftertouch on the keys and I also love the ribbon controller.
The one thing that is a little weird at first is it feels a bit bulky compared to other keytars. Some people will like that it has 49 keys, but some will prefer the 37 keys of the Vortex 2 because its a lot less bulky.
The Ax-Edge sets itself apart though because it does have great internal sounds with Roland’s latest technology in the synthesizers.
I found the leads and bass to have a great texture to them and it reminded me of why I like Roland so much for synths. We hope you found this review helpful.
Roland Ax Edge
Chris Senner
3 comments
Thanks for providing a review w technical basis and without encumbrance and obligations associated w sponsorships. This answered many questions for me.
Thanks!
OH! I almost forgot, pls point me to a site where I can find out if/when you are touring on a gig near San Antonio .
bought one when they were first out. Used it for a couple years. patch editing is nonsense. Never been fixed by Roland. So, I used a mix of onboard and controller sounds. Ultimately, let it go due to it’s bulk. Not the keyboard at 49, but the long neck and sharp edges hitting everything on a small stage. Went back to ax synth. sucks bc no midi volume or filter for use as a controller and very primitive onboard sounds.
I await the next rendition.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for the comment. I’ve been using the Alesis Vortex 1 and 2 since 2016 until now for live and they’ve worked great in rather large venues. I solely use them as MIDI controllers though obviously, but they’ve been reliable.