PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Off-Topic EWI-USB vs EWI-4000s Pros and Cons

The Akai EWI Wind Controllers (EWC) strong advantage over the Yamaha Win Controllers is the optional brass/trumpet fingerings offered by the EWI-USB and the EWI-4000s. The pricing of the EWI-USB makes it very interesting for many who have a limited budget.

EWI-USB Pros:
1 Very light
2 No meticulous setup and configuration (tricky to setup optimal dynamic range)
3 Comes with some interesting Garritan Aria software and sounds
4 Does not require AC adapter or batteries
5 Hooks up to any computer via USB -thus negating the need for an extra MIDI port (or having to buy a USB to MIDI interface box)
6 Cost less than the EWI-4000s
CONS:
1 Has only 4 octave keys and the highest and the lowest are awkward/poorly designed. Your fingers have less room because the concavity in which the octave keys are built was not scooped out enough.
2 Drawback if you play live, you because you will need to use and depend on a computer.

Akai should provide a utility program to set the MIDI parameters. The utility program they supply is for the built in sounds -which sound mostly like a kazoo.
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EWI-4000s Pros:
1 Has 8 octave keys so you are less likely to run into the space problem found on the EWI-USB model. Plus, the 2 middle octave rollers have knurled so you can find your position without sounding a note.
2 Has pressure sensitive strip which may be very useful for additional control (such as trombone sliding)
3 You can change the MIDI control parameters using various keys and the LED alpha numeric display. The entire system is poorly designed and the display is cryptic (dual octal display only), and the section of the manual that details this is very poorly written in my opinion. Point being that you can change from breath control to volume without having to connect to a computer like for the EWI-USB.
4. May be better for live playing because you do not need a computer like you do for the EWI-USB because you can plug directly into your synthesizer. Some musicians feel that a hardware synthesizer is far more reliable than any computer and therefore do not wish to risk their live performance on the moods of their computer.

CONS:
1 Setting parameters for optimal dynamic range with tiny control knobs is tricky, not because of the knobs but because dynamic range requires two parameters to be adjusted interactively. EWI-USB is always optimal.

2 This instrument is longer and thicker than the EWI-USB and has more metal in it. It is therefore considerably heavier. I did not think it would make a difference to my comfort, but after having used the EWI-USB a lot, coming back to the EWI-4000s I really noticed it.
3 More expensive than the EWI-USB and you may also have to purchase a USB-MIDI interface box

If there is no specific Pro or Con for either instrument for you, then I would recommend getting the EWI-USB, because it will produce great music right out of the box at a lower cost so you can then save up for samplemodeling trumpet

For anyone who plays a MIDI Wind Controller the sample modeling technology is the absolute best there is. Not only are the Trumpet sounds incredibly realistic but the responsiveness is beyond belief. It's the only company that has developed synth settings specifically for Wind Controllers (Yamaha or EWI). Those of us who play WC's, unlike keyboard players playing w one hand only, do not have a spare hand for keyswitching, nor the option of using expression and other pedals (at least not as conveniently as kb players) so it is a welcome relief to know that we do not need keyswitching. Attack and breath intensity alone will produce much of the nuanced control that you only used to get from playing the "real" instruments. The trumpet changes it's tone and character just by playing your Wind Controller.

Here are some new songs I've done with the samplemodeling trumpet:

Night in Tunisia (real clarinet and EWI samplemodeling trumpet)
http://www.kara-moon.com/index.php?play_song_id=4885

My Funny Valentine (EWI samplemodeling harmon mute trumpet)
http://www.kara-moon.com/index.php?play_song_id=4882

Angel Eyes (real clarinet and EWI samplemodeling harmon mute trumpet)
http://www.kara-moon.com/index.php?play_song_id=4884

Sample modeling also has the Saxophone Brothers, but I am still trying to get that to work for me. The responsiveness is great but I can't get the Saxes to sound the way I want them. The trumpet sounds and works great right out of the box, the Saxes take more than a bit of tweaking and learning in order to get the sound you may want.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Thanks for your attention,

Thanks Dan.!

The weight of the 4000s is really a non-factor. A lot of the real axes are heavier. I like the idea of being able to connect directly to an amp to play. I started out with the USB model and for me the 4000s is way more advantageous. Later, Ray

Having to plug into a computer is a tad limiting.

I'd like to be able to chain to the Ketron without the computer, is that possible?

As far I know, the only hardware that the EWI USB can plug into without the Aria software is the V Machine. Later, Ray

Here's info on an Arturia Brass bundle as an alternative to the Garritan package.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Brass2EWI/

Very nice songs Dan. Samplemodeling is nice but It is not the only company that has developed synth settings specifically for Wind Controllers.
What about Wallander Instruments?
They sound real and they are spectacular!
A demo is available.

I have Wallander Instruments and I have all the Instruments listed below:

French Horns 1-4 No mute, Stopped, Straight mute.
Vienna Horns 1-4
Wagner Tubas 1-4
Piccolo Trumpets 1-3 No mute, Straight mute.
D-Trumpets 1-3 No mute, Straight mute.
C-Trumpets 1-3 No mute, Straight mute.
Bb-Trumpets 1-3 No mute, Straight mute, Cup mute, Bucket mute, Solotone mute, Harmon mute (no stem, inserted & extended), Plunger mute.
Bass Trumpets 1-3 No mute, Straight mute.
Contrabass Trumpets 1-3 No mute, Straight mute.
Alto Trombones 1-3 No mute, Straight mute, Cup mute, Bucket mute.
Tenor Trombones 1-3 No mute, Straight mute, Cup mute, Bucket mute, Harmon mute (no stem, inserted & extended), Plunger mute.
Bass Trombones 1-3 No mute, Straight mute, Cup mute, Bucket mute, Harmon mute (no stem), Plunger mute.
Cimbassos 1-3
F-Tubas 1-2 No mute, Straight mute.
Contrabass Tubas 1-2 No mute, Straight mute.
Soprano Cornets 1-3 No mute, Straight mute.
Cornets 1-3 No mute, Straight mute.
Flugelhorns 1-3
Alto Horns 1-3 No mute, Straight mute.
Baritone Horns 1-3 No mute, Straight mute.
Euphoniums 1-3 No mute, Straight mute.
Piccolo Flutes 1-3
Concert Flutes 1-3
Alto Flutes 1-3
Bass Flutes 1-3
Modern Oboes 1-3
Baroque Oboes 1-3
Oboe d’Amore 1-3
English Horns 1-3
Eb-Clarinets 1-3
Bb-Clarinets 1-3
A-Clarinets 1-3
Basset Horns 1-3
Bass Clarinets 1-3
Contrabass Clarinets 1-3
Modern Bassoons 1-3
Classical Bassoons 1-3
Baroque Bassoons 1-3
Contrabassoons 1-3
Sopranino Saxophones 1-3
Soprano Saxophones 1-3
Alto Saxophones 1-3
Tenor Saxophones 1-3
Baritone Saxophones 1-3
Bass Saxophones 1-3
C Soprano Saxophones 1-3
Mezzo-soprano Saxophones 1-3
C Melody Saxophones 1-3
Garklein Recorders 1-3
Sopranino Recorders 1-3
Soprano Recorders 1-3
Alto Recorders 1-3
Tenor Recorders 1-3
Bass Recorders 1-3
Great Bass Recorders 1-3
Contrabass Recorders 1-3

Wallander is working on bowed string instruments now.

bruce

My computer is on its last legs. I don't have BIAB on it right now and my soundcard is about dead. I'm using the headphone jack in the front of the computer.
I plan on getting a new laptop soon. I was looking at MacBook Pro and the discounted price right now on BIAB for Mac was looking good until I realized that you can't do Realband with a Mac.
The Wallander (WIVI) sounds great, is very responsive, the interface is brilliant and it is easy on the computer. If anybody would really love to hear the Wallander sounds PM me. I could demo over the phone.

bruce

Hey Dan, I though the USB version came with a midi interface? I have the VL70M which I use with my WX5, But I just can really move that fast on the Yamaha, which is why I'm considering the AKAI. Suggestions?

I've never owned an Akai, but have owned all models of Yamaha, currently the WX5.

I would never buy the USB Akai. Why? I've been using MIDI since the 1980s. Back then there were a lot of other things computer while MIDI is still going strong:

• Motorola CPUs for Mac - obsolete
• Power PC CPUs for Mac - obsolete
• DOS for PCs - obsolete
• Windows 3.1 applications - obsolete
• Atari and Amiga computers - obsolete
• SCSI connectors - obsolete
• Punch cards - obsolete
• Mouse roller balls - obsolete
• Parallel printer connectors - obsolete
• RS232 - obsolete
• 5.25" and 3.5" floppy disks - obsolete
• DAT - obsolete
• Mini Disks - obsolete
• Cassette tapes - obsolete
• VHS and Beta - obsolete
• CRT monitors - obsolete
• ADAT - obsolete
• Fire Wire - obsolete
• Dot Matrix & Daisy Wheel printers - obsolete
• Laser discs - obsolete
• Zip and Jaz drives - obsolete
• DynaMO and other magneto-optical drive/disks - obsolete
• Dial-up modems - obsolete (Remember U.S.Robotics?)

and all these were either in use when I got my first MIDI instrument or came and went since then.

MIDI is still around - unchanged - and with built-in room to grow without making the old obsolete.

We thought the floppy, SCSI, RS232, MiniDisc, and other formats would never go away when they were popular. How long with USB be around?

I've never played an EWI but prefer the WX for a few reasons:

• The EWI has a capacitor in the bite sensor that discharges at it's own speed. This means that the vibrato speed cannot be controlled by the lip as the capacitor discharge rate regulates the return to zero pitch.
• I don't really like the built in sounds of the EWI (of course the USB doesn't have any) and don't want the weight or the expense of an on-board synth I don't like
• I like the keys as I tend to keep my fingers on them - if the Akai had the features I needed, I could learn the touch plate method
• I have high resistance in my skin, like others, I would probably have to use hand cream to play the EWI, and then the cream would get on my sax, guitar, and flute as I also play these on the gig
• I've heard horror stories about when playing in the hot sunlight, sometimes the EWI goes crazy and plays the "One Note Samba" - I don't know if they have corrected that or not, but I do pool parties in the summer so I don't want to take a chance.

That's my $0.02 anyway. It's all my personal opinion, your situation and your mileage may vary.

Notes

I have the Akai 4000s with Patchman's sounds and love it! I use EVI fingerings (brass) and have a pair of Roland CM-30s to play through. I use to have the USB model and traded it in on the 4000s. You don't have to hook up to a computer, all the sounds are on-board. Just plug into an amp or PA and you're good to go. There's a learning curve, as with any instrument. I got used to the 4000s quickly. I use BIAB for accompaniment. Later, Ray

This is an interesting thread. Thanks Dan for getting it going. As a trumpet player, I've been pretty critical of the quality of synth trumpet patches and that includes my Ketron SD2. Okay, so I'm picky. I think that your trumpet on Night in Tunisia sounds very good, Dan. I like the interchange between the trumpet and clarinet, too.

Okay, stay tuned folks. My EWI USB is coming today. I bought it to try and lay in some non-trumpet tracks, mainly some strings. Hopefully, I can learn to play it well enough to also play in some melody tracks, too. I've been told that it will work with with GPO and also my midi setup using a UA-4fx and SD2. I'm pretty sure that it will because I'm already using a midi keyboard controller with it. The price is very reasonable which also was good for me since this will be somewhat of an experiment. If I really like it, I may go for a better one in the future. I'll post back in a few days.

What? I just noticed the posts' dates--Jumped from apr 10 2010 to sep 03 2012. I'll still post what a rookie thinks of the ewi usb.

Stan

Have not seen Dan Tong here in a long time....

I'll have to pay attention to the post dates from now on. I guesss it didn't occur to me that someone might respond to a post from literally years ago. I'm sort of sorry that I did read Dan's post because now I'm interested in sample modeling and I can see more
$$ leaving.

Stan

EWI 4000S can be linked direct to Ketron SD2, but how to use banks other than bank1?
I supose it is necessay a computer or a controller that has bank change feature, and the EWI do not has.
Interested in buying the SD2, but not sure due this disaventage. Is it possible?

You can get all of the SD2 patches into Real Band. It's in the Support section on this website on how to do it. There's a patch access from the right click menu on the selected track. From the drop down list of patches you can select the sd2 and go from there. I haven't tried using my ewi-usb with it yet though. I'm probably confuse, but doesn't the ewi 4000s have an on-board synth?

Stan

Yes, Stan the 4000s has on board sounds but it can also access midi, thus it is not limited to those on board sounds.

Thanks for the info. Sounds pretty versatile.

Forgot to add that the EWI-4000s has 2 additional keys. One is for octave doubling, the other is a bit more complicated but allow you to hold notes for harmony during a legato phrase. Also, since it will play without any other device (hardware synth or computer) you can use it to practice your fingering, even if you don't much like the built in synth sounds.

Also, most recently (Feb 2013) I have seen the EWI-USB selling for as little as 209-217 (eBay, bhphotovideo), making it extremely affordable.

Finally samplemodeling has come out with a revision of their Saxophone Family using their own SWAM engine, instead of Native Instruments Kontakt which in my opinion is a lot better for Saxes and the new Clarinet. However, they Brass instruments are going to remain with Kontakt.

Some new demos here:

https://soundcloud.com/dstong

Dan Tong

I just uploaded a demo using Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Bari Sax, Alto Sax, and Bass Clarinet doing a solo all in one song. It's done with the newest samplemodeling SWAM virtual instruments released very recently. I left out the Soprano Sax because I ran out of song time : )

This one was done with the EWI-4000s.

https://soundcloud.com/dstong/flamingo-by-e-anderson-ted

Very impressive!

Sounds great Dan, although a bit pricey for me.

I had the EWI USB and played it once. As a sax layer I could not get on with the fact the keys dont move it felt weird

Zero

I bought a AKAI EWI USB, when I put the laptop Power(adpater), the key and the octave roller is not working,but the breath controller is working C# note is sounding but when I take out the Power adapter its working fine with the battery power.Tried with windows XP and Windows 7. Toshiba and Dell Laptop.

Yamaha WX5 (sadly, no longer in production)

Pros:

Access to these continuous controllers: wind, lip pressure, up rocker switch, down rocker switch, on/off toggle, on/off momentary.

No internal sounds, so you can control any synth of your choice

Small and light

Cons:

Reed and octave switches eventually wear out and need to be replaced (not expensive or difficult)

Note: I don't like the EWI because the bite sensor doesn't give me complete control of pitch variation. Instead, a capacitor determines return time to zero pitch deviation. As a long time sax player, I want to control vibrato intensity and speed - including the return to on pitch, or intentionally play a bit off pitch and very slowly bring the note to pitch. I know you can do that with bending plates, but that's not intuitive for me, and my fingers are busy doing other things.

I haven't tried the Aerophones. But I hear good things about them. The WX5 gives me all I need, and until a feature comes around that makes me want to switch, I'm happy here.


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