AX synth left hand tutorial

A few people have asked for a video on how I use the mod and pitch while playing, here you go.... giving a few trade secrets away.
I hope you find this useful and above all, have fun

[@rfantao86]

The best keytar tutorial video EVER. Finally I hear a guitar coming from a keytar and not soft pads. THANK YOU

[@KeytarGabriel]

you are welcome, its good that people understand the instrument

[@rfantao86]

@@KeytarGabriel Well, I found this video and I completely fell in love with the AX Edge, mainly your sound. The next day I watched the video, I bought one. Now I'm trying to make the sound you use, but I can't figure it out yet. Is this a 100% AX Edge sound, or it's connected to another equipment? Thanks!

[@KeytarGabriel]

@rfantao86 I use a Roland sonic cell and more now I use musiclab vsts

[@crystalwaveable]

This is the kind of tutorial I like. Small, bite-sized bits that show how a few little things, when mastered, really can make such a difference to a performance. Bravo.

[@danielcairney5904]

Wow, a real human being! As a Midi guitarist these tricks work with ALL setups, not just yours. Thank you. Great tutorial.

[@cmdess]

phenomenal. :) Man this really describes just exactly what the keytar is all about in some uses. Fine tuning the most needed articulations and tools to get the leads done in musical ways. Fine tuning the idea of a leads based instrument. Also, the idea to make the ribbon bendable is brilliant, that is exactly hoe the fretboard works pretty much so it makes sense that it brings life to the notes.

[@phinyx]

Awesome explanation of expression in playing. Forget MPE technology...it's useless if one doesn't have the expression within oneself. Pitch bend is KEY to all music except western classical, and this is the original "MPE." Jan Hammer, Jimmy Jam, and so many others.

[@Staykool777]

You are the reason I bought a keytar sir. Thank you.

[@KeytarGabriel]

Thank you so much

[@patricksollner5595]

Hey John! Love you Tutorial-Videos! I just bought a keytar this weekend and will start to learn it. Hope, everythings well with your family - best wishes, Patrick Söllner ✌🏻

[@KeytarGabriel]

Hey mate, you won't regret it 😉

[@surendrans7324]

hey man really great tutorial can you please let me know the Kontkt guitar instrument you used ?

[@KeytarGabriel]

Hi there, it's free in kontact library and it's called rock guitar, I removed all the fx and ran it through guitar rig. I use only musiclab products now for guitar sounds

[@ดร.อธิป.อัศวานันท์]

This is an awesome video. Thank you for doing this. I am learning a lot from it. BTW. Do you find Kontakt to produce a much better guitar sound than the Ax-Edge to be worth the trouble?

[@KeytarGabriel]

Hey thanks, nah if you spend time editing you can make a really nice dry guitar sound on the edge but it takes work, I would always use an external fx but Kontakt is just quick because the dry Rock guitar in komplete is just great and works right out the Box. I also use other Modules, the sonic cell is good amongst others, the Main thing is try to Replicate a dry electric Sound, then go crazy with fx

[@PAUL35095]

Hello, I've had an AX EDGE for a month, and I can't make the Pich-bend go up 5 and down 24...I can't find the Menu where it is...I could find the Pich-bend Setting in the Android App but still, that is, from 0 to 24 semitones, both up and down. Please, how can I make the same arrangement as you? Thank you very much from the heart !

[@KeytarGabriel]

@PAUL35095 hi there, it's in the sound edit not the controller edit which is strange I know but it's a bad design. You have to go into the sound editing to do it, I might make a video on this soon

[@PAUL35095]

@@KeytarGabriel Thank you very much, I'm looking forward to that kind of tutorial.

[@RewindBandUtah]

Thank you for your video...very informative. Echoing other comments (both here and in various discussion groups) to be able to adjust the pitch-bend at the SYS level. If you are able to explain further, would be much appreciated!

[@percarlen1024]

I just bought an Ax Edge thanks to you! 😊 I’m playing RealLPC with it. Have you found a way to trigger key switches with the buttons on the Ax Edge?

[@JimmyKeyOfficial]

hello !!! excellent! Please tell me what preset you use, and you need Kemper FX, thank you for your answer

[@SaraJadeMusic]

Hi John! Great video! Question - In the beginning you mention that you have your pitch bend set to bend down 12 notes and to bend up only 2 notes. Did you do this inside the AX Edge or is that a setting in your DAW? Thanks!

[@KeytarGabriel]

It is in the daw but in can be done in both

[@blue-medusa]

I have my keytar now! I’ve realised that, in order to bend up 2 semitones to a note, you have to play 2 semitones lower to compensate (ie. playing a Bb instead of C with the right hand and using the left hand to transform it into C). Is that correct? This means I’m going to have to re-learn how to improvise 😅

[@KeytarGabriel]

Yes it will take a little getting used to. Congrats on the new keytar too. I use 12 down and 2 up which works better for me, try not to play in a different key than feels intuitive, I would use the bend to accent and effect, it works better used sparingly

[@blue-medusa]

@@KeytarGabrielAhh ok, thank you so much!

[@thephoenixchant]

I was also considering the roland SD-101 and getting the Ax Synth sound pack for Ax Edge presets in the SD-101. Not sure if that can be done, though. In Axial it says "sound packs for Ax Edge from Ax Synth and the files are .axe. Although apparently they are all Zen Core sounds, right? And I'm not sure either if I would be able to switch tones in the 101, as the AX7 has channel change message buttons that can work with the Sonic Cell's "studio set" setup. Which again, I don't knoe if it's available in the 101. Do you guys recommemd the 101 over the Sonic Cell or the other way round?

[@Skyverb]

Roland has a compatibility list for their tones. Glance thru it to see which tones work across different devices before buying. In the Roland Cloud manager they have the lists if you can't find them online.

[@learnpianobyear]

Brilliant mate! Cheers

[@KeytarGabriel]

Anytime, you're welcome

[@blue-medusa]

This is incredibly helpful, thanks so much! I can’t seem to find the answer elsewhere; is this able to be played with headphones for practice purposes?

[@KeytarGabriel]

Yes you can use headphones just like any other keyboard but to get the best out of it I would highly recommend using an external sound source like a laptop with an audio interface and using the ax as more of a controller. I know its extra expense but there's no going back once you try it. It just opens so many more doors

[@blue-medusa]

Oh that won’t be an issue; I have that equipment already. I was just wondering about taking it on holiday and silent-practicing just to build up technique. I’m a pianist but haven’t yet tried my hand at keytaring. I definitely love the idea of having it sound like your epic guitar synth eventually! Thanks so much for your advice!

[@KeytarGabriel]

@blue-medusa then thus would be ideal for you, it also works with batteries but I recommend rechargeable as they last longer. About 4 hours

[@KeytarGabriel]

just a tip, definately if youre going to use the computer etc then download a trial of musiclab real lpc and give it a try. it's pretty addictive@@blue-medusa

[@blue-medusa]

@@KeytarGabriel Haha your advice is so deeply appreciated! Thanks so much!

[@larsmulder7227]

Great tutorial! Thanks a lot!

[@untouchablecantu4002]

Kinda worried now.. I wanted to buy one but hearing you saying that modulation bar is breaking easily and your gona have to go through alot is a bit worrying 😟 is it at least covered by the warranty if you buy a warranty for it?

[@KeytarGabriel]

sorry its not covered by warranty but its easy to replace and cheap so its more of an annoyance than anything

[@TheSlumHearts]

@@KeytarGabriel Where do you get the replacement bar?

[@KeytarGabriel]

@@TheSlumHearts from Roland direct, they usually are pretty fast and it's about twenty euros

[@jorgepeters7474]

I won't be buying one if the modulation button is that fickle.

[@residentsteve1511]

Thank you for the video! I recently bought mine and have a stupid question if you'll indulge me, how did you get that 001 program to play chords?

[@KeytarGabriel]

Thanks, not sure what you mean though, can you clarify?

[@aaronm.1622]

This is gonna be so late but: The 001 sound John used is actually not the the one in a preset AX-Edge. Also the 001 sound is a MONO sound, so you need to switch that to POLY using the editor

[@alesturk6132]

Mr John 👏👏👏 hello I have an AX Edge and would like to have the same guitar sound as you. That sound on your Edge is amazing !! Do you have your AX programmed or do you need something else? Thank you for the answer and have a nice day. Ales

[@andy5178]

He’s using a Kontakt library, the Edge can’t sound like that unfortunately: hook it up to your computer and try it out with apps such as LPC (you’ll need an amp VST to go with it), Shreddage or Ample Guitars.

[@shawnloganangelolapuz1038]

Hello you're such an inspiration. I'm Trying to learn now keytar stuffs thanks to you. Got a question how do you set bend range settings from +2 and -12?

[@KeytarGabriel]

Hi, sorry for the late reply and thanks for the kind words, really appreciate it. To make the settings you need to adjust it in the actual sound not the controller settings. its in the sound edit section

[@mohinahmedjames5410]

Watching from Bangladesh 😍🤘

[@MrSpectreon]

how do I download a good guitar sound for performances without a PC on stage?

[@ccb1127]

Hello. Which preset is the stock guitar sound?

[@thephoenixchant]

Which sound is that? I have AX-07 turned into wireless with WIDI wireless and I'm wondering whether I sahould get sonic cell and try to emulate the AX-Synth sound, or else save money to get a AX-Edge. Is ithe Sonic Cell Worth it? Is the odulation of the Edge and are its sounds better than the Sonic Cell guitar ones?

[@KeytarGabriel]

Hi there, that was a basic guitar sound in kontakt run through guitar rig but ax 07 with sonic cell is in my opinion way better than the edge because it works, the editor is exceptional and it will never let you down however.... musiclabv6 is out now and since then I've even ditched guitar rig, a laptop, musiclabv6 and a half decent reliable interface will set you up for life..... I'm never going back

[@thephoenixchant]

@@KeytarGabriel I was also considering the roland SD-101 and getting the Ax Synth sound pack for Ax Edge presets in the SD-101. Not sure if that can be done, though. And also not sure either if I eould be able to switch tones in the 101, as the AX7 has channel change message buttons that can work with the Sonic Cell's "studio set" setup. Do you guys recommemd the 101 over the Sonic Cell or the other way round?

[@KeytarGabriel]

@@thephoenixchant you really need to try it out, I don't think there is anything you cannot do with the sonic cell with the amazing editor but I would look also at soft synths as an option, musiclab is a game changer as far as I'm concerned if you want authentic guitar tones

[@thephoenixchant]

@@KeytarGabriel Can one get the Ax Synth-like tone just with the sonic cell? No need for pedals/external FX? I use soft synths for songwriting [so far the Eastwest MoR + Heavier Guitar] , and sound modules for live performances. I will definitedly try music lab out too :)

[@strangeculturesmusic1130]

Hello dear John, is it possible to save or upload the sound of a kontakt or other softsynths on Roland Ax edge ?

[@KeytarGabriel]

Unfortunately not but check out roland zen core where you can share sounds from other zen core instruments

[@strangeculturesmusic1130]

@@KeytarGabriel tnx 🙏👍

[@thephoenixchant]

@@strangeculturesmusic1130 I was also considering the roland SD-101 and getting the Ax Synth sound pack for Ax Edge presets in the SD-101. Not sure if that can be done, though. In Axial it says "sound packs for Ax Edge from Ax Synth and the files are .axe. Although apparently they are all Zen Core sounds, right? And I'm not sure either if I would be able to switch tones in the 101, as the AX7 has channel change message buttons that can work with the Sonic Cell's "studio set" setup. Which again, I don't knoe if it's available in the 101. Do you guys recommemd the 101 over the Sonic Cell or the other way round?

[@strangeculturesmusic1130]

@@thephoenixchant tnx dear juan🙏🙏👍

[@thephoenixchant]

@@strangeculturesmusic1130 Something that does work [besides the Sonic Cell] is the Roland Integra -7. It has Studio Sets too. The only thing is that the sound modifier works withbthe ipad, I think, but the stock guitar sounds are quite good.

[@danotapia8725]

my mod bar is broken :(