[Selmer Player 88]

Has anyone ever used the EWI or WX5 with any heavy duty synth modules or programs like Tassman?

I don't own one, or know anyone with one I could borrow - but I am very interested into how it sounds with something like a Dave Smith Mono Evolver or like a Nord Lead or a Waldorf Q.

I've been really hesitant with shelling out the bucks for it, because I really think there's no way in theory it can emulate a wind instrument correctly because wind instruments don't have such a clearly defined "Note On" "Note Off" but rather it's more note on note off is more continuous - and as we've seen the greatest use of MIDI is in forms that utilize such a definite note on/off message (ie piano controllers, drum controllers)

If anyone has any sound clips they could upload I would greatly appreciate it

 

[tjontheroad]

I've plugged my WX5 into my Powerbook running Logic Pro. You can get all kinds of analogue syth souths to work great with it. The Akia EWI has the analogue type sound built in. You'd be surprised what a wind controller can do. There's a track on my webpage of me playing flute and clarinet sounds with a version of "Everything Happens To Me".

In many ways, a wind synth is it's own instrument requiring it's own technique. It's not just like anything and that's fine.

 

[Dr_sax]

I am using an old WX7 since the day Yamaha introduced it with lots of synths and samplers. There are: Ensoniq EPS 16+, ASR 10, Oberheim Matrix 1000, Nord Mudular, EMU Proteus 2000, Yamaha VL1m plus all the softwaresynths in logic and plenty of others like Absynt, all the spectrasonic stuff.
Have fun with it. But it´s just not a sax. You´ll have to learn to use it.
There are lots a videos of players on YouTube. Do a search for WX or EWI.

 

[DanPerezSax]

Can't believe I just stumbled across the Tassman... Somebody needs to just run down the list of all the cool **** that would work with an EWI, cuz poking around google is uber slow. So, anyone tried Tassman with EWI? Looks like a match made in heaven, but Tassman 4 is expensive-ish.

EDIT: Nevermind. The only thing I could dig up is that Steve Tavaglione likes it for EWI. Good enough for me! Guess it's on my list to buy...

Let's see, ordered Requiem Light today, so I think I'll wait til a good gig or a couple paychecks before continuing my list:
AAS Tassman 4
Vir2 Electro6ity
Adam A7x (pr)

Any suggestions on the order? Or should I quit while I'm ahead? GAS never bit me on the mouthpiece side, but software and electronic gear...

 

[DaveR]

I started using wind synths when the Lyricon and Lyricon Driver were about - so I guess about 1981-2 - and then moved on to EWI and WXs as they came out. I haven't used any of them recently because I feel that the control available to wind players is very much to do with programming 'fixes' or ways around the shortcomings of keyboard orientated synth modules. However, I have an Oberheim Xpander (which is IMO truly the greatest synth for wind synthesis as it is a combination of analogue and digital) and a Yamaha VLm1 (the physical modelling synth released in the late 90s). Coupled with the EWI's own synth and some racked effects I used to find that this pretty much covered all the bases. However, if I were still motivated by the EWI and WX I think that there is a huge amount to experiment with now and I'd be pleased to hear from anyone getting REALLY expressive MUSICAL results from modern units.

 

[differencetone]

Guys,

Just forget about Yamaha and Akai for this. The Eigenharp is the way to go. Other wind controllers are ancient technology now:

http://www.eigenlabs.com/

 

[DaveR]

Guys,

Just forget about Yamaha and Akai for this. The Eigenharp is the way to go. Other wind controllers are ancient technology now:

http://www.eigenlabs.com/

Thank you for that link, amazing! I had not heard of Eigenlabs. I've just spent a few hours on their (surprisingly rather crashy) site and I'm really intrigued. The Eigenharps seem to be hugely flexible controllers and very beautifully made, definitely several steps in the right direction. I may have to buy a Pico just to see what it can do.

 

[differencetone]

I may have to buy a Pico just to see what it can do.

Please report back here. I have had my eye on these for a long time.

 

[DanPerezSax]

Looks interesting... costs a FORTUNE! And you'd have to learn a new fingering scheme, defeating the purpose (for me) of the EWI. I'd love to get my hands on that "Eigenlabs" version of Alchemy, though. Wonder what they did with it.

 

[differencetone]

I guess $700 could be considered a fortune but you have to consider that there is no direct competition. For me having the pressure sensitivity on the keys makes it superior to any other breath controller. It looks really solid too compared with the EWI and WX. They say that the fingering is designed to be easy. You could learn it in a couple of months. Glad that they finally got U.S. distribution.

Could be a couple years before I get one because I want USB 3.0. I already have a USB 3.0 PCIe card installed.

 

[DaveR]

Please report back here. I have had my eye on these for a long time.

For sure, I'm just weighing up the investment of time involved!

 

[DanPerezSax]

I guess $700 could be considered a fortune but you have to consider that there is no direct competition. For me having the pressure sensitivity on the keys makes it superior to any other breath controller. It looks really solid too compared with the EWI and WX. They say that the fingering is designed to be easy. You could learn it in a couple of months. Glad that they finally got U.S. distribution.

Could be a couple years before I get one because I want USB 3.0. I already have a USB 3.0 PCIe card installed.

I was looking at the Alpha. LOL. The Pico looks good. I'm still too lazy to learn a whole new instrument, otherwise my clarinet chops would be together! I like the concept, though.