Introducing the Roland Aerophone AE-20

Alistair Parnell takes a first look at the Roland Aerophone AE-20
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[@saxworldwide]

Great video! We look forward to getting our hands on them!

[@isax.academy]

Many thanks @sax.co.uk. I look forward to your own review of the AE-20.

[@raysmith4516]

Alistair…thanks so much for your videos and your comments. I think I’ve learned more from listening to you than I have from other sources. Actually bought an AE-10R right before Christmas and learned about the AE-20 a couple of days ago. The retailer allowed me to return the AE-10R and your video has helped me to decide on the better product when it becomes available in a few weeks. Considering the AE-30, but I’m struggling justifying the cost vs the benefits…AE-20 seems like a real nice middle ground.

[@isax.academy]

I hope you enjoy it.

[@anthonybellve3773]

Geez, I still have the AE-10. I'm a keyboardist thats dabbled in the sax since high shcool. (I mean high school because I was always high). Alistar, thank you for taking your time making this video. You are the god of the Aerophone. You speak precisely and cohseively. You're the best bro. Love you man.

[@isax.academy]

Wow. Thanks. Please keep watching and leaving those great comments.👍

[@EddieEWI]

Sounding great Alistair! Looks like a fun synth!

[@isax.academy]

Many thanks @Eddie EWI

[@oldunclemick]

Excellent demo as usual!

[@isax.academy]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@yuudee3132]

very profession introduction, thanks!

[@isax.academy]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@JoeLinux2000]

You play it beautifully.

[@isax.academy]

Thanks very much. Please keep watching.

[@CreativeSteve69]

Great video as always Allstair. I just received my first Areophone for Christmas the Areophone mini and loving my time with it. Is it possible to come up with a series of song tutorials down the road?

[@isax.academy]

It’s on my list of things to do. What sort of tunes would you be hoping for?

[@Ukhomecinemas]

Thanks for your excellent videos on the AE20. I now have an AE20, but I am fairly new to it and I am hoping you might know the answer to a problem which I am experiencing. When practicing to backing tracks sent via Bluetooth to the AE20 , the instrument sounds from the AE20 are a bit too loud in comparison with the volume of the backing track. I have the volume of the backing track up to max on my iphone ( which is playing into the AE20 via bluetooth) , but the AE20 sounds are still too loud in the mix. I have edited a few of the scenes individually on the AE20 , to play the instrument sound at a lower volume, but its not practical to do that for all scenes. I have looked for a menu setting in the AE20 to adjust the mix ( mix between bluetooth audio and instrument audio) but can't find a menu setting for this. I am now considering buying an external mixer to solve this problem. I also have a Yamaha YDS150 and that doesn't have this problem , the mix levels are much better on the Yamaha. Hopefully I'm just missing something obvious? any advice on this would be gratefully received.

[@baronvonmaximillionsnell2757]

You have a video on that middle East desert sound you made on the 30 Sounds great

[@delfranklin7597]

Wow! Very Nice! You’re so right! The few things they took away, the thumb pad I didn’t care that much for that anyway! Thank you my friend as always you’re awesome..

[@isax.academy]

Thanks again Del :-)

[@ulfbro2999]

This has been very informative. I might buy one of those.

[@isax.academy]

Thanks for watching

[@isax.academy]

Thanks for watching

[@delfranklin7597]

I find using any patch or sound! It’s really the way you think when you are playing your chosen patch! Myself I love playing some of the strings! Reeds! It’s the way you look at it! And feel when your using the patch! And the kind of music or song you playing! You’re not buying a sax! Violin! Trumpet! Guitar! Drums! You’re buying a Windcontroller! I enjoy using these wonderful fun instruments..

[@isax.academy]

Agreed Del. You know how to make the Aerophone sing.

[@jaareda9940]

Nice one! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@isax.academy]

Many thanks Jared.

[@juana.velazquez9286]

Thanks

[@isax.academy]

Thank you Juan.

[@marchelfman3278]

I find that the Roland aerophones are fine if you’re only playing them with the synthesized sounds. But the built-in sounds for acoustic instruments such as violin, trumpet, clarinet etc. aren’t really usable. I use my AE-10 as midi controller which I connect to my iPad with a cable (pretty sure you can use Bluetooth for this with the AE-20). On my iPad, I use the apps from Audio Modeling which now has apps for every instrument in the orchestra. I use this setup (along with a portable amplifier) to play bassoon in my local community orchestra and cello with a trio I also play in. The tuba app is also great, and I’m planning to play that as well in a concert band I’m hoping to join.

[@Trizno]

I felt the same way about the synth sounds vs the "real" sounds (on the AE30). I've found that a lot of the "real" sound great with live with instruments but not so great by themselves. Your sounds are only going to be as good as you amplification. I recommend the JBL EON 10 for a great sounding, powerful, and portable all in one sound reproduction unit.

[@FaunKeH]

As a saxophonist who has been eying EWIs for some time, I would say this instrument is probably best in the hands of a saxophonist who wishes to play synth sounds with sax articulation. But from what I've seen vs other EWIs, the AE series seems to have the most advanced sound set/library yet

[@isax.academy]

Hi all. Firstly thanks for listening and participating in the conversation. @Marc Hellman I agree the SWAM apps are excellent and I use them myself, however its always a case of how these sound are played. It takes work to get the best out of each sound and I’ve found that many internal sounds (with the exception of the saxophones) can work really well in the right situations. Because I’m a saxophone player I’m not keen on the Aerophone saxophone sounds but that’s largely because the saxophone sounds different depending on who’s playing it and their set up. Personally I enjoy they synth sounds most of all but its handy to occasionally call up a flute or violin or whatever. @Trizno I agree amplification is really important. The internal speakers were NEVER meant to be used with a mic. @Pierre Antier key noise is much improved on the AE-20. I’ll try to demonstrate that on my next video. FaunKeh I’d agree with you there. 😀

[@ferencpecsi9561]

Great presentation, very nice music performance! Thank you!

[@isax.academy]

Many thanks @Ferenc Pécsi

[@Icoltrane]

Thanks for your great videos! I have a Aerophone go since 2 years and use Mainstage on a Mac Book Pro for performances. Is it possible to load "The Trumpet" from Samplemodeling or the SWAM Saxophones on the AE20 and play without the Mac?

[@isax.academy]

I’m afraid this is not possible.

[@coffeebreakbyluis]

I’m waiting the next video master!

[@isax.academy]

Should be up in the next week. I hope. 😀

[@isax.academy]

I will try to get the next one done this week. Thanks for watching

[@rickrunion3899]

I hope you address the sound patches. I don't have an Aerophone but I'm looking to purchase one. I was going to get the AE 30 but I think this might suit me just as well. In the video you mentioned that there was some sounds not available. Please go over that in the comparison video. Thanks. Your videos are very helpful.

[@isax.academy]

Hi. If you go to the Roland Aerophone AE-20 page you can download the user manual and parameter guide for a complete list of sounds.

[@AlesaxCL]

I use the ae-10. Two things I would have liked Roland to include is an accesible volume knob, and not have to go through the menu to adjust. For live performances, this is a must! Second; a quick and direct access to select a specific sound, instead of scrolling through all the sounds to go from a patch #10 to a #78 and not have to go through menu and scroll all the way. Specially on live performances. Hope you can let us know if these features will be available on the ae-20, since I’m very interested in upgrading from the area-10. Thank you!

[@isax.academy]

Just a quick answer here. Yes there is a volume knob on the AE-20 which you can decide if it’s external volume or internal speakers or both. Yes you can directly access specific sounds. This can be done with the favourites feature or on the app with just one touch.

[@AlesaxCL]

Thank you for clarifying my inquiry. By the way, I enjoy your videos and find them very helpful with al te tips and advice you provide. Keep it up sir! There are many of us that look forward to your videos and the knowledge you provide us with. THANK YOU! Alistair

[@olive1992]

Hi Alaister. Great video. I have bought an ae 10 about one year ago and I like it for its portability and easyness to play. I use it in place of my Alto sax not to bother my neighbors too much. I would like to know whether the breath sensors and the pressure sensors of the ae 20 are the same than for the ae 10 or if they have been improved. By the way are the sensors the same than for the ae 30? Thx for your help and your useful videos

[@isax.academy]

Hi. I find the breath and bite sensor much more responsive on the AE-20 when compared to the AE-10. They are certainly not the same.

[@olive1992]

@@isax.academy Hi. Thx for your answer. Is the mouthpiece smaller than for the ae10? I am asking you because I find the ae 10 mouthpiece too big to be realistic compared to my Alto Sax mouthpiece... Thx for help.

[@yonatron]

Does the USB-C provide USB host functionality? That is, if you connect this to a synth of recent vintage with a USB type B connector (using a B-to -C cable), will the AE-20 just directly control the other synth on channel 1 (or omni)? Or do you still need to go through an intermediary (like a USB host box, or a Bluetooth-to-DIN adapter (for synths that also have 5-pin MIDI), or just a whole computer) to control a modern synth?

[@isax.academy]

No I don’t think it does. The Ae-30 has 5 pin MIDI so would probably be better.

[@davidrolph3170]

Okay this sounds great, where do you get hold of one, as I have the AE-10

[@isax.academy]

I am expecting them to be available in stores in a few weeks.

[@robalexwar]

Alistair, I wonder if you can elucidate the alternative fingering options such as for Clarinet & Trumpet? I hasve looked at the settings and all I seem to end up with are the standard sax fingerings. Interesting to note that when I tried to check my notes with an iphone tuner I was getting very random notes (particularly on G). When I plugged straight into my old Korg tuner I could actually see the notes I was playing.

[@isax.academy]

Hi Rob. I think this could be a whole video by itself. You will find fingering charts at the end of the Parameter Guide PDF on the Roland website. Did you look at that?

[@robalexwar]

@@isax.academy Hi Alistair, yes, I checked out the charts. My underatanding is that the specific fingering defaults to the instrument e.g. recorder, clarinet etc. The recorder seems to but the others I'm not too sure about. One thing I'm not liking about the instrument is the ergonomics. Particularly with the thumb/octave and getting the low B. Maybe just a matter of getting use to it. Unfortunately the 'bits' like thumb rest and end thing tend to fall off - whilst my dog waits in anticipation for a snatch and chew. The thumb rest fell vicitim on day 1 😟 Certainly proving to be a useful practice tool otherwise.

[@vernonneeley6695]

Hey Mr. Parnell! Another great video! Does the AE-20 offer a constant output option? I looked through the parameter guide but didn't see anyting of the same name. Thanks!!

[@isax.academy]

Hi. Do you mean always on? Or something to do with volume?

[@vernonneeley6695]

@@isax.academy Yes, Always on. On the EWI, it's called constant output and sound is constant without air. All I have to do is provide the fingerings for the notes I want to play. I use this feature with a guitar effect pedal. Once the EWI is connected to the pedal and the pedal connected to a mic and speaker, I can sing into the mic to provide sound while my fingerings provide the pitches.

[@isax.academy]

Ah, yes the Aerophone can certainly do this.

[@davidhayes815]

Do the keys on the AE 20 have that loud clicking sound when you play them like the AE 30. I returned the AE 30 for that reason

[@isax.academy]

I’m happy to report that the key noise is much improved on the AE-20, although it has never bothered me on the AE-30.

[@jcrego]

Hi Alistair, I love your videos they are so well considered and very helpful. I am currently the owner of a Yamaha YDS-150 digital sax and I have been playing it solidly for about a year. I am frustrated with no pitch bend or bite control and was considering the AE-20 and AE-30. I am an amateur player and play mainly at home to backing tracks. Do you think it is worth going for the AE-30 so that further down the line I do not regret it. Many thanks Jonathan

[@isax.academy]

Tricky question. You might be helped a little by my next video that will be published in the next day or two. I’ll also do a direct comparison soon.

[@jcrego]

@@isax.academyThanks, I bit the bullet and bought the AE-30 so I am waiting for your next video with trepidation

[@markmarkster]

AE-20 for $1,000 does seem to be well worth the extra $200 above the AE-10. For the price of the Pro (beautiful EWI) I could buy an AE-20 for me and a AE-05 for my son

[@isax.academy]

Sounds good to me.

[@jlee54]

Wish I knew this was coming out a week ago - just bought an AE-10!

[@oldunclemick]

Maybe the store will do an exchange?

[@raysmith4516]

I bought an AE-10 during the 1st week of December and my retailer allowed me to do an exchange.

[@chrisbee9164]

Hi Alistair, great video. You've helped me decide. At 2:30 in the video, what model roland keyboard is that? Is it the Fantom or Fanto O series, and 6 or 7 model? Thanks. Chris.

[@isax.academy]

Hi. It’s a Fantom 6. 😊

[@chrisbee9164]

@@isax.academy awesome. Do you like it

[@psalms6539]

Hi Alistair, enjoying your channel and all the aerophone reviews. (Noticed your name on the sample thank you's). I'm having an intermittent problem with stuck note. sometimes while holding keys in the left hand, the notes don't change in the right. (summary). Granted, i'm a first time sax player,..... is that a pressure adjustment i need to make. Anyone else having this problem with the 20. I have to release all keys to re-engage the instrument accordingly. Thoughts.

[@isax.academy]

Hi. Make sure you’re not accidentally pressing any of the palm keys or side keys by mistake.

[@AlesaxCL]

I use my ae-10 mostly for live performances in a Latin band setting. As we all know, when there is sufficient budget, we use a complete live 5 horn brass section. When budget is scarce, I play all the brass section parts on my Aerophone-10. Is it possible to harmonize parts “ON THE FLY” by selecting a key signature? Very similar to a vocal harmonizer? If it was for studio sessions, no problem. There is plenty of time to set up and program, but I’m mostly interested on live performances where everything has to be accessible and quick between song. Thank you Alistair for any input you can give me.

[@isax.academy]

Not yet but I’m hoping this will be in the pipeline for a future update. It’s something many of us are hoping for. Roland have been very good with adding features with updates.

[@AlesaxCL]

Thank you for your input. I sure hope Roland incorporates such features.

[@drd1465]

In your upcoming deeper dive into the AE-20 video, please clarify the number of sound presets currently installed on the AE-20 and number of user presets available. The Roland website mentions greater than 260 preset scenes, and 600 user scenes. The Roland AE-20 Scene list shows 265 scenes, 249 Zencore presets and Wavebank A, B, C and D. I find all of this to be confusing at this moment. Are the 600 user preset slots available to load Roland sounds from the Roland Cloud, and what is that mechanism to load sounds. If the work flow to load sounds is the same as the AE-30, and you already covered this in a previous video, I can search for that. Again, thank you for your comprehensive set of videos that are so valuable to those of us who love and play these instruments.

[@isax.academy]

Done

[@tootonit]

Alistair, is the mechanical key noise audibly similar to the AE-30? Thank you

[@isax.academy]

I’d say it’s much improved, I’ll try and demonstrate this in the next video.

[@tootonit]

@@isax.academy Thank you, Alistair, that would be greatly appreciated. This is a key concern for many interested players who also want this for silent practice after hours.

[@edwinchan19590125]

Hi iSax; I owned AE-01, which is I really love it. I have a question about the AE-20. Is it easy to play like the AE-01(I love the AE-01mini apps)and the "AE-20 Apps" is easy to handle? I'm going to but the AE-30 as quick as possible because it's still yet to sell it in Canada! Thanks.

[@isax.academy]

Hi. Obviously the AE-20/30 is a much more professional instrument. You would find the fingering very similar and you can customise the fingering if you like. You would find it much more versatile than the mini.

[@edwinchan19590125]

​@@isax.academy Very appriciate you answer my question. For sure I'll buy it when they have stock in Canada. Thank again iSax!

[@AlesaxCL]

Oh…, I forgot to ask. I’m also curious to know if Roland has included an acoustic guitar patch? On the ae-20.

[@isax.academy]

You can check the patch list on the Roland Aerophone page. Download the user manual and parameter guide for full specs.

[@gianpaolobrescia9601]

Hello Alaister Good morning. Meanwhile, congratulations on your videos. Very interesting the content and the way you explain. I want to learn to play the Sax in general, but also to make electronic music (house and ambient) with various dedicated pc programs and above all, first of all, to be able to learn the instrument at night, without disturbing the neighbors. I wanted to know if also for me, who am a self-taught, you would recommend this type of Sax, so versatile (fingering like the sax but electronic sound emission ... Advantage or disadvantage, for those who learn?). Of course the cost is quite high and initially I could not afford to bear the cost of a teacher; I was thinking of some valid video course and / or specific book to support. Thanks in advance

[@isax.academy]

Yes I do, but remember the acoustic sax responds to your oral cavity that takes time to learn. The Aerophone will not help in this. To me it sounds like you would really enjoy the Aerophone and sure it will help you get used to the fingering but to play a saxophone properly you’ll need a saxophone as well.

[@gianpaolobrescia9601]

@@isax.academy Yes. Thanks Alistar. I am a bit undecided whether to buy the AE 20 or the AE 30 anyway. I will be waiting for your next tea i due comparison video (I have already seen your excellent video of the full review on the ae 20. 🔝

[@parisax]

Does this one still have the problems with the key clicking? It sounds a little more quiet. Thx

[@isax.academy]

The key click is quieter in my opinion. See my comparison video.

[@stefanw2500]

Could you do a sample test and commentary on the sax sounds on this, or whatever can be found on the Roland cloud for saxophones? I'd really like to get into playing sax, but I'm thinking this or the YDS is a better way to start out playing a wind instrument. YDS is "easier" without the mouth-work needed, and so one can concentrate on the notes and read them and so on. But this has the emulated mouthpiece, so might be more true, but harder to learn, or is the YDS a trap in that sense? What do you think?

[@isax.academy]

Hi. The saxophone sounds are not really a priority for me I’m afraid and there are so many other videos I’d want to do. My advice for you would be to buy a saxophone first then think about a wind synth not the other way around. That’s not to say you can’t start on a wind synth but if you want to learn saxophone then start with that. In my opinion having a wind synth without bite control is like having a bicycle without pedals. It’s ok if you just want to freewheel downhill. 😀

[@stefanw2500]

@@isax.academy Thanks for your answer! I've also looked at the Roland Aerophone 20, which has some bite control and mouth-work emulation. But I do know it's not a sax, and the sounds won't be as real as the real thing. But I'm looking for an easier way to begin, since there's so much to learn at the same time, feels overwhelming. So a bikeride down a hill will at least help me hold the balance and steering, right? But then later one can learn to paddle as well :P

[@FarrinD12]

Oooh I’m interested, I’ve had my AE-10 for so long now. Hmmm

[@isax.academy]

Yep, its tempting. I tell you, this is a big step up.

[@rhein2000]

hi Alistair, I received my AE20. How can I transmitt wireless into a bluetooth speaker: what do you recommend? Thanks for your videos

[@isax.academy]

Hi. I’m afraid this is not possible. Even if it was there would be an annoying delay between playing the sound and hearing the sound, making it extremely difficult to play. You could try a wireless guitar set up but most of those are not stereo. The Bluetooth sends MIDI only. Not audio.

[@olive1992]

Hi. I have an ae 10 and I would like to know of one the ae 20, Roland has changed the size of the mouthpiece? Because the ae10 mouthpiece is big compared to my Alto Sax mouthpiece, which makes it unrealistic. Thx

[@isax.academy]

The AE-20 is a different mouthpiece to the AE-10 but I’d say the size is similar. To me it feels pretty much the same as my Selmer alto sax mouthpiece.

[@windysynth]

Is the MIDI over USB standard compliant? (Great teaser video)

[@oldunclemick]

If it's the same as the AE-30 it has two modes and one of those is standard class compliant for use with mobile devices and also works with the current Akai MPC range.

[@isax.academy]

Correct.

[@antonio80911]

Why my ae20 Some time i want play a high note and the sound do not come out look like not change to the other note.

[@joannegore3788]

Hi Alistair. I have the Aerophone Go, but while I wanted the pro version, I couldn’t justify the price. Here in Canada, the pro retails for $2200.00 CDN. Do you have any idea on the ae 20’s release in North America, or even here in Canada? I think I would like to get the ae 20, and sell my Aerophone Go. Thanks. I would like to see how the Aerophone go compares to the ae 20.

[@isax.academy]

I’m not sure of release dates worldwide. I believe shipments should be arriving in the next few weeks.

[@ramakrishnankrishnan4902]

Sir, I am Ramakrishnan I need to know the basic settings to play this instrument, I am a piano player and also play key flute kindly help me for basic settings, like pitch bend, reverb and delay Ramakrishnan

[@edc6774]

Nice video! Really inspiring! Could you please help me with some advice? I have learned to play the aerophone mini and really enjoyed it but wasn’t really satisfied with the sounds, especially the saxophone. I only used the flute and trumpet. Can I customize the same fingering as I am used to the mini? I didn’t even used the learning app as it was so easy to play songs by ear with the mini. Actually your review encouraged me to by the mini at Thomann a few years ago. I am grateful for that. Is this new AE 20 for me or will there be a follow up for the mini? Thank you so much and greetings from the Netherlands.

[@drd1465]

I gigged in my band with the mini for a year. If you are not using the free Roland Mini app on your tablet, you need to look into that. The 50 or so additional voices really open up the capability of the mini. They sound best by adding reverb within the app. I am now playing an AE-10, and the mini stays in its case. As far as fingering, transitioning to any of the Aerophones is easy if you select the recorder fingering.

[@edc6774]

@@drd1465 thank you so much for your reply. I am using my iPad with the free app and despite some latency it is ok. The saxophones in the app are far better in my opinion. Seriously thinking to upgrade and buy another aerophone as I do like it a lot after playing piano for almost 40 years , on and off. 😊Thank you🙏🏻 Roland should put you on their payroll as you have inspired most of us to buy the aerophone

[@isax.academy]

Hi. Yes you can customise fingerings on the AE-20 and of course there are a huge number of sounds to choose from. I have no idea if they will introduce a replacement for the mini. I doubt it because its still doing well as an instrument and suits many people. However, if you’re ready to move on to a much higher level of expression and control then you should have a really close look at the AE 20. Yes, it will take some time to practice and learn how to get the best out of it, but there Is much more expressive control on the AE-20.

[@light487]

Now the only challenge is getting my hands on one. No supplier here has them and no ETA on stock arrival

[@camtron0]

Do the keys still click/ make noise when playing them?..

[@isax.academy]

I can report that the key noise is very much improved.

[@bigcarrot9451]

Can I connect the AE-20 to bluetooth speakers? (Something like a Megaboom 3?) I thought I read somewhere once that there might be latency issues, but can't seem to find any information on this or anyone who has tried. Thanks

[@isax.academy]

I'm afraid you will notice a delay between blowing a note and the note sounding from the speaker. If you're just listening to music it's no problem, but it's a bit of a nightmare when you're playing.

[@bigcarrot9451]

Yeah I was hoping that wouldn't be the case, but I suspected as much. Thanks for replying 👍

[@louiseret352]

It has clarinetfingering! I hope this is also possible on the ae10 in the near future...

[@ernoe303]

To be honest I don't expect any significant updates for the AE-10.

[@isax.academy]

I have to agree, I’m not sure this would be implemented on the AE-10.

[@nuttysquirrel8574]

Why is this an issue?? If you play clarinet, as I do, then sax fingering is exactly the same as the upper register on clarinet so shouldn't be anything strange to what you are used to? Also how are Roland going to solve the problem of the middle register Bb? I have an AE10, have tried a demo AE20 and AE30 and none of them have a Speaker Key......... just some thoughts to ponder.

[@juana.velazquez9286]

If you got the 30, will you get the 20? As a spare? I love my 30, but tempted.

[@oldunclemick]

It wouldn't be for me - I'm really enjoying using my AE-30 to control my Behringer Neutron analogue synth. The bits they've eliminated are must-haves for me that will become even more important when I start buying Eurorack modules to supplement the Neutron.

[@isax.academy]

Absolutely. A lot of people with the AE-30 are doing just that. Personally I'm using the AE-20 more than the AE-30.

[@davidhayes815]

It seems that all of the preset sounds on the AE 20 are in the key of C. I own the AE 10 and that was not the case. Can the preset tuning in the AE 20 be changed to match the actual instruments.

[@isax.academy]

Absolutely. On the AE-20 you can set it to be either way.

[@davidhayes815]

@@isax.academy Thank you sir, that is wonderful news. Can you tell me how I can do that or refer me to where this instruction is in the manual, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

[@jakgff5885]

You need to release the video of u playing separately. What a bop

[@isax.academy]

Thanks for watching. Do you mean a separate video of just the musical examples.

[@jakgff5885]

@@isax.academy yes! They sound great

[@tekgawd]

I just don’t know if 700 extra dollars is worth getting the wave extensions capability the AE-30 has over the 20. I just ordered an AE-20. Hope I like it!

[@isax.academy]

I'm sure yo'll be very happy.

[@robertcorwen4820]

What about key noise in a silent room? Do the keys are as loud as earlier models? This was a dealbreaker for me.

[@isax.academy]

Key noise is much better on the AE-20 although it’s never been a problem for me on the AE-30. I never use the internal speakers and play in a silent room. With a good PA or headphones, as the Aerophone is intended to be played, the key noise doesn’t bother me. Some of the online demos were done using internal speakers and a mic placed near the key work. I think we’re always gonna hear some key noise in that situation.

[@robertcorwen4820]

@@isax.academy Thanks for the answer. I was asking, cause the room I practice in is right next to the bedroom, and if the keys are too loud when pressed, it bothers my significant other when it's late at night. At this point, I'm really torn between getting an EWI (with virtually no key noise) or the AE20. Don't know which one is wiser to pick, especially on the long run (aka which of the two that'll get more support in time).

[@robmatousek1407]

I love the horn/sax/woodwind sounds on the AE-10, much more than those on the 30. Is there a way to get those for the 30?

[@GoBlueHTB]

The AE-30 can use literally any midi.

[@FaunKeH]

@@GoBlueHTB The other models can use MIDI to control software synths via USB or bluetooth, right? It's just that the AE-30 has physical MIDI in/out from my understanding.

[@isax.academy]

@Rob Matousek. I’ve heard this said before. The truth is they are the same Super Natural sounds but I think they’ve been tweaked on the AE-30. I’ve done some EQ and FX editing on some of the AE-30 sounds to get them just how I like them and its great. The other thing to bear in mind is that the AE30 has a very different breath response and therefore it takes a little time to learn how to get the best out of the sounds. Once you’ve done that though, there is a much greater expressive control. I found at first I was just too heavy with the attack on the SN sounds as I was playing them the same way I played on the AE-10. The AE-30 is a very different beast. 😀

[@kevintyner2080]

Does the AE-20 have the vocoder patch ?

[@isax.academy]

It doesn’t have a specific vocoder scene, but it can easily be created.

[@kevintyner2080]

Could you send me instructions to put me on the right path to do this.

[@isax.academy]

Check out Hold mode in the menu. You can set it so the sound continues to play even when you don’t blow. Send the sound out to the vocoder pedal you presumable have?

[@drd1465]

I am very excited about this model, mainly because of the lower price point. I look forward to your in depth comparison with the AE-30. I gig with the AE-10, but would like a larger selection of onboard sounds and the ability to import and save sounds directly into the instrument. I am disappointed that they did not include the thumb and the tilt message controllers on the AE-20. I occasionally use the toggle on the AE-10 to play 2 and 3 note chords, including major, minor and 7ths. Does the AE-20 have this ability? Your upcoming comparison video will be very useful to determine if an upgrade is in my near future. Thanks as always for providing such informative videos demonstrating the utility of these products.

[@isax.academy]

Thanks for watching. You can certainly set the thumb lever to ringer a chord shape.

[@yzimsx]

Does an Aerophone offer something essential compared to a keyboard + breath controller combo, for someone who isn't a pathological wind player?

[@xbcrcx]

I've played the clarinet & saxophone for over 60 years, but never learned how to play the piano, so I can just pick up the Aerophone and play since it has sax fingering. It would take a long time for me to have that kind of facility on a keyboard.

[@yzimsx]

@@xbcrcx I've had a Yamaha WX5 and VL70m for around 20 years, and my original intention was to learn flute and sax fingerings and make sax-like lines ... but nothing much ever came out of that really. In the end it was always just much easier for me to play keyboards and add a bit of breath control. When I listened to this video and closed my eyes, I heard a keyboard synth solo. :)

[@dynoroad]

It doesn't, if you're a competent pianist and a shitty wind player, then get a breath controller. Get the EWI if you're a good wind player and bad at the keys. If you're apt at both, then it comes down to choice. Obviously, playing keys or a wind instrument makes some techniques more difficult and some easier, so you're gonna be nudged in different musical directions.

[@xbcrcx]

There's another reason to chose to play an Aerophone instead of a keyboard. Many college and community orchestras have a hard time covering certain instruments like the oboe or bassoon. If you have an open minded conductor, he'll let you fill in for these instruments.The Aerophone is a more natural fit for this than a keyboard.

[@isax.academy]

@Yzimsx. I hope if you listen carefully to the dynamic, articulation and subtle pitch control that you will hear rather more nuance in the sound than a keyboard alone would produce. Once you get used to hearing a wind synth played well there’s no mistaking it.

[@SunilKumar-bd5dl]

Pls explain transposition

[@isax.academy]

Hi. Can you be a little more specific? Do you mean how to use the transposition feature on the Aerophone? If you mean you’d like to understand transposition in general you could start with this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2iriYaJdpV_fsUsi=8aHXG45IIPi1Qcg9

[@gerardlanphear9185]

Did they address the issue of not being able to swab it out like a real instrument? I get that the liquid comes out the bottom on the AE-10, but ewe. There is nothing worse than standing behind the horn section and watching them drain their horns onto the floor.

[@marchelfman3278]

I support my AE-10 on my right knee as I’m playing, which takes the weight off my hands. When I’m done playing, I turn the instrument off and blow thru it several times and the liquid comes out on my pants leg instead of on the floor. It’s only water so no big deal and my pants are dry in a few minutes.

[@gerardlanphear9185]

@@marchelfman3278 And yet how many centuries have wind instruments been designed to be taken apart and cleaned?

[@isax.academy]

I think to design it to be taken apart might cause some difficulties when there’s electronics involved. 😀. The AE-20/30 both have a ‘water basin’ that sits on the end of the instrument to collect any moisture so you don’t get little pools anywhere.

[@jakgff5885]

Glad I decided not to get the pro lol, saved myself SO much money

[@isax.academy]

Hope you enjoy it.

[@mallery7]

I would be interested in synths and guitar sounds. Not interested sax samples

[@oldunclemick]

Most of the sounds Alistair demoed were synth sounds. I'm sure other videos by Alistair and others will demo some of the other sounds. The AE-30 has some guitar sounds so it's likely the 20 does too.