Can Keytar sound like Guitar?

[@MeruXYZ]

HOLY SHIT. That sounds so natural and soulful. You are incredible. A true inspiration. I just landed my first keytar and if you don't mind, I'll be showing this do my friends and family thinking I'm pursuing a silly hobby. Simply amazing.

[@cjcosta]

What a nice comment, thank you! Nothing silly about Keytar, it's what you make it. I've made a good living in music for 40 years, and my Keytar work is a big part of what makes my act unique.. check this one out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/anbNppyPgLJ9Z68

[@MrParkinthedark]

I don't know why, but a synth-keytar seems like the perfect instrument for learning any band position. You learn key progression AND train the left hand! Wow, thats it!

[@cjcosta]

True you can emulate almost anything on the Keytar, but for learning the keyboard one should definitely sit and use both hands! =)

[@BenBreed-2007synthguy]

Wow dude, that is impressive! As good as the patches are, your playing is even better!! You have earned yourself a sub, well done man!

[@cjcosta]

Thank you so much!

[@DipTunes]

I researched many videos regarding keytar mimicing guitar and yours one turned out the best. Looking forward for more

[@cjcosta]

Thank you! =) I just added two "jam" videos (1-11-20) The next one I make will be about getting the tone and the chops to work together for the best guitar emulation.

[@Skyverb]

I randomly clicked this and ur playing put a big smile on my face. Thanks for sharing.

[@cjcosta]

Thank you! Now you made me smile.

[@DIYMusic]

not too long... not long enough--more please, good sir!

[@cjcosta]

Thanks, I will make another soon...

[@mathmache5838]

This is one of the best things i've ever seen

[@cjcosta]

Thank you very much!

[@vitaliarmonica]

With a pedal or a virtual effect that could get even better, but sounds already perfect like this! 👍

[@larshaas2658]

How did you become so good improvising those sick riffs?

[@cjcosta]

Thanks. I play keytar live on stage several nights a week. Getting Keytar to sound like guitar doesn't involve a lot of complex playing, it takes attention to the primary goal of emulating a different instrument..

[@robwebnoid5763]

Here in 2020. Very nice demo. Around 15 years ago, I dinked around with this type of stuff. In around 2005, my keytar setup was just a Quickshot MIDI-Composer keyboard (that I bought in the mid 1990's) & a Pentium III PC. My first software was using XG MIDI distortion guitar presets & XGEdit. Then I went to the NTrack DAW & used VSTi's such as Refx Slayer, although Slayer was just a demo version. Also tried some Sampletank sounds & other VSTi's. I got adept with the pitch & mod wheels to the point it was like 2nd nature to move them to simulate a rock guitar. Of course you are way better. Anyway, haven't done it in awhile, but hopefully will get back into keytarring.

[@cjcosta]

It sounds like you had a lot of fun back in the day! I used to use a tyros for my guitar sounds and I would patch them through a guitar pedal. I went that route for many years until I felt the software gave me the same flexibility and sound. Thanks for sharing!

[@robwebnoid5763]

​@@cjcosta ... Yeah I did, was fun. Thanks for replying. Wow I commented here 4 months ago, heh. A Tyros is in the thousand$ iirc, I would have never bought that. My setup was just the midi keyboard, beginning with Yamaha XG 20-25 years ago, then eventually moving on Synthfonts & VSTI's in the early-mid 2000's. I pretty much routed guitar sims through a cab sim, so I could experience the different virtual guitar amps & pedals. I stopped keytarring before 2010 as real life set in, had to move to a different town, a new job, etc. But the same Quickshot midi keyboard controller I've been talking aobut is only a couple feet away as I type this, it's just no software is set up at the moment. I would love to hear you playing through different cab sims though. :)

[@rico_metaltail]

You have inspired me.

[@cjcosta]

Happy I was able to do that!

[@Dareq6]

Mister - this sound is amazing (not mension about your speed). Please can You share your detailed settings tutorial?

[@cjcosta]

There are much better tutorials than I could create. I just use the best guitar samples I can find, and then use the parameters that sound like a guitar rig and effects... Orangetree Samples Rock Standard is what I use here...

[@Matt-su5wp]

One Portagee to another sounds sick. Nice setup

[@chevron-vw5rn]

Now can it do Acoustic guitar sounds too just as natural sounding as these electric guitars?

[@AlesisVideo]

Awesome sound!

[@cjcosta]

Thank you Alesis! Loving the V2 ;)

[@gamepad3173]

I don't think I"ll be abandoning the pedals any time too soon even for my Keytar the Yamaha SHS-10.

[@RogerioValgode]

Wow Nice shredding!!! 👏👏👏

[@cjcosta]

Thanks!

[@paulwirth4197]

i was just watching one of your videos

[@Livesaxmusic77]

Chris you are best!! send me pls links for download kontakt sounds

[@cjcosta]

Thank you! Here is my favorite one, "Rock Standard", it's the one I play 90% of the time. I can get nearly any guitar tone I want with it. Enjoy! www.orangetreesamples.com/products/evolution-rock-standard

[@Livesaxmusic77]

@@cjcosta thank you so much! Is it stand alone?

[@cjcosta]

@Livesaxmusic77 It works without limitation on Kontakt free player.. they are having a 30% off sale right now I believe. Have fun!

[@Livesaxmusic77]

thank you so much ! @@cjcosta

[@Dareq6]

Really nice sound :)

[@cjcosta]

Thank you! I will be posting a much better version of this soon...

[@pierrefitch]

We’re do I find these effects guitar

[@pianistpayne123]

Hey Chris, amazing video! I've watched a few of yours - great control and nuance with the sounds and the programming. I just ordered my Alesis Vortex 2 (had an Ax-Synth a few years ago, but ended up selling it for a Roland V-Accordion - needed for shows). Now, ready to get back to a little Keytar playing (I'll be playing for a big production of Jesus Christ Superstar, wtih the band on stage - so lots of room for pychadelic sounds, and will get me off the ordinary keyboard)! I've been looking online for any videos showing programming and setup, specifically the assigning of AMP modelling to the fader bars, and the effects to pads, etc - not much out there that isn't more than the basics. You willing to share how you set up your rig and programmed all the assignments at all? Would be so helpful...🙂

[@WolfKingAka]

They are actually doing a big sale now ^_^

[@cjcosta]

Thanks, I've seen it ongoing. I've already purchased most of their guitars now... quality sounds that I highly recommend!

[@karaokeunplugged721]

Great job man.... Lovely hands u hv ✌️ is the pitch bender functioning properly still? Heard from someone about the pitch wheel issue after few months of use of Alesis keytar

[@cjcosta]

Thank you! Since getting my first Vortex 2 in 2018, I play around 12-16 hours every week on it. (I now have 3) I have broken the pitch wheel once, the ribbon twice, and a key twice... I have a great repair guy who takes care of them for me. Considering I put them through weekly packing and traveling, and of course tons of stage time, they hold up well for the price! Nothing else on the market suits my specific needs as well.. I would say that the pitch wheel holds up well, I put mine through a lot and it's only broken when I am too hard on it. Be reasonable with the way you handle it and you won't have to worry. Be well =)

[@pfrocha]

Great work, Chris! You should be sponsored by Alesis and OrageTree Samples for this video. I am considering buying the V2 myself, but I often hear bluetooth is not reliable (I use a Mac), especially in a room with a lot of smartphones. Have you ever had any issues?

[@cjcosta]

Thanks! I play around 200 songs across 4 nights live every week. I get hanging notes averaging once or twice per show (Approx 50 songs) I have the upper right pad assigned as a panic button, and it takes only an instant to press it. Not sure about the smartphone thing, I play to 50-150 ppl in casinos, and the RF is nuts in that environment. True, it's not perfect, but for the $300 cost and with the amount of controllers on the V2 nothing else on the market will do for me. It's light and quite durable. I have to have backup V2's and always travel with a spare, and at $300 it's not hard to do. Hope this helps.

[@JSBach-pd4yg]

how you change sound with that keytar? 3:35

[@JoshuaMiloMusic]

How do you control the pinch harmonics?

[@cjcosta]

It's being triggered randomly by velocity range. Bring the lower threshold up to 99 and the upper threshold down to 100-101 and see how that feels. the pinch will only sound in the space between the two numbers. You will only want the range to be 1 or 2 (of 127) "velocity points" in a place that feels right for your playing style. Good luck and have fun.

[@jokumvildmoosehawkfield3176]

I think there’s still some keyboardish with the distorted guitar sound. But I can hear the sound is way better than in the 0’s and for just a few years ago.

[@cjcosta]

Yes we will never sound exactly right.. but it's fun to try! Thanks for watching.

[@Livesaxmusic77]

hello its Michael , how did you set up your vortes to be able to change program and sounds with buttons? could you pls send me your preset? lmk thanks

[@miekwavesoundlab]

Amazing!

[@1m1a]

How do you get the overtone squeal at 4:30 and 4:45? Is that a controller move?

[@cjcosta]

For this patch it’s set to trigger only when I play velocity level 100... it’s pretty random like this, but I can also set a controller to do it as well as key triggering, etc..

[@1m1a]

100 exactly? Or 100 and above

[@cjcosta]

@@1m1a 100 exactly... 100 and up would trigger too often.. you might set it for 100-103 or something along those lines.. it will happen much more often at that setting.

[@pepinillosazucarados6743]

AMAZING PERFORMANCE !!! COULD YOU PLAY AS GOOD WITH A STANDARD MIDI CONTROLLER OR DOES THE KEYTAR HAVE DIFFERENT CONTROLS ?

[@cjcosta]

Hi, and thanks. The controls are pretty much the same as your average synth, you only have to get used to the controller hanging flat in front of you... so yes, I could play these chops on another keyboard if I was comfortable with the controls. The controller is programmed to have a lot of control over the tone, which is a big part of selling the "guitar emulation".

[@mrs.jewelryboxgems6192]

I Love it Also

[@cjcosta]

Thank you Mrs Jewelry Box! =)

[@dannytsunmusic]

What Keytar are you using here?

[@cjcosta]

Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 =)

[@aungthapyay1754]

Nice.

[@hanlinhanlin1811]

Good

[@24nikita]

That was FUKIN GREAT. Gonna buy me one. Please can you put more info and play more sound samples in another video. I`ve subscribed so I`m waiting. Gonna follow you and do some research, do you have a website, was that Chris Costa.com I heard you saying?

[@RefleAccionaULCH]

Hi bro, i would like to know if a program for sounds is included in the purchase of the alesis vortex 2?

[@cjcosta]

JR CHARGOY yes, there are a few synth sounds that are available online with the purchase, along with some software ... BUT, the sounds you hear here in this video do not. You probably know this but it’s worth saying that this keyboard only sends midi info, no internal sounds whatsoever.. good luck brother!

[@soggydinnerolls1821]

play an f blues scale on it

[@uberipuzo]

3:40

[@cjcosta]

That marker takes you to the playing part, thanks.

[@invisiblealex007]

cool! However, I think it seems to play much harder on keyboard instead of play the same on guitar:))

[@cjcosta]

I'm glad you think so, however I never could get the hang of soloing on guitar... being a keyboardist, this is the next best thing, and the Keytars' inherent novelty has been a part of my success =)

[@invisiblealex007]

@@cjcostatotally agree. If you do not play guitar and desire to replace keyboard's sound, it will be the best option ever. And it is sounds like real electric guitar, very similar.

[@kauairalph108]

Wow sick bro nice

[@cjcosta]

Thanks =)

[@jacknews5988]

I want the best sound

[@mmmcmdmdkdmxjdxjsjsnsns7679]

What is the difference between the vortex 1 and 2

[@cjcosta]

Pull up some pictures on Google of both keyboards and you will see the major differences. They both use bluetooth, although it's proprietary and I believe the vortex 2 after the firmware update is more solid. Obviously when you look at the two keyboards you'll see that the vortex 2 has many more controls to work with. These are all assignable to CC controllers via v program included. The vortex 2 also feels more sturdy and imo has a better key bed. Keep on jamming!

[@kauairalph108]

Amerian Idle is calling try out you would win

[@cjcosta]

How kind of you to say!

[@tolgaaydogantoqito]

omg! you're gorgeous

[@cjcosta]

Thank you =) Very sweet

[@Livesaxmusic77]

Hello Sir do you have any delay when playing?

[@cjcosta]

Actually, yes. I would estimate using my setup I'm getting between 10-15 milliseconds.. I usually don't feel it, but I'm used to it. I have strong computers and I don't think it's the Vortex per se, just the whole system working in the best way possible with wireless midi, generous buffer settings, and huge sample banks. I'm still a happy player even with the latency.

[@Livesaxmusic77]

@@cjcosta thank you for replay are you using apple or pc?

[@cjcosta]

@@Livesaxmusic77 You're welcome. I'm on PC... BTW, average natural latency for MIDI ranges from 3-10 ms, Most people can't feel latency below 50 ms.

[@Livesaxmusic77]

@@cjcosta I used bluetooth as an audio maybe that why I had huge delay do you have your laptop connected to speakers or you use bluetooth?

[@cjcosta]

@@Livesaxmusic77 I hard-wire everything except my Vortex 2 and occasionally a wireless mic.

[@stephenodoom9240]

I need one to buy

[@cjcosta]

Hi there, that's A-B-C easy and not too expensive... a. Get a Vortex Wireless 2 anywhere for $299 US. b. Download free Kontakt Player. c. Buy Orangetree Samples "Evolution Rock Standard" guitar for $179 and start ripping! The programming has a learning curve, but if I can do it....

[@fawadkhanmusicdirector]

Hi sir Price

[@cjcosta]

Hello! Alesis Vortex 2, around $299... Kontakt Player is free... Most Orangetree guitar sample packs are $179... Good Luck!

[@kjetilalexandersaltnes8643]

The million dollar question; How can a guitarplayer be allowed to use his stereo-effects live, in true stereo..??? Answer; He won't. Unless he'll get a keytar!!! 😅

[@Dylpickel4184]

Just buy a guitar if you want a keyboard to sound like one

[@cjcosta]

Brilliant!! Then I'll just take another 40 years to master another instrument. Seriously, I've played guitar as long as keys, just never excelled at it. I'm a keyboardist, and by now you must know keyboards rule the domain of emulating other instruments... you should embrace it! Since you're a budding musician, I recommend getting on board and expand your keyboard skills.. you won't regret it! =)

[@santanu-io]

I would say, this is the most awkward instrument ever build in the history of music 🙄

[@cjcosta]

I can't argue with that impression, it's not nearly as intuitive as the Rolands... I find the bluetooth to be strong and stable, that's what drew me in to overlook the somewhat wonky design. The Vortex 2 had a major issue upon release that was addressed later in firmware.. for me it's solid and I find it very usable.. I did find it challenging to get used to the controls, but took the challenge due to the void in the Keytar market for a light, cheap, wireless... now it's fun to play cause it's a bit of a dance lol.

[@sthego3970]

@@cjcosta I think he's talking about keytars in general, and not about that specific model. But nah, keytars are cool.

[@xiaoshan2146]

@@sthego3970 agree