Akai EWI USB

[BullzEye14]

is there any way to play the ewi without a computer, like say by running it through a synth instead of a running it through a computer?

[Jezro]

Thanks Seth Green!

[garface4]

is the sound coming out of the computer or an amo? or speakers connected to the computer? this is obviously a major factor in performance

[limescout]

Can I somehow use this with a hardware synth module that only accepts traditional MIDI plugs? Is there some kind of interface that can convert the EWI's usb MIDI to traditional MIDI?

[starcommander55]

@limescout Run the EWI through your computer using MIDI-Thru options.

Just remember: the EWI-USB is a MIDI controller, and the EWI 4000s is a synth with a controller attached.

[bluesysaxman]

I had a 4000s. It sucked!



[RMcGO28716]

Awful haven't heard the EWI played so badly or demonstrated so terribly. Forget about it ! Contact Patchman music / EWI for the real deal or better still watch Brecker playing the EWI. Great for performance with right set up, for practice at night all those mad patterns licks & scales we have to get under our fingers as Tenor /Alto players. Not a sub for real horns but in the right hands can be a wonderful composition tool Funk, Brecker Bros covers

Best to all serious Musicians out there !!

[crackbabykid]

can u play without the usb like with haed phone

[forestfairness]

aloha tom......are any of those fingerings options on the ewi the same as a recorder????...how does on hook it up to amplification, thru the computer headphone jack?????....sounds great, i want one some day....mahalo for sharing

[philipthemanlovell]

a couple of questions.

1, does it have an ocarina sound?

2, is it always in just one key or when you change to a different instrument does it change keys like would a tenor sax be in b flat?

[Saxgregg]

I have one and not one of the sounds for sax sound anything like a sax. Are there any plug ins available to make it sound more authenic?

[ShantiLFE]

@Saxgregg Hi You need a Yamaha VL70n synth module(ebay)& Patchman Turbo V chip then yuou get realistic sax,flute,clarinet etc.. sounds I have used it as lead alto in my Big Band with much success--get a good PA or Makie SR monitor..

[TheSaxPlayerChris]

THIS IDIOT IS ONLY TALKING

[fjtubie]

@TheSaxPlayerChris

You gotta watch the whole thing,,, who's the idiot??

[DJVespers]

Yeah, agreed mate. The 4000s is where it's at. You can't use the USB one wirelessly, but with the 4000s at least you can plug in an M-Audio Midair.

[InggriDJ]

I'm getting really interested =) Is it maybe possible to connect the ewi usb to a synthesizer instead of a computer? And i you're not a "wind-instrument - player" , is it very difficult to learn? thanks in advance.

[DJVespers]

Yep, you can map out the USB to any synth that is hosted as a VST or whatever, just like any other USB midi controller.

[onkelbolle]

EWI 4000s sounds ALOT better... sorry.

[FCO0710]

they are MIDI controllers! you can have them play whatever sounds you want them to!

[KeenSounds]

I want one so bad!! I dont care what people say, haters!

[urbguru]

Are you Jokin'? Terrible player! Give him kazoo!! or ??....Nawija

[jumbofrets24]

Haha, I could prolly make a better demo myself, srry man, not convinced. I like the sound of the 4000 better

[SamboRayJr]

wow.....sounds like shit.

If I was the people at Akai I would have made sure this video never saw the light of day.

[FCO0710]

its a midi controller, it can play whatever you want it to

[sebitas9000]

sorry you know what is the diference Akai EWI USB and the Akai ewi 4000s?? because the price is diferent i think $299 the akai ewi usb an the akai ewi 4000s is $699 soo what is the diference??

[sankofamusician]

I haven't gotten my hands on the USB version but I can tell you that from the specs here are the differences.

1. no internal sounds at all

2. only 5 octaves as opposed to 7 on the 4000s

3. Cannot be played without a computer.

Also, the demo sounds I've heard for the USB version don't seem to be especially made for the EWI. They don't make great use of breath control for volume and vibrato. Hopefully they have programmed more patches that use BC. For my money the 4000s is superior.

[ajs98405]

@sankofamusician ..But if you're after a realistic sax sound and you have limited money, USB + Sample Modeling's SAX brothers would be a better set up. Mr Sax T just sounds sweet and will make you reconsider whether the benefits of having the sounds on the machine and two more octaves is worth the extra money. I ordered my USB EWI yesterday. 5 octaves is enough for a realistic instrument. 4000 is superior, but money saved will help pay for Sax Brothers + trumpet (€373) if EWI and I get on.

[philipthemanlovell]

@sankofamusician but if you are a beginning ewi player and money is an issue this seems like what i should spend my money on. and having to have a computer is a good thing in my opinion. i dont have the money to go out and buy an amp and anything else i would need to play this. i can just plug into my computer or take my laptop with me if im playing outside of my home. the program is easy to use. and its $299.

[BullzEye14]

@sankofamusician is there any way to play the ewi without a computer, like say by running it through a synth instead of a running it through a computer?

[sankofamusician]

@BullzEye14 As far as I know the only AKAI model which doesn't need a computer is the EWI 4000s which has internal sounds and a MIDI port to connect to a synth. The EWI USB is just a controller but communicates only on the USB port. There aren't any synths I know of that can take a USB input from another synth or controller. If you're looking to get one I'd recommend the 4000s over the USB.

[68861]

please looked for another job!!

[schlossax]

a bit of verb on those sounds would have helped. And, I agree... this demos is pretty lame.

[columbo71]

You do get latency with this product ....its not nearly like playing a real wind instrument.

[HamBungler]

If you use this as a MIDI controller then there's a good chance the latency issue (should there be one) will pretty much be solved, such as using it with Reason's synths and whatnot.

[synastikki]

You can lower the latency by getting better drivers and better audiocard

[ElGuitaristo79]

Thanks for sharing this! :)

[Ezekio3160]

this dude has no style when playing

[bt017]

I took a private lesson with Tom over at SJSU about 2 years ago, and I want to say that this demo does not showcase even half of how good this guy plays!

I was disappointed, but I guess this video is more of a showcase for the EWI and not TOM.

[audiomidicom]

I don't play EWI, but I shot the video, and there didn't appear to any latency (Tom didn't say anything about it, and I'm sure I would've noticed). It's likely that the "latency" you're noticing is Youtube causing the sound sync to get off a bit.

[Kaffimusic]

@audiomidicom Audio and video are not always synced. I mentioned a part where audio was a bit in front of the vid. In fact with those sounds, monophonic play and a proper audiosoftware in your computer you will never realize that there are delays, even if they can be measured. Its millisceconds with software-synthesizers, it´s close to none with midi-hardware. It takes much more data to slow that down.

[ericdano]

Great....latency.......fun....­...NOT.