Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller 

Comments about Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller:

As a former flute and sax player 15 years ago now a guitarist the fingering came back instantly with the EWI chart help so there wasn't any big learning curve. But when trying to double tongue or quickly accent notes forget it this instrutment doesn't have the response time...something to be expected from a midi but it's really was worst than I expected. Other than that this is really a nice tool for fun and some recording but doesn't come close to replacing a real instrument. As long as you remember it's just a MIDI controller and don't expect nothing too extravagant you shouldn't be disappointed. If you think your going to be another Najee or Euge Groove with this thing your in for a huge letdown.
Another problem is the fingering keys are so sensitive that you can be off on notes even with the correct fingering so proper finger placement and wearing the neck strap is important. Other than that its a decent MIDI device.

Comments about Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller:

This is my second Akai wind controller. The first one did not work. It cost me $1300 and Akai would not return emails or phone calls. Total waste of over a grand. Next, I bought this USB model, thinking it would be more reliable. I installed the software and drivers on four computers and the most I got out of it was a squeak. Again, numerous emails and phone calls went unanswered. Very disappointed that I've wasted money on the Akai wind controllers. Both were obviously inoperable.

Comments about Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller:

This is a great instrument, but it is not for the MIDI neophyte. The included ARIA software is usable with the appropriate ASIO4All drivers, but the EWI USB really shines in a full synthesizer environment such as Reason.

I've had the instrument for over a year now, and it is not my primary choice over my Alto Sax and Flute.

This is an entirely new instrument and not a stand in replacement for a sax or other woodwind, do not think you'll be able to just pick it up and play.

Check out the Patchman forums, EWI Reason Sounds, and YouTube for some reviews and general knowledge about this instrument before buying.

I would not recommend to someone who is a computer music / MIDI beginner, however, if you know your way around the computer music programs and know about general MIDI synthesis, have at it. It is a great and rewarding instrument that can really stretch your ability and allow you to truly express yourself.

Comments about Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller:

Had this for a few years and did not use it much. Now I built a new computer and find this is the only gear I own which will not work under Windows 8 (at the time of this rewview). I have contacted Akai but no reply. I do not need the outdsated Garitan sounds because I have better sounds than this. Would like the option to download software with no library and no stand alone version(VSTi). If you lose your original installation disk, you are out of luck because it can not be downloaded. There was one version of it and it is for Windows Vista. These days I expect driver updates at least every few years. I would be willing even to pay for a driver to get this working in Windows 8. Now this device has become obsolete because it has no midi output on it. Better to have bought the pro ewi. This item is still on the market and they had plenty of time to make Windows 8 software for it. Shame on Akai I say.

Comments about Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller:

I have been playing guitar for 35 years. I play with different people every week and for family and friends. I have always wanted to play Saxaphone, but never had the courage to jump in. The EWI USB made my dream possible. Pick your sound from the many available, find a Jazz track and start learning. The sound is just amazing. Add a little reverb and your in business. I chose to utilize the EWI Fingering since I have no Sax experience and I will be able to play all the Plug-ins with the same fingerings. It works with Propeller Head software and Garage Band. Get One.

Comments about Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller:

Pros: Fun to play with, lots of instrument sounds, good idea, stationary (theoretically more durable) keys and less expensive than the Yamaha

Cons: Octave rollers difficult to manage, pitch bend not intuitive to use, hard to hold the instrument without inadvertantly touching trill keys or the pitch bend plates, and (in my case, at least) early failure.
As a former sax player , now playing bass/guitar, I thought it would be fun to have a variety of woodwind instruments to play without having to buy them all. The EWI USB seemed just the thing.

It was fairly easy to learn to finger (using the sax fingering setting), and was fun to play. The octave rollers took some getting used to. The pitch bend plates were less than adequate - not similar enough to the embouchure method for bending pitch.

There are plenty of instruments and variations to play with. Imagine playing a violin or a doublebass using sax fingerings!
Even after playing with it for several months, I could never get the tonguing to work rapidly enough to consider performing with it. Now, it is having some kind of problem converting the fingerings to the correct pitches - it will only produce 4 pitches, each a half-step apart, and the octave keys work backwards (high produces low and vice-versa).

Evidently this thing has fried itself just sitting on my shelf for couple of weeks. Not a happy ending to this experiment.
Obviously, having a moderately expensive instrument fail after only a few months of use is disappointing. Had it continued to work, I could have rated the value as a 6 or 7.

Comments about Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller:

Bad delay problem with Windows. Fixable with downloadable ASIO4ALL driver. Akai support very poor and suggested not using this ASIO driver. Even cut me off after 6 minutes on the phone and without answers. Aria factory software (2008) needs to be updated with a better driver or even the ASIO. Without extra driver the instrument is not usable. Overall, however, love the instrument sounds, the quality, the choice of fingerings available. The software compatibility is the problem.

Comments about Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller:

It's an excellent buy!Read up online about what this device can do (no space here to explain, 1000 words are too few).It's a wonderful device, but I'll tell you where it failed me; which is often a bigger determening factor for some to buy or not to buy:Needs external ASIO driver (asio4all)Instruments need tweaking to get a good sound, though can be made to sound like a nice sax!Limited good samplesThe neckstrap is a bit too long (needed to put knots in it to get it the right size)EWI COntroller too heavy! I opened the device and removed the internal weights.Comes in a cardboard box, but no gigbag. Difficult to find a suiting gigbag; but the cardbox will hold 2 years of twice a week gigging, with care!EWI does not support growling, tonal wise you are locked to the breath sensor in Aria; you can't make a sharp sound on a low volume, or make a soft sound on a high volume.Keys show some corrosion after 2 years, but not enough to interfere with the conductivity

Comments about Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller:

I'm a semi-pro sax player, and have an old Yamaha WX-7 MIDI wind controller as well, so this is not my first experience.I bought the EWI USB and spent a lot of time with it over a month. The quality is fantastic, the instrument itself is a joy to play. However, it is not geared toward a performing musician. For example - you can't change patches or settings from a MIDI footswitch. Any time you want to change a setting, you have to touch your computer. If you aren't going to be using this as a primary performing instrument, or only plan on using it for some really cool effects, you can't go wrong. The EWI is surprisingly expressive and the sounds are rich and full. Overall, it is a very nice instrument, but look at the 4000s too if you are planning on using it as a performance tool.

Comments about Akai Professional EWI USB Electronic Wind Controller:

This is my first experience with a wind controller. I'm using EVI fingerings. Been practicing for a couple of weeks now and can hear improvement every day. The Aria sounds are pretty nice. I also bought a V-Machine along with the Ewi. The V-Machine has nice sounds also. Just have to figure out how to load extra sounds into the V.