Digital Saxophones Compared - Which One to Get?

Jay Metcalf compares 3 of the most popular digital wind instruments Yamaha YDS-120, TravelSax2 and Roland Aerophone AE-20 #bettersax #saxophone #ewi
Roland Aerophone AE-20 geni.us/EjdqES
Yamaha YDS-120 geni.us/D6rk
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[@HarrisonAnesh]

I just purchased the AE-20 a few weeks ago after watching all of your previous digital sax reviews. For me, I think it was the right fit because it gives me extra versatility to play different sounds when I'm jamming with my band, yet the feel is close enough to my sax to where what I practice on the AE-20 transfers to my sax. I've been having a lot of fun with my Aerophone, and one feature that you didn't touch on here is the pitch bend wheel! The pitch bend is really useful when I'm jamming and doing call and response with the guitar player! Though I agree with you that the bite control is not as useful as I originally thought it would be. Thank you for always posting helpful videos, Jay!

[@ericperry1861]

I think insaneintherain made a great point that when playing an electronic wind instrument, don't treat it like a replacement for real instruments, treat it like a digital instrument and you'll find it much more satisfying.

[@bettersax]

agreed

[@josephmarinucci9073]

Love practicing and playing on my Roland AE-10. Not even the slightest desire to upgrade to an AE-20 or AE-30 or switch to another digital instrument. The AE-10 has great build quality, the supernatural sounds are fantastic, it's fun to match different sounds to different songs, and its size and weight make it super comfortable and convenient to play.

[@ize1000009]

If you live in an apartment and have very limited time to practice your real sax then I’d definitely 1000% recommend the EMEO. I had to take a break from real playing and practicing for 1.5 years, but I kept practicing with the EMEO 3-4 times a week, for 2-5 hours. (Because I actually enjoyed it) Just now I could come back and start practicing again on my real sax. And I’m flying through all 12 keys arpeggios everything, and maybe because I was using the supplied alto mouthpiece, my embouchure didn’t suffer neither, and I came back MUCH better then I ever was. It was the best investment I ever made. Now I can 100% focus on tone and articulation practice when I’m with my sax, and leave all the tedious finger work for the EMEO. HIGHLY recommend! (Btw I’m using the SWAM sounds on an iPad)

[@CraigMcGorryMusic]

I’ve had the EMEO for a couple of years and have loved it. I do find that for traveling, it’s a little cumbersome because of its size. So, I recently bought a TS2. The TS2 really can go anywhere. A few points: My EMEO sometimes doesn’t connect for me right away. Since it has no internal sounds, this is very frustrating and I’ve sometimes lost good practice time trying to connect it. Other times, it connects right away and I’m good to go. My TS2 always connects quickly. And, as I said, the size makes it super convenient to take anywhere. It has those internal sounds, so I’m ready to practice right away. I have found it a little glitchy sometimes. I’m not sure if that’s just my instrument or what. I will go to play a key and it will sometimes not play for a moment. I need to find out if that fixable and why that might be happening. But, overall, it works well.

[@fgerv]

I play wind controller in a horn section so I only use SWAM sounds. In 2024 I used AE05 but did pick up a used YDS-150. Paid much less than a new 120. Modified it about 10 minutes using a tube I had to cut to size to fit a removable alto neck, mp and alto strap. Forget any of the internal sounds. Had to strap on a rechargeable battery if I want to use Bluetooth midi. Can’t tell if you adjusted the YDS using the iOS app. With your sound you should stick with acoustic sax. Played wind controller since 1984. Had a Lyricon, two WXs, 2 EWIs, 2 AE 30s. My keepers are AE05 and 10 and WARBL 1 & 2. I host on M1 iPad Pro but have a M1 Mac mini with Sample Modeling horns.

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

I hadn't heard of SWAM, but, after watching a brief trailer, I'm definitely gonna check that out!

[@fgerv]

@@Cysubtor_8vbWhat controller do you have and do you have an iPad?

[@michaelkelly9847]

I didn’t agree with your review of the YDS-150, but your review of the travelsax2 was spot on. Do to its size and internal battery I’m finding myself practicing with it most often. With the limited room available in the cab of my truck it gives me the best chance to get some practice when I’m waiting on a load. It also allows me to practice quietly at home at night as I’m trying to force myself into a practice habit. I’m still looking forward to ordering the Master Class off of the Better Sax website. I’m not sure why I haven’t ordered it already, just trying to figure out the best way to do the class in the truck while I’m on the road.

[@bettersax]

Nice. Black Friday sale starting in a couple days, so it's the best time to sign up for the courses.

[@thecontinentalist8816]

I used your discount code for the travel sax about 6 months ago and have grown to really enjoy it, in that 'does what it says on the tin' kind of way. I've been travelling for the last four months and have taken it everywhere, whilst my sax has mostly been in storage. Ive played it on trains, in tents, camper vans and on bike trips as it fits easily in panniers. I used it in cafe's and it's become a conversation opener as people are curious to what Im doing. I even watch TV with it and pay along to theme tunes and incidental music, whilst still taking in what im watching. It's become a bit obsessional, I have to admit, but it has improved my ear no end. I'm currently full of cold and can, laid low and can still play the thing in bed, as it doesn't require much of a puff to get a sound out of it. The sounds are awful, I just leave it on Trumpet as its the least offensive sound to my ears. I also have an EMEO that I bought at the same time and don't play it as much, but will do once my travelling stint comes to an end. I still play my tenor in a band ( 4 times in four months ) and realise I'm suffering from sarcopenia and so need to rectify that by hitting the gym ! My travels is I must say starting to wear out, after 6 months of solid use. The battery life is decreasing so I always travel with a battery bank that will charge the thing at least 3 or 4 times. The keys are beginning to squeak and some notes like D are getting a bit glitchy. I'm going to speak to the guys in Spain to see if they are interested in taking it back to give it a service. I never thought Id say that about it, but like everything with moving parts, albeit in 3D printed plastic, things do wear out. All that to say I have found it to be a great tool. As for the people taking interest in the thing, it is only women it seems. The Netherlands was a big hit, putting life into the old adage " Is that a Travel sax in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me ? "

[@bettersax]

Great to hear.

[@bettersax]

Great to hear.

[@paulkazachenko]

I do think these digital instruments are nice to have but I practice enough every day that I feel like this is not really necessary

[@davidwood351]

I saw Sonny Rollins in the late 70’s, he played an electronic wind instrument for a couple tunes. It was pretty wild for those days.

[@fgerv]

Had to be a Lyricon. It predated midi.

[@brandolph83]

I’m a beginner, and took a chance on the YDS-120. I actually like it, and it’s fun, although you are absolutely right: it’s glitchy. And that octave key…whoa. Really bad. The forums are pretty up in arms about that octave key. But overall it lets me practice in places I normally couldn’t, like when i travel, or even in the hospital visiting a relative. When I progress to more intermediate level, I will really take a look at the Emeo.

[@MrArztz]

what do you think with saxophone sound between ae-20 and yamaha yds 120? i feel like yds 120 is more realistic. i still dont know what to choose. i love yamaha sound but after hearing cons. it makes me unsure.

[@brandolph83]

@@MrArztzIn truth, I think my YDS-120 sounds like a toy. It’s not a realistic sax sound at all. I can’t speak to the AE-20. There are other sounds that sound kind of other-worldly, and they are fun. The flute type sounds are fun. But I like it because it helps me practice my fingering, not because it sounds good. Hope this helps :)

[@MrArztz]

​@@brandolph83 it helps a lot. i heard sound only on KZbin, so real user comment is more solid. what i have heard might be editing and making sound good.

[@Frygonz]

Are you able to transpose to F on the fly? I'd like to be able to transpose quickly between C, F, Bb, and Eb for use as a rehearsal tool as a band director.

[@chris-johnson]

I ordered the Roland AE-30 Aerophone Pro today. On Sweetwater and Musician's Friend, it's $450 off, bringing the total to $999. With the 48-month 0% interest financing option, I finally decided it was time to pull the trigger. For approximately $20 per month, I think I'll be satisfied with what I get out of it, which is hopefully fun.

[@bettersax]

Yeah, that's like the AE-20 with some more options. You'll have fun with it.

[@JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton]

I have all of these (older Aerophone), also the EMEO. But by far the best is the original Akai EWI that Brecker used. Far more expressive; I have one. OK, not sax fingering, the others are good for practice, with the EMEO being the best.

[@_mickmccarthy]

Regarding budget options, there's also cheaper variants of the AE-20. I picked up a AE-05 to use as a practice tool (most of my music making time is after the kid's gone to sleep, so the actual sax is off the table for that situation!) and it's pretty great for that IMO

[@fgerv]

The AE05 is a keeper but not for internal sounds.

[@_mickmccarthy]

@@fgerv Yeah the internal sounds aren't great (the additional ones available through the app are better, but I can't be bothered with the app most of the time). Though for practice purposes, I'm mostly just concerned with hitting the right notes in time rather than the actual sound quality, so it still does the job for me.

[@realsynth-classicalmusic]

The AE-20 now has quiet keys. Older units can be retrofitted.

[@chanokim]

have you tried NuRAD?

[@bettersax]

I have not, but want to.

[@waynepharo]

Jay, I recently bought the Travel sax 2 but I am confused on how to use the Blue tooth features. I tex the company several times w/o any response. I can not get my travel sax 2 (TS2) bluetooth to connect to any apps or my computer. Are u saying to hook up BT to your headphones and use the apps or computer for sounds to go to your headphones, so that you can hear the backing track on headphones while the headphones are pluged into your DS2. That way you hear the backing track on headphones and hear the music you made from your TS2 together!! Hope that make sense. If not can you explain how to incorporate BT on your TS2!! Thanks you Wayne Pharo

[@maveri.k]

Not sure if you are asking in your comment, but if you connect via Bluetooth the TS2 with your phone for example, any music coming from your phone as backing track your can hear it through headphones and play over it

[@jimmymiller5465]

What about the EWI?

[@fgerv]

Sold every EWI I owned long ago.

[@HQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQ]

@@fgerv Why mention just EWI? Let us see the whole list of items you sold. Akai's are great.

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

I was literally sitting here debating if I should get the Yamaha YDS-120 while it's on sale and you upload this 😂

[@fgerv]

Check Reverb for a used 150. Don’t offer above a new 120.

[@HQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQ]

yamaha definitely is not worth it. At least Roland or go straight to the best.

[@hazzahazza8589]

One of these would be great to practice with but why are they so expensive?

[@HQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQ]

Just because.

[@HB-ve4wi]

Agreed. 45 Euros for a plastic tube worth 10 cents?

[@donbrown9476]

Nothing compares to the Yamaha WX5/VL70 - great instrument. Don’t know why Yamaha stopped making it.

[@fgerv]

Before Sample Modeling and then SWAM I would agree. Got rid of that combination in 2015. Would never go back now.

[@3dsound741]

Though you were going to play Original Rays there for a sec.

[@paulbeaulieu9338]

Am I the only one packing an old metal clarinet everywhere? It is the instrument that gives me the most trouble..... of course, it is not a sax 🙂

[@fgerv]

I made a lamp out of mine.

[@CullenThaDog]

A bettersax baritone sax would be TERRIBLE rn...😏

[@ericdano]

Yamaha one sucks balls. Why no review of the Akai 5000 or that other one they make?

[@m.w.]

Even in my worst dreams i would not buy something like that....😅

[@fgerv]

Yes if you don’t know how to use iOS devices for music then stick with acoustic instruments. Most musicians I play with have your prejudice. .

[@HQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQ]

@@fgerv Well, nobody is Michael Brecker so... You can stick your iOS wherever you like. =) Have a nice day or night or whatever is on your side.

[@streamsniper146]

First?