A tour of All Akai EWI models
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 มิ.ย. 2018
- or "So Frank, Episode 3: The Good The Bad, The EWI"
Dino Soldo walks us through all Akai EWI controllers and modules since its debut in the Mid-Late-80s.
Not an in-depth dismantling but rather a breezy stroll through 6 models and their high points.
Models covered. EWI-1000/2000, EWI-3000, EWI-3020, EWI-4000, EWI-5000 and EWI-USB.
The focus is on playability, response, the sound of the analog models, and the form. Some talk of MIDI response is also included. - เพลง
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My wife and I just bought a 5000 for our son who played tenor sax and bass clarinet and oboe in high school. He is now a recording engineer, and will use this to further expand the sound pallet he can offer artists who want all the cool sounds he can provide with this cool instrument! What a great video here- you are a GREAT musician- thanks SO much! Bob from Spokane Valley, WA USA
I'm new to EWI, after admiring them for decades. I've bought the EWI Solo, but am very interested in the history of these instruments. I actually like the look and sound of the old ones, they look like prototypes/lab equipment!
Love the knowledge, talent and sense of humor
This was very educational. I'm so glad I found your video!
Also I liked the deepness of your voice and the humor. Maybe you could continue doing this as a series in your free time.
Im thinking seriously about making it more consistent. Let me know what kind of info you want to see.
Thank you for your very interesting approach to make us understand this unique technology better.
This is awesome ! So informative ! Thanks for making . Really appreciate .
Informative, entertaining and brilliantly presented. A masterclass in how to relate subject matter and maintain audience attention.. Thank you.
You're very welcome
Excellent video!!! What a great history...
Excellent video!
Dude I love your vibe! Kept me entertained and informed. I feel like you’re my friend. Hahahah
Thank you so much for the incredibly informative video! I wish I'd seen it a few years back! I picked up an EWI USB a few years ago and it was everything I hoped for, but just as you mentioned, that quantized 'stepping' you get with MIDI is a bummer. In the search for a proper analogue VCO, I picked up a 3020m last year in hopes to somehow find a 3020 that nobody else has already blown on (lol), but haven't been so lucky yet.
But I think your video has shown that the new models don't have this trouble with quantization, and I was blown away when you tried 'growling' into your 4000s, lol!
So thanks for all the fantastic info! Will have to look at picking up a 4000s before they stop selling them!
Great video. Thanks so much.
I want to owe a part of my new hobby to you, Dino, since this video is what eventually pushed me to buy and start playing EWI.
I got an EWI USB back in March and absolutely fell in LOVE. Now, my EWI 4000S is to arrive today - and I can't wait to play it.
This is.great I enjoyed watching it
I'm a bagpiper, play Scottish great highland pipes, former sax and clarinet player. Recently received a Solo model. Am so looking to enjoy this basic model. Ĵust a hacker at best on the Solo, but nonetheless going to be fun. Think it has bagpipe sampling in the Solo, haven't found it yet. I'm sure won't take as much blowing power. I really enjoyed your tour & wonderful sampling of sounds. You are a fabulous musician.
Grea review. Many thanks.
Thank you for the video.
this was brilliant , thanks !
You’ve got a nice energy/mood also, so it is just pleasant to watch you know ;) . good humor also helps , hehe.
very informative video, too.
i am not a wind instrument player.
rather..i am a percussion mallet player who owns a malletKAT (mallet midi controller) which has got a breath control input.
I’ve been into the EWI for a LONG time.. just never took the final step.
I am really considering it, now.. but i am still divided between the EWI and a plain Breath Controller, like a TEC breath controller.
my question :
-> can one use the EWI breath input standalone?
what i mean is :
i want to have the EWI act as a breath controller for my MalletKAT.
That way i would have the liberty to using the malletkat with the breath control, while being able to having an EWI with its full functionality..instead of having to buy both .
therefore i’d be able to play breath controlled music with the malletkat, when doing harmony or arpeggios, for eg.. (because it’s just technically easier for me to play the mallets, evidently) ..
For lead melodies and stuff, i’d still grab the EWI and play it ‘normally’ .
what do you reckon ?
the TEC controller is 200€.
the EWI USB is 300€.
i basically want to trigger VSTs with it.
thanks again
;)
cheers from Portugal
PS: the breath control input on the MalletKAT is a 1/8” TRS jack input.
Hey Dino! Nice video! I've been thinking about getting back into the wind synth thing lately. I have the old first generation WX7 sitting in storage. It's not the best,.....well actually it's a piece of crap, but it'll do in a pinch. Thanks again for the Cuban. It's still in my humidor awaiting that special occasion. Cheers!
The WX is a little clunky. People think its closer to the sax. I would agree that it has KEYS. But thats it. one would have to practice the differences anyway. Might as well pick up an EWI: It will track as fast as your technique will allow.
Loved this tour! Thanks! Always wanted an EWI since early 90's. I think i'm gonna purchase a 4000s from a friend. This helped me.
if you have questions please let me know ok?
Thanks for the video. Very helpful. I'll subscribe - please upload more EWI related contents when you can!
Great job! Very comprehensive. . . . Ok, So to you, the winner is? And, do you have any comparison to the new Roland A30 pro?
Thank you for this great video. I have an EWI1000 with the analog module. But I have some troubles to play short notes. I’m normally a Saxophon player - but I can’t handle this thing!! Do you close your lips or do you open it a little bit for the air?
This is great! And I'm interested in your growling. How do you get it to sound so well controlled? On my EWI4000s, I can't make it work in the same way as on the sax. But if I blow loosely in and over the mouthpiece I can get a growling-like sound, though not at the same volume as my regular playing. Other techniques possible with this instrument? I'd be very interested in any kind of article or instructions... Thanks!!
I do it the same way as sax. My teacher in Jr High said it sounds like your trying to go " #2". A macho grunt sound that is constricted by the throat so the air is still matching what you need to play.
Liked and subscribed. Thanks
Great Video! I am already in a good cover band - I am a lead singer and bass player ~ 90% of the time and and want to add sax on just a few songs... I used to play a bit when I was younger so I can get the parts to sound decent with some practice - but definitley NOT a full time horn player... I find that its hard to pick up a "cold sax" in the middle of a set and start blowing... the reed is dry and doesn't play the same as when it gets moist and "warmed up", so tough to fill this role... OK - it doesn't help that I am not that great a player to start with! I am also interested in playing all the other wind instruments that appear on other cover songs and with a synth - it seems I will be able to with a synth wind instrument! Trying to decide between the EWI 5000, the Yamaha WX5 and Roland... this video really helps! Thanks again!
vmontijo too much info.
I have practiced cold sax playing and have found great comfort in the surprise I get. One has to have done some prep before hand: Find a good reed and also make sure it has a decent tone when it is dry. The trick is to not test play any reed over 2 minutes.
First of all, great video, thanks! @ 7:38 you mention the midi in of the 3000m. Do you mean this zippering noise occurs when plugging in another controller via midi? I got an offer for only the 3020m without controller and want to play it with the ewi 4000s/5000 via midi in. Do you think that this zippering will also occur, because that would be a dealbreaker...
Generally speaking, do you like the sound of the 3000M? Is it really special? It seems like my synth 😅
Sorry for the double question Dino, but this is definitely the best reference on EWI lore in either English or Spanish 🤘
Super video, really great to see the evolution - are you going to cover the Yamaha gear separately?
I would have to chase down that gear. Are you really interested seeing it?
Dino Soldo I think it would be interesting to compare to a Yamaha controller and particularly the VL70m sound module with the Patchman presets.
Hi Dino, how did it feel playing the Royal Albert Hall with with Leonard Cohen and all the angels. Is it describable? You seem transported to another place. Transcended? Lord it always blasts my soul. Lame descriptions, but how can one properly describe the spiritual experience. Thank you for the loveliness.
Will the akai usb do everything the other ones will do as long as you plug it into a computer? I just want one for my studio for recording songs with. I have MacBook pro and the recording programs logic and reason. Please let me know what you would recommend for me to get. The most important thing for me is for it to have the sounds that sound like REAL instruments. Great video really appreciate it! Thank you
You can definitely record with it assuming you know how to program a sound in your software.
Dino, would you do a review of the Akai EWI Solo. Thanks!
Great video, you are a fantastic presenter. Now I will check you out as a musician ;-)
Thank you Al. I hope I don't disappoint.
@@DinoSoldo OMG totally not. Mind if I stalk you on FB?
I played a show in Glasgow once, and somehow got talking about these Akai units. He mentioned that the “reed” was the most similar to a bagpipe reed out of any other unit. My dad plays bagpipes, and I’ve always wanted to grab one of these…but I’ve never once heard anyone try to sound like bagpipes on a breath controller!
Hi Dino, thx for the amazing video. No glide/gliss possible on USB model? Pls throw some light on that.
sorry for the late response. very limited features on the USB. It's not very good for performance. no Glide plate, yes.
Hi you are a Legend with this video I have a question do you think I I should get it O have. Lyricon coming I have a James Morrison Digital Trumpet, and a Ewi20 coming as well and trying to become a collector myself and I have the possibility of getting a Varitone Saxophone
Thanks for the video. That was fun. Let me know when it has a 90 degree attachment headjoint thing for flute players.
Have you never played a recorder or a shakuhachi? It's really easy to adjust to holding it directly in front of you as opposed to the way we hold our flutes.
I always thought the EWI was a spiritual successor to the Lyricon.
me too. If feels like a real instrument. One , like any instrument, needs practice, understanding, and love (i.e. maintenance ;-)
I wonder if that formant filter mentioned at around 3:00 is the Steiner-Parker filter (used in the Synthacon and more recently adopted by Arturia for their line of synths)? Or did Steiner have more than one filter with his name attached? I've been trying to find more info on it (and the early EWI modules in general) to try and replicate some of their sounds.
Relatedly, does anyone know of any in-depth videos (or documentation, etc) about the capabilities of those early modules? I'd love to know what they were capable of, what kind of parameters could be changed, etc...
Thanks for that. Would have liked some more info on the USB though.
If you plan on playing casually the EWI USB is a great controller to have and its inexpensive. I find it to be somewhat feature shallow for my taste.
@@DinoSoldo How so?
@@monomakes There are features that didnt make it in order to be affordable (glide strip, all dial settings for breath, vibrato and bend)
@@DinoSoldo ah ok. thanks for clarifying :)
Thank you !! Seeing how the Roland AE10 can layering up to four sounds at once..., Do you think that we will soon have a new EWI with more possibilities?
I'm really not sure. Akai is owned by InMusic Brands now and they keep new things close to the chest. The best thing to do is to write to them a bit of support and a realistic wishlist if they should choose to continue. I personally believe there are too many players out there that like Nyle's design too much for it to ever disappear. And I'd rather choose one GREAT internal sound compared to layering modest sounding patches. One can always turn on the laptop for more. Just my thought.
thank you !
Hello, please help me, I have a question, it will work the ewi3000 controller with a ewi2000 module? Thank you!
SHOW!!!
Hello, Sir. I'm thinking about using an EWI for my church. Also considering VST Kenny G, etc. Is there a way an EWI can play without hurting the microphones? EWI's off of frequency, right? I want to play it like any other instrument.
The EWI has no need for a mic. Go straight thru a PA system/ speaker/amp.
You forgot to tell us which one is your favourite! But great video nonetheless.
The NuRAD is my current favorite. instagram.com/p/CBDW3SEnJQy/?
CAN SOMEBODY PLEAS tell me how growl works what to do please I don't understand how its done
I'm still in search for the early EWi
I can't find any documentation for the 3000. It sounds great though and there is a module for sale online that I was thinking of picking up for just $200. Could I just use it as a midi synth module? I love the idea of a 4-osc mono synth that sounds that good. They sound like DCOs, but from that era I would be surprised if they aren't digital. But they sound good, so who cares?
Thanks, this is one of the only videos that demonstrates the 3000 really well.
Edit: I think dearth means the opposite of what you mean ;)
hey there. I have the manual. direct message me on any other platform, ok?
you might want to contact Patchman.com
oh my 3:19. inspiring
21:19 'Luvley'
Hi ! Could you explain me how you did connect the 3000 to your computer ? do I need a driver, do you use the midi ports of the synth module ?
you need the 3000 horn and the controller box for midi, then you can just connect using a soundcard with a midi in or a midi to USB cable (drivers for soundcards/midi to USB cables are easy to find)
the usb midi models (4000s, 5000, usb) already output as USB and require a powered USB midi host (yamaha made a nice bluetooth midi one) since midi -> USB midi and USB midi -> USB cannot (typically) be reversed with the same cable and there's no power over midi
Wow! I mean WOW!
Great video. I'm wondering if you have any info how Nyle added a chip that he can send notes to and recall them?
I saw it on an interview with him, he had experimental features!!!! Damn.......I WANT THAT
I seek anyone who can help me add a programmable chip to my 4000s or 5000 to do that.
Thanks
Are you talking about the chord features?
So if you had to choose between a 4000 and 5000 for a jazz fusion group that might have change sounds in between songs, which would you choose?
Get the 4000. Its playability far exceeds its lack of modern conveniences like USB etc.
question, do you bite the mouthpiece to play or use emboucher like a saxophone?
yes i bite to hold the rubber in place. rubber tends to slip if you use sax or clarinet embouchures. btiting with both teeth also tends to make the vibrating plates more responsive.
Yo Dino - I think you addressed this in the video here, but not quite sure. Using a later EWI as a controller for a 3000 sound module: how’s that sound? Was the poor MIDI performance you mentioned during the section on the 3000 including MIDI in from a contemporary controller?
I think it might work pretty well. Assuming you're not going to play hyper-fast or overtly complicated, it should handle anything you throw at it. I used to sequence with the 3000 as a controller/slave all the time.
Dino Soldo thanks! Debating the use of a EWI USB with a 3000. Though perhaps I should just grab a 4000s 🤔
@@asahi43 don't do the EWI USB! find the original controller for the 3000 or get a 4000 or 5000
Dino Soldo aye aye capitano! Just curious, why?
@@asahi43 EWI USB is not robust enough for your intention
Enjoy your vidio
Dino please help I am about to buy my first EWI. I am thinking between usb and 4000s. Can ewi usb growl? Thanks
Sorry for the late response. Any EWI up to the 4000 can growl on its internal sounds if you growl into it. USB and 5000 no.
I newly discovered the EWI family, and as a wind and piano/synth player, I'm amazed by the possibilities. 3:17 features a really cool solo string sound, does anybody know if and where I can find it (or similar) online? I did a quick search but didn't find anything.
Hey. This is the HEART of the Nyle Steiner part of the synth engine on those early EWI modules. There are many ways you can get that sound. What is your target as far as how you want your rig to look like?
@@DinoSoldo I'm currently looking at the EWI 5000, and will therefore have to use it as a midi controller to play with that sound. My DAW is just an iPad and a digital piano so far, but I have access to a PC if necessary. Thanks in advance.
Is this a monophonic instrument?
So your comments and reactions lean towards the 4000 being the top choice?
I think I prefer Berglund's NuRad model above these Akia models now. But I still use each one for different reasons. Partly because I play differently on each one.
im the 700 subscriptor!!
Man, I wish Akai would make a wireless EWI controller with CV rate outputs. Also, why aren't there any analog or pressure sensors on the touch plates, would be great to get that valve clicking sound!
sorry for the late response but then I couldn't reply with this. instagram.com/p/CBDW3SEnJQy/?
Would you say the USB is worth it if there's no 4000s or 5000 available quickly? I don't particularly want to get into the situation where I'm going to want an upgrade soon after. But also I can't see myself affording the other ones or them even being available any time soon.
I would get a 5000 or 4000 used on Ebay. You might not be that far in price. What would you use it for?
@@DinoSoldo I primarily want it for recording. I don't get much of an opportunity for performance right now but if I get an EWI then later I might, but the 4000s on ebay is juuuust a bit too much of a jump in cost from the USB. I'm used to having to be a little versatile with my technology where I don't make much $$$, so it's a big of a dilemma.
You should do an update on this video
Up! 😉
0:38 Im gonna buy it just to do that now
Hey Dino Whats something you would tell someone who just got an Ewi Today♥
Please work on music that includes the "break" between octaves.
Having just picked one up myself a few weeks ago, as an ex trumpet player and using the EVI mode, working the jumps in octaves and steps “across”, I concur 100% with this advice
What is the best?
instagram.com/p/CBDW3SEnJQy/?
Hey Dino, you didn't tell us which lady is your favorite?
instagram.com/p/CBDW3SEnJQy/?
Hello, anybody knows,
what MB played here th-cam.com/video/Bg-m2-9uXnk/w-d-xo.html ?
Especially black rack device with white sliders you can see at 3:11. Below it in the same rack case, I think, is MXR blue face M113 digital delay.
Some other MB gear info out of this video would be really nice.
Thank you.
I'd l9ve to get one of these. I'm currently into synthesizers and I have played horns and flutes but never together. 😎👍🇨🇦
2:20 I can’t decide if that joke is really mature or really immature
I can't either.
Ok. Your favorite ewi?
instagram.com/p/CBDW3SEnJQy/?
Extremely handsome guy, plenty of sense of humour, very accessible explanations, a terrific musician and to top it off, wearing a gorgeous pounamu.
👍😎🇨🇦
You used dearth to mean plethora. But I'm a reed player so I'll just let it go.
did I hear beethoven 8?
Not a niche audience anymore, now theres an episode in Steven Universe Future where a new character playes an EWI. Let the floodgates open
None of these have a simple fingering system just toys with unusual sounds .
There is a recorder fingering system. Sorry if my programming didn't catch your ear.
Don't buy Nothing from AMS unless you want to get used merchandise at a New price, their policy is to resale returned goods as new unless otherwise called out over it and then they are willing to cut you a deal if caught. This company is very unethical and underhanded at the way they do business, I will never buy another thing from them period.
you think this guy's gay?
BTW I have been told from a credible source the EWI5000 load time has been fixed. Good to know