Roland AX-7

No built in sounds as this is a controller.

Nice keyboard action. Fast enough for synth and bass riffs.

I like using it for guitar riffs and leads.

I've been gigging with it for four years and no problems ^-^

Have'nt dealt with them. Tha's a good thing...lol

If it were lost or stolen, I would'nt know what to do as they are now selling on ebay for around $1200! What's up with that?

Probably the weakest aspect of the product, in my opinion. I've been sat down for quite a while with the online manual, and some of it is like trying to decipher heiroglyphics. That said, once you've familiarised yourself with how to set the various parameters how you want them, using the machine itself isn't tricky, although I'm still struggling to get the patches on it to correspond to those of my Novation KS4 synth...

Superb. The extensive set of features on this gizmo was part of the reason I was drawn to buying it. E.g. the infra-red D-Beam is a fantastic tool (albeit slightly gimicky) and this particular component usually only features on far more expensive, high-end synths, so to see it on the AX-7 is fantastic. The other real time controllers, such as the expression bar and touch controller ribbon are also formidable, and really do allow us humble keyboard players to play with all the expression of any guitarist. Only complaint is the absence of a dedicated octave changer button, which can be a tad irksome in a live situation. That said...

Obviously, no in-built sounds, that's not what you hand over your money for. As I said above, however, the expressiveness of this thing is fantastic, with serious control over the noises that come out. The keyboard itself is also very satisfactory, with standard synth-type keys that respond well to varying velocity.

Absolutely dependable. Solid unit, no fear of bits falling off it in a hurry. As long as you carry it round in some sort of case you have nothing to fear. And make sure that you've got a good healthy supply of batteries ready for live use...

Haven't had much need for direct customer services yet, although the manual could be a lot more understandable for non-synth afficianados.

Invaluable kit overall.

had to have my professor show me how to use this bad boy. the manual is almost all but useless even to someone whos been working with this kind of gear for years, even he had problems with it. they set up the MSB and LSB very oddly especially if you have a korg.

D beam is the sh*t as well as the pitch bend sensor. good stuff.

MIDI controller, no sounds.

it seems like its built crappy but ive had it for almost a year and ive had it fall doing keytar spins around my back(going a few feet in the air )and land on the ground and still be fine, and its been dropped other times as well.

what customer support? they dont know crap about the keytar haha.

you havent experienced playing keyboards live unless you have a KEYTAR!

It's pretty easy. I got this thing so that I wouldn't have to lug a ton of keys to gigs and such. Now I just take this & a synth module (Roland XV-5050 in a portable case). The manual is pretty straightforward, as is the actual controller. Took me about 10-15 minutes to learn how to set it up, then went from there. Is a bit unintuitive, as far as the numbering goes, but in the end that allows for more patches, so I;m good.

Just your standard MIDI controller, with a couple of different things designed for strap use. The expression bar, d-beam, & volume knob can all be set to transmit different control change numbers. Octave can be set, as well as velocity sensitivity. The pitch ribbon is nice, but I haven't found a way to set its range yet - still learning a bit. Reverb, chorus, & delay levels can also be set from the controller. D-beam works pretty well, and can be assigned to play notes,chords,arpeggios, and transmit various control changes.

No sounds on its own - just a midi controller. I'd say that its designed primarily for rock/funk gigs, but I guess I could use it doing some jazz. Keys are pretty good, standard synth-type feel. Glisses work pretty well. Keys have a decent bounce, pretty rapid rebound.

Reliable so far, when it's been banged around a bit. No actual damage, just a small nick on the top of the neck. I use it as my primary board, other being a Yamaha P-90.

N/A, at least not yet.

I'd definetly get a nother if this was stolen. As i've said, I have a Yamaha P-90 at home, mainly for studio work. This thing I couldn't see as NOT being for live gigs. It's gone over really well with folks in the audience as well as other band members - it isn't everyday you see a synth axe like this. The main reason I got this was so that I wouldn't have to be the only one sitting on my ass the whole gig, and so that I wouldn't have to lug a ton of gear to each performance - a practicality thing, in other words. In that respect it's done very well. IT takes a bit of time to master playing it versus a regular synth - learning when to use the bar, d-beam, pitch bend, etc. But it's pretty cool.

i freakin love this thing, i have a stack of keyboards so it makes it so much nicer to play them all through this sexy beast. once you figure out your midi this thing is simple. its ready to go as soon as you turn her on. i got a little frustrated with presetting my patches, its gets a little confusing with upper/lower and switching between keyboards, but work with it a bit and you'll figure it out.
When i first got it i had the hardest time during shows, it would freak out on me and i still dont know exactally why, but i just learned to work with it a certain way during shows just to be safe. random button pressing is dangerous.
INSTRUCTION MANUAL- hey sweet 18 pages, hardly helpful. it gave a brief description of patch presetting and linking up through midi, "thats the main issue here boys, it is a midi controller, how the heck does it work?". takes a little messing around with to figure it out

Freakin hott! The new D-beam has the most sweetest potential, still havn't programmed mine yet, and the expression bar is programmable too. i set my expression bar to respond to the LFO2 section on my JP-8000 and im telling you there's nothing like it, i can bust out the craziest noises with it. as i said, D-beam rocks, expression bar, sustain right by your thumb (as well as volume knob), and pitch bend in a ribbon. What does suck is that you have to go around and hit some buttons to get it to change octaves, so don't be doing that on stage.

does not generate any sound of its own

durability-excellent, at least so far. as of now its been through only 4 shows in my metalcore band and iv'e given it hell each time. its cracked against guitars and other objects and gone for some keytar throws. its light and seems almost cheap, but the material that it's made out of is tough enough to take some beating, and more of that its gonna get. as far as the whole technical part of it, its not reliable to me at the moment, but once i get to know her more she will be.

roland has excellent support, you can call them pretty much all day long. i havn't sent anything in for repairs yet, but im sure they are great in that area as well.

For me its so sweet just because its now the hottest thing on stage and its not some cheap yamaha that everyones familiar with. the pearly white with the clean sleek look makes the crowd gasp. first time i used it the crowd went nuts! I give it a 10 overall because its the best midi controller like this "keytar" style out there.

yeah thats right 6 not becuase its THAT hard to use,,, just because it could be so much sweeter.. but of course roland has to do things so different. ex. patches 11-88 but no use of the zero's or 9's ?? why.. thats madness!! The manual isnt that great.. but with enough time you will figure everthing out. Roland should start writing their manuals for the begginer - an expert could just skim.

First off i had a roland ax-1.. (yeah the red one) and although i like most of the improvements made based off of that model.. I CANT STRESS ENOUGH HOW ANNOYING IT IS THAT THEY REMOVED THE OCTAVE BUTTON ! thats madness.. of course you can still raise it + or - 2 octaves but not with any quickness which basically sucks for a fast octave switch during a live performance

No sounds. just a controller
It (the keytar) inspires us keyboard players to play things you wouldnt normally play when your standing.. and your bendind and mod'ing and whatnot.. therefore the word "fun" comes to mind.. sick for leads, bizzare synth riffes.. bass lines. i like the feel, its nothing new, typical synth action.

Yes.. this is the only feild ill give a perect 10, although i just got my ax7 i had an ax1 for years and it was recently left at a gig/stolen but it took heavy abuse from me, and it was used when i bought it.. so i know it can take a beating.

i got my old ax1 sent to roldand when i broke a key.. i never talked to anyone tho.. i had guitar center send it away..
the manual is pretty bad.. a troubleshooting section would be nice.. and the roland website has virtually no extra info about the ax7 besides the sales pitch.. i couldnt even find out what power supply to use for it when browsing the roland site.

I would get another one if/and when i had the money..ive allready had and lost an ax1. Its too important to my setup.. im used to the controll/expressiveness of it. i use it with my nord micro modular, korg N1 and voce V5 virtual tonewheel unit works well , i also have a datadisk midi disk storage device which is perfect for storing my patches
I WISH IT STILL HAD AN OCTAVE KEY.
In the end i wish i still had my ax-1 and never had to forkover the $400 to replace a needed piece gear to my setup.

It's pretty easy to use, I usually only use it through midi hooked up to my korg triton. It's pretty much a pick up and play although some of it's features are hardr to use than others depending on if you have a manual. (I dont yet but I do recomend getting one)

The built in effcts are hard yo list but it does have a expression bar, slide bar, and pressure sensitive keyes. (which are awesome) It does not have sounds already on it, duh, and the thing basicly runs off midi.

It reacts great to your touch and works well for what ever you play.

I have dropped this baby and hit walls and it still functions great. I have used this at gigs without ever needing a back up although I do believe backups should always be handy.

I've never dealt with them but I trust Roland and am sure it's great.

Great controller and I would definently buy it again come it stolen. I did compare it to simular products by Yamaha and Casio but chose on this.