Akai Professional EWI4000S | Electronic Wind Instrument MIDI Controller with Built-In Sound Module, Headphone Jack & MIDI I/O

**Updates below This is a true professional synthesizer, much better and more expressive than a keyboard type controller. Since I prefer the real orchestra instrument sounds, I would have gone with the EWI5000 which has sampled sounds. However, the lead time was longer than I wanted to wait, and everyone was out of stock. That worries me that there might be a reliability reason for manufacturing delays. I am able to use software sampled orchestra instruments on my iPad mini 3, but the expression is limited compared to what should be on the EWI5000. If I did I again, and I knew there were not any reliability issues, I would wait a month for the EWI5000. Yet, I am thrilled with the EWI4000s; it is a great synthesizer. *Update: A year later, I would stick with the 4000s - I really love it! (But I would love to have both!) **Update: two years later, this EWI4000s is my favorite instrument out of the dozens I own. If I had to have limits on which instruments to own, I would choose keyboard 1st, then guitar 2nd because of versitility with groups; but as far as expression, nothing is as fun as this EWI! When you have money you've got to buy SWAM "The Saxophones" and then, later SWAM Cello. Even if you have the real accoustic instruments, these VSTs give you so much midi control with instantly usable full expression sample sounds that it's worth having. For live performance, use your Selmer, etc, but for recording, EWI+SWAM is much better!

Hi, all. This is an expensive instrument. Most of the demos I heard around the internet sounded great. . . The EWU4000s ships with a terrible bank of sounds, however. There are no specific instruments: no trumpets, no trombones, no clarinets, saxes, guitars. . .just weird synthesized sounds. So, if you want to play the instrument and have good sounds, you'll have invest another [...] for a banks of sounds. The only place that sells EWI4000 sound presets is [...]. Tech support: Akaipro tech support is pretty bad. Waits range from 3-20 minutes. I called to ask what their recommendation is about the sounds. The guy there said, "Uh, hang on, let me see." He came back ande said we don't sell presets. I asked him if he has a recommended source for sounds. Again he said, "Uh, just a minute." He eventually came back with the [...] site. As far as help at the Akaipro website, forget it. There are no instructions, no help, nothing. The manual is pretty bad, too. My EWI came with a Japanese language manual, but it did have an English manual in PDF format. Bottom line? EWI4000s is well made, and I'm sure it will sound good once I get some decent sounds in it. Buy one and you're on your own. PS Power Adapters won't be available until February, Akai says.

It's a fantastic instrument that will greatly extend your musical palette. As a horn player in a band, you will be able to fill in some parts that would normally be required by the keyboardist. If you have the appropriate patch, you can make the EWI sound like almost anything. There is a bit of an adjustment period for using the octave key (slider?) but it doesn't take too long to get it sorted. Your technique needs to be clean and accurate or this will highlight any flaws in sloppy technique. It will allow you to be a more versatile musician and able to contribute more in a band/ensemble setting.

I bought this for my husband for Christmas. He is a a flute and penny whistle player, and the EWI4000S is a dream come true for him. It's got many features that allow him to play as though it is a true wind instrument, but it's actually a synthesizer. I highly recommend purchasing the patches that are available (from an outside vendor), also, as they expand the instruments capability. My husband had a bit of trouble with the device behaving unpredictably (some kind of temporary glitch) but that seems to have resolved. The manual misses a few steps here and there, but there are forums online that can help you overcome any deficiencies in the manual. We highly recommend this instrument. He's addicted to it now.

I got mine today . No sound . Messed around with volumes , watched videos , read instruction manuals . NO SOUND. Had to dink around with the settings . Got Volume but it’s not good for people who have had some breathing issues - so making the settings adjustment worked . I use light reads on my two other wood winds and on this , it this took some tweaking to get close to the simulating light reeds . Also it takes some getting used to to get the octave switch over using the rollers . I practiced with the instrument for about 5hours . I believe if I spend a month practicing every other day I can master it , Smooth transition between the octaves is my current issue . Connected it to my yamaha 88 key and it midis quite nicely . I have the the MAudio midi controller for my panel pc and will link it up with that soon . Not entirely happy with this purchase ...better instructions would help .

Having played a variety of wind instruments I was disappointed to find the Akai had non-moveable keys which complete circuits by touch. The instrument does not feel like a wind instrument but a brick covered with buttons. The in-built sounds are reasonable but I could not get any feel out of playing it for a month. I have mine up for sale and am looking at a Yamaha WX5 as a replacement.

New to electronic wind instruments. It takes a bit of getting used to it but the more I play it the more I want to play it.

I lostt thu use of enough air fot my patricola or yag9 0 1 so I bought an ewi and I can play for hours. I also bought a motif xs and a vl70 m and now I am learning. Any help would be apprecizge it. But I love the sounds. I got all patchman sounds too Thanks Steve

自分の学生時代の音楽の成績は5段階評価で2と全くダメで楽譜すらまともに読めませんでした。 音楽を聴くことは好きでしたが、自分で演奏するって事にあまり興味が無かったのだと思います。 そんな自分ですがYoutubeで某KT高校吹奏楽部を視て感動し、実際の現場にも何度か見に行っているうちに 自分も何か楽器を演奏できるようになりたいと思い始めました。 でも吹奏楽部で使用する様な楽器は結構高価なのでダメ元で始められる気軽さもなく、 自宅で下手糞な爆音を発しながら練習しようもなのら近所迷惑でしょう。 Y社の〇ェノーバも買ってみましたが、音が大き過ぎて近所迷惑になりそうなので押し入れの肥やし状態です。 「音楽教室に通うことなく、マイペースでひっそりとヘッドホンで練習できる電子楽器が良いわ。」と物色しているうちに辿り着いたのがウインドシンセ。 選択肢としてEWIとエアロフォンが有ると思いますが、キーは押し込むタイプよりタッチキーの方が学生時代に馴染みのあるリコーダーの感覚に近いであろうって事と、サイバーマンデーで通常よりお安くなっていたのでEWI4000Sを選びました。 それなりに楽譜も読めるようになりたいと「楽譜の読み方」の本も購入して、毎日30～60分程度ですが練習も続いています。 憧れの『TRUTH』を練習中で、ゆっくり＆少しずつですが演奏出来るようになっていくのが楽しいです。 今のところコレと言った不都合もなく、思い描いていたイメージ通りで本当に買って良かったと満足出来ております。

This is a great addition to any woodwind player's set of instruments. It feels very solid and well made, as we have come to expect Akai Professional products to be. Essentially it is a synthesiser laid out in clarinet / sax fingering. There are a number of instruments built in, and some great synth sounds. The unit also has the capacity for playing in harmony (polyphony) and adjustment of the attack, modulation etc of the notes played. It is very versatile in this respect. The user manual, as many have said before is basic, and will get you plugged in and switched on - after that it is up to you, but there are quite a few helpful websites. Akai don't do a case for this at all, but if you buy a Ritter Soprano Sax case, it fits in perfectly, without rattling around, and has a pocket for cables, batteries etc, and a strap to sling it over your shoulder with. My son has lugged this all over the place to rehearsals, and the case has done a good job, with no damage so far. When you consider what you are getting, this is actually a very good value unit. It as a stereo 3.5mm out jack, midi out, 1/4 inch out (he often plays it through a lead guitar amp with effects pedals) We are very pleased we bought one, now saving up for the Eb clarinet....

Acheté pour compléter la "collection" de saxophone de ma fille. L'instrument semble plein de possibilités qu'elle n'a pas encore eu le temps d'exploiter. Il est d'utilisation simple et de très bonne qualité. Le seul bémol est qu'il ne soit pas livré avec une housse de protection, et que surtout il n'en existe pas pour ce type d'instrument.

購入商品の動作、状態には問題は無かったものの、添付の取扱説明書の音源リストが通常版のままだったため、追加音源の音色の確認が出来ないままです。商品名に「追加音源版」をうたうならば、ぜひ追加音源を反映した音源リストを付けていただきたいです。

YAMAHAがずっとずっといい。息も指も重さも相当吹きづらい。ただ工業デザインは関心するところがある。ロボットみたい。並行輸入品があるのが分かる。 （追記） 教本を買ったのですが、ヘラのようなストローを加えて、息を吹き込むので、口の両端に隙間ができ、そこから息が漏れることになります。それが、当たり前のことで、「全く新しい楽器」なのだそうです。 つまり、ロボットではなく、エイリアンのイカす楽器、といったところでしょうか。 カタログに説明無いのが不思議だよね。