Vintage 60’s Weltmeister Basset Keytar

via this auction. If anyone knows more about this piece feel free to comment. Via JB.

Details for the archives:
"Vintage Rare 60’s Weltmeister Basset Keytar Bass Keyboard. This is being sold as a project for a few reasons but don’t let that scare you off! The low A key sticks at times and I’m uncertain what power to run through it. They say 4.5v but the corroded batter clip holds 2x1.5=3VDC so I haven’t hooked it up. The rest of it is outstanding! It blew me away when I first saw it, having only seen Yamaha’s Keytar. This is a beauty. Serial # stamped inside is 6818 and the volume pot has 766 stamped on it. The stickers on the front are just that-stickers and can be removed. Comes with original form fit case. Certainly appealing to key collectors! 32x13 ¼” So let's say you are a keyboard player but your band needs someone to fill in on bass, you think you could go the Manzurek route and get a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, but if you can't get one or think that the Rhodes is either too heavy, too big, too sparkly, or not sparkly enough, now there is an alternative. Presenting the original strap-on keyboard, the Weltmeister Basset, also known as Combo Bass, is a compact wearable bass keyboard based on the mechanical action of the Weltmeister Claviset. That's right, before Moog Liberation, before Roland SH-101, before MIDI keytars there was the Weltmeister Basset. In production 1963-1969 give or take a few years, features an 32 note F-C keyboard of those accordion type keys with rounded edges. It has electromagnetic pickups like it's big bother the Claviset. The "button" on the "neck" is a apparently a volume control, and the whole thing runs on a 4.5V battery. Little else is known about this keyboard, but I'm still researching it. A similar model is currently on display at the Synthorama Museum near Solothurn in Switzerland."

deltAdata : Another day ( samplr, nanokontrol keytar, sunrizer, ipad, isupr8, xperia, 760d)

Published on Oct 7, 2016 deltAdata

"Outdoors Samplr and nanokontrol keytar jam.
Used: korg nanokontrol 2 as a keytar with sunrizer, samplr, ipad mini, audioshare, audiobus, shareit (video file tranfert between android and ios), isupr8 android filter 6 (8mm video effect), canon eos 760d+efs 17-55 f2.8 1080p, sony xperia z3 compact 1080p, bose soundlink mini.
Made with imovie ipad.

Filmed by "JLpictsArt's" (canon 760d)"

SAILOR: 'All I Need is a Girl' - Mystery Keytar

Embedding is unfortunately disabled on this one, so click here to watch. Anyone know more about that keytar? Looks like a custom job.

via swissdoc: "found this nice big and heavy keytar while watching a German TV show from the past "Musikladen - TV Discotheque International", that show was aired for a longer time, that section is taken from 1978. Found the clip allready on youtube. It is actually Sailor with 'All I need is a girl'"

World's First HP Scanjet 4C Keytar + Instructions on How to Build a Musical Stepper Motor in 60 sec

Published on Jul 31, 2016 bd59

"You may of heard of a popular flat bed scanner by the name of HP Scanjet. This scanner had a hidden command set within the Scanner Control Language which allows you to send musical notes directly to the stepper motor. This is a tedious method where you have to enter the notes and durations manually into a text file (similar to G-Code on a CNC Machine). I have always used and will always use this method for my Old School music videos however I wanted to try and build a MIDI controlled stepper motor. One day I had one of my HP Scanjets sitting on its side and for some reason it resembled a Roland SH-101 and that's when I came up with the idea for the HP Scanjet Keytar. What a great way to merge both into a musical instrument. My one of a kind HP Scanjet Keytar consist of an Arduino Nano, Stepper Motor Shield and an optocoupler. Most of my Arduino code was readily available on the Arduino website and is free to download at GitHub. Near the end of my video I will show you how to build a MIDI controlled stepper motor in 40 seconds. I believe that maybe a world record :)

Finally, everything you need to build your own musical MIDI controlled stepper motor. (no electronics background required)
Download the Arduino Code at Github
https://github.com/squirtifier/HP-Sca...
please make sure you place all the files in a directory called HPScanJetMIDI before compiling
Don't for get to install the arduino_midi_library-dev.zip (just search the internet for this file name"

The Producers - She Sheila - Oberheim OB- X Keytar

YouTube via Louvers. via khoral.
"The New Wave band from Atlanta, Georgia called The Producers with their MTV hit video "She Sheila" from 1982. I posted this up for my wife. This is one of her all time 80's favorites."

Move over Edgar Winter. We have an Oberheim OB-X keytar. :)
Anyone know more about this? Update: answer via Brian in the comments.

For reference: Edgar Winter's Frankenstein with the ARP 2600 Keytar previously posted here.


YouTube via joneps.

Update via Adam in the comments:
Matt Berry spoof on second vid:
Snuff Box - Empty Room

Empty Room Suicide song.
previously posted here where you'll find a few more.

Yamaha CS01 Analog Monosynth Keytar

YouTube Uploaded by SynthesizerDemos on Jul 5, 2010

"The CS01 is an analog synthesizer produced by Yamaha in the early 80's. It has a single VCO that can do triangle waves, square wares, sawtooth waves and pulse waves, and with pulse width modulation, you can really fatten up that VCO.

It can run on batteries and has strap pegs so it can easily be used as a keytar. It even has a built in speaker. But it sounds much better when run through an amp.

It even has an input for a breath controller, which can control the VCF and/or the VCA."

Yamaha CS01 Analog Monosynth Keytar Part 2

X1L3 - circuit bent - synth mod - Yamaha SH-10 keytar

Published on Jul 31, 2013 manufacturedZ3R0·100 videos

X1L3 on eBay (RSS)

"Nice set of mods on a Keytar sent to me for a commission make over.

The filter cutoff is located on the neck for playability. Because i couldn't see what i was filming i just guessed where to stand and it ends up out of shot for a lot of the video.
The video starts out with the keytar played over the top of a backing track. The track is a remake of an old commodore 64 game sound track by Rob Hubbard. Always loved the tune and thought it would be fun to do something with it as a demo of a modified instrument.
After the Hubbard tune finishes it's into the noise of cataclysm, with some delay washes, drone, death industrial style noise and glitching.
Rather than apply as many unplayable circuit bends as possible i looked around for the few that don't brick the machine and force you to switch it off and leave it playable when deactivated. Less is more as it were. I then added a drone switch, master pitch control and two additional fx circuits. The synthacon resonant filter and a digital delay."

NISSIN C-16 CUP NOODLE Sampler/Synth KEYTAR

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Cup Noodle keytar for you! It should have a cup holder for your cup noodle.

"NISSIN C-16 CUP NOODLE Digital Sampler/Synth Keytar!
special Prize model of CASIO SK-1 !
comes with original strap,manual,BOX.
VINTAGE 80's SUPER RARE!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

NAMM: Alesis Vortex: Quick Look at a MIDI Keytar at NAMM 2012

YouTube Uploaded by eangolden on Jan 20, 2012

"Alesis announced the Vortex, a new MIDI keytar designed for keyboard DAW users who want to take their live performances to the next level. For more information, visit http://www.djtechtools.com/2012/01/21/alesis-vortex-midi-keytar-for-the-masses/"

M83 'Midnight City' music in the background.

The Keytar Master

Dave, author of The Packrat and master of umop.com gets dethroned by the mother-in-law. With the Tron keytar no less.


YouTubeUploaded by MotherInLOL on Sep 15, 2011

2:15
"Mary Jane lives very much up to her name this time around. Watch what happens when she eats a forbidden, pharmaceutically enhanced brownie! It's mind-expanding goodness (with the return of the keytar!) in this diagonally time-traveling episode."

Performance Music Systems SYNTAR Turns 40

it’s been 40 years since the Performance Music Systems SYNTAR was introduced at the #namm show in #1980 by george mattson - bob #moog even got to try it out #keytar #namm2020 #eml #analog #synthesizer #ymo #rydeen #cover pic.twitter.com/mXVY8ypfP8

— sdf (@sdf_pubnix) January 19, 2020

via @sdf_pubnix

"it’s been 40 years since the Performance Music Systems SYNTAR was introduced at the #namm show in #1980 by george mattson - bob #moog even got to try it out #keytar #namm2020 #eml #analog #synthesizer #ymo #rydeen #cover"

Check out previous posts featuring the Syntar here.

The Syntar was the first self-contained synthesizer keytar. Before the Syntar, keytars were controllers. The Syntar was created by George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. There was a keyboardless version of the Syntar called the SWAN, or Syntar Without a Neck. A SWAN II was announced back in 2018, under development with Division 6.

Update: you can find a great article on the Syntar at Carbon111.com here, and an interview I did with George Mattson way back in 2006 here.

Yamaha Vocaloid VKB-100, un keytar que canta en japonés

Published on May 7, 2018

"Moira Muñoz, artista electrónica y demostradora de Yamaha, nos enseña su flamante VBK-100, el primer keytar de la familia Vocaloid de cantantes virtuales."

Vocaloid vocal synthesis keytar from Yamaha.

POLITREP Customized Keytar Lead Solo

YouTube via Space4Keys.
"POLITREP customized Keytar Solo, John Petrucci Cover by Matrix, S4K user"
No the Matrix referred is not me. It's this matrix obviously influenced by the movie.
That out of the way, anyone know more about that keytar?

Moog Liberation Synth Synthesizer w/ Custom Box and Case

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"You're looking at a special item right here. This is an original 1979 Moog Liberation synthesizer. This thing sounds amazing. HUGE Moog monosynth bass and leads, and wild SFX potential.

This synth was known as Moog's keytar synth. However, this one no longer has the keytar attachment. Instead, this synth was built into a wooden box with the synth on top, the keytar's expression control panel in front of the synth, and an amp built into the box. This box rolls with wheels installed on the bottom, and it has a latching top that can be hooked on, making it the ideal old school Moog for the traveling musician. (I will add a photo of this soon. The top completely covers everything.) There are amp controls on the front panel. This is much more of a traditional keyboard player's instrument.

This synth has a few issues, as to be expected of anything of this age. I was told when I bought it that oscillator 2 doesn't work properly. It seems to make sound appropriately when it is solo'd, and as you know about this synth if you're reading this, its interesting feature was that the two oscillators mixed to make a unique waveshape. I don't know if they mix properly or not, I am not an expert about these instruments. Some of the sliders stick in their top and bottom positions and can be hard to move. The envelope generation seems to be a bit slow. I have had trouble generating envelopes with fast attack, that could either be related to the switches, some settings I have wrong, or something else. The LFO is also a bit wonky..."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Keytar - Song For Michael

YouTube via DrRyman. via the worst keytar videos ever on oobject.
"A tribute song dedicated to Michael Thomas Spears, one of the great guitarists of our times. Live performance by Dr. Ryman"

And of course...

Brilliant Key Solo!

YouTube via t0asta
"A sexy lady plays a rock solo on a keytar."

Spot the keytars.

Moog Liberation Synthesizer w/ Custom Box and Case

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"You're looking at a special item right here. This is an original 1979 Moog Liberation synthesizer. This thing sounds amazing. HUGE Moog monosynth bass and leads, and wild SFX potential.

This synth was known as Moog's keytar synth. However, this one no longer has the keytar attachment. Instead, this synth was built into a wooden box with the synth on top, the keytar's expression control panel in front of the synth, and an amp built into the box. This box rolls with wheels installed on the bottom, and it has a latching top that can be hooked on, making it the ideal old school Moog for the traveling musician. (I will add a photo of this soon. The top completely covers everything.) There are amp controls on the front panel. This is much more of a traditional keyboard player's instrument.

This synth has a few issues, as to be expected of anything of this age. I was told when I bought it that oscillator 2 doesn't work properly. It seems to make sound appropriately when it is solo'd, and as you know about this synth if you're reading this, its interesting feature was that the two oscillators mixed to make a unique waveshape. I don't know if they mix properly or not, I am not an expert about these instruments. Some of the sliders stick in their top and bottom positions and can be hard to move. The envelope generation seems to be a bit slow. I have had trouble generating envelopes with fast attack, that could either be related to the switches, some settings I have wrong, or something else. The LFO is also a bit wonky."

CLICK FOR MORE »

The OG Keytar

The ultimate keytar, unfortunately it's not a synth, but... I'll make the exception for this most awesome axe.

Sent my way via dalas via soxiam

Harpsichord Keytar

Keytar Down

via Mitchell Sigman on Facebook

"Because sometimes your keytar breaks when you're wearing your spacesuit. I'm sure you've all been there before..."

Custom white M-Audio keytar.

Update: Mitchell Sigman is the man behind Celebutante. Many of his videos have been featured here on MATRIXSYNTH.

Yamaha sonogenic Keytar 「SHS-500」 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO

Published on May 6, 2019 Yamaha Corporation

They nailed my playing technique at 1:01 and again at 1:13 after a few drinks.

"sonogenic Keytar 「SHS-500」 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO

1. JAM FUNCTION
- Play along with your favorite songs

2. INSTRUMENT VOICES AND EFFECTS
- Choose one of 30 voices plus effects

3. MIDI CONNECTIONS
- Connect to a computer or smart device , MIDI device"

Also worth a watch: NAMM 2019 Yamaha Sonogenic Keytar

Circuit Bent Casio SK-1 Keytar

via this auction

"The 'Black Magic' Modified/Circuit Bent Sk-1 Keytar
Custom modified/circuit bent by John @: http://glitchdesk.com/cb/keyboards.html
Also see His new site @: http://highlyliquid.com/

Exceptional Prototype Features
* 15 low-profile black momentary mod/bend activators with silver bezels
* 5 bend group selector switches
* 5 bend group switches x the 15 mod/bend activators = 75 independent bends !
* Multiple mods/bends can be activated simultaneously or in succession for extensive interactive synthesis/effect combinations well beyond the 75 independent bend settings
* A very wide range of effects can be achieved including:
* Delays, flanges, phase shifts, cross modulations, ring modulations, wave rectifications, distortions, glitches, stuttering and granular effects, weird filters, etc..
* Samples as well as internal rom waves are effected by bend/mods -the results will vary drastically depending on various settings and combinations
* 1/4" output
* Standard electric guitar strap buttons for classic Keytar performance utility
* Rigid and rugged but streamlined and graceful aluminum frame with glossy black powder coat finish
* This could only have been computer assisted design and manufacture; -I've honestly never seen anything like it.
* Speaker defeat switch
* Hard reset switch

Sk-1 Standard General Features
* All original classic Casio synthesizer and drum/rhythm machine features are fully functional
* All sampling features are fully functional including full key range transposition, full polyphony, and looping features
* All original keys, buttons, sliders, and LEDs are intact and are fully functional
* All original input and output ports are fully functional
* The battery compartment cover is intact and tight fitting
* Runs on 5 1.5v AA batteries or a/c via power port ( a/c cable not included, but compatible cables are widely available )

This is a very powerful and elegant one of a kind Instrument in excellent condition; -I absolutely guarantee that You will not be disappointed."