I haven't had this much fun in a long time. The Keytar is not only an eye catcher but sounds fantastic. I have had this keytar for a couple of months and can say it's worth purchasing. The tones are spot on, easy to handle, and no matter where you play a crowd pleaser. The AX Edge app makes customization a breeze.

This thing jams. If you are skeptical check the vid. I'm running the synth through guitar pedals, and jamming on top of a song produced in ableton. I think the included patches are more than sufficient but of course the patch editor linked to a cell phone app is characteristic of Roland's afterthought. I wouldn't recommend this to someone if they want control of a lot of synth parameters to refine the patch, granted you could plug it in via midi to anything you want. I haven't had the issue with the modulation bar, but it is a popular problem. If this was just a keyboard I'd definitely say the Keybed was way to light but as a keytar that's exactly what I want. I don't want to be trying to flutter around on semi weighted keys. I'm a pretty tall husky dude, this would likely be tantamount to carrying a large anime battle axe to a gig if you were small framed.

Love playing, ergonomics, most everything about this instrument. In fact, I was going to be my new primary soloing instrument, but after only 4 months (two weeks before it's first gig ) the modulation bar has broken. The $4 part is on back order from Roland.

Very disappointed in this product.

After researching this issue, I've discovered it has been a constant problem with this synth.

Until Roland can recall/redesign the Modulation bar, I would STRONGLY recommend against purchasing this synth.

Roland has done an incredible job with the physique and the editing capabilities on the ax-edge keytar. I've been using it for about 2 years now and unfortunately with every show I grow more and more unsatisfied. It saddens me that so many iconic synth patches are completely missing in the keytar's library bank. The sounds are too obscure and often times irrelevant to the genres that made the keytar popular. The analog synths are just cringe at this point and my solos are not as fun. I have no choice but to convert back to the Ax-1. I recommend using it as a MIDI controller if you want to keep the flashy look.

Love it!!!!

Feels great. Good action. I got a real strap and some strap blocks after a few days for comfort and security. I got the CME WIDI Master wireless MIDI and Xvive U2 wireless guitar system for complete freedom of movement. The Boss EV-1-WL is also compatible with the AX-Edge, so get it for some more flexibility. There's only one case on the market and it's by SKB. It's solid and has wheels. If you get this synth, make sure you at least get the Roland stand. This gear will not lean up against a wall due to it's shape. All in all, I'm very happy with it so far. The modulation bar feels a bit weak just like my old Roland Axis, so don't rag on the bar or it will probably break in time. Make sure you have an older Android phone if you want to communicate with the AX-Edge. Any new phones aren't compatible. I'm not sure about iPhones. I'd highly recommend you watch all of the tutorials online for this synth, and read the manual from front to back. If you don't, then you're going to be frustrated.

If Roland made a left handed AX-Edge, I'd buy it so I wouldn't have to have the T-Rex arrms, but such is life.

I can only compare the vocoder to the MicroFreak, but the AX-Edge Vocoder is legit and lots of fun. I am using the Shure WH20QTR headset mic with the gain dial at about 60% and its working out great. Good sound quality and haven't had any feedback issues.

Get yourself one now and have some fun with it. Pass it down to your grandkids when you die!

This is a very powerful synth, not a toy or a gag. You can design and edit synth sounds very similarly to any full synth, and the presets are anything but cheesy. This is a great tool to add to your show. Obviously, given the design it is made for busting out from behind the keyboard and doing solos. However, given the capabilities, it is easy to use as a backup or throughout your sets for any number of instrumentations. This is a powerful instrument which can definitely be taken seriously as such.

Know that you will absolutely need the specially-designed stand if you plan on putting it down at all. The design does not allow for a regular guitar stand of any style with any kind of secure base at all. Also the overall feel could use improvement, it is not a sturdy instrument. The entire instrument is molded plastic, and lightweight to keep it from becoming a drag on your shoulder. However, I would not trust it in too many whacks against other gear, and certainly not in a drop. Just be aware.

I've had this thing nearly 2 years now and i'm continued to be impressed by it. IT's a ton of fun to play, looks amazing, and the keys are holding up well. i've had cheaper keyboards lose their spring after a while but not this guy. I have a couple minor qualms that i'll list here, but all of them combined only add up to a half star removal.
1. The software is tricky. I kinda got tired of trying to tweak it so i largely stick with the 320 presets now. Using it on an ipad is better, using it on a phone is dreadful.
2. Accessories are very pricey. $ for a soft case left me feeling bilked. I also wanted more colored blades but they're $ a pop. NNNNOPE. it's a strip of plastic... the Korg comes WITH a case for a lower price point.
3. The keys scratch easily. The glossy black keys start looking pretty scufed up fairly quckly. All in all this is a huge win for Roland and i love this thing.

Picked one of these up a while back, just because I thought it looked fun to be honest with you. I had picked up a small monosynth few months ago, and have enjoyed it, so decided to get this as it's "big brother."

Build quality is definitely solid, and it has a great look. The black on black keys are a nice tough IMO, and the controls are pretty well laid out. I love the fact that you can assign anything you want to the various control knobs and buttons, to really customize your experience to the way you want it to be. Also, you can make pretty much any sound you want with this thing, which is awesome as well. It is a bit on the heavy side for something to have over your shoulders (compared to a guitar or even a bass) but it isn't unbearable by any means.

As stated in other reviews, you really need a tablet running the AX-Edge Editor in order to effectively program this unit. In my case, the Android phone I use did not work (not the first time I've had problems w/MIDI over Bluetooth in Android). I found that my wife's iPad did work reasonably well, so I bought one for myself. It is IMPERATIVE that Roland fix the bugs in the app, and it would be really nice if there was a PC-based editor.

Regarding the reported issue with the pitch-bend ribbon controller - yes, it is difficult to use this in a smooth fashion. I'm familiar with Roland's paddle-style controller (I have a Fantom X7 and a VR700 Combo) and I just can't get those smooth bends when using the AX ribbon controller. However, it works very well as a contact pitch controller, allowing me to do "hammer-on" notes similar to a guitar or bass player. This has turned out to be a great feature for me! Also, since you can set the bend range to a full octave, you can "extend" your total note range another 2 octaves! Uber-cool when using splits, and you are running out of room on the keys.

To summarize, it's a Roland and it has great sound, smooth key action, and a nice FX section. The Vocoder (something new to me) is terrific (I play in a funk band; they're gonna LOVE it). It can also serve as a master controller, and has rubber feet on the back (bottom), so you don't have to wear it all the time. The only real ding I can give is actually against the editor software, not the AX Edge itself

Nice feel and look... Great Keytar. The pitch bend design was the only disappointment though. It not as smooth as you would expect from a top-notch keytar. A considerable amount of pressure must be applied to an unforgiving surface in order to command proper pitch control of the ribbon... Yes, my finger tips get really hot with all the friction from sliding back and forth on that stiff ribbon.... Try a quick pitch modulation with your finger and see the result. I actually play heavy metal riffs/solos, so you see it's a lotta bending going on, a whole lotta fire on my finger tips! It seems as though I get a better result using my (its very awkward though!) thumb, as it has full contact with the ribbon for bending, otherwise the pitch goes crazy outta control... Solution: While moving horizontally it's best to focus on the lower surface area of the ribbon rather than the upper, its more controllable that way. That pitch bend issue needs to be looked into, it's surely not a great design by any stretch! Otherwise, I am happy. The look is on a different level. Tough stuff!

Excellent and fast service!
Products delivered in excellent condition... I like so much thank you guys!

It looks beautiful...but too bulky and slightly heavier than my Roland AX Synth.
Hopefully in the future Roland makes the slimmer and smaller, the lighter and an easier to see display (angled to the player). Thank you so much for responding to the customers' feedback.

Great Keytar with very usable built-in sounds! Not everyone owns a smart phone/iPhone/Android (like me as I own just your standard cell phone strictly to talk, not text, to people, and without internet access). That being said, hopefully Roland will release a PC/MAC editor in the near future so the sounds can be edited via that editor. Roland, are you listening? I'm the second reviewer requesting a PC/MAC desktop editor. Also, why aren't there other colored/patterned blades available separately, for like $10 or so apiece? And, why are there so many screws to remove and replace to change out the blade. I think four or five centered screws would have been sufficient. Anyway, it's a GREAT Keytar with striking looks. I find though that the black keys make fingerprints a lot more noticeable than the white keys, where fingerprints are barely noticeable. I got the white with aluminum/silver edge. I'd love to see different holographic edges soon for sale soon, as well as different solid colors. Is there any way to order extra replacement edges, and are then any made out of aluminum? Thanks, Sweetwater! Please ask the Roland representatives about these questions listed above.

I am absolutely in love with this synth. The programs and tones that are available are impressive, functional and easy to manipulate. The presets are also usable with minor tweaking (from your phone!!) The keys are exactly what I expected from a Roland Keytar. They are smooth to play, and just a really nice quality semi-weighted. I love the black key look, it was a huge selling point on the aesthetic, and not having white keys was really easy to get use to. I like the blade, but the paint that is on it is EXTREMELY easy to scuff, I've had it for a few weeks and I've got scuffs in the red, but you can always repaint it with something a little tougher (this feature is really just icing anyway). The keytar only comes with two blades, I'm sure that's listed somewhere, but with all the advertising I was expecting at least three. But I'm really not worried about it in the slightest. The control on the neck really make this for me. I love how easy they are to access and use. I'm a tiny individual, so purchasing a keytar that is 10" shy of my height was a little intimidating, but the set up works well for me and my friends that are in the 6' range. It's also really light weight, and the multiple strap studs make it easy to customize how you play. The app is where I took of half a star. The easy access of editing with a phone app is great on the fly, but I would really like a more stable desktop editor. I would still use the app, but I don't have a the latest and greatest phone, so sometimes there's some really goofy stuff that happens with the app. Also, hitting the back button and accidentally exiting the app screen will reset the bluetooth connection (not always but usually) and when I've been doing in depth editing for a couple hours it's really easy to get frustrated with it. I've also not spent a ton of time with the user manual so I'm chalking some of my issues up to that. But overall I would REALLY appreciated an editor for MAC (and thus PC would be in that request as well). Overall I would absolutely recommend this product. It's the Roland response I was hoping for, after the last keytar synth was discontinued. TL;DR *Pros: Great sounds (it's a Roland), Fabulous User Experience, Keys Feel Great, and lighter than I was expecting which makes it easy to wield. And don't forget about Axial for additional sound libraries!! *Cons: No Desktop editing, there are a few things about the phone app can get frustrating. Usually if I accidentally back out of the app I have to go through and completely reset my connection and start over.

The engine in the edge is impressive to say the least. There is so much thickness and full patches ideal for taking leads. Not to mention how fun it is to perform using all the automation available on the edge.

This keytar is awesome and the black and red is beautiful. I love the sounds and the feel of the keys. If you plan on playing it wireless then you must make sure that you have the right unit or the sounds will drop out, a sweeetwater sales person will be able to help you. This is my third keytar by Roland and by far my favorite.