Ewi usb is the most flexible ewi because it harnesses your computer to generate its sounds. Other than that, there are likely some performance enhancements and updates that improve the performance of the ewi5000 compared to the ewi usb, but the may boil down to personal preference. Interestingly,samplemodeling virtual instruments are built with the wind player in mind. The most popular version among the software users is 1. Provides controls for all the hardwares parameters and allows for saving frequently used presets to disk. You need to use a digital instrument or a software library and to control it via midi usb input. The ewi electronic wind instrument isnt just a novelty electric saxophone its capable of so much more. The akai ewi wind controllers ewc strong advantage over the yamaha win controllers is the optional brasstrumpet fingerings offered by the ewiusb and the ewi 4000s. Ewi 5000 charges via usb or wall power and also includes a usb cable, wall adapter, wireless receiver, and a neck strap. Instead, the ewi usb relies on software synths on pc or. Multiexpressive devices like the seaboard or the linnstrument are supported. Ewi is the leading engineering and technology organization in north america dedicated to developing, testing and implementing advanced manufacturing.
You should only open the software once the ewi usb is connected to your computer, otherwise it may not recognize it. Akai professional is the first name in electronic wind instruments. It definitely sounds like a simple synthesizer square, triangle and sine waves kind of like an old roland analogue, or i guess more accurately a. Making the ewi usb sound like a saxophone 20151016.
Wind controller synth synthesizer akai ewi usb ewiusb. Consult your software synthesizer documentation to find out which midi cc is used to control which parameter. Ewi usb is an electronic wind instrument for musicians seeking an easytoplay, easytouse controller. Utility software for the wind controller hardware ewiusb from akai professional. Also, connect the midi in port on the ewi to the midi out port on the midi interface. However, the ewi electronic woodwind instrument has continued to be produced by akai, which currently offers 2 models of the ewi the 4000s and the ewi usb.
Combining tailormade controls specifically engineered for wind and brass instrumentalists, multiple fingering modes for universal accessibility, numerous responsive sensors mouthpiece, note keys, octave rollers, bend plates and ground plates, premium sound content programmed by garritan. Akai also offers the ewi usb, a lowerpriced model 4octave that connects directly to a mac or windows computer and uses software for control. Advance publicity for the 5000 promised several key upgrades over the previous model the ewi 4000s. A woodwind type wind controller can sound like a trumpet, drum, or barking dog. Still enjoying the ewi usb though the chops are progressing very slowly and ive just bought a kenton midiusb host so i can use the model d without a computer in the middle.
I recently came into possession of an akai ewi usb. The akai professional ewi4000s is a giant leap in the evolution of wind instruments. Combining tailormade controls specifically engineered for wind and brass instrumentalists, multiple fingering modes for universal accessibility, numerous responsive sensors mouthpiece, note keys, octave rollers, bend plates and ground plates, premium. There are just a handful of patches that are really playable,and none of them vaguely resemble an acoustic instrument,including those that are relatively easy to reproduce with a synt e. They also contain other six patches specifically designed to cover the most common needs of an ewi player. I think that those two things a different breath sensor. Evi fingering mode in addition to the standard ewi woodwind fingering system, the ewi5000, ewi4000s, and ewi usb also feature sax, oboe, flute, and the innovative new evi electronic valve instrument brassstyle fingering mode. You would have to use an external sound module or software synth to play sampled acoustic instruments like saxophones, etc. While no dimensions are given, the ewi usb 4000s looks shorter in length as well.
As akais press release put it, akai professional, creators of the original ewi, announce the ewi 5000, the. Akais ewi 5000 was announced as a new model at namm in january 2014, and finally became available for purchase in late august 2014. While the analog synth module in the 4000s wont provide the variety of sounds many are looking for, it does at least allow for standalone use with a true cv control. The ewi4000s comes with a built in analog synthesizer that cannot reproduce real sounding acoustic instruments. The ewi usb has multiple midi controllers that you can set to allow you to expressively play your software synth. The evi was manufactured and sold by the akai company in the mid 80s, but later dropped due to insufficient sales. The akai ewi 4000s wind instrument is a big step forward in the development of midi controllers and synthesizer instruments. While i love my ewi 4000s, with its great analog synth engine, the ewi 5000 offers a number of interesting improvements wireless, rechargeable battery, etc. The stick ewi project features michael kollwitz on chapman stick, and walton mendelson on electronic wind instrument ewi. Press the reset button located in the aria config menu where you can choose the fingering for the ewi usb. While the analog synth module in the 4000s wont provide the variety of sounds many are looking for, it does at least allow for standalone use with a true cv control voltage feel. A host of music software is compatable with the ewi since it is for all intents and purposes a midi device. Woodwind or brass players may prefer to use a wind controller such as a yamaha wx, akai ewi usb, 4000s or 5000 or aodyo sylphyo. Akai professional ewi 5000 wireless electronic wind.
I dont currently know how to play any wind instruments other than trombone so i have quite the journey ahead of me, but i wanted to get my software. Like you say, the increased flexibility might make the transition worth it. Best electronic wind instrument for the money top 4 ewi picks. Jan 12, 2009 s tom luer demos akais amazing new ewi usb wind controller. Actually an email back from garritain told me it works fine and i am free to use it because i paid for all three. It was invented by nyle steiner, who conceptualized the idea in the 1960s, and developed the first working models in the 1970s the early models consisted of two parts. Akai ewi 5000 electronic wind instrument offers wireless. I play the ewi 4000s in november 2006 after playing for years of ewi is a very good auussi instrument. Its usb interface means that all you need is nearly any mac or pc. The akai ewi 4000s comes with 100 presets which,quite frankly,dont do justice to its internal synt. With the never models from the ewiusb this seems to be done by software not 100% sure if the hardware filter circuit is still in use with the new models. If youre curious about or already have an ewi, get this book. Our goal is to inspire you with new tools, sounds and effects, to help you make more music and have more fun doing it.
It should be said that the ewi 4000s can also trigger sounds installed on a computer or directly trigger a variety of hardware sound modules using its midi data output port. What is the difference between ewi4000s and ewi5000. Zwa provides a comprehensive comparison for the akai ewi 4000s, akai ewi usb, and the yamaha wx5 as serious contenders for your wind controller. Users that have recently installed an aria engine product on a system where ewi usb 1. Ewi4000s advanced production hardware and software. May 25, 2011 i just had try to sound test for ewi usb and ewi4000s. There are two versions of the ewi, the 4000s and the 4000 usb. Ive played ewis for years and this is a slightly stripped down version of the akai ewi 4000s. Akais most affordable, turnkey wind controller is the the ewiusb. A 14 inch output to connect to an amplifier or pa and an 18inch headphone output for silent practice are included. Ewi reason sounds is a small sound design studio that makes sounds and tools specially crafted for wind controller and ewi players.
Sound comparison test of the ewi usb and ewi4000s with. In addition i will from time to time be writing articles about modifying existing software and posting them in the sidebar here. Believe me when i tell you that this is a seriously cool instrument. Akai professional ewi 5000 electronic wind instrument midi controller wireless electronic wind instrumentmidi controller with touch sensors and 3gb sound library black rated 4. The pricing of the ewiusb makes it very interesting for many who have a limited budget. It look similar to the ewi 4000s, but has a usb port instead of a midi port, and has no builtin sound module. The bite and hold turns off the automatic return to the center which is referred to as filter. Airpressure level sensor and bite sensor note keys. These are not installers, but only the patched files for standalone ewiusb application. Want a more professional look for your akai ewi4000. Ewi from electronic wind instrument, pronounced eewee is a type of wind controller, an electronic musical instrument. Sound comparison test of the ewi usb and ewi4000s with aria. Connect the ewi usb into your computer using a standard usb cable included.
Suonopuro ewi presets is a collection of patches for the akai ewi 4000s that reproduce the sound of 24 legendary synthesizer solos drawn from songs that have shaped the history of rock, pop and fusion. Heres everything you ever wanted to know about the ewi. The heart of the ewi4000s is its first in the industry builtin sound module that lets musicians plug a wireless midi or audio set up into the base of the ewi, and move freely around the stage without being tethered by wires. The ewi usb has the same form factor and basic controls. Akai professional ewi 5000 electronic wind instrument midi. Read more the stick ewi project in the moonlight january 5, 2020 4 comments. My main concern is ease of use because im not that great with music software, so which. Sometimes called digital wind instruments or wind synthesizers, ewis are the. Nov 15, 2017 as with everything, technology gets better. The gamechanging instrument combines the functionality of a wind synthesizer with the capabilities of a full featured midi wind controller. I dont currently know how to play any wind instruments other than trombone so i have quite the journey ahead of me, but i wanted to get my software situation squared away and had some questions. The ewi usb is just a controller and doesnt produce sounds by itself. Akai professional ewi usb lightweight electronic wind.
Akai ewi usb ewiusb midi wind controller at patchman music. Saxophones electric vs traditional cafesaxophone forum. This expressive musical instrument incorporates several improvements in the development of midi synth instrument capabilities. Both usb midi and 5pin midi are onboard for controlling software synths or traditional midi modules. The latest version of the program can be downloaded for pcs running windows xp7vista810, both 32 and 64bit. The primary interface on the ewi 4000s is a 2digit, 7segment led display. Interesting times for a guitar player and see my reply in the other thread wrt the akai miniak. Since the ewi usb is a class compliant midi device, you dont need specific drivers for it. The usb, on the other hand, connects directly to the users computer through the usb port and triggers software sounds installed on the computer. Akai professionals decades of experience in wind and electronic music instruments are rolled into our most user friendly and most affordable ewi ever. Akai ewi4000s using the preset editor akai professional. I shall be trying out the ewitool software as soon as i can.
I have the 4000s but i also own all three proudcts. Jul 24, 2010 maybe ill take a shot at ewi mode again, though. Ewi usb offers multiple fingering modes including sax, traditional ewi, recorder, and evi, so whether youre just starting out as a woodwind student or an old pro wind player, youll find ewi usb easy to play. This way you can keep multiple settings for different setups. Below i will be placing a quick overview of various softwares that may be of use to ewi owners.
Because, i started to wonder that these products has make a different sound. Akai professional ewi4000s electronic wind controller. Its usb interface means that all you need is nearly any mac or pc and the included ewi usb software, and youre ready to practice, perform, create, and record with a full collection of wind instrument sounds. Its similar but oviously not the same as there are fewer keys and you can play in 7 octaves woohoo. Akai ewiusb control can be chained between the controller hardware and a. The ewi4000s has many of the long sought after controls and functions that are necessary for expressive performance. Heres everything you ever wanted to know about the ewi youtube. Ewi usb is an electronic wind instrument for musicians looking for an easytoplay, easytouse controller. In my opinion, this is a real instrument, and a viable option for serious musicmaking. Akai ewi 4000s patchman music wind controller faq breath controller. That used to be a highpass filter on the earlier ewi models up to the ewi4000s. This guide covers common questions about the akai ewi usb. The akai ewi 4000s, ewi 5000, and ewi usb are revolutionary tools for woodwind players. Here are some of its deficiencies, from the point of view of a serious amateur player.
With the ewi usb you would need to open a software editor to change any settings. Akai ewi usb vst kenny g alto saxophone ewi 4000s, ewi 5000. Anyway, the 5000 is much more expressive connected to my yamaha plg150vl the 4000s i now hear the growl of saxes and i better check the breath on flutes. Hold down the reset button for 5 seconds after its powered up. Wind controller akai ewi software cafesaxophone forum. The heart of the ewi4000s is its builtin sound module that lets musicians plug a wireless midi or audio set up into the base of the ewi, and move freely around the stage without being tethered by wires. Under the toolspc or ewi usb macmenu, select preferences. On the ewi usb, the fingering options are selected in the ewi configuration screen that is part of the aria software included with the ewi usb. An independent engineering consultancy with comprehensive labs and advanced manufacturing technology resources dedicated specifically to production process development and improvement.
With the never models from the ewiusb this seems to be done by software not. The akai ewi 4000s offers many ground breaking new features to the ewi such as battery power, midi in and midi out jacks directly on the instrument, octave and hold modes, and a builtin analog modeled synth with digital effects. Pricing is the same for either usb or 4000s and all color combinations are also available. Patch editor for the akai ewi 4000s electronic wind instrument. A quick listen at the akai site to the aria software sounds wasnt particularly impressive. Tecontrol out of sweden currently makes their tecontrol usb midi breath. My beef with the 5000 is that it just doesnt sound like an ewi. I just had try to sound test for ewi usb and ewi4000s. Because its usb, you plug this directly into your computer and play the included software synth softsynth. The way it works is that you get the controller which looks more or less like a wind instrument kind of a mix between a sax and a clarinet. All the aria software that comes with them works on the ewi 4000s. This includes initial setup, preferences, general troubleshooting, software updates and compatibility. While the ewi4000s uses an analog modelling synth which can have or better does have an excellent dynamic response the ewi5000 uses a sampling engine which emulates real instruments or synthesizers by using samples. Do i need to buy a program on top of the instrument.
Akai ewi ewi4000s midi wind controller at patchman music. I think its important to separate the software from the instrument because one is really good and the other is really bad. The akai professional ewi5000 combines innovative instrument design, wireless connectivity, and a sound library by sonivox to create the most expressive and versatile wind instrument available to todays musicians. The 5000 offers wireless connectivity, which is great for all musicians the mouthpiece is more sensitive, so it offers more the musician more expression in their play. Yes, thats right you can now just plug in a pair of headphones and play anytime, anywhere. There have been multiple models of the ewi made by different producers, but the most recent ones use usb or wifi to connect to the main source of music making, that is usually the computer. Ewis use the boehm fingering system used by most woodwind instruments, or they can be played with a simpler fingering system very similar to a recorder.
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