The Key Keytar

via this auction
"Wowser! Here we have something very unusual! It's far more than a guitar-style MIDI controller, with "strings" that you can pluck and a fretboard that is a little more like a keyboard, both of which it has. It also has a KORG synthesizer inside. There's also a port in the side that accepts cartridges that allow you to practice along with various songs. One of these cartridges is included.

The six strings are plucked or strummed. The "fretboard" is a series of switches that do various things like select chords, etc. You can also set it up so the switches on the fretboard become "keys" like on a keyboard, so it becomes a portable keyboard as well.

An INTERNAL SPEAKER AND AMPLIFIER is available for monitoring and practicing, but the real quality of the sound of this unit is only apparent when you connect to external amplification.

Underneath the pinkie above is an EXPRESSION CONTROL that whammies, bends, etc. The other white bar, by the thumb, controls various other parameters. The RED READOUT not only reveal patch numbers, but other various modes.

The START STOP SONG controls access the cartridge. Using the cartridge isn't necessary to access anything. As an expressive and unusual instrument, the cartridge is perhaps best turned off anyway.

The STRUMMER and KEYBOARD controls access various modes, presets, voices, etc.

The INTERNAL VOICES are primarily plucked instruments and quite good. There are also some sustained pads, unusual percussion, etc.

The KEY can be played LEFT OR RIGHT HANDED, as the fretboard switches can be activated on either side. If you play it right handed (right hand strumming) then this the view above is what you see.

There is a compartment for several batteries, and it works well this way. The PWR jack accomodates a supplied 9 V 1000mA Power Supply for batterless operation.

The AUDIO OUT is hotter than a guitar output. MIDI output controls other instruments. It may be able to set it up to receive MIDI as well, but I can't assure you of that as I never used it that way.

I don't know what the CD Sync / VBI and COM jacks are for, and since I never used them, I don't know if they work.

you can see the extraordinarily clean condition of this well-maintained instrument. This is the view of the back of the unit. The battery compartment (optional) is viewable, as are the strap pegs.

[below] is the supplied power supply and SONG Cartridge. The Cartridge slips in, if you use it, right about where you see it, so you can see the song titles while you play, if you do it that way.

ABOVE - to the left, you can see the INTERNAL SPEAKER. To the right is the RED LED Display."