Korg RK100S2 Review - Can a guitarist play keytar?

[@KevinSpooner]

I actually just got one of these for my girlfriend as I’m a lifelong guitar player and she wanted to play with me and “sound like the 80s!” We just unboxed it tonight and so far so good!

[@KetherAinej]

Is there a way to play pich bend and vibrato at the same time??

[@DavidAddis]

​@@KetherAinej yes, press both Hold buttons at the same time with your left hand, then use the long ribbon 🙂

[@normietwiceremoved]

Your very good at reviews! You don't waffle on for minutes at a time, you get to the point and shown what I wanted to see and kept me engaged the whole way!

[@DavidAddis]

Hey thanks! I really appreciate it. :)

[@NickyMitchell85]

I’m surprised 😳 that the KEYTAR was *never* featured in the movie 🎦 *School of Rock.* How many _mainstream_ musical artists/bands use a keytar? The KEYTAR is such a _criminally underrated_ musical 🎶 instrument, isn’t it?!

[@markalbrecht6989]

Thanks for the thorough review of this Keytar style from Korg. It’s a real improvement over the first version. Your song demo was great for demonstrating how one might play it with band as both backing and solo performances. Thanks.

[@DavidAddis]

Thanks Mark! I appreciate the feedback.

[@curts_uniquecomposites]

I like this one more than the Roland Ax Edge. I love that it's small and less bulky. Don't get me wrong the Roland Ax Edge is ok, but it was to big and much of a stretch for me to play. I LOVE THIS!!! Perfect size and looks like the sounds are very cool!!

[@pierrefitch]

I love the Korg and Alesis Vortex 2 your right Roland is a bit big

[@olawaleoye-opanubi2213]

David You did a great job with the korg keytar. I enjoyed every bit of it

[@SamStormsKBD]

Perfect demo, man. You demonstrated the sounds, the buttons and even made a song out of it! Now I want to buy it because of your video lol

[@The-Silent-One]

As a keytarist myself I really enjoyed this.

[@aydinowen8290]

you prolly dont care but if you are bored like me during the covid times you can watch all the latest series on InstaFlixxer. Been watching with my girlfriend for the last few days xD

[@zachariahkendrick3078]

@Aydin Owen yea, I have been using InstaFlixxer for months myself =)

[@vincentdelmas2792]

what is your weapon of choice ?

[@TheLoverof2]

Great demo! Recently I've been thinking about getting one of these. I play a lot of solo gigs using guitar and looping with a Beat Buddy. I studied piano in college so I have some decent keyboard skills and I think this would be fun to add some different sounds and moods to my solo gigs. Thanks again for an awesome demo!

[@AndreGarzia]

This was bloody great.

[@DavidAddis]

Haha thanks!

[@KeytarKris]

Wicked transitions from guitar 🎸 to keytar 🎹🎸

[@hboder]

I like it! very good review and like the demo song

[@nuuukethewhales]

I liked for the lick. Adam Neely would be proud.

[@M_Feitosa7]

That instrument is fucking crazy, you can play jazz, creepy music, techno, eletronics or whatever

[@DavidAddis]

Heck yeah you can!

[@emericklamontagne3652]

Excellent tutorial. Aloha from Hawaii.

[@SamChaneyProductions]

I was excited about this one but it's really disappointing that you can't edit the synth patches on the keyboard. What's the use of a synth where you can't make your own synth sounds?

[@SamChaneyProductions]

I've learned that there is an app where you can edit them but that's usually an awful experience compared to using dedicated physical knobs

[@JonathanRyanFoley]

@@SamChaneyProductions what is the app?

[@SamChaneyProductions]

@@JonathanRyanFoley It's just called RK-100S2 Sound Editor

[@musicalsam1]

I don't find it that much of a hindrance to program at home. The controllers are great

[@eric1989]

Amazing. I love the tapping guitar solo. So cool. I wish I could play like that lol!

[@WillfoxPiano]

I've been looking for this for a long time. Where did you get yours?

[@DavidAddis]

Gear4Music. We had it on order for quite a long time, though.

[@zenberryflood]

If you want a keytar that you can do pretty much ANYTHING with including 1000 sounds and a truckload of settings , try saving up for the Roland-AX edge, I’ve tried the Korg once at a friends house, and what I can say is it’s a nice little machine with an interesting way to experience music and having creativity in instruments is beautiful, It’s probably the best affordable or mini keytar especially if your next purchase use the Roland keytar

[@WillfoxPiano]

@@zenberryflood I considered it but I want mini keys for a keytar. Literally the only reason why I have t. Wish I could try it tho

[@ErraticFaith]

The reason RK was redesigned here from its original 80s prototype, was precisely because we wanted to avoid Rolands garbage design ambition. A keytar is not a stand-in for a stationary rig and defeats the point. If you need such a broad feature set - stand behind a desk like any other professional musician. The edge is far from being able to do 'everything'. Whereas the MK+ Engine is the most sold synth of all time and for good reason.

[@caligirllala1267]

You explained this perfectly!! Thank you!

[@24nikita]

Sorry but I found the video splitting more interesting than the keytar (this time). What video software did you use? Try the keytar with a "crybaby" plugged in.

[@jamesnoxon6265]

At 12:43 you have guitar lead with 'hammer-ons' technique, and I wondered if you can get this hammer-on effect using the short ribbon on the RK-100s 2? I tried to do this at NAMM last year when they showed the RK-100s 2, but it was too noisy to hear it clearly. I used a Yamaha KX-5 for years and it could do this (it fell apart after years of heavy use) but when I tried to hammer-on with a Roland keytar, the effect was really "mouse-y" as the ribbon didn't jump cleanly to the upper pitch like when you have frets.

[@DavidAddis]

Just going from memory, but I think you can. 👍

[@kalinmirchev]

Great review, but how small are the small keys really? Like Korg microKORG or wider?

[@blessedkeytarist4893]

Hello, I just bought my Korg keytar. Do you have a video/demo how to assign the favorites sounds and how to do the factory reset? Thanks.

[@RonnieDandan]

Hi David, i thought of getting one of this and enoyed your video demo as well. Thanks for sharing. Just a question , does this instrument uses standard guitar cable on the main output ? Thanks David.

[@DavidAddis]

Yep, just a mono jack lead! 🙂

[@RonnieDandan]

Ok Thanks David

[@WillfoxPiano]

@@DavidAddis what if I wanted to use stereo?

[@ggcool4043]

@@WillfoxPiano you use 2 cables

[@barrycooper9451]

A stereo lead. It's stereo.

[@tonylimusictw]

Hi David, I just got this keystar, but I don't know how to store the program to other banks, even I've followed all the steps from the manual. Hope you can share some tips!

[@DavidAddis]

Hmm I can't remember the key combinations off-hand, but have you tried the editor software? Might make things easier? www.korg.com/uk/news/2021/0618/

[@tonylimusictw]

@@DavidAddis Thank you very much!!

[@anci108]

I need your help very much! Can you tell me which power supply /charger is suitable for this keytar? I cannot find how many amperes it should have?

[@DavidAddis]

Looks like it uses the Korg KA-350, which is 9V DC and needs to be able to supply 1.7A. From what I can tell, it's centre-positive.

[@anci108]

@@DavidAddis 👍 thanks a lot

[@Matt-ss7hx]

Does it have normal piano sounds as well?

[@DavidAddis]

The closest I found was the 'regular' keyboard sounds: 7:49

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

Is there an online patch sharing library for this or anything like that?

[@tyraeide9158]

I heard that you can use the buttons for the long ribbon as sustain, is that true when using it as midi as well? The buttons seem very small, how are they to press when you're playing live?

[@gregorymonacelli2257]

Are they full size keys? Guitar leads? Piano, organ, sax, fiddle?

[@DavidAddis]

Not sure what the technical term is, but they are slightly smaller than full-size keys. I would guess 3/4 size?

[@ianflurrance8438]

They are Korg slim keys, same as a Korg minilogue

[@simonjeppsforever]

I do not own an amplifier. Can I simply connect it to a semi decent speaker?

[@amyplaysgroove]

Can we use transpose and split

[@JonathanRyanFoley]

Does it come with patch editing software?

[@DavidAddis]

Your comment led me down a bit of a rabbit hole trying to find the answer! Essentially, no. But you can use the "sound editor" for the original RK100S, as long as you *don't* install the Korg USB midi driver (it all goes horribly wrong if you do that). It complains a bit (that the USB MIDI driver is not installed), but then works just fine - you can load, edit and save patches onto the keytar. I wish I had known this when I had done the review, but apart from a few fleeting mentions to it on vendors websites, it's not really advertised much. Not sure if Korg will release an updated version of the Sound Editor for the S2 (it doesn't seem to need drastic modification...), and perhaps they intend for you to move towards driving completely different instruments when connected to a computer. But yeah, it is possible to edit the sounds (and is very useful for tweaking what the ribbons do and setting the bpm for any arpeggio patches you need to nail tempo).

[@awspringman]

Enjoyed the whole video. How did you do the "fake bass"? MIDI or audio input? Software?

[@DavidAddis]

Thanks Andrew! It’s just my electric guitar, with a clean tone and pitch-shifted down an octave. 🙂

[@awspringman]

@@DavidAddis I've done that in a pinch.

[@blessedkeytarist4893]

Hi David, I just bought my Korg Keytar. Can you help me how to assign the sounds I choose to favorite buttoms. For example Button A is 172 (for Intro and Bridge); Button B is 100 (for Verses); and Button C is 170 (for Pre/Chorus)... I read the manual but complicated. Please can you help me how? Hopefully you have a video for this step by step.

[@Thisisspacemusic]

This is great

[@Solidjim]

Great video and song! What plug-in/pedal do you use for the Fake Bass?

[@nigelpasea8027]

Octaver

[@Angelstarscotland]

HI David, thanks for this vide. Let me firstly compliment your great video, great track and great guitar playing. As a gigging keytarist(no guitar playing ability at all) I have to say I'm not impressed at all with the Korg RK100S2. Korg have missed a trick not making a serious competitor to the Roland AX-Edge. I like the long ribbon but nothing else. Don't like the slim keys fine for a synth like the minilogue XD but not for live playing. Only 3 octaves.... the sound engine sounds cheap, which is surprising as I owned the XD, and still own (and design sounbanks for) the Opsix, Wavestate and Modwave which all sound absolutely amazing. For a little more money, you can get an AX-Edge which has full size keys with AT, a far more comprehensive sound engine, 4 Octaves, separate pitch ribbon and mod bar, even AT on the pitch ribbon. Albeit a nightmare to program through a really dodgy IOS app.

[@DavidAddis]

Hey man, fair enough, it’s good to hear another take on this! What is AT btw?

[@Angelstarscotland]

@@DavidAddis AT = Aftertouch

[@Aaron-Qman]

The Korg Keytar price is currently $699 US dollars. It should’ve been this price from the start imo because of the lack of features compared to Ax edge. I have the Korg and purchased it almost a month ago at the current price point. For me I love the size for extremely compact gigs. As a multi instrumentalist I bring more than a keyboard to a given gig so floor room etc is tighter. Other shows I use my regular keyboard. In my opinion the keytar is meant for mobility and less complicated chordal playing styles. It's simplicity, size and plug and play built in sounds were why I purchased it. The Ax edge in a way defeats the purpose. Being heavy, long and also not able to quite use it as a stationary keyboard due to the keytar specialized controls.(acception to the sustain pedal output at least). To me it's the worst of both worlds. Keytars as a whole really needs to step there game up especially with editing software & method of powering it.

[@Aaron-Qman]

So in conclusion if you use the keytar a ton primarily, it's your go to instrument, fine with bigger and heavier ergonomics, and want to constantly expand possibilities then the Ax Edge is a no brainer. But if you're someone who plays other instruments and have other keyboards and use it part time simply for compact convenience, showmanship etc then the KORG RK100S2 could be a good fit.

[@Angelstarscotland]

@@Aaron-Qman If your keytar is just a gimmick for a few songs there's far cheaper options than the Korg.

[@ThienHaHuuTinhNhan1987]

Hi sir! Is it transposable?!

[@lozadaramirezandrea]

Dose the wire of the keytar comes with it or not?

[@DavidAddis]

Nope! You don't get the AC adaptor or a Midi cable (or anything) with it.

[@theidotage1669]

Do you need to plug it in to a computer or can you just plug it into an amp to play?

[@DavidAddis]

It has a jack output, so you can go straight into the mixing desk (probably best via a DI box). It won't need a power amp like in a guitar amp.

[@redcomn]

Does it have a pc editor just like the last iteration of this?

[@DavidAddis]

You can (just about) use the one for the RK100S (not 2). It’s a bit buggy but you can edit the sounds and re-save them.

[@redcomn]

@@DavidAddis perhaps they did change internal stuff abit then the old rk100s.

[@bridges5659]

Great video. 👍

[@coreyoffman8739]

Do you still have that Keytar

[@DavidAddis]

'Course!

[@coreyoffman8739]

For real? And are you from the uk?@@DavidAddis

[@ubw8754]

Wait, Is this released?????????? when? how much?

[@norseczar27]

Are there pad sounds like choir sounds?

[@andrewnaum4749]

Nice sound pretty tight.

[@Wh33tbread]

More licks than a doggie day care. Nice video indeed.

[@jefff5842]

Does it have a piano sound?

[@JohnDoe-ce1fs]

Cool

[@jrf1962]

YOU DIDN'T SHOW THE ELECTRIC GUITARS SOUND ON THE kEYTAR.

[@sillyk2549]

there are no electric guitar sounds on the keytar

[@vitaliypredoliak2124]

How about bluetuth midi ? Does she has ?

[@DavidAddis]

Sorry no, there is no bluetooth feature.

[@ramonperez269]

Can you hook up headphones to korg keytar?

[@DavidAddis]

You sure can!

[@ramonperez269]

Cool..mine is on it's way... Dig ur video...Wow 5 piece band where everyone agrees & drummer doesn't speak, Excellent!!! Nice guitar work...Excellent rock solid ending... DANG guitar 🎸 players get all the Chicks... * Peace & Jam on my Brother... Ramon (keyboardist)

[@reron9841]

👌

[@andridarni]

Niceeee

[@alienzardsketter.9076]

David I would not care if you borrow my tank top and my red shorts and gogo boots ,,,I Love the Korg Keytar ,,I got a Roland lucina also its amazing Love it Keytars are so sexy ...and sound great...but you have to get your own hat ,,, not the same color as mine I am a original ,,,red hat keytar player.,,,

[@pauleguia6244]

great

[@AsrielDreemurrrr]

Nah, that’s a giano

[@chevron-vw5rn]

Debating getting this but was wondering if it has built in presets for electric guitars/acoustic guitars to?

[@LinktheChicken]

Oh my god 6:39 Seinfeld

[@shanedowling9440]

What’s it like if you treat it like an actual guitar and play through the effects pedals?

[@armanx2]

No Guitar sounds ?

[@eddgutierrez5811]

I want to see someone play respect the wind by Eddie Van Halen on keytar

[@ChandoraBox]

I....I...got one

[@DavidAddis]

Cool! How are you finding it?

[@ChandoraBox]

@@DavidAddis it actually hasn't came in yet! It will next week!

[@ChandoraBox]

@@DavidAddis okay for an update! So far it's great! I'm not really sure how to use software to change the different sounds so I'm still figuring everything out

[@DavidAddis]

@@ChandoraBox glad you like it!! I still haven’t dug in to their custom software for changing the sounds yet. 🤔

[@TheTractorist]

Still, it seems to me that pitch should be under the left hand and not in the form of a ribbon but in the form of a wheel like on large synthesizers. It is used much more often than modulation and can even replace it in most cases. But if you think about it, a keytar is a pastime, not a professional thing. You can't play anything worthwhile on it, just run around the stage and pretend that you are producing cool sounds while there should be another normal keyboard player on stage.

[@KirklandWilliamsWorkout3000]

🤦🏿‍♂️ 3.5 mic Jack for the vocoder why Korg

[@DavidAddis]

Hahaha so true 🤣

[@Stan_Castan]

That handle is on the wrong side

[@styvcan9811]

شو اسم هال الاله بي لغا عربيه❤

[@redcomn]

6:34 69 bass lmao

[@FrostbearPlushies]

Can you play piano and guitar? Well guess what! You can play about 30% of instruments!

[@YbivanKenoby]

Hi, play italo disco

[@AJ-we6pv]

A: No!

[@zsamurai2701]

Me doa um desse pfv meu sonho sou pobre

[@timothyverbist5795]

My answer: they can, but a keytar is more of a keyboardist toy!

[@MariahGoteborg]

I’m sorry but The keytar has got awful sounds … it sounds like Korg 61 that old little thing and its like for 50 pounds or such sorry David you’re supercute but the keytar sounds sound tacky 😂

[@ericz2197]

a little expansive and a little too heavy... same as my 6 strings bass... both

[@petarrazovicmusicchannel460]

Toy without any serious purpose

[@mufaev]

запахло 80 ми. спасибо