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AX-09 Lucina vs. AX-SYNTH

Posted: 01:09, 24 December 2012
by sixfeetunder
I'm the pent-up keyboard player who wanted to stand side by side with my guitar and bass players, yet still be able to deliver my keyboard riffs/fills/solos.

I chose the Lucina AX-09 over the AX-Synth because the Lucina has better range of "keyboard" sounds. The AX-Synth was apparently designed to replace the guitar player, since it has mostly guitar sounds. Look in the back of the users manuals for both and you'll see AX-SYNTH has five dozen guitar/bass sounds, the Lucina has under two dozen and proportionally more "popular keyboard" sounds.

Although the SYNTH hangs like a guitar, the Lucina actually felt more natural, and easier to play than the SYNTH. (I found replacing the Roland strap with an extra long, low-slung bass player strap to be the most comfortable, especially when both hands are on the keyboard.) BTW Lucina is lighter than what my bass player has around his neck!

We keyboard players frequently provide several voices in the course of a song, and this is where the Lucina shines. Placement of Voicing controls under and in front of the keyboard feels very natural, and fast! With a little practice, I'm now switching voices in a single beat, sometimes without looking. And i've never had a problem accidently switching voices in the middle of a keyboard riff.

Admittedly, the Lucina shape doesn't look as cool as the SYNTH, but Lucina in black sparkle finish looks much more professional than either model in the white plastic.

And the Lucina price is so much better than the SYNTH. Especially if you're just looking for an alternate/additional/lite keyboard.

Happy ending: I out front with my 'buds' now, over 80% of our gig-time.

P.S. Replace the useless Roland strap holders on Lucina with true StrapLocks, then you can do every move your lead guitar player does without fear of "launching" your keyboard into the audience. Image

Re: AX-09 Lucina vs. AX-SYNTH

Posted: 15:20, 26 April 2016
by Devodale
I own both models.
I like the keyboard range on the AX, but wish I could assign the hold to the modulation bar like you can on the Lucina. I find it makes the guitar sounds more natural sounding when you apply the hold in the right sequences while playing. I could not believe that the AX could not do this...
The little hold button on the back just doesn't cut it for me on the AX, so although I use the AX for performing in the band, I still would rather play the guitar on the Lucina!

Re: AX-09 Lucina vs. AX-SYNTH

Posted: 17:37, 26 April 2016
by sixfeetunder
Roland REALLY needs to come out with a new "best of both models" keytar. They could dominate this market niche.
Hello, Roland???