Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 - High-Performance USB MIDI Wireless Keytar Controller with Professional Software Suite Included

Any complaint I have about this device is with Korg, not the device itself. Be aware they have pretty much abandoned this product. That said, it's my favorite keyboard controller yet, among a dozen, or so? I prefer pad controllers and the pads on this one are not really for me, but the keys...and the rest...are EXCELLENT. Add-in that it's wireless and it becomes one of my favorite controllers used in life. The only complaint I might offer is more warning to you: give it a good line of sight between the dongle receiver and the instrument. If you start spinning around, you might lose the wonderful reactivity of the low latency MIDI. Wander too far, same thing, it'll glitch on you. Always keep that invisible tether in mind and it's a wonderful controller. My only regret is how rarely I need keys...my current favorite MIDI controller is a gamepad (via Max4Live device). Figure that one out. But when I do need a keyboard, click, there it is. I might also complain about KORG not simply designing a stand for it, but you can prop it in a good corner easily enough. The reality is that the keys size and feel make my fingers happy and that makes this thing fun to play. Wireless is the cherry on top. I am humored that Amazon wants me to address the sound quality. Um. It has no sound, Amazon. It's a controller. MINE sounds GREAT. :D They also suggest value for money...what I can say is I'll probably get near what I paid for it if I do sell it. No plans to currently.

The Vortex feels lighter and much more ergonomic than my Roland Lucina AX09. The MIDI assign-ability of 8 sliders and 8 pads has made use on cover band gigs more flexible and capable than with Roland AX-1 and AX-09. The software editor for the Vortex is straightforward and easy to use. I’m currently using it in conjunction with Ilio Gig Performer (runs so much easier on computer processor than MainStage 3), the most recent firmware update for the Vortex, my MacBook Air with 8gb ram, Kontakt, and some of the bundled software synths that come with the Vortex. I have had no crashes or MIDI panic situation in the few weeks I’ve used it. The ability to run on USB power or 4aa batteries is much appreciated as is the ability to connect wirelessly or through traditional 5pin MIDI cable. Will update as experience dictates. Very happy with the Alesis Vortex 2 to this point! UPDATES: 8/18/18 Discovered that fader messages, that transmit successfully with USB and wireless connection, do not transmit over standard 5 pin MIDI connection. Contacted customer support via support page this afternoon; standing by for a reply. 8/21/18 Alesis customer support sends reply, suggesting I monitor and confirm MIDI output of the Vortex through a MIDI utility app. Turns out the Vortex 2 does successfully send fader messages over standard 5 pin MIDI. Whatever trouble I'm having is elsewhere in my MIDI configuration and not to do with the controller itself. So yeah, user error. So far, 10/10 for costumer support and I'm still very happy with the Vortex 2. 9/4/18 Recently played in a situation with all band members using wireless monitor setups, sound and lights running on its own wireless network, wireless mics and instrument signal transmitters, in a shopping area that also was sure to have a lot of wireless action. I experienced some wireless interference that showed in the loss of two or three note-off signals in the span of total of 2 hours and 20 minutes of playing between three sets. Would advise the programming of at least one pad to MIDI panic in every preset, or be near enough to hit it on the computer.

I got this because of the wireless option and sliders. It's lite and much cheaper than others out there. The editing sw needs to be updated. but works. It will not show up well with a 4K screen. So I have a 2nd monitor that zooms in and makes it work. the USB connection works great with Connectivity mioXL 8x12 MIDI Interface. I have it with a MIDI pedal board from Behringer. You can use that to really get the expression out of the midi interfaces that control a keyboard or multiple ones at the same time.

Why did you pick this product vs others?: I wish I had read through recent reviews before purchasing. It's a disgrace that the manufacturer has not pulled this product down. First, Alesis makes good quality hardware. I have other products from them. This Keytar is no different. It is a well designed piece of hardware. But nothing is loaded on it when it arrives. The software for setting presets and instruments is critical to it working. After logging into their portal and registering the Keytar, you are presented with software downloads. After downloading the Vortex 2 Preset Editor we found that the last time it was update was December of 2017 and the version was originally made in 2014 (11 years ago). It is 32bit and won't run on modern computers. We tried it on a 2024, 2019, and even a 2013 iMac. Even the 2013 iMac had to new of an operating system to run the software. They also give you a card in the box that references other 3rd party applications (Lite versions). They referenced version numbers that were several versions ago. So these boxes have been sitting in warehouses for quite some time. It would be one thing if they were being clearanced at 50% or more off, but they are still selling it for the $399 retail price. For those super tech savvy folks, it's possible that there may be other software out there you can make work. I could not find anything that didn't miss many features of the device. There were plenty of complaints on forums on the web. You don't have to take my word for it, but do yourself a favor and research it before purchasing. I am returning it, but they may stop taking returns at some point. Don't get stuck with a brick.

My son purchased this with his own money. He is a very happy 14 year old. He connected it to his computer and showed me all the sounds it can make. My fave is the guitar sound. His comment to that, "if I wanted to play guitar, I would've bought one mom" lol He loves it and with watching youtube lessons, he can play some nice tunes.

It's a very capable MIDI controller with a lot of options. Some points: - By default the ribbon controller is "sticky" and controller value stays on, which is unlike most keytars that have it release to default value the moment you lift the finger. Some people have been unhappy about that. But it's not hardwired and can be easily changed with its software, so when you set it to pitch bend and return on release for guitar-like pulls it works just fine. - Same goes for pitch bend, volume control etc. that affect only "upper" MIDI channel, not "lower" one (keyboard can play 2 channels set in software). It's all configurable via software (you need to plug USB by cable to use software). You can configure default "upper" or "lower" zones, split, and what channel all controls affect individually, so set it any way you like. Split is not very usable for me, but good to have. - Freshly charged AA NiMh rechargeables are enough for 4 to 6 hours of power on state. There is no indication of battery level, it just starts to flicker and reset when batteries are low. That's not good. But generally you should insert fresh batteries before a performance or a rehearsal, and that should guarantee you won't run out of juice at the worst moment. That's the only real "con" I have. It should have been trivial to make screen or any of LEDs blink or turn red when batteries were getting low, before the device goes offline or berserk (and when it does - you can have stuck MIDI notes etc. - disaster when playing live). So make sure to use fresh batteries when it's important. You can also power via USB but it's not gonna be wireless then, so not a good option on stage. - USB wireless receiver is NOT a transmitter! It only works one way, despite DAW recognizing MIDI out, nothing is sent, as long as I can see. No program change values can be sent to Vortex to switch programs for example. Not a big deal, and make sense technologically (same inexpensive 2.4mHz radio setup as mice etc.) but good to know. - USB can only work with a computer (laptop) to control VST instrument or a hardware synth connected to the same computer. You can also connect by MIDI cable directly to any hardware synth. As far as I could research, USB to MIDI boxes do not work with this dongle, it needs a computer to send MIDI. For me, using a laptop is a good trade-of for being truly wireless on stage. Also allows me to use VST instruments as well as hardware synths. Shreddage guitar sounds amazing with Vortex, but it needs to be set up properly to use most of its functionality. - Keyboard is very ligt and feels good, just as it should, I think. It has aftertouch, which is nice for an inexpensive controller - It fits well horizontally in the second tear of my keyboard stand. You can actually use it as a horizontal keyboard without much trouble, except for the awkward pitch bend position. That's nice. - LED colors for the pads are fully adjustable through software.

Nice Keytar

Très sympa à utiliser, ludique à souhait avec des sons de guitare en Midi.

Personalmente ritengo la keytar un accessorio divertente per uscire di tanto in tanto da dietro le quinte. Questo oggetto ha veramente tanti controlli, sul manico ha una rotella (solo per pitch bend) ed un ribbon (programmabie, compresi 3 preset per pitch ed expression), oltre che a svariati tasti come sustain ed octave switch. Il feedback dei tasti mi piace molto, piu' di quanto mi aspettassi. Il keybed e' solido e non ho avvertito nessuno slittamento laterale. E' un controller MIDI puro, quindi non ha suoni, ma difficilmente ci si presenta in live armati solo di keytar, quindi si avra' sicuramente sempre a disposizione un PC o un'altra tastiera a cui agganciarsi. Per la nicchia in cui vivono le keytar, non vedo assolutamente alcun vantaggio in spendere mille euro per una Blade quando con 250 euro puoi ottenere gli stessi risultati. Il look sicuramente e' meno aggressivo, ma anche il peso e' decisamente piu' contenuto.

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