# Tech-Savvy '80s Instruments The Vortex Keytar Puts a 21st Century Spin on Handheld Synth By Michael Hines | Published 2012-01-23 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vortex-keytar References: [technabob](http://technabob.com/blog/2012/01/19/thermaltake-bmw-level-10-m-mouse/) & [alesis](http://www.alesis.com/vortex) Those of you still stuck in 1985 are going to flip over the Vortex keytar. This 21st century keytar from Alesis is a drastic update of the instrument first made popular in the '80s. The keytar was often lampooned, but it apparently had enough of a following to warrant a 21st century overhaul. The Vortex keytar has 37 pressure sensitive keys and features [USB/MIDI connectivity](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-midi-controller). The keytar comes with a [built-in accelerometer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roli-piano) that allows players to ramp up the volume of their music by moving faster. The [craze for all things retro](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vintageinspired-technology-tech-brand-kickbacks-discman-is-nostalgic) isn't dying down anytime soon, so it's no wonder that the Vortex keytar was created. This updated '80s instrument is expected to sell for between $249 and $399 when it hits the market later in the year. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 27% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Multimedia](https://www.trendhunter.com/multimedia) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Retro Music Gear:** This trend gives rise to an opportunity for businesses to create a new line of retro-styled instruments. - **Advanced Keyboards:** The rise of advanced keyboard instruments opens up opportunities for manufacturers to introduce unique features. - **Wireless Connections:** This trend creates an opportunity for businesses to introduce instruments with wireless connectivity, offering easy integration with other devices. ### Who This Affects Most - **Musical Instruments:** Musical instrument manufacturers could take advantage of the trend for retro-inspired instruments and introduce a range of updated retro-styled instruments. - **Electronics Manufacturing:** The rise of advanced keyboard instruments creates a niche for electronics manufacturers to produce novel keyboards with specialized features. - **Technology Gadgets:** Introducing wireless connectivity in music instruments expands opportunities for technology businesses to build wireless devices for music production and performance. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modernized Analog Theremins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/theremin.md) - [Compactly Portable Theremins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/theremins.md) - [Text-Converting Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casiotone-cts1000v-keyboard.md) - [Hybrid Music Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phase8.md) - [Affordable Music-Making Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/easyplay-1s.md) - [Headstock-Topped MIDI Guitars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/midi-guitars.md) - [Interactive Display-Equipped Synthesizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-hultn-x-lirona-synthboi.md) - [Connected Musical Chord Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chord-machine-akt01.md) - [Precision Rubber Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seaboard-rise-2.md)