The Vortex: the world's first USB/MIDI Keytar Controller

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The Vortex features both traditional MIDI and USB MIDI connectivity for maximum device compatibility

Alesis has unveiled the world's first USB/MIDI keytar - the Vortex - with a built-in accelerometer, 37 pressure sensitive keys and a host of buttons, sliders and controls

The Vortex features a playing area made up of 37 pressure-sensitive keys, above which are velocity-sensitive pads and transport and patch select controls

The Vortex on show at NAMM 2012

Article Summary

Noted rock vocalist and bass player Glenn Hughes (Trapeze, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and more recently Black Country Communion) has often been quoted as saying that, for him, much of the 1980s was just a blur. It's probably just as well, or he might have had a hard time dealing with the emergence of the keytar - a strap-on keyboard that has a little neck with a number of parameter-changing buttons on it. Okay, I admit it, I'm not a great fan of the Jan Hammers and Jean-Michel Jarres of this world, but those who want to emulate these digital music innovators without digging deep for a Korg, Roland or Moog original can now rejoice with the release of the world's first USB/MIDI keytar - the Vortex from Alesis.

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