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Akai Professional EWI 5000 Electronic Wind Instrument / MIDI Controller

Wireless Electronic Wind Instrument/MIDI Controller with 13 Touch Sensors and 3GB Sound Library - Black
19 Write review Item ID: EWI5000
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Akai Professional EWI 5000 Electronic Wind Instrument / MIDI Controller
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Next-generation Electronic Wind Instrument

The Akai Professional EWI5000 builds upon the legacy of Akai Professional's original Electronic Wind Instrument to give today’s wind players the ultimate in musical expression. The latest entry in Akai Professional’s EWI series of dynamic performance wind instruments, the EWI5000 ups the ante with exciting features that include wireless connectivity, USB-MIDI, and a massive 3GB sound library of acoustic and synth sounds developed by industry-leading sound designer SONiVOX. Experience the next generation in wind performance technology with an instrument designed expressly for the modern player.

Note: Due to the personal nature of this product, it’s not returnable.

Related Videos: EWI 5000 Electronic Wind Instrument / MIDI Controller

Unparalleled expression

For precisely controlling volume and pitch dynamics, the EWI5000 features an ultra-responsive mouthpiece with air pressure level and bite sensors. Eight dedicated precision rotary controls let you easily adjust instrument or effect parameters on the fly — tweaking Filter, Reverb, Chorus, LFO, Breath Amount, Bite Amount, Semitone Tuning, and Fine Tuning for a sound that’s as expressive as your performance.

Multiple finger modes

The EWI5000 extends the performance potential of woodwind and brass players alike. With support for multiple playing styles, its interface can be switched to flute, oboe, and saxophone fingering modes. Especially for brass players, an EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument) mode is also included. Whether you’re a classically trained flutist desiring a modern instrument, or an experienced EWI player seeking additional fingering flexibility, the EWI5000 has you covered.

Performance freedom

Featuring low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, the EWI5000 gives you the freedom to perform with maximum expression. The EWI5000 supports stereo wireless audio and includes a receiver for untethered mobility onstage or in the studio. The EWI5000 also supports wired audio and MIDI connectivity for easy integration with performance and production hardware. And because it’s powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, you can play the EWI5000 wherever you go.

The ideal sounds for any performance

EWI5000 comes loaded with over 3GB of high-quality onboard sounds created by SONiVOX, a leading developer of premium virtual instruments and software synthesis technologies. These instruments span every music genre and put both traditional orchestral sounds such as horns, brass, and woodwinds and nontraditional sounds like synthesizers, basses, and leads right at your fingertips.

Tweak your sounds to perfection

Expand your creative capabilities with the EWI5000 Sound Editor software, a powerful platform for manipulating the EWI5000’s sound library on your Mac or PC. Connect EWI5000 to your computer via USB, call up any instrument from the library, and use the filter, two LFOs, pan knob, tune control, and multiple envelopes to tweak it into something entirely new. You can store your edits directly on your EWI5000 for a customized instrument library that’s ready to rock whenever you are.

Akai Professional EWI5000 Electronic Wind Instrument/MIDI Controller Features:

  • Wireless Electronic Wind Instrument/MIDI controller
  • Mouthpiece: air pressure level sensor and bite sensor
  • Note keys: 13 touch sensors
  • Controls: 8 instrument and effects precision dials
  • Octave rollers: 6 mobile, 2 fixed touch sensors (8-octave range)
  • Plates: 2 pitch-bend, 2 ground
  • I/O: 1 USB port, 1 x 5-pin DIN MIDI output, 1 x 1/4" TRS line output, 1 x 3.5mm TRS headphone out
  • MIDI connectivity: USB-MIDI, 5-pin MIDI DIN output
  • Wireless connectivity: stereo wireless audio (2.4GHz)
  • Power: rechargeable lithium-ion battery charged via USB port (charges with included USB cable or wall adapter)
  • Sound library: 3GB of acoustic and synth sounds designed by SONiVOX
  • Includes neck strap, charger, USB cable, and wireless receiver

Additional Media

EWI 5000 Electronic Wind Instrument / MIDI Controller Quick Start Guide

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Tech Specs

  • Type: MIDI Wind Controller
  • Number of Keys: 13
  • Type of Keys: Touch Sensors
  • Other Controllers: Mouth Piece with Air Pressure Level, Bite Sensor
  • Effects Types: Filter, Reverb, Chorus, Tuning, LFO
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (audio out)
  • MIDI I/O: Out/USB
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Other I/O: 2.4GHz Wireless Receiver
  • Software: 3GB Sound Library
  • Hardware Requirements - Mac: Intel Processor, 4GB RAM minimum
  • Hardware Requirements - PC: 1.5GHz Processor or Faster, 4GB RAM minimum
  • OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.8.5 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 SP1 or later
  • Power Supply: Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Charged via USB
  • Height: 26.6"
  • Width: 2.4"
  • Depth: 1.7"
  • Weight: 1.98 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: EWI5000XUS

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5

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9 Years

It's been nine years that I own the EWI 5000. I still play it all the time. Akai!
by Robb from Miltown on

Excellent Instrument

I'm primarily a keyboardist, but played woodwinds years ago. I'd been meaning to get an EWI and spend the time to get really comfortable with it and the pandemic provided just the right opportunity -- lots of time at home, and few disruptions. I couldn't be any happier with my choice of the Akai EWI 5000. It's incredibly well made (built like a tank) and has a great feel. It's so easy to be fluid and expressive with this thing!

It does take time and patience and practice to become proficient. The touch interface is very sensitive, so training fingers to work with it is challenging. But just like learning any instrument, diligent practice is the key.

Due to the pandemic, it took quite a while after I ordered before I received it. However, just as I've come to expect, Chris Sanders and the other folks at Sweetwater did a great job of keeping me informed of progress.
by Carl Harris from Blacksburg, VA on

The next strong step in wind instruments. Best $... bucks I've invested in my more than 2 decades of music shenanigans.

This thing! Where to begin? Looks like a toy but that couldn't be farther from the truth! I've been playing wind instruments for about 17 years. In the wind category: I've played Flute, Harmonica, and Saxophone(s). This is to wind instruments as Keyboard-synths are to pianos. (I've owned this for over a year). My main reason why I bought this was to fill my needs for an Alto Sax, Baritone sax, Bass Harmonica, and other wind instruments. Turns out it became my go to Midi-controller (has a Midi port and USB port). This became my go-to instrument when playing live, especially when I am playing songs that don't need a Harmonica or Tenor Sax part. There is no latency when you use the 1/4" jack, no latency (that I've noticed) with the blue-tooth adapter. The blue-tooth adapter has a stereo output; perfect for that Hi-fi sound. It doesn't matter if you are a recorder, an oboe, flute, or even a valve wind (brass, excluding (slide trombone)) player; There is a fingering configuration that will work for you. Like most traditional wind instruments, the EI (EWI) fingering configuration is based on the Bohemian fingering system. The keys are touch sensitive, if you use clean, controlled fingering technique this isn't an issue. With that said; it does take a little to get use to this. You can adjust the bottom 3 pinky keys to cater to your hand size. There are a few settings that should be messed with and calibrated to user preference (breath sensitivity; finger system; and settings such as reverb, delay, and chorus). I am happy to say that this will work with Ableton and other programs. I've recorded some great stuff with this beast.

The many features on this! Being a wind-synth there are tons of wind instruments (and non-wind instruments) waiting to be played (I recommend looking up the sound bank to see if the instrument samples are the ones you want). These Wind Instruments not present on most available keyboard synths. This is perfect if you have little room for a ridiculous amount of wind instruments, on a limited budget, or if you may wake people up with the glorious sound of a horn (There is a headphone jack). The pitch bend is really handy. There are octave rollers (8 octaves in total) that are great for getting bass harmonica and bass flute sounds and pushing instruments out of the typical range (like playing a trumpet in the bass range or bassoon in the soprano range). There is a slider bar right next to the octave rollers for portamento. There are 2 toggle switches for functions like holding notes or playing fixed intervals. The slider and 2 toggle switches can be switched out with other functions or modified to suite your needs. The mouthpiece can we bitten for a vibrato effect (mouth piece can be taken off and placed in a dish washer). The sounds are great, most sound just like the sampled instruments; you can get some great sounds out of this. You can set your EWI to a specific key (major tuning), keys that can be hard to play on some (Eb or Bb) instruments. A huge perk is absolute tuning (though you can manually fine tune up or down for playing with others), something that can be hard to achieve on some wind instruments. No mater what key you are using, the root note is always in the same place; so playing in different modes and keys is very, simple (you just need to know some music theory). This feature makes it really user friendly and simple. This digital instrument has more major advantages; No need to worry about dry or broken reeds. No need to worry about instruments going cold on you (while waiting to play), and no going out of tune! There is no case included so you'll want a good case. I use a tall padded bong bag for mine. This does a good job housing it.

The software is pretty basic but functional. You can fine tune settings for the EWI on your PC. There are some draw backs to this instrument. There is a learning curve present, some people give up on it without giving it time. There are some techniques that can't be done on this like saxophone growls or tongue blocks on harmonica. With that said, this isn't going to completely replace a saxophone or harmonica. The price can scare people off, so make sure you will use it if you buy it. I personally think it is worth it for a synth that is distinct in sound (you can tell when people use this in songs) and has unique features. You'll turn heads when you bust it out! I've got many hours on it, I've gotten every penny out of it. If you are a wind player, you will be picking it up in no time. Give it time and have fun with it! If you are a wind player that wants to break into digital recording or if you need that special something that can set your music apart. I can't recommend it enough.
by Emerson from Colorado on

Like a duck to water and beyond!

I've read a lot of views of discouragement here and other sights. and well simply, yall need to try harder. I'm a saxophonist in New Orleans.
Thre instrument was designed with help from Micheal Brecker.
So as saxophonists everyone should get excellent performance results. Be patient...
This is an expressive instrument!!
It takes like a "semester" to figure out and like another to call yourself experienced in execution.
Next you'll want use it strictly as a midi controller with tone generators and sound modules or a keyboard....
And you'll have to learn that too...
This is not a child's toy, you can really hurt another musicians' feelings with this instrument.
It is excellent for midi recording and exciting....
You don't just blow into the thing... it requires a plethora of attacks for you to discover... you should be leaving teethmarks in it or your not playing it right....
Run it through pre amps, effects, and there's a very special way to get it to sound like an electric guitar enough to piss off other guitarist with envy...
Its funny to me to read such discouraging reviews from those who probably aren't experienced.... or musicians who just right it off as junk or a toy because they don't take time figure it out. Try harder. Work at it.
by Stitch from New Orleans, LA on
Music background: Saxophonist, recording artist, producer

FANTASTIC

I owned the USB version and was delighted when I finally had saved enough pennies to afford the 5000s it is a fantastic instrument with abilities that I haven't explored the full potential off
by Lee on
Music background: Church organist, Bandleader
See also: Keyboard Controllers, Akai Professional, Akai Professional MIDI Controllers
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