Roland AX7

Ax · 08-21-2006, 07:42 PM

I'M ABOUT TO BUY A ROLAND AX7
WOOT!

Nate · 08-22-2006, 09:22 AM

Haha. Fun. I have an AX-1.

You have a sound module, yes?

Ax · 08-22-2006, 10:27 AM

no, not yet... what exactly do i need to have maximum fun with this thing? i need an amp.. but i have a pa at home, but not here at school, i might line it out into my comp, because when i play with the band here we have a pa...

Nate · 08-22-2006, 10:42 AM

To have any fun, you need a sound module.

The AX-7 is a controller, a dummy keyboard.

It will make no sound at all, only MIDI data.

A sound module transforms MIDI to sound.

This synth is what I use my AX-1 with.

Any sound module with MIDI will work.

Ax · 08-22-2006, 10:47 AM

how much am i looking at spending on one? also the pa here at school has a midi in, will that work?

Nate · 08-22-2006, 10:57 AM

A couple sound modules:

Novation A-Station: Closest to what I use; traditional monosynth sounds

Roland XV-2020: Mostly traditional sounds; organ, piano, strings, etc

Dave Smith Evolver: Unique sounds; probably steep learning curve

Those all run ~$500, which is about what I paid for my SH-32.

If you just want to learn to play synth stuff (you can always add the strap-on controller later), something like one of the following synthesizer keyboards might be better for you:

Korg MicroKorg: Built-in vocoder with mic, tons of fun; cheeky keyboard, though

Alesis Micron: This one has looked fun to me for awhile now; looks easy to use

Roland SH-201: More traditional than the others; will help you learn best

The first two are ~$400, and the last is ~$600.

Nate · 08-22-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXguitar

also the pa here at school has a midi in, will that work?

Is there a sound module? Soft-synth? What does the MIDI IN go into?

Ax · 08-22-2006, 11:29 AM

i'm not sure, i haven't seen it in 4 months... but i'll check it today... i need a kinda cheaper sound module, but i want that AX7 just because... unless i can find a used keytar for less...

Nate · 08-22-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXguitar

unless i can find a used keytar for less...

Look for the AX-1. The only differences between it and the AX-7 are a) the colors, b) the D-Beam, and c) the three-digit LED display. I think I got mine for around $300. Check eBay, and your local music stores (my GC had a used AX-1 for the longest time, for cheap).

For cheaper sound modules, you could go with a very basic General MIDI module like Roland's Sound Canvas, but I really don't think you'll be happy or satisfied with that. Your best bet, again, would be to look used on eBay or at your local shop. Maybe even Classifieds for this.

Ax · 08-22-2006, 06:25 PM

what does D-Beam even do? and i do want the LED display

Nate · 08-22-2006, 06:29 PM

The D-Beam is a controller (similar to the pitch-bend ribbon or the modulation lever on the "neck" of the AX) that sends MIDI control information when you turn it on and wave your hand over it, based on how close your hand is to the sensor (i.e. how much light it receives). It's strangely fun, but a little excessive considering most people don't even setup their MIDI control channels to do anything anyway. You could, however, set it up to do a filter sweep when you wave your hand over it, or to drop the pitch an octave suddenly, or a number of other crazy things.

The LED is used for programming in patches, which is a major pain in the ass on the AX-1, but still doable. The fact that they only give you three digits on the AX-7 isn't particularly helpful. Programming will still be a *****, especially if (forgive me for being blunt) you didn't even know that you would need a sound module to go with your MIDI controller. You can still use the thing without actually setting up different patches (all it really does is tell the sound module to change to a different sound; you can do that from the module itself just fine).

Ax · 08-22-2006, 06:35 PM

oh it's alright, i came here to hear thoughts, and i agree completely... but i couldn't find an AX-1 on ebay.. found the 7 but not a 1... and the craigslist here sucks... but i did find a sound module on ebay for 125... see.. i've used synths before but not one like this... the school has an old Korg Poly something 61...

Nate · 08-22-2006, 06:36 PM

They're not going to show up everyday.

You have to be patient to use eBay well.

The AX-1 has another model, too: AX-1B.

Nate · 08-22-2006, 06:37 PM

The thing to remember is that as fun as the strap-on controller is, you're only going to sound as good as your sound module. That's where EVERYTHING comes from. I'd really recommend buying a quality module, somehow... whether that means saving money for awhile longer or whatever.

Nate · 08-22-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXguitar

the school has an old Korg Poly something 61...

That's actually a pretty fun (and semi-desireable) synth. It had a non-MIDI-fied version, though. Make sure that your school has the one with MIDI capability, including MIDI IN.