Use Coupon Code: BETTERSAXTS2 and get the accessory pack (€45) free. Make sure you have both items in the cart when adding the code. odiseimusic.com/products/travel-sax-2/
What a nice rotating gif!!! I wonder what the cost of this thing will be… when I put that gif into my llm I have been training for explodes cad schematics, pull up etcher, 2 pi’s and a few arduinos, and 3D print one. Shit mines going to have a screen and a hardware dedicated midi host
They'd heard your playing and made an investment decision? Never mind, at least you'll have some change in your pocket when you trade-in for your Novation Launchpad. (/s)
I feel like this would be super useful to someone living in Japan. The walls they are basically paper-thin and you need to be super quiet all the time..
@Annette_Clair Oh, yeah, I have indeed and yeah, it's not really quiet regardless.. But in japan you hear your neighbors fart next door. ^^; The walls are genuinely so thin you can hear your neighbors rustling. It's also not common to have good spaces for practice/people are much closer together because of high density housing. Maybe I said this wrong, but I kind of meant that this would be big in the Japanese market because things like this are just sought after. People are very conscious of bothering each other in Japan so there are a ton of products meant to be the Quiet versions, even on things we think of as quiet here in the US.
@@kevykev1037 yeah, that is actually really rough. This is actually why love hotels exist in Japan by the way. Who wants to get it on knowing neighbors 3 units over can hear you... Especially with most Japanese people being so incredibly modest. As such, a lot of Japanese people would rather stop by a live hotel for an hour were there is decent sound proofing rather than in their own homes. 😅
I have been a user since the ts2 started shipping, and I cannot be happier with it. Whether practicing or just playing with it, I gain more and more confidence AND I look forward to those sessions during just about every break during my work night. I added an external plug in speaker and a sax neck to increase my tactile experience. Highly recommend this one.
For that kinda $, I think they should eradicate the midi engine completely and add real samples...of many different wind, string and percussion instruments. Midi?!? Talk about missed opportunity. This one issue alone makes this a $150.00 Walmart kinda value. I do believe the "under-delivery" issue is spreading to new markets.
cute instrument - over thirty years ago, when i was at college I basically gave up playing the saxophone because in student accommodation it was impossible to find anywhere to practice without disturbing people. I ended up selling it to help cover my student debt. What might have been!
I really hope that they can make a clarinet version, because although its smaller on average, its still a pain for people near by, especially for the high notes. That and its really fricking cool!
Not really. There's a number of notes that share the same fingering but a lot that don't too. You get one octave B to B thats pretty much the same, minus the Bb bis. Everything else is different.
I bought one of these and love it. Fun, small, lightweight, easy for travel, and the fingering is close enough a real sax feel that I now choose this over my Roland Aerophone for quiet practice. I did have a mechanical problem with the unit. Odisei was fabulous in responding--first, they sent me a video link with suggestions. That didn't work. We set up a 30-minute video meeting and Ramon looked at the problem and gave me further suggestions. That didn't work. Then they had me send the unit back (at their expense), checked it, repaired it, and it's coming back today. I was a little apprehensive as a U.S. customer about how responsive their customer service would be, and I just want to praise them for being incredibly engaged with their customers. They are great people. Highly recommended.
Hi there, thanks for your insights regarding Odisei's customer service. How would you compare the level of transfer of fingerings to a real sax between practicing with the Travel Sax and the Aerophone? Do you still enjoy the Travel Sax nine months later? Kind regards :)
I got behind the crowdfunding for the Travel Sax 1 and did preorder it there. The first version of the Travel Sax was already very promising, but with some room for improvement. The Travel Sax 2 is absolutely amazing. The perfect tool for practicing at all hours, everywhere, any place. The keys respond very well, due to the new stainless steel key mechanism, very similar to a real saxophone. It's also a great way to check your techinque, since you can see your fingers and you can control, if they move too far away from the keys (flying fingers). The sounds of the built-in synthesizer are wonderful and you can now connect your headphones through the Aux-In input, without having to use a DAW. I take it to all of my gigs, to practice on long trainrides, which is fortunately possible again after Corona, those dreaded masks all the other chagrin. I can wholwheartedly recommend the Travel Sax 2 to anyone who is serious about becoming a better musician. «He who stops getting better, stops being good» - Japanese proverb
Injection moulded plastic parts have a pretty high setup cost to make the moulds etc. For a niche product like this I can understand why it's not priced like mass-produced consumer electronics
R & D costs for a small company. This isn't Yamaha or Roland. If we want to see innovation we have to pay for it, otherwise we get what the big boys decide they want to push! For me, a genuine practice tool for my (loud) alto that isn't another instrument is highly desirable. A lot of thought seems to have gone into this product (optical switching on the keys for example). Its not a wind synth in the conventional sense (performance tool). Its very much targeted as a practice tool for the sax player. I've tried a wind synth as a practice tool for sax. Its too different for me. This looks very interesting and very interested to see how it develops. Hope to get my hands on one to try soon.
I was recommended this instrument at a local music shop in Barcelona when I went in to get my regular sax repadded. I mentioned that I travel a lot and don't get much of chance to practice and they really solved my problem! I agree that it is not the most perfect version, but the excellent realistic key shapes and response, and the small size of the instrument make it the perfect solution to my decades-long problem. I've really made strides since I bought it and am really pleased with it. Thanks for the tip on the extension and the fact that it is not really necessary to use a mouthpiece with a reed.
I started to look into this because for me it’s kind of hard when you have a baby and trying not to disturb their sleep and trying to find some time to practice at the same time during the day, and I was waiting for your insights on this Jay, so thank you so much for this review, although I still think it’s still very expensive specially when I bought a brand new horn recently. I just feel that for $200 more I can get a Roland wind synth with better sounds, bite sensor, etc.
I also have a travel sax 2. I carry it with me everywhere.. just in case I have some spare time to practice a song I’m working on. I use it primarily to memorise songs from sheet music. And for me it translates directly over to the acoustic saxophone.
How's the key response? I had gotten the YDS (Yamaha) and couldn't hold on to it for even 6 months. I had to press the keys too hard. Much harder than I would on my regular horn. Got annoyed and worried about injury so sold it at a reasonable loss.
Good review. A couple comments: The original Travel Sax was 3d printed; the Travel Sax 2 is injection molded plastic, stronger and more durable as I understand it, though like Jay I'm uncertain how mine will hold up after years of use. The keys, in particular, are inexpensive and easily replaceable (and probably most likely thing to break), so maybe not a big worry. I'm not sure how much more delicate it is than something like a real sax or an Emeo, metal construction is more durable but those objects are also much heavier and can get dinged, especially if they fall or tip over. Travel Sax 2 is light and seemingly fairly durable. My second comment is that I don't think Jay mentioned that the Travel Sax 2 has Bluetooth midi built-in, so you can connect to synths on iPhone/iPad/computer without a USB cable. Latency for Bluetooth midi is quite low (unlike latency for Bluetooth audio). Finally, regarding sounds, on iPhone/iPad or on a computer you have same selection of synths with Travel Sax 2 as you have with any other wind controller. For example, I've used Travel Sax 2 with the Respiro synth, same synth that has a limited version packaged with the Emeo. So, yes, sounds through built-in speaker of Travel Sax 2 are very basic, they sound somewhat better through headphones, but connect up to an iPhone/iPad or computer and you can get sounds that are as good as -- in fact the same as -- any other wind controller. Travel Sax 2 does seem a little expensive for what it is. I think you just have to get that idea out of your head, realize that you're actually paying a premium for it to be small and lightweight, which is in fact a desirable and hard to find feature in saxophone-like wind controllers.
"Travel Sax 2 does seem a little expensive for what it is" Ya Think? It's a piece of plastic with a circuit board they want $600.00 dollars for. Not going to happen.
@@Temulon I get that you don't like it. How do you react to the many comparison videos on Better Sax where Jay compares an inexpensive sax with one costing 5 times, 10 times as much, or more? Do you say, "They're both hunks of metal with keys, and the average person can't tell any difference. They want 10 times as much for the expensive one?! Not going to happen."
@@hsitz I haven't seen any comparison videos on Better Sax, this is the first video I've ever seen on that channel. Whether it's due to unions, trade embargo's, greed or whatever, yes, it's my opinion that most things on the market are overpriced. I can understand craftsmanship and how people with exceptional skill levels and decades of experience should be paid for that knowledge. But unless the instrument is being hand constructed out of rare materials I don't understand why a student sax should cost $700.00 and a professional sax could go for $20,000 dollars for a Selmer Paris. The item being touted in this video is just injection molded plastic which houses a circuit board and a tinny speaker. Maybe, maybe a hundred dollars worth of material counting the board, which is selling for $600.00 dollars.
@@Temulon Hey, I have a Selmer Paris, and I like the fact that it's selling for $20,000. I do, however, totally agree that it's not worth what they are asking for it. Greed.
I'm so happy with mine!! Now I can practice anywhere. And BTW , the travel 2 is NOT 3D printed it is injection. I agree , they should put an AUTO OFF mode.
I have never touched a sax in my life, not do I have a single microcosm of musical talent in my body. Yet, somehow, I found this in my recommendations and watched the entire thing...😁
The more you practise the more people will tell you how talented you are 😉 I've been playing the piano for over 20 years, thousands of hours of practising and performing and teaching, it would frankly be more impressive if I wasn't reasonably good at it by now. Don't write yourself off before you've even tried (or worse, and far too commonly in my experience, because some teacher told you you sucked at the recorder in elementary school). I think talent does exist but it's overrated, there's definitely an extra something that performers at the absolute highest levels possess, but to be a competent amateur or a smaller scale professional (e.g. local gigs rather than international arenas) is still achievable for anyone who has a focused approach and can put the hours in.
I was hoping this would be a more affordable alternative the the YDS but apparently it costs almost as much even though it's 3D printed and lacking a lot of features
This is awesome. Actually considering this as a commuter college student. It would be awesome to be able to practice on the train, or at home and leave my sac at school, etc. thanks for the best content on RUclips as per tradition
I am very much into jazz especially darker more sombre noir detective movie style jazz music. ive always wanted to learn the alto sax but they're so expensive I havent found a more affordable one.....this travel sax may be a good place to start actually perhaps its the tenor sax, not the alto that I would want to play.
I have had mine for a few weeks. The pluses are obvious and don't need repeating. The basic sound through the speaker is tinny . I get best results with earphones plugged in and Bluetooth headphones over the top.
Yeah I agree about the speaker. But really found no use for it as I tend to do silent practicing with headphones. Although the cat seems to be able to hear it even then
Thank you for making this video! I've lived in apartments for quite some time, and miss playing music. I hadn't played a Saxaphone for about 20 years. Decided to purchase a Travel Sax 2 after seeing this video and I LOVE IT. I can just sit in my Office Chair, Plug in My Headphones, Have Sheet Music on a monitor and go to town.
wow, I thought this would be like $150 tops 😂 I could probably buy a 3d printer, filament, raspberry pi/ arduino, and a bunch of keys and make my own for only a little more than this thing.
Exellent!!! Life-long pro pianist/French hornist, Bb trumpet these days, guitars (hack), theremin, vocals, rudimentary drums... I have a crazy notion to play the viola... Still, sax is my 2nd fave instrument - just after guitar. If I win the lotto tomorrow, I'll have a C trumpet, a Schimmel K230 7.5 ft. grand piano and a Travel Sax 2 (and a badass viola).
Something that's not clear to me: Is there an output where I could plug this into a PA and actually play along with a backing track? Can you use the headphone out jack for that?
What is the difference between a practice sax and a wind controller? I was the first call New York session musician for Lyricon and then for wind controllers. I never thought of those instruments as saxophones of any kind, no more than I would confuse my flute with a sax. I would think any instrument that seeks to function as a practice sax would need to do more than just function as a way to practice fingerings. The only kind of wind controller I would use , and still do use, is the Yamaha WX-7 because in addition to using the breath transducer to expressively control volume and timbre I use the lip transducer to expressively control vibrato and pitch bend.
Well Jay my man you convinced on two pieces of equipment. The travelsax2 and burnin 6# tenor sax mpc. If the mpc works then I’m buying the alto. The travelsax2 thing that got was the springs and the keys. The thing that got me on the mpc is your rendition of Georgia on tenor a song that I’ve been requested to play next week. Great job on both items.
The sounds that you hear is in Concert ? I want, as an alto player, if I play a C it sound as an Eb concert. That's possible to do on this instrument ?
$700 should at least have a lightweight aluminum housing. I'll stick to my $35 used clarinet for travel, and my $200 keyboard for all of my MIDI needs.
The YDS-120 is probably the better choice for a traveling saxophone practice tool, being even cheaper as well. I remember Jay coming up with a devastating review of the YDS-150 but still it looks like he was just plain wrong as I am playing it for more than 2 years with no issues. So better take the YDS-150 or YDS-120 into account as well
If or when the next iteration comes out with a more convincing sound, I would love one as something I can practice without worrying about annoying those around me. I've been sitting on getting a tenor sax for a years now. I can save for it, but noise complaints has been a hard barrier for me. My only concern as someone who is a complete novice, I think It may give me bad habits
I definitely wouldn’t recommend starting out with this. A real saxophone is definitely a super different experience. Stuff like embouchure, breath control, tone, accents aren’t available with this
I don't know if I would like it while I'm still learning the alto saxofone and I'd have to invest in a lap top and speakers too & does it have all the sounds I do care about the quality
You can connect to a synth on your smart phone. iPhone/iPad has amazingly good synths, I think there are at least a couple decent ones on Android. And all are quite inexpensive. The sounds from synths on iPhone/iPad/computer are better than any wind controller has built-in, which means all wind controllers (including Travel Sax) can access the best sounds out there.
Jay! You and your RUclips channel are great! Right after I saw your review of the Travel Sax 2 I ordered one from Sweetwater (ever hear of them?). I agree with just about everything that you said in your review EXCEPT that I didn’t mind the spring tension of the keys. I just received the instrument today and it’s very difficult to put it down; it’s so fun! Thanks for your honest reviews! My favorite videos of yours so far: Rigotti cane farm/factory tour, the differences between SBA and Mark VI, Yanagisawa tour, Selmer tour. Thanks for everything!
Hello from NYC...another great video...OMG why you did not make this video last week? ja.ja.ja I order my travel sax 2 on Wednesday and is arriving to my door tomorrow Monday, same color that you have, but I ordered the accessories package extra and I paid for those, but I did not have your discount code....to bad...any way I can not wait to start practicing with my new travel sax2
Jay, thank you so much for the review and description of the travel sax 2. I did see the original travel sax when it came out but thought it was silly with the actual MP and reed. I didn’t understand how it could be silent with an actual MP and reed with air going through it. Anyway, I just ordered the TS2 and got the accessories because of your video. I had the original Roland AE10 and bought the Roland AE30 immediately after it came out. I travel with the Roland AE30 and play it daily. It’s an incredible instrument but still a bit big for travel when I don’t actually have to play it live. This little travel sax2 solves the travel issue for me. Questions , the app allows you to change the instruments key? Bb, Eb, C or whatever you want? The instrument uses regular alkaline or rechargeable batteries?
Jay, I received the travel sax2 on Monday and it completely broke 3 days later. Your review was not accurate. The Bluetooth sound always disconnected when changing instrument sounds. The actual sounds from the speaker are awful and not much better via headphones. I downloaded Swam audio modeling and it wasn’t much better. My travel sax2 stopped playing any sounds after using three times and now I’m stuck with an expensive 3d plastic defective instrument. I understand the company compensated you but your review wasn’t honest. 😮
This product is extremely poor for the reasons below: 1- The keys are very noisy enough that at some point, you can not hear your notes 2- the spring tension are far too hard and after playing this for a while, your are destined to play your acrostic instrument with too much tension, so not good for practice 3- some notes, are too sharp including B 4- way way way way way too overpriced. I would not pay $10:for this junk Above observations by two musicians (including me) at the music shop
Found your channel today, already love it, very thoughtful and honest. Question (for you and/or the community): Do you recommend this (or any electronic saxophone) for someone wishing to (re)learn to play? Context: I used to play saxophone about 15 years ago. I haven't played in over 13 years, and would like to go back into it, but because because it's been such a long time (and I was never really good xD) I am considering I'm back to step 0. I really crave going back to playing, but I live in NYC, and am VERY conscious of not being noisy to neighbors (and wife :p). So, an electronic saxophone would solve for this, but is there any good enough to be my main learning/practice instrument? Thank you in advance :)
Ever heard a sax part? Me neither. Always with the solos.. Band Recording session: "This track isn't quite done." [12 sax players appear from nowhere] "Hey yeh lets have a sax solo.. lets go to the pub. " 😂
Hello,do you have knowledge about this saxophone so called ROFFEE Rs-M600? Please do a review about it,we love you Mr BetterSax from republic of Kenya 🎉🎉
I wanted to like this. I really did. I really need a way to practice quietly. But when I got mine there were a few issues that made it unworkable for me. 1. The Bb bis key is too low. I’m a bis guy (for better or worse I guess) and it’s difficult to use with it being that low. 2. It’s super glitchy going up or down from middle D for me. Lots of random notes when going across the middle D break. 3. The D key is gummy. It doesn’t snap back like all the other keys on it do. Maybe that’s why it’s glitchy? I have no idea. 4. It takes too much air to use. I went to the settings and it’s already on the lowest air pressure setting. I just don’t want to blow that hard all the time on this thing. I’ll save that for my actual tenor sax, lol. 5. Stability is terrible with it rocking back and forth as you play. And you can’t stabilize it with your fingers or… more glitches. 6. This is a little thing, but when I used the QR code to get the app it had me download the original Travelsax 1 app. I didn’t realize that at first and spent some frustration trying to figure out why my app was different that the one on the video tutorial, lol. I finally figured it out and downloaded the new app and it worked fine. I realize others may have no problem with these issues. But it’s not for me. It seems like a well-made item. And I wish EMEO would take some lessons from these guys and incorporate the “internal sounds” features so you don't need to be all wired up to play an EMEO. This Travelsax 2 is truly a “play anywhere” option and EMEO should figure out how to add that feature.
Ok I got a weird question for you: I'm a singer, not a sax player, and I love using kazoo to make some sounds while singing in it - so singing makes the sound, not blowing in it. But kazoo sounds horrible.. I'm wondering if there's any device such as those playlike saxophones that can be sang into to get that sound I'm looking for.. It's such for fun btw, but it'd be a lot of fun! Please lmk if you've ever seen something like that
Great for practicing finger work, dynamics, and articulation. You can exercise your embouchure, but no perfect it. Responsiveness is also very good. Occasionally squeaks a high pitch/screech. You can connect to your mobile phone and hear your phone music through the TS2 headset which is great for practicing silently. The main concern is that the bluetooth connection requires Location permission. This may be a privacy issue since other bluetooth apps don't require Location permission. The other problem is that you cannot pair while in airplane mode while earbuds, watches, and other BT devices can. When flying, you must pair TS2 to your phone before you activate airplane mode. Alternatively, you can use one ear to listen to one of the earpieces connect to the TS2 and your other ear to use one of your bluetooth earbuds. You will not be able to change any settings without being connected to your phone app. I have reached out to Odisei several times with no explanation other than you need Location permission.
I tried it and didn't like it. I tried it with some music I currently need to practice (Lizst Hungarian Rhapsody) and found the TS2 to be awkward and too slow of a response. So I'm returning it and ordering an EMEO instead. Maybe it has something to do with the size of one's hands....?
Hi Jay, After your review and with your coupon code I bought the TS2. Did you try to connect it in bluetooth to a sound module with your midi bluetooth receiver ? Thanks for all the valuable info that you give on your channel. Is it playable ? How is the latency ?
I can see by watching this video and other pictures on the internet that they have improved it quite a lot. I did the silly thing of buying the very first version of the Travel sax. I had to wait for it for months while I was on the waiting list. I'm sure Ramón Mañas was really happy receiving money for his project from many idiots like myself. After a few days playing it I had to return it to Barcelona because some of the keys broke really easily. The finish was really flimsy. Then, they sent me another brand new instrument and the low C key broke after minutes playing it. I got so angry that I didn't feel like writing them another e-mail telling that their instrument was a 500-euro toy and I couldn't sell it cheating anyone else, so I gave it away. I hope this comment can help anyone who wants to buy a second hand of the previous version, my experience couldn't be worse.
I bought an EWI a while back, but ended up returning it because I couldn't get a handle on controlling the dynamics with it's very sensitive breath sensor. You just can't push air through it like a real instrument, which made it very strange to play for me. Can anyone say if the travel sax is any different, with its ability to use a real mouthpiece?
too bad this is $700. Im interested in digitial music production so this seemed like something that could be used to more intuitively create music as i already know how to play sax, i can just blow and play whatever comes to mind and it will be in my music editor. but for $700 i much rather just learn to use my keyboard as a piano and play that way. though playing on the sax would be way more fun
Down here is Aus, Yamaha have made the YDS120 unavailable. I think it is to protect the YDS150 from being obsolete. This scenario combined with the fact that the Travel Sax has rollers that the YDS's don't, made me pull the trigger. Key noise is minimal and definitely quieter than the Roland GO. Delivery was lightning fast also .
I really liked your video, congratulations. I just bought it but I didn't like the sounds, are there any free apps that can generate better and more original sounds?
Use Coupon Code: BETTERSAXTS2 and get the accessory pack (€45) free. Make sure you have both items in the cart when adding the code. odiseimusic.com/products/travel-sax-2/
What a nice rotating gif!!! I wonder what the cost of this thing will be… when I put that gif into my llm I have been training for explodes cad schematics, pull up etcher, 2 pi’s and a few arduinos, and 3D print one. Shit mines going to have a screen and a hardware dedicated midi host
I asked for the new Selmer and my parents got me this.
Real
They'd heard your playing and made an investment decision? Never mind, at least you'll have some change in your pocket when you trade-in for your Novation Launchpad. (/s)
Lol
Your parents got you Jay?!
😂
I feel like this would be super useful to someone living in Japan. The walls they are basically paper-thin and you need to be super quiet all the time..
@Annette_Clair Oh, yeah, I have indeed and yeah, it's not really quiet regardless.. But in japan you hear your neighbors fart next door. ^^; The walls are genuinely so thin you can hear your neighbors rustling. It's also not common to have good spaces for practice/people are much closer together because of high density housing. Maybe I said this wrong, but I kind of meant that this would be big in the Japanese market because things like this are just sought after. People are very conscious of bothering each other in Japan so there are a ton of products meant to be the Quiet versions, even on things we think of as quiet here in the US.
What a horrible way to live
@@kevykev1037 yeah, that is actually really rough. This is actually why love hotels exist in Japan by the way. Who wants to get it on knowing neighbors 3 units over can hear you... Especially with most Japanese people being so incredibly modest. As such, a lot of Japanese people would rather stop by a live hotel for an hour were there is decent sound proofing rather than in their own homes. 😅
Hey girl lets go out this weekend for a nice dinner and drinks. No, lets just get food to go and a hotel room...
Depends on we’re you’re living, at least on the apartment I used to live it never became a problem
700 dollars... wow
I have been a user since the ts2 started shipping, and I cannot be happier with it. Whether practicing or just playing with it, I gain more and more confidence AND I look forward to those sessions during just about every break during my work night. I added an external plug in speaker and a sax neck to increase my tactile experience. Highly recommend this one.
Talk talk talk talk talk...just play it man...
@@equalrights9091 lol.. I'm almost sure you responded to the wrong comment, BUT..... You STOP playin', Man! lol
So a real sax neck will fit?
For that kinda $, I think they should eradicate the midi engine completely and add real samples...of many different wind, string and percussion instruments. Midi?!? Talk about missed opportunity. This one issue alone makes this a $150.00 Walmart kinda value. I do believe the "under-delivery" issue is spreading to new markets.
Life's a lot easier when you have a beater saxophone and hate your neighbors.
cute instrument - over thirty years ago, when i was at college I basically gave up playing the saxophone because in student accommodation it was impossible to find anywhere to practice without disturbing people. I ended up selling it to help cover my student debt. What might have been!
I really hope that they can make a clarinet version, because although its smaller on average, its still a pain for people near by, especially for the high notes. That and its really fricking cool!
Just get this?
If you play clarinet you also play the saxophone, whether you know it yet or not.
@@Peter-ff1tp no… no get out of my head! STAY BACK!
Not really. There's a number of notes that share the same fingering but a lot that don't too. You get one octave B to B thats pretty much the same, minus the Bb bis. Everything else is different.
@@Peter-ff1tpThis is the worst advice I’ve ever heard
I bought one of these and love it. Fun, small, lightweight, easy for travel, and the fingering is close enough a real sax feel that I now choose this over my Roland Aerophone for quiet practice. I did have a mechanical problem with the unit. Odisei was fabulous in responding--first, they sent me a video link with suggestions. That didn't work. We set up a 30-minute video meeting and Ramon looked at the problem and gave me further suggestions. That didn't work. Then they had me send the unit back (at their expense), checked it, repaired it, and it's coming back today. I was a little apprehensive as a U.S. customer about how responsive their customer service would be, and I just want to praise them for being incredibly engaged with their customers. They are great people. Highly recommended.
Hi there, thanks for your insights regarding Odisei's customer service. How would you compare the level of transfer of fingerings to a real sax between practicing with the Travel Sax and the Aerophone? Do you still enjoy the Travel Sax nine months later? Kind regards :)
I got behind the crowdfunding for the Travel Sax 1 and did preorder it there.
The first version of the Travel Sax was already very promising, but with some room for improvement.
The Travel Sax 2 is absolutely amazing. The perfect tool for practicing at all hours, everywhere, any place.
The keys respond very well, due to the new stainless steel key mechanism, very similar to a real saxophone.
It's also a great way to check your techinque, since you can see your fingers and you can control, if they move too far away from the keys (flying fingers).
The sounds of the built-in synthesizer are wonderful and you can now connect your headphones through the Aux-In input, without having to use a DAW.
I take it to all of my gigs, to practice on long trainrides, which is fortunately possible again after Corona, those dreaded masks all the other chagrin.
I can wholwheartedly recommend the Travel Sax 2 to anyone who is serious about becoming a better musician.
«He who stops getting better, stops being good» - Japanese proverb
can we all just look at how this thing is 700 usd!!! that is way too expensive even for somthing like this
Yea expensive.
Injection moulded plastic parts have a pretty high setup cost to make the moulds etc. For a niche product like this I can understand why it's not priced like mass-produced consumer electronics
R & D costs for a small company. This isn't Yamaha or Roland. If we want to see innovation we have to pay for it, otherwise we get what the big boys decide they want to push! For me, a genuine practice tool for my (loud) alto that isn't another instrument is highly desirable. A lot of thought seems to have gone into this product (optical switching on the keys for example). Its not a wind synth in the conventional sense (performance tool). Its very much targeted as a practice tool for the sax player. I've tried a wind synth as a practice tool for sax. Its too different for me. This looks very interesting and very interested to see how it develops. Hope to get my hands on one to try soon.
I was recommended this instrument at a local music shop in Barcelona when I went in to get my regular sax repadded. I mentioned that I travel a lot and don't get much of chance to practice and they really solved my problem! I agree that it is not the most perfect version, but the excellent realistic key shapes and response, and the small size of the instrument make it the perfect solution to my decades-long problem. I've really made strides since I bought it and am really pleased with it. Thanks for the tip on the extension and the fact that it is not really necessary to use a mouthpiece with a reed.
Me puede decir dónde puedo comprarlo?
I started to look into this because for me it’s kind of hard when you have a baby and trying not to disturb their sleep and trying to find some time to practice at the same time during the day, and I was waiting for your insights on this Jay, so thank you so much for this review, although I still think it’s still very expensive specially when I bought a brand new horn recently.
I just feel that for $200 more I can get a Roland wind synth with better sounds, bite sensor, etc.
I also have a travel sax 2. I carry it with me everywhere.. just in case I have some spare time to practice a song I’m working on. I use it primarily to memorise songs from sheet music. And for me it translates directly over to the acoustic saxophone.
How's the key response? I had gotten the YDS (Yamaha) and couldn't hold on to it for even 6 months. I had to press the keys too hard. Much harder than I would on my regular horn. Got annoyed and worried about injury so sold it at a reasonable loss.
@@danielnavarodrigues9175 good Call on Selling it. In my opinion the key response is just as it should be. I haven’t thought about it for a second.
I just take my C soprano.
Good review. A couple comments: The original Travel Sax was 3d printed; the Travel Sax 2 is injection molded plastic, stronger and more durable as I understand it, though like Jay I'm uncertain how mine will hold up after years of use. The keys, in particular, are inexpensive and easily replaceable (and probably most likely thing to break), so maybe not a big worry. I'm not sure how much more delicate it is than something like a real sax or an Emeo, metal construction is more durable but those objects are also much heavier and can get dinged, especially if they fall or tip over. Travel Sax 2 is light and seemingly fairly durable.
My second comment is that I don't think Jay mentioned that the Travel Sax 2 has Bluetooth midi built-in, so you can connect to synths on iPhone/iPad/computer without a USB cable. Latency for Bluetooth midi is quite low (unlike latency for Bluetooth audio).
Finally, regarding sounds, on iPhone/iPad or on a computer you have same selection of synths with Travel Sax 2 as you have with any other wind controller. For example, I've used Travel Sax 2 with the Respiro synth, same synth that has a limited version packaged with the Emeo. So, yes, sounds through built-in speaker of Travel Sax 2 are very basic, they sound somewhat better through headphones, but connect up to an iPhone/iPad or computer and you can get sounds that are as good as -- in fact the same as -- any other wind controller.
Travel Sax 2 does seem a little expensive for what it is. I think you just have to get that idea out of your head, realize that you're actually paying a premium for it to be small and lightweight, which is in fact a desirable and hard to find feature in saxophone-like wind controllers.
if it is 3d printed then probably they can provide the STL replacement files
"Travel Sax 2 does seem a little expensive for what it is"
Ya Think? It's a piece of plastic with a circuit board they want $600.00 dollars for. Not going to happen.
@@Temulon I get that you don't like it. How do you react to the many comparison videos on Better Sax where Jay compares an inexpensive sax with one costing 5 times, 10 times as much, or more? Do you say, "They're both hunks of metal with keys, and the average person can't tell any difference. They want 10 times as much for the expensive one?! Not going to happen."
@@hsitz I haven't seen any comparison videos on Better Sax, this is the first video I've ever seen on that channel.
Whether it's due to unions, trade embargo's, greed or whatever, yes, it's my opinion that most things on the market are overpriced.
I can understand craftsmanship and how people with exceptional skill levels and decades of experience should be paid for that knowledge.
But unless the instrument is being hand constructed out of rare materials I don't understand why a student sax should cost $700.00 and a professional sax could go for $20,000 dollars for a Selmer Paris.
The item being touted in this video is just injection molded plastic which houses a circuit board and a tinny speaker. Maybe, maybe a hundred dollars worth of material counting the board, which is selling for $600.00 dollars.
@@Temulon Hey, I have a Selmer Paris, and I like the fact that it's selling for $20,000. I do, however, totally agree that it's not worth what they are asking for it. Greed.
I'm so happy with mine!! Now I can practice anywhere. And BTW , the travel 2 is NOT 3D printed it is injection. I agree , they should put an AUTO OFF mode.
Yeah, I knew that didn't sound right because I could tell from the closeups that it was injection and could see the mold lines in the keys
I have never touched a sax in my life, not do I have a single microcosm of musical talent in my body. Yet, somehow, I found this in my recommendations and watched the entire thing...😁
The more you practise the more people will tell you how talented you are 😉 I've been playing the piano for over 20 years, thousands of hours of practising and performing and teaching, it would frankly be more impressive if I wasn't reasonably good at it by now.
Don't write yourself off before you've even tried (or worse, and far too commonly in my experience, because some teacher told you you sucked at the recorder in elementary school). I think talent does exist but it's overrated, there's definitely an extra something that performers at the absolute highest levels possess, but to be a competent amateur or a smaller scale professional (e.g. local gigs rather than international arenas) is still achievable for anyone who has a focused approach and can put the hours in.
How will the sound of wind instruments increase and decrease as you blow?
Very cool and tempting, but a bit pricey. My wife would probably have a cow though if I spent that kind of cash on it.
I was hoping this would be a more affordable alternative the the YDS but apparently it costs almost as much even though it's 3D printed and lacking a lot of features
This is awesome. Actually considering this as a commuter college student. It would be awesome to be able to practice on the train, or at home and leave my sac at school, etc. thanks for the best content on RUclips as per tradition
"Those people sucking on those vape things...." Those vape things are hitting their Cannabinoid receptors!
What's that other travail sax that was bigger & does it have a better sound??
YDS 150 ? better sound on speaker no but great sound with earphones
How is this compare to the Yamaha digital saxophone ? Is it better or the same ?
Wow, so much innovation in the vaping industry!!!
I am very much into jazz especially darker more sombre noir detective movie style jazz music. ive always wanted to learn the alto sax but they're so expensive I havent found a more affordable one.....this travel sax may be a good place to start
actually perhaps its the tenor sax, not the alto that I would want to play.
I have had mine for a few weeks. The pluses are obvious and don't need repeating. The basic sound through the speaker is tinny . I get best results with earphones plugged in and Bluetooth headphones over the top.
Yeah I agree about the speaker. But really found no use for it as I tend to do silent practicing with headphones. Although the cat seems to be able to hear it even then
Good review. If I had to travel frequently on business this would seem an excellent choice.
Thank you for making this video! I've lived in apartments for quite some time, and miss playing music. I hadn't played a Saxaphone for about 20 years. Decided to purchase a Travel Sax 2 after seeing this video and I LOVE IT. I can just sit in my Office Chair, Plug in My Headphones, Have Sheet Music on a monitor and go to town.
Great!
I literally stopped playing sax about 9 years ago because it was waaaay too loud to practice at home. I wish I had thought of something like this
do any other instruments have stuff like this being made or do companies only care for making saxophones
Informative video. Subscribed! 👍🏼
No. I'm just happy to see you.
wow, I thought this would be like $150 tops 😂 I could probably buy a 3d printer, filament, raspberry pi/ arduino, and a bunch of keys and make my own for only a little more than this thing.
Exellent!!! Life-long pro pianist/French hornist, Bb trumpet these days, guitars (hack), theremin, vocals, rudimentary drums... I have a crazy notion to play the viola...
Still, sax is my 2nd fave instrument - just after guitar. If I win the lotto tomorrow, I'll have a C trumpet, a Schimmel K230 7.5 ft. grand piano and a Travel Sax 2 (and a badass viola).
I wish all saxes were this size. I have small fingers and struggle reaching (and playing) low Bb. 😁
I got one. Big fan. The external speaker isn't great but I never use it. Really useful when travelling or late at night.
If it was $60 we'd be talking but at $600 I'm not that committed to practising everywhere I go!
Something that's not clear to me: Is there an output where I could plug this into a PA and actually play along with a backing track? Can you use the headphone out jack for that?
What is the difference between a practice sax and a wind controller? I was the first call New York session musician for Lyricon and then for wind controllers. I never thought of those instruments as saxophones of any kind, no more than I would confuse my flute with a sax.
I would think any instrument that seeks to function as a practice sax would need to do more than just function as a way to practice fingerings.
The only kind of wind controller I would use , and still do use, is the Yamaha WX-7 because in addition to using the breath transducer to expressively control volume and timbre I use the lip transducer to expressively control vibrato and pitch bend.
Hi .. looking for a tutorial how to change the spring tension porperly .. posten already the question in 2 FB grups - no answer. Greetz
Well Jay my man you convinced on two pieces of equipment. The travelsax2 and burnin 6# tenor sax mpc. If the mpc works then I’m buying the alto. The travelsax2 thing that got was the springs and the keys. The thing that got me on the mpc is your rendition of Georgia on tenor a song that I’ve been requested to play next week. Great job on both items.
Great to hear
Yes! I appreciate this presentation and the manufacture of this instrument.
It's great, but where can I buy this electro saxophone in Spain?
They are made in Spain!
Nah - I'm just pleased to meet ya!
The sounds that you hear is in Concert ? I want, as an alto player, if I play a C it sound as an Eb concert. That's possible to do on this instrument ?
Hi, can you conect this travel sax via midi for expand the soudns ?
Yes absolutely
I found you durring a doom scroll 😂
$700 should at least have a lightweight aluminum housing. I'll stick to my $35 used clarinet for travel, and my $200 keyboard for all of my MIDI needs.
The YDS-120 is probably the better choice for a traveling saxophone practice tool, being even cheaper as well. I remember Jay coming up with a devastating review of the YDS-150 but still it looks like he was just plain wrong as I am playing it for more than 2 years with no issues. So better take the YDS-150 or YDS-120 into account as well
Cheaper is good. However, YDS-120 is quite a bit bigger and heavier, not advantages for a traveling practice tool.
@@hsitz For me sze is not the most important criteria.
Excuse me, but nothing looks stupider than a person using a vape. Lol. Love this video. Love this bad boy toy!
10:40 should i be doubting my eyesight? I see that as teal or light blue, unless teal is considered a green, im confused :/
If or when the next iteration comes out with a more convincing sound, I would love one as something I can practice without worrying about annoying those around me. I've been sitting on getting a tenor sax for a years now. I can save for it, but noise complaints has been a hard barrier for me. My only concern as someone who is a complete novice, I think It may give me bad habits
I definitely wouldn’t recommend starting out with this. A real saxophone is definitely a super different experience. Stuff like embouchure, breath control, tone, accents aren’t available with this
I haven’t ever seen or heard of a travel sax yet when I clicked on this video I got an add for a travel sax💀💀💀
For $700, maybe not.
Why do I enjoy watching this? I can't even play a recorder.
I don't know if I would like it while I'm still learning the alto saxofone and I'd have to invest in a lap top and speakers too & does it have all the sounds I do care about the quality
The sounds in any of these devices will always be a compromise compared to the real thing. I only play synth sounds on my Aerophone.
You can connect to a synth on your smart phone. iPhone/iPad has amazingly good synths, I think there are at least a couple decent ones on Android. And all are quite inexpensive. The sounds from synths on iPhone/iPad/computer are better than any wind controller has built-in, which means all wind controllers (including Travel Sax) can access the best sounds out there.
I want to see giant steps on it
Jay! You and your RUclips channel are great! Right after I saw your review of the Travel Sax 2 I ordered one from Sweetwater (ever hear of them?). I agree with just about everything that you said in your review EXCEPT that I didn’t mind the spring tension of the keys. I just received the instrument today and it’s very difficult to put it down; it’s so fun! Thanks for your honest reviews! My favorite videos of yours so far: Rigotti cane farm/factory tour, the differences between SBA and Mark VI, Yanagisawa tour, Selmer tour. Thanks for everything!
When he said “click that like button” the like button turned rainbow
Hello from NYC...another great video...OMG why you did not make this video last week? ja.ja.ja
I order my travel sax 2 on Wednesday and is arriving to my door tomorrow Monday, same color that you have, but I ordered the accessories package extra and I paid for those, but I did not have your discount code....to bad...any way I can not wait to start practicing with my new travel sax2
OVER SIX HUNDRED BUCKS FOR THAT???? I'll wait for Casio to copy it and get it for 50 bucks at walmart...
Looks pretty cool. I don't even play saxophone but i'd like to have one of these to mess around with
Jay, thank you so much for the review and description of the travel sax 2. I did see the original travel sax when it came out but thought it was silly with the actual MP and reed. I didn’t understand how it could be silent with an actual MP and reed with air going through it.
Anyway, I just ordered the TS2 and got the accessories because of your video. I had the original Roland AE10 and bought the Roland AE30 immediately after it came out. I travel with the Roland AE30 and play it daily. It’s an incredible instrument but still a bit big for travel when I don’t actually have to play it live. This little travel sax2 solves the travel issue for me. Questions , the app allows you to change the instruments key? Bb, Eb, C or whatever you want?
The instrument uses regular alkaline or rechargeable batteries?
Yea you can change the key with the app and it has a rechargeable battery inside.
Jay, I received the travel sax2 on Monday and it completely broke 3 days later. Your review was not accurate. The Bluetooth sound always disconnected when changing instrument sounds. The actual sounds from the speaker are awful and not much better via headphones. I downloaded Swam audio modeling and it wasn’t much better. My travel sax2 stopped playing any sounds after using three times and now I’m stuck with an expensive 3d plastic defective instrument. I understand the company compensated you but your review wasn’t honest. 😮
Sounds rubbish
"Is that a travel sax in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"
I was recently in hospital or an extended period and my Travel Sax 2 was a life saver
This product is extremely poor for the reasons below:
1- The keys are very noisy enough that at some point, you can not hear your notes
2- the spring tension are far too hard and after playing this for a while, your are destined to play your acrostic instrument with too much tension, so not good for practice
3- some notes, are too sharp including B
4- way way way way way too overpriced. I would not pay $10:for this junk
Above observations by two musicians (including me) at the music shop
still waiting to watch your yds 120 review😊
Never knew there was an electric. I quit playing in like 01. I have an alto and old c melody still though
Found your channel today, already love it, very thoughtful and honest. Question (for you and/or the community): Do you recommend this (or any electronic saxophone) for someone wishing to (re)learn to play? Context: I used to play saxophone about 15 years ago. I haven't played in over 13 years, and would like to go back into it, but because because it's been such a long time (and I was never really good xD) I am considering I'm back to step 0. I really crave going back to playing, but I live in NYC, and am VERY conscious of not being noisy to neighbors (and wife :p). So, an electronic saxophone would solve for this, but is there any good enough to be my main learning/practice instrument? Thank you in advance :)
"They gave me a green one" That's blue or dark teal.
Ever heard a sax part?
Me neither.
Always with the solos..
Band Recording session:
"This track isn't quite done."
[12 sax players appear from nowhere]
"Hey yeh lets have a sax solo.. lets go to the pub. "
😂
Hello,do you have knowledge about this saxophone so called ROFFEE Rs-M600? Please do a review about it,we love you Mr BetterSax from republic of Kenya 🎉🎉
I wanted to like this. I really did. I really need a way to practice quietly. But when I got mine there were a few issues that made it unworkable for me.
1. The Bb bis key is too low. I’m a bis guy (for better or worse I guess) and it’s difficult to use with it being that low.
2. It’s super glitchy going up or down from middle D for me. Lots of random notes when going across the middle
D break.
3. The D key is gummy. It doesn’t snap back like all the other keys on it do. Maybe that’s why it’s glitchy? I have no idea.
4. It takes too much air to use. I went to the settings and it’s already on the lowest air pressure setting. I just don’t want to blow that hard all the time on this thing. I’ll save that for my actual tenor sax, lol.
5. Stability is terrible with it rocking back and forth as you play. And you can’t stabilize it with your fingers or… more glitches.
6. This is a little thing, but when I used the QR code to get the app it had me download the original Travelsax 1 app. I didn’t realize that at first and spent some frustration trying to figure out why my app was different that the one on the video tutorial, lol. I finally figured it out and downloaded the new app and it worked fine.
I realize others may have no problem with these issues. But it’s not for me. It seems like a well-made item. And I wish EMEO would take some lessons from these guys and incorporate the “internal sounds” features so you don't need to be all wired up to play an EMEO. This Travelsax 2 is truly a “play anywhere” option and EMEO should figure out how to add that feature.
Ok I got a weird question for you: I'm a singer, not a sax player, and I love using kazoo to make some sounds while singing in it - so singing makes the sound, not blowing in it. But kazoo sounds horrible.. I'm wondering if there's any device such as those playlike saxophones that can be sang into to get that sound I'm looking for.. It's such for fun btw, but it'd be a lot of fun! Please lmk if you've ever seen something like that
Great for practicing finger work, dynamics, and articulation. You can exercise your embouchure, but no perfect it. Responsiveness is also very good. Occasionally squeaks a high pitch/screech. You can connect to your mobile phone and hear your phone music through the TS2 headset which is great for practicing silently. The main concern is that the bluetooth connection requires Location permission. This may be a privacy issue since other bluetooth apps don't require Location permission. The other problem is that you cannot pair while in airplane mode while earbuds, watches, and other BT devices can. When flying, you must pair TS2 to your phone before you activate airplane mode. Alternatively, you can use one ear to listen to one of the earpieces connect to the TS2 and your other ear to use one of your bluetooth earbuds. You will not be able to change any settings without being connected to your phone app. I have reached out to Odisei several times with no explanation other than you need Location permission.
Do they have a “Low A” button for the bari sax?
Yes.....and a Spit Valve! 👍
Horrível!!! Muito barulho nas teclas. 👎 Plástico 🤮. Além do mais, nem sonorizou o instrumento por muito tempo.
I tried it and didn't like it. I tried it with some music I currently need to practice (Lizst Hungarian Rhapsody) and found the TS2 to be awkward and too slow of a response. So I'm returning it and ordering an EMEO instead. Maybe it has something to do with the size of one's hands....?
Hi Jay,
After your review and with your coupon code I bought the TS2.
Did you try to connect it in bluetooth to a sound module with your midi bluetooth receiver ?
Thanks for all the valuable info that you give on your channel.
Is it playable ? How is the latency ?
I can see by watching this video and other pictures on the internet that they have improved it quite a lot. I did the silly thing of buying the very first version of the Travel sax. I had to wait for it for months while I was on the waiting list. I'm sure Ramón Mañas was really happy receiving money for his project from many idiots like myself. After a few days playing it I had to return it to Barcelona because some of the keys broke really easily. The finish was really flimsy. Then, they sent me another brand new instrument and the low C key broke after minutes playing it. I got so angry that I didn't feel like writing them another e-mail telling that their instrument was a 500-euro toy and I couldn't sell it cheating anyone else, so I gave it away.
I hope this comment can help anyone who wants to buy a second hand of the previous version, my experience couldn't be worse.
I bought an EWI a while back, but ended up returning it because I couldn't get a handle on controlling the dynamics with it's very sensitive breath sensor. You just can't push air through it like a real instrument, which made it very strange to play for me. Can anyone say if the travel sax is any different, with its ability to use a real mouthpiece?
I dont play sax but nice review
Not bad.
I'd buy this 100%
Not for 600 quid though, maybe 200 max. It's a plastic toy basically, can get a real sax for that price...
too bad this is $700. Im interested in digitial music production so this seemed like something that could be used to more intuitively create music as i already know how to play sax, i can just blow and play whatever comes to mind and it will be in my music editor. but for $700 i much rather just learn to use my keyboard as a piano and play that way. though playing on the sax would be way more fun
Not to be rude but wish you would've stopped talking for a second and let us hear more of the use of Swam plugin and this gadget.
I am going to tell my kids this is what a vape was
I will never understand why they make something electric that you blow into?
A mere practice tool at almost $800? That's crazy. And only MIDI sounds too? Yikes.
Down here is Aus, Yamaha have made the YDS120 unavailable.
I think it is to protect the YDS150 from being obsolete.
This scenario combined with the fact that the Travel Sax has rollers that the YDS's don't, made me pull the trigger.
Key noise is minimal and definitely quieter than the Roland GO.
Delivery was lightning fast also .
Nothing ever good is available in Australia
I really liked your video, congratulations. I just bought it but I didn't like the sounds, are there any free apps that can generate better and more original sounds?
599€ is quite expensive It is equal to 23,458
Thai baht because I live in Thailand so It is very expensive tho
Would it be OK if I switched from a Yamaha 4c to your burnin 5 mouthpiece
More than ok ✅
おしゃべりばかりですね。
もっと演奏をメインにしてほしかったです。😢
Wish it used replaceable 18650 or 21700 type batteries.
for 600 EUR you get a very serious Akai EWI and you are on another planet.... this ravel sax is great but it should cost half or less to make sense
Happy and sad at the same time! I find it pricey but with good elements. Lower price could make them sale more of those! In my humble opinion!