0:50 - Don’t You Want Me Baby - The Human League 1:55 - Final Count Down - Europe 3:14 - Funky Town - Lipps Inc 4:54 - Blinding Light - The Weeknd 6:29 - Take On Me - a-ha 8:04 - Chameleon - Herbie Hancock 9:50 - Cars - Gary Numan 11:34 - Stranger Things Theme 12:55 - Axel F (Beverly Hills Cop)
My career was made playing the lyricuon and the yamaha’s WX7 with people like Bob James, Suzanne Ciani, Vangelis, and Stanley Jordan. I never liked controllers that didn’t have lip control over pitch and vibrato
Started with the EWI 5000. After a week it went back into the box. Settled on the Aerophone 3.0. After six months of that I turned off all effects and put a pedal board together. With full control of reverb, delay and ambient effects it does everything I want and more.
I'm way late to the party here, but just wanted to chime in. For reference, I have zero background in wind instruments and come from predominantly a vocal and synthesizer background. I decided on a whim to get my hands on an Aerophone AE20. Within an hour or so I was already playing short little songs like twinkle twinkle little star, auld lang syne and other simple songs like that. It was easily the most excited I've ever been about playing an instrument. I would highly recommend it.
As a whistle and flute player some of the faster folk tunes were always difficult on fast octave transitions. That was until I found the WARBL which does the octave change by overblowing just like a normal whistle and has a comprehensive app to refine the set-up. Of my various midi-controllers it is the one I tend to use most as it plays and feels just like a normal whistle. For anyone who enjoys playing folk music I can highly recommend it.
Coleorum - i got a warble, and an iPad. And couldn't get it to work so threw it in the bin. The guys who promote this instrument were not the least bit helpful. I'm a pc and Linux guy and hate apple/Mac iOS. Apple lovers hate pc people. It's been like that for years.
I was able to get an EWI Solo for Christmas and everything about it I love. The EWI was a bit of a learning curve but a few days of messing with it and playing some tunes, it wasn't hard at all to get used to after playing tenor sax for almost 8 years now. I would highly recommend the EWI's
This video makes a great point, wind synths have really improved. Nevertheless the emphasis is how they compare to a sax. The Wind synth is an instrument on its own terms. Sure, it can be like a sax but they can do so much more and should not be graded on how sax "like" it is.
Really excellent summary! Thanks. One thing you didn’t say much about is octave keys. One thing I like I like about my ancient WX-11 is having an almost-pianistic range, with three octave-up and two octave-down keys.
As do I. Wind controlled synthesizer is an amazing and expressive instrument, someone needs to do a better video that's not just a slick video with poor musical examples.
Great video - thank you for creating and posting! I currently play a Roland AE-10 which, as you mentioned, is now a few years old. I more recently bought a Yamaha RDS-150. I have been in "garage bands" since High School - playing drums, guitar, keyboards, bass and singing - all self taught - so (in my opinion) I was adequate but never great at any of them. I am a schooled engineer, so music has always been a "hobby" not a profession. Sometime in my mid 30's I added saxophone to my list of instruments - my first instrument to actually take lessons. I played for about 4 years, then set it down as life/kids/etc. got in the way. Fast forward and the kids are grown and I am back in a working club cover band as a singer and bass player... with the desire to fold in a bit of sax. I still have my old saxophones (Tenor, Alto, C-Melody (!), and curved soprano) so I got them out and started practicing on them and got good enough to play on a few songs. A sad truth suddenly jumped out: Sax's don't like being "left alone and busted out on one or two songs"... between my ~weak embouchure and the dry/cold reeds, the sounds was not good. The solution is now to play a wind synth... I can ignore it all night then pick it up and with limited embouchure developement - still play perfectly in tune and without any squeals and squeeks! So unlike "real sax players", the wind synth for me is 100% a PERFORMING instrument... and I use it to sound like a SAX - which honestly the Roland doesn't do very well. Surprisingly it actually does very well as a violin, flute, French Horn, and a few other instruments that I use it for. So I bought the Yamaha hoping for a better SAX emulation... So far - its is better at sounding like a sax (not perfect of course!), but it has other limitations that make it obvious that it was designed to be a Practice instrument (as you mention), and not so much of a "performance instrument"... Since I no longer play a "real sax" I don't really care that the Yamaha keys feel more like a real sax, but wish the Yamaha had more octave keys (up and down), better on-board display, and better choices for interface to a PA mixer (currently only a 1/8" stereo cord that comes out the side instead of pointing "down"... I am still waiting for a wind synth to get a small "microphone" in the mouthpiece so it can detect your humming and growl the same way a sax growls, rather than an awkward "joystick"... I am an engineer and know that these kinds of transducers are not very expensive nor should they be particularly difficult to incorporate... really - is this too much to ask?? Oh well, I will just work with what I have and wait until improved models come out.. they are getting better all the time! Thank you again!
@@del_piero-m4l I have an AE-10, so I can't comment on the AE-30...but for me, the Yamaha is the hands-down winner for emulating a saxophone, and I like the Roland for everything else... (violin, flute, trumpet, French Horn, etc.)... Hope this helps! Vm
I think you missed mentioning that the EWI 5000 that it can play its built-in sounds wirelessly. (Not that they’re that good, mind you). Also, you _can’t_ put more sounds on it.
Great thing about living in Beijing China, as I am watching this video...I am searching for the instruments...guess where most of them are made... :D Now mmmmh which one to buy? Been playing alto sax for 20 years, tenor for 4 years and baritone for 1 month. Never owned a electronic saxophone but been thinking about it for years... Which one should I pick? :D
BTW, I noticed you said "the EWI Solo has 200 sounds and the 5000 even more". Actually, the 5000 only has 100 built in sounds and you can add to that by using midi connection to a keyboard, sound module or computer--just like a Solo can. You cannot add sounds to the 5000. I own both. Not sure why the 5000 is so much more expensive ($350 more!) when it only has half as many sounds built in.
Great review thanks. Been playing awhile, way back to the earlier Yamahas. Settled on the AE 10 because of the sounds, for me, best for performances. Just want to take something out of the case and be able to play without a lot of hassle. Looking at upgrading to AE 20. Thanks again
oh wow, WOW. the emeo looks like a freaking DREAM. I'm an sax/oboe player so it's been difficult to find a good wind synth..I also have small hands which makes it even more difficult. I have an ewi usb but man i wish I could afford n emeo- legit looks like the perfect fit for me.
Great video! Wish you would have included NuRAD for comparison but this is a great rundown, especially from a sax player’s perspective (I am a wind synth player and not a saxophone player. I play and love the Akais but totally agree that the other models make more sense for saxophonists who just want to pick up and play).
Thanks so much for your positive feedback, it was a long day getting all these recorded! We hadn't seen the NuRAD before, it looks like a very interesting bit of kit.. We'll try to check it out if we get the chance! All the best, Jamie
One of the most important aspects of a wind synth/controller is how sensitive and how well the mouthpiece functions and it is a pity this aspect is not covered. The octave changing function is also vital in terms of ease of use. I use an EWI Solo and the Akai roller system does take a bit of getting used to but once mastered is very intuitive. Overall the instrument is great to play and good value for money.
The emeo is marketed als a practice tool not a full performance ready windinstrument. It has no breath sensor , midi messaging is more limited compared to the Roland AE 30
I come from a Trumpet background and prefer the EWI fingering to the AE-10, which I own both. But I will say that the fingering is the only thing I prefer over the AE-10. On every other point, the Roland AE-10 is far superior to the AKAI EWI. Anxiously awaiting the EWI-6000 lol.
I’m torn between the Roland A-E10 and the Yamaha 😢. Both have particular features I would love to use that the other doesn’t have. I would love to be able to find a Music Store near me that supplies these and allows me to test run both of them
OK but really should have mentioned the octave range of each, the lack of bite control on the Yamaha and Emeo, the extra MIDI controllers available on the Akai and the clacky key noise of the Rolands. I'd advise folks to do their research and learn about MIDI if they are not familiar with its capabilities, particularly if looking for an expressive MIDI controller and want to do more than produce sterile, lifeless sounds. BTW - Respiro by Imoxplus is a super virtual synth available standalone to use with any of the wind/breath controllers.
Excellent point about the Yamaha, I had not heard about the EMEO before. This review was not written by serious musicians who have had a lot of windcontroller experience. Also keep in mind that keyboard players have a different POV. Check out my comments above.
@@DrDaab I'm actually a guitarist primarily though I played clarinet in high school years ago and rebuilt a couple of pawn shop saxes and dabbled for a while until I realized the embouchure required greater dedication. I've used various guitar to MIDI solutions over the years and also breath control with a keyboard which I can actually solo on pretty well. I've had and still have the Yamaha WX-5, and recently received my NuRAD controller after being on the waiting list for 2 years. (I believe times are less now). It's going to take some time but it is the most expressive of all the wind controllers as it is designed from the start with the ability to send a plethora of expressive MIDI control information and is highly programmable. There are lots of demos of it now on RUclips and it is a stunning instrument in the hands of master musicians.
You CAN NOT add sounds to an EWI5000. The Sylphyo also has wireless MIDI with the link which no one else has. The biggest difference with the Sylphyo is that it's built to be the ultimate wind controller and the best MIDI instrument, not an emulation of something else. It is constantly updating sounds you can download which is unique. It also has the best breath sensitivity of any controller. While I realize this is a Sax channel, reviewing wind controllers according to how close they are to a sax is not a good way to evaluate a wind controller. Many wind controller players are NOT saxophonists and it makes sense that a good WC will be conceived from the ground up to take advantage of what a wind controller can do. I'm sure most synthesizer players are pianists but synthesizer reviews do not evaluate the instruments by how much they seem like a piano. Ee.g. very few have fully weighted keyboards, and that's because you have more agility without the weight. Most WCs have fingering systems that are better than sax fingerings, that they're different is not a downside. Most sax players I know are doublers and don't think it's terrible that flutes and clarinets don't use sax fingering, they learn the different instruments for what they are. Whereas a lot of WCs have built-in sounds these days, the first consideration should be how it acts as a controller because any serious WC player is going to be primarily using the instrument to control other more professional instruments. The now ancient Yamaha WX-7 (still easy to buy used) has no built-in sounds nor do the WX11 or WX5, but they are great controllers still and many professionals still prefer them.
Enjoyed and.. would have more enjoyed hearing a jazz player demo as those banal movie tropes don't demonstrate mechanical/sound capabilities. Still appreciated though.
An enjoyable video… but the only one in my price bracket is the ewi solo, as I’m about to retire. However - I’ve just bought one of the 2nd gen ‘baby-digital-sax’… think Vangoa on steroids with better design work - it’s actually an IRIN S56. Having played trad flute for 40+ years… this was my first step - and I’m blown away by it! Using it as a midi controller to input to Waveform 12, playing the built-in sounds through a big Orange amp or tablet based amps and pedalboards…. Ok - it’s not a sax - but damn, it sounds good, it’s great fun - and the soprano sax voice has become my default choice; sounds like the main theme for ‘Inspector Frost’. I’m really considering the ewi solo - but in terms of size and comfort, I may wait for next years models from the chinese makers - good playable instruments that just work!
Any thoughts on which of these would be best for a "stand in" instrument? Say I needed a flute or oboe for one song? Or playing in a (volunteer) pit orchestra where I've got to play clarinet, bass clarinet, bari sax and bassoon - but I don't have or know how to play a bassoon? I can run it through a DAW for sounds, but is there one that is easier and better suited for "doubling"?
If you're happy with the sounds you're getting from your DAW and you'd like to use it live, the EMEO would be the best choice, followed by the YDS-150 if you wouldn't like to spend that much. We would always recommend wind synths for their synthesizer sounds as opposed to instrument emulations, as some instruments can often sound a little underwhelming!
See my comments above! If the top Aerophones sounds are good enough go with that, otherwise you need audiomodeling virtual instruments (incredibly real sounding) running on a laptop or iPad (?)
I think the one thing that I found missing was what you think provides the best sound or bang for the buck. The EMEO clearly wins for Saxophone appearance/feel, but how does it sound? Does it have the movement feature that the Roland AE-30 has? Can it emulate other instruments?
I play the EWI-5000. Here's what it sounds like. ruclips.net/video/ENqlYlC_BdU/видео.html It's a pro axe with seven octaves. Also, the keys don't "press" they respond to your touching them therefore no "membrane" clicking and you can do lightning fast lines. The EWI solo is not a pro axe and doesn't offer pitch up (only pitch down). Fun stuff and we just can't wait to see what comes out next! I would have enjoyed talking about the "portamento bar" on the EWI. Also, interested in learning more about how "motion" is being used for expression on some of the newer models. Finally, prices would have been nice. Best wishes.
I have to disagree about the EWI-500 vs the EWI-Solo, first of all it is very well made, the display is light years easier to use. Second, you do have bending up or down. Third there are tons of complaints about the EWI-5000 and finally the price of the EWI-Solo is about $600 far cheaper than the EWI-5000 and the top of the line Aerophones.
My life... so full of instruments... 1) piano, 2) French horn, 3) acoustic guitar, 4) electric guitar, 5) synth keys, 6) organ, 7) electric bass, 8) drum kit, 9) theremin, 8) bass-baritone vocals, 9) trumpet... Coming soon: 10) viola. O.K. So yeah, 53 years on piano, now. Yeah, I played a lot of pro gigs. Decades on French horn - yeah, major symphony pro stuff, etc. A. Gtr/ E. guitar/ E. Bass: hack. Synth keys: c'mon - if you can play Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto, you can work some pitch-bending/modulation wheels and completely copy the best. Organ: give me the pedal coupler, or I will only play the first note of the measure on the pedals!! LOL!!! E. Bass - Yeah, I can do it - forget fretless, for now. Drum kit: give me another life to be worthy. Theremin: I'm a natural. Bass-baritone vocals: Great voice, but allergies take it away. Trumpet: playing very well, long way to go, striving (3.5 years, now). VIOLA: Yeah, I'm in love with the viola, so I'm saving to buy a good one and start from scratch. Why not?!!! Nevertheless, I am very interested in clarinet/saxophone/flute/recorder/etc. techniques. ESPECIALLY saxes. What a BOSS instrument.
Yamaha wX7 I think. 30 years ago more or less had a mouthpiece with fake reed that moved when you bit on it. What I recall is that as you bit on it the pitch went up I think . I liked it. But many of the newer one don’t have that. What’s the story with that? I
I think some controllers still have a bit controller, etc. I use the WX7 there's a rocker switch to bend pitch up or down and you can add vibrato or up-bends with the mouthpiece.
@SAX I play an old (mid 80’s) Casio DH 100 in church. It’s in the shape of an Alto Sax. I would love to upgrade, but it can’t be real expensive. Plus, I have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands, so I can’t have anything that’s too big around. What would you recommend?
Have to be careful. Controllers like the EMEO have no sounds and depend on your computer, DAW, sound programs and so on. For good sounds and playability you need to spend pretty much what you spent on the controller
Excellent presentation of the currently available windcontrollers, but it is a rather poor presentation for those of us who want to be able to play lots of wind instruments that sound somewhat real with learning just a single fingering. The demo sounds that are played without exception sound like a kazoo. This is a terrible disservice to windcontrollers as well as for the incredibly wonderful realistic virtual instrument sounds made by samplemodeling and audiomodeling designed not only for keyboard controllers but for windcontrollers. Check out their webpages with our own ears. As far as comparing windcontrollers with built in sounds the Roland Aerophones have the absolute best built in sounds. This includes flutes, saxes, brass, and even strings. As far as the comparison between mechanical keys vs the capacitance based keys of the EWI windcontrollers (no moving parts) I agree that sax, clarinet etc players will feel more at home with mechanical keys. However, many musicians who take the time to get used to the the EWI no moving part keys, end up liking it a lot. Certainly the mechanical keys, sometimes make too much noise and or get stuck. Just about everyone complains about the time it takes to learn to get used to these mechanical octave keys. While the emulation of acoustic instruments is by far the best in the more advanced (more costly) Aerophones, the best emulations are achieved using software synths which require the use of a computer. Don't take anyone's word for this, go listen to the sounds. Finally, if you don't need built in sounds (great for portability or practice anywhere), the EWI-Solo which is longer and heavier than most, has the best price performance value. You can check out my soundcloud page here (no built in sounds): soundcloud.com/dstong
I’ve been seeing other electronic wind instruments not in this video. Might be time for a new comparison. There is Robkoo and new Nux and Greaten to name just a few.
Which version may work for someone with double-jointed pinkies. On a traditional saxophone my pinkies would become "Locked" and I had to stop and snap them back into place.
I have the ae-10 and the emeo. Still play my ae-10 I had been playing it long enough to grow accustomed to the keywork, I appreciate that its ready to play right away. I Love my emeo and usually do at least an hour on it at night. I need to have the action lightened it's super heavy, and its hard to play for a long period of time since its not just the springs that are heavy. They need to do something about the neck receiver/neck though its a little fiddly. I contacted about getting the dimensions to have something 3d printed. They said they were working on it internally. All the same still one of the best purchases I ever made.
Hi Can you comment on what you think is the best choice for a beginner practice tool. I can’t play at night at my place and looking for a tool to get my finger work under control. I don’t know if the Emeo is worth the money and the headache with a computer. I am torn between that and the Ae-20. Can you offer some thoughts for a practice tools
@@JohnSmith-ed1sr Undoubtedly, the emeo translates directly to saxophone. whereas the Ae-20 is like learning a new instrument. It took me a week of solid playing to get to a point where it felt natural (I'm still making mistakes with the octave mechanism, slight register delay resulting in octave grace notes). On the emeo I was immediately at home. Disclaimer, really fine work necessitates you play it on whatever instrument you are going to perform on as key height and placement are different. If I were to learn it on the emeo and transfer it to my anything else I'd be playing all of the faster passages unevenly. l still can't get over the fact that its the size of a soprano and because of that the key heights feel huge, and its similar in action to a tenor sax in hand. For Ae20 even if is not a saxophone you can still really develop great finger discipline if you keep your fingers on the "keywork". I have found that minimizing movement is essential to playing clean and fast on whatever instrument you play. I have digital wind instruments so that I can work on improvisation, and transcribing late at night. You just have to keep in mind that you should equally spend the time to develop technique on your real saxophone. If I had to work on technique late a night and a digital saxophone was my only option it would be an easy decision for the Emeo.
Can you tell me which would render the most authentic tenor sax sounds when plugged into a PA? Would the same Wind Synth catch the nuances of the player as well? Looking for one for live performances in a small venue where a real sax is just too loud.
Hello ...I bought an Emeo a couple of months ago......Im not to fond of Respiro sounds........I would like to play it through "Soundpaint " and other sax plug -ins ....Does any one know of any books I can buy that explains how I can do this as well as help me to get knowledgable in the digital space Thanks in advance.
Any of these have the capacity for microtonality? It must be feasible to make an EWI which allows you to alter which fingerings sound which notes. There are plenty of fingerings I don't use which I'd like to employ for playing quarter tones.
Thanks for the video. I am looking for an electronic wind instrument where the player can (or has to) intonate the right note/pitch himself. Just like with acoustic trombones or violins/cellos etc. As far as i understand all the instruments shown here have fixed pitch which means that when you push a button and the note comes automatically in the right pitch Do you know of any electronic wind instruments that have variable pitch? thanks in advance
What I was know is does the emeo work in music production. Like sometimes I need to record my ideas into my daw but I’m not where I can play my actual Sax…normally I’ll do it with a MIDI keyboard but obviously the natural work of a MIDI Sax would be so much better. Is that possible?? If so it’s a go for me.
Hi Hailey, all of them respond to breath pressure, with the exception of the Roland AE-01. The "Reeds" that are seen on most of these instruments are simply just to rest your bottom lip on. The EWI's do also have a bite sensor that will control the character of the vibrato effect.
The AE-10, AE-20, and AE-30 all have extremely advanced reed interactivity, with the AE-30 being the most flexible and adjustable. The EWI vibrato effect is far more simplistic. The Yamaha “reed” interactivity is virtually non-existent and very unsatisfying. The Sylphyo is expressive, but lacks the sophistication of the AE-30 mouthpiece and GUI. The speed of access to sounds during a gig in unmatched on the AE-30. During this demo, the performances did not attempt to feature the reed and breath effects on the sounds. Had this been done, the video would have been more representative of your own experience when attempting to emote while at home, in a studio, or during live performances.
@@saxworldwide Generally, most wind synths/controllers feature 1 or 2 sensors in the mouthpiece area. I think all, including the AE-01 feature a breath sensor that generally controls volume. The second sensor that tends to be implemented around the mouthpiece area is the bite sensor maybe also known as reed pressure. I think the only current instruments that have that feature are all the AKAI EWI models, all the Roland Aerophone models except for the AE-01 and NuRAD/NuEVI instruments from Berglund Instruments. Generally this is mapped to either pitch bend or modulation/vibrato. The third mouth area sensor type that I am aware of is the touch pressure sensor. This is featured on the Berglund instruments (making it the only instruments to feature 3 mouth activated sensors) as well as the Artinoise re.corder.
Thank you for a very informative video. I’m a Saxophonist and recently purchased the Yamaha yds 120 I’ve only had it at this writing for two weeks and it is very comfortable to play bu Yamaha should have left Bluetooth on like it’s predecessor Yamaha yds 150 This will probably lead me to send this back😔
All those electronic voices seem to be a smokescreen for hiding that these cannot sound like a real wind instrument. I'd argue that the number of voices ought not have a big impact on price. Especially when all sound plastic and ugly. The biggest challenge with a sax and other wind instruments is how loud they are, even when played soft, so as a practice instrument these might solve that. But then, assuming you play the real thing on the real thing, the practice device needs to help you train embouchure and fingering. Some of them seem to have a clarinet/sax like mouthpiece and here the question is if the "instrument" will still be silent. What is heard when the synthesiser in the device is muted? One of these instruments has a pitch-bending wheel and a sax player would normally bend pitch with their embouchure - compare a guitar player that bends a string as a way to make the pitch bend. Needing a pitch wheel takes away from the teaching/learning qualities inherent in the device. The pitch bending in the embouchure, by the way, is not something you need to be capable of just for bending away from the proper pitch, but also as a way to get the correct pitch in the first place because some real saxophones are not consistently tuned across their range. Where the fake instrument does not offer the same fingering, it's a fail. Where the fake voices sound fake, it's a fail. As a MIDI device these probably relate volume and attack to a flow meter that monitors your blowing into the pipe in it. That gives some control of volume. But that's a far cry from actual embouchure. Sax.co.UK have sound-reduction cases that fit around your real sax, but these of course are limited in what they can do if you need to rehearse with the real thing to shield people in your house and the neighbours from your frantic attempts at perfection. In "We Built this Amazing Practice Booth in 1 HOUR!" [ ruclips.net/video/_Ex5hbolhL8/видео.html ] we see model "One Plus Voice Over Edition" by company Studiobricks converted from building blocks into a soundproof cabin placed in Jay "BetterSax" Metcalf's home. That's a bit more expensive than a very professional top-tier sax plus a MIDI sax, though, considering the discussion in the comments about its price: € 8,279 + € 1,479 for the Voice Over Edition + € 299 for the extra Table = € 10,057, including 19% sales tax (VAT) for a German buyer. A commenter and Mr. Metcalf discuss how €$£ 1,000 in materials and some labour buys you a DIY cabin, but you most likely will not be able to arrive at the fine look and feel of this modular cabin that can be taken apart again, easily, when you need to move house. You likely also will not get the sound proofing that the Studiobricks thing has.
Hey guys, I have a question if by chance you read this post : is the air speed of the EWIs a volume or a velocity control ? Imagine I build a sound on a synthesizer that has velocity sensitivity (for example the more velocity the higher the cutoff of a filter). If I begin to blow slowly in the EWI and then I increase my airspeed, will this affect the velocity or the volume ? Or even both ? Thanks!
The AE-30 (and maybe the 20 and 10) seems to. If I adjust my tongue position I can manipulate the cutoff (provided the patch has cutoff set to respond to breath). I'll have to do some experiments to be sure I'm not just blowing harder.
What is the point of spending so much on an instrument like EMEO when all the sounds are in the external device? I mean, I have been checking the best EWI to learn and buy, but now I am seeing they seem to bring fancy sounds, but other than that, you need subscription to libraries, learn to use many extra buttons they add, etc. At the end of the day, the real only gains are: 1. Multi instruments in one; and 2. Silent instrument for practicing.
Very salesy and superficial. The point of view seems to be how "instrument like" they are. For anyone that's looking to purchase a wind-controller, I highly recommend connecting with one of the many fine wind-synth players. There are multiple social media groups with thousands of players who have deep background and vast experience on how different controllers work from a practical perspective. Wind synth players use breath control to shape and articulate the sound. There's no demonstration of this. Wind-controlled synthesizer is essentially playing synthesizer with a different type of MIDI controller. The breath response, expressive controls, ability to fine tune and calibrate the controller to suit one's playing style are critical. The playing examples in the video could have been achieved with any velocity sensitive keyboard.
I'm hearing a lot about onboard sounds, but the real strength of all these instruments is that they are MIDI wind controllers, capable of playing any instruments on a PC, Mac, iPad, etc, which is what any serious musician would use it for.
Controlling soft synths is just one way a "serious musician" can use it. The AE-30 is capable of great sounds once the idea of "realism" is discarded and the powerful ZEN Core sound engine is put to work. It is also a great controller for hardware synths that are wind controller friendly - especially modular with the help of additional MIDI CC to CV conversion to make use of the motion controls and thumb pad.
Thanks for a great video guys! Just wondering whether you could do a more detailed comparison between the YDS150 and the Emeo? Of all listed we’ve narrowed it to those 2 but wanted to know if the YDS150 has a ‘good enough’ sense of realism compared to the very real looking and feeling (we imagine) Emeo. A deeper dive into them please (Sorry not sure if you take requests 😁)
@rob warren I pre-ordered one direct from the Emeo in Israel a couple of years ago before they become available in the uk, I can honestly they are extremely well made, I use Yamaha sax's and the Emeo is of equal quality, its nothing like the other synth sax's on the market, I received it 18 months ago and still plays like new, you really need to see one for yourself before you criticise the high price, you will be pleasantly surprised and realise that it is definitely worth the money. (edited after checking my dates).
The current state of the art wind controller is from Berglund instruments, the NU Rad. There are other custom made controllers on the market. Nice video production, poor content.
Programmability is important for a synth, I'd rather not be limited to just the presets. I know EWIs have programmability and can be used as a midi controller for Vital and have good community patches, but know nothing else about the other wind synths. But why are you playing simple keyboard melodies in the demo? Doesn't seem like you actually know what you're talking about when you don't really play anything that leverages the wind controller.
Buy a cheap Alto for 400 bucks and you'll get a pretty good case, buy an AE-30 pro and you'll get cheapo cloth soft case offering ZERO protection. Bad show Roland !!
IMHO, why play these instruments in a “synth” mode and not in a sax mode? I wanted to hear them play and compare their sound. By playing different sounds I get no point of reference. Thank you
I am a bit confused they are Wind synths but with only 2 of them you mention it has midi output. Is it so obvious you don't mention it? Who would ever use the on board sounds or yet another app on your phone when you can get every sound in the world on in your DAW? Also it is not a true rundown without without mentioning the price or at least the price segment.
Would have been nice to hear some actual sax sounds coming out of these. Not trying to be mean but this video kind of dissuade me from considering one.
![Eminem - Fuel (feat. JID) [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t5H_CewqpKA/mqdefault.jpg)
0:50 - Don’t You Want Me Baby - The Human League
1:55 - Final Count Down - Europe
3:14 - Funky Town - Lipps Inc
4:54 - Blinding Light - The Weeknd
6:29 - Take On Me - a-ha
8:04 - Chameleon - Herbie Hancock
9:50 - Cars - Gary Numan
11:34 - Stranger Things Theme
12:55 - Axel F (Beverly Hills Cop)
Axel F is by Harold Faltermeyer.
My career was made playing the lyricuon and the yamaha’s WX7 with people like Bob James, Suzanne Ciani, Vangelis, and Stanley Jordan.
I never liked controllers that didn’t have lip control over pitch and vibrato
Started with the EWI 5000. After a week it went back into the box. Settled on the Aerophone 3.0. After six months of that I turned off all effects and put a pedal board together. With full control of reverb, delay and ambient effects it does everything I want and more.
I'm way late to the party here, but just wanted to chime in. For reference, I have zero background in wind instruments and come from predominantly a vocal and synthesizer background.
I decided on a whim to get my hands on an Aerophone AE20. Within an hour or so I was already playing short little songs like twinkle twinkle little star, auld lang syne and other simple songs like that. It was easily the most excited I've ever been about playing an instrument. I would highly recommend it.
As a whistle and flute player some of the faster folk tunes were always difficult on fast octave transitions. That was until I found the WARBL which does the octave change by overblowing just like a normal whistle and has a comprehensive app to refine the set-up. Of my various midi-controllers it is the one I tend to use most as it plays and feels just like a normal whistle. For anyone who enjoys playing folk music I can highly recommend it.
Coleorum - i got a warble, and an iPad. And couldn't get it to work so threw it in the bin. The guys who promote this instrument were not the least bit helpful. I'm a pc and Linux guy and hate apple/Mac iOS.
Apple lovers hate pc people. It's been like that for years.
I was able to get an EWI Solo for Christmas and everything about it I love. The EWI was a bit of a learning curve but a few days of messing with it and playing some tunes, it wasn't hard at all to get used to after playing tenor sax for almost 8 years now. I would highly recommend the EWI's
This video makes a great point, wind synths have really improved. Nevertheless the emphasis is how they compare to a sax. The Wind synth is an instrument on its own terms. Sure, it can be like a sax but they can do so much more and should not be graded on how sax "like" it is.
Read my comments above and checkout the samplemodeling and audiomodeling website
It drives me nuts when people showcase instruments and barley play them
Really excellent summary! Thanks.
One thing you didn’t say much about is octave keys. One thing I like I like about my ancient WX-11 is having an almost-pianistic range, with three octave-up and two octave-down keys.
I still have my WX-7! And I love it!!!
As do I. Wind controlled synthesizer is an amazing and expressive instrument, someone needs to do a better video that's not just a slick video with poor musical examples.
Best benchmark video. Congratulations
Great video - thank you for creating and posting! I currently play a Roland AE-10 which, as you mentioned, is now a few years old. I more recently bought a Yamaha RDS-150. I have been in "garage bands" since High School - playing drums, guitar, keyboards, bass and singing - all self taught - so (in my opinion) I was adequate but never great at any of them. I am a schooled engineer, so music has always been a "hobby" not a profession. Sometime in my mid 30's I added saxophone to my list of instruments - my first instrument to actually take lessons. I played for about 4 years, then set it down as life/kids/etc. got in the way. Fast forward and the kids are grown and I am back in a working club cover band as a singer and bass player... with the desire to fold in a bit of sax. I still have my old saxophones (Tenor, Alto, C-Melody (!), and curved soprano) so I got them out and started practicing on them and got good enough to play on a few songs. A sad truth suddenly jumped out: Sax's don't like being "left alone and busted out on one or two songs"... between my ~weak embouchure and the dry/cold reeds, the sounds was not good. The solution is now to play a wind synth... I can ignore it all night then pick it up and with limited embouchure developement - still play perfectly in tune and without any squeals and squeeks! So unlike "real sax players", the wind synth for me is 100% a PERFORMING instrument... and I use it to sound like a SAX - which honestly the Roland doesn't do very well. Surprisingly it actually does very well as a violin, flute, French Horn, and a few other instruments that I use it for. So I bought the Yamaha hoping for a better SAX emulation... So far - its is better at sounding like a sax (not perfect of course!), but it has other limitations that make it obvious that it was designed to be a Practice instrument (as you mention), and not so much of a "performance instrument"... Since I no longer play a "real sax" I don't really care that the Yamaha keys feel more like a real sax, but wish the Yamaha had more octave keys (up and down), better on-board display, and better choices for interface to a PA mixer (currently only a 1/8" stereo cord that comes out the side instead of pointing "down"... I am still waiting for a wind synth to get a small "microphone" in the mouthpiece so it can detect your humming and growl the same way a sax growls, rather than an awkward "joystick"... I am an engineer and know that these kinds of transducers are not very expensive nor should they be particularly difficult to incorporate... really - is this too much to ask?? Oh well, I will just work with what I have and wait until improved models come out.. they are getting better all the time! Thank you again!
Between Rowland ae30 and YSD 150 which is better?
@@del_piero-m4l I have an AE-10, so I can't comment on the AE-30...but for me, the Yamaha is the hands-down winner for emulating a saxophone, and I like the Roland for everything else... (violin, flute, trumpet, French Horn, etc.)... Hope this helps! Vm
I think you missed mentioning that the EWI 5000 that it can play its built-in sounds wirelessly. (Not that they’re that good, mind you). Also, you _can’t_ put more sounds on it.
Digital/Practice Sax: Yamaha & Emeo
“Own instrument”: Akai & Sylphyo
Inbetween but closer to digital sax: Roland
Great thing about living in Beijing China, as I am watching this video...I am searching for the instruments...guess where most of them are made... :D Now mmmmh which one to buy? Been playing alto sax for 20 years, tenor for 4 years and baritone for 1 month. Never owned a electronic saxophone but been thinking about it for years... Which one should I pick? :D
EMEO for the most realistic feel, Yamaha YDS-150 for the best practice tool, Roland AE-20 for best synth sounds 👌🏻
AE 20
Check out the NuRAD
I thought RUclips was banned because in china
BTW, I noticed you said "the EWI Solo has 200 sounds and the 5000 even more". Actually, the 5000 only has 100 built in sounds and you can add to that by using midi connection to a keyboard, sound module or computer--just like a Solo can. You cannot add sounds to the 5000. I own both. Not sure why the 5000 is so much more expensive ($350 more!) when it only has half as many sounds built in.
Great review thanks.
Been playing awhile, way back to the earlier Yamahas. Settled on the AE 10 because of the sounds, for me, best for performances.
Just want to take something out of the case and be able to play without a lot of hassle.
Looking at upgrading to AE 20.
Thanks again
oh wow, WOW. the emeo looks like a freaking DREAM. I'm an sax/oboe player so it's been difficult to find a good wind synth..I also have small hands which makes it even more difficult. I have an ewi usb but man i wish I could afford n emeo- legit looks like the perfect fit for me.
Great breakdown my first wind synth was Akai ewi usb(feels more like a sax) also have Roland ao5 connect to Daw and software to get realistic sounds.
Great video! Wish you would have included NuRAD for comparison but this is a great rundown, especially from a sax player’s perspective (I am a wind synth player and not a saxophone player. I play and love the Akais but totally agree that the other models make more sense for saxophonists who just want to pick up and play).
Thanks so much for your positive feedback, it was a long day getting all these recorded! We hadn't seen the NuRAD before, it looks like a very interesting bit of kit.. We'll try to check it out if we get the chance! All the best, Jamie
@@saxworldwide It would be very interesting to know a review of the NuRAD, we will be waiting !!! Cheers
Agreed! Need more love for the NuRAD for these videos.
One of the most important aspects of a wind synth/controller is how sensitive and how well the mouthpiece functions and it is a pity this aspect is not covered. The octave changing function is also vital in terms of ease of use. I use an EWI Solo and the Akai roller system does take a bit of getting used to but once mastered is very intuitive. Overall the instrument is great to play and good value for money.
The emeo is marketed als a practice tool not a full performance ready windinstrument. It has no breath sensor , midi messaging is more limited compared to the Roland AE 30
The best wind synth video on RUclips, well done.
I come from a Trumpet background and prefer the EWI fingering to the AE-10, which I own both. But I will say that the fingering is the only thing I prefer over the AE-10. On every other point, the Roland AE-10 is far superior to the AKAI EWI. Anxiously awaiting the EWI-6000 lol.
As a clarinetist first, saxophonist second, I do wish Yamaha or Emeo would do a version with clarinet key work.
The instruments you want to be part of the band at a certain famous bar on Mos Eisley… ❤️🎷
Love this though 😎
Great rundown. I suppose I would like something like the EMEO.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing! I've my eyd on a Yamahaha YDS...
I’m torn between the Roland A-E10 and the Yamaha 😢. Both have particular features I would love to use that the other doesn’t have. I would love to be able to find a Music Store near me that supplies these and allows me to test run both of them
I often enjoy playing my Emeo more than my real horns!
OK but really should have mentioned the octave range of each, the lack of bite control on the Yamaha and Emeo, the extra MIDI controllers available on the Akai and the clacky key noise of the Rolands. I'd advise folks to do their research and learn about MIDI if they are not familiar with its capabilities, particularly if looking for an expressive MIDI controller and want to do more than produce sterile, lifeless sounds. BTW - Respiro by Imoxplus is a super virtual synth available standalone to use with any of the wind/breath controllers.
Excellent point about the Yamaha, I had not heard about the EMEO before. This review was not written by serious musicians who have had a lot of windcontroller experience. Also keep in mind that keyboard players have a different POV. Check out my comments above.
@@DrDaab I'm actually a guitarist primarily though I played clarinet in high school years ago and rebuilt a couple of pawn shop saxes and dabbled for a while until I realized the embouchure required greater dedication. I've used various guitar to MIDI solutions over the years and also breath control with a keyboard which I can actually solo on pretty well. I've had and still have the Yamaha WX-5, and recently received my NuRAD controller after being on the waiting list for 2 years. (I believe times are less now). It's going to take some time but it is the most expressive of all the wind controllers as it is designed from the start with the ability to send a plethora of expressive MIDI control information and is highly programmable. There are lots of demos of it now on RUclips and it is a stunning instrument in the hands of master musicians.
You CAN NOT add sounds to an EWI5000. The Sylphyo also has wireless MIDI with the link which no one else has. The biggest difference with the Sylphyo is that it's built to be the ultimate wind controller and the best MIDI instrument, not an emulation of something else. It is constantly updating sounds you can download which is unique. It also has the best breath sensitivity of any controller.
While I realize this is a Sax channel, reviewing wind controllers according to how close they are to a sax is not a good way to evaluate a wind controller. Many wind controller players are NOT saxophonists and it makes sense that a good WC will be conceived from the ground up to take advantage of what a wind controller can do. I'm sure most synthesizer players are pianists but synthesizer reviews do not evaluate the instruments by how much they seem like a piano. Ee.g. very few have fully weighted keyboards, and that's because you have more agility without the weight. Most WCs have fingering systems that are better than sax fingerings, that they're different is not a downside. Most sax players I know are doublers and don't think it's terrible that flutes and clarinets don't use sax fingering, they learn the different instruments for what they are.
Whereas a lot of WCs have built-in sounds these days, the first consideration should be how it acts as a controller because any serious WC player is going to be primarily using the instrument to control other more professional instruments. The now ancient Yamaha WX-7 (still easy to buy used) has no built-in sounds nor do the WX11 or WX5, but they are great controllers still and many professionals still prefer them.
Enjoyed and.. would have more enjoyed hearing a jazz player demo as those banal movie tropes don't demonstrate mechanical/sound capabilities. Still appreciated though.
An enjoyable video… but the only one in my price bracket is the ewi solo, as I’m about to retire. However - I’ve just bought one of the 2nd gen ‘baby-digital-sax’… think Vangoa on steroids with better design work - it’s actually an IRIN S56. Having played trad flute for 40+ years… this was my first step - and I’m blown away by it! Using it as a midi controller to input to Waveform 12, playing the built-in sounds through a big Orange amp or tablet based amps and pedalboards…. Ok - it’s not a sax - but damn, it sounds good, it’s great fun - and the soprano sax voice has become my default choice; sounds like the main theme for ‘Inspector Frost’. I’m really considering the ewi solo - but in terms of size and comfort, I may wait for next years models from the chinese makers - good playable instruments that just work!
That is gorgeous❤
Any thoughts on which of these would be best for a "stand in" instrument? Say I needed a flute or oboe for one song? Or playing in a (volunteer) pit orchestra where I've got to play clarinet, bass clarinet, bari sax and bassoon - but I don't have or know how to play a bassoon?
I can run it through a DAW for sounds, but is there one that is easier and better suited for "doubling"?
If you're happy with the sounds you're getting from your DAW and you'd like to use it live, the EMEO would be the best choice, followed by the YDS-150 if you wouldn't like to spend that much. We would always recommend wind synths for their synthesizer sounds as opposed to instrument emulations, as some instruments can often sound a little underwhelming!
See my comments above! If the top Aerophones sounds are good enough go with that, otherwise you need audiomodeling virtual instruments (incredibly real sounding) running on a laptop or iPad (?)
I've got the AE-05 a couple years ago. Played for a week and it's been sitting in its case ever since. Nice toy but nothing like the real deal.
I think the one thing that I found missing was what you think provides the best sound or bang for the buck. The EMEO clearly wins for Saxophone appearance/feel, but how does it sound? Does it have the movement feature that the Roland AE-30 has? Can it emulate other instruments?
I play the EWI-5000. Here's what it sounds like. ruclips.net/video/ENqlYlC_BdU/видео.html It's a pro axe with seven octaves. Also, the keys don't "press" they respond to your touching them therefore no "membrane" clicking and you can do lightning fast lines. The EWI solo is not a pro axe and doesn't offer pitch up (only pitch down). Fun stuff and we just can't wait to see what comes out next! I would have enjoyed talking about the "portamento bar" on the EWI. Also, interested in learning more about how "motion" is being used for expression on some of the newer models. Finally, prices would have been nice. Best wishes.
I have to disagree about the EWI-500 vs the EWI-Solo, first of all it is very well made, the display is light years easier to use. Second, you do have bending up or down. Third there are tons of complaints about the EWI-5000 and finally the price of the EWI-Solo is about $600 far cheaper than the EWI-5000 and the top of the line Aerophones.
@@DrDaab bend UP on EWI solo? How?
@@DrDaab What are complaints on EWI-5000? Do you recommend an ewi? What model? Thanks!
I'm interested in the MIDI latency.
Cool! Can you play any of them with Clarinet fingering?
My life... so full of instruments... 1) piano, 2) French horn, 3) acoustic guitar, 4) electric guitar, 5) synth keys, 6) organ, 7) electric bass, 8) drum kit, 9) theremin, 8) bass-baritone vocals, 9) trumpet... Coming soon: 10) viola.
O.K. So yeah, 53 years on piano, now. Yeah, I played a lot of pro gigs. Decades on French horn - yeah, major symphony pro stuff, etc. A. Gtr/ E. guitar/ E. Bass: hack. Synth keys: c'mon - if you can play Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto, you can work some pitch-bending/modulation wheels and completely copy the best. Organ: give me the pedal coupler, or I will only play the first note of the measure on the pedals!! LOL!!! E. Bass - Yeah, I can do it - forget fretless, for now. Drum kit: give me another life to be worthy. Theremin: I'm a natural. Bass-baritone vocals: Great voice, but allergies take it away. Trumpet: playing very well, long way to go, striving (3.5 years, now). VIOLA: Yeah, I'm in love with the viola, so I'm saving to buy a good one and start from scratch. Why not?!!!
Nevertheless, I am very interested in clarinet/saxophone/flute/recorder/etc. techniques. ESPECIALLY saxes. What a BOSS instrument.
I bought a ae-05 for practicing saxophone fingerings at night
Does that work well? I'm considering buying one for that very reason.
Yamaha wX7 I think. 30 years ago more or less had a mouthpiece with fake reed that moved when you bit on it. What I recall is that as you bit on it the pitch went up I think . I liked it. But many of the newer one don’t have that. What’s the story with that? I
You information is out of date. The better Aeurophones are just like that. Check out iSAX on youtube.
I think some controllers still have a bit controller, etc. I use the WX7 there's a rocker switch to bend pitch up or down and you can add vibrato or up-bends with the mouthpiece.
You might have added the bassline....WX5, which remains in very wide use today.
@SAX I play an old (mid 80’s) Casio DH 100 in church. It’s in the shape of an Alto Sax. I would love to upgrade, but it can’t be real expensive. Plus, I have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands, so I can’t have anything that’s too big around. What would you recommend?
rapport qualité/prix le YDS 150 est le meilleur .... for me ! 😉
Would be great to compare the sax sounds as well
Agreed
Have to be careful. Controllers like the EMEO have no sounds and depend on your computer, DAW, sound programs and so on. For good sounds and playability you need to spend pretty much what you spent on the controller
Excellent presentation of the currently available windcontrollers, but it is a rather poor presentation for those of us who want to be able to play lots of wind instruments that sound somewhat real with learning just a single fingering. The demo sounds that are played without exception sound like a kazoo. This is a terrible disservice to windcontrollers as well as for the incredibly wonderful realistic virtual instrument sounds made by samplemodeling and audiomodeling designed not only for keyboard controllers but for windcontrollers. Check out their webpages with our own ears.
As far as comparing windcontrollers with built in sounds the Roland Aerophones have the absolute best built in sounds. This includes flutes, saxes, brass, and even strings. As far as the comparison between mechanical keys vs the capacitance based keys of the EWI windcontrollers (no moving parts) I agree that sax, clarinet etc players will feel more at home with mechanical keys. However, many musicians who take the time to get used to the the EWI no moving part keys, end up liking it a lot. Certainly the mechanical keys, sometimes make too much noise and or get stuck. Just about everyone complains about the time it takes to learn to get used to these mechanical octave keys. While the emulation of acoustic instruments is by far the best in the more advanced (more costly) Aerophones, the best emulations are achieved using software synths which require the use of a computer. Don't take anyone's word for this, go listen to the sounds. Finally, if you don't need built in sounds (great for portability or practice anywhere), the EWI-Solo which is longer and heavier than most, has the best price performance value.
You can check out my soundcloud page here (no built in sounds):
soundcloud.com/dstong
I’ve been seeing other electronic wind instruments not in this video. Might be time for a new comparison. There is Robkoo and new Nux and Greaten to name just a few.
Which version may work for someone with double-jointed pinkies. On a traditional saxophone my pinkies would become "Locked" and I had to stop and snap them back into place.
I have the ae-10 and the emeo. Still play my ae-10 I had been playing it long enough to grow accustomed to the keywork, I appreciate that its ready to play right away. I Love my emeo and usually do at least an hour on it at night. I need to have the action lightened it's super heavy, and its hard to play for a long period of time since its not just the springs that are heavy. They need to do something about the neck receiver/neck though its a little fiddly. I contacted about getting the dimensions to have something 3d printed. They said they were working on it internally. All the same still one of the best purchases I ever made.
Pair the Emeo with the Swam bundle a go to work. The neck could be a bit more stable. I agree
Hi
Can you comment on what you think is the best choice for a beginner practice tool. I can’t play at night at my place and looking for a tool to get my finger work under control. I don’t know if the Emeo is worth the money and the headache with a computer. I am torn between that and the Ae-20. Can you offer some thoughts for a practice tools
@@JohnSmith-ed1sr Undoubtedly, the emeo translates directly to saxophone. whereas the Ae-20 is like learning a new instrument. It took me a week of solid playing to get to a point where it felt natural (I'm still making mistakes with the octave mechanism, slight register delay resulting in octave grace notes).
On the emeo I was immediately at home. Disclaimer, really fine work necessitates you play it on whatever instrument you are going to perform on as key height and placement are different. If I were to learn it on the emeo and transfer it to my anything else I'd be playing all of the faster passages unevenly. l still can't get over the fact that its the size of a soprano and because of that the key heights feel huge, and its similar in action to a tenor sax in hand.
For Ae20 even if is not a saxophone you can still really develop great finger discipline if you keep your fingers on the "keywork". I have found that minimizing movement is essential to playing clean and fast on whatever instrument you play.
I have digital wind instruments so that I can work on improvisation, and transcribing late at night. You just have to keep in mind that you should equally spend the time to develop technique on your real saxophone.
If I had to work on technique late a night and a digital saxophone was my only option it would be an easy decision for the Emeo.
Can you tell me which would render the most authentic tenor sax sounds when plugged into a PA? Would the same Wind Synth catch the nuances of the player as well? Looking for one for live performances in a small venue where a real sax is just too loud.
The more advanced Aerophones built in, but none are as good as those external virtual instruments from audiomodeling. Read my comments above.
Hello ...I bought an Emeo a couple of months ago......Im not to fond of Respiro sounds........I would like to play it through "Soundpaint " and other sax plug -ins ....Does any one know of any books I can buy that explains how I can do this as well as help me to get knowledgable in the digital space Thanks in advance.
Will they review the WX5? Also, those devices with tiny OLED screens: do they come with reading glasses?
Makes me wondered is there any wind synthesiser in a kind of Trumpet or Trombone ?
Just bought and AE-05 for testing anf it can't keep up with a tremolo. Waiting on the Yamaha, but I'm very unimpressed with the Roland.
Hey, what about a concert flutist looking for a “not specifically saxophone” midi? (Hehe on a budget? Lol)
Any of these have the capacity for microtonality? It must be feasible to make an EWI which allows you to alter which fingerings sound which notes. There are plenty of fingerings I don't use which I'd like to employ for playing quarter tones.
keren sekali ! matur suksma
Thanks for the video.
I am looking for an electronic wind instrument where the player can (or has to) intonate the right note/pitch himself.
Just like with acoustic trombones or violins/cellos etc.
As far as i understand all the instruments shown here have fixed pitch which means that when you push a button and the note comes automatically in the right pitch
Do you know of any electronic wind instruments that have variable pitch?
thanks in advance
I'm not a saxophone player i play flute can i still go with these
What I was know is does the emeo work in music production. Like sometimes I need to record my ideas into my daw but I’m not where I can play my actual Sax…normally I’ll do it with a MIDI keyboard but obviously the natural work of a MIDI Sax would be so much better. Is that possible?? If so it’s a go for me.
Hi! Absolutely, the EMEO will connect to any DAW 🎷👌🏻
Let’s talk key responsiveness!!! On all of these!!! Man… if you have fast fingers, it becomes a pain to use these. 😞😞😞
Wow, the "ultimate" wind synth rundow with no mention of the Yamaha WX7??
No longer made, and the new models are better.
For those of us who are interested in digital sax to practice, those of us who need silence to coexist. Why don't you make an Emeo vs Yamaha 120?
Do any of them have response to reed pressure?
Hi Hailey, all of them respond to breath pressure, with the exception of the Roland AE-01. The "Reeds" that are seen on most of these instruments are simply just to rest your bottom lip on. The EWI's do also have a bite sensor that will control the character of the vibrato effect.
@@saxworldwide okay, thank you for the quick response!
The AE-10, AE-20, and AE-30 all have extremely advanced reed interactivity, with the AE-30 being the most flexible and adjustable. The EWI vibrato effect is far more simplistic. The Yamaha “reed” interactivity is virtually non-existent and very unsatisfying. The Sylphyo is expressive, but lacks the sophistication of the AE-30 mouthpiece and GUI. The speed of access to sounds during a gig in unmatched on the AE-30. During this demo, the performances did not attempt to feature the reed and breath effects on the sounds. Had this been done, the video would have been more representative of your own experience when attempting to emote while at home, in a studio, or during live performances.
@@eriksax thank you for this response!! I agree with your statements on how the video would have been a better representation. This has helped!!
@@saxworldwide Generally, most wind synths/controllers feature 1 or 2 sensors in the mouthpiece area. I think all, including the AE-01 feature a breath sensor that generally controls volume. The second sensor that tends to be implemented around the mouthpiece area is the bite sensor maybe also known as reed pressure. I think the only current instruments that have that feature are all the AKAI EWI models, all the Roland Aerophone models except for the AE-01 and NuRAD/NuEVI instruments from Berglund Instruments. Generally this is mapped to either pitch bend or modulation/vibrato. The third mouth area sensor type that I am aware of is the touch pressure sensor. This is featured on the Berglund instruments (making it the only instruments to feature 3 mouth activated sensors) as well as the Artinoise re.corder.
Thank you for a very informative video. I’m a Saxophonist and recently purchased the Yamaha yds 120
I’ve only had it at this writing for two weeks and it is very comfortable to play bu Yamaha should have left Bluetooth on like it’s predecessor Yamaha yds 150
This will probably lead me to send this back😔
Hey ! I am from India . Is it advisable to buy EMEO ? I am worried about service
All those electronic voices seem to be a smokescreen for hiding that these cannot sound like a real wind instrument. I'd argue that the number of voices ought not have a big impact on price. Especially when all sound plastic and ugly.
The biggest challenge with a sax and other wind instruments is how loud they are, even when played soft, so as a practice instrument these might solve that.
But then, assuming you play the real thing on the real thing, the practice device needs to help you train embouchure and fingering.
Some of them seem to have a clarinet/sax like mouthpiece and here the question is if the "instrument" will still be silent. What is heard when the synthesiser in the device is muted?
One of these instruments has a pitch-bending wheel and a sax player would normally bend pitch with their embouchure - compare a guitar player that bends a string as a way to make the pitch bend. Needing a pitch wheel takes away from the teaching/learning qualities inherent in the device. The pitch bending in the embouchure, by the way, is not something you need to be capable of just for bending away from the proper pitch, but also as a way to get the correct pitch in the first place because some real saxophones are not consistently tuned across their range.
Where the fake instrument does not offer the same fingering, it's a fail. Where the fake voices sound fake, it's a fail. As a MIDI device these probably relate volume and attack to a flow meter that monitors your blowing into the pipe in it. That gives some control of volume.
But that's a far cry from actual embouchure.
Sax.co.UK have sound-reduction cases that fit around your real sax, but these of course are limited in what they can do if you need to rehearse with the real thing to shield people in your house and the neighbours from your frantic attempts at perfection.
In "We Built this Amazing Practice Booth in 1 HOUR!" [ ruclips.net/video/_Ex5hbolhL8/видео.html ] we see model "One Plus Voice Over Edition" by company Studiobricks converted from building blocks into a soundproof cabin placed in Jay "BetterSax" Metcalf's home. That's a bit more expensive than a very professional top-tier sax plus a MIDI sax, though, considering the discussion in the comments about its price: € 8,279 + € 1,479 for the Voice Over Edition + € 299 for the extra Table = € 10,057, including 19% sales tax (VAT) for a German buyer.
A commenter and Mr. Metcalf discuss how €$£ 1,000 in materials and some labour buys you a DIY cabin, but you most likely will not be able to arrive at the fine look and feel of this modular cabin that can be taken apart again, easily, when you need to move house. You likely also will not get the sound proofing that the Studiobricks thing has.
Ae 30 Roland aero...
Which synth for a non-sax player? I’ve played trumpet, baritone and 6-hole Native American flute.
Akai EVI
Hey guys, I have a question if by chance you read this post : is the air speed of the EWIs a volume or a velocity control ? Imagine I build a sound on a synthesizer that has velocity sensitivity (for example the more velocity the higher the cutoff of a filter). If I begin to blow slowly in the EWI and then I increase my airspeed, will this affect the velocity or the volume ? Or even both ?
Thanks!
The AE-30 (and maybe the 20 and 10) seems to. If I adjust my tongue position I can manipulate the cutoff (provided the patch has cutoff set to respond to breath). I'll have to do some experiments to be sure I'm not just blowing harder.
Would have been nice if you had included MSRP.
For my is a dream 😂
why do none of these allow changing octaves through breath control like on a flute?
Travelsax2?
What type of Ewi is that?
it sounds difficult to play in time?
What is the point of spending so much on an instrument like EMEO when all the sounds are in the external device? I mean, I have been checking the best EWI to learn and buy, but now I am seeing they seem to bring fancy sounds, but other than that, you need subscription to libraries, learn to use many extra buttons they add, etc.
At the end of the day, the real only gains are: 1. Multi instruments in one; and 2. Silent instrument for practicing.
Yo soy saxofonista profesional y Pienso qué son mamadas
Lo mejor
Es un instrumento 🎷real para la música Real
I don't understnad, is the yamaha midi??
Do EWI's vibrate the teeth like a reed?
no
i dont get if aerophone 05 is good or not
Bludy oboe☝️🥸
Very salesy and superficial. The point of view seems to be how "instrument like" they are. For anyone that's looking to purchase a wind-controller, I highly recommend connecting with one of the many fine wind-synth players. There are multiple social media groups with thousands of players who have deep background and vast experience on how different controllers work from a practical perspective.
Wind synth players use breath control to shape and articulate the sound. There's no demonstration of this. Wind-controlled synthesizer is essentially playing synthesizer with a different type of MIDI controller. The breath response, expressive controls, ability to fine tune and calibrate the controller to suit one's playing style are critical. The playing examples in the video could have been achieved with any velocity sensitive keyboard.
I'm hearing a lot about onboard sounds, but the real strength of all these instruments is that they are MIDI wind controllers, capable of playing any instruments on a PC, Mac, iPad, etc, which is what any serious musician would use it for.
Controlling soft synths is just one way a "serious musician" can use it. The AE-30 is capable of great sounds once the idea of "realism" is discarded and the powerful ZEN Core sound engine is put to work. It is also a great controller for hardware synths that are wind controller friendly - especially modular with the help of additional MIDI CC to CV conversion to make use of the motion controls and thumb pad.
Thanks for a great video guys!
Just wondering whether you could do a more detailed comparison between the YDS150 and the Emeo?
Of all listed we’ve narrowed it to those 2 but wanted to know if the YDS150 has a ‘good enough’ sense of realism compared to the very real looking and feeling (we imagine) Emeo.
A deeper dive into them please
(Sorry not sure if you take requests 😁)
PS - scoured Utube and there isn’t a video yet that does this….
I have one, and it's awesome. Feels so real. Also, headphones for silent play. Amazing breath sensor
Have one what??
@@JohnSmith-ed1sr yds 150... I'm an intermediate player
Prices would have been nice.
£1,649.00 for the Emeo is ridiculous.
@rob warren I pre-ordered one direct from the Emeo in Israel a couple of years ago before they become available in the uk, I can honestly they are extremely well made, I use Yamaha sax's and the Emeo is of equal quality, its nothing like the other synth sax's on the market, I received it 18 months ago and still plays like new, you really need to see one for yourself before you criticise the high price, you will be pleasantly surprised and realise that it is definitely worth the money. (edited after checking my dates).
Please, anyone used EMEO for a gig?
Background muzak playing while the chaps are talking is intrusive. No need for it
Agree!
Yeah sounds shite
Distracting.
It’s fine, just way too loud
Relax
Great reviews, but turn off the nauseating background repetitious noise/ musiz!!
The current state of the art wind controller is from Berglund instruments, the NU Rad. There are other custom made controllers on the market. Nice video production, poor content.
Programmability is important for a synth, I'd rather not be limited to just the presets. I know EWIs have programmability and can be used as a midi controller for Vital and have good community patches, but know nothing else about the other wind synths. But why are you playing simple keyboard melodies in the demo? Doesn't seem like you actually know what you're talking about when you don't really play anything that leverages the wind controller.
Superb, really helpful. But why oh why that awful background music.Great, terrible background music.
Buy a cheap Alto for 400 bucks and you'll get a pretty good case, buy an AE-30 pro and you'll get cheapo cloth soft case offering ZERO protection. Bad show Roland !!
IMHO, why play these instruments in a “synth” mode and not in a sax mode? I wanted to hear them play and compare their sound. By playing different sounds I get no point of reference. Thank you
I am a bit confused they are Wind synths but with only 2 of them you mention it has midi output. Is it so obvious you don't mention it? Who would ever use the on board sounds or yet another app on your phone when you can get every sound in the world on in your DAW? Also it is not a true rundown without without mentioning the price or at least the price segment.
Would have been nice to hear some actual sax sounds coming out of these. Not trying to be mean but this video kind of dissuade me from considering one.
somehow i have zero trust to this review)