Keytar and Korg PA3X mission impossible or?

markomuzicar · Post by **markomuzicar** » Wed May 07, 2014 5:24 pm

I have an idea in last year or two, to control my Pa3x that is on stage, wirelessly
with a keytar.
I want to control right part - solo, and a left part - arranger part - harmony.
For the right hand is everything clear, good wireless midi, and so we go,
but what to do with a left hand? What is the solution? What should I use on left side of the keytar....I have idea of android phone connected through wi midi, and changing harmonies on it, but is it too complicated?
There is no fabric model so it must be a custom made keytar...but how and what?
Please help my dream come thrue

I will appreciate every idea....
Thanks, Marco

Post by **karmathanever** » Thu May 08, 2014 1:55 am

Hi Marco

Keytars are generally used as a "lead" instrument but as I understand it, you want to use it as an arranger MIDI controller.
A scenario is just using a MIDI controller keyboard to drive the PA3X - this is really what you want to do with the keytar - correct?
Just setting the GLOBAL channel should work fine. A lot will depend on the capabilities of the keytar (octave transp) etc - also how many keys does the keytar have? What keytar is it?

Let us know how you go..

Pete

Sam CA · Post by **Sam CA** » Thu May 08, 2014 2:44 am

Is this wireless midi deal really that solid for live performance?

Post by **karmathanever** » Thu May 08, 2014 3:27 am

Is this wireless midi deal really that solid for live performance?

I looked into this a few weeks ago at a very high quality set up.
The biggest issue was that the wireless gear costs more than the keytar.

Pete

markomuzicar · Post by **markomuzicar** » Fri May 09, 2014 11:54 am

Hi Pete and at first, thank you for your interest in my problem.
I want, not just to drive Pa3X arranger part with keytar, I want to play right hand solo, just common as in any other keytar just over good wireless midi, but i want to trigger chords ofthe arranger part on some way....
That way is my problem. How should i manage it? I want to have some kind of controler on the neck of the keytar in which i can change chords(harmonies).
If this is possible....
I want to play keytar like I am playing alone on the stage like one man band.
Wirelessly:-):-):-)
P.S. I do not want to play with both hands on the keytars keyboard because it is odd ...it is really designed to play it with your right hand.
So I want to put something on its neck to control the left part wit my left hand.
I cannot buy keytar with that complex control because it does not exist.
So any keytar that can be customized in some way to do the job is good for me.

Thanks:-)

Post by **karmathanever** » Fri May 09, 2014 1:06 pm

That's a hard one.

I am immediately thinking MIDI sequence rather than STYLE play.
I really cannot think of a way to activate STYLE chords other than on the keyboard itself.

Even if there was a way you would lose the freedom of the left hand to use great keytar controls like the modulation/pitch bend/touch pad etc…

With the PA3X you could use MIDI or MP3 and then play along with the key tar.

Sorry - can't come up with a solution for you…

Pete

BillyHank · Post by **BillyHank** » Fri May 09, 2014 1:29 pm

Well I have played the styles, with chords, using a MIDI guitar, but I never did find the exercise to be particularly gratifying as it took away from my guitar playing too much.

I think Pete is right in that you would be better a faster served to just record some backing sequences on the keyboard and play along with them.
Just get right to making music and have fun with it or you will start to loose your enthusiasm for it.

Bill G

rbeach · Post by **rbeach** » Sun May 11, 2014 2:23 pm

Conceptually, this sounds similar to me as someone using a Midi accordion, where the chords are triggered by the buttons. I don't have personal experience with a Midi accordion, perhaps someone who uses one can tell you how they configure the PA3X for use with it...

Dikikeys · Post by **Dikikeys** » Mon May 12, 2014 10:23 pm

Give this a listen and a read. Although it's Roland and a keytar, the principle is the same... http://www.roland-arranger.com/smf/inde ... pic=1935.0

The trick is to use Pianostyle chord recognition, which only changes chords if you play 3 notes or more. So, with practice, you can chord where you need the changes, then solo using only one or two notes tops (this takes practice!) and you don't freak out the chord recognition section.

Plus, with a PA3X (or a BK-9!), you can make one pass of the head of the tune with the Chord Sequencer in Record, hit 'Play' (you can set this up on the footpedal unit if you have one, on a Korg), and then solo your brains out until you want a different section (if the tune has a repeated vamp or solo section).

Personally, I wouldn't try playing full two handed on the keytar (you lose the use of the bender strip, which is the main reason to use one!) in split mode, it's a bit awkward, but if you feel comfortable, I suppose it could work...

Keytar's are immense fun, and help you step out from behind the 'wall' and get a bit of the spotlight...

markomuzicar · Post by **markomuzicar** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:53 pm

Thank you very much for all your answers.
I must play it live or nothing.

So all kinds of backing seq, midi files, mp3, etc. is out of the game.
I did not know this piano style mode trick, so I will try it.
I do not need for the kind of music a play that pitch bender on the left side.
So it will be much useful for me when it is possible to mount on the neck of the keytar some kind of midi controller, which I can use to trigger chords in some way...but I still do not have an idea....
Thanks once more