The most cost-effective decent wind controller.

Akai Professional is a huge name over a span of several decades with their EWI line of wind-controller synthesizers. Some of the more recent models have MIDI-Out capability in addition to being a actual wind synthesizer. ...but the price-tag is high (> $700 dollars). ....so then, enter the EWI USB, which cost a whole lot less (around $350), but the reason for the lower price-tag is that it is not a synthesizer in-and-of itself, nor does it specifically link to a dedicated synth module. It is literally a wind MIDI controller "only" (no synth module) utilizing a USB jack (not a 5-pin DIN jack). This is actually HUGE, because in the world of soft-synths, DAWs, etc. ...there was a growing need for this. The controller comes with a software interface and sound package for Windows called Aria Software Player that you install on a computer and that is made "specifically' for the EWI USB. Sounds good, ....so I bought one! :-) I bought mine from Patchman Music, who will also perform a few modifications on them (for an additional fee) to enhance their playability.

Even though it is amazing, has lots of features, can emulate a variety of instrument fingerings, etc., the first thing you learn is that there is still an un-familiarity and a learning-curve here. It is an entirely "different animal" than a saxophone, and ....I'm going to have to learn how to use the octave roller keys, the pitch-bend plate/thumb-rest on the bottom-back, and "practice" playing this thing for awhile before I can get good at playing it and master it. (OK, thats fine and makes perfect sense).

THE GOOD: This thing will literally play any VST, soft-synth, or sound module you can hook it up to or sync it with (but there is a slight "catch"). Also, the controller itself is built well and has all the neat built-in features for control (mouthpiece "bite" control, roller keys, pitch-bend plate) that has become to be standard on all the EWI line. The controller itself is powered thru the USB connection to its USB jack.

THE UNEXPECTED: 1) You MUST run the EWI set-up disk the first time you use the EWI in order to config it and allow the computer to install the driver for it. If you don't, the EWI plays very sporadically and you'll lose it. 2) You cannot touch any of the metallic keys or pads on the EWI whenever it is powering on, or it will not calibrate (set-up) properly before each use. 3) The included Aria Player software is made to work specifically with the EWI USB, so it will work well with it. However, all other normal VSTs, soft-syths, and sound modules are set-up to respond specifically to standard "Keyboard" controller hardware parameters or settings. The EWI USB wind-controller is different (which you will find-out), so then you will notice that it may not play your favorite VSTs or sounds the way you expected, and then (if possible) you will have to go into the sounds settings and tweak & save them for use with the EWI's control parameters (may take some work and time per sound software). So you might be in store for some unexpected "headaches" or other frustrations ...otherwise, this is overall a great device that fills a much needed niche!

Sensational

I'm a percussionist/keyboardist, but when I picked this up it was very easy to learn and use the included software. It feels very nice in your hands when you play it, and breath control on this is just amazing; so many different sound options. The pack-in patches are ok at best, so investing in the Garritan orchestra might be a better choice. Overall, this wind controller is a great entry-level option with many strong qualities that separate itself from the others.

outstanding controller

An outstanding controller with many tweeks.