Roland Aerophone mini and Aerophone GO Quickstart Guide
Congrats on buying a Roland Aerophone AE-01 mini or Aerophone GO electronic wind instrument. Let’s get started.
- What Is a Roland Aerophone Electronic Wind Instrument?
- Register Your Purchase, Download the Manuals & App
- Update the Firmware
- Playing Sounds on Your Roland Aerophone
- Roland Aerophone Care & Maintenance
- Roland Video Tutorials
- Roland Aerophone Knowledge Base
What Is a Roland Aerophone Electronic Wind Instrument?
Electronic wind instruments (EWI) have been on the market since the mid-1980s.
A Roland Aerophone mini or Aerophone GO can be your first instrument and a means to learn music.
If you already play the saxophone or another woodwind, then an Aerophone can be a second instrument that gives you an introduction to synthesizer and electronic sounds for live performance or recording.
Your Roland Aerophone features:
- A breath controller mouthpiece that, while not the same as a reed and mouthpiece on a conventional saxophone, senses your breath so you can start, sustain, and stop notes and control vibrato
- Keys laid out so you can play notes with similar fingerings to those on an acoustic saxophone or recorder
- An internal sound engine that creates synthesizer sounds and emulations of orchestral instruments that you can play expressively
- Internal speakers that put out enough volume for you to be able to hear what you play
- An audio output so you can connect a cable and send the sound to an amplifier, PA system, or audio interface for recording
- Headphone output so you can practice without disturbing others
- Audio auxiliary input over Bluetooth so you can play along with practice tracks
- Battery power so you can play without being connected to a power cable
Register Your Purchase, Download the Manuals & App
Register
Take a few minutes to register your purchase with Roland. Go to the Roland Backstage page. Create a new user account or enter the email and password for your existing account.
After you confirm your account information and log in, click on “My Gear.” Then click on “Register a Product.” Fill out the information, including the serial number of your unit.
Owner’s Manuals
You will need to refer to the owner’s manuals, so it’s a good time to download them.
Go to your product’s support page, click “Owner’s Manuals,” and download the relevant documents.
Aerophone App
Two views in the Aerophone mini Plus app on Android
Configuring your Aerophone and selecting and editing sounds requires the relevant Roland app for your iPhone or Android device. Make sure you’re downloading the correct app.
Aerophone mini
The Aerophone mini relies on the Aerophone mini Plus app.
- Download to your iPhone from the Apple App Store.
- Download to your Android device from the Google Play Store.
To connect your Aerophone mini to the app on your phone over Bluetooth, follow the instructions in the Aerophone mini Owner’s Manual > Using the Bluetooth Functionality.
Aerophone GO
The Aerophone GO relies on the Aerophone GO Plus app.
- Download to your iPhone from the Apple App Store.
- Download to your Android device from the Google Play Store.
To connect your Aerophone GO to the app on your phone over Bluetooth, follow the instructions in the Aerophone GO Owner’s Manual > Using the Aerophone GO with the Smartphone.
Update the Firmware
A Roland Aerophone is a digital device that runs software internally. From time to time, Roland may release a firmware update that will fix bugs and may add new features and sounds. A firmware update may also be necessary so that your instrument works correctly with the newest version of its Roland app.
When you first get your new instrument, it’s essential that you check to see if there’s a new version of the firmware and install it.
Aerophone mini
Updating the Aerophone mini is carried out wirelessly using the Aerophone mini Plus app for iOS or Android.
Go to the Roland Aerophone mini Support page and, under “Support Documents,” click on the newest Aerophone mini Update Procedure link. Follow the instructions on the page.
Roland provides this tutorial video.
Roland Support Channel: “Updating” Roland Aerophone mini Plus #04
Aerophone GO
Updating the Aerophone Go is carried out wirelessly using the Aerophone GO Plus app for iOS or Android.
Go to the Roland Aerophone GO Support page and, under “Support Documents,” click on the newest Aerophone GO Update Procedure link. Follow the instructions on the page.
Roland provides this tutorial video.
Roland Support Channel: “Updating the Aerophone GO” Roland Aerophone GO Plus #07
Playing Sounds on Your Roland Aerophone
Battery Power or USB Power Supply
Insert four AA-size NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries.
Alternatively, you can use the included USB cable with a USB-AC adapter.
Set the power switch to “Battery” or “USB” as appropriate.
Wrapping the Band
The Aerophone has a moisture band that you need to wrap around the joint where the mouthpiece connects to the instrument. This will protect the instrument by absorbing the condensed moisture from your breath.
Attach the neck strap to its hook.
Connect to Headphones or Speakers
You can play sounds using the internal speakers or connect headphones to the Phones/Output jack.
You can also use an 1/8-inch TRS cable to connect this jack to external speakers or a PA system.
Turn down the volume all the way before you connect anything to the Phones/Output jack.
Playing the Aerophone
When you turn on the power, wait 10 seconds before you touch the mouthpiece so that your unit can boot up and set the sensitivity.
Place your left thumb on the thumb rest and your right thumb on the thumb hook.
Hold the mouthpiece lightly between your upper teeth and lower lip and blow into it. This is your embouchure.
Consult your owner’s manual for the fingering chart.
Selecting Different Sounds & Fingerings
On the Aerophone mini, cycle the six available tones by holding down the Function button on the back while you tap the first note button.
Learn more in the Aerophone mini Owner’s Manual > Before You Play > Step 4: Changing the Sound Settings.
On the Aerophone GO, turn the Tone knob (next to the battery compartment) to select among the 11 sounds.
On the Aerophone GO, you can use the Tone knob to select among three different fingerings: Sax, Recorder, and E-Wind. The latter provides transpositions on the fly.
Learn more in the Aerophone GO Owner’s Manual > Changing the Settings.
Roland Aerophone Care & Maintenance
Every time you are finished playing, you must remove the mouthpiece, clean it, and drain condensation (water, moisture) from the instrument.
- Remove the moisture band and let it air-dry.
- Remove the mouthpiece by pulling it straight out. It may require some force.
- Wipe any dirt on the outside of the mouthpiece with a soft cloth.
- Carefully wash off the inside of the mouthpiece under the tap.
- Thoroughly wipe off any drops of water with a soft cloth and let the mouthpiece dry completely.
- With the instrument upright, mouthpiece end up, lean it against a wall so that condensation (water, moisture) can drain out of the water drain. Wipe the instrument with a soft cloth.
Special care is required to correctly align things when reattaching the mouthpiece. Applying recorder cream (not included) makes attachment and removal of the mouthpiece easier.
Learn more in the Aerophone mini Owner’s Manual > Caring for the Aerophone mini.
Learn more in the Aerophone GO Owner’s Manual > Appendix > Maintaining the Mouthpiece.
Roland Video Tutorials
The Roland Support Channel provides a series of short tutorial videos to help you get started, work with the apps, and update the firmware.
Roland Aerophone Knowledge Base
On the support page for your instrument, you’ll find a Knowledge Base with detailed answers to frequently asked questions.
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