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Hi, I am interested in buying an Akai EWI USB (one Santa's gift from me to me  ); Is it a toy or a reliable instrument? There is another model, the EWI4000S, but it is so much expensive for my novice purposes. The EWI is cheaper, and is on my budget. Here I will pay something like US$ 600,00. Hey, I lnow YOU can buy itfor about US$ 100,00, BUT NOT in Brazil (customs, taxes and so ooooon). Anyway, if reliable, I am interested. Problem is, I supose, that keys are not keys that you press, but eletronic contact switches, that is, not necessary to press them. If you ONLY touch acidentally any key, it will take effect. Never tried one of these instruments, but, watching the image, I can supose that problem. Well, I need some oppinions from people that plays those kind of instrument. I supose Bob Notes, and few other forum friends play them.
Last edited by Luiz Dias; 12/16/11 08:31 AM.
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I started with the EWI USB and traded for the 4000s. With the USB you're tied to a computer and with the 4000s you can just plug into an amp or PA. I also have Patchman's sounds loaded in and have no need for any other sounds. So, the 4000s is plug and play, the USB is tied to a computer. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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I have the EWI-USB and it is definitely a reliable instrument.
You didn’t say that if you have played a wind instrument before, not a controller but an instrument like a tenor sax, trumpet etc., but if you have you have a head start already. I used play trumpet so I picked the EWI over other wind controllers as it has a trumpet type fingering setting. My brother used to play the clarinet and a friend who plays sax and they both played it, with the proper finger settings, with no problem. It’s a little harder for us old has-been trumpet players as we are used to using our embouchure for changing octaves, not octave rollers, plus the fingering is slightly different. It’s not a major problem so don’t get me wrong. The mouthpiece is also different from a trumpet and a woodwind but it very easy to get used to.
You will have no problems with the “keys”. That was the easiest part for me to learn. The hardest part for me was/is the octave rollers. To change octaves you move your thumb over rollers. This is something I still haven’t totally mastered.
If you look at the EWI-USB as a new instrument that you have to practice to master you will be just fine. If you think you can just pick it up and play you will be disappointed, however the learning curve for previous horn players is not that steep. I have found great satisfaction in using mine. It is a lot more expressive than a keyboard and/or a guitar controller for horn parts. I’ve also used it in string and synth parts with great success. Because it’s midi the sky is the limit on what sounds you want to use it for.
I hope this helps and good luck - MarioD
PS – feel free to ask any questions you have and I’ll do my best to answer them.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Thanks, Ray and Mario I played the trumpet in the past (fair to good player those old times). I have some skills in the flute too (bad, nowadays). So, I know it will be necessary to practice, for sure. To be tied to the computer may be a big disaventage, anyway, due the prices, I understand the only possible budget option (the EWI USB)will be my option. Latter, if I turn on a skilled player, I can trade for the EWI400S. See, I am not a pro musicien, but nowadays a turned on a like pro percussionist, playing partime with great musiciens. This percussionist option is due the difficulty to acomplish good skils in other instruments; it is hard to play the trumpet like I played in the past, the flute, etc ( ) Too, because the percussion is "in my blood", very intutive to me. Another question: what about the latency? I supose it is necessary to use ASIO, or a Midi Module tied to the computer. Is Garritan/Aria program Asio compliant? What program do you use. Is the Aria/Garritan suffice?
Last edited by Luiz Dias; 12/16/11 10:07 AM.
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I have the 4000s. The fingering can be the same as the trumpet, but the octave rollers are a challenge as pointed out. If you want to play with the usb and band in a box I think you need asio, yes.
Ray would know better.
I was hoping it would be really easy to blow, I've still some healing radiation damage in my neck. That's getting better, in fact almost healed totally.
I have not shelved the idea, but for now I've been busy enough so it's sitting there, beside my setup.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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I'm also a former trumpet player. Using brass fingerings, you'll be able to play as fast as you did on a trumpet. It doesn't too long to get used to the octave rollers. With the 4000s you'll be able to walk around and practice with just headphones. The 4000s also has a 3 or 4 more octave range than the USB. Merry Christmas, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Thanks, friends.
I decided Santa will give me the EWI USB this year. And the thing is arriving today or maybe tomorrow.
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