Digital Saxophones Compared - Which One to Get?

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  • Опубликовано: 26 ноя 2024

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  • @ericperry1861
    @ericperry1861 3 дня назад +15

    I think insaneintherain made a great point that when playing an electronic wind instrument, don't treat it like a replacement for real instruments, treat it like a digital instrument and you'll find it much more satisfying.

  • @TerryAndHerSax
    @TerryAndHerSax День назад +1

    Thanks for another fantastic comparison, Jay! I use the YDS-120 for travel practice and don't experience the glitches. I press the keys hard in general. It fits in my carry-on case. I don't miss the Bluetooth - I use an aux chord to connect to my iPad or phone. Also - I've never put actual batteries in it. I connect a very old portable charger to it while I play. (This charger is so old it can't even charge a new phone). I rarely change the sounds - but I love that I can switch between Alto, Tenor, and Soprano, so I don't have to transpose. Two ideas worth mentioning next time: 1)The air pressure required to play the electronic one is nothing compared to the real sax. And voicing is not required. You cannot practice many of the skills that make your sax sing, such as vibrato, bends, dynamics, and tonguing techniques. It's most useful to work on fingerwork (such as a fast passage). Make sure you have a few hours with your real sax before you return to rehearsal or play live! 2) It's great for written transcribing. The actual sax is clunky to set down and pick up. The electronic sax (no matter which brand you choose) is light and easy to set down and pick up to test a passage and then write it down.

  • @HarrisonAnesh
    @HarrisonAnesh 4 дня назад +3

    I just purchased the AE-20 a few weeks ago after watching all of your previous digital sax reviews. For me, I think it was the right fit because it gives me extra versatility to play different sounds when I'm jamming with my band, yet the feel is close enough to my sax to where what I practice on the AE-20 transfers to my sax. I've been having a lot of fun with my Aerophone, and one feature that you didn't touch on here is the pitch bend wheel! The pitch bend is really useful when I'm jamming and doing call and response with the guitar player! Though I agree with you that the bite control is not as useful as I originally thought it would be. Thank you for always posting helpful videos, Jay!

    • @davidbenhaiem7784
      @davidbenhaiem7784 День назад

      Don't forget to add the new free tones, I really likes some of them (Bass clarinet and 5 flutes especially)

  • @josephmarinucci9073
    @josephmarinucci9073 4 дня назад +2

    Love practicing and playing on my Roland AE-10. Not even the slightest desire to upgrade to an AE-20 or AE-30 or switch to another digital instrument. The AE-10 has great build quality, the supernatural sounds are fantastic, it's fun to match different sounds to different songs, and its size and weight make it super comfortable and convenient to play.

  • @thecontinentalist8816
    @thecontinentalist8816 4 дня назад +3

    I used your discount code for the travel sax about 6 months ago and have grown to really enjoy it, in that 'does what it says on the tin' kind of way. I've been travelling for the last four months and have taken it everywhere, whilst my sax has mostly been in storage. Ive played it on trains, in tents, camper vans and on bike trips as it fits easily in panniers. I used it in cafe's and it's become a conversation opener as people are curious to what Im doing. I even watch TV with it and pay along to theme tunes and incidental music, whilst still taking in what im watching. It's become a bit obsessional, I have to admit, but it has improved my ear no end. I'm currently full of cold and can, laid low and can still play the thing in bed, as it doesn't require much of a puff to get a sound out of it. The sounds are awful, I just leave it on Trumpet as its the least offensive sound to my ears.
    I also have an EMEO that I bought at the same time and don't play it as much, but will do once my travelling stint comes to an end. I still play my tenor in a band ( 4 times in four months ) and realise I'm suffering from sarcopenia and so need to rectify that by hitting the gym !
    My travels is I must say starting to wear out, after 6 months of solid use. The battery life is decreasing so I always travel with a battery bank that will charge the thing at least 3 or 4 times. The keys are beginning to squeak and some notes like D are getting a bit glitchy. I'm going to speak to the guys in Spain to see if they are interested in taking it back to give it a service. I never thought Id say that about it, but like everything with moving parts, albeit in 3D printed plastic, things do wear out.
    All that to say I have found it to be a great tool.
    As for the people taking interest in the thing, it is only women it seems. The Netherlands was a big hit, putting life into the old adage " Is that a Travel sax in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me ? "

  • @CraigMcGorryMusic
    @CraigMcGorryMusic 3 дня назад

    I’ve had the EMEO for a couple of years and have loved it. I do find that for traveling, it’s a little cumbersome because of its size. So, I recently bought a TS2. The TS2 really can go anywhere. A few points: My EMEO sometimes doesn’t connect for me right away. Since it has no internal sounds, this is very frustrating and I’ve sometimes lost good practice time trying to connect it. Other times, it connects right away and I’m good to go. My TS2 always connects quickly. And, as I said, the size makes it super convenient to take anywhere. It has those internal sounds, so I’m ready to practice right away. I have found it a little glitchy sometimes. I’m not sure if that’s just my instrument or what. I will go to play a key and it will sometimes not play for a moment. I need to find out if that fixable and why that might be happening. But, overall, it works well.

  • @zululDrummer
    @zululDrummer 3 дня назад +1

    for performing, better choices in my opinion would be nurad or older akai ewi models. also yamaha wx7 and wx5 are good

  • @RobertOdell-hq3wn
    @RobertOdell-hq3wn День назад

    The EMEO is finest digital-sax. Jay previously reviewed as the best in class. I agree. It travels easily and the actual sax keys allow you to not lose the proper manual coordination and orientation. The customer service is first rate. It's not glitchy, has great software and uses Bluetooth.

  • @paulkazachenko
    @paulkazachenko 4 дня назад +4

    I do think these digital instruments are nice to have but I practice enough every day that I feel like this is not really necessary

  • @johnliles9445
    @johnliles9445 2 дня назад +1

    Jay, this was an excellent and informative video, and I have a follow-up question for you. Did you find there was a little "learning curve" with the Aerophone in terms of fingering? I ask because my Aerophone (which is an AE-10) is NOT glitch-free, unless I'm very careful with my fingering. With a not-quite-firm enough key press, I'll get a howl/squeal sound between notes. I have to be a lot more careful and precise with my fingering on this instrument than with my real saxophones. Have you had that experience? I don't think the AE-10 is fundamentally different from the AE-20 you have, other than extra features.

    • @bettersax
      @bettersax  13 часов назад +1

      there is a small learning curve. Not much though. Finger glitches will always be more prominent on an ewi than on a real saxophone though.

  • @fgerv
    @fgerv 4 дня назад +1

    I play wind controller in a horn section so I only use SWAM sounds. In 2024 I used AE05 but did pick up a used YDS-150. Paid much less than a new 120. Modified it about 10 minutes using a tube I had to cut to size to fit a removable alto neck, mp and alto strap. Forget any of the internal sounds. Had to strap on a rechargeable battery if I want to use Bluetooth midi. Can’t tell if you adjusted the YDS using the iOS app. With your sound you should stick with acoustic sax. Played wind controller since 1984. Had a Lyricon, two WXs, 2 EWIs, 2 AE 30s. My keepers are AE05 and 10 and WARBL 1 & 2. I host on M1 iPad Pro but have a M1 Mac mini with Sample Modeling horns.

    • @Cysubtor_8vb
      @Cysubtor_8vb 4 дня назад

      I hadn't heard of SWAM, but, after watching a brief trailer, I'm definitely gonna check that out!

    • @fgerv
      @fgerv 4 дня назад

      @@Cysubtor_8vbWhat controller do you have and do you have an iPad?

  • @michaelkelly9847
    @michaelkelly9847 3 дня назад +1

    I didn’t agree with your review of the YDS-150, but your review of the travelsax2 was spot on. Do to its size and internal battery I’m finding myself practicing with it most often. With the limited room available in the cab of my truck it gives me the best chance to get some practice when I’m waiting on a load. It also allows me to practice quietly at home at night as I’m trying to force myself into a practice habit. I’m still looking forward to ordering the Master Class off of the Better Sax website. I’m not sure why I haven’t ordered it already, just trying to figure out the best way to do the class in the truck while I’m on the road.

    • @bettersax
      @bettersax  3 дня назад

      Nice. Black Friday sale starting in a couple days, so it's the best time to sign up for the courses.

    • @michaelkelly9847
      @michaelkelly9847 3 дня назад

      @@bettersax Nice, thanks for the heads up. I guess that is what I was waiting for and I didn't even know it. Should make it home just in time for that. Were you planning on putting out a BetterSax Bari-Sax? I'm saving up for a Bari-Sax to reward myself when I can finally get myself into a good practice habit.

    • @michaelkelly9847
      @michaelkelly9847 18 часов назад

      @@bettersax The temptation of the Mega Bundle was too much for me to pass up for $399 and a no brainer when I clicked to purchase it, and it was $299. There was no way I could pass that up. I think I'm going to purchase the Rhythmic Pyramid when I regain a little more skill. I'm trying to get myself to the point where I'm excited to improvise again, but set myself up for better success, with a better foundation then I had when I put my sax down a little over 30 years ago. Hopefully I can make this fun again and begin to look forward to my practice time.

  • @brandolph83
    @brandolph83 4 дня назад +1

    I’m a beginner, and took a chance on the YDS-120. I actually like it, and it’s fun, although you are absolutely right: it’s glitchy. And that octave key…whoa. Really bad. The forums are pretty up in arms about that octave key. But overall it lets me practice in places I normally couldn’t, like when i travel, or even in the hospital visiting a relative.
    When I progress to more intermediate level, I will really take a look at the Emeo.

    • @MrArztz
      @MrArztz 3 дня назад

      what do you think with saxophone sound between ae-20 and yamaha yds 120?
      i feel like yds 120 is more realistic.
      i still dont know what to choose. i love yamaha sound but after hearing cons. it makes me unsure.

    • @brandolph83
      @brandolph83 3 дня назад +3

      @@MrArztzIn truth, I think my YDS-120 sounds like a toy. It’s not a realistic sax sound at all. I can’t speak to the AE-20.
      There are other sounds that sound kind of other-worldly, and they are fun. The flute type sounds are fun. But I like it because it helps me practice my fingering, not because it sounds good. Hope this helps :)

    • @MrArztz
      @MrArztz 3 дня назад

      ​@@brandolph83 it helps a lot. i heard sound only on RUclips, so real user comment is more solid.
      what i have heard might be editing and making sound good.

  • @fun1111
    @fun1111 2 дня назад

    Is AE-30 Pro better than AE-20?

  • @gianlucawork
    @gianlucawork День назад

    I'm a happy owner of a TS2 since they put it in pre-sale. Perfect to study, especially reading and "mechanics" (scales, intervals, arpeggios). 'm looking how to use it live, but still trying to figure it out.
    Yamaha got a big fail with this new YDS line (150 and 120), compared to the glorious WX5, in my opinion.

  • @ize1000009
    @ize1000009 4 дня назад +2

    If you live in an apartment and have very limited time to practice your real sax then I’d definitely 1000% recommend the EMEO.
    I had to take a break from real playing and practicing for 1.5 years, but I kept practicing with the EMEO 3-4 times a week, for 2-5 hours. (Because I actually enjoyed it)
    Just now I could come back and start practicing again on my real sax. And I’m flying through all 12 keys arpeggios everything, and maybe because I was using the supplied alto mouthpiece, my embouchure didn’t suffer neither, and I came back MUCH better then I ever was.
    It was the best investment I ever made. Now I can 100% focus on tone and articulation practice when I’m with my sax, and leave all the tedious finger work for the EMEO.
    HIGHLY recommend!
    (Btw I’m using the SWAM sounds on an iPad)

  • @davidwood351
    @davidwood351 4 дня назад

    I saw Sonny Rollins in the late 70’s, he played an electronic wind instrument for a couple tunes. It was pretty wild for those days.

    • @fgerv
      @fgerv 3 дня назад

      Had to be a Lyricon. It predated midi.

  • @chris-johnson
    @chris-johnson 3 дня назад

    I ordered the Roland AE-30 Aerophone Pro today. On Sweetwater and Musician's Friend, it's $450 off, bringing the total to $999. With the 48-month 0% interest financing option, I finally decided it was time to pull the trigger. For approximately $20 per month, I think I'll be satisfied with what I get out of it, which is hopefully fun.

    • @bettersax
      @bettersax  3 дня назад

      Yeah, that's like the AE-20 with some more options. You'll have fun with it.

  • @_mickmccarthy
    @_mickmccarthy 4 дня назад

    Regarding budget options, there's also cheaper variants of the AE-20. I picked up a AE-05 to use as a practice tool (most of my music making time is after the kid's gone to sleep, so the actual sax is off the table for that situation!) and it's pretty great for that IMO

    • @fgerv
      @fgerv 4 дня назад +1

      The AE05 is a keeper but not for internal sounds.

    • @_mickmccarthy
      @_mickmccarthy 4 дня назад

      @@fgerv Yeah the internal sounds aren't great (the additional ones available through the app are better, but I can't be bothered with the app most of the time).
      Though for practice purposes, I'm mostly just concerned with hitting the right notes in time rather than the actual sound quality, so it still does the job for me.

  • @GregAlvarado-y8f
    @GregAlvarado-y8f День назад

    YDS 150 is excellent!!

  • @Frygonz
    @Frygonz 3 дня назад

    Are you able to transpose to F on the fly? I'd like to be able to transpose quickly between C, F, Bb, and Eb for use as a rehearsal tool as a band director.

    • @davidquidas961
      @davidquidas961 3 дня назад

      I can't speak for anything except the Aerophone, but I generally keep mine in Eb since I mostly play alto, but sometimes I change it to Bb (for a tenor part) or C if I'm trying to figure out a key from an original recording of something. I wouldn't say that "on the fly" is the expression I would use since it takes quite a few button pushes to navigate through the menu to do this. There may be an easier way to do it through the phone app, but, so far, I haven't needed or tried to link the instrument to the app. I would think that the other two (YDS-120 &TS2) have similar capabilities. It seems like a pretty fundamental requirement in an instrument like these.

  • @jimmymiller5465
    @jimmymiller5465 4 дня назад +3

    What about the EWI?

    • @fgerv
      @fgerv 4 дня назад

      Sold every EWI I owned long ago.

    • @HQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQ
      @HQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQ 4 дня назад

      @@fgerv Why mention just EWI? Let us see the whole list of items you sold. Akai's are great.

  • @humberticosax1
    @humberticosax1 2 дня назад

    Que tal amigos tengo una pregunta que tal estos instrumentos digitales cargando sonidos sampleados

  • @JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton
    @JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton 3 дня назад

    I have all of these (older Aerophone), also the EMEO. But by far the best is the original Akai EWI that Brecker used. Far more expressive; I have one. OK, not sax fingering, the others are good for practice, with the EMEO being the best.

  • @Cysubtor_8vb
    @Cysubtor_8vb 4 дня назад +1

    I was literally sitting here debating if I should get the Yamaha YDS-120 while it's on sale and you upload this 😂

  • @hazzahazza8589
    @hazzahazza8589 4 дня назад +1

    One of these would be great to practice with but why are they so expensive?

  • @saxofunk
    @saxofunk 3 дня назад

    I think of the AE-20/30 as a synth with a sax keybed instead of a piano keybed.

  • @waynepharo
    @waynepharo 4 дня назад

    Jay, I recently bought the Travel sax 2 but I am confused on how to use the Blue tooth features. I tex the company several times w/o any response. I can not get my travel sax 2 (TS2) bluetooth to connect to any apps or my computer. Are u saying to hook up BT to your headphones and use the apps or computer for sounds to go to your headphones, so that you can hear the backing track on headphones while the headphones are pluged into your DS2. That way you hear the backing track on headphones and hear the music you made from your TS2 together!! Hope that make sense. If not can you explain how to incorporate BT on your TS2!!
    Thanks you
    Wayne Pharo

    • @maveri.k
      @maveri.k 3 дня назад

      Not sure if you are asking in your comment, but if you connect via Bluetooth the TS2 with your phone for example, any music coming from your phone as backing track your can hear it through headphones and play over it

  • @puravidajazz6048
    @puravidajazz6048 2 дня назад

    Tried them all only the Roland is good ‼️ That's my 10 cents.

  • @donbrown9476
    @donbrown9476 4 дня назад +3

    Nothing compares to the Yamaha WX5/VL70 - great instrument. Don’t know why Yamaha stopped making it.

    • @fgerv
      @fgerv 4 дня назад

      Before Sample Modeling and then SWAM I would agree. Got rid of that combination in 2015. Would never go back now.

    • @donbrown9476
      @donbrown9476 7 часов назад

      @ What do you have now?

  • @chanokim
    @chanokim 3 дня назад

    have you tried NuRAD?

    • @bettersax
      @bettersax  3 дня назад

      I have not, but want to.

  • @humberticosax1
    @humberticosax1 2 дня назад

    Me refiero a la respuesta an tiempo real con sampler Conectado via midi a la computadora tendría latencia

  • @georgedcguy7402
    @georgedcguy7402 День назад

    yds 120 is the best one if you're on a budget.

  • @realsynth-classicalmusic
    @realsynth-classicalmusic 3 дня назад

    The AE-20 now has quiet keys. Older units can be retrofitted.

    • @davidquidas961
      @davidquidas961 3 дня назад +1

      Please tell us more about retrofitting the AE-20. Mine has the clicketty clacketty keys.
      I can't find any info on Roland's site about it.

    • @realsynth-classicalmusic
      @realsynth-classicalmusic 3 дня назад +1

      @davidquidas961 I purchased a second AE-30 and noticed how different the keys were, no clicks. Long story short, I found out that Roland can retrofit older Aerophones to the quieter keys. I contacted Roland through their website and sent over my older horn. They did a great job and it wasn't expensive, less than $100 at the time. It was worth it. My 2 instruments play identically. Hope this helps.

  • @CullenThaDog
    @CullenThaDog 3 дня назад +1

    A bettersax baritone sax would be TERRIBLE rn...😏

  • @3dsound741
    @3dsound741 4 дня назад

    Though you were going to play Original Rays there for a sec.

  • @bluedragontoybash2463
    @bluedragontoybash2463 3 дня назад

    Roland AE-20 and Yamaha YDS-120 are NOT in same price range

  • @paulbeaulieu9338
    @paulbeaulieu9338 4 дня назад +1

    Am I the only one packing an old metal clarinet everywhere? It is the instrument that gives me the most trouble..... of course, it is not a sax 🙂

    • @fgerv
      @fgerv 3 дня назад

      I made a lamp out of mine.

  • @ericdano
    @ericdano 4 дня назад

    Yamaha one sucks balls. Why no review of the Akai 5000 or that other one they make?

    • @fgerv
      @fgerv 3 дня назад

      Sold that crap years ago.

  • @streamsniper146
    @streamsniper146 4 дня назад

    First?

  • @mariomarcelo
    @mariomarcelo 3 дня назад

    The travel sax is a kind of toy betwen the others 2 , very bad instruemnt , no stable ata all and looks like a bad toy ¡¡¡¡¡¡

  • @normalizedaudio2481
    @normalizedaudio2481 3 дня назад

    I got this kind and I don't like it. I went back to normal sax. I can't stand to play these things. I am advanced keyboard player. Can play anything I want on keys.... Just no point in playing this ugly, electric goblin. Don't buy this. You will regret it. YAMAHA sucks at this too.

    • @fgerv
      @fgerv 3 дня назад

      Yes, these are not for you.

    • @JoSeph-qo4gq
      @JoSeph-qo4gq 2 дня назад

      They’re for practicing, not performance. Ofc the sound is not gonna be the best.

  • @m.w.
    @m.w. 4 дня назад +3

    Even in my worst dreams i would not buy something like that....😅

    • @fgerv
      @fgerv 4 дня назад +1

      Yes if you don’t know how to use iOS devices for music then stick with acoustic instruments. Most musicians I play with have your prejudice. .

    • @HQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQ
      @HQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQ 4 дня назад

      @@fgerv Well, nobody is Michael Brecker so... You can stick your iOS wherever you like. =) Have a nice day or night or whatever is on your side.