Roland AX Edge Keytar - SonicLAB Review

[@terminalbliss]

If gaz doesnt become a huge internet meme after this video there is something very wrong with the world.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

There is.

[@DarthMacchio]

I appreciate Gaz's honesty. So many reviewers are afraid to say anything critical

[@Bagatellamusic]

Gaz looks like the Lord of the Ringmodulator

[@prozakmorris7287]

This is the first Good Cop/ Bad Cop synth review I've ever seen. Great work as always fellas!

[@Hlecktro]

I own it. There is a synth engine, but this is really not made to be your go to sound design tool. The presets are there to give you a selection of quick sounds to pick from. Piano, or some Arps, or a Pad. I already own synths where I can dive way in and create sonic textures. This isn't that. The sounds are very nice and usable. Your skill as a musician is what will make it shine. I can have the rest of my track set up and running and do fun Keytar things. That's what this is. And the sounds you are going to get out of this are great!

[@ChrisLeeW00]

It looks like an anime weapon. That just makes me want it even more.

[@DaleNorth]

This Final Fantasy VII remake is getting wild!

[@foxholeartist]

Edge is simply epic and you know it.

[@khalylehagood3222]

I love how much fun it looks like you're having here.

[@davidrobinson5180]

This is the coolest review ever. Nick and Gaz are the best review duo. Hands down.

[@harryparr4246]

LOL Nick hates it!

[@HazeAnderson]

A gentleman knows how to play a keytar but restrains as it would be impolite to do so.

[@rodrigolaporte274]

Damn I've never thought I'd like a keytar but I LIKE THIS A LOT!!!!!

[@morayonkeys]

Gutted about the lack of D-Beam. It was really cool to have in the AX-7, adds another dimension to the performance.

[@tomwilliams7805]

You lose the D-beam, but you gain AT and ribbon pressure sensitivity, as well as all buttons being programmable. Not a bad trade-off in terms of musical expression.

[@damonfibraio5667]

many things to say on this. For one, the synth engine in the AX Edge is not the Juno DI engine. Seems like some enhancement of supernatural synth with pcm playback as well. Could Roland have done better and put the System8 engine in or something equivalentt? Sure. Or even the DJXA engine. Sure. Is the editor crap? Probably. I come from a different perspective as a keyboard player who is totally blind, the editors with all the graphical stuff don't work well with my screen reading technology on MAC, PC, or IOS, but this editor doesn't like that tech either, and I don't hold out any hopes that Roland will fix it. That all being said, as I read the comments, I just find myself shaking my head. Those who say to leave the shredding to the guitarists? You sound like guitarists who are threatened that the keyboard player might smoke you off the stage. And yes, I'm aware that the whole shredding thing is outdated, but, look, I come from a prog rock/prog metal background. WE shred. Get over it. And if I want to use a distorted synth sound that resembles a guitar sound, guess what? I'm going to do that. Laugh all you want, I don't care. To those who say females won't throw themselves at somebody wearing a keytar. They don't throw themselves at keyboard players in general, at least from my experience. but then again, I don't play arpeggiated EDM music. By the way, how many recreations of Bladerunner do we need, really? How many detuned supersaw disaster sounds do we really need? Don't you think that ship has sailed, too? But, no, keytars belong in the 80s. OH well. I'll proudly sling my black AX Edge over my shoulder in my classic rock band, crank up a guitar sound and you're all going to have to like it, or don't come see me. I don't care. I like it. Go back to your arpeggiated EDM music with your filter sweeps. Because that never gets old. Sheesh.

[@Jason75913]

lol

[@Jason75913]

so a synth engine based on the FA-06/07/08?

[@myklmusic]

Good thing there's a therapy mode, Dude.

[@vangoghsseveredear]

Well that certainly was a rant

[@MarctheDarc]

That shirt is why the haters think they hate keytars! Why do you even have that? And follow up question for the sake of said haters: Have you worn it while playing bass? I think the image of keytars, blind some people from the fact, that's it's a genuinely useful tool. Think about rocking up at a gig with just this, instead of stands and heavy keyboards. If you dislike the sounds in it, how about an Alesis Vortex + a single rackmount/computer. It's an easy lift in comparison, and you take up as much space on the stage as you like, you don't have to go all out and wear an ugly shirt. Or from a different perspective, think about the bass player, that bring one or more basses, a pedal board, and a bass synth for a couple of tracks. Then one of these is quite a bit less to drag along. Not saying it's a perfect replacement for a different instrument, but it's a workable alternative.

[@garywalker7493]

It's the lack of PWM - that's why Nick's not so keen ;)

[@hunterfoxen]

more Pulsewidth modulation is Nick's version of more cowbell lol

[@tomwilliams7805]

Actually, the AX Edge engine does include PWM.

[@Psychlist1972]

I have no need of a keytar, but this video was worth it just for Gaz's closing performance. Gave me a huge grin.

[@stephenbertino8373]

GREAT review video covering the good, the bad and the ugly. I appreciate Nick's honest criticism and, if a pro bass player like Gaz can end up loving this keytar, it's worth looking into. I wish they had covered how many midi channels it can transmit on simultaneously because I would be concerned primarily with its capabilities as a controller for rack modules I've already got sounding great

[@panicraptor2837]

Keytars. Making more sense than Guiboards since 1979.

[@KeytarKris]

I got one too! They are soooo cosmic!🤘🎹🎶

[@blacksunlori]

Does it have "nomal' sounds also? Like...Hammond organ for example, piano, etc...

[@theaudioeng]

Thanks for review Nick & Gaz .... It feels like this was developed by the JD-XA team. Read in to that what you wish! Love keytars myself and have 2 still which I use a bit still so nice to see a resurrection of this format 😎🤘🎹🤘

[@thepuzzledsage]

Finally, I lov Gaz, I've never grinned at a review this much before

[@dajandosmith4509]

😊🤘

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

Gaz can make any instrument fun to watch.

[@tucainga]

A Roli Seaboard on that would be crazy. Great video!

[@contactjuggler21]

Already had mine. Awesome to see Gaz on it...

[@dreammfyre]

Gaz is my spirit animal.

[@NineHellHeaven]

I hope Gaz is prepared for this video following him around for the rest of his life. Brilliant!!!!.

[@phillytee9106]

What every funk band needs in 2018, Gaz on keytar and the whole band wearing silver shirts and sunglasses! 😎

[@angstrom]

Roland missed a trick by not adding big glowing dials for us to do full body knob turns. Keys are all very well for sensible melodic parts but if I'm standing out the front like a damn idiot with an "AX" you better believe I'm rhythmically hitting one note and manically waggling the cut-off. The modern keyboard player needs some big neon cooker knobs to ostentatiously abuse while pulling their best "knobface"

[@CockatooDude]

I fully second this. We need ALL the knobs to be glowing. There could be a really big one with cool glowing patterns as the encoder value changed too, that would be cool. Some visual cues as you turned it.

[@pcuimac]

Love Gaz! Makes me smile even when I got depressed from all the shit that is happening. thx Gaz! The app seems to be constructed by the same idiots who made the terrible AKAI apps. Looks like made with a construction set. A System-8 Aira engine would have been much better for an instrument that is constructed to show off lead solo sounds.

[@Angelstarscotland]

pcuimac the synth engine is really powerful. The app is a bit of a nightmare but once you get used to it it’s Ok. Personally although the System 8 has a great user interface I prefer the fact that it has both a VA engine and PCM stuff best of both worlds, I don’t just use it for lead sounds. The vocoder is also excellent. The synth engine is actually much deeper than System 8, for example 2 LFO’s per part. Up to 8 Lfos per program. The FX engine is phenomenal in the AX, 1 master fx per part, 1 overall insert fx, 2 send fx. Total max 7 FX algorithms per patch. I’m in no way dissing the System 8, I think it is an amazing VA synth. But the AX-Edge you are actually getting a hell of a good synth and the most playable keytar for under £900. I’ve played keytar since 1992 so it’s a no brainier for me.

[@WilliamFeryll]

Totally epic review - Gaz is a true pioneer! More reviews with Gaz and Nick jamming

[@Psychlist1972]

Gaz's soloing at 1.5x is quite a treat. :)

[@DamienPaulLabonte]

These reviews are always excellent, but this one is radical!

[@dcashley303]

Too late for Halloween, too early for April Fools. ;)

[@stefan1024]

I bet he owns that silver shirt. :D

[@dnch]

whos else would that shirt be?

[@ppiittii]

@@dnch Nicks obviously

[@Google_Was_My_Idea_nr.1]

Gaz is very honest 👌🏾 much appreciated 👏🏾

[@jeanbonnefoy1377]

at long last! was waiting for it for ages, thx Gaz!!

[@jonnyaiesec]

2:23 Nick understands that a step back makes total sense from Gaz pointing Edge Keytar, lol

[@royhendriks8763]

Love Gaz's energy, great guy to have around in a band ;-)

[@troublesomecorsair]

Space Wizard and the Stage Invaders

[@milk_bath]

Best looking keytar in decades.

[@ghostwriternation5855]

Hey Nick, One answer to your question about why you would be playing a guitar sample on the keys is... If you were a pro guitar player and keyboard player that lost the use of your left hand but still wanted to attempt do play like you did before. This is a great alternative. Not a guitar but still gives you a sense of what you used to do. Great video. Thank You! J

[@tomwilliams7805]

Also, it's nice if you want to have a "duel" with a guitarist, or fill in on a two- or three-guitar lead line. Plenty of reasons.

[@meneerjansen00]

Great to see Gaz again on this channel. :-)

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Never insult a man's favorite patch.

[@JeffCfreeradiorevolution]

Keytards are funny instruments! It’s for the piano nerds who want to feel like a lead guitarist!

[@justaname1862]

Why would they want to feel like lead guitarist knobs??

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

The only thing that makes guitars "cool" and pianos/keyboards "nerdy" is that you can't do sexy rockstar poses while you play keys. ...unless you have a keytar, of course.

[@redferdfoxmenn4582]

Nice - Shame there's no left handed version (Confirmed by Vid call with Roland Support who looked surprised at such a question) - In fact are there any on the market? Oh well...time to 'adapt' again.

[@Kragatar]

Gaz can totally pull off the keytar.

[@dinogoldie9716]

Who are the joyless party-poopers downvoting this video?

[@MattGreerMusic]

You might be cool but you'll never be Gaz Williams with a keytar cool.

[@chris.dillon]

Ok, maybe the Internet was not a mistake ...

[@kirabarsmith9353]

Quality review, but when do we get to see Nick wearing it?

[@Jason75913]

Nick cringed at the idea for sure. Heck, he looks like he wants to cringe and disappear in this video, lol! C'mon Nick, it's made for folks like Gaz that want attention on stage. The stage could not any more be THE time and place for stuff like this. Embrace an Ax-Edge, man. ;)

[@kirabarsmith9353]

I'm curious how much we'd have to pay Nick to jam on the AX Edge on camera, he could probably raise a lot financing with such a proposition; )

[@elmeromero6559]

great video but just one doubt .. this Roland Axe Edge or the Roland JUNO-DS61 61-key Synthesizer ?? I'll appreciate someone reply me .. t-you =)

[@stephenjames4937]

I knew that Nick and Gaz know each other, but I've not seen them reviewing something together, before. They work really well, I think. I mean, bollocks to the Keytar, but more co-presentations would be welcome.

[@glenorpheus]

Truth be known, 50% of the haters have considered a keytar at some point in their lives (",)

[@Angelstarscotland]

Glen Orpheus the haters are either jealous guitarists, or people who don’t have the confidence. It’s a wonderful instrument to play. I challenge any synth/piano player to try the AX-EDGE and truthfully tell me they don’t enjoy the experience.

[@johnpenguin9188]

We all know statistics never lie 100 percent of the time!

[@pseudo-intellectualtroll6563]

@@johnpenguin9188 You are 99.9% correct

[@claypf4795]

Gaz loves this instrument almost as much as Nick detests it.

[@ProckGnosis]

LOL! Big points for presentation! Appears to have aftertouch, as amply demonstrated in the opening by Gaz. Yeah...keytars do have a "special" reputation as an instrument, as do (for good or ill) keytar players. And by "special" I mean not exactly teeming with "cool factor". Not many women throwing themselves on the stage, fawning after the keytar player after all...

[@Angelstarscotland]

ProckGnosis been playing keytars for years live. Audiences love them as Gaz said

[@ProckGnosis]

@@AngelstarscotlandHeck, I like them as well (I'm a synth nut!), and I've seen some seriously entertaining keytar performances (70s disco/funk cover band in Vegas...the guy LOVED doing Bernie Worrell-like bass licks), but IMHO it's not the normal "rock star" street-cred appeal. If I were watching a cover of some Led Zep tune, and some dude whipped out the keytar for the solo, I might find it entertaining, but more in a humorous kind of way than "here is some serious rocking out going on". Other folks might see it differently, I fully admit.

[@alanaf3622]

@@Angelstarscotland everyone one likes them . What he meant is its not a pantie dropper.

[@braindamage_eclipse]

I was not prepared for this.

[@andrewwesson4609]

this is my favourite Bleach episode

[@Nathanisupinhere]

sonic state has excelled itself with this review. do i need a keytar? no.

[@WenzelAudio]

This is internetgold.

[@Wagoo]

Been looking forward to this one :D

[@tronlady1]

I actually liked the opening track! Reminded me of Porcupine Tree a bit !!!!

[@robertsyrett1992]

What about the t-rex hands you get from 2-hand playing?

[@aber3724]

My review of this review is 10/10

[@dariusemmanuelgrouchiii988]

Lookin good, Gaz

[@Partybob1]

If it’s shaped like an axe then I guess it’s a music weapon but a regular small keyboard on a strap seems kind of practical. You can stand up and move around with the band. Here’s Chick Correa being his baddass self without any self conscious rock posing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHmZm6agoNSogZI

[@andyscott5277]

Thanks for that vid! Chick was the man. Any guess on what kind of keytar that is he’s playing? Looks like maybe a Yamaha…?

[@dynasoar5]

Immense energies from this vid. Commence to shreddin'

[@KozmykJ]

Doubles as a Cos-Play MegaSword as well ....

[@SyntheticFuture]

Love the aggressive look. Going to see these a lot in metal bands hehe :D

[@SyntheticFuture]

I wonder if you can turn the small screen off when performing. Looks a bit weird when rocking out on stage and you don't need it anyways.

[@SyntheticFuture]

That app is really poor.. seen independent devs making better interfaces =| Roland being typical Roland with terrible interfaces =(

[@pizzagogo6151]

Ok I admit I’m not the market this is aimed at but it just seems an awkwardly massive thing - if you’re going to have one of these ,something size of the vortex form factor seems much more useable to me?

[@Jason75913]

shush

[@dinogoldie9716]

Niiice. You chaps did a very entertaining and thoroughly informative review. I've got to agree with Nick about that "Dirty" lead guitar style patch though. It sounds bloody awful and was the worst thing about the flashback demo at the top of the video.

[@K0r0n1s]

Epic presentation :-D Instant buy

[@PaulMabley]

Does it come in a lefty version?

[@tomwilliams7805]

I've seen that question before. Keyboards in general do not. How would that work anyway -- reverse the keys right to left?

[@Jason75913]

oh boy, not fully editable from the front panel, seriously uncool, I wish this would be outlawed already Always make synths fully editable from their front panels

[@NyakzOTSD]

Make sense why it is not... it is a live performance tool .. You do not need to many fictions

[@Jason75913]

@@NyakzOTSD live performance tools tend to be fully editable, this ax-edge being skimped out on its interface is bs in its entirety, and the tied-in app isn't even all that good. $1000 for this synth and it isn't at least as thoroughly made as the cheaper Juno-DS61, for example, which is another live performance tool

[@DJTI99]

This Gaz cat looks like a character from a Terry Pratchett novel.

[@HH-Thorsten]

Hahaha. The Intro. I love it!

[@RaveTracks]

I see it has a nice broken Stylophone patch 😁

[@NOLNV1]

When you need a broken stylophone patch you need a broken stylophone patch...

[@cresshead]

looks a great keytar

[@templemu]

wot?? no D beam??

[@jobananas3052]

that escalated quickly

[@impurfekt]

This instrument needs to be in an SNL sketch right now. Preferably played by John C. Reilly.

[@evildead2002]

The way you 2 just appeared after the advert was amazing.

[@Zinfidel1]

Sonicstate has the best reviews. Just wonderful. 0:23 when the drugs kick in.

[@clashclashbangbang]

You can't trust wireless technique. But you can trust batteries. They will never be out of power during a gig. #truestory

[@MikeeHollMartz]

Can you make a split patch with the vocoder?

[@tomwilliams7805]

Yes. It's just another part.

[@solaryzer]

Funny and in-depth review , but i think Roland could have made some thing much better .

[@fincorrigan7139]

I want a double-decker one with a steel axe-blade for a headstock 😂

[@blacksunlori]

HAha! ME too!

[@BobmixLemon]

Big smile!!

[@Natemasterflex]

Gaz Hendrix!?!

[@RecMirage]

The only thing missing from that intro video with Gaz, was women throwing their underwear at him.

[@tomski2671]

To me an only keytar that makes sense is something like an SH-101 with only 2 or 3 octaves.

[@20thanasi]

Where are drum beats. Cant get them thru instrument. But see on sound list. In 1000s

[@gianski3306]

I didn’t know Tom Araya of Slayer plays the keytar

[@silverxgt1125]

My only beef with this Keytar is the fact that you need iOS above 8. whatever, and up, to use the editor, so I would have to buy another iPad. Please, would someone make a mac or windows editor for this, thanks.

[@Jason75913]

learn to edit without it

[@Skijumptoes]

Gaz = the Rachel Riley of Sonic State. :)

[@pozsoz]

I keep saying this, I wish Nick was my dad, and Gaz the wacky uncle

[@Jason75913]

LOL

[@miyamotomusashi4713]

someone should make a band with only zendrum, keytar and pankat ( by alternate mode ). zendrum laptop verson looks way cool too. expense though

[@blacksunlori]

AAAahahahah

[@optimystic23]

Ain't no Moog Liberation!!

[@braindamage_eclipse]

It's okay... Perhaps not the best in the world, but... Adequate... Perhaps. /*Curb your enthusiasm credits*/

[@DragisaBoca]

This is the greatest thing ever... Cheesiness overload!