AKAI vs NuRAD

[@EddieEWI]

Very nice comparison Curt! I’m totally with you switching from 4000S to the NuRAD! It took me a while to get used to the smaller octave rollers but really enjoying it!!

[@maum2732]

I'll miss your ewi era, but enjoy a lot the nurad one! Also, are you gonna change your name, as nureddie or something like that?

[@EddieEWI]

@@maum2732 NuRAD is still an EWI to me!

[@ewi_den]

Eddie!! Thank you! We need to meet sometime soon. I love what you do.

[@noelgillett346]

Taking a look at the NuRad myself, only to learn that the company is experiencing production bottlenecks and two year delays in delivering the product. Is this still the case? Am I mis-informed? I do hope that you have managed to land yourself the nuRad; hoping to hear news that the back-order issue is being resolved. Good luck with big hopes you make big advancements.

[@MarcoZarco]

A dozen bonus donuts to you, Curt, for an excellent comparison! I hope to get my NuRAD soonish :)

[@ewi_den]

Marco, I appreciate the Bonus Donuts!!! I hope your Nurad arrives soon!

[@rodrigoc.goncalves2009]

Nice video! Could you explain how the vibrato lever works on the nurad? And the portamento being controlled by the bite sensor, doesn't it limit the portamento to lower notes a lot? I'd really like to know more technical details

[@ewi_den]

Great suggestion! I've been traveling, sorry for the delay. I'll put a video together for that, I played the opposite way for 10 years. It felt good in about two weeks when I changed to the bite portamento.

[@rodrigoc.goncalves2009]

Interesting, I couldn't find that video in your channel, perhaps you mean that you'll upload a new one about that issue of bite portamento vs vibrato?

[@ewi_den]

@@rodrigoc.goncalves2009 That was a typo. I meant : "I'll put a video together for that."

[@ewi_den]

Sorry!!!

[@noelgillett346]

I've been playing the Yamaha WX-5 and the EWI USB. While I'm not happy with the software on the Akai EWI USB, it's the mouthpiece that I find to be a big plus. In particular I've found that switching back and forth between the two mouth-piece types makes for a big lift with regard to the experience of playing these instruments. Two very different mouthpiece types, two very different embouchure techniquies, it's the contrast between the two that does much to improve the experience, at least for me personally. Big thanks for this most erudite and enlightening video.

[@ewi_den]

You are welcome!

[@thebreathalyzer]

Your comments about learning the controller before getting into different synths is interesting. I did spend a good amount of time using primarily one synth plugin before I started messing around with a lot of other stuff. As I've gotten more comfortable with my controller, I'm noticing a lot more differences in how the different synths respond. Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@ewi_den]

Thank You! You are welcome. Hope all is well.

[@rjones1357]

The CV out on the NuRAD may also be a controller advantage if the player wants to control hardware sound modules that accept Control Voltage input.

[@robappleby583]

The CME WIDI Master is another excellent solution.

[@ewi_den]

I've never had a chance to try it. The Midibeam is onboard on the NuRAD.

[@mannytuzman3461]

I got a fantastic custom sound on the AE-10 updated the system and lost my custom sound. What do you think of AE10 or AE30 ?????

[@ewi_den]

I haven’t played either, I’m not certain they support EWI standard fingerings, and I’m not willing to change, which takes them off my list. Reports are they are very good instruments.

[@DrDaab]

@@ewi_den They support standard EWI fingering, but the octave key mechanism is v hard to get used to.

[@ewi_den]

@@DrDaab Thank you!

[@PhilGeissler]

@@DrDaab I felt that way when I first started playing my AE-10, but you get used to it after playing it for a while.

[@liadatzmon198]

Thanks a lot for thia well-made and informative video! Helps a ton!

[@ewi_den]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PhilGeissler]

It's funny half of the points you give to NuRAD I would give to the EWI. But then again I've never tried the NuRAD so I guess it's not fair for me to opine.

[@ewi_den]

👍

[@jamesburke5016]

Closed breath system? Now I need to google this. I thought all EWI were all breath. I just assumed.

[@ewi_den]

It means the air doesn’t flow through the instrument. It still operates on air pressure blown into the instrument. Important technique is to leak air on the sides of your embouchure to facilitate the response of tonguing. It’s is a great system, and becomes comfortable quickly.

[@windysynth]

Nice comparison. I only wish that the NuRAD was available somewhere. The company is supposedly retooling to mass produce them or something. How did you get yours?

[@ewi_den]

Sorry for the delay, I was off the “grid” for a bit. I reached out to Matt Traum at PatchmanMusic.com.

[@nashvillesax]

Onboard chord rotation is a big plus for that Brecker/OBX sound.

[@ewi_den]

Agree! I’m looking forward to exploring it!

[@wwoodard8]

What about the Sylphyo? I’m also very curious about the side by side fingering system. It would seem to me to be confusing after a lifetime of having higher notes “higher” on the instrument. Is it tricky to get used to?

[@ewi_den]

I don’t have any experience with the Sylphyo, sorry. It only took a couple minutes for the side by side fingering to feel ok. That surprised be, I started playing sax in 1971.

[@ewi_den]

I just checked out the Sylphyo. Very cool instrument.It does use the EWI Standard fingerings but appears to only have 2 pinky keys. (That would be a bit limiting, the Akai has 5, the NuRAD has 6)

[@mannytuzman3461]

What about AE10 or AE30 Roland????

[@DrDaab]

Manny: They are both quite nice, but after using the EWI-USB and EWI-4000s, it is quite a pain to get used to the octave mechanism of the Roland instruments. I like the rocker switch a lot more on the AE10 than the replacement on the AE30. However the AE30 has position sensors, so you can tilt the instrument up-down, or sideways which gives you two additional controls (like the head positioning with TEC MIDI breath controller). All in all the keys touch/feel is not great compared to the EWIs. The biggest advantage, however, is that the Roland's have the absolute best built in sounds, although still not up to the excellent samplemodeling and audiomodeling software virtual instruments.

[@kiantan5153]

I had an EWI5000 before had an EWI1000, then EWI3000. It does suprised me that closed system on 1000 is much more responsive and expressive than open system once you get used to it! EWI modules actually had the chord rotator before 4000s btw, including 1000, though it can only be used when controlling via midi not internal sound, only if you get a very rare and expensive combo with AKAI AX600 (a keyboard synth with an EWI1000 controller jack), the midi rotator gets easier to program and could be used for internal sound. One thing I realy loved a lot on modules before 4000s is the external input, a genius design that never showed in any other windsynths. It's a shame that AKAI didn't keep those wonderful features and turned into cheesy sampled sound and lagy bluetooth on newer modules😢 NuRad defintely is much better on performance, but 1000 and 3000 still have the most special EWI sound to me.

[@ewi_den]

Thank you! Great information!

[@fredericpariset1246]

Thanks for the comparison I would add what is for me a major advantage on the NuRAD and this is the sensitivity of the sensors on the NuRAD I found quite difficult to calibrate the Sensors of the EWI’s while the NuRAD gives the player the ability to better control the sounds as I find all the sensor on the NuRAD extremely precise on the other hand I found the pitch bend on the NuRAD more difficult to manage because of the extra sensibility compare to the EWI as already mentioned in the comments the CV is a plus for people using modular synths The is one thing I have experienced also when using the wireless midi if you don’t when any midi transmission problems you should limit the midi flow (use low resolution midi for the breath and limit the number of transmitted sensors to 2 maximum if you don’t want to get the midi buffer saturated which generate stock notes or strange behaviors) I have completely stopped playing the EWI’s to pl are y exclusively the NuRAD and I am more than happy with it Thanks again for this video Take care Fred

[@ewi_den]

Fred, Thank you for this information!! Very helpful.

[@TheWindGinProject]

THE EWI DEN: I'm thinking of selling my SWAM All In Bundle. Do you think anyone in your group would be interested? Please feel free to delete this message or let me know if I should.

[@ewi_den]

You can post it on the EWI DEN FB Group. Cool? May I ask, why you want to move from them? (it seems as though everyone wants them.. which leads me to believe someone will be interested.) I don't have them, after discovering EVI-NER, I haven't used anything else, there is so much to explore there.

[@TheWindGinProject]

@@ewi_den Thanks! I will post there after approved. I just requested to join. I know I should keep it; the sounds are wonderful. The answer is I need to sell a few things right now and I know that I have a great deal for someone. I purchased using a Musician's Friend payment plan. I need to get out of the monthly payment because my rent is going up and I really never could justify the cost for my skill level. Thanks for your help!

[@ewi_den]

@@TheWindGinProject I get it! I’ve been there several times. I just approved your membership, feel free to post. Please acknowledge that I gave you permission. I hope some one purchase them!!

[@TheWindGinProject]

@@ewi_den Thanks again!

[@ewi_den]

@@TheWindGinProject You are welcome!

[@lofwyr5063]

Ah, lemme just grab a NuRad real quick then. Ohh.................. too bad I really would have enjoyed that cheap alternative to the EWI...wait how much does the NuRad cost? Ohhhhhhhhh...... Yeah I'm sticking with my Akai for some longer.

[@ewi_den]

Thank you for taking the time to watch my video and leaving a comment. I understand that NuRad's price point and waitlist might be a barrier for some players, and it's always important to find an instrument that fits your budget and needs. My intention was not to promote one instrument over the other but rather provide an honest comparison based on my personal experience. I appreciate your feedback and hope you continue to enjoy playing your Akai. Best regards.

[@lofwyr5063]

@@ewi_den Yeah, I know you didn't but, there are people out there who, upon switching to a NuRad become a bit stuffy, to say the least. But yeah it's mostly the waitlist that bothers me, then the price...for that price I can buy more hardware. The akai is objectively inferior to the NuRad, but I don't know if the inferiority measures up to the waitlist and pricepoint of the NuRad for me. I think I'd rather just buy other instruments (like a guitar or something) instead. But who knows how long I really can resist its lure. I am interested in the NuRad, after all.

[@ewi_den]

@@lofwyr5063 I recently had a conversation with Johan, he mentioned the hold-up is supply chain issues with some components they need, the Berglund team is just as frustrated as anyone else, having an in-demand product and no way to fulfill orders. He hoped they would be up and running full speed by the end of the summer as that was predicted by his suppliers; Berglund had made arrangements to enhance production right before Covid hit. UGH! In the video, I tried to stay clear of my reliability issues with Akai, as I didn’t know what to expect from the NuRAD. I started playing EWI full-time about 12 years ago when a jaw tremor ended my saxophone career. (I’m fine, the tremor may even be gone) In those 12 years, I went through (2) 4000’s and 4 (5000s) and only one (a 5000) is still working. In the summer of 2021, I reached out to Matt Traum, telling him I needed another EWI and a different plan, stating I would rather not purchase another Akai. Six months later, Matt found me a NuRAD FEB 2022. It’s been about a year and a half so far, and there are no issues at all. It is nice to have peace of mind. I play and teach every day, sometime all day, so I do use them heavily, but still, my keyboards and other devices have held up through the years. It’s my hope the the NuRAD remains reliable… time will tell. Take care!

[@maum2732]

Thanks for sharing. When comparing them 'just as controllers' I totally agree, but I don't think I'm alone thinking that I'll keep the ewi just for having onboard sounds (convenience and more flexible use cases for my money), I think it's still kind of unfair to compare a double mission product (can produce sounds on its own -and unplugged-, and also can be used as a controller) with a product designed specifically to be a controller and no more. And is also more expensive. I feel comparing the nurad with an not specified ewi model, but just focusing on them as controllers, its a bit like 'lets compare a server with a laptop, but lets focus just on its portability and convenience'... of course the laptop is the winner..., this analysis could be better taking one specific ewi model (maybe considering price range also, as is not the same an ewi usb that a 5000 or a solo)

[@ewi_den]

I’m searching for the best controller, I stated clearly that if you want internal sound the NaRAD is not for you.

[@maum2732]

@@ewi_den Yes you did, I didn't mean any disrespect; thanks again for sharing information.

[@ewi_den]

@@maum2732 It’s cool. Thanks for checking it out.

[@mannytuzman3461]

Any take on AE10 or AE30???

[@Garflips]

Yeah but within the NuRAD you get tooth decay and possibly diabetes. Been following the NuRAD since it was on the drawing board. It deserves all the praise it's been getting. The longer I wait to get on the list, the longer the list gets. Personally I'm experimenting with touch capacitance in a guitar fretboard layout. We'll see how that plays out. Great presentation.

[@ewi_den]

LOL!! I hope you get your Nurad very soon! Your guitar idea is awsome! Thank you!