Vortex

USB/MIDI Keytar Controller with Accelerometer


(DISCONTINUED)

STORM THE STAGE

It's time to experience unprecedented keytar performance with the Alesis Vortex. The Vortex eliminates the barrier between you and your audience by giving you the freedom to move around the stage and take the lead. With an extensive layout of touch-sensitive keys and velocity-sensitive pads on its pearlescent white body, and radical pitch and modulation controls on its neck, the Vortex empowers you to rule the stage.

WHIP IT

The patent-pending Vortex is the first keytar to include a MIDI-assignable accelerometer. Now, you can get out from behind your keyboard stand and be just as visual as guitarists and singers with an instrument that will respond to your motion. You’ll be able to create incredible volume swells, amazing pitch bends, vibratos, filter sweeps, and more by tilting the Vortex’s neck in the heat of the moment during live performances.

VIRTUAL SYNTH INCLUDED

Perform right away: the Vortex comes with Xpand!2 from AIR, which includes great-sounding pads, basses, leads, and drums. You also get Ableton Live Lite software for performing, recording, and sequencing music right out of the box.

KEYS, CONTROL AND MORE

The Vortex includes even more features never before found on any keytar: both traditional MIDI and USB MIDI are onboard, empowering you to use the Vortex with all of your software instruments and synths on your Mac or PC. You'll have a virtually unlimited palette of sounds, ready to command with one of the most exciting keytar controllers ever.

The Vortex comes ready for instant performance, automapped for today’s most popular software synths and DAWs. Plus, you can customize and create your own mappings for virtually any MIDI software.

FULL EXPRESSION

Breathe new life into every performance with the most expressive keytar ever produced. The Vortex’s neck controls are laid out ergonomically: your thumb controls a volume slider and pitch-bend wheel while your fingers command nine front-facing controls that include a MIDI-assignable touch strip, and buttons for octave selection and sustain. Large transport and patch-select controls are centrally located on the Vortex’s body for instant access, and synth lovers will be happy to know that the Vortex’s 37 velocity-sensitive keys feature aftertouch to enable instant creative flourishes.

POWER & CONTROL

The Vortex is for controllerists, for those who want to perform without limitations to their movement or their sound set. The Vortex is bus-powered when connected to a Mac or PC, and can also be powered by batteries when used with MIDI modules and iOS devices. Standard strap pegs are located on the Vortex's neck and body, and an adjustable strap is included.

Outrageous keytar performance in a pristine, pearl-white body—the Vortex is the perfect storm of stunning design and incredible performance capability.

VYZEX VORTEX PATCH EDITOR SOFTWARE

Make the most of your Alesis Vortex with the free Vyzex Vortex patch editor software. Clear, concise, and easy to use, this point-and-click patch editor software brings quick and precise programming to your Vortex patches. With Vyzex Vortex running on your Mac or PC, use the mouse and/or keyboard to quickly configure any parameter of any patch on your Alesis Vortex. Save and load all of your Vortex patches to and from your hard drive for easy backup. The Vyzex Vortex patch editor software allows both beginning and advanced MIDI users to easily achieve the full potential of their Alesis Vortex keytar.

Note: A firmware update is needed for your Vortex before you can use the Vyzex Vortex software. This is available in the Docs & Downloads section above.

U.S. and International Patents Pending

Features

  • 37 velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch for compact, yet complete melodic range
  • The first USB keytar controller: works with all of your software instruments and synths on Mac & PC
  • USB and traditional MIDI jacks for use with virtually any synth, sound module, or other MIDI hardware or software
  • Production package included: Xpand!2 by AIR Music Tech, and Ableton Live Lite software
  • Embedded, programmable, MIDI-assignable accelerometer for performance parameter control by tilting the neck
  • Thumb-controlled volume slider and pitch-bend wheel on neck
  • Finger-controlled MIDI-assignable touchstrip, sustain, and octave-control buttons on neck
  • Eight velocity-sensitive drum pads/sample triggers enable you to create beats or trigger clips
  • Battery-powered for use with MIDI modules and hardware synths (batteries not included)
  • Bus-powered when connected to Mac or PC via USB (cable included)
  • Large transport (Start/Stop) and patch-select controls for instant access
  • Standard guitar strap pegs on neck and body (strap included)
  • This product is class compliant; it does not require drivers
  • Make the most of your Alesis Vortex with the free Vyzex Vortex patch editor software here

Contents

  • Vortex Keytar
  • Guitar Strap
  • Cable Harness
  • USB Cable
  • AIR Music Tech's Xpand!2 (download)
  • Ableton Live Lite (download)
  • Quickstart Guide
  • Software Disc

Specs

  • Class Compliant USB MIDI I/O
  • 5-pin DIN MIDI output
  • Powered via USB, four AA Batteries, or DC power adapter
  • Dimensions: 2.2"H x 35.1"L x 10.6"W
  • Weight: 6.5LBS

Docs and Downloads

  • Vortex Quickstart Guide RevCOpen
  • Vortex Ableton Live Controller MapOpen
  • Vyzex Vortex User GuideOpen
  • Vortex Firmware v1.20 Update for Mac OS X 10.7, 10.8Download
  • Vortex Firmware v1.20 Update for Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8Download

Images

Images

  • product image
  • product image
  • product image

Videos