Is the New $500 AKAI EWI Solo (Electric Wind Instrument... Solo) the Best EWI Out There?

I snapped up the EWI Solo as soon as I saw it was released at the end of August... even though I said I would abstain from buying any more new instruments for the rest of 2020. The EWI is special, okay??? Also sorry Adam, I stole your thumbnail text lol
This is video is not sponsored by AKAI, nor did I receive any free product from them.
Amazon Affiliate Links (Purchasing products from the links below help support the channel!)
EWI Solo: amzn.to/2FeAKoh
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EWI USB: amzn.to/3m0Fcrj
My first EWI Video: • Here's Everything You ...
EWI Shirts: www.hellomerch.com/collection...
EWI Solo Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:08 The Bottom Line: Should you get the EWI Solo?
2:08 EWI Solo Sounds
2:39 “Acoustic Instrument” Sound Demo (EWI Solo)
5:17 Synth Sound Demo (EWI Solo)
7:14 Patchman Soundbank Sound Demo (EWI 4000S)
10:13 New Feature Overview (EWI Solo)
14:18 The Built-In Speaker (EWI Solo)
15:08 Pricing
16:04 My Final Verdict
16:30 My Ideal EWI and the Future of Wind Controllers
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[@pok2mon421]

Alternative title: *"Best Bard build review for DPS and Support."*

[@GeebzGBZ]

And the DPS is focused on Electric and Thunder damage.

[@Vertisieze]

Alternative title: I can't get my new vape to work, but it keeps making sick riffs."

[@Isteak80]

Behold the Cyberpunk 2077 Bard spec

[@justswift5369]

leave your adc behind, chimes and ganks are everything

[@bettersax]

Great review Carlos. I've ordered one of those as well, but will have to wait as I'm in EU. You've ruined all the surprises for me...

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Haha glad you liked it, Jay! I hope you’re pleased by it! Maybe you’ll have a different opinion than me, or value certain features differently!

[@willumwillum]

Have I played a wind instrument? No Do I have any musical experience? No Did I watch the whole video? Yes

[@thomasway0320]

Do I want to buy it? Yes Do I have the money for it? No

[@moonrazk]

His other video on it introduced me to the awesome band T-SQUARE and I learned about and interesting instrument, so I definitely didn't regret watching those two videos.

[@CluelessAnon]

Only took me five years to learn how to say Carlos's last name. I always thought it was pronounced "Eye-n". Now I know it's "Ee-nee". ...unless he was purposefully saying it weird to pronounce it like ewi.

[@phenylmusic]

same

[@aaronnichols4120]

Bro that was me

[@KasaiRayquaza]

When he did one of his collab videos he said his email (which had his last name in it) and he pronounced it "EE-en-EE" there too. Before that, I assumed it was pronounced "EEN".

[@BrodySchoonMusic]

I said "EE-AIN" for a long time, I don't remember where I found out the real pronunciation but it yeah I spent probably 2 years saying it wrong

[@visualeyesmusic]

I actually interviewed him on my channel, and I didn’t know how his last name was pronounced until 5 minutes before the interview.

[@jukebox6819]

Is that an EWI? (Electronic Wind Instrument)

[@MisterAppleEsq]

Yeah I think it's an EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument).

[@hashiispep]

No no I think you're mistaken, I'm pretty sure it's an EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument)

[@Duke_of_Petchington]

And So it begins about the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument).

[@brandobond]

Every time he says 'EWI' take a drink!

[@smoggie878]

[Banned from barrens chat]

[@peeb3425]

Holy shit since when was Carlos absolutely JACKED

[@joshward7009]

Holy shit

[@sunnyiro]

insaneinthegains

[@DiegoAguilar-sk1pu]

Remember: No InsaneInThePain, no InsaneInTheGain

[@josephmurray5915]

THE ROBO OBOE!!!!

[@jamescanjuggle]

XD

[@aaronnichols4120]

Nice pfp

[@lightyagami1058]

The Roboe.

[@thygod]

My vote goes to roboboe.

[@josephmurray5915]

@@thygod ROBO OBOE 2020

[@joshuawood1082]

Alright I don’t know if anyone’s said this yet... he’s technically playing an EWI solo... on an EWI Solo

[@freshlysqueezedaesthetics2942]

The name makes it harder to search for this thing to be honest lol.

[@jazzzzdude]

@@freshlysqueezedaesthetics2942 Does that mean that my new product called The Thing won't show up in any search results?

[@freshlysqueezedaesthetics2942]

@@jazzzzdude Pretty much

[@TheGozeraye]

“No wait he has a point…”

[@tntboom21]

I like how alot of the tones names are reference to T-Square

[@cbr3220]

Truth and T-Island really gave them away

[@dego-mon]

I wonder if I can get goose sounds on a ewi, for uh, research purposes...

[@rendrennan2294]

Dego-Mon hjonk

[@loganwalker7882]

This was actually extremely helpful, I really appreciate it Carlos!

[@jamescanjuggle]

I really like these style of videos reviewing your instruments, especially the portion of the vid showing off the sounds(loved the funk from the 4000)

[@kiltymackilterson7489]

I’ve been looking forward to this since I found out this was a thing. I’ve been looking into getting an ewi since I watched your first review, and it’s great to hear that the solo is exactly what I’m looking for

[@kemzi2454]

This review is INSANE! Best job ever! You are SO AMAZING!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

[@TheLittleBigL]

Oh my god I have been playing the clarinet for like maybe 16 years and only NOW found out about EWIs. Thank you so much for this video, I am pretty close to just buying the SOLO now. I need this so bad!

[@shinigamimiroku3723]

Insaneinthereview! Honestly, I really enjoyed this; it was detailed but easy to understand, serious yet light-hearted. Will you be doing more?

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Probably not unless a new EWI gets announced haha

[@nintendude794]

Mason Abney EWI 2: Electric Blew’galoo

[@TheBigCheese84]

​@@nintendude794😅😅😅😅😅😅😊😊😊

[@SakuyaIzaYee]

YES! I was looking at the EWI Solo and I was hoping you would do a review. Thanks, Carlos!

[@Totally007]

Outstanding playing , and great 👍 review. I own EWI 4000s for many years now and love it .

[@delta5599]

I was hoping you would review this as soon as it dropped! THANK YOU!!!

[@happyaardvark1911]

Can you imagine strolling up to band class with this bad boy

[@midnightshadowsx]

Loved the second half of the sounds, love the synthwave sound~

[@MatthewGagliardoMusic]

Awesome review! I've been looking into getting an EWI and I think this really helped me with my decision!

[@paweprzewocki4137]

Thank you so much for this video. I didn't realize these were even a thing! ***These are going to be SO popular after Andrè 3000's recent album***

[@bmsoundtrack]

This video screamed the professionalism of those sponsored instrument review videos, or those Rico artist videos. So nice to see it isn't a sponsorship, you just genuinely love the instrument. Just the kind of quality Carlos content we come to expect! :)

[@ac.creations]

oooof @6:42 now you got me wanting to hear your full arrangement of the Spirited Away theme. I like your review format.

[@georgeclayton]

Love the Steps Ahead riffs! 😍

[@Rhoneman]

great info. Have been looking for this.

[@bernardopimentel7249]

7:57 throwback to one of my favourite vids from carlos in 2019 🔥

[@themiekexperience]

love this, i couldnt play a wind instrument for the life of me but learning about one is endlessly entertaining to me.

[@iamadangovea]

lmfao, i loved the adam neely reference in the thumbnail

[@KleinkMusic]

Very much enjoyed this video, Carlos! I'll seriously consider picking up one of these once I'm in the right place financially. It's a shame about the sounds though; hopefully the future of wind controllers is a bright one!

[@ellishawkins5006]

Hope they bring back the pitch up plate to future ewi models!!Awesome t-shirt bro gonna get one ordered to the UK for Christmas for sure, props for that great idea. Also since my 5000 is nearing the end of its life I've been Contemplating getting a new 4000s instead you've helped finalise that decision for me as now I had a new ewi competing but deep down I could see its one for me to skip like the ewi-usb.

[@JCTimmers]

This video was very helpful for making a decision about what EWI to buy.

[@moonblasterbow732]

I love how you wore a shirt that defined what an ewi was, I don't know if you defined it because I skipped the intro, but my question was instantly answered when I saw your shirt

[@EvanTateMusic]

Great video!

[@Sammiwammi69]

I could listen to the panpipes and synth presets forever 😻

[@dumpsterDeity]

I heart the Adam Neely thing where you answer the title question in the thumbnail

[@fatherlyalot4255]

Carlos really going crazy with talkie videos. Me happy 🙉

[@DjentleBard]

Man, can you review everything? Restaurants? Movies? Tv shows? Seriously though, I appreciate how honest and genuine you were with your review. Also, liked and subscribed for your casual rendition of, "Trains."

[@louislameck9128]

The "robo oboe" comment you showed on the last EWI video still cracks me up even today.

[@sush.i]

love the shirt!

[@bobtheguyyyyy]

8:07 can we talk about how hard this slaps

[@yotrakzproductions7324]

Thanx. Fair and honest review.

[@Dalligator]

Very helpful video, I’m looking into buying an ewi and you’ve helped me know what to get

[@hypersonic12]

Was not expecting to hear Steps Ahead in this video! :D

[@BlueNoteGaming_]

Thank you for this. This pretty much solidified for me to get the 4000S 🙏🏾

[@gordonmarsh7980]

Enjoyed your video. I was a sax and flute player for many years and finally quit playing, but I had seen that video back in the 80's that Michael Brecker did with the Steinerphone which really blew me away. Soooo... I'm sitting around the house being bored to death and, after some investigation etc. I bought a Yamaha WX5 from Matt Traum at Patchman Music along with the turbochip with all those sounds on bank two. Those guitar sounds! I bought a small PA from a friend of mine and should get my WX5 within a week. I can hardly wait. I've always admired the sort of things that David Gilmour, Scott Henderson, and other guys with huge sounds do on their guitars. I think it's probably not possible to entirely duplicate that sort of playing, but I think I'll have a great time . Plus there's a bunch of other cool sounds to play with on that soundbank. Thanks for your informative videos!

[@djmochaman]

Dude I just got an ewi solo by your recommendations very well done and thanks..

[@basementmidi]

Looking to get one of these to trigger SWAM VST's. Great review! Thank you so much for posting. Love to hear flute players and SWAM users to chime in.

[@rebeccaabraham8652]

I'm really glad you qualified the comment about the 'harmonica' voice........if any of my harmonicas sounded like that, I'd 'deep-six' it so fast it would break the light barrier!

[@shepp7207]

ooooo you got the camera angles. smooth

[@paulvine8127]

I wanted to get a 4000s, but it was too expensive secondhand. I might actually get this EWI! Thanks for covering it!

[@diegojavier7371]

7:30 who recognized that song from Hibike Euphonium?

[@ericyoon822]

Hell yea I do

[@Semor-bn1lh]

Yee

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Haha, it's original by T-Square, but there's a very popular wind ensemble arrangement done of it that was used in Hibike Euphonium!

[@dishwasherdetergent3366]

@@insaneintherainmusic huh, I didn't know that

[@davidreesey6747]

Nice!

[@imbeatha]

I fell in love with the instrument! Need to buy one asap 🤍 Thanks for the video 🍀

[@nathanlewis2645]

Could we just take a second to imagine how amazing an insaneintherain ghibli album would be? Carlos please, you have the power and the skill to make this happen. EWI Studio Ghibli album. Or maybe just a single song to start. You did it 6 years ago but think what it could be now with those EWI skills.

[@digitalgridmusic1768]

3:15 The Little hint of the So What solo was flawless. It is bare none my favorite song to play on bass.

[@AAABattery__]

Ok, I would love to see more videos like these! Or maybe even videos reviewing video games or video game soundtracks, and your thoughts about those.

[@insaneintherainmusic]

Haha, probably not in the cards since I have so much work to do with my covers, but I felt that this thing was important enough to talk about.

[@AAABattery__]

@@insaneintherainmusic fair enough, understandable. Keep up the hard work tho!

[@mattshnoop]

Okay, now that I've heard you playing some Ghibli tunes on those EWIs... I'm gonna need some dedicated covers. Carlos + Ghibli sounds like a perfect mix.

[@daysteppin2]

Dayna Stephens here, love your videos! I think we should gather a list of EWI players that want the 5500s or 6000s or EWI Supreme or EWI MAX. We all know the list would be long. The loss of midi out and inability to load Patchman sounds is always a deal breaker for me, really being able to shape ones own sound is most important at the end of the day.

[@hm51008]

Dayna’s EWI solo on Gilad Hekselman’s tune The Hunting is fantastic. Not sure what specific patch he is using but highly recommend checking it out!

[@bradleybartelt6897]

Me who has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about: “Interesting”

[@wens13]

#12 Truth definitely sounds like one of the sound settings Takeshi Ito uses for TRUTH, though I believe he's used at least 4 or 5 slightly different ones throughout performances. The original TRUTH was played using the Lyricon. One can even find the original music video from 1987 on KZbin where he's shown carrying just the controller part of the Lyricon into the studio. #190 Retro Wind sounds like one of the versions of Omens of Love (from 一夜限りのFANTASTIC SQUARE LIVE), though again there are quite a few versions. #200 T-Island doesn't sound quite as close to the original. (T-Square fan passing by...)

[@yryo617]

Love that you mentioned T-Square, super old school but amazing band. (Along with Casiopea etc.)

[@djmochaman]

Also new Fan.. Thanks again..

[@HAZNAUT]

*your a godsend*

[@cookedchicory6742]

This EWI Solo seems pretty cool for beginners who want to avoid the hassle of managing the EWI USB. Nice comparison. Two points of camera view was a great idea, it really feels like an interview. Thanks for the great insights and sound examples. I was obviously able to recognize Ghibli themes. But also the Miles solo from So What somewhere around 3:15. Ah, and African Skies of course. Those 4000S sounds are .... so fat. The Fluegelhorn lower register sounds so good.

[@ScoptOriginal]

I would argue that it's designed for performers who need an instrument that's good for both practicing and performing. You can use the built in sounds and speaker to practice, and then when you need to perform you'll be plugging it in anyway, so why not use it as a midi controller and plug in your own, better, sounds? That way you have a convenient practice instrument that is identical to your performance instrument without compromising on either.

[@theginkgo]

I admit it's kinda funny when the guy in the video wears the same shirt as you do. (very interesting review!)

[@rjones1357]

You can probably get a USB MIDI Host Interface box and semi-rack mount the EWI 4000. Great video, by the way!!!

[@verylostdoommarauder]

Thanks for this. I'm a clarinet player who just found this and is interested in trying one of these out.

[@Phicksusmc]

I’ve watched a few of your videos and just realized I recognize you from the one where you went to your friends house with “the lick” doorbell

[@jigurd]

2:58 I want you to do an arrangement of all of Holst's planets now, after that sample :D

[@havefilmwilltravel5860]

Interesting to see where wind controllers have gone in recent years! I purchased a Yamaha WX5 back around 2002 from a "Mars Music" that was going out of business cheaply, and played it for years in a church music group, and then later in theatre productions and occasionally in a jazz band, with a Korg Triton rack unit and later a Yamaha MOTIF rack unit. I still have it, and the synth units, but haven't played it in years. I might need to pull it out...get the ol' fingers back in gear. I like the addition of internal sounds but the lack of MIDI on this new unit is crazy to me!

[@ericalbert6954]

Merci beaucoup l'Ami !!!!

[@hautbois123]

This video was amazing!!! I have a question for you. How little air pressure can you use and get a decent sound out of it? Does it have a setting to adjust its volume output and the amount of air you use?

[@Danimperator]

Thank you very much for your very interesting demonstration ! You answered several of my questions. (Even if I did not understand everything. I am french and you speak as fast than you play ! You are a very good musician ! 👏🏻 I own 2 controlers : the Ewi 5000 and the Aodyo Sylphyo. For me, the sounds of the 5000 are not good enough to play in public. And so are the sounds of the solo too.It is of no use to put 200 bad sounds in an Ewi! I will wait for the Ewi 6000 or the Ewi Sup !!! I use the sounds of the Dynasample XpressO (played on Ewi 5000 or Aodyo Sylphyo.) . For me the best quality and handy sounds an possibilities(it can play playbacks adjustable in volume … You don’t need to carry a computer … You are not the first to say that the speaker is not loud enough to make a gig. I bought in second hand a little amplifier (made to amplify a phone) It fits in one of my pockets and allows me to make a reasonable gig. You helped me really! Thanks ! I pray for that Akai hears you and build a real professional instrument . My best regards:Daniel

[@feraldynaufal]

It's easy to see you as the next generation Takeshi Itoh :D

[@icedmorning7610]

Thank you for another video on our lord and savior EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument).

[@tantheman0921]

All hail our savior EWI 🎷

[@orb9760]

Praise the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument)! 🎷

[@stevepardo]

thx carlos! i think ima go for the solo - i just wanna plug it into serum/vital with my own synth patches anyway :) seems to be a step up from the ewi usb for that kinda thing

[@connorlee8983]

I think it would be pretty cool if you got an old EWI model, like the 3000, and make a video about how it compares to the newer models!

[@MultiMelodia]

That's a fancy looking sax-a-boom.

[@ukebob]

Thanks so much for this most informative review and comparison of the other Akai EWI models. I'm a flute player who recently tried a Roland Aerophone AE-01, but found the sounds deficient, especially the ones purporting to emulate real wind instruments (though the clarinet wasn't too horrible). After watching this vid, I'm leaning toward agreeing with you that EWIs are mainly valuable for their synth sounds. It also appears to me that the screen on the back of the Akai Solo is a huge step forward. Trying to change sounds and settings on the Roland is laborious since the only way you can tell what instrument or other setting you've selected is via a series of beeps. Annoying! Would love to see Akai come up with a model that encompassed all the best features from all their EWIs that you mentioned. Thanks for your review(s). I see a Bay Area screensaver behind you, do you live and play in the Bay Area? Would love to see/hear you play. Anything on KZbin? Thanks again.

[@benjaminsoethe5251]

This is really awesome! I’m not a sax player but I do enjoy the new technology. I don’t expect a synth to sound like a traditional instrument. It’s like expecting cgi to look like real life. Or a robot to act natural.

[@agentxxx8]

Hey Carlos, out of curiosity have you ever messed around with humming into your EWIs? I've discovered that the EWI4000 breath sensor is so fast that humming modulates the sound in a very obvious way. It's actually to the point that you can change the perceived note and octave without moving your fingers (depending on the harmonic relation between the note you hum and the note you finger you can also get a range of timbres including a timbre reminiscent of a distorted guitar)

[@Newchannel-q1t]

Im going to try and get one for my birthday and bring it to my band class

[@johnleclerc5711]

You're right about the sounds. Casio 80's comes to mind. The Yamaha VL70M and SWAM instruments can actually use on a gig.

[@mcstench8913]

i fell in love when i heard the synths

[@calschneider273]

Great review. Seems pretty obvious that the 5000 was meant to target more customers so I get why they did it. Keep it up Carlos!

[@KasaiRayquaza]

Heh, wore my EWI shirt today, not even knowing this was coming. Twinsies! XD

[@diegolicata01]

great review finally a review made by someone who actually knows the ewi! i was wondering, if you don´t have the upper bend plate how do you bend notes up now?

[@koolevro4071]

A workaround would be to use the glide plate with your left thumb and slide up by manually playing a higher note. It would be different compared to just using the pb plate but I don't think it would be too hard to incorporate into your playing.

[@insaneintherainmusic]

I'd probably use the glide plate and manually slide up! Bending down is so much more natural to most wind players, so I'm glad the bend down plate is still there.

[@sebastian-lilienthal]

Hello Carlos, Thank you for your great review of the Ewi-Solo. That helped me a lot. I just bought an Ewi-USB and I am having a lot of fun with it and I am thinking about using the Ewi live. The Ewi-4000 is very hard to get used, so you tried the Ewi-5000? Can you recommend it, or are the sounds worse than the 4000? I am a saxophonist myself and only need the synth sounds. Many greetings + many thanks Sebastian

[@Androidoom]

Have you done much using either as midi controllers? How well do they do at controlling VST instruments? Can you get 4000s+Patchman comparable sound by using the Solo (or EWI USB, for that matter) just controlling virtual instruments on a computer? And thanks for a great review!!

[@flutethyagu]

Congrats for nice video. For more expressions portamento, which model is best

[@braidonsaelens5174]

I don’t think you understand how happy that bit of Forward made me

[@DJ-bz4vi]

Thank you for your review on the ewi solo. I see your a sax player. And a good sax player. I will stick with my ewi 5000. Just curious do you feel you play the ewi instruments other than saxs like they would be played on the real instrument or do you just play in the style of sax but using other instrument sounds?

[@andrewhughes600]

Love all your reviews. Any thoughts on the Roland AE30 Pro?

[@JosefCreations]

AYYYY COOL AND EWI!!!!

[@Altarior]

I just realized I've listened to this guy's music for years and never knew what his voice sounded like....

[@ryancozzolino7832]

I thought he was holding a machete at the beginning.

[@scarface1367]

They don't call em axes for no reason...

[@brandonhale7574]

The pad sound on the Solo made me happy

[@svenclaussen]

Thanks for this video. Do you have any recommendation how to get the patchman sounds to the EWI 4000 these days? The vysex editor is not working anymore under macOS as far as I know