ALESIS VORTEX KEYTAR MIDI/USB CONTROLLER REVIEW
 -Great price, useability, ergonomics, design & function..and it looks cool too.

First of all, the Alesis Vortex Keytar retails for a FRACTION of the price of similar products by similar manufacturers (i.e. Roland, Yamaha, etc).

NOTE: I GOT MINE FOR LESS THAN $100 - GO HERE IF YOURE READING THIS REVIEW IN THE TEMPORAL VICINITY OF WHEN I POSTED IT

Second of all, if you are short on time, just read this much--its the best possible deal on a new piece of gear.  (<--"period"). Short form: its got everything you would expect from a controller and extra features as well, and does everything it does well..and is made well...and is a solid design..its ergonomics/accesibility are/is perfect.
I'm going to tackle the rest of this review in sections for ease of use by the (potential/imaginary) reader:

a) Design: Since its a keytar, actual useabilty can easily be an issue. Its not.  Once strapped on, you can easily access the keys,  buttons, and pads.  The pitch wheel (spring return/tactile touch covered), octave up/dwn, and ribbon controller are in the "neck" and are also easy to access and use.

B)Features:Has a FULL set:

- 8 solid, rubber/tactile drum pads w/variable response & velocity sensativity
- 3-osctave keyboard. Solid keys-plastic (it IS reasonably priced)but excellent response and feel.
- 3 digit LCD screen
- 3 assignable knobs & lights & pads for program/patch control
ON NECK
-3 tctile buttons to control ribbon modes
-large/easy to reach & use tactile sustain button
-ppx3" ribbon controller (almost intuitive placement for left hand use w/fingers)
-octave up,down,keyboard lower, upper & split tactile buttons within easy reach of left hand middle to pinky fingers.
-VERY solid tactile rubber-covered pitch wheel perfectly placed for thumb use & control
-an assignable slider that could be controlled by thumb or finger (this is the ONLY control I question the placement of.)

c)OPERATION & FUNCTION

-honestly, there's not a lot to say about this. It functions as you would expect it to. The keys work great and could only be improved by being weighted (not possible at this price point- the 150-250$ avg cost retail)

-Power CONTROL : this is NOT something you see often enough, and you SHOULD. The vortex (by the ins/outs) has a solid switch to toggle between "BATT"(battery), "OFF", "USB", and "DC" (adaptor).

D. USEABILITY:

  The vortex offers a near-complete set of options:  traditional MIDI cable as well as USB.  Either appears to function in an intuitive, 'plug-n-play' fashion.  I had no problems using the traditional MIDI cable with my Roland, Boss, Korg, Yamaha, Serge, Doepfer & Mee-blip synths.  I simply plugged it in and hit the keys.
(*-Note: to change channels/modes all you do is hit the key apropo marked, EASY)
W/USB & software-it comes w/& works perfectly w/Ableton. I only also used it w/Arturia's Moog & CS-80 & Reason.  It worked fine w/both, although I had to go into menus and assign it.

There are a number of other things here that are worth mentioning that I'll let you discover for yourself as I do notnormally use them or have the experience to rate them. (ex. Sustain pedal etc)However, overall-with the things I DO have experience with, its a WINNER. Go buy it, there's no possible way you will regret it!!


PS-IT LOOKS KILLER, TRULY.