[KingKoopa]

So lately I've been seeing these and they seem pretty cool. I was wondering which one I should buy. First of all, I've read a few other forums about this but they all delve in to electronic language I don't understand. For example, do I need to plug it in to my computer? Do I need to buy a program on top of the instrument? My main concern is ease of use because I'm not that great with music software , so which one is best? Also is there a noticable sound quality difference between the two? If I do get it I plan on playing more synthetic sounds because I personally think trying to copy existing instruments electronically doesn't sound that great.

 

[NostalgiaSmith]

Welcome KingKoopa,
If your main priority is ease of use: plug and play (USB) functionality and stock built in sounds (variable quality) then either the EWI USB or EWI 5000. The 5000 has the benefit of using a whole range of sound generating software via a sequencer host (Reaper, Ableton, Logic, etc). It acts as a MIDI input device just like a keyboard but with the added usability of breath control, etc. The EWI USB can be picked up quite cheaply now that the 5000 has arrived, but it does not have the flexibilty or build quality of the 5000.

If your main concern is programming your own unique sounds then the EWI 4000s is probably a better bet. You can also access a range of decent quality sounds from web sites like Patchman.

http://www.patchmanmusic.com/WindControllerBanks.html

For a combination of ease of use and expandability/flexability then I would suggest the 5000. But bear in mind that most of the in-built/pre-programmed sounds in both the USB and the 5000 will probably disappoint you.

 

[NostalgiaSmith]

dupe post

 

[Ballad state of mind]

Check out Kobi Rivlin on soundcloud, if you are interested in sound modelling software. He is a member here, but not sure of his ID. Anyway I think you can contact him on soundcloud he makes some very nice sounds with the EWI. For presets the VL70 with the patchman chip is probably all you will need. Adequate for me at least.

 

[Aperion]

I have the Awia USB, don't waste your money. I is supposed to be easy to use the problem is that Awai doesn't keep up with the changes in the OS. It didn't work well with Mac Yosemite or Windows 8. Granted I haven't tried with Windows 10 or El Capitain.

 

[KingKoopa]

Does the USB one have the same ammount of sounds as 4000S? I am mainly interested if it has good electronic sounds

 

[NostalgiaSmith]

The 4000s is capable of holding a lot more sounds than the USB because you can load in your own sound sources. The USB only has presets; which are not very good anyway IMO.

N.B The 4000s has to connect to your computer via a MIDI interface, whereas -as the name suggests - the USB connects directly as plug 'n' play.

 

[KingKoopa]

The 4000s is capable of holding a lot more sounds than the USB because you can load in your own sound sources. The USB only has presets; which are not very good anyway IMO.

N.B The 4000s has to connect to your computer via a MIDI interface, whereas -as the name suggests - the USB connects directly as plug 'n' play.

Does the 4000s require additional computer software knowledge? Or can I just plug in choose a sound and play like how you said with the USB.

 

[NostalgiaSmith]

Reading between the lines I would say that what you are looking for is either a EWI USB or a 5000. With the 4000 you need a sound generator (something like the Yamaha VL70 that Ballard mentioned, which also acts as an interface).

If you can afford it get the 5000; better build quality, easy to use, and its wireless so you're not tied to the computer. The USB is a cheaper alternative.

A word of caution: after playing with the preset sounds for an hour or two you are going to want something better (soundwise).

I have a 5000, but I use it with Sample Modeling's virtual instruments and various soft synths (Omnisphere, etc). I couldn't live with just the onboard sounds!

 

[KingKoopa]

Reading between the lines I would say that what you are looking for is either a EWI USB or a 5000. With the 4000 you need a sound generator (something like the Yamaha VL70 that Ballard mentioned, which also acts as an interface).

If you can afford it get the 5000; better build quality, easy to use, and its wireless so you're not tied to the computer. The USB is a cheaper alternative.

A word of caution: after playing with the preset sounds for an hour or two you are going to want something better (soundwise).

I have a 5000, but I use it with Sample Modeling's virtual instruments and various soft synths (Omnisphere, etc). I couldn't live with just the onboard sounds!

Did you have to buy the new sounds or do you just download them from the internet?

 

[Roundmidnite]

I have a lot of fun just playing my saxophone/flute through different virtual guitar amps and other effects in my software- I use Reason- it's very intuitive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GSBlASynok

 

[KingKoopa]

I have a lot of fun just playing my saxophone/flute through different virtual guitar amps and other effects in my software- I use Reason- it's very intuitive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GSBlASynok

Are there any good free programs because it seems a bit much to buy the EWI and on top of that another couple hundred bucks on a program just for extra sounds

 

[NostalgiaSmith]

I have a lot of fun just playing my saxophone/flute through different virtual guitar amps and other effects in my software- I use Reason- it's very intuitive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GSBlASynok

Reason really improved when it finally allowed the use of external audio sources (like your sax and flute). I can almost hear your Bitches Brew freak outs now. :headbang:

 

[NostalgiaSmith]

Are there any good free programs because it seems a bit much to buy the EWI and on top of that another couple hundred bucks on a program just for extra sounds

Plenty of freeware/shareware soft synths and samplers on the Interweb, KingKoopa.

http://freesoftsynth.com/

http://www.musictech.net/2013/10/freeware-synths-ten-of-the-best/