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Keyboards & MIDI > Keyboard Controllers > Wind Controllers > Akai Professional EWI USB

Akai Professional EWI USB

Item ID: EWIusb

Electronic Wind Instrument MIDI Controller with USB

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From Our Research Team:

A wind controller with USB!

The Akai Professional EWI USB gives wind players access to an easy-to-play, easy-to-use wind instrument MIDI controller. Of course, Akai has a 20-year history of studying wind instruments and those that play them, which is why the EWI USB feels so natural to players. The multiple fingering modes offer sax, traditional EWI, flute, oboe, and EVI (brass) meaning players of many instruments and experience levels can easily use this wind controller. Take your playing and expressiveness to the next level with the EWI USB wind controller.





Akai Professional EWI USB at a Glance:
  • Performance
  • Computer Control
  • Sounds and Modes
  • Affordable

Performance
EWIs are a popular choice for serious wind players looking to make music electronically. While EWI USB is easy and fun to use, it's also powerful, flexible, and most importantly reliable enough for use on stage and in the studio by professional musicians.

Computer Control
EWI USB is the most flexible EWI because it harnesses your computer to generate its sounds. Its USB interface means that all you need is virtually any Mac or PC with a USB port and the included EWI USB software, and you're ready to practice, perform, create, and record with a full collection of wind instrument sounds. Aria Player software was produced specifically for use with EWI USB, providing wind players with an unprecedented level of expressive control.

Sounds and Modes
The EWI USB offers over 75 different orchestral, concert band, jazz band, and synthesizer sound sets expertly recorded and programmed by Garritan, a company renowned for its ultra-realistic instrument sound libraries. EWI USB offers multiple fingering modes including sax, traditional EWI, flute, oboe, and EVI (brass), so whether you're just starting out as a woodwind student or an old pro wind player, you'll find EWI USB easy to play. EWI USB is designed for you to spend your time playing music; not learning technology.

Affordable
Historically, electronic wind instruments have fallen into two different categories: high-end, professional instruments and toys. EWI USB breaks the price barrier, bringing professional quality, expressive control, and a studio-ready sound library to a price the professional-wind-instrument world has never seen. Discover the world of expression that only wind instruments can offer with EWI USB.

Akai Professional EWI USB Features:
  • Electronic wind instrument controller
  • Easy to play, easy to use, and easy to own
  • Powerful, flexible, and reliable
  • Plug-and-play USB connection to Mac or PC
  • Custom Garritan Aria Player software, contains wind instrument sounds
  • Multiple fingering modes: sax, traditional EWI, flute, oboe, and EVI brass
  • Expandable sound palette
  • Removable, dishwasher-safe mouthpiece
  • Neck strap
  • Cleaning cloth
  • USB cable
  • Software DVD
  • Quick start guide
  • Safety instructions
  • Mouthpiece: air-pressure level sensor & bite sensor
  • Note Keys: 13 touch sensors
  • Octave Rollers: 2 mobile, 2 fixed touch sensors (5-octave range)
  • Bend Plates: 2 touch sensors
  • Ground Plates: 2 touch sensors
  • Class-compliant, plug-and-play USB device
  • MIDI Output Channels Over USB: 1
  • Mac and PC compatible

The Akai Professional EWI USB gives you expressive playing from a wind controller!
Specification Detail
Number of Keys 13 Touch Sensors
Aftertouch Yes
Number of Performance Pads 0
Number of Encoders/Pots 0
Number of Sliders/Faders 0
Dedicated Transport Control No
Other Controllers Mouthpiece, Octave Rollers (2 mobile, 2 fixed), 2 x Bend Plates, 2 x Ground Plates
System Requirements Mac Mac OS X
System Requirements PC Windows XP or Vista
Pedal Inputs No Pedal Inputs
MIDI I/O Via USB
USB Yes
Height 23.13"
Width 2.75"
Depth 2.75"
Weight 1.3 lbs.
Power Supply USB Bus Powered
Manufacturer Part Number EWI USB

EWI USB Image Gallery

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Reviews

based on 3 reviews

EWI USB Incredible Value

by RMac from Brisbane, Australia
June 29, 2009
Music Background: Composer/Educator
Just arrived. Always wanted a wind controller but they were always too expensive. Now I have one and it rocks. I installed it on my Mac and within minutes I was playing the superb Garritan instrum... read more [+]ents it comes with through the included Aria software. The jazz tenor (th) is a highlight, as is the double bass (that's right...playing the DB with a wind controller!) Also works great in Logic. Had a blast using it with Sculpture and with a guitar sound with "metal god" preset in Logic's amp simulator. Wish it had a stand, could be used wireless and had a sturdy case. Still for $299 I'm not complaining. Money well spent. close [-]

Best musical invesment I made in years

by Carl from South Florida
September 3, 2010
Music Background: performer, singer-songwriter, band member
This is the most pleasure I have gotten out of a musical device purchase since I bought my Korg M1 in the 80's!!! And it was surely a lot less money than that M1 was then. So far I've used it as a sax... read more [+] with the included Aria software, but I also created a very impressive harmonica using Sonar's TTS1 virtual synth. I'va tried it with Sonar's Dimension Pro also. If you get all the controllers programmed just right, the results are out of this world. This is total love at first blow.

I play keyboard in my band, and wanted an expressive device like a wind controller for some of my sounds. I am not a sax player, but have played primitive flutes all my life. So within 2 to 3 hours I was able to get awesome sounds out of this beauty, and used it live on stage within days with beautiful results.

As far as bad things, the touch plates tarnish very quickly, but that does not affect the performance of the instrument. The Aria software is VERY slow to load, especially as a VST in Sonar. I have not experienced any hangs, but the instrument can initialize incorrectly if not handled properly. Do not touch anything while the device is first plugged in.

It plays best with very little wind flow. In fact, it takes very little air. So if you are a sax player, you will find it hard to pull back your blowing enough to fall within the sensitive range of the instrument. But once you get used to this, the range of expression is terrific, especially compared to what can be done on a keyboard. If you are a sax player, you'll enjoy controlling other virtual instruments and synths using the expressiveness that the breath and bend controllers can give you.

In conclusion, I have not been as excited and have not had as much fun on an instrument as I have on the EWIUSB in years. And for the money, it is hard to find this kind of musical fulfillment in an instrument any more. I highly recommend it! close [-]

It's okay, but spend the Money for the regular EWI

by Rob S. from Lexington, NC
October 16, 2009
Music Background: Professional Musician and Producer
The EWI USB is a good concept and I love playing it, but like all things new and electronic, it is in need of improvements. Most notably with Windows, it hangs quite a bit. A decent driver update woul... read more [+]d hopefully solve that problem but Akai is pretty famous for taking their time in supporting their stuff. And if my experience with tech support is still on the money, you probably have Akai, Garritan, and most of the sequencer and DAW writers arguing over who's fault the stuck note is. If you are really into the EWI sound; especially professionally do yourself a favor and fork over the bucks for the 4000s. close [-]

Best customer service Ive ever encountered. My guitar arrived ahead of the date it was supposed to, in flawless condition. Played well right out of the box. I will be buying all of my gear from you, from here on out. You made me feel like I was ordering a custom guitar, just for me. I was treated like a valuable customer.


Christopher , Sasvannah, GA

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See Also: Breath Controllers , Akai Professional , Akai Professional Wind Controllers

Akai Professional EWI USB

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