I have 2 (black and red). Both are fully wireless with custom internal transmitters (no belt packs) and they are the only axe I've really played on stage for the last 5 years.

If you can find one, they are a jewel! However if you are like "Bazz" (see other post) and are mainly miming to sequences, it's probably a good way to get exposed as a fraud... on the same token if you are a player to be dealt with, this will also make itself apparent!

The manual sucks. It's arranged in the 6-languages per page style (each in a different column). I got so upset that I xeroxed only the English columns into 1 English manual.

When you start programming it, yes, it is as difficult as it sounds, although you get used to it after the first hour. There's no display, just lots of little lights, so if you goof up, you don't know your mistake until you play it.

If you are seriously going to use it with your live rig, if your live rig already has a controller keyboard and sound modules, chances are you're going to need a midi merge box. I did. Midi Solutions makes them.

All that aside, this is my favorite keyboard controller. It's zone split flexibility is wonderful, and you just gotta love the control ribbon.

I use it in my rig with a breath controller, a custom made cable which carries the MIDI and the power signal to the AX-1 (no batteries!) and I have a MIDI event processor in my rack which handles all the splitting, etc, that the AX-1 doesn't (which is not very much... the AX-1 is incredibly flexible).

If you want freedom from that double tiered keyboard rig, or want to be able to hang out on the dance floor like the guitar player..the AX-1 is for you... now if Roland only had a cheap wireless MIDI solution..... =)