YDS-150 vs. Travel Sax | Comparison of these two digital saxophones (English subtitles)

Yamaha's YDS-150 and Odiseimusic's Travel Sax are both electronic wind instruments that imitate the acoustic saxophone. In this video I will explain which of these two wind controllers is the better one from my point of view (ENGLISH SUBTITLES) (sorry for the sometimes bad autofocus of my video camera ...)
1:32 Mouthpieces of YDS-150 and Travel Sax
4:32 Key action of YDS-150 and Travel Sax
5:36 Price comparison of the two electronic wind instruments
6:14 Sounds on the YDS-150 and the Travel Sax
11:16 "Travelling":Which is better to take along?
12:20 Ports on the YDS-150 and the Travel Sax
14:01 Usability
17:20 Conclusion. The winner is ...
LINKS, WHICH I MENTION IN THE VIDEO
Price Yamaha YDS-150 (at Thomann): bit.ly/yamaha-yds-150
Prize Travel Sax at Odiseimusic: www.odiseimusic.com/
Muppet Show Melody: Sheet Music for Saxophone Quartet: bit.ly/muppetshow-SATB
MORE VIDEOS THAT MIGHT INTEREST YOU
Unboxing video for the YDS-150: • Yamaha YDS-150 | Unbox...
Unboxing video for the Travel Sax: • Travel Sax | Unboxing ...
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MY VIDEOS
Which wind controller do you own?
- Akai EWI Solo: amzn.to/3gzZ9kS
- Yamaha YDS-150: bit.ly/yamaha-yds-150
- Roland Aerophone AE-10: amzn.to/37EbrVw
- Akai EWI5000: amzn.to/2MSSNks
- Travel Sax by Odisei Music: / @odiseimusicofficial
How do you record your wind controller for the videos?
I use a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio: amzn.to/2trJ1iw
DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links that allow you to find items I mention in this video. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission at NO ADDITIONAL cost to you. You are in NO WAY obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support!

[@praxiskoerpersinn]

Danke für diesen sehr strukturierten, übersichtlichen und informativen Vergleich. Es hilft mir sehr bei meiner Entscheidungsfindung! 👍🏻

[@ewiplayer]

Vielen Dank! Freut mich wenn's geholfen hat bei der Entscheidung :-)

[@Loschel...]

Sehr informativ, vielen Dank. Ein Update mit dem YDS 120 und travel sax 2 wäre spannend ;) PS das muppets-thema passt sehr gut (das erste Stück, das meine Lehrerin mir damals beigebracht hat).

[@captainscarn740]

This is a great video i really appreciate it. One of the only really detailed videos i could find.

[@ewiplayer]

Many thanks!

[@vonklinkenhoffn1]

This was really helpful, thank you!

[@AndSendMe]

This review has been useful twice: first, when I was deciding on whether to buy the Yamaha, and second, when while waiting for the Yamaha I was reminded of the Travel Sax and wondered if I'd made the wrong decision. (Yeah not the best memory in the world.) Thank you!

[@ewiplayer]

You're welcome and I'm very glad the video was useful to you. And in case you forget that you've already watched it twice, just watch it a third time. 😊

[@streaksax]

Vielen Dank für das gute und interessante Review. Mein „Bauchgefühl“ hat auch das YDS-150 vorne gesehen.

[@ewiplayer]

Vielen Dank für den Kommentar. Mein "Bauchgefühl" hat sich inzwischen nochmals verfestigt. Das Travel Sax nutze ich nur noch selten, denn das YDS-150 liegt insgesamt einfach besser in der Hand und lässt sich für meine Begriffe einfacher spielen.

[@ioiooism]

Great review. I can't wait for you to do a review on Emeo saxophone.

[@christinekamburg6110]

Auch wenn ich alle Argumente pro und contra teile, möchte ich doch darauf hinweisen, dass das Travel Sax bewusst ohne eigenen" Ton" konzipiert wurde und als reines Midi - Instrument mit jeder anderen App verbunden werden kann, um viel mehr Sounds zu erzeugen. Die Verbindung über Bluetooth funktioniert bei mir bestens, daher ist es sehr schnell spielbereit. Gedacht ist es als Übeinstrument, insbesondere für alles, was Mitbewohner und Nachbarn nervt. Es kann prima auf Reisen mitgenommen werden. Faszinierend: es kommt aus dem 3D Drucker.

[@DieterLo1]

Super Vergleich!

[@clairechocolate12]

Vielen Dank für das Video!

[@ewiplayer]

Bitte sehr :-)

[@ichbinderichbin]

Danke für die Vorstellung der beiden Geräte. Es hat mir sehr viel gebracht. Jetzt heisst es "sparen, sparen, sparen und noch mehr sparen ...!" ;-)

[@ewiplayer]

Bitte sehr, freut mich, dass es hilfreich war 😊!

[@jorgeazocar9585]

great review, I also hope soon a complete test of emeo saxophone

[@jonasadamson6645]

Sehr informatives Video😊🎼🎶🎷

[@ewiplayer]

Vielen Dank 😀!

[@matthewhughes1950]

Really appreciate this in depth review. I'm looking to getting an e-sax to get back into saxophone.

[@dirkojuchem]

vielen Dank - sehr hilfreiches Video(!!!)

[@ewiplayer]

Bitte, gerne :-)

[@overthetarget9401]

Dirko! ;-)

[@hoppellutz]

Hallo, danke für den Vergleich der zwei elektronischen Saxophone. Travel Sax 2 hat aber auch zwei beziehungsweise drei Schnittstellen, mindestens das TravelSax 2. Gruß, Lutz

[@brianpite0893]

Thank you for the comparison. I own the Yamaha for a week now. I really like the fact that you can lower the volume so not to disturb others. My only concern is that if use a soprano stand it prevents it from drying out completely because it would close off the bell. I feel wiping it down where the drain tube is , is not enough maintenance. Laying it in the case and keeping it open to dry is inconvenient. I may have to make a stand that that lets it lay horizontal. Thanks for the video.

[@maveri.k]

Use a trumpet stand

[@ewiplayer]

After playing I remove the mouthpiece and blow directly into the neck of the instrument, so that as much water as possible drips out of the YDS-150, because you can't pull a cloth through the instrument like on a "real" saxophone. I hope this helps so that my YDS-150 can dry.

[@SashaPak]

Brian, how do you like the instrument three months after and how often do you use it? I’ve had to stop playing my real alto sax in the flat because of the neighbours and am now looking at YDS 150 for silent practice

[@maveri.k]

Ich habe drauf sehnsüchtig gewartet! Vielen, herzlichen Dank! Super video und das einzige auf KZbin das die beiden vergleicht. Sieht aus, dass das Yamaha Sax schon ausverkauft ist und die Lieferung bis zu 6Monaten dauern kann. Der Bariton-Sound vom Yamaha ist super! Kann man mit dem Yamaha Bluetooth Kopfhörer benutzen oder geht das nur mit Kabel? Ich weiß, dass das mit dem Travelsax nicht möglich ist. Danke!

[@jlabena]

I can't wait to get my new YDS150 saxophone, it's so in demand that it's out of stock everywhere. It's my Christmas present. No more reason to stay without practicing the saxophone. It looks closer to the saxophone than the Roland Aerophone. Its built-in speaker seems to give a better sound! Confirmation on the day of the reception! Tick tock D-Day minus 3! I'm lucky.

[@ewiplayer]

Ja, das YDS-150 ist offensichtlich ausverkauft ... da wurde Yamaha wohl von der Nachfrage überrascht :-) Bluetooth-Audio funktioniert "externes Gerät --> YDS-150". Ich kann z. B. mein Smartphone über Bluetooth mit dem YDS-150 koppeln und Musik vom Smartphone auf den (Kabel-)Kopfhörer des YDS-150 streamen. Der umgekehrte Weg, also YDS-150 --> externe Bluetoothkopfhörer, funktioniert glaub ich nicht. In der Bedienungsanleitung steht zumindest nichts dazu. Ich besitze allerdings keine Audiobluetoothkopfhörer. Versucht habe ich es aber mit einem Bluetooth-Einzelkopfhörer (so einen für ins Ohr zum Telefonieren). Damit konnte ich keine Verbindung zum YDS-150 herstellen.

[@swisscrossroad5902]

good review!

[@ewiplayer]

Thank you!

[@Valero7]

Thank you!

[@ewiplayer]

You're welcome!

[@simply_ohizu]

Thank you for this comparism I am able to make a better decision on which EWI to buy

[@ewiplayer]

You're welcome. I'm glad, if it was helfpul!

[@Roy7591]

Bin sehr zufrieden mit dem Yamsha YDS-150 - die Anschaffung lohnt in jedem Fall.

[@kaiboger1839]

Würde mir auch gern eins anschaffen. Kann man das Yamaha YDS-150 denn irgendwo ohne Wartezeit bekommen? Die Händler, die ich angefragt habe, haben eine Lieferzeit von bis zu 22 Wochen ;((

[@marceloramos2488]

Great detailed comparison, would be great if you can eventually get a hold on an Emeo to make the same comparizon.

[@ewiplayer]

Many thanks! Well, if I get hold on an Emeo, I surely might consider a similar comparizon. I have to admit although, that for the price of the Emeo, I will buy an Aerophone Pro first :-)

[@AnYiPapa]

Dies ist ein detaillierter Vergleich und Einführung. Yds150 ist derzeit in Asien nicht verfügbar. Es muss reserviert werden und wird im Juni nächsten Jahres ankommen.

[@itsabadreed]

Very informative review. How do they compare if, say, you were going to use it mostly as a “silent sax” to practice and not disturb your family? What’s the noise of the air or keys like on these instruments? Also, is latency an issue if you are using earbuds through the apps?

[@ewiplayer]

Glad to hear the video was informative, thank you very much! 😊 When practicing silently in your room, I don't think you disturb anyone in the family with either instrument. One can hear you blowing into the instrument and possibly key noises, but that's about it. I made a very short clip demonstrating what you can hear when playing the Travel Sax: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maHJoneYrrKhoLc The noise while playing the YDS-150 is very similar though, I think. Latency can definitely be an issue. With a high-end smartphone, the Bluetooth connection between the instrument and the app might be acceptable, but with my Nokia 7.2 it is too slow, except when I play veeery slowly. I therefore prefer to be able to plug (wired) headphones directly into the headphone jack on the instrument and use the internal sounds. This is only possible with the YDS-150 because the Travel Sax has no internal sound library and no headphone jack. Therefore, for me, the Yamaha instrument is clearly more suitable for (silent) practice than the Travel Sax.

[@ab4zr1]

I would give the YDS-150 points for the for the fantastic low A key and the ability to program 20 more sounds in addition to the 73 provided. I dropped the Tenor and Bari an octave for some cool contra sounds. It is also Bluetooth programable and Bluetooth payable. I also use a remote power supply in my pocket..All fun!!

[@emmanuelgaulon9360]

Great, but now you have to test again with the Odisei Travel Sax 2

[@ewiplayer]

I will, just backed Travel Sax 2 on Indiegogo :-)

[@raimondirsara8038]

Herzlichen Dank für die Beratung. Ich habe mir ein Yamaha YDS-150 gekauft und möchte das Instrument mittels USB an meiner DAW Reaper /Windows10 für Midi Aufnahme verwenden. Hab den Jamaha Treiber heruntergeladen und installiert, in diesem steht aber nur ASIO nicht Midi. Reaper erkennt keine Midi Device. Gibt es einen anderen Treiber, der funktioniert?

[@philippedaussy6817]

I recently bought a Travel Sax, before knowing of the YDS 150. I am a bit disappointed by the Travel Sax. The fingering feeling is not what I expected (too much sensitive) and the sound is not really what I expected. All comments in the video are true in my eyes. The main advantage is the size and transportability. The YDS is twice more expansive but it’s possibilities and range of sounds is 20 times more. The best is... to have both to adapt to the circumstances. Travel with Travel Sax, practice at night with the YDS 150. Play real sax whenever possible !

[@ewiplayer]

Thanks so much for the comment. Glad to hear you agree with my comments in the video. By the way, I also agree with your addition of playing the saxophone as often as possible. These wind controllers can be fun, but if you want to play the saxophone, you should also practice with the saxophone whenever possible, because YDS-150 or Travel Sax do not replace the "real" saxophone.

[@johnhoulihan8986]

Vielen Dank für das gute Review. Has your opinion about the Yamaha YDS150 changed over the last three years? Are there any realistic sounds that don't sound like a toy? Have you tried the Emeo? I'm attracted to either the YDS150 or the Emeo so that I can practice quietly but the Emeo is twice the price! mit freundlichen Grüßen aus Irland.

[@trumpfakerap3592]

Can a person play fast be-bop on either of these instruments? Say, "Donna Lee" or "Confirmation"? You said the key feel was superior on the Yamaha, but not really in what way. I do have large hands (I am 6'6") ... you mentioned this regarding the TS. I wonder if my right hand index finger would hit the spatula? (since they are across from each other). BTW, you could use an iPad Mini (which has a headphone / AUX out port). Thanks...

[@ewiplayer]

In my opinion, the key action is much more sophisticatedly designed on the YDS-150. When you press a key, it just feels smoother and more precise, and the keys are more robust. This, I'm sure, also allows you to play the YDS-150 faster than the Travel Sax. If the sensors of the YDS-150 are good enough so you could play "Donna Lee" ... I don't know. I am not good enough on the saxophone or on the YDS-150 to really test it.

[@trumpfakerap3592]

@@ewiplayer Thanks. I'll let you know when I find out. I warmed up on "Donna Lee" for many years.

[@trumpfakerap3592]

Can the Yamaha play iPad instruments? The port is USB mini - can it function as regular USB? Thanks.

[@ewiplayer]

The app for the YDS-150 is also available for iOS devices. Since I don't use Apple products myself, I can't test it, but a reader of my blog told me that he was also able to control an iOS synthesizer via USB-to-Lightning adapter cable.

[@ninjaaron]

Very cool and useful video! One question: I am an American living in Germany, and I an curious where you are from and what accent this is! (sorry! I'm kind of a linguistics nerd. Accents are very interesting to me!)

[@ewiplayer]

Thanks a lot, glad to hear the video was useful! I am from Switzerland. So what you hear is a typical accent of someone from the German-speaking part of Switzerland speaking High German/standard German and not our own Swiss dialect.

[@user-tu1bx6lg1c]

Very nice and clear video, welldone. I have one q: If you use at the Yamaha , recheargeable batteries, can you charge them directly with the USB port, or you have to charge them out of the instrument? And what is approximately the duration of the batteries? Thank you :)

[@ewiplayer]

Thank you 😀! I have never tried to charge the batteries through the USB Port. I always take them out and use a separate charger. I am not 100 percent sure, but as far as I understand it, it is not possible to charge the batteries while they are inside the instrument. According to the manual priority is given to power from an USB cable if there are also batteries inserted. This means: The instrument uses the USB-Power to power the instrument, not to charge the batteries. My batteries last several hours according to my experience. But I have never tested it exactly.

[@user-tu1bx6lg1c]

@@ewiplayer thank you very much for your fast & vlear answer

[@aliterogasolini6401]

Guten tag, Do you think the YDS 150 would play with a conventional Saxophone neck fitted, it doesn’t look right being played like an Oboe. Thanks for an interesting review, Danke schoen, Tschuss.

[@ewiplayer]

Well, I personally think that the instrument looks similar to a normal straight soprano saxophone. That's why it hasn't bothered me so far that there is no conventional curved saxophone neck. 😊 I think it could work with a curved neck, but I don't know, if there is a neck that fits the YDS-150 (officially there is none and my standard alto sax neck doesn't fit). I'm also not sure if a curved neck could change the response of the breath sensor, making articulation more difficult. In short, it might work, but I wouldn't count on it.

[@vonklinkenhoffn1]

I was wondering though, how is it to clean these instruments? Is it even possible to keep them clean? I imagine there must be some buildup of saliva over time..

[@Sveinbeard]

Great video thanks. It would be intresting how you think the different sounds compare. i.e. comparing realism of the sounds - which one sounds best.

[@ewiplayer]

Thanks for the idea to compare the different sounds ... added it to my list of video ideas. However I do not know yet if/when I can find the time for it.

[@rjones1357]

Is this covered a little with the Muppets Show song segment? Only one part was played on the Travel Sax, correct?

[@ewiplayer]

Correct. In the Muppetshow segment, the Travel Sax sound can be heard where you see me playing the Travel Sax. But I only play the main melody with the Travel Sax there. All other parts are the sounds of the YDS-150.

[@MPardo-cx6jj]

Thank you very much for this EXCELLENT review. I, too would like you to review the EMEO to the Yamaha, YDS-150. One of my prayers have been answered! I prayed for MANY years, when the day would come, that a music instrument company would invent the capability for one to play the saxophone silently, by using headphones, like one is able to do with a few other musical instruments!!!

[@saxman3336]

I have an emeo

[@MPardo-cx6jj]

@@saxman3336 Are you satisfied with it?

[@rjones1357]

Have you had a chance to contact both companies for technical and/or after sale support?

[@ewiplayer]

Because both instruments worked as expected, there was no reason for me to contact the after-sales support. I contacted Yamaha Europe on Twitter before I bought the YDS-150 and my question was answered. The guys from Odiseimusic have made a comment on this video. So it seems to me that both companies are interested in satisfied customers ...

[@red3d]

On the YDS-150, if you are using headphones instead of the built-in speaker, what does a person sitting near you hear?

[@AnYiPapa]

They can hear your breathing and the sound of your fingers pressing buttons.

[@ewiplayer]

AnYi Papa is right. You can only hear the air, which the player blows into the instrument and maybe some clicking noise of the keys. That's it.

[@ursnaegeli9982]

@@ewiplayer Das wollte ich noch wissen - wie das mit dem (fast) lautlosen Spielen in der Wohnung ist :-) Hiermit beantwortet (evtl. habe ich eine Stelle im Video übersehen, wo das thematisiert ist).

[@ewiplayer]

@@ursnaegeli9982 Ich habe übrigens hier noch einen kurzen/unkommentierten Clip, in welchem ich das Travel Sax mit Kopfhörern spiele: in der Wohnung, in der Garage und im Garten. Diese Luftgeräusche sind aber bei allen Blaswandlern etwa gleich. Man hört also nur sehr wenig: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maHJoneYrrKhoLc

[@ursnaegeli9982]

@@ewiplayer Alles klar, vielen Dank! Genau, was ich brauche in der Wohnung - warten wir halt, bis YDS-150 wieder lieferbar ist. Das Travelsax selber liefert Odisei momentan gar nicht in die CH, haben sie mir geschrieben.

[@helmutmero5967]

Mittlerweile gibt es ein Travel Sax 2. Wie würde ein Vergleich heute wohl ausfallen?

[@user-ld2vp2oo1o]

How much is the price

[@kaiboger1839]

Würde mir so gern das YDS-150 anschaffen, um den ekligen Lockdown überleben zu können. Aber es ist für ca. 22 Wochen nicht lieferbar. Gibt es einen Onlineshop in Deutschland, , der das anbietet?

[@ewiplayer]

Mir ist leider auch kein Onlineshop bekannt, der das YDS-150 aktuell noch ausliefert. Die Wartezeit beträgt überall mehrere Wochen.

[@deuberry9784]

I wish the Emeo Sax had been in this comparison, I've owned the Travel Sax for 3 month now and I'm somewhat disappointed with it. Wish I had bought the YDS-150 Sax or the Emeo Sax instead.

[@ewiplayer]

Since I don't own an EMEO, I didn't include it in the comparison. But you are right, comparing the EMEO with the YDS-150 would be very interesting. I really like the look of the EMEO. However, it currently costs about twice as much as the YDS-150, and that was the reason for me not to buy one. Even if the Emeo is as good as a YDS-150 (which I don't really know), the price difference was too big for me.

[@habitdaemon]

I would be interested to know what you find disappointing about the Travel Sax. It would be good to hear from someone with some longer experience than most reviewers.

[@saxman3336]

@@ewiplayer I have an emeo

[@gilsontopfstedt3554]

Also, alles zusammen überlegt... plus the YAMAHA bewährte Qualität... sind die 800 € für das YDS 150, mehr Gerät fürs Geld und die bessere Investition.

[@MrJohnAndrewhall]

Seems you get what you pay for.

[@LetsDrawDragons]

Gutes Review das Saxophon Spiel ist jedoch äußerst untalentiert

[@ewiplayer]

Freut mich zu hören, dass das Review gut ist (ich habe nie behauptet, dass ich Talent habe 🙂)

[@floormatoerbongs1294]

Spijt van mijn travelsax, yamaha was beter geweest , travelsax is ook niet sterk, ik brak perongeluk een van die toetsen

[@carlitospapa9080]

Make a comparison between the yamaha YDS-150 and the emeo