I've had my Emeo for about 18 months and I've used it nearly everyday; it sits beside my desk so I can just pick it up and play when I'm having a break (obviously I do play my normal saxophone every day too). I mostly use mine for silent practice at home as I don't like playing my saxophone around family members, and I get up at odd hours of the morning/night, so I can practice without annoying the neighbours as well. It's absolutely worth the money for the amount of use I've gotten out of it.
Hi Amelia, how are you, don't know if you remember but we were on bettersax studio at the same time for a period. I didn't know that you have an EMEO. It will be really nice if you could explain me how you manage the soft and connection part of the EMEO. if you prefer to send me an email or you can write me on bettersax or just explaining here. Thanks very much hope your fine. And Happy new year!
@@bettersax Thanks for the detailed review some thoughts a) I don't see any reason, according to the makers of this, that this is any less of a performance instrument despite it being designed for practice b) I used to play sax 15 years ago at an early intermediate level. I live in an apartment now and can't make the amount of noise a real sax makes. I have seen that shell enclosed thing and maybe I could use it but it still might bother my crazy neighbor. So I'm looking at this Emeo. You are going back and forth between this and a real sax, so you adapt to both feels... BUT if I were to it for a few years exclusively > until at some possible point in the future I was not in an apartment and could then play a real sax: I fear that if I played just the Emeo for a couple of years I could get accomplished in fingering but I will have settled into that slight latency, so then if I switched to a real sax that could take a long time to adjust and the other thing is no practice for embosure. So I'm thinking if I played this thing for two years , either like it for what it is and don't switch to a real sax or if I switch to a real sax, accept adding another 1-2 years to adjust to the real sax no latency plus embosure control, to bring these things to the level of fingering accomplishment. Do you agree with this? thanks
I live in a small apartment with thin walls and have no shot at practicing my saxophone here without disturbing everyone. I also have a full time job and sometimes I would like to practice late at night, which is difficult as a beginner. This is perfect for me.
@@bobthedeadguy7400 mutes are certainly more cost effective, but I think because the EMEO offers silence as an audio output, it better addresses concerns of practicing late at night.
I've had my Emeo for about a week (Xmas present to myself) and it is the perfect instrument for those of us living in densely packed/urban environments where noise disturbance is an issue. I've practiced more this week than I have in probably three months and the results are tangible. It's a blast to play because the action is so authentic (so long, WX-5, you were kind to me for so many years). Couple this with a mouthpiece silencer to keep your embouchure solid and you have a pretty darn good practice routine to tide you over until you can get a real horn in your hands. My only regret is not buying it a couple weeks later so I could get the discount code...
Seems really good to save on your reeds and keep you focused on the technical/physical playing aspects so you don’t fall into the ‘being at your own concert’ pitfalls of practicing.
To save reeds = to lose embouchure. (Unfortunately) If you really want to save reeds and not lose embouchure, just practice with a plastic one. Emeo must be great for emulating other sounds, use as a new instrument and every now and then, practice some hand tech mechanics… The problem of practicing tech hand mechanics without proper embouchure, is that your mouth changes with the notes, so with emeo, your mouth is not really changing at all. The mechanics of the hand goes together with the embouchure… (i guess you could use emeo for mechanics if you still practice your regular sax) And there are people who is practing more with emeo than with the regular sax (noise restriction), maybe in the end, it is better to just be able to practice more (When prices goes down, im getting one)
@CarlosBrabo Many perspectives on emboucher, but I've always held the same emboucher across the range of my horn. My emboucher may be lax if I'm fatigued. I notice other players tend to shift their mouth quite a bit, but I started on the clarinet and have never found I need to change my mouth with notes.
@@JustAnAcre I dont really know what to say man… maybe youre not noticing the not so subtle change between notes (specially octaves). The harmonics practice (changing octaves/fifhts (harmonic series) with the same fingering) tells a lot about the difference between embouchure, i mean, how would you do different notes with the same fingering without changing the embouchure?
@CarlosBrabo There are subtle differences doing harmonics, but for me, it is more in the back of the tongue and throat versus the front and lips that contact the mouthpiece. Maybe that is the distinction I'm making.
@@JustAnAcre yes! on the lips is way subtle than in the tongue/throat. Embouchure is the combination of it all. But I see difference in the lips when doing different kind of timbres: I enjoy practicing 4 types of timbres: 1- High end focused - Tongue backwards, more space inside the mouth. I take it to the extreme here 2- More muted - Tongue kinda upwards, less space in the mouth. . I take it to the extreme too here 3- Regular, just relaxed - somewhere in the middle 4- Grohling/Screaming - tbh, this is just one of the 3 above, but "singing" some note to distort it - Usually go with the 3-Regular here Learned a lot with this configuration, to regulate the different timbers betwen some melodies, to take more what I want of a differente reed. And when I record myself, I can try the different timbres on different styles of music
I have the emeo since November 2022. it feels like a real sax! it’s perfect to be played in a Motorhome on campgrounds or in hotels: nobody feels disturbed in the early morning or late evening like with the normal Sax. The case is much smaller then an Alto or Sopran. Ideal for traveling. It works perfectly as Tenor and Altosax or c melody even with Playbacks from Dropbox or Tomplay. Recording on video (e.g. to send a birthday song) is no Problem. If a question arises, emeo staff directly helps. Great support. I don’t want to miss it as training gear to get musicsheets „into the fingers“ or prepare a performance during holidays. Only soundquality/forming sound is not possible to be trained. All the crazy discussed ideas about how to play quietly/not disturb WITH A SAX found a solution! Thank you emeo!
I've had my Emeo for a little over 3 months now and I've enjoyed practicing on it a much more than on the Roland Aerophone Go I have. First and foremost: it's a lot of fun to play on. In addition, I have to say that the Israeli team (with which interacted a few times) is extremely helpful and willing to assist with suggestions. For example, when I complained that the "O ring" that comes with the neck tends to fall off, they suggested I use a Teflon tape for plumbing instead. I've put it (on the mouthpiece) once and it's still there for months, just like the cork on regular neck and it's a great sealant! I agree with all the recommendations for improvements that Jay gave in this video. For me, the biggest drawback this instrument has, is that it's quite heavy compared to its overall size. I solve this by simply leaning it on my crossed legs...
I love my emeo the company is super responsive and helpful. I also agree the curved neck piece should be longer, it’s uncomfortable to play with the short elbow… but I’m hoping to find something to extend it at my local hardware store. Other than that, it’s just perfect, it feels good and I can use my cell phone and headphones and not bother anyone.
I've been playing the EMEO professionally around the world for the last few years. It has SIGNIFICANTLY increased my activity level in the music making process. With my AUM / iPad setup I can cover ANY POSITION IN THE BAND.
Love my emeo, had it for 2 years now. It is worth every penny to practice anytime with headphones. I recommend using the new SWAM Sax sounds on IOS...FANTASTIC FANTASTIC FANTASTIC
I just googled it and it's indeed the best sax digital sound that there is. Not as good as the real thing, but just about as good as it gets, thanks for sharing the info!
Hey I rarely comment, but I got an Emeo and it is everything I expected. Had it for several months. Best of all, they have a simplified Respiro partner app on iPhone so I don't even need to plug it into a computer. Though usually I use computer, as I basically use it at night when I would not otherwise make all the noise! The sounds are not performance, it is just practice, and for that IT IS GREAT.
I wasted 15 hundred dollars on this product. Save your money. This instrument is not easy to set up. I contacted the company asking them to help me get it to play, and he was not nice at all, and he was the CEO! I felt like I was scam.
As a saxophone player who lives in an apartment building, I could really use this. I have the aero phone but it seems like this will better for technical exercise.
Thank you this is the answer to my prayer I am living in an apartment right now I moved to Iowa Mason City I have no place to practice and I’m about to practice in my car in the winter time I’m dead desperate i’m trying to make my come back to music and this will be a big help thank you again🤔😎👍👍👍
That is outstanding! I played for about 13-14 years and have fallen out due to not having the space (or time, really). I purchased an Aerophone a year or two back, but couldn’t get into it as it was “too digital”. This looks like we are definitely heading in the right direction. Though, the price is a little prohibitive. I’ll be keeping an eye on this one. Thanks for the video!
Agreed.. I feel the same way about my AE30, though have recently discovered that audiences are largely (though not wholly) intrigued and accepting of the AE30 on stage. Still feels and sounds to electronic for my tastes and style, though better than nothing for sure. Hoping EMEO comes out with a performance model!
Jay, I bought my Emeo in December based on your recommendation in response to an email I sent you in November. I was looking for a better practice alternative when at our home in Manhattan. (Busking under a bridge in Central Park just doesn't work for me, ha.) I love my Emeo! Connecting it to my iPhone was much easier than using the app on my Mac, and I'm able to play along with backing tracks that only I can hear. (I frequently use Karaoke tracks found in Spotify as backing tracks, in addition to iRealPro and your excellent downloads.) I found that I needed a pair of wired headphones and an adapter to plug them into the iPhone power jack because using Bluetooth earbuds was not a good solution. Using a Bluetooth connection between Emeo and an iPhone or computer is USUALLY fine, (though not always - sometime I must close out other running programs/Apps) but to further connect earbuds or headphones via bluetooth is a total non-starter. Like you, I had the springs on several keys adjusted and had to shorten the stroke on the Octave Key. I also have asked the very nice guys at Emeo to create a longer neck. Hopefully, they will do so soon. I use hot glue on my other saxophones to build-up some of the keypads and to create a "handle", if you will, for my left hand due to my crooked fingers. This was especially important with Emeo since it is significantly smaller than a Tenor Sax and somewhat smaller than the Alto. I would also suggest they move the air hole at the bottom of the Emeo to the front of the circle at the bottom so the instrument can rest on a leg. With the hole at the rear, resting in on a leg covers that hole and makes it impossible to blow. I do not like using a real reed/mouthpiece as it wants to vibrate. The rubber mouthpiece provided is actually fine, but bite control and bending/vibrato would be nice. Adjusting the breath control helps to make practice more realistic in terms of phrasing...i.e., when to take the next breath. My biggest issue (which is really minor/petty) is that I'd like a set of more realistic built-in sounds to choose from. There are some pretty good sax "voices" available for purchase and supposedly they can be added in, but a tech-imbecile like me needs help actually installing and connecting them. It comes with a great case, but I will probably just wrap it in pair of jeans and put it in a carry-on bag for travel. All in all, this was a great suggestion, Jay. I really appreciate it and hope you will consider doing a short course on using the Emeo. The nice guys at Emeo are wonderful, but they do not have your excellent communication skills. It would be great to see how you use it and get your demonstrations on how to get connect and get the most out of the Emeo. Best!
Great review! When I ordered mine, it was sent out right away. My only issue is that playing over bluetooth can be glitchy. The rest is just as you say.
So glad you did an EMEO review. I’ve had one for almost a year. It kept me practicing when my dad was sick and I was caring for him and couldn’t make a lot of noise. I love the feel of an actual saxophone body and key work. To me, that’s the biggest plus and well worth it for that reason. As you said, it makes you want to play it. All that being said, I spent the extra money for the SWAM saxophone audio modeling suite. Not cheap. $200 or so, as I recall, on top of the EMEO price of $1,500. I just can’t get into the Respiro sounds that come with it and, though it will never be as good as a real Sax sound, the SWAM comes close enough for keeping me engaged. I did run into some connection issues that have frustrated me, so I haven’t been playing it recently. EMEO has offered to Zoom with me about it, but I’ve been incredibly busy and I also live in NYC and they are in Israel, so it’s been hard to find a common time. But, overall, when it’s working for me, which it will again, it’s a game changer! Oh, I also practiced with it several times this summer on a 2-hour railroad ride. Just put my headphones on and practiced. I also learned Bird’s solo on “Perhaps” almost entirely on my EMEO.
@@craigmcgorry2391 No that's also not the intention. But a lot of different sound s to chose from. As said,:.the feeling for the fingers is identical, not the sound. But great for travelling!
Hi Jay , Thanks for your video, I knew the EMEO and I was thinking in buying one because the fingerings is top, and for someone who have terrible neighbors it is a very good digital sax. My only fear about it is the Computer and Software part. Due to the fact that it doesn't have integrated sound you can't just put your headphone (and your backing track) and start to play (like the YDS-125 that I owned, and turn back because it was really crappie). You focused your video on the Sax it self, that good, but not on the software part. Being a "dummie" with computer and so on, it scares me to have an instrument that depends on an external software. A good evolution of the EMEO should be a headphone plug, as you said, a line ine for backing tracks and an internal preload basic sound ( three saxs for exemple) Well that all, let see if I found information about soft settings and connections. Bye
Great comprehensive review. This is the most authentic solution I have seen so far and it will only get better and I hope they can focus more on performance playing. Most of the other one controllers look like toy instruments in my opinion. Although, they can sound pretty good using the right plug-in of course. This is Super great for saxophone players. I use an EWI USB which is quite good and inexpensive so I have some experience in this area. And I am a real trumpet player too.
I live in an apartment and I'm just getting back into practicing my saxophone. I work from home so I try to practice during times most people are at work. I haven't had a problem with my neighbors so far. However, I am enjoying playing so much that I would love to play early morning and in the evening. I just want to play all the time.😅 This would be great for when I'm traveling too. I watched your travel (pocket) sax video and came over here. So much has changed throughout the years I've been inactive. You gave a wonderful and very thorough review. This would be perfect for me. Thank you!!!🤗
It’s just brilliant! A handful to set up on different devices, but I got very helpful help from I won’t tell you who. But I felt privileged that he gave me his time. Oh, I have many more questions by the way. The only advice I can give from my first 3 weeks exposure is follow the instructions to the letter . Not like me and jump to what I thought is the next step. I’m still learning the basics about Respiro . I’d like to see a reasonably priced basic package of good instrument patches that could be loaded say just a package of four and also, to see a next step video to follow on from the introductory one. I understand this has been in development for approx 7 years. Thank you Emeo team, thank you, just brilliant.
I just put in my preorder after watching this video. I am professional scuba diver. I lose a minimum of seven days of practice a month due to travel. With the EMEO, I will be able to play in hotels, on dive boats.... This might well be the solution I have been looking for.
I appreciate the review. I have been following your vids since the start of covid, and even ended up buying a Jean Paul AS saxaphone due to a review made by you. I've taken a years worth of lessons, fallen off wagon, and am currently picking it up again. I have been researching both the emeo and the travel sax. Both for the given reasons of why they have been created for. I would also be grateful of a review made by you on the travel sax, when able. The emeo seems perfect micking that of a true saxaphone feel, but the travel sax offers the convenience of playing anywhere anytime, with and or without (correct me if I am wrong ), a digital source.
You can play the EMEO with Bluetooth on a phone or tablet. Travel sax has internal sounds but they are not much fun to play with because of the low quality. For good sounds you need to connect to a more powerful computer with any wind controller.
This looks intriguing, but I'll wait to see what they come up with for a second generation, as I would really like more performance features. I totally get the initial focus on a practice-oriented instrument. I play the Roland AE-30 (and AE-10 before it) and I need the bite sensor, octave keys and additional controllers it provides for expressive performance playing, but honestly the feel of the Roland could be much better.
@Jay have you ever considered integrating this device into your online course experience ?? > The EMEO opens up a lot of learning opportunities (gamification, instant feedback...), closer to what Melodics or Yousician does with guitar, drums or piano... But on a Saxophone !! 😱 Would love your thoughts on the Travel Sax 2 as well, which is not as advanced as the EMEO but also has normal sax keys feel and positioning AND an integrated synth with headphone jack 🤓
I’m interested in your thoughts on the travel sax II, as the cost difference and size are significant. Your arguments on the EMEO as a practice system is compelling and has me pausing.
I'm using the YDS-150 for 1.5 years by now and I evaluated the EMEO as well. I still wonder why your YDS-150 test was so devastating as it still does a very gold job for me at half the price of an EMEO and with the features that you request from the EMEO such as inbuilt sounds and a headphone connector. For me the biggest no-go for the EMEO is the requirement to connect it to some software running on any hardware (PC, tablet or smartphone) in order to listen to what you're playing. I still bet that Yamaha will come up with a YDS-250 that comes with a solid Taiwan hardware and will combine the best features of both practice instruments before the EMEO company comes up with anything that suits your requirements.
My YDS-150 was extremely unpleasant to work with. For me it is the kind of instrument that makes me want to stop playing. I'm glad you are getting value out of yours though. I do hope that Yamaha improves the design of their digital saxophone.
@@bettersax I'm hoping for a practice horn that combines both: Digital features of the YDS-150 like inbuilt sounds, plug for earphone and bluetooth speaker connection with the solid hardware of the EMEO.
The YDS-150 feels like a toy, and the key action is clunky at best. Practicing on it may help maintain your sax skills, but I find it very frustrating, especially the octave key. I play it much less frequently than I had planned. It just isn't fun to play.
@@bettersax I was a little disappointed on the YDS 150 review as well. I have both, as well as the Travel Sax 2, and the YDS/TS2 are good for practicing fingering as a standalone even though sound is not great. The Emeo was good for the feel and hardware adjustments; sound was great, but only because of the power of another entire device. However, the Emeo needing another device is extremely inconvenient. My disappointment in comparing the two reviews is that on the YDS, it was slammed for not having a bite sensor, but for the Emeo, the bite sensor was downplayed. All three of the instruments state that they are for practice only and not intended to be for live/professional performances. If Emeo had a built-in speaker or headphone port, I think it is worth the extra cost. Otherwise, I think the YDS 150 minus the bell, would be my practice instrument of choice whenever I need to practice quietly. My real instruments are Tenor Ref 54 and Yani AWO2.
The Synthophone by Softwinds blows this away. It is a real yamaha alto saxophone with built in midi. It appears to work in a similar manner to this. It has extended range, tranposition, a real reed, bite sensor, can pay up to 5 part harmony, pitch bend, and much more. I have played mine for about 10 years, including live performances.
Would the Synthophone serve the purpose of silent practice that is the focus of this Emeo device, or is it just a saxophone that outputs to a midi controller? Also looks like it may be out of production anymore.
Haven't tried the Emeo, but I do have an Odisei Travel Sax 2. It's the same concept -- a practice-oriented instrument -- but made of plastic, much smaller and lighter, and about 1/3 the price of the Emeo. I'm sure it's not as satisfying to play, but for what it is, I think it's pretty impressive. It has all the keys -- really -- and supports "common" altissimo fingerings, though I wish they would say exactly which ones. It's thoughtfully engineered, with a headphone jack and an aux input, and an internal speaker. The built-in voices are not that great, but it is supposed to be able to do MIDI over Bluetooth; I haven't tried this. The most impressive thing is the breath sensor, which has far more dynamic range than the EWI5000's. I'm sure a serious saxophonist will be happier with the Emeo, but for novices like me, the Odisei is easily good enough to enable practicing without risk of divorce :-)
I love my EMEO so much that I bought a 2nd one! Like Jay, I play my real horn when I can…but must admit, there are also numerous days where I’ll choose the EMEO over the real sax! No reed, exact fingering, quick and easy. I have never once regretted the cost of this investment…and the owner of this small business is a superstar. I truly can’t say enough good things about thee horn and the Company that makes them!
Hi I"m Rocky..I bought a Emeo a couple of months ago.....I dont like the Respiro sounds.....but how can I plug-in other sax sounds technally ? Do I need some kind of interface ? Thanks in advance.
@@stocks35 Congrats! Did you buy the full-version of Respiro or are you just using the options from what came with the Emeo? If the latter, I think you can get a much larger selection if you buy the full-version. That said, remember that the Emeo is made to be a practice horn so the sound is truly secondary. I’m definitely not performing with it. I hope that helps?
I have received this beautiful piece of equipment quite some time ago. Before that very moment my vocabulary was short of the word latency . . . Since then I have this hate love relationship with this instrument and if there wouldn't be Midi connection., not only the Horn, importantly also the Earphone it would be indeed the tool to spend hours. Sadly I must say, I loose a lot of time every time a grab the horn. Respiro comes with the instrument and SWAM I got later. Both are fantastic apps but it takes some learning to get up to speed. The good thing are the guys who are responsible for the Emeo and also for Respiro. I remember there was a glitch to run the app but even un Christmas Eve I got response in no time. My personal summery is mixed - relatively expensive - no onboard sounds (no ports to plug in Earphones on the instrument) to simply perform a quick practice session (it was overlooked that iPhones have no Earphone Plug anymore ..latency). O n the positive side it feels like the real deal and customer support is outstanding. All this said I have hopes that there will be an upgrade in the near future that addresses the know how depending Midi transmission? The point is, that I loose to much time of the set ups and to much distraction to enjoy the practice session.
I’ve been looking forward to this review, Jay. Sounds really good. I’d like one. Disappointingly, I have Yamaha YDS. I wanted a solution to having limited practice time during the day. However I don’t enjoy playing it, it feels a bit too dead in the hands and the constant glitches makes it a bit frustrating to play. An emeo might be a future investment.
I tried both the EMEO and the YDS-150. I love the look and feel of the EMEO. But the Bluetooth issues were a big problem and the Respiro UI was also perplexing, as I don't have a DAW. I think you need to have a DAW up and running to make full use of the EMEO. But the deciding factor was the G key mechanism was defective right out of the box. After a few 'support' sessions with the people at EMEO, we decided it was best to return the device. At that point, I decided to try the YDS-150. It doesn't have the look and feel of the EMEO. But at least it works properly when I pick it up to play. I don't have a DAW, so Respiro may or may not get used in the future.
I'll wait for the next gen before buying, which hopefully will include performance features such as bite sensor and least one onboard board sound for alto, tenor, and soprano sax.
It would be good to have a screw-on or snap-on bell to rest in an instrument stand. Also, an expressive emboucher would make it into a performance synth. Maybe, EMEO can make another model to fill that end.
I just ordered mine. I'm in the "February" batch (ships at the end of February). FYI, it's PayPal only (although you can use your credit or debit card), and the Better Sax coupon does not "show up" anywhere on the $300 initial deposit page. I emailed Emeo and let them know that this video assisted me in my purchase decision, and they wrote back that the coupon discount will be applied to the balance to be paid when the instrument ships. So, don't worry if you don't see the discount on the deposit page. I'd email them as I did... They advised that orders placed by today will be in the "February" batch for sure, but they didn't know about orders placed after that. So, order today or at least ASAP if you want to be in the "February" batch!
Going on Month 5 of my 2nd round of Bells Palsy, which renders me unable to play a real sax. [BLAHST!] I have finally started playing out with the AE30. As an untrained musician who just wanted something I could pick up and play (with almost no embouchure or compression from my cheek) the AE30 has had a higher learning curve than I had hoped. There are so many settings, sounds, configurations that I am sure add great flexibility for people with a greater understanding of "Synths" but muddied the waters for me. THe EMEO, though limited, certainly seems to be a great alternative that is more natural to transition for sax players. I am VERY thankful to have an option to play, which I did not have in 2020. (thank you for the encouragement and direction, Jay!) I wanted an AE20 as it seemed simpler, however, there were none available even new (supply chain issues) and I found a used AE30. The ability to reduce the "Breath" Sensor and "Bite" Sensor to minimal settings allows me to play out the side of my mouth, but the "Bite Curve" makes for some odd dynamics and different "Instruments" react differently with the given settings... hopefully figuring it out! This EMEO looks like an excellent launching point for future versions more geared toward performance. It is hard to believe they did not include a headphone jack, but I imagine that is handled by whatever device is being used to provide the patches, correct? It seems without the need for Bite Sensors, it might be more easily played by someone with Bells Palsy. Wish I had an extra $1500 to experiment with, but for now, will have to work with my current AE30 investment. I have not been paid fo a gig or recording since August, so that fund is unavailable! Before contracting Bells Palsy, I had never given a 2nd thought to windsynths, but thanks to your guidance, Jay at least I can continue to make SOME kind of music. I cannot be the only sax player in the world to have been affected by this, so I hope this encourages someone else to keep pursuing the passion of sax depsite the crippling depression and compromises of this neurological disorder. After 40 years of playing I could not imagine life without it! The old saying "It takes more muscles to frown than to smile" may be argued by some, but I can confirm, if you cannot frown, you cannot play the sax...those same muscles are requisite! Nevertheless, playing sax always makes me smile.. praying to be back on a real horn soon.
Jesse, sorry you are going through this. As a neurologist, I'll keep what you said in mind. Maybe I can help someone apply what you've learned the hard way.
I always envied guitar players who could just pick up their instrument and practice for five or ten minutes at a time when the opportunity arose - some thing not generally available to sax players. I think I might struggle with the tech aspect of this however.
3:15 Ahhhhh!!! Jez, over a year after getting my first sax at last I discover what that metal 'lump' with the little screw on the side of my saxophone is for!!!!!!! A lyre holder!!!!! To fekkin dear though!
If it doesn't make any sound at all without external hardware software it is at best a MIDI controller, not a saxophone. Not only that but the software included doesn't include a saxophone sound so you have to pay even more to make a sound that a sax player would expect.
Yes, precisely, this is a midi controller with the keywork of a saxophone. There isn't a saxophone patch in existence that sounds close to a real saxophone. The best emulators require a lot of processing power that would make a device like this much more expensive. The solution most people accept is to use alternative sounds which are better and to connect to a more powerful computing device. The EMEO is meant to be a practice tool, not a saxophone replacement.
I wonder if you could take the guts and the sensors out of one of those and put them on a regular horn. That was probably the prototype they started with.
Loved seeing one more option for EWI type instruments. Glad I’m not the only that notices a slight delay with BT MIDI! As a band Director this in very intriguing! Those little middle schools kids with small hands and muscles really want to play bari but they tend to bang them up too often. Hey one suggestion - your transition sounds are a bit hot!
Very tempting... until the cost. $1500 for a practice sax as compared to a Roland AE-20 or 30 at a lower or equal price point seems like a miss. Granted, the Roland doesn't feel exactly like a sax and has some drawbacks, but it's studio ready and extremely versatile. The major benefit I see from the Roland mouthpiece is I get the same lip workout due to the simulated reed, where that would be missing here. That being said, I'm excited to see where they go with this. I love the niche market starting to grow so that we have options as sax players. I hope they have great success and maybe someday I'll pick one up. Thank you for the work you put into these reviews!
thanks, yes the Roland Aerophones are great despite their drawbacks. It really depends on what you need. When it comes to just practicing, the EMEO does better for me. The mouthpiece on the Aerophone is not going to help you keep your embouchure muscles in shape though. Only a real saxophone can do that.
When I want to practice my sax but it’s late, I just use the sax body. It’s ’air sax’ lol. I know when I have played a wrong note, even though I never made blew a single note.
Still no bite sensor? It's a bizarre omission on a product at that price - a Roland-type sensor is neither rocket science to design nor expensive to manufacture. A bite sensor was a must-have feature for me and it still is because it exercises my embouchure such that I only need to find one or two times each week where I'm able to play my sax.
Interesting, this Emeo is so far the only only one that I've seen that I might actually be able to get onboard with. Though I've got a place I can play my real instruments, that $1550 price tag would go a long way in buying another saxophone (I paid less than that for my used tenor)
Just for having bluetooth and a headphones output, the YDS 150 wins as a travelling practice digital sax, plus some "okay" internal sounds. The keys on the EMEO seem even better than the YDS 150 though. I actually sold mine to move on to a real bari sax, and right now I cannot see myself going back to a digital sax, although for pure fingering and scale practice I might get one again in a year or so when my embouchure gets better :) Or an EMEO, who knows, it does looks really great, maybe they'll have a newer version with some internal sounds and a headphones jack! :)
Great instrument but expensive and got to be connected to another device to work. Would be great if you made a video about the new Travel sax 2 from odisei music. Not same material quality obviously, but one third of the price, has internal sounds and plays directly without connection to other devices. And much smaller to carry around
Bought the Odisei Travel Sax II. This is intriguing but won't fit into a carryon the same way that one will. But this does seem to be identical to the keywork on an alto.
I’m also a TS2 owner, but will probably get an emeo. The action on the TS is okay, but still a pretty different experience from a real horn. Also IMO they got the position of palm Eb quite wrong. I often hit it when intending to play palm D.
Isn’t a bite sensor make or break, especially for practice. I can’t fathom an item of that price- point missing what some would consider essential features.
Freaking awesome! I have been waiting for this for centuries! Why was Yamaha not able to produce something like this?! This is it! It just really needs a pressure-sensitive mouthpiece, for sure. I would like the mouthpiece to be tone-tuning like the real thing. But it is so beautiful! I love it! Thank you for showing it! Edit: why do I want a bite pressure sensor? Because training to play the Saxophone has a lot to do with training your lips to push a reed that is thick so it (Stan) Gets this sound. I love his acoustics so much. That is why I am convinced that a "training" digital sax should not come without. But just my 2 cents. By the way - I do have a completely other opinion on whether this will get a performance model. It will. Thank you for your sensational Videos!
It looks extremely cool, but if I wanted to use it for live performance, I think I would like to have a standard MIDI out so I could go straight to my MIDI rack without needing a host/laptop. Someone should mention kindly to the manufacturer, "needs standard MIDI out!!!"
The Emeo looks a lot like my soprano. I think I would be very confused if I played it with a baritone sax sound. :D But thanks for the informational video! I will look into this instrument a bit closer, since I don't have a practice horn right now. Edit: Looked at the price. Decided it's a no-go.
Jesus I don't even have a real saxophone and this practice one costs almost 3 times or a little bit more than 3 times than a jean paul US sax which I might buy in a month, finally I'm getting my first instrument.
Good luck, bud. Remember, there will always be opportunities to spend money and it's easy to get gear fever. Do what you can to avoid that as much as possible. Congratulations on your upcoming purchase.
Oh sure, now you tell us! LOL! And I also read the email. ;) I just bought a vintage Conn Shooting star tenor, but well, I guess I could maybe fit another one in. Exciting news!
I haven’t played emeo, but it seems to come with the Respiro license. And I would say this is the best virtual wind instrument in existence. Let’s be honest - no soft ever would come close to the real sax/clarinet. I have an EWI 5k which I tried with the built patches and even after modifications they suck. No fun and no expression. SWAM instruments are way better, but what’s funny, it’s the cello or double bass that I find more expressive and fun to play than their saxes. Bari would be probably the one that’s least annoying. Bass clarinet is so so (for jazz). But back to Respiro - this thing is damn alive. I spent last weekend with programming the right mappings for EWI to make it expressive and it’s lots of fun. It’s responsive and with plenty of Ewis interfaces (glide plate, bend pads and bite) there’s a lot to control the sound. Which makes me wonder how cool it would be with Sylphyo. Back to emeo - currently you would not have this amount of expressiveness due to zero interface other than breath. But they had plans for the super fancy breath/bite controller with tons of extra expressive channels to use with it. If it comes true that would open an expressive avenue for emeo for sure. Until that - it’s a tool for practicing fingerings and that you can do with sax you own w/out breathing/voicing the sound. Or with another one you can grab for a couple hundred, any size you want.
i need a sax to learn how to play, i need something like this to avoid the noise since i will be just learning it, but regariding the price, i think it is for more professional use rather than to start as a begginer :(
Love the concept of this, would be nice tho if you could get the same level of expressiveness playing as the EWI. I hate the key system on EWI, it is the worst thing. Hope in the future can see a more performance orientated version of something like this … but with more options for tonal control and expressive playing …
Great review. Agree longer neck would be amazing. Did you adjust key heights on yours. I contacted the company about this and they discouraged me from having a tech do it. I feel like the key height feels like a tenor but when I hold it like my soprano. My ape brain says my fingers shouldn’t move as much. Yeah I’d play it more with onboard sounds, built in feature so that I pick up my real horn.
I added a length of thick walled rubber hose that fit over the neck and into the printed mouthpiece to have a longer neck. its flexible so it seems a little silly but works great
Great video! I've seen several videos on the Emeo and one thing I haven't heard anyone address is whether or not it is responsive enough to practice any real articulation. Everyone in every video just blows into it and plays jazz runs. No staccato, no articulated 16th note runs, etc. Even in your video, you mention that you see no reason to put a mouthpiece on the Emeo, which tells me you're not really focusing on articulation either. I play almost exclusively in wind ensembles and only occasionally play jazz. My improv skills are nil so I thought the Emeo would be a fun way to work on that without annoying my neighbors in my condo. However, if I'm in a concert band and the conductor decides to take Grainger's Shepherd's Hey at some ridiculous speed, it'd be cool if I could use the Emeo to practice that too.
In my opinion, the only real advantage of having one, is where someone is in an apartment etc where they have problem with neighbours when practising. Bluetooth in to mobile is great too.Teachers could recommend them and increase their pupil base. That aside, the sound(s) are not nice and the price is too high. Good luck with it.
Oh no the apple store for the respiro app says: requires M1 or later. Thats quite a letdown (I have an older one)! What alternatives are there, not too pricey, for respiro replacement on the mac?
At first I thought this would be a silly question, but now I’m not so sure. If you’re blowing warm air through and it has real pads and pivots, would this thing need a “real” overhaul at some point?
No. Nothing gets wet and the pads don’t need to seal. The mechanism doesn’t need to be perfect either although these are reasonably well setup anyway. You may need to make some adjustments in case the thing falls or gets bumped hard.
Hi, thanks for this. What is the adjustment that you made to the octave key? I have a glitch problem when switching registers, perhaps your adjustment would solve that problem? Thanks in advance
I have that problem too and I contacted the emeo support. I had a video call with the founder and he had bben very kind explaining me amny things. He explained that the glitches are natural and they did not filtered it out because the player has to learn how to move the keys in perfect sync. He sayd that happens also on the real sax but we don't hear it very much because changing octave, the real sax, does jump one octave down and then one up. It goes naturally to the upper octave ore the lower. I would say that is a little annoying but I am used to it and I reduced it a lot. So no big phisical adjustment, the solution is simply more sync between fingers. @Bettersax do you agree?
Hi Jay ! I’ve got a Yamaha YDS-150. In your opinion, should I sell it for buying one of this emeos? My only issue with my Yamaha it’s the mechanism… sometimes it’s not accurate . Thx 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
I have a question. I assume the sound is not produced by vibrating the reed like a traditional saxophone. So how do you do "tonguing" on this instrument to create a brief break? Or is there any other method that is only used on this instrument and other wind synths? Thanks.
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I've had my Emeo for about 18 months and I've used it nearly everyday; it sits beside my desk so I can just pick it up and play when I'm having a break (obviously I do play my normal saxophone every day too). I mostly use mine for silent practice at home as I don't like playing my saxophone around family members, and I get up at odd hours of the morning/night, so I can practice without annoying the neighbours as well. It's absolutely worth the money for the amount of use I've gotten out of it.
Hi Amelia, how are you, don't know if you remember but we were on bettersax studio at the same time for a period.
I didn't know that you have an EMEO.
It will be really nice if you could explain me how you manage the soft and connection part of the EMEO.
if you prefer to send me an email or you can write me on bettersax or just explaining here.
Thanks very much hope your fine.
And Happy new year!
Thanks for adding your experience with it Amelia.
@@bettersax Thanks for the detailed review
some thoughts
a) I don't see any reason, according to the makers of this, that this is any less of a performance instrument despite it being designed for practice
b) I used to play sax 15 years ago at an early intermediate level. I live in an apartment now and can't make the amount of noise a real sax makes.
I have seen that shell enclosed thing and maybe I could use it but it still might bother my crazy neighbor.
So I'm looking at this Emeo. You are going back and forth between this and a real sax, so you adapt to both feels...
BUT if I were to it for a few years exclusively > until at some possible point in the future I was not in an apartment and could then play a real sax:
I fear that if I played just the Emeo for a couple of years
I could get accomplished in fingering but I will have settled into that slight latency, so then if I switched to a real sax that could take a long time to adjust and the other thing is no practice for embosure. So I'm thinking if I played this thing for two years , either like it for what it is and don't switch to a real sax
or if I switch to a real sax, accept adding another 1-2 years to adjust to the real sax no latency plus embosure control, to bring these things to the level of fingering accomplishment. Do you agree with this? thanks
I live in a small apartment with thin walls and have no shot at practicing my saxophone here without disturbing everyone. I also have a full time job and sometimes I would like to practice late at night, which is difficult as a beginner. This is perfect for me.
This is how most people will get good value from this device I think.
Can't you buy a sax mute
@@bobthedeadguy7400 mutes are certainly more cost effective, but I think because the EMEO offers silence as an audio output, it better addresses concerns of practicing late at night.
there is also Travel Sax 2, much cheaper and nice for practise.
I sometimes practice in the car and I bought the mute where the sax goes inside of it.
I've had my Emeo for about a week (Xmas present to myself) and it is the perfect instrument for those of us living in densely packed/urban environments where noise disturbance is an issue. I've practiced more this week than I have in probably three months and the results are tangible. It's a blast to play because the action is so authentic (so long, WX-5, you were kind to me for so many years). Couple this with a mouthpiece silencer to keep your embouchure solid and you have a pretty darn good practice routine to tide you over until you can get a real horn in your hands. My only regret is not buying it a couple weeks later so I could get the discount code...
Glad it's working out well for you!
Sonny Rollins chose playing on the bridge...
Hi can you say something about what computer / ipad setup you use to actually produce the sound?
Seems really good to save on your reeds and keep you focused on the technical/physical playing aspects so you don’t fall into the ‘being at your own concert’ pitfalls of practicing.
To save reeds = to lose embouchure. (Unfortunately)
If you really want to save reeds and not lose embouchure, just practice with a plastic one.
Emeo must be great for emulating other sounds, use as a new instrument and every now and then, practice some hand tech mechanics…
The problem of practicing tech hand mechanics without proper embouchure, is that your mouth changes with the notes, so with emeo, your mouth is not really changing at all. The mechanics of the hand goes together with the embouchure… (i guess you could use emeo for mechanics if you still practice your regular sax)
And there are people who is practing more with emeo than with the regular sax (noise restriction), maybe in the end, it is better to just be able to practice more (When prices goes down, im getting one)
@CarlosBrabo Many perspectives on emboucher, but I've always held the same emboucher across the range of my horn. My emboucher may be lax if I'm fatigued. I notice other players tend to shift their mouth quite a bit, but I started on the clarinet and have never found I need to change my mouth with notes.
@@JustAnAcre I dont really know what to say man… maybe youre not noticing the not so subtle change between notes (specially octaves). The harmonics practice (changing octaves/fifhts (harmonic series) with the same fingering) tells a lot about the difference between embouchure, i mean, how would you do different notes with the same fingering without changing the embouchure?
@CarlosBrabo There are subtle differences doing harmonics, but for me, it is more in the back of the tongue and throat versus the front and lips that contact the mouthpiece. Maybe that is the distinction I'm making.
@@JustAnAcre yes! on the lips is way subtle than in the tongue/throat. Embouchure is the combination of it all.
But I see difference in the lips when doing different kind of timbres:
I enjoy practicing 4 types of timbres:
1- High end focused - Tongue backwards, more space inside the mouth. I take it to the extreme here
2- More muted - Tongue kinda upwards, less space in the mouth. . I take it to the extreme too here
3- Regular, just relaxed - somewhere in the middle
4- Grohling/Screaming - tbh, this is just one of the 3 above, but "singing" some note to distort it - Usually go with the 3-Regular here
Learned a lot with this configuration, to regulate the different timbers betwen some melodies, to take more what I want of a differente reed. And when I record myself, I can try the different timbres on different styles of music
I have the emeo since November 2022. it feels like a real sax! it’s perfect to be played in a Motorhome on campgrounds or in hotels: nobody feels disturbed in the early morning or late evening like with the normal Sax. The case is much smaller then an Alto or Sopran. Ideal for traveling. It works perfectly as Tenor and Altosax or c melody even with Playbacks from Dropbox or Tomplay. Recording on video (e.g. to send a birthday song) is no Problem. If a question arises, emeo staff directly helps. Great support. I don’t want to miss it as training gear to get musicsheets „into the fingers“ or prepare a performance during holidays. Only soundquality/forming sound is not possible to be trained. All the crazy discussed ideas about how to play quietly/not disturb WITH A SAX found a solution! Thank you emeo!
I've had my Emeo for a little over 3 months now and I've enjoyed practicing on it a much more than on the Roland Aerophone Go I have. First and foremost: it's a lot of fun to play on. In addition, I have to say that the Israeli team (with which interacted a few times) is extremely helpful and willing to assist with suggestions. For example, when I complained that the "O ring" that comes with the neck tends to fall off, they suggested I use a Teflon tape for plumbing instead. I've put it (on the mouthpiece) once and it's still there for months, just like the cork on regular neck and it's a great sealant!
I agree with all the recommendations for improvements that Jay gave in this video. For me, the biggest drawback this instrument has, is that it's quite heavy compared to its overall size. I solve this by simply leaning it on my crossed legs...
I love my emeo the company is super responsive and helpful. I also agree the curved neck piece should be longer, it’s uncomfortable to play with the short elbow… but I’m hoping to find something to extend it at my local hardware store. Other than that, it’s just perfect, it feels good and I can use my cell phone and headphones and not bother anyone.
I've been playing the EMEO professionally around the world for the last few years. It has SIGNIFICANTLY increased my activity level in the music making process. With my AUM / iPad setup I can cover ANY POSITION IN THE BAND.
Love my emeo, had it for 2 years now. It is worth every penny to practice anytime with headphones. I recommend using the new SWAM Sax sounds on IOS...FANTASTIC FANTASTIC FANTASTIC
I just googled it and it's indeed the best sax digital sound that there is. Not as good as the real thing, but just about as good as it gets, thanks for sharing the info!
Hey I rarely comment, but I got an Emeo and it is everything I expected. Had it for several months. Best of all, they have a simplified Respiro partner app on iPhone so I don't even need to plug it into a computer. Though usually I use computer, as I basically use it at night when I would not otherwise make all the noise! The sounds are not performance, it is just practice, and for that IT IS GREAT.
I think with the swam apps I could perform with this
I wasted 15 hundred dollars on this product. Save your money. This instrument is not easy to set up. I contacted the company asking them to help me get it to play, and he was not nice at all, and he was the CEO! I felt like I was scam.
Sheesh really? :|
As a saxophone player who lives in an apartment building, I could really use this. I have the aero phone but it seems like this will better for technical exercise.
Thank you this is the answer to my prayer I am living in an apartment right now I moved to Iowa Mason City I have no place to practice and I’m about to practice in my car in the winter time I’m dead desperate i’m trying to make my come back to music and this will be a big help thank you again🤔😎👍👍👍
That is outstanding! I played for about 13-14 years and have fallen out due to not having the space (or time, really). I purchased an Aerophone a year or two back, but couldn’t get into it as it was “too digital”. This looks like we are definitely heading in the right direction. Though, the price is a little prohibitive. I’ll be keeping an eye on this one. Thanks for the video!
Agreed.. I feel the same way about my AE30, though have recently discovered that audiences are largely (though not wholly) intrigued and accepting of the AE30 on stage. Still feels and sounds to electronic for my tastes and style, though better than nothing for sure. Hoping EMEO comes out with a performance model!
Same over here
It doesn't sound like a real saxophone
I find my Emeo a lot more comfortable to play when I attach my Alto Sax neck onto it.
Jay, I bought my Emeo in December based on your recommendation in response to an email I sent you in November. I was looking for a better practice alternative when at our home in Manhattan. (Busking under a bridge in Central Park just doesn't work for me, ha.) I love my Emeo! Connecting it to my iPhone was much easier than using the app on my Mac, and I'm able to play along with backing tracks that only I can hear. (I frequently use Karaoke tracks found in Spotify as backing tracks, in addition to iRealPro and your excellent downloads.) I found that I needed a pair of wired headphones and an adapter to plug them into the iPhone power jack because using Bluetooth earbuds was not a good solution. Using a Bluetooth connection between Emeo and an iPhone or computer is USUALLY fine, (though not always - sometime I must close out other running programs/Apps) but to further connect earbuds or headphones via bluetooth is a total non-starter. Like you, I had the springs on several keys adjusted and had to shorten the stroke on the Octave Key. I also have asked the very nice guys at Emeo to create a longer neck. Hopefully, they will do so soon. I use hot glue on my other saxophones to build-up some of the keypads and to create a "handle", if you will, for my left hand due to my crooked fingers. This was especially important with Emeo since it is significantly smaller than a Tenor Sax and somewhat smaller than the Alto. I would also suggest they move the air hole at the bottom of the Emeo to the front of the circle at the bottom so the instrument can rest on a leg. With the hole at the rear, resting in on a leg covers that hole and makes it impossible to blow. I do not like using a real reed/mouthpiece as it wants to vibrate. The rubber mouthpiece provided is actually fine, but bite control and bending/vibrato would be nice. Adjusting the breath control helps to make practice more realistic in terms of phrasing...i.e., when to take the next breath. My biggest issue (which is really minor/petty) is that I'd like a set of more realistic built-in sounds to choose from. There are some pretty good sax "voices" available for purchase and supposedly they can be added in, but a tech-imbecile like me needs help actually installing and connecting them. It comes with a great case, but I will probably just wrap it in pair of jeans and put it in a carry-on bag for travel. All in all, this was a great suggestion, Jay. I really appreciate it and hope you will consider doing a short course on using the Emeo. The nice guys at Emeo are wonderful, but they do not have your excellent communication skills. It would be great to see how you use it and get your demonstrations on how to get connect and get the most out of the Emeo. Best!
Great review! When I ordered mine, it was sent out right away. My only issue is that playing over bluetooth can be glitchy. The rest is just as you say.
So glad you did an EMEO review. I’ve had one for almost a year. It kept me practicing when my dad was sick and I was caring for him and couldn’t make a lot of noise. I love the feel of an actual saxophone body and key work. To me, that’s the biggest plus and well worth it for that reason. As you said, it makes you want to play it. All that being said, I spent the extra money for the SWAM saxophone audio modeling suite. Not cheap. $200 or so, as I recall, on top of the EMEO price of $1,500. I just can’t get into the Respiro sounds that come with it and, though it will never be as good as a real Sax sound, the SWAM comes close enough for keeping me engaged. I did run into some connection issues that have frustrated me, so I haven’t been playing it recently. EMEO has offered to Zoom with me about it, but I’ve been incredibly busy and I also live in NYC and they are in Israel, so it’s been hard to find a common time. But, overall, when it’s working for me, which it will again, it’s a game changer! Oh, I also practiced with it several times this summer on a 2-hour railroad ride. Just put my headphones on and practiced. I also learned Bird’s solo on “Perhaps” almost entirely on my EMEO.
I did the update a week ago with zoom. 15 minutes and since then all connection problems have gone. Do it!
I didn’t realize there was an update.
@@gerritraupach9059 does it sound like a real sax now?
@@craigmcgorry2391 No that's also not the intention. But a lot of different sound s to chose from. As said,:.the feeling for the fingers is identical, not the sound. But great for travelling!
Hi Jay ,
Thanks for your video, I knew the EMEO and I was thinking in buying one because the fingerings is top, and for someone who have terrible neighbors it is a very good digital sax.
My only fear about it is the Computer and Software part. Due to the fact that it doesn't have integrated sound you can't just put your headphone (and your backing track) and start to play (like the YDS-125 that I owned, and turn back because it was really crappie). You focused your video on the Sax it self, that good, but not on the software part. Being a "dummie" with computer and so on, it scares me to have an instrument that depends on an external software. A good evolution of the EMEO should be a headphone plug, as you said, a line ine for backing tracks and an internal preload basic sound ( three saxs for exemple)
Well that all, let see if I found information about soft settings and connections.
Bye
Yes agreed. Not too difficult to get the sounds working though.
Yes! I've been considering one because of the downstairs neighbors in my duplex.
Great comprehensive review. This is the most authentic solution I have seen so far and it will only get better and I hope they can focus more on performance playing. Most of the other one controllers look like toy instruments in my opinion. Although, they can sound pretty good using the right plug-in of course. This is Super great for saxophone players. I use an EWI USB which is quite good and inexpensive so I have some experience in this area. And I am a real trumpet player too.
I live in an apartment and I'm just getting back into practicing my saxophone. I work from home so I try to practice during times most people are at work. I haven't had a problem with my neighbors so far. However, I am enjoying playing so much that I would love to play early morning and in the evening. I just want to play all the time.😅 This would be great for when I'm traveling too. I watched your travel (pocket) sax video and came over here. So much has changed throughout the years I've been inactive. You gave a wonderful and very thorough review. This would be perfect for me. Thank you!!!🤗
It’s just brilliant! A handful to set up on different devices, but I got very helpful help from I won’t tell you who. But I felt privileged that he gave me his time. Oh, I have many more questions by the way. The only advice I can give from my first 3 weeks exposure is follow the instructions to the letter . Not like me and jump to what I thought is the next step. I’m still learning the basics about Respiro . I’d like to see a reasonably priced basic package of good instrument patches that could be loaded say just a package of four and also, to see a next step video to follow on from the introductory one. I understand this has been in development for approx 7 years. Thank you Emeo team, thank you, just brilliant.
I honestly can't wait to get one of these. Once I save up the spare cash i'm definitely putting in an order for one
I just put in my preorder after watching this video. I am professional scuba diver. I lose a minimum of seven days of practice a month due to travel. With the EMEO, I will be able to play in hotels, on dive boats.... This might well be the solution I have been looking for.
Good luck with it!
I appreciate the review. I have been following your vids since the start of covid, and even ended up buying a Jean Paul AS saxaphone due to a review made by you. I've taken a years worth of lessons, fallen off wagon, and am currently picking it up again. I have been researching both the emeo and the travel sax. Both for the given reasons of why they have been created for. I would also be grateful of a review made by you on the travel sax, when able. The emeo seems perfect micking that of a true saxaphone feel, but the travel sax offers the convenience of playing anywhere anytime, with and or without (correct me if I am wrong ), a digital source.
You can play the EMEO with Bluetooth on a phone or tablet. Travel sax has internal sounds but they are not much fun to play with because of the low quality. For good sounds you need to connect to a more powerful computer with any wind controller.
This looks intriguing, but I'll wait to see what they come up with for a second generation, as I would really like more performance features. I totally get the initial focus on a practice-oriented instrument. I play the Roland AE-30 (and AE-10 before it) and I need the bite sensor, octave keys and additional controllers it provides for expressive performance playing, but honestly the feel of the Roland could be much better.
@Jay have you ever considered integrating this device into your online course experience ??
> The EMEO opens up a lot of learning opportunities (gamification, instant feedback...), closer to what Melodics or Yousician does with guitar, drums or piano... But on a Saxophone !! 😱
Would love your thoughts on the Travel Sax 2 as well, which is not as advanced as the EMEO but also has normal sax keys feel and positioning AND an integrated synth with headphone jack 🤓
I’m interested in your thoughts on the travel sax II, as the cost difference and size are significant. Your arguments on the EMEO as a practice system is compelling and has me pausing.
I bought your sax swabs and their such an improvement to what I had plus the neck swab which is a must have, thanks for the quality products!
Great to hear!
I'm using the YDS-150 for 1.5 years by now and I evaluated the EMEO as well. I still wonder why your YDS-150 test was so devastating as it still does a very gold job for me at half the price of an EMEO and with the features that you request from the EMEO such as inbuilt sounds and a headphone connector. For me the biggest no-go for the EMEO is the requirement to connect it to some software running on any hardware (PC, tablet or smartphone) in order to listen to what you're playing. I still bet that Yamaha will come up with a YDS-250 that comes with a solid Taiwan hardware and will combine the best features of both practice instruments before the EMEO company comes up with anything that suits your requirements.
My YDS-150 was extremely unpleasant to work with. For me it is the kind of instrument that makes me want to stop playing. I'm glad you are getting value out of yours though. I do hope that Yamaha improves the design of their digital saxophone.
@@bettersax I'm hoping for a practice horn that combines both: Digital features of the YDS-150 like inbuilt sounds, plug for earphone and bluetooth speaker connection with the solid hardware of the EMEO.
The YDS-150 feels like a toy, and the key action is clunky at best. Practicing on it may help maintain your sax skills, but I find it very frustrating, especially the octave key. I play it much less frequently than I had planned. It just isn't fun to play.
@@bettersax I was a little disappointed on the YDS 150 review as well. I have both, as well as the Travel Sax 2, and the YDS/TS2 are good for practicing fingering as a standalone even though sound is not great. The Emeo was good for the feel and hardware adjustments; sound was great, but only because of the power of another entire device. However, the Emeo needing another device is extremely inconvenient. My disappointment in comparing the two reviews is that on the YDS, it was slammed for not having a bite sensor, but for the Emeo, the bite sensor was downplayed. All three of the instruments state that they are for practice only and not intended to be for live/professional performances. If Emeo had a built-in speaker or headphone port, I think it is worth the extra cost. Otherwise, I think the YDS 150 minus the bell, would be my practice instrument of choice whenever I need to practice quietly. My real instruments are Tenor Ref 54 and Yani AWO2.
The Synthophone by Softwinds blows this away. It is a real yamaha alto saxophone with built in midi. It appears to work in a similar manner to this. It has extended range, tranposition, a real reed, bite sensor, can pay up to 5 part harmony, pitch bend, and much more. I have played mine for about 10 years, including live performances.
I’ve heard of that. Will have to try one out.
I would expect that a $4,000 device be more capable than a $1,500 device.
Would the Synthophone serve the purpose of silent practice that is the focus of this Emeo device, or is it just a saxophone that outputs to a midi controller? Also looks like it may be out of production anymore.
My dyslexia kicked in and I saw EMO and I had to find out what an EMO Sax was 🤣😂. Best Regards and Best Wishes for 2023 Jay!
Haven't tried the Emeo, but I do have an Odisei Travel Sax 2. It's the same concept -- a practice-oriented instrument -- but made of plastic, much smaller and lighter, and about 1/3 the price of the Emeo. I'm sure it's not as satisfying to play, but for what it is, I think it's pretty impressive. It has all the keys -- really -- and supports "common" altissimo fingerings, though I wish they would say exactly which ones. It's thoughtfully engineered, with a headphone jack and an aux input, and an internal speaker. The built-in voices are not that great, but it is supposed to be able to do MIDI over Bluetooth; I haven't tried this. The most impressive thing is the breath sensor, which has far more dynamic range than the EWI5000's.
I'm sure a serious saxophonist will be happier with the Emeo, but for novices like me, the Odisei is easily good enough to enable practicing without risk of divorce :-)
I love my EMEO so much that I bought a 2nd one! Like Jay, I play my real horn when I can…but must admit, there are also numerous days where I’ll choose the EMEO over the real sax! No reed, exact fingering, quick and easy. I have never once regretted the cost of this investment…and the owner of this small business is a superstar. I truly can’t say enough good things about thee horn and the Company that makes them!
That's a pretty enthusiastic recommendation for the EMEO. Can you play two of them at the same time?🤣
Hi I"m Rocky..I bought a Emeo a couple of months ago.....I dont like the Respiro sounds.....but how can I plug-in other sax sounds technally ? Do I need some kind of interface ? Thanks in advance.
@@stocks35 Congrats! Did you buy the full-version of Respiro or are you just using the options from what came with the Emeo? If the latter, I think you can get a much larger selection if you buy the full-version. That said, remember that the Emeo is made to be a practice horn so the sound is truly secondary. I’m definitely not performing with it. I hope that helps?
Wow...been waiting for something like this. Incredible!!!! Thanks for sharing. I must get one.
Thanks Gabi!
I have received this beautiful piece of equipment quite some time ago. Before that very moment my vocabulary was short of the word latency . . . Since then I have this hate love relationship with this instrument and if there wouldn't be Midi connection., not only the Horn, importantly also the Earphone it would be indeed the tool to spend hours. Sadly I must say, I loose a lot of time every time a grab the horn.
Respiro comes with the instrument and SWAM I got later. Both are fantastic apps but it takes some learning to get up to speed. The good thing are the guys who are responsible for the Emeo and also for Respiro. I remember there was a glitch to run the app but even un Christmas Eve I got response in no time. My personal summery is mixed - relatively expensive - no onboard sounds (no ports to plug in Earphones on the instrument) to simply perform a quick practice session (it was overlooked that iPhones have no Earphone Plug anymore ..latency). O n the positive side it feels like the real deal and customer support is outstanding.
All this said I have hopes that there will be an upgrade in the near future that addresses the know how depending Midi transmission? The point is, that I loose to much time of the set ups and to much distraction to enjoy the practice session.
I bought a black one today. It is shipping tomorrow.
I’ve been looking forward to this review, Jay. Sounds really good. I’d like one. Disappointingly, I have Yamaha YDS. I wanted a solution to having limited practice time during the day. However I don’t enjoy playing it, it feels a bit too dead in the hands and the constant glitches makes it a bit frustrating to play. An emeo might be a future investment.
Take a look at the Travel sax 2 of Odisei Music. Got mine a month ago and I am pretty happy for the price I paid
I tried both the EMEO and the YDS-150. I love the look and feel of the EMEO. But the Bluetooth issues were a big problem and the Respiro UI was also perplexing, as I don't have a DAW. I think you need to have a DAW up and running to make full use of the EMEO. But the deciding factor was the G key mechanism was defective right out of the box. After a few 'support' sessions with the people at EMEO, we decided it was best to return the device. At that point, I decided to try the YDS-150. It doesn't have the look and feel of the EMEO. But at least it works properly when I pick it up to play. I don't have a DAW, so Respiro may or may not get used in the future.
I'll wait for the next gen before buying, which hopefully will include performance features such as bite sensor and least one onboard board sound for alto, tenor, and soprano sax.
It would be good to have a screw-on or snap-on bell to rest in an instrument stand. Also, an expressive emboucher would make it into a performance synth. Maybe, EMEO can make another model to fill that end.
I just ordered mine. I'm in the "February" batch (ships at the end of February). FYI, it's PayPal only (although you can use your credit or debit card), and the Better Sax coupon does not "show up" anywhere on the $300 initial deposit page. I emailed Emeo and let them know that this video assisted me in my purchase decision, and they wrote back that the coupon discount will be applied to the balance to be paid when the instrument ships. So, don't worry if you don't see the discount on the deposit page. I'd email them as I did... They advised that orders placed by today will be in the "February" batch for sure, but they didn't know about orders placed after that. So, order today or at least ASAP if you want to be in the "February" batch!
Congrats. Let us know how it works out for you.
@@bettersax Shall do!
Does NOT sound like a sax...It's a synthesizer that looks like a sax
Going on Month 5 of my 2nd round of Bells Palsy, which renders me unable to play a real sax. [BLAHST!] I have finally started playing out with the AE30. As an untrained musician who just wanted something I could pick up and play (with almost no embouchure or compression from my cheek) the AE30 has had a higher learning curve than I had hoped. There are so many settings, sounds, configurations that I am sure add great flexibility for people with a greater understanding of "Synths" but muddied the waters for me. THe EMEO, though limited, certainly seems to be a great alternative that is more natural to transition for sax players.
I am VERY thankful to have an option to play, which I did not have in 2020. (thank you for the encouragement and direction, Jay!) I wanted an AE20 as it seemed simpler, however, there were none available even new (supply chain issues) and I found a used AE30. The ability to reduce the "Breath" Sensor and "Bite" Sensor to minimal settings allows me to play out the side of my mouth, but the "Bite Curve" makes for some odd dynamics and different "Instruments" react differently with the given settings... hopefully figuring it out!
This EMEO looks like an excellent launching point for future versions more geared toward performance.
It is hard to believe they did not include a headphone jack, but I imagine that is handled by whatever device is being used to provide the patches, correct? It seems without the need for Bite Sensors, it might be more easily played by someone with Bells Palsy. Wish I had an extra $1500 to experiment with, but for now, will have to work with my current AE30 investment. I have not been paid fo a gig or recording since August, so that fund is unavailable!
Before contracting Bells Palsy, I had never given a 2nd thought to windsynths, but thanks to your guidance, Jay at least I can continue to make SOME kind of music. I cannot be the only sax player in the world to have been affected by this, so I hope this encourages someone else to keep pursuing the passion of sax depsite the crippling depression and compromises of this neurological disorder. After 40 years of playing I could not imagine life without it!
The old saying "It takes more muscles to frown than to smile" may be argued by some, but I can confirm, if you cannot frown, you cannot play the sax...those same muscles are requisite! Nevertheless, playing sax always makes me smile.. praying to be back on a real horn soon.
Jesse, sorry you are going through this. As a neurologist, I'll keep what you said in mind. Maybe I can help someone apply what you've learned the hard way.
I'll def. consider getting one, once it's set up for live stuff, as in midi out to use with a tone generator. I've been playing on the WX5 since 2004
Man, I love it but was not expecting that price. Makes sense though, it looks really nice
That’s a beautiful horn!
I always envied guitar players who could just pick up their instrument and practice for five or ten minutes at a time when the opportunity arose - some thing not generally available to sax players. I think I might struggle with the tech aspect of this however.
3:15 Ahhhhh!!! Jez, over a year after getting my first sax at last I discover what that metal 'lump' with the little screw on the side of my saxophone is for!!!!!!! A lyre holder!!!!! To fekkin dear though!
I was kind of upset with your Yamaha synth review, but this one is on point.😉 Keep up the good work.
If it doesn't make any sound at all without external hardware software it is at best a MIDI controller, not a saxophone. Not only that but the software included doesn't include a saxophone sound so you have to pay even more to make a sound that a sax player would expect.
Yes, precisely, this is a midi controller with the keywork of a saxophone. There isn't a saxophone patch in existence that sounds close to a real saxophone. The best emulators require a lot of processing power that would make a device like this much more expensive. The solution most people accept is to use alternative sounds which are better and to connect to a more powerful computing device. The EMEO is meant to be a practice tool, not a saxophone replacement.
I wonder if you could take the guts and the sensors out of one of those and put them on a regular horn. That was probably the prototype they started with.
This is a really clever design with opportunity for some nice improvements. Will be interesting to see where this is headed. Thanks for sharing!
Loved seeing one more option for EWI type instruments. Glad I’m not the only that notices a slight delay with BT MIDI! As a band Director this in very intriguing! Those little middle schools kids with small hands and muscles really want to play bari but they tend to bang them up too often. Hey one suggestion - your transition sounds are a bit hot!
Thanks.
I use a Yamaha WX7 to input information into Finale for my arranging jobs. Can I do this with the EMEO?
Yes it communicates midi.
happy new year and keep up grooving :)
Very tempting... until the cost. $1500 for a practice sax as compared to a Roland AE-20 or 30 at a lower or equal price point seems like a miss. Granted, the Roland doesn't feel exactly like a sax and has some drawbacks, but it's studio ready and extremely versatile. The major benefit I see from the Roland mouthpiece is I get the same lip workout due to the simulated reed, where that would be missing here.
That being said, I'm excited to see where they go with this. I love the niche market starting to grow so that we have options as sax players. I hope they have great success and maybe someday I'll pick one up. Thank you for the work you put into these reviews!
thanks, yes the Roland Aerophones are great despite their drawbacks. It really depends on what you need. When it comes to just practicing, the EMEO does better for me. The mouthpiece on the Aerophone is not going to help you keep your embouchure muscles in shape though. Only a real saxophone can do that.
When I want to practice my sax but it’s late, I just use the sax body. It’s ’air sax’ lol. I know when I have played a wrong note, even though I never made blew a single note.
Still no bite sensor? It's a bizarre omission on a product at that price - a Roland-type sensor is neither rocket science to design nor expensive to manufacture. A bite sensor was a must-have feature for me and it still is because it exercises my embouchure such that I only need to find one or two times each week where I'm able to play my sax.
Interesting, this Emeo is so far the only only one that I've seen that I might actually be able to get onboard with. Though I've got a place I can play my real instruments, that $1550 price tag would go a long way in buying another saxophone (I paid less than that for my used tenor)
Just for having bluetooth and a headphones output, the YDS 150 wins as a travelling practice digital sax, plus some "okay" internal sounds. The keys on the EMEO seem even better than the YDS 150 though. I actually sold mine to move on to a real bari sax, and right now I cannot see myself going back to a digital sax, although for pure fingering and scale practice I might get one again in a year or so when my embouchure gets better :) Or an EMEO, who knows, it does looks really great, maybe they'll have a newer version with some internal sounds and a headphones jack! :)
Nice review Jay! Glad you got your hands on the EMEO. ⚡️🎷 Gotta love those ES2 Saw patches. Have you tried it with EVI-NER/Lyrihorn2?
Great instrument but expensive and got to be connected to another device to work. Would be great if you made a video about the new Travel sax 2 from odisei music. Not same material quality obviously, but one third of the price, has internal sounds and plays directly without connection to other devices. And much smaller to carry around
I will try to get one of those to make a review video.
Argh this is so frustrating for the price tag, Id also love to have it just pick up and play
Finaly! Iv been wating to this video
Bought the Odisei Travel Sax II. This is intriguing but won't fit into a carryon the same way that one will. But this does seem to be identical to the keywork on an alto.
I’m also a TS2 owner, but will probably get an emeo. The action on the TS is okay, but still a pretty different experience from a real horn. Also IMO they got the position of palm Eb quite wrong. I often hit it when intending to play palm D.
Isn’t a bite sensor make or break, especially for practice. I can’t fathom an item of that price- point missing what some would consider essential features.
Freaking awesome! I have been waiting for this for centuries! Why was Yamaha not able to produce something like this?! This is it! It just really needs a pressure-sensitive mouthpiece, for sure. I would like the mouthpiece to be tone-tuning like the real thing. But it is so beautiful! I love it! Thank you for showing it! Edit: why do I want a bite pressure sensor? Because training to play the Saxophone has a lot to do with training your lips to push a reed that is thick so it (Stan) Gets this sound. I love his acoustics so much. That is why I am convinced that a "training" digital sax should not come without. But just my 2 cents. By the way - I do have a completely other opinion on whether this will get a performance model. It will. Thank you for your sensational Videos!
It looks extremely cool, but if I wanted to use it for live performance, I think I would like to have a standard MIDI out so I could go straight to my MIDI rack without needing a host/laptop. Someone should mention kindly to the manufacturer, "needs standard MIDI out!!!"
Great thumbnail. Don’t know why it spoke to me.
The Emeo looks a lot like my soprano. I think I would be very confused if I played it with a baritone sax sound. :D
But thanks for the informational video! I will look into this instrument a bit closer, since I don't have a practice horn right now.
Edit: Looked at the price. Decided it's a no-go.
I had an EWI - Too heavy for me. This looks like a good device.
This was so cool to see. Thank you!! I need something like this since I have roommates.
I like it cause its always in tune.
Jesus I don't even have a real saxophone and this practice one costs almost 3 times or a little bit more than 3 times than a jean paul US sax which I might buy in a month, finally I'm getting my first instrument.
Good luck, bud. Remember, there will always be opportunities to spend money and it's easy to get gear fever. Do what you can to avoid that as much as possible. Congratulations on your upcoming purchase.
BetterSax tenor prototype in the left corner?!
Wow eagle eyes there.
Oh sure, now you tell us! LOL! And I also read the email. ;) I just bought a vintage Conn Shooting star tenor, but well, I guess I could maybe fit another one in. Exciting news!
I haven’t played emeo, but it seems to come with the Respiro license. And I would say this is the best virtual wind instrument in existence. Let’s be honest - no soft ever would come close to the real sax/clarinet. I have an EWI 5k which I tried with the built patches and even after modifications they suck. No fun and no expression. SWAM instruments are way better, but what’s funny, it’s the cello or double bass that I find more expressive and fun to play than their saxes. Bari would be probably the one that’s least annoying. Bass clarinet is so so (for jazz). But back to Respiro - this thing is damn alive. I spent last weekend with programming the right mappings for EWI to make it expressive and it’s lots of fun. It’s responsive and with plenty of Ewis interfaces (glide plate, bend pads and bite) there’s a lot to control the sound. Which makes me wonder how cool it would be with Sylphyo. Back to emeo - currently you would not have this amount of expressiveness due to zero interface other than breath. But they had plans for the super fancy breath/bite controller with tons of extra expressive channels to use with it. If it comes true that would open an expressive avenue for emeo for sure. Until that - it’s a tool for practicing fingerings and that you can do with sax you own w/out breathing/voicing the sound. Or with another one you can grab for a couple hundred, any size you want.
Bonjour
Est-ce possible d'adapter facilement un petit haut-parleur dessus ? Merci
Cool! I have one, I can lighten the action? How? Do I have to bend springs or is it easier? I lengthened the neck. I do like it. Great review
I must have one!!!
Looks nice enough, but saxes really need the bite sensor.
i need a sax to learn how to play, i need something like this to avoid the noise since i will be just learning it, but regariding the price, i think it is for more professional use rather than to start as a begginer :(
Love the concept of this, would be nice tho if you could get the same level of expressiveness playing as the EWI. I hate the key system on EWI, it is the worst thing. Hope in the future can see a more performance orientated version of something like this … but with more options for tonal control and expressive playing …
Do you suggest if for those who would like to learn sax and need a silent output?
Great review. Agree longer neck would be amazing. Did you adjust key heights on yours. I contacted the company about this and they discouraged me from having a tech do it. I feel like the key height feels like a tenor but when I hold it like my soprano. My ape brain says my fingers shouldn’t move as much. Yeah I’d play it more with onboard sounds, built in feature so that I pick up my real horn.
I adjusted the key height on my octave key which helped reduce glitching there.
I added a length of thick walled rubber hose that fit over the neck and into the printed mouthpiece to have a longer neck. its flexible so it seems a little silly but works great
this looks really great. Could it be played as a bari or a bass sax? That would be really cool!
Boy! I wish I could afford this joker. It's hard to practice living in apartments.
Hey! Do you think you could get your hands on a Travel Sax 2 and review it?
I have one and will be reviewing it soon.
it looks cool too
ASIO I/O drivers will reduce latency.
Would this be good for beginners.? Who hasn't started yet
Great video! I've seen several videos on the Emeo and one thing I haven't heard anyone address is whether or not it is responsive enough to practice any real articulation. Everyone in every video just blows into it and plays jazz runs. No staccato, no articulated 16th note runs, etc. Even in your video, you mention that you see no reason to put a mouthpiece on the Emeo, which tells me you're not really focusing on articulation either. I play almost exclusively in wind ensembles and only occasionally play jazz. My improv skills are nil so I thought the Emeo would be a fun way to work on that without annoying my neighbors in my condo. However, if I'm in a concert band and the conductor decides to take Grainger's Shepherd's Hey at some ridiculous speed, it'd be cool if I could use the Emeo to practice that too.
So I'm guessing by the lack of response... Articulation, not so much...
In my opinion, the only real advantage of having one, is where someone is in an apartment etc where they have problem with neighbours when practising. Bluetooth in to mobile is great too.Teachers could recommend them and increase their pupil base. That aside, the sound(s) are not nice and the price is too high. Good luck with it.
Oh no the apple store for the respiro app says: requires M1 or later. Thats quite a letdown (I have an older one)! What alternatives are there, not too pricey, for respiro replacement on the mac?
At first I thought this would be a silly question, but now I’m not so sure. If you’re blowing warm air through and it has real pads and pivots, would this thing need a “real” overhaul at some point?
No. Nothing gets wet and the pads don’t need to seal. The mechanism doesn’t need to be perfect either although these are reasonably well setup anyway. You may need to make some adjustments in case the thing falls or gets bumped hard.
@@bettersax but the moisture needs to go somewhere...
I tried one in a music shop last week. Whilst it felt good, I found that the latency made it alnost unplayable. Ended up buying a TravelSax.
Hi, thanks for this. What is the adjustment that you made to the octave key? I have a glitch problem when switching registers, perhaps your adjustment would solve that problem? Thanks in advance
I have that problem too and I contacted the emeo support. I had a video call with the founder and he had bben very kind explaining me amny things. He explained that the glitches are natural and they did not filtered it out because the player has to learn how to move the keys in perfect sync. He sayd that happens also on the real sax but we don't hear it very much because changing octave, the real sax, does jump one octave down and then one up. It goes naturally to the upper octave ore the lower.
I would say that is a little annoying but I am used to it and I reduced it a lot.
So no big phisical adjustment, the solution is simply more sync between fingers. @Bettersax do you agree?
Please do a comparison video to the Travel Sax 2 from Odisei Music! I have a Travel Sax 2 and it plays phenomenally. But this also looks really good.
Hi Jay ! I’ve got a Yamaha YDS-150. In your opinion, should I sell it for buying one of this emeos? My only issue with my Yamaha it’s the mechanism… sometimes it’s not accurate . Thx 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Will this help with tone and embouchure
I have a question. I assume the sound is not produced by vibrating the reed like a traditional saxophone. So how do you do "tonguing" on this instrument to create a brief break? Or is there any other method that is only used on this instrument and other wind synths? Thanks.
Nice…what were you hooked in to for sound.(the wire hanging)🤔 I’d love to get one of these✌🏾🎶🎵🎷
USB-C cable to my computer. Will also work with bluetooth but there is a slight latency.