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AKAI Professional EWI USB - Electronic Wind Instrument and MIDI controller, with Plug-and-play Connectivity and Garritan Sound Library

3.5 3.5 out of 5 stars 543 ratings

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USB MIDI Wind Controller
Brand AKAI
Connectivity Technology USB
Special Feature Akai Professional is the first name in electronic wind instruments. For over 20 years, Akai Professional has studied the art of playing saxophone, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and other traditional winds, and developed electronic wind instruments that enable wind players to enjoy the same expressive control as in an acoustic instrument. Akai designed EWI USB to give wind players the expressive musical capabilities previously found only in much more expensive instruments. EWIs are the only choice for See more
Model Name EWI USB
Product Dimensions 2.75"D x 23.13"W x 2.75"H

About this item

  • Next Generation Performance - Professional electronic wind instrument with authentic feel, layout and response coupled with multiple fingering modes for brass players or reed players
  • Natural Response - Touch sensitive keys and octave roller for rapid, responsive playing that captures every subtlety and nuance of your performance
  • Ultimate Control - Ultra-responsive sensors detect breath intensity and mouthpiece pressure for unprecedented control of pitch, tone and volume
  • Superior Sound - Includes custom Aria Player software (Mac & PC) containing premium wind instrument sounds expertly recorded and programmed by Garritan
  • Effortless Setup - Seamless plug-and-play USB connectivity to Mac or PC
  • Unlimited Performance Potential - Expand your sound palate using EWI USB as a full-featured MIDI controller via any computer based plugin designed to receive MIDI data.

Product information

Warranty & Support

Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here. [PDF ]

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AKAI Professional EWI USB - Electronic Wind Instrument and MIDI controller, with Plug-and-play Connectivity and Garritan Sound Library


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Product guides and documents

What's in the box

  • not included
  • Product Description

    Akai Professional's EWI USB is an electronic wind instrument for musicians looking for an easy-to-play, easy-to-use controller. Decades of experience in wind and electronic music instruments are rolled into our most user friendly — and most affordable — EWI ever.

    This instrument harnesses your computer to generate its sounds. Its USB interface means that all you need is nearly any Mac or PC 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.

    You get over 75 different orchestral, concert band, jazz band, and synthesizer sound sets expertly recorded and programmed by Garritan, renowned for its ultra-realistic instrument sound libraries.

    EWI USB also 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.

    Discover the world of expression that only wind instruments can offer with EWI USB.

    Get Connected

    Connect the EWI USB to an available USB port on the computer. The Status LED will light up on the rear panel.

    Important Tips!

    • It's best to connect directly to the computer, avoiding the use of a multi-port USB hub.
    • Wherever possible, connect to a port on the back of the computer.
    • Plugging in the EWI USB automatically recalibrates its keys, rollers, and plates. To avoid interfering with this process (and causing it to play out of tune), hold the EWI USB only by its plastic casing near the top while plugging it in.

    Audio & MIDI Preferences

    The EWI USB controller does not make sound in and of itself. To be able to translate what is played into what is heard, selecting the appropriate audio device for your given setup is essential. Luckily, there isn't much to the process!

    1. Under the Tools (PC) or EWI USB (Mac) menu, select Preferences.
    2. Select the appropriate audio device being used in your specific setup. If using the built-in speakers of the computer, choose "Built In Output" or "Speakers". If experiencing any noticeable delay in the sound or reduced audio quality, you can adjust the latency settings of the audio device here as well.
    3. Under MIDI Devices, check the appropriate box:
      • Windows XP: Check “USB Audio Device.”
      • Windows Vista, Mac: Check “EWI USB.”
    4. Technical Specs

      SENSORS

      • 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

      GENERAL

      • Class-compliant, plug-and-play USB device
      • (1) MIDI Output Channel Over USB
      • Mac and PC compatible

      HARDWARE

      • Dimensions (width x depth x height): 23.125” x 2.75” x 2.75”
      • Weight:1.3 lbs
      • Power: ~100mA, 5V via USB
      • Terminals: 1 slave connector (MIDI over USB)

      Box Contents

      • EWI USB
      • USB Cable (9.8 feet)
      • Neckstrap
      • Cleaning cloth
      • Software DVD
      • Quickstart Manual
      • Safety & Warranty Information Booklet


    From the manufacturer

    EWI USB
    EWI USB

    Professional Performance

    Akai Professional’s EWI USB enables you to enjoy the same expressive musical capabilities and control found in traditional acoustic instruments and provides an expressive, immersive platform for unrestricted creative expression. Combining multiple fingering modes (including sax, traditional EWI, flute, oboe, and EVI (brass), a raft of performance friendly touch sensitive controls and ultra-responsive mouthpiece sensors, EWI USB ensures to readily adapt to your needs whilst ensuring every subtlety and nuance of your performance is faithfully recreated.

    EWI USB

    EWI USB

    EWI USB

    EWI USB

    EWI USB

    From the brand

    Looking for specific info?

    Customer reviews

    3.5 out of 5 stars
    3.5 out of 5
    543 global ratings

    Customers say

    Customers like the quality and value of the sound and recording equipment. For example, they mention it works well as a MIDI controller and is excellent value for money. That said, some complain about the included software, saying it leaves something to be desired. Opinions are mixed on ease of use, sound quality, and sensitivity.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    54 customers mention51 positive3 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the quality of the product. They mention that it works well, is amazing, and is a solid bit of instrument. The vst's are adequate, and it has an excellent performance. Some say that it also works well with sample-modeling software.

    "...It is such a fun thing to use, and an amazing future device. Playing one of these can really make you feel you live in a crazy computer-age time...." Read more

    "...The EWI is a solid bit of instrument. It does not feel like a toy and exhibits a good bit of good engineerig considerationCons:*..." Read more

    "...to some other reviews I'd like to confirm it does actually work fine with Windows 10.. just don't bother too much with the supplied software, and..." Read more

    "As I noted in my headline, the unit appears to be well-made and as advertised...." Read more

    16 customers mention16 positive0 negative

    Customers appreciate the value of the sound and recording equipment. They say it's a great deal over wireless models and absolutely worth it.

    "...Price:This is a highly recommended purchase. The price is phenomenal for this set of features.[..." Read more

    "...I spent the extra money for the EWI 4000S. That device is well worth the extra cost, and is plug and play...." Read more

    "Essential tool for any home studio composers! Great deal over the wireless models If you are looking for a studio instrument and have no plans to..." Read more

    "...instrument, take the plunge and get it while they're still at a great price. You'll love it." Read more

    49 customers mention26 positive23 negative

    Customers are mixed about the ease of use. Some mention that it's extremely easy to play, intuitive, and easy to learn for any musicians familiar with it. However, others say that it is hard to get used to with the roller sensor, impossible to use, and very hard to set up.

    "...Ease of use:If you have ever played a recorder in school, you will feel right at home with this one...." Read more

    "...This can be a fairly complicated process, and you are not going to find many (if any) how-to videos or detailed instructions about this...." Read more

    "...so that takes a little getting used to, but otherwise a great beginner wind controller." Read more

    "...Cons:* The worst thing is catastrophic failure. While testing today, the EWI would emit a note start and then just sieze up...." Read more

    26 customers mention14 positive12 negative

    Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the product. Some mention that it sounds really great, and works much better than they expected. They appreciate the variety of sounds in the software and the breath control on the instrument. However, others say that the sound is off, stiff, and the speakers on the CHUWI produce very low sounds. The MIDI controllers do not create sound, they control computer software that creates sound.

    "...The Kronos has the EX3 woodwind and brass collection, and they sound phenomenal with the AKAI EWI USB...." Read more

    "...It predominantly has horn sounds (which as I said earlier come off sounding pretty dinky and cheesy) and somewhat limited effects capabilities...." Read more

    "...midi controller I can use apple samples and they are really good studio quality synth sounds...." Read more

    "...CHANNEL OF AIR GOING THRU THE CHAMBERS BEFORE THE NOTE OR THE NOTES SOUND STIFF WHEN PLAYED THRU A KEYBOARD AND IT WOULD REQUIRE TO MUCH EDITING TO..." Read more

    15 customers mention7 positive8 negative

    Customers are mixed about the sensitivity of the sound and recording equipment. Some mention that the fingerings are fairly similar to what they are used to, and it only takes a little practice. However, others say that the contact is very sensitive, and you could not let your fingers rest on them. The octive rollers and pitch buttons make thumb grasping difficult, and there is no tactile feedback.

    "...Yes, you use breath to control sound and yes, the fingerings are similar (or exactly the same depending on the settings you use) to sax...." Read more

    "...of playing style, and yes the octave rollers and contact buttons can be a bit too sensitive - physical buttons would have been easier...." Read more

    "...Pros:* The EWI can be configured for its default fingering system (sax subset), sax fingering, flute fingering, oboe fingering, or brass..." Read more

    "...Fingering does take a bit of practice, especially changing octaves. So it will take some time to master it...." Read more

    25 customers mention3 positive22 negative

    Customers are dissatisfied with the included software. They say that it leaves something to be desired, is bad, and doesn't work on the latest version of OS X. Some customers also mention that the software came broken.

    "...AS IM SURE U HAVE ALREADY READ THE SOFTWARE IT COMES WITH DOESN'T WORK (ON MAC FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND APPARENTLY MANY OTHERS)...." Read more

    "The software provided is not great, but you can download a software tool from a third party source which is pretty good...." Read more

    "...The software:I'll just come out and say it, THE SOFTWARE SUCKS!!! Just do yourself a favor and don't even bother installing it...." Read more

    "...And for some reason, the software is not saving the configurations on my iMac, so I have to start from scratch every time i start it up...." Read more

    8 customers mention0 positive8 negative

    Customers are dissatisfied with the responsiveness of the sound and recording equipment. They mention that it has a huge lag in anything at player, the support has been slow and unhelpful, and the instrument lags behind their fingering. They also say that the mouthpiece could be a bit more responsive to vibrato.

    "...They did not. Why this caused latency issues with a PC that works fine with a music keyboard on USB, game pads, and other USB inputs, I can not..." Read more

    "...seen mentioned (and didn't know when buying), there was a slight delay when playing, which made it impossible to use, but a quick Google and a..." Read more

    "...system takes a few minutes to get used to, and the mouthpiece could be a bit more responsive to vibrato, but otherwise the EWI is worth every penny!" Read more

    "...after downloading the software I realized that my computer was too slow to process everything...." Read more

    7 customers mention0 positive7 negative

    Customers are dissatisfied with the performance of the sound and recording equipment. They mention that the keys don't work, it doesn't support macOS Catalina, and the touch sensitive pads are not real keys. They also say that the keyboard is difficult to learn and that the lack of real lever-type keys makes it difficult to push.

    "...And not having real lever-type keys to push means you have to be pretty deliberate with your fingering or you'll hit the wrong key, or too many...." Read more

    "...it you have to open a menu and select instrument input again or it won’t play...." Read more

    "...Octive rollers and pitch buttons make thumb grasping difficult. Keys were not keys but touch sensitive pads that did not move and you could not let..." Read more

    "...First, the keys are nothing like a sax, so you'll need to learn this new instrument to play it properly...." Read more

    The software provided is not great, but you can download a software tool from ...
    5 Stars
    The software provided is not great, but you can download a software tool from ...
    The software provided is not great, but you can download a software tool from a third party source which is pretty good.Overall this adds a lot of expression/playing style to wind instrument type VSTs.I'm mapping the breath pressure to the VST instrument mixer channel volume, and sending audio to a separate bus with a big reverb.Updated Dec16th 2019: Contrary to some other reviews I'd like to confirm it does actually work fine with Windows 10.. just don't bother too much with the supplied software, and use it with VST instruments or external midi sound generators. It takes a bit of getting used to in terms of playing style, and yes the octave rollers and contact buttons can be a bit too sensitive - physical buttons would have been easier. The only thing that I really don't get on with is the bite sensor - you have to really bite down hard/bend it to get any modulation, and I would have preferred a reed style controller that only needs lip pressure. The Cognitone "Akai EWI USB Control 1.2 (Windows)" control software works great for configuring the instrument, and I've also had good success using it with a Kenton USB to MIDI converter to directly control a synth.
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    Top reviews from the United States

    Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2014
    Style: USB MIDI Wind ControllerVerified Purchase
    19 people found this helpful
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    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2016
    Style: USB MIDI Wind ControllerVerified Purchase
    One person found this helpful
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    Top reviews from other countries

    Translate all reviews to English
    Murtada Sirelkhatim
    5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful EWI perfect design and performance
    Reviewed in Canada on August 28, 2020
    Style: USB MIDI Wind ControllerVerified Purchase
    Moreno Sirri
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastico!
    Reviewed in Italy on December 30, 2020
    Style: USB MIDI Wind ControllerVerified Purchase
    Customer image
    Moreno Sirri
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastico!
    Reviewed in Italy on December 30, 2020
    Per me la scoperta di questo EWI è stata una manna per due motivi:
    - avrei sempre voluto un sassofono (ho suonato per tanti anni il clarinetto a livello amatoriale) ma mi frenava l'impossibilità di suonarlo ed esercitarmi liberamente in appartamento senza provocar le ire dei vicini
    - ogni tanto mi piace per diletto far qualche cover di brani esistenti e le maggiori limitazioni che trovavo erano: non sono un bravo tastierista (mi vien più semplice suonare uno strumento a fiato) ed il realismo di molti fiati campionati in Logic Pro / Garage Band o simili DAW è molto scarso, in quanto mancano completamente di espressività (e crearla a posteriori non è così immediato ed intuitivo e comunque meno naturale di un'esecuzione reale).

    Questo EWI mi ha permesso di superare tutti questi limiti! Posso suonare un sassofono con un timbro convincente in cuffia e senza disturbar non solo i vicini, ma per assurdo anche altre persone in casa e posso render gli strumenti digitali più espressivi... letteralmente "soffiarci dentro l'anima".
    E poi c'è da dire anche un'altra cosa... al di là della diteggiatura, dalla velocità, dalla precisione... quello che a mio avviso differenzia un bravo musicista da uno amatoriale è... il suono. La qualità del suono, il timbro, l'espressività. Far vibrare l'ancia di un clarinetto o di un sax per tirarci fuori una nota intonata è una cosa... tirarci fuori un bel suono che emozioni è un'altra.
    Ecco... con questo strumento è più facile riuscire a tirar fuori un bel suono anche senza esser musicisti provetti, dal momento che i suoni sono stati campionati da professionisti. Alla fine un bravo musicista potrà ottener risultati migliori dal suo buon vecchio strumento, ma uno amatore - come il sottoscritto - riuscirà ad aver risultati migliori con questo strumento piuttosto che non con il proprio strumento "vero".

    Fatta questa premessa, vediamolo un attimo più nel dettaglio...

    Differenza tra i modelli:
    Akai EWI è attualmente disponibile in tre versioni: EWI UWB, EWI 5000 ed EWI Solo (ci sarebbe anche il 4000s ma è quasi introvabile).
    Quello che ho acquistato io è il primo, il più economico. In cosa si differenzia rispetto al modello successivo, il 5000?
    Entrambi sono dei controller MIDI, ovvero collegati al computer via USB possono "suonare" lo strumento selezionato nel proprio software di riferimento (Garage Band, Logic Pro, Ableton live, ecc.). La versione USB si limita a questo... quindi per funzionare ha necessariamente bisogno di esser collegato al computer, mentre il 5000 è anche un sintetizzatore, con 200 suoni a bordo (di cui il primo centinaio sono strumenti a fiato, gli altri sintetizzatori digitali), quindi può esser usato come strumento stand alone, semplicemente collegandolo ad un amplificatore o via cavo oppure in Wi-Fi con il ricevitore incluso (oppure direttamente alle cuffie). Funziona a batteria, lasciando quindi la più totale libertà di movimento. Inoltre ha una maggiore estensione in ottave (8 contro le 5 del USB) ed ha la possibilità di esser collegato ad interfacce MIDI esterne (e non solo al PC via USB come il modello base).
    Quindi per chi - come me - fa musica al PC la versione USB basta e avanza... chi invece lo usa come strumento da palcoscenico o comunque in configurazioni in cui non è pensabile/comodo portarsi dietro un PC, allora è consigliabile optare per il 5000. Il discorso delle ottave è legato a questo differente utilizzo: posto che 5 ottave in uno strumento a fiato bastano e avanzano (le altre possono tornar utile esclusivamente per i sintetizzatori digitali), se lo uso collegato al PC posso trasportare facilmente da un'ottava all'altra e quindi superare il limite; se invece devo fare un'esecuzione live, chiaro che devo poterle avere tutte disponibili.
    Il Solo è un'evoluzione del 5000 con ancora più strumenti on board e una cassa acustica integrata, così da poter nel caso fare a meno anche delle cuffie.
    Un'altra differenza tra il 5000/Solo e l'USB - e che nel mio caso la considero l'unica vera mancanza (ma vi spiego dopo il perché) è la possibilità di modificare alcuni parametri di configurazione direttamente dallo strumento (tra cui l'intensità del vibrato, sensibilità alla pressione del fiato, ecc.).

    Utilizzo:
    Una volta installato il software fornito o scaricato dal sito AkaiPro, basta collegarlo all'interfaccia USB, avviare il proprio DAW di riferimento (io su Mac uso Logic Pro X), creare una traccia Midi, selezionare uno strumento... e suonare l'EWI!
    Anziché utilizzare gli strumenti campionati offerti dal proprio DAW, tra i programmi installati con l'EWI c'è il SW Aria, che offre tutta una serie di strumenti con un suono di buona qualità e - per quel che mi riguarda - decisamente migliori di quelli offerti da Logic Pro: in particolare abbiamo diversi sassofoni (3 tenori, contralto, soprano, baritono), diversi clarinetti, flauti, trombe, tromboni... mentre con Logic Pro uno solo per tipo e veramente molto più "finto".
    Per utilizzarli basta selezionare come origine della traccia il plugin di EWI USB e sfruttare l'interfaccia del plugin per selezionare lo strumento (ed alcune impostazioni utili, come il trasporto, eventuale riverbero, pan, ecc.). Personalmente uso solo il trasporto, per usare la diteggiatura che mi vien più congeniale... mentre per gli altri parametri uso i diversi filtri e plugin di Logic Pro.

    Chiaramente ci vuole un po' di pratica: i tasti essendo virtuali sono piuttosto sensibili, così come bisogna star attenti al pollice della mano sinistra per evitare cambi di ottava. Inoltre va sempre usato il supporto al collo dal momento che il pollice della mano destra deve stare a contatto della piastra in metallo, ma non puà appoggiarsi ai due pezzi di plastica sopra e sotto, dal momento che servono per il glissato.

    Problemi:
    alcuni lamentano i problemi di latenza dell'USB... no, nessuna latenza.
    Basta stare attenti a:
    - collegare l'EWI direttamente alla porta USB3 del PC, non passare per hub o altre interfacce/espansioni
    - scaricare l'ultima versione del sw dal sito: purtroppo il sito è un po' incasinato e non si capisce bene cose va e cosa con va installato... così la prima volta ho installato la versione sbagliata e allora sì che avevo una latenza che lo rendeva inutilizzabile! Va scaricata unicamente l'ultima versione del SW Aria, riavviare il PC/Mac e stop.
    Purtroppo il SW non è pienamente compatibile con l'ultima versione del OS Apple, Big Sur...
    Il SW Aria usato standalone infatti si schianta dopo poco... però funziona perfettamente il plugin integrato in Logic Pro: questo significa che se voglio suonare per diletto, senza necessariamente dover registrare qualcosa, devo comunque avviare logic Pro e configurare una traccia sw. Per comodità mi son creato un progetto vuoto e alla necessità apro quello ed è fatta.
    Un altro problema legato all'incompatibilità del SW Aria è l'impossibilità di configurare alcuni parametri del controller, come la pressione del morso per il vibrato, la sensibilità del soffio, ecc. E questa è una mancanza perché queste opzioni non sono presenti nella versione plugin... ed il motivo per cui sarebbero tornate utili queste impostazioni direttamente nello strumento, come per il 5000 o il Solo.
    Ho già fatto presente al supporto tecnico di Akai... spero in una prossima release e mi riservo di aggiornare la recensione in futuro.

    Nel video potete vedere la mia prima prova pochissime ore dall'acquisto e live, senza alcuna post produzione e correzione: ora sono chiaramente migliorato, ma è più significativo mostrare quello che si può fare in poche ore... dato che di esecuzioni ottime di musicisti esperti ce ne sono già tante su YouTube.
    E poi, il fatto che l'output è una traccia midi totalmente modificabile è certamente un plus: avete sbagliato nota? La cambiate... il passaggio di ottava non è stato pulito e si sente una nota in più? La cancellate; il ritmo non era preciso? Lo sistemate; Il vibrato era eccessivo o al contrario troppo "piatto"? Lo potete modificare in post.
    Una figata.

    Spero che questa recensione vi sia stata utile: in caso ogni like è più che apprezzato.
    Buon divertimento e buona musica!
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    55 people found this helpful
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    SA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un super instrument
    Reviewed in France on August 10, 2019
    Style: USB MIDI Wind ControllerVerified Purchase
    10 people found this helpful
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    McBookworm
    5.0 out of 5 stars EWI USB - Ein tolles Instrument, wenn auch nicht unbedingt für den Einsteiger
    Reviewed in Germany on December 17, 2018
    Style: USB MIDI Wind ControllerVerified Purchase
    18 people found this helpful
    Report
    MilkTea
    5.0 out of 5 stars 1回しか音は出していませんが
    Reviewed in Japan on November 3, 2023
    Style: USB MIDI Wind ControllerVerified Purchase
    One person found this helpful
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