Akai EWI4000S Electronic Wind Controller

by Akai

Product 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

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 26.4 x 2.7 x 2.4 inches ; 1.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000UTIJ0O
• Item model number: EWI4000S
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,411 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #68 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > MIDI Controllers

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great synth, September 24, 2007

By 

Simdude (Southington, CT United States) - See all my reviews

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.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great New Instrument that NEEDS a case!, October 31, 2006

By 

Carmen Scriptor - See all my reviews

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carrying Case for Akai EWI4000s, October 18, 2007

By 

Juan E. Lara - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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.