[BariSaxLord808]

I'm looking to expand my sax vocabulary by either getting an EWI or the upcoming Yamaha digital sax. Which Akai EWI model do you like the most, out of the EWI USB, 4000S, 5000, and the Solo? Personally, I love how user-friendly the Solo is, but I think the Patchman Music soundbank for the 4000S still has the highest quality sounds out of all the EWI models so far. I do wish the 4000S was a bit more affordable.

 

[vbluesman]

Has anyone here seen/ played the Yamaha? It looks like an actual saxophone which may not necessarily be good for an electronic instrument.

 

[Guto]

Has anyone here seen/ played the Yamaha? It looks like an actual saxophone which may not necessarily be good for an electronic instrument.

It's not an actual sax. It just has a conic bell attached to it which they say is to provide acoustic feedback to the player close to a real sax. This product has been extensively discussed in another thread this past week with videos of it etc.

 

[BariSaxLord808]

There is actually another digital sax called the "Emeo" which is even more expensive than the YDS-150. I think a comparison between that and the EWI 4000S would be quite useful.

 

[ericdano]

I would get an Akai 4000s, or this

I think Akai's newest offering, Yamaha's newest offering, and all of Roland's offerings are way off mark.

What I want is really a 4000s that has Bluetooth Low Energy Midi, that is wireless, and is still an analog synth. The Bluetooth Midi is really a must.

I'm looking to expand my sax vocabulary by either getting an EWI or the upcoming Yamaha digital sax. Which Akai EWI model do you like the most, out of the EWI USB, 4000S, 5000, and the Solo? Personally, I love how user-friendly the Solo is, but I think the Patchman Music soundbank for the 4000S still has the highest quality sounds out of all the EWI models so far. I do wish the 4000S was a bit more affordable.

 

[MartinMusicMan]

I have an Aerophone AE-10 and an EWI Solo. There's a thread comparing the 2 (started by me) and other threads about the EWI Solo and the Yamaha YDS-150. It really depends on what you want a digital/electronic wind controller/synth to do. Do you want a quiet practice sax with sax fingering? Do you want lots of internal sounds? Do you want onboard rechargeable battery? Wireless? Small size/portable? Low cost? Many variables to choose from.

 

[Guto]

The Bluetooth Midi is really a must.

Have you actually experience Bluetooth Midi first hand on any product? My limited experience trying to play music through Bluetooth audio (not Midi) in any form, including with my Aerophone-05 has been very frustrating due to latencies. Wondering how well what you are pitching for could work.

 

[EZ]

What I want is really a 4000s that has Bluetooth Low Energy Midi, that is wireless, and is still an analog synth. The Bluetooth Midi is really a must.

I play an Akai 4000S with the CME BlueTooth Widi Master and its a great combination. No detectable MIDI latency (unlike audio BT latency which is almost unbearable to play along with in real time). The CME device handles massive amounts of controller data without a hitch, too.

I don’t have experience with other EWI instruments but hear lots and lots of people with the 5000 having battery problems.

 

[StuEarl]

I actually really love my WX-5 + VL70m. The physical keys make it feel closer to a real sax- I approach it as a different instrument and use it to work on my harmony/language after hours- bur coupled with the VL70m it's really fun, and am planning on getting the Patchman chip for it.

I also just picked up an ewi 4000s (after a tonne of research I decided I liked the sounds on it way more than the 5000), but need to get a replacement key touch before I get to play it. The on-board synth was the deciding factor over a 5000 for me. I've got enough technical knowledge to replace the battery pack with a usb-rechargable power pack if I decided to keep it.