AKAI EWI USB REVIEW - Worth it??

[@Armando_Gutierrez]

Have you guys ever used an AKAI EWI? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[@MiguelCatalaoMusic]

Hey Armando i have an EWI USB for about 5 years maybe... I''d say with the EWI 5000 wireless the USB running almost twice the price of the USB, it still makes sense. But if you're thinking about playing live with it, the freedom of low latency wireless midi is something to consider. Also i think the 5000 has 2 more octaves as the 4000 had, it has program change buttons, and it has a sound module. For that, though i have the EWI USB and agree it is a great device for the price, if i was buying now, i think i'd go the extra 290 eur for the 5000. Anyway... Just for some background, i'm not a sax player, i'm an flute and Recorder player. And the EWI is great because it allows you to selected a bunch of different fingerings ( including the trumpet as you said). While i did try the sax fingering and it was ok'ish i often escaped to the other instrument's fingerings, and soon started to use EWI's fingering more simmilar to a recorder. I think it would be interesting if there was a fingering programmer so one could use it to create his own fingerings. I only have 3 issues with the EWI but these are not with the USB itself, as these are just the same in the other 2... As i'm not a sax player, the air resistance from the mouthpiece is hard to grasp. I often have to let air escape from the sides of my mouth to renew the air from the lungs. Also, the pitch bend plates are very strange to use. They're hard to control and i never got to get the control of pitch from the mouth piece, at least to the point i like the results. So, i end up with some annoying bends that i don't think are quite normal in a sax. Finally, as you stated the buttons are really very very sensitive. I have thick fingers, sometimes they touch 2 buttons at the same time or at the keys and the ewi starts doing stuff i didn't want it to do... Other than that, this is a great instrument and an amazing feat of technology.

[@MiguelCatalaoMusic]

PS.: Just to say that to my knowledge, no other software controls the EWI USB settings, so... You're stuck with the ARIA software for that. The sounds suck, but i don't think you can control it without it. And depending on your playing style, you will need to change that stuff, like dynamics,fingerings, etc.

[@Armando_Gutierrez]

Hey Miguel. I appreciate your input, as will most people who read about your experience with the EWIs. I’ll keep that in mind if I decided to get a 4000 or 5000 EWI! Thanks again🙏

[@DocHollidayGames]

@@MiguelCatalaoMusic I use the EWI USB with Kontakt, Alchemy, EXS24 and miraslov philharmonic orchestra and configure the respective CCs for the expressive controls. I only use ARIA for GPO.

[@DampSeagull9166]

Armando Gutierrez I just heard about it and I want one sooooooooooooooooo bad I play trumpet but I thought it would be fun to play most of the sounds on the ewi

[@synthsnail]

I can't believe this instrument isn't more popular, as a guy who grew up playing the sax and does a lot of work with software synths this is really appealing to me! great video man!

[@bluedragontoybash2463]

It is not exactly cheap. Also as a midi instrument, it didn't produce it own sound. Well.. that is kind the reason why I haven't bought one yet.

[@bluedragontoybash2463]

Thanks.. I kinda expect to hear some musician snobish comment about how useless the digital wind synth is. I came out delightedly surprised

[@7_Lee]

I just ordered mine going to use with my ipad air

[@Madmohawkfilms]

I just ordered one, back ordered alas. Was hoping you’d mention which sound module or VST you are using instead of the one Akai includes. I’m a guitar and Mandolin player who’s experimenting. I’ve heard that Native Instruments Session Horns is good. I’m mainly after Sax, Trombone and Trumpet . Thanks

[@verlatenwolf]

Use swam, they are great with the akai ewi.

[@devlinlynden]

Idk if it’s anything like the ewi5000 but if it is then the manual is worth the read

[@hadihijazi3096]

Hey Armando! Great review, I really love your honesty haha. Anyway, I just wanted your opinion on something I wanna do. I was thinking about getting an EWI and I already have one project in mind. Do you think it would be useful in making an El Vito cover? I wanted to do a cover of the choir arrangement on flute but I think doing it on an EWI would be interesting too. What do you think?

[@johnnyparker2128]

I’m going to order it and see if it’s compatible with the Akai Force.

[@Armando_Gutierrez]

Johnny Parker Nice man. I hope it works out for you!:)

[@Armando_Gutierrez]

Oh before I forget, if you buy it from Amazon and use the following link, i get a small commission at no extra cost to you. amzn.to/2l8MgY3 I put it all towards the channel so I can deliver more value to you guys. Otherwise no biggie. Thanks so much for watching!🙏🙏🙏

[@bernardotinoco2233]

Hey! How about playing it live? Does it work without headphones? Thanks!

[@joshuarosen6242]

It's ust MIDI controller so yes you can play it without headphones but you need a computer to connect it to. You can't just plug it into an amp.

[@talkingwithspencer1942]

How much do one of these go for???

[@Armando_Gutierrez]

Talking With Spencer Talking With Spencer The USB version is just under $300 off of amazon last I checked👌

[@ambrozkeen]

Is there a free substitute to the software it comes with?

[@Armando_Gutierrez]

Ambroz Keen I just use the garage band that comes with my MacBook 😂

[@phildoctor2461]

Hi Armando, is the sensitivity of the keys adjustable? And is the Akai EWI USB also suitable for beginners? (I only got recorder lessons as a kid, maybe the new Roland Aerophone Mini would be a better choice then.) Thank you for your review!

[@Armando_Gutierrez]

Hey Phil! To my knowledge, the keys are not adjustable:/. I would say it's pretty beginner friendly, but I would say it is quite different than the saxophone. Or any other traditional instrument for that matter. Thanks for commenting!

[@phildoctor2461]

@@Armando_Gutierrez Thanks!

[@kathlyngutierrez]

I’m interested in content that is Armando related...should I consider subscribing ??

[@Armando_Gutierrez]

Kathlyn Juarez LMAO yes

[@jimihendrix4376]

Don't buy Nothing from AMS unless you want to get used merchandise at a New price, their policy is to resale returned goods as new unless otherwise called out over it and then they are willing to cut you a deal if caught. This company is very unethical and underhanded at the way they do business, I will never buy another thing from them period.

[@49taur]

Hai parlato 4 minuti senza farcelo sentire!

[@marthinusdawidvanrooyen2508]

Weirdest looking Hitachi I've ever seen.

[@24nikita]

Honestly you fish out the USB cable without explaining what connectors are on each end. You don`t explain how its connect and where on the Sax it fits. Maybe you did the video just to hear the sound of your own voice, otherwise I didn`t learn anything and watching was a awaste of 4 minuits of my life, text included. Maybe you did for your Mum to see you on her screen, "Oh my word isn`t he a pretty boy".

[@bluedragontoybash2463]

its a standard USB cable, the kind you get when buying an inkjet printer.

[@DaynJo]

Was there really a necessity for blaspheming? I mean people who dont notice/care/mind dont miss the profanity. People who do, will dislike, and not sub/watch. This makes zero difference to anyone other than the You-tuber (you) who is trying to build a sub base. Which option do you think as someone trying to "catch-all" makes more sense. Even from a business standpoint?

[@benjaminsgs5799]

Lullaby what??

[@zenonbiesek3699]

Oh Dear. Blasphemy!