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| List Price: | $999.00 |
| Price: | $699.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
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Product Description
The Akai Professional EWI4000S is a giant leap in the evolution of wind instruments. The heart of the EWI4000S is its "first in the industry" built-in sound module that lets musicians plug a wireless MIDI or audio set up into the base of the EWI, and move freely around the stage without being tethered by wires. At Akai Professional, we understand that artists want to concentrate on creating and performing music, not manipulating buttons, so we've made the breath, vibrato, glide time, and bend width controls easily accessible and totally adjustable. In addition, the included software lets both Windows and Mac users edit, customize, store and recall sounds with their computer. The EWI4000S delivers incredible versatility, ultimate mobility and remarkable creative expression that brings a musical revolution to your fingertips.Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #9445 in Musical Instruments
- Brand: Akai
- Model: EWI4000S
- Released on: 2008-08-12
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 2.40" h x 2.70" w x 26.40" l, 1.90 pounds
Features
- Includes Electronic Valve Instrument (EVI) fingering mode for brass players
- Touch sensitive keys and octave roller for quick and responsive playing
- Sensitive breath sensor for expressive dynamics
- Built-in analog modeling synth sound module
- Built-in MIDI output for use with sound modules and PC and Mac Editor software for customizing, storing and instantly recalling internal sounds
Customer Reviews
Great synth
I just received my EWI4000S and already love it. First, some quick background.
I am a software engineer by trade and a hobbyist musician. I
minored in music focusing on Jazz. I play clarinet, alto sax and flute.
After reading numerous reviews and having tried various wind synths
starting back around 1988, I finally decided the 4000s was the
instrument to go with. I never like the other instruments requiring a
separate sound module and found the built in synth on the 4000s just
what I was looking for. I was concerned about reviews indicating the
built in sounds were a bit thin, so I decided to buy from patchman
music and add their sound library to the package. It was only another
$50 so for $750, you get a great instrument, with nice sounds ready to
go. As a bonus, they update the OS in the instrument and calibrate for
you at no charge.
I set up the instrument with sax fingerings and found it fairly
easy to adjust to the touch sensitive keys. The one area that I see
needing a lot of work on my part is moving through the octaves. With
rollers instead of a single octave key, this looks like the biggest
hurdle. Even so, I was able to pull out a Charlie Parker solo book, and
play much of the content albeit at a bit of a slower pace than the
Bird. It was still encouraging enough to let me know that with some
work, I should be able to sound pretty decent.
It's also a blast to be able to plug in headphones and play at all
hours of the night without disturbing the family or neighbors. I have
noticed a tiny bit of hiss on the headphones, but have not determined
yet if it is a headphone issue or the instrument. I suspect there will
be a tiny amount of noise since the internal synth is analog.
I have yet to work with the MIDI so I cannot comment on how well it
works in that regard. There is also software that lets you modify or
create new sound and download, however, this also requires a MIDI
connection so I have yet to try this.
As another reviewer pointed out, there is no case available for
this. Akai, are you listening? I have found most other EWI players
suggesting a soprano sax case and if necessary, replacing the bottom
with foam cut out for the EWI. I would prefer a custom case from Akai,
but they have never had a case for any of their EWI's as I recall so I
won't hold my breath.
Overall, an excellent and very expressive instrument, especially if you get the updates from Patchman.
A Great New Instrument that NEEDS a case!
The Akai EWI 4000S is a great instrument. The only BAD thing I can
say is that there is no case available for it. Akai needs to get on the
stick and make one available. Surely anyone that spends $700 for a
musical instrument wants, needs and will buy a case. It's a pain to
have to keep the shipping box and pack the instrument up and carry the
box around. Otherwise, it's a great instrument. It's very responsive,
feels good and sounds good. It's really nice to have an onboard
synthesizer. All the ports are good: audio; midi and headphone. It's
nice to have the choice of battery power or the optional AC adapter
(not necessarily optional, really). If you want a wind controller, go
for it.
Carrying Case for Akai EWI4000s
The EWI4000s is an excellent INSTRUMENT(s).
I had a hard time finding a carrying case, but I tried the Standard Soprano Saxophone Case Pro Tec Model PB-310 Black and it fit perfectly. Also, it has a pocket to carry several things including the ac adapter.