My apologies for butchering all those world instrument names. :-) Greaten also wanted me to point out that the price may be subject to change any time.
This is like a cross between the EWI 5000 and the EWI 4000s. Great sounds. I play the EWI 4000s and would consider this for its sounds and familiarity if it were cheaper, say $200
Thank you for a nice review. I use AP300 Pro since its launched in March 2024. It's a good EWI in terms of features and functions. The on-board sound is good enough. But MIDI features via USB is sufficient for beginners. I would recommend Akai for complex MIDI setup. AP300 Pro has customizable MIDI CC ports but sometimes limited. And it doesn't has BLE MIDI.
Thanks for watching! I think at $349, this instrument is a great "in-between" choice for people who are looking for something a bit more advanced, but who think spending $700 (or so) is a bit too much.
Some of the cheaper EWIs are quite nice, and I've been impressed by them, but the higher end ones like this and some of those Akais, really are starting to be absolutely amazing. This is one of the best sounding ones yet to my ear. I love the ability to add growl! That's enough to sell it to me.
It's also a synth ;-) Scott is correct, this one doesn't sound too bad! Not quite Akai S5000 level, or SWAM level, but certainly good enough for a live performance.
Hi Just wondering if a user of these type of instruments need previous sax or flute skills ? i.e. can a complete beginner blow into these and hit notes . Cheers
Truly a very tempting instrument for me as much of the great gear I have purchased over the last few years is sitting unused due to how much pain this damned MS is causing. This one I could probably play while in bed? Thanks for the video. 😁🎶🎹🎶 Play On
I'm sorry to hear that :-( and I hope you can make the best out of this situation. You could play this in bed, but depending on how you feel at the moment, it might be heavy to hold and too demanding to play with precision. I think a pad controller like the novation launchpad (or the Circuit with its built-in-synth and battery) might be a more accessible instrument. You can easily place it on your lap, and the coloured keys are easy enough to press. There's also this th-cam.com/video/qGDuxoPdC2A/w-d-xo.html
For the prices of the different models I would prefer a model of a more common brand name. Even if there's a lack of sounds. But not a bad thing to own I think.
It's sitting somewhere between the EWI 4000 and 5000 feature-wise, so the price is about right. It's really not a bad instrument at all. Are there better EWIs out there? Most likely.
@@mr_floydstI wouldn't disagree with that. There certainly new brands that are of a high level. I even own 2 low cost models from 70 and 150 Euro's. It's more my feel about it, if I wanted a higher level model. And if it would be my main instrument. Call it a old fashion way of looking at it. 😊 But that's why your tests are very useful!
A player should not “HAVE TO” blow each note separately. Legato playing is extremely common and of course should be part of how a wind controller works.
Hey Floyd, I have some questions: How well does it translate the performance into MIDI? I love the idea of having an EWI, but mainly for MIDI uses in a DAW... So i don't really care about the sounds it has (some are cool, some are almost unusable). Also, how well does it interacts with the Yamaha Ex5? I also have one and I was wondering if it works well with the great sounds of the blue beast! And last question: Did you try the bluetooth? How much is the latency? Thanks in advance!
There's a segment in this video in which I play the EX5 with this. That worked very well using a USB to MIDI adapter. Bluetooth MIDI is possible, but with Linux and Windows, it's really not recommendable. Not so much because of latency, but because of the hassle to connect the instrument and then keep it connected. You have to register anew each time you boot your computer. This most likely is not the instrument's fault but the operating system's. It might be better on IOS/MacOS.
@mr_floydst yeah I already know the bluetooth problems with Windows 😥 Talking about the MIDI my concerns were how well the CCs were transcribed, because I heard about other EWIs not doing that very well... Also now I'm wondering, what is the CC output when using the growl?
You'll find that in the manual: greaten-music.myshopify.com/pages/download-manual-books This "flute" works flawlessly as a MIDI controller, I couldn't spot any hickups.
I hear people saying most of these EWIs have "cheesy" default sounds, and I don't understand what they mean... because they're just based on real life instruments, no? I could understand if it was a 180s Casio keyboard or something lol. Would sound "cheesy" and dated. But idk what they mean by that in relation to EWIs. I've got zero experience with wind instruments, but I want to add a new layer to my sound. I don't like using DAW's. I have a pick up and jam recording style. So I'd more than likly use it exclusively on the default sounds instead of as a controller. Outside of the fact that idk how to play it (I'll learn) am I setting myself up for disappointment? I have my eye on this model because of the price. I can't bring myself to pay Akai prices for something I don't even know how to use yet lol. Thanks for this review. Salute
Hi, thanks for watching! In my opionion, some of the patches on this instrument are pretty good, top notch even. The saxophones are super expressive. Will you fool saxophone players into thinking this is a real saxophone? Most likely not. Will you be able to play pleasant sounding, expressive melodies with these instruments? Absolutely. So if you like what you hear, go for it! It's really good value for the price. People saying the patches sound cheesy most likely have highly trained ears, but don't forget most people have a more broad approach to enjoying music.
@mr_floydst Thank you for your response. It seems as if this will be the choice for my first EWI. I like what I see/hear in comparison to the price. Thank you for your time/review.
Is there a companion app or program that is available for this instrument where device settings can be viewed and modified? Is there support for designing and adding more sounds?
@@mr_floydst I think this is just a user guide vs. an owners manual that I would expect to have more technical details. I did not see any specific MIDI info in the user guide.
@@mr_floydstI thought this instrument was released several months ago. Is it not in stock on their website? Maybe they are about to release an updated version 😊. (I will check the site after I read through the comments)
When you switch to different saxophone sounds. Is the note automatically transposed accordingly? (Switching from Soprano to Tenor should transpose one octave down for instance).
@@hallvardpaulsen I forgot that there are more sounds available through the app. I suspect having the software instruments map to the correct key and register would have been something that would have been defined with the app either as a properly setup patch by Roland or possibly by the end user. A pro could use the AE-01 but I do not think that was the target audience.
Thank you Floyd for the review but is this AKAI copycat even legal? In any case I like to stay with my original AKAI , not only cause it sounds far better and for sure it is better built, but out of principle and ethics alone.
I can understand your concerns (and I'll ponder them). I think the truth might be somewhere in between; software-wise, this certainly is it's own thing.
@@mr_floydst Sure, software can be different, that I could not tell just by looking at it. But AKAI hardware and software is well established and supported by all the companies that use EWI controllers like the fabulous AcousticSamples winds collection. It is not just midi, for a good performance with an EWI controller software and hardware have to be fine tuned together.
@@peterpeper4837 Musical instruments aren't copyrighted for shape. Else someone could copyright the shape of a music keyboard and prevent others from replicate it.
Thanks for watching! I didn't include the synth patches (because my camera crashed when filming that). The use of filters depends on the sound you're playing.
My apologies for butchering all those world instrument names. :-)
Greaten also wanted me to point out that the price may be subject to change any time.
At least you didn't attempt to cover classic saxophone meme songs, having only just completed repairs after the police raid.
This is like a cross between the EWI 5000 and the EWI 4000s. Great sounds. I play the EWI 4000s and would consider this for its sounds and familiarity if it were cheaper, say $200
I don't know if they'll adjust the price like that, but there's always the used market...
Nicely you demonstrated bro, I am interested to purchase this bro.
Thank you for a nice review. I use AP300 Pro since its launched in March 2024. It's a good EWI in terms of features and functions. The on-board sound is good enough. But MIDI features via USB is sufficient for beginners. I would recommend Akai for complex MIDI setup. AP300 Pro has customizable MIDI CC ports but sometimes limited. And it doesn't has BLE MIDI.
Thanks for watching! I think at $349, this instrument is a great "in-between" choice for people who are looking for something a bit more advanced, but who think spending $700 (or so) is a bit too much.
@mr_floydst absolutely agreed
Thanks for the review. You might interested in the new WARBL (penny whistle) that now has BLE MIDI and a rechargeable battery. Also gyro control.
Thanks for your comment - I'll take a look!
Love the Guru Josh Easter Egg! 😄
:-)
Fantastic, Floyd!! 🙏🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Thanks!
Some of the cheaper EWIs are quite nice, and I've been impressed by them, but the higher end ones like this and some of those Akais, really are starting to be absolutely amazing. This is one of the best sounding ones yet to my ear. I love the ability to add growl! That's enough to sell it to me.
It's a MIDI note transmitter. How could it sound better or worse?
It's also a synth ;-) Scott is correct, this one doesn't sound too bad! Not quite Akai S5000 level, or SWAM level, but certainly good enough for a live performance.
Hi
Just wondering if a user of these type of instruments need previous sax or flute skills ?
i.e. can a complete beginner blow into these and hit notes .
Cheers
@@mr_floydst Sure, however its own synth engine is just a secondary accessory, no serious musician would use it in professional settings.
@@SomewhereInside Well of course you still need to know the basics, it won't play for you 🙂
Awesome
Thanks!
Very cool!
Thanks for watching!
Truly a very tempting instrument for me as much of the great gear I have purchased over the last few years is sitting unused due to how much pain this damned MS is causing. This one I could probably play while in bed? Thanks for the video.
😁🎶🎹🎶
Play On
I'm sorry to hear that :-( and I hope you can make the best out of this situation.
You could play this in bed, but depending on how you feel at the moment, it might be heavy to hold and too demanding to play with precision. I think a pad controller like the novation launchpad (or the Circuit with its built-in-synth and battery) might be a more accessible instrument. You can easily place it on your lap, and the coloured keys are easy enough to press. There's also this th-cam.com/video/qGDuxoPdC2A/w-d-xo.html
Bro, good evening, if you are not using this AP saxophone 300 pro, please give to me bro. Please
Hi other Floyd! 👋
Hello! :-)
For the prices of the different models I would prefer a model of a more common brand name. Even if there's a lack of sounds. But not a bad thing to own I think.
It's sitting somewhere between the EWI 4000 and 5000 feature-wise, so the price is about right. It's really not a bad instrument at all. Are there better EWIs out there? Most likely.
@@mr_floydstI wouldn't disagree with that. There certainly new brands that are of a high level. I even own 2 low cost models from 70 and 150 Euro's. It's more my feel about it, if I wanted a higher level model. And if it would be my main instrument. Call it a old fashion way of looking at it. 😊 But that's why your tests are very useful!
This might be a contender for me if my ewi usb ever gives out. I’m surprised how good it seems.
For the price announced, it's a great instrument. Let's see what they mean by "subject to change", however. ;-)
@mr_floydst It would have to stay under $400. More and an EWI 5000S becomes a more attractive choice to me.
A player should not “HAVE TO” blow each note separately. Legato playing is extremely common and of course should be part of how a wind controller works.
That's right, but I didn't say you have to do that. I said "hey, this sounds different and the sound really depends on your style of playing"
There are no mistakes 20:33
Only happy accidents
Hey Floyd, I have some questions:
How well does it translate the performance into MIDI? I love the idea of having an EWI, but mainly for MIDI uses in a DAW... So i don't really care about the sounds it has (some are cool, some are almost unusable).
Also, how well does it interacts with the Yamaha Ex5? I also have one and I was wondering if it works well with the great sounds of the blue beast!
And last question: Did you try the bluetooth? How much is the latency?
Thanks in advance!
There's a segment in this video in which I play the EX5 with this. That worked very well using a USB to MIDI adapter.
Bluetooth MIDI is possible, but with Linux and Windows, it's really not recommendable. Not so much because of latency, but because of the hassle to connect the instrument and then keep it connected. You have to register anew each time you boot your computer. This most likely is not the instrument's fault but the operating system's. It might be better on IOS/MacOS.
@mr_floydst yeah I already know the bluetooth problems with Windows 😥
Talking about the MIDI my concerns were how well the CCs were transcribed, because I heard about other EWIs not doing that very well...
Also now I'm wondering, what is the CC output when using the growl?
You'll find that in the manual: greaten-music.myshopify.com/pages/download-manual-books
This "flute" works flawlessly as a MIDI controller, I couldn't spot any hickups.
@@mr_floydst Thx Floyd!👌🏻
Is the bite sensor VARIABLE like on all the Akai EWIs, or a simple ON/OFF switch?
It's variable.
I hear people saying most of these EWIs have "cheesy" default sounds, and I don't understand what they mean... because they're just based on real life instruments, no? I could understand if it was a 180s Casio keyboard or something lol. Would sound "cheesy" and dated. But idk what they mean by that in relation to EWIs.
I've got zero experience with wind instruments, but I want to add a new layer to my sound. I don't like using DAW's. I have a pick up and jam recording style. So I'd more than likly use it exclusively on the default sounds instead of as a controller. Outside of the fact that idk how to play it (I'll learn) am I setting myself up for disappointment?
I have my eye on this model because of the price. I can't bring myself to pay Akai prices for something I don't even know how to use yet lol.
Thanks for this review. Salute
Hi, thanks for watching!
In my opionion, some of the patches on this instrument are pretty good, top notch even. The saxophones are super expressive. Will you fool saxophone players into thinking this is a real saxophone? Most likely not. Will you be able to play pleasant sounding, expressive melodies with these instruments? Absolutely. So if you like what you hear, go for it! It's really good value for the price.
People saying the patches sound cheesy most likely have highly trained ears, but don't forget most people have a more broad approach to enjoying music.
@mr_floydst Thank you for your response. It seems as if this will be the choice for my first EWI. I like what I see/hear in comparison to the price. Thank you for your time/review.
Can i request to hear the guitars specially the electric guitar if it sounds good might be used in my adlibs thank you
I might do a YT short. Those sounds aren't bad, but they're also monophonic. Like a one-string guitar. ;-)
Is there a companion app or program that is available for this instrument where device settings can be viewed and modified? Is there support for designing and adding more sounds?
There's neither, but all the settings can be edited on hardware, and you can store up to 4 favourites (as seen in the video).
Whwew can we find manual pages? So we can find what midi coemmands it generates. For instance : what command does the bite generate, etc. Thanks
Here: greaten-music.myshopify.com/pages/download-manual-books
@@mr_floydst I think this is just a user guide vs. an owners manual that I would expect to have more technical details. I did not see any specific MIDI info in the user guide.
When will this be avaible?
Sorry, I don't know at the moment - I thought it _was_ available a couple of day ago ;-) I'll ask them for clarification.
@@mr_floydstI thought this instrument was released several months ago. Is it not in stock on their website? Maybe they are about to release an updated version 😊. (I will check the site after I read through the comments)
@@mr_floydstIt seems like they are available from their web site. It looks like the instrument is discounted by $10.
When you switch to different saxophone sounds. Is the note automatically transposed accordingly? (Switching from Soprano to Tenor should transpose one octave down for instance).
Yes, those are an octave apart on this instrument.
@@mr_floydst That is great! One of the things I found really missing on the AE01!
@@hallvardpaulsenDo you mean AE-10?
@@rjones1357 No, 01 the smallest one.
@@hallvardpaulsen I forgot that there are more sounds available through the app. I suspect having the software instruments map to the correct key and register would have been something that would have been defined with the app either as a properly setup patch by Roland or possibly by the end user. A pro could use the AE-01 but I do not think that was the target audience.
Those woodwinds sound quite "natural" I think!
I agree. They really put some effort into most of the instrument sounds (with a few exceptions, as mentioned in the video)
Thank you Floyd for the review but is this AKAI copycat even legal?
In any case I like to stay with my original AKAI , not only cause it sounds far better and for sure it is better built, but out of principle and ethics alone.
Hi, thanks for watching! I don't think this is a copy. The sounds are quite different, as are the technical details (pitch bend lever, and so on)
@@mr_floydst This is clearly a copy of the AKAI , from the shape, the mouthpiece , the keys, the octave rolls and so on. AKAI should sue them.
I can understand your concerns (and I'll ponder them). I think the truth might be somewhere in between; software-wise, this certainly is it's own thing.
@@mr_floydst Sure, software can be different, that I could not tell just by looking at it.
But AKAI hardware and software is well established and supported by all the companies that use EWI controllers like the fabulous AcousticSamples winds collection. It is not just midi, for a good performance with an EWI controller software and hardware have to be fine tuned together.
@@peterpeper4837 Musical instruments aren't copyrighted for shape. Else someone could copyright the shape of a music keyboard and prevent others from replicate it.
Sounds like they don’t know you are supposed to have a low pass filter controlled by breath. Controlling only volume with breath does not sound good.
Thanks for watching! I didn't include the synth patches (because my camera crashed when filming that). The use of filters depends on the sound you're playing.