Thank you very much for a wonderful and detailed review of the product, I appreciate the time you take to do this, the close ups you make so we can see closely details of the instrument, your video is what I needed to make up my mind and buy the 5000. Best regards
Thank you so much Francisco for liking my film. Indeed, I can understand what you are saying. It took me weeks and weeks of grumbling around before I went to buy the EWI 5000. This was the reason why I share this with the wide community to spare them this trouble.
as i'm looking into wind instruments i kept hearing the 4000 was better than the 5000 on vids.. but this REALLY does go into depth of each very valuable video, thank you.
Juan ContrerasI know this video us old but people may still end up here looking for answers. It is a good video IMHO as far as getting to know some of the practical differences. Quality of sound however is purely subjective and also heavily determined by type of music and performance situation. Most people want to know if to buy one or the other. Per Patchman, again, they are different instruments and not truly comparable. So it may be like asking if one want a alto or a tenor sax, look similar but they are different instruments.
The bottom line is: (I have both so in my opinion:) If you want realistic built in sample based sounds that CAN NOT be edited which crackle and glitch while the sample library loads in memory while playing then go for the 5000. If you are looking for something that is synth based which DOES allow editing sounds and loading new sounds that does not sound glitched while playing then go for the 4000s The 5000 does come with a wireless receiver but i never used mine. Some 5000 users have reported issues with the rechargeable battery The 4000s uses mains or 4 x AA batteries The 5000 has Midi Out The 4000 has Midi In and Out If you are looking to use one of these EWIs as a midi controller for say VST Plugins then either will do the job! Breath and Focus! :)
that really depends on what you call good - its a kind of how long is a piece of string thing lol The 5000 has realistic sounds as well as synth type sounds. I only really used the sax sounds which are nice the horns are cool tool you wont get these realistic sounds on the 4000s. If you use either as a midi controller the possibilities are endless. If you just want to play it right out the box with the built in sounds then the 5000 has a good selection of sampled sound. If your looking to get the 4000s you will also have to take into account the possibility of purchasing the patchman soundbank for it as it is much better then the sounds akai provide - this will cost you extra unless you purchase a 4000s with the soundbank already installed hope this helps As for your question - it really is a matter of taste but i do prefer the 4000s as its more future proof but i do love the realistic sounds on the 5000 too lol
thank you very much Barry!! I would like if the 5000 had the possibility to update the samples, with better sounds, near the quality of Samplemodelling etc,... On the other hand, isn't true that the Patchman sounds for the 4000s are modifications made by the editor, which oneself, if you know, can make them?
I know what you mean about the 5000 you can make some slight changes to the sounds via the editor software but not as much as you can with the 4000s. the 5000 is very limited in comparison when it comes to editing the sounds. It would be nice to be able to upload sounds (like a sampler) but its just not possible. They could have easily have made it with a built in sampler since its sample based i dont think it would have been hard to do. Maybe in the near future they will lol The thing to remember is the 4000s is a synthesizer. Via the editor software you can create your own sounds from scratch by changing the wave forms of the oscillators as well as other settings like lfo, cutoff and all that good stuff - its very versatile in that respect. This is how the patchman sounds have been created, someone sat and created them via the editor. There are a few other patch banks you can get also - do a youtube search for akai 4000s soundbanks Some are very good if not better then the patchman bank too :) Hope this helps
i've now bought the 5000! (there were no 4000s's available in my local shop, so the choice was easy!) just watched your video again, as there are some wonderful lessons on youtube, but using the 4000s, so it was very useful to see the differences again. no one has mentioned what happens if a few crumbs & other stuff get into this thing!! (it's going to be costly buying extra toothpaste!) thank you again!
zena robinson zena, you can easily open it and clean it with warm water, I mean the mothpiece. What I did is use a toothpick to clean the airways in it. yours, marwan
zena, Maybe you just should. Even the finest devices can have a mistake. As I understand you just bought it. Do you not have a guarantee on it. I am quite busy til the end of Ramadan. But if you are interested, we could Skype on this issue and you could show me what you mean, if you have not solved it til then.
Hi Marwan, thank you for your video. Actually I have bought EWI4000S in time when now EWI 5000 was on the market. Before I have played recorders, now started clarinet. But: before I started clarinet I have tried "experiment" with ewi 4000s. I was impressed with ease how to play, possibilities of differrent adjustments, but. And now I want to put stress on it - a big BUT: sound was unsatisfactory (!) - syntetized "something" - in these days, when electronic pianos playes really nature sounds, this was like scrap... I was very unsatisfied, because, I wanted some sound bank of natural instruments - to play on loundess not disturb people around me, etc... So, then I have heard about patchman. I have bought it - but it WAS NOT MUCH BETTER! In fact fact, I am not sure, if I even uploaded the sounds, despite of i did upload according instructions given by patchman... Now I try to "resurect" my EWI 4000S again... have you any suggestions? (cable, or battery is not real problem and is possible to live with... ) I beg for at least some real, natural sound samples, if I should have up to 10 natural instrument - be happy, no other needs.. What I should to do? - to buy another sound bank? buy patchman again? - maybe they did some changes into sounds - no problem,... I just really want to use this instrument, but not to listen than syntetised robot sounds.. (do not want to hurt anybody who like it, but is not for me (at least not now)) thank you for any help/sugestions.. Alex.
@William Marshall Actually the 5000 is more affordable, as you do not really need a soundbank from patchman. It has 50 true sampled voices and 50 more digital ones in the quality of 4000. Patchman has written that they would have in future soundbanks for 5000, but I doubt, that they would be much better. The Quality is really good. I took it to a couple of gigs. The price was 740 USD And man, I will not buy a pedal to make one film :-)
One difference between the 4000 and the 5000 I don't see discussed here or elsewhere: On the 5000 you can adjust the bite sensor so you can create a bite vibrato that can be on only one side of the pitch. If I understand this correctly, the default setting is the same as the 4000 which vibrates on both sides of the pitch (sharp and flat). But the 5000 can have this setting easily changed so you can vibrate only on the high side of the pitch or only on the low side of the pitch. Also, it can be set to bite and hold a pitch. The 4000 always returns to the correct pitch, no matter how you bite it and bounces on either side of the pitch. I am curious if those who have played their 5000 set up with the bite and hold, one side of the pitch vibrato found it more useful for some sounds that the standard setting was not. I currently play a 4000 but am thinking of buying a 5000. Comments?
Hola Juan, sabes cómo hacer para introducir nuevos sonidos al 4000s? en qué formato se introducen? y cómo? Adicionalmente, si el 4000s no tiene cable USB sino MIDI, toca comprar un cable MIDI/USB que, personalmente, no me ha funcionado para teclados en Windows 10 (no lo he probado con un EWI). Lo otro que le entendí a Mamo es que los samplers son muy costosos ($80). Sabes cuál es la manera de sacarle todo el provecho al 4000s en este sentido? Me están ofreciendo un 4000s de segunda y me llama la atención meterle nuevos instrumentos que sean muy reales (no sintetizadores sino samplers de instrumentos reales). Es posible pasarle instrumentos de librerías de Kontakt al 4000s? Agradezco los datos que puedas darme, porque, con sorpresa he visto que hay poquísima información sobre estos EWI en la red. Mil gracias de antemano.
You've inspired me to get the 5000. Please share how you get your nice vibrato on both instruments. Is it a Flute like (breath) vibrato or just a knob setting. I don't get that nice a vibrato on the 4000s. Also you say the 5000 sounds are "fixed" . so no adding sounds? Thank You
Hi there, man, I really do not know how I get this vibrato. Let me think there. You know that you can add the vibrato by biting on the mouthpiece. What I actually do when thinking of it, is that I bite slightly say 5 times a second. And thinking of it I actually also shake the flute. Take a look at my film ruclips.net/video/DEco4cl9S2A/видео.html At second 50 the shaking vibrato comes. Furthermore I use air strength variations in vibrato. I got this from the flutes I build myself. Thanks for the question. I really never thought of it this way. As to your question about the soundbanks. You really need none in the EWI 5000. It is fully sufficiant and has awesome voices in it. Patchmannmusic.com has mentioned that they will be having sounds for the 5000, but I cannot imagine, that they can do better. Comparing the sounds already in the 5000 with the sounds I had bought for the 4000 directly as for a midi device connected to it, I see not, that they could do better than the 5000. By all means it is almost perfect.
Nick Hersheys Of course you have the knobs. But they do not add a vibrato to one single note, but to the whole sound. And the mouthpiece is bite-sensitive. If you got it then try it out.
Marwan Hassan Yes I got my EWI5000. I was expecting a vibrato effect when I bite the mouth-piece, instead it just pitch-bends the note. No auto-vibrato. Instead you have to bite and release several times to create a vibrato effect.
I tried both, and couldn't get used to the odd fingering layout, even after playing saxophone for years. I ended up selling both and getting a Roland Aerophone ae10, and I enjoy it so much more. I do wish it had wireless midi, but at least it does midi through usb.
thank you very much! i was considering buying the EWI 4000 until i heard the the 1st 20 mostly rubbish sounds! this video has given me food for thought! (it seems from a brief comment you make near the end, that new sounds can be loaded into the 4000, but not the 5000, which is useful to know) thanks again!
zena robinson Indeed, but I have now been using the 5000 in concerts for a year and I cannot imagine to miss it anymore. It is far beyond the 4000 and the voices are very good. Not to forget, you have a Midi out, but I don't use this option anymore as I am satisfied with the voices.
I have a 4000s, but I'm not a sax player, I'm a recorder/flute player. I didn't get mine calibrated (as specialised retailers would recommend), it was just stock setup. I was instantly dismayed by the amount of air I had to blow into the mouthpiece to get a decent response from the instrument. I set the mouthpiece to be as sensitive as it can be to incoming air pressure at the mouthpiece, and still run out of breath playing very short phrases. If it wasn't for this, I would have played it more, but as it is I just don't think this instrument is for me... I've read it mentioned that the 5000 is smarter at the calibration, so my question is: do you experience it to be easier to calibrate? Could it be calibrated to the point of allowing for a more recorder-like playing style? Cheers!
bichobranco Hich bicho, well you do need some practice, Try to blow the air into your cheecks and get the pressure from there and not directly from your lungs. It helps quite a lot.
thankyou for your review i found it to be excellent and very informative to help me concider if to buy an ewi and which one is the best for me.thankyou
EWI 5000 build 1545 adds new functionality to allow users to adjust or disable the auto shut off feature. Previously, the EWI5000 will shut off after 10 minutes of inactivity. With this new firmware, the user can adjust the auto shut off time from off, 10 minutes (default), 20 minutes, or 30 minutes. This is a new SETUP menu item named 'Ao' that appears before 'CL' in menu order. www.akaipro.com/product/ewi-5000#downloads
Dear Marwan, thx for sharing. I am really confused whether to buy 4000s or 5000. I am basically a flute and clarinet player. I am very particular about the number of octaves. I would certainly go by your advice on the choice of instrument.
Thanks that was a real assessment of a instrument now know which one will suit me and your input was most valuable in my decision leads have always been an issue they have taken care of this and powering the device in a positive way my decision a 5000 all the very best 10/10 sir
It is actually extremely easy to create your own sound with the included free software for the 4000s. The software allows for combining any two sounds and it it gives you 99 or 100 varations to choose from or further tweak. So imagine the number of pisdibilities. I found Patchman sounds too heavy on reverb and delay, a common trick to entice but unusable in studio as effects get locked in the recording. Reducing the master effects on the instrument itself does not help. It has to be done with the included sound editor software. The cables and other differences are nit picking as on can always use wireless adaptors for audio or midi. Lithium batteries also need replacement and charging. If the battery is dead then you need to be connected with USB cable. On the 4000s just pop in new batteries, which can be found just about anywhere. In my opinion the only difference that really matters is the fact that the 5000 presets include sample sounds. However sample sounds like the amzing sample modeling instruments can be played with both. Just need low latency interface. One thing I have not read about yet is wether new samples can be loaded onto the 5000.
I don't think that you mentioned the Lithium-ion battery issue on the 5000. If the battery is run low and then left for a while, it can drop below 3Volts. When this happens you can't recharge the battery, nor can you run the instrument on the charger. It become unusable until you pay $50 for a new battery. Please redesign this part Akai as the instrument is otherwise superb. I won't upgrade my 4000S to the 5000 until you do.
Foremost l want to say a very big thank to you. because you do reply message BIG THANKS SIR. Sir l play Saxophone, l want to know if l can also play this Instrument for l really like it. please let me know what would be a challenge on the fingerings. then l want to know the price of the (Ewi 5000s) also how it can be delivered to me in Lagos Nigeria. Thank you sir, God bless you.
+Christopher Olatunde Oladosu (Revd Dr Tunde tunde) Hello, you can buy it actually in my affiliation on amazon here: www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00IJF00GW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1638&creative=19454&creativeASIN=B00IJF00GW&linkCode=as2&tag=metaquederhum-21
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation & comparison. I have bought EWI 5000 recently & simply love it. I have a Behringer Sound Card, connected to my PC through a USB cable. From this sound card two output cables I have connected to my stereo speaker. The Behringer has two input terminals. One is with XLR for the Mic & the second is a conventional Jack for the instrument input. Kindly guide me on how & where I have to connect my Wireless Unit. I tried but could not get the audio output. I have connected the bottom output socket of EWI to the Instrument input of the Sound card but could not get the audio with the speakers already connected. kindly guide me. Thanks.
Make sure the output device you selected is the correct one. Sometimes with windows when you plug in a new usb audio device it mistakenly tries to use that device as an input and output.
I just ordered the ewi usb I like the 4000 but having to replace batteries in it would be a pain in the ass and it has MIDI in and out the 5000 may sound better but only has one midi out so retrospect I may go for the 4000 because of the midi in and out
i'd still likke an easy option to change batteries if need be, and there must be a flat radio mic/transmitter you can get .. also MIDI in is useful when you record an edit you midi data and want to playback using the ewi4000 as a sound module.
Yeah, thanks.. I thought the video missed out on those points. I don't know but if the 4000 is analog then you could quite easily get into programming your own sounds.. and always add a ROMpler or even a sampler externally. I can see for many there will be little to choose from the two.
maybe, but for what. The Ewi 5000 has increadible good sounds, better than what ever has been made for the 4000, and if it is a must, you have a midi out.
Next time you do a film get yourself a foot control for zooming in and out with your camera. I found the problems you had trying to do all of this was a distraction. Did Patchman add new sounds into your 5000? I also play a 4000 and a WX7 and I found Patchman had much better sounds than the stock ones built into both wind controllers.Lastly what did the 500 cost in US$ with or without the Patchman additional patches?
is it possible to correct the fingering of the oboe set? the f # do not correspond to the real F# in the oboe. I've seen some others possible fingerings in the manual and it seems no have idea of the others fingerings besides the sax one.
I'm a bit late to the game here, hope you are still answering questions? Can this device be used as a sort of midi controller, triggering sound from my keyboard synth. I have a Roland JD-XI. Thank you for the great videos and the advice.
Thank you for these details. I'm starting to the feel that the 5000 matches my needs, however I'm really concerned about the battery. I've read that it can die really easily for no particular reason, and that it is nearly impossible to make it work again (with a safe method, that is). Since a replacement costs around 50$/€, that's quite troublesome. Can anyone give me advices on that matter? Like, if I should reconsider my purchase or if the battery problem is something too rare to be taken as a serious disadvantge, etc. Thanks!
I mostly want to control external synthesizers (especially modular), so the wireless audio isn't important - although, the VA synth on the 4000s is tempting. I was wondering if the bit on the end that secures and redirects the audio cable is also useful for midi cables and if that is missed on the 5000. Also, are there any other differences in midi features than the missing midi input on the 5000?
Hello Marwan. Thanks for the video. It has been almost 15 months since you posted it. Do you have any follow ups? I did read a reply you posted that you sold the 4000s and stayed with the 5000. Do you still suggest the 5000 or is there anything newer out there that you are familiar with? Thanks. Ed
Hi there I am more than pleased with my EWI. I myself build flutes since now 35 years, the last 20 years and more commercially. Trust me when I tell you, the Ewi 5000 is a paradigm in Flute art.
+Marwan Hassan my son plays the clarinet and we saw this in the Late Show with Steven Colbert and thought it was a really different instrument. Very cool. The one the guy had was the 4000S but I agree that having that wire protruding out the back would seem cumbersome. Thanks for the reply.
Which one is the best for someone who prefers synth-sounds (like the ones Michael Brecker used to use) over emulations of real instruments? (I wouldn't mind having a selection of "real" instruments like a flute or a clarinet as well, but synth sound is my main priority). Thanks
well actually the bank consists of 50 "real" and 50 synth sounds. Not to forget the Midi out. Furthermore the 5000 has this great wireless function so you can move and play freely. I definitely would advise the 5000 now after having played and performed with it for so long.
+gilbert crocker Thank you guys for lots of helpful insight. :) I ordered the 4000s.. sacrificing wireless connectivity :\, but the built-in synth sounds seem better + the ability to program my own VA sounds from scratch really closed the deal for me. Going to put up my EWI USB, which I got 2 weeks ago, for sale...
+gilbert crocker actually I compare here the 4000 with the 5000. As a musician on stage I can only say that the 5000 is faaaaar better. And if your keen on other voices you still go cable midi. At the end, everyone has to decide on his own. I personally think the patchman voice bank for the 4000 are overestimated and I like the 50 samples on the 5000 and you still have the 50 electronic ones which you can even manipulate. Man, the 5000 is so cool. I build flutes since 30 years and play dem even longer. For me the 5000 is created into my hands. I never want to miss it again. check my flutes on www.shakuhachi-shop.de
+gilbert crocker I have while still playing the 4000. Some were good, some less. As far as I am concerned the 5000 made patchman not necessary anymore.
That thing is effing amazing and you are an awesome player!!! Everyone should have one of those. Does it have USB and bluetooth and is it iPad friendly? If so can you play silently and listen with bluetooth headphones? and can you record wireless/bluetooth into iPad? I must know!!!!
+foustergr I recently bought a EWI USB and it's a fantastic instrument, but the software seems to be terribly glitchy running in windows 10... seems it hasn't been updated since 2008 or so. I can usually play for about 2 hours before something gets stuck and I have to reset everything and reboot and reset several times and change usb ports etc before it suddenly works properly again. And I can't take it with me without carrying a laptop or getting a surface pro or something. I regret buying the USB version, planning to upgrade to a 4000s or 5000 when I can afford it.
So when you get the 5000, is the chord that connects the wireless box to the speakers included or do you have to buy one? Thanks for the great video :)
I had to buy my cables separately from a local Radio Shack shop. I had to buy two mono jack cables and Y- pin adapter to convert two mono jacks into a single stereo jack to hook to my stereo system. It does not say the cables are included on the box cover.
My apologies in advance for a stupid question: is the sound coming from the instruments or via speakers? If the latter, how is the instrument connected to the speaker? Thanks for very enjoyable video.
Stephen Power There are not stupid questions only stupid answers. Please excuse me only answering today. Well you have several ways to get the sound out. One is the wireless device which you connect with boxes, then you can connect directly to boxes, and you have the head phone plug ins, which you can use also.
Marwan Hassan Thank you for the message. Since I posted, I have informed myself a little further, and purchased the Akai EWI5000 (my sneaking suspicion is that you prefer this model. I'm using the headphones and also my Hi Fi speakers with a line in to the amp. I haven't bought a dedicated keyboard amp yet, but it's in my plans, to use with the wi-fi box. Although seems to be some confusion online as to what type of lead to connect it with. I also tried connecting it to my midi keyboard but stupidly bought a midi cable with right angled plugs and they will fit into the EWI but not the keyboard, as that socket is recessed. Thank you for a very enjoyable video.
mahalo for sharing... i have a question??? do you ever have feedback hum using ewi 4000???... when i first got one no problem, but now every time i plug into amp there is a loud background hum plus whatever musical note me finger is on is heard tho not blowing in mouthpiece..... not sure how to stop this annoying sound???... any suggestions???.... mahalo (thanks)
+Marwan Hassan thanks for getting back to me... not a thumb wheel problem, something else... i like the 5000, but doubt i will ever be able to afford it.... thanks again, happy tunes....
+gilbert crocker mahalo for responding... i had checked the cables, even tried different ones and different amp... seems now i may have figured it out... tho i never messed with the covered control panel, it seems somehow the breath sensor had gotten off somehow, and i was able to readjust...
never shoot a video into a bright window because everything becomes silhouette in front of it so if you can please correct that so we could see the details in your videos it would be to your advantage to your viewers.
I personally am now totally convinced of the flexible 5000. I can move freely on stage as it is wireless, only if you choose Midi out you will be wired.
Well I love natural instruments too, in fact I have published several book son how to play and build various flutes and own the most popular German online shop for Shakuhachi, Dizi, Nay and other flutes. But let me tell you, the EWI 5000 is just incredible great.
Thank you very much for a wonderful and detailed review of the product, I appreciate the time you take to do this, the close ups you make so we can see closely details of the instrument, your video is what I needed to make up my mind and buy the 5000. Best regards
Thank you so much Francisco for liking my film. Indeed, I can understand what you are saying. It took me weeks and weeks of grumbling around before I went to buy the EWI 5000. This was the reason why I share this with the wide community to spare them this trouble.
as i'm looking into wind instruments i kept hearing the 4000 was better than the 5000 on vids.. but this REALLY does go into depth of each
very valuable video, thank you.
Thanks for the great comparison of EWI4000s and 5000. I had a hard time finding any videos telling about the differences. Very nice job.
Juan ContrerasI know this video us old but people may still end up here looking for answers. It is a good video IMHO as far as getting to know some of the practical differences. Quality of sound however is purely subjective and also heavily determined by type of music and performance situation. Most people want to know if to buy one or the other. Per Patchman, again, they are different instruments and not truly comparable. So it may be like asking if one want a alto or a tenor sax, look similar but they are different instruments.
The bottom line is: (I have both so in my opinion:)
If you want realistic built in sample based sounds that CAN NOT be edited which crackle and glitch while the sample library loads in memory while playing then go for the 5000.
If you are looking for something that is synth based which DOES allow editing sounds and loading new sounds that does not sound glitched while playing then go for the 4000s
The 5000 does come with a wireless receiver but i never used mine.
Some 5000 users have reported issues with the rechargeable battery
The 4000s uses mains or 4 x AA batteries
The 5000 has Midi Out
The 4000 has Midi In and Out
If you are looking to use one of these EWIs as a midi controller for say VST Plugins then either will do the job!
Breath and Focus! :)
thank you for the info, Ewi 5000 has 100 sounds..How many "good" sounds do you think it has?
that really depends on what you call good - its a kind of how long is a piece of string thing lol
The 5000 has realistic sounds as well as synth type sounds. I only really used the sax sounds which are nice the horns are cool tool you wont get these realistic sounds on the 4000s.
If you use either as a midi controller the possibilities are endless.
If you just want to play it right out the box with the built in sounds then the 5000 has a good selection of sampled sound. If your looking to get the 4000s you will also have to take into account the possibility of purchasing the patchman soundbank for it as it is much better then the sounds akai provide - this will cost you extra unless you purchase a 4000s with the soundbank already installed
hope this helps
As for your question - it really is a matter of taste but i do prefer the 4000s as its more future proof but i do love the realistic sounds on the 5000 too lol
thank you very much Barry!! I would like if the 5000 had the possibility to update the samples, with better sounds, near the quality of Samplemodelling etc,... On the other hand, isn't true that the Patchman sounds for the 4000s are modifications made by the editor, which oneself, if you know, can make them?
I know what you mean about the 5000 you can make some slight changes to the sounds via the editor software but not as much as you can with the 4000s. the 5000 is very limited in comparison when it comes to editing the sounds. It would be nice to be able to upload sounds (like a sampler) but its just not possible.
They could have easily have made it with a built in sampler since its sample based i dont think it would have been hard to do. Maybe in the near future they will lol
The thing to remember is the 4000s is a synthesizer. Via the editor software you can create your own sounds from scratch by changing the wave forms of the oscillators as well as other settings like lfo, cutoff and all that good stuff - its very versatile in that respect.
This is how the patchman sounds have been created, someone sat and created them via the editor.
There are a few other patch banks you can get also - do a youtube search for akai 4000s soundbanks
Some are very good if not better then the patchman bank too :)
Hope this helps
Help me a lot Barry !! thank you very much again !
i've now bought the 5000! (there were no 4000s's available in my local shop, so the choice was easy!) just watched your video again, as there are some wonderful lessons on youtube, but using the 4000s, so it was very useful to see the differences again. no one has mentioned what happens if a few crumbs & other stuff get into this thing!! (it's going to be costly buying extra toothpaste!) thank you again!
zena robinson
zena,
you can easily open it and clean it with warm water, I mean the mothpiece. What I did is use a toothpick to clean the airways in it.
yours,
marwan
thank you! (now i need to contact akai to find out why the thing misbehaves all the time!) :-(
zena,
Maybe you just should. Even the finest devices can have a mistake. As I understand you just bought it. Do you not have a guarantee on it. I am quite busy til the end of Ramadan. But if you are interested, we could Skype on this issue and you could show me what you mean, if you have not solved it til then.
Hi Marwan,
thank you for your video.
Actually I have bought EWI4000S in time when now EWI 5000 was on the market. Before I have played recorders, now started clarinet.
But: before I started clarinet I have tried "experiment" with ewi 4000s. I was impressed with ease how to play, possibilities of differrent adjustments, but. And now I want to put stress on it - a big BUT: sound was unsatisfactory (!) - syntetized "something" - in these days, when electronic pianos playes really nature sounds, this was like scrap...
I was very unsatisfied, because, I wanted some sound bank of natural instruments - to play on loundess not disturb people around me, etc...
So, then I have heard about patchman. I have bought it - but it WAS NOT MUCH BETTER!
In fact fact, I am not sure, if I even uploaded the sounds, despite of i did upload according instructions given by patchman...
Now I try to "resurect" my EWI 4000S again... have you any suggestions? (cable, or battery is not real problem and is possible to live with... )
I beg for at least some real, natural sound samples, if I should have up to 10 natural instrument - be happy, no other needs.. What I should to do? - to buy another sound bank? buy patchman again? - maybe they did some changes into sounds - no problem,... I just really want to use this instrument, but not to listen than syntetised robot sounds.. (do not want to hurt anybody who like it, but is not for me (at least not now))
thank you for any help/sugestions..
Alex.
@William Marshall
Actually the 5000 is more affordable, as you do not really need a soundbank from patchman. It has 50 true sampled voices and 50 more digital ones in the quality of 4000. Patchman has written that they would have in future soundbanks for 5000, but I doubt, that they would be much better. The Quality is really good. I took it to a couple of gigs. The price was 740 USD
And man, I will not buy a pedal to make one film :-)
+Marwan Hassan i ended up getting one too, biggest splurge in years, but enjoying the new features....
Thank you for this very compelling review. Your video is very informative, organized, and comprehensive.
Fabulous!! Loved every second! Thank You ‼️🥰
One difference between the 4000 and the 5000 I don't see discussed here or elsewhere: On the 5000 you can adjust the bite sensor so you can create a bite vibrato that can be on only one side of the pitch. If I understand this correctly, the default setting is the same as the 4000 which vibrates on both sides of the pitch (sharp and flat). But the 5000 can have this setting easily changed so you can vibrate only on the high side of the pitch or only on the low side of the pitch. Also, it can be set to bite and hold a pitch. The 4000 always returns to the correct pitch, no matter how you bite it and bounces on either side of the pitch. I am curious if those who have played their 5000 set up with the bite and hold, one side of the pitch vibrato found it more useful for some sounds that the standard setting was not. I currently play a 4000 but am thinking of buying a 5000.
Comments?
+gilbert crocker please sir.
the fingerings is it the same like Saxophone.
Thank you for making this video. I'm shopping for a new wind controller and this video was a big help.
Per the Patchman site, the ewi 5000 OS does not permit loading samples into the instrument.
Hola Juan, sabes cómo hacer para introducir nuevos sonidos al 4000s? en qué formato se introducen? y cómo? Adicionalmente, si el 4000s no tiene cable USB sino MIDI, toca comprar un cable MIDI/USB que, personalmente, no me ha funcionado para teclados en Windows 10 (no lo he probado con un EWI). Lo otro que le entendí a Mamo es que los samplers son muy costosos ($80). Sabes cuál es la manera de sacarle todo el provecho al 4000s en este sentido? Me están ofreciendo un 4000s de segunda y me llama la atención meterle nuevos instrumentos que sean muy reales (no sintetizadores sino samplers de instrumentos reales). Es posible pasarle instrumentos de librerías de Kontakt al 4000s? Agradezco los datos que puedas darme, porque, con sorpresa he visto que hay poquísima información sobre estos EWI en la red. Mil gracias de antemano.
You've inspired me to get the 5000.
Please share how you get your nice vibrato on both instruments.
Is it a Flute like (breath) vibrato or just a knob setting.
I don't get that nice a vibrato on the 4000s.
Also you say the 5000 sounds are "fixed" .
so no adding sounds?
Thank You
Hi there,
man, I really do not know how I get this vibrato. Let me think there. You know that you can add the vibrato by biting on the mouthpiece. What I actually do when thinking of it, is that I bite slightly say 5 times a second. And thinking of it I actually also shake the flute. Take a look at my film ruclips.net/video/DEco4cl9S2A/видео.html
At second 50 the shaking vibrato comes. Furthermore I use air strength variations in vibrato. I got this from the flutes I build myself.
Thanks for the question. I really never thought of it this way.
As to your question about the soundbanks. You really need none in the EWI 5000. It is fully sufficiant and has awesome voices in it.
Patchmannmusic.com has mentioned that they will be having sounds for the 5000, but I cannot imagine, that they can do better. Comparing the sounds already in the 5000 with the sounds I had bought for the 4000 directly as for a midi device connected to it, I see not, that they could do better than the 5000.
By all means it is almost perfect.
Bite the mouthpiece for vibrato. There are knobs to set the delay etc. etc....
Nick Hersheys Of course you have the knobs. But they do not add a vibrato to one single note, but to the whole sound. And the mouthpiece is bite-sensitive. If you got it then try it out.
Marwan Hassan Yes I got my EWI5000. I was expecting a vibrato effect when I bite the mouth-piece, instead it just pitch-bends the note. No auto-vibrato. Instead you have to bite and release several times to create a vibrato effect.
you have this bite effect on the 4000s. you bite and the vibrato starts
I tried both, and couldn't get used to the odd fingering layout, even after playing saxophone for years. I ended up selling both and getting a Roland Aerophone ae10, and I enjoy it so much more. I do wish it had wireless midi, but at least it does midi through usb.
thank you very much! i was considering buying the EWI 4000 until i heard the the 1st 20 mostly rubbish sounds! this video has given me food for thought! (it seems from a brief comment you make near the end, that new sounds can be loaded into the 4000, but not the 5000, which is useful to know) thanks again!
zena robinson
Indeed, but I have now been using the 5000 in concerts for a year and I cannot imagine to miss it anymore. It is far beyond the 4000 and the voices are very good. Not to forget, you have a Midi out, but I don't use this option anymore as I am satisfied with the voices.
thanks again! :-)
I have a 4000s, but I'm not a sax player, I'm a recorder/flute player. I didn't get mine calibrated (as specialised retailers would recommend), it was just stock setup. I was instantly dismayed by the amount of air I had to blow into the mouthpiece to get a decent response from the instrument. I set the mouthpiece to be as sensitive as it can be to incoming air pressure at the mouthpiece, and still run out of breath playing very short phrases. If it wasn't for this, I would have played it more, but as it is I just don't think this instrument is for me... I've read it mentioned that the 5000 is smarter at the calibration, so my question is: do you experience it to be easier to calibrate? Could it be calibrated to the point of allowing for a more recorder-like playing style? Cheers!
bichobranco
Hich bicho,
well you do need some practice, Try to blow the air into your cheecks and get the pressure from there and not directly from your lungs. It helps quite a lot.
oboe clarinet. ewi is ridiculously easier in comparison.
thankyou for your review i found it to be excellent and very informative to help me concider if to buy an ewi and which one is the best for me.thankyou
i bought the ewi 5000 instead of the roland ae-10.. is it a good idea! ? i hope so
EWI 5000 build 1545 adds new functionality to allow users to adjust or disable the auto shut off feature.
Previously, the EWI5000 will shut off after 10 minutes of inactivity.
With this new firmware, the user can adjust the auto shut off time from off, 10 minutes (default), 20 minutes, or 30 minutes.
This is a new SETUP menu item named 'Ao' that appears before 'CL' in menu order.
www.akaipro.com/product/ewi-5000#downloads
Thanks Jeroen for adding this information here. This is really nice from you.
Dear Marwan, thx for sharing. I am really confused whether to buy 4000s or 5000. I am basically a flute and clarinet player. I am very particular about the number of octaves. I would certainly go by your advice on the choice of instrument.
go then for the 5000. As a stage musician it is very good.
thanks i am looking to purchase for my 18 year old son i appreciate your review.
Doug
Thanks that was a real assessment of a instrument now know which one will suit me and your input was most valuable in my decision leads have always been an issue they have taken care of this and powering the device in a positive way my decision a 5000 all the very best 10/10 sir
It is actually extremely easy to create your own sound with the included free software for the 4000s. The software allows for combining any two sounds and it it gives you 99 or 100 varations to choose from or further tweak. So imagine the number of pisdibilities. I found Patchman sounds too heavy on reverb and delay, a common trick to entice but unusable in studio as effects get locked in the recording. Reducing the master effects on the instrument itself does not help. It has to be done with the included sound editor software. The cables and other differences are nit picking as on can always use wireless adaptors for audio or midi. Lithium batteries also need replacement and charging. If the battery is dead then you need to be connected with USB cable. On the 4000s just pop in new batteries, which can be found just about anywhere. In my opinion the only difference that really matters is the fact that the 5000 presets include sample sounds. However sample sounds like the amzing sample modeling instruments can be played with both. Just need low latency interface. One thing I have not read about yet is wether new samples can be loaded onto the 5000.
I don't think that you mentioned the Lithium-ion battery issue on the 5000. If the battery is run low and then left for a while, it can drop below 3Volts. When this happens you can't recharge the battery, nor can you run the instrument on the charger. It become unusable until you pay $50 for a new battery. Please redesign this part Akai as the instrument is otherwise superb. I won't upgrade my 4000S to the 5000 until you do.
Foremost l want to say a very big thank to you.
because you do reply message BIG THANKS SIR.
Sir l play Saxophone, l want to know if l can also play this Instrument for l really like it. please let me know what would be a challenge on the fingerings.
then l want to know the price of the (Ewi 5000s)
also how it can be delivered to me in Lagos Nigeria.
Thank you sir, God bless you.
+Christopher Olatunde Oladosu (Revd Dr Tunde tunde)
Hello, you can buy it actually in my affiliation on amazon here: www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00IJF00GW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1638&creative=19454&creativeASIN=B00IJF00GW&linkCode=as2&tag=metaquederhum-21
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation & comparison. I have bought EWI 5000 recently & simply love it. I have a Behringer Sound Card, connected to my PC through a USB cable. From this sound card two output cables I have connected to my stereo speaker. The Behringer has two input terminals. One is with XLR for the Mic & the second is a conventional Jack for the instrument input. Kindly guide me on how & where I have to connect my Wireless Unit. I tried but could not get the audio output. I have connected the bottom output socket of EWI to the Instrument input of the Sound card but could not get the audio with the speakers already connected. kindly guide me. Thanks.
Make sure the output device you selected is the correct one. Sometimes with windows when you plug in a new usb audio device it mistakenly tries to use that device as an input and output.
Really helpful .. thanks for going into all the details.
Nice video! I was thinking to use this for quiet practice! Is it possible to use it as a standalone instrument with headphones ?
Yes indeed
thank you for the video. very informative. I was wondering though what is the difference between the EWI USB and 4000?
thank you for the info very informative.
Very thorough video. Thank you.
I just ordered the ewi usb I like the 4000 but having to replace batteries in it would be a pain in the ass and it has MIDI in and out the 5000 may sound better but only has one midi out so retrospect I may go for the 4000 because of the midi in and out
Very informative video. Thank you for sharing!
i'd still likke an easy option to change batteries if need be, and there must be a flat radio mic/transmitter you can get .. also MIDI in is useful when you record an edit you midi data and want to playback using the ewi4000 as a sound module.
Well then you have made your choice and go for the EWI 4000
Yeah, thanks.. I thought the video missed out on those points. I don't know but if the 4000 is analog then you could quite easily get into programming your own sounds.. and always add a ROMpler or even a sampler externally. I can see for many there will be little to choose from the two.
maybe, but for what. The Ewi 5000 has increadible good sounds, better than what ever has been made for the 4000, and if it is a must, you have a midi out.
Thanks you sir.
please what is likely we be a challenge in time of fingerings,,,,, is it the same fingerings chat with Saxophone?
you have different fingering sets, Oboe Sax and Flute
Next time you do a film get yourself a foot control for zooming in and out with your camera. I found the problems you had trying to do all of this was a distraction. Did Patchman add new sounds into your 5000? I also play a 4000 and a WX7 and I found Patchman had much better sounds than the stock ones built into both wind controllers.Lastly what did the 500 cost in US$ with or without the Patchman additional patches?
Sir Williams, please talk to me about the fingerings.
l play saxophone,,, what is the different in fingerings chat.
Thanks for your video! The ewi5000 can be used like a controller ? For instance plugged into the ipad in order to use other sounds?
yes
is it possible to correct the fingering of the oboe set? the f # do not correspond to the real F# in the oboe. I've seen some others possible fingerings in the manual and it seems no have idea of the others fingerings besides the sax one.
I'm a bit late to the game here, hope you are still answering questions? Can this device be used as a sort of midi controller, triggering sound from my keyboard synth. I have a Roland JD-XI. Thank you for the great videos and the advice.
Yes it has a Midi out
Thank you for these details. I'm starting to the feel that the 5000 matches my needs, however I'm really concerned about the battery. I've read that it can die really easily for no particular reason, and that it is nearly impossible to make it work again (with a safe method, that is). Since a replacement costs around 50$/€, that's quite troublesome.
Can anyone give me advices on that matter? Like, if I should reconsider my purchase or if the battery problem is something too rare to be taken as a serious disadvantge, etc.
Thanks!
I never had this problem
I mostly want to control external synthesizers (especially modular), so the wireless audio isn't important - although, the VA synth on the 4000s is tempting. I was wondering if the bit on the end that secures and redirects the audio cable is also useful for midi cables and if that is missed on the 5000. Also, are there any other differences in midi features than the missing midi input on the 5000?
Hello Marwan. Thanks for the video. It has been almost 15 months since you posted it. Do you have any follow ups? I did read a reply you posted that you sold the 4000s and stayed with the 5000. Do you still suggest the 5000 or is there anything newer out there that you are familiar with? Thanks. Ed
Hi there
I am more than pleased with my EWI. I myself build flutes since now 35 years, the last 20 years and more commercially. Trust me when I tell you, the Ewi 5000 is a paradigm in Flute art.
+Marwan Hassan my son plays the clarinet and we saw this in the Late Show with Steven Colbert and thought it was a really different instrument. Very cool. The one the guy had was the 4000S but I agree that having that wire protruding out the back would seem cumbersome. Thanks for the reply.
Hi Q have you tried the yamaha wx5 and if so how does the mouthpiece compare with the Akai ?
very nice presentation, i wish to have one may know where to get it?
Which one is the best for someone who prefers synth-sounds (like the ones Michael Brecker used to use) over emulations of real instruments? (I wouldn't mind having a selection of "real" instruments like a flute or a clarinet as well, but synth sound is my main priority). Thanks
well actually the bank consists of 50 "real" and 50 synth sounds. Not to forget the Midi out. Furthermore the 5000 has this great wireless function so you can move and play freely. I definitely would advise the 5000 now after having played and performed with it for so long.
+gilbert crocker indeed
+gilbert crocker Thank you guys for lots of helpful insight. :) I ordered the 4000s.. sacrificing wireless connectivity :\, but the built-in synth sounds seem better + the ability to program my own VA sounds from scratch really closed the deal for me. Going to put up my EWI USB, which I got 2 weeks ago, for sale...
+gilbert crocker
actually I compare here the 4000 with the 5000. As a musician on stage I can only say that the 5000 is faaaaar better. And if your keen on other voices you still go cable midi.
At the end, everyone has to decide on his own. I personally think the patchman voice bank for the 4000 are overestimated and I like the 50 samples on the 5000 and you still have the 50 electronic ones which you can even manipulate. Man, the 5000 is so cool. I build flutes since 30 years and play dem even longer. For me the 5000 is created into my hands. I never want to miss it again.
check my flutes on www.shakuhachi-shop.de
+gilbert crocker
I have while still playing the 4000. Some were good, some less. As far as I am concerned the 5000 made patchman not necessary anymore.
How would you rate Akai with Yamaha and Roland wind controllers.
Thank you. Great review. It would be good if the instrument had a water collection chamber; dripping water onstage is very unattractive.
You should play in a punk band, it is common to spit at the audience
8:49 Must buy a "L" Jack and ouala no problem
That thing is effing amazing and you are an awesome player!!! Everyone should have one of those. Does it have USB and bluetooth and is it iPad friendly? If so can you play silently and listen with bluetooth headphones? and can you record wireless/bluetooth into iPad? I must know!!!!
Actually it has a wifi, so you could wire it from there into your pc or else.but it also has midi plugs
Hi Marwan..Would you recommend a combo of EWI USB + Sample Modeling sounds instead of a 4000/5000?
+foustergr
after playing them now for a couple of years I must say, I am more than satisfied with the 5000.
+foustergr I recently bought a EWI USB and it's a fantastic instrument, but the software seems to be terribly glitchy running in windows 10... seems it hasn't been updated since 2008 or so. I can usually play for about 2 hours before something gets stuck and I have to reset everything and reboot and reset several times and change usb ports etc before it suddenly works properly again. And I can't take it with me without carrying a laptop or getting a surface pro or something. I regret buying the USB version, planning to upgrade to a 4000s or 5000 when I can afford it.
+syncoke Thanks mate for this insight
So when you get the 5000, is the chord that connects the wireless box to the speakers included or do you have to buy one? Thanks for the great video :)
in my case it was included.
I had to buy my cables separately from a local Radio Shack shop. I had to buy two mono jack cables and Y- pin adapter to convert two mono jacks into a single stereo jack to hook to my stereo system. It does not say the cables are included on the box cover.
Nick Hersheys
Well I had a cable inside. How ever, a cable is not the world, the instrument though is indeed.
thanks for the vid it was very helpful
Yes sir.
please the fingerings of Ewi is it like flute.
you need to read the answer below before posting repeatedly
My apologies in advance for a stupid question: is the sound coming from the instruments or via speakers? If the latter, how is the instrument connected to the speaker? Thanks for very enjoyable video.
Stephen Power
There are not stupid questions only stupid answers.
Please excuse me only answering today. Well you have several ways to get the sound out. One is the wireless device which you connect with boxes, then you can connect directly to boxes, and you have the head phone plug ins, which you can use also.
Marwan Hassan Thank you for the message. Since I posted, I have informed myself a little further, and purchased the Akai EWI5000 (my sneaking suspicion is that you prefer this model. I'm using the headphones and also my Hi Fi speakers with a line in to the amp.
I haven't bought a dedicated keyboard amp yet, but it's in my plans, to use with the wi-fi box. Although seems to be some confusion online as to what type of lead to connect it with.
I also tried connecting it to my midi keyboard but stupidly bought a midi cable with right angled plugs and they will fit into the EWI but not the keyboard, as that socket is recessed. Thank you for a very enjoyable video.
you are mostly welcome and I am humbled by the many people engaged in this vid.
Whats something you would tell someone who just got an Ewi Today♥
Play it daily and you will be rewarded
mahalo for sharing... i have a question??? do you ever have feedback hum using ewi 4000???... when i first got one no problem, but now every time i plug into amp there is a loud background hum plus whatever musical note me finger is on is heard tho not blowing in mouthpiece..... not sure how to stop this annoying sound???... any suggestions???.... mahalo (thanks)
+forest greenwald
I sold my 4000 for the sake of the 5000. But I never hat a hum except when I forget to touch one of the thumb wheels.
+Marwan Hassan thanks for getting back to me... not a thumb wheel problem, something else... i like the 5000, but doubt i will ever be able to afford it.... thanks again, happy tunes....
+gilbert crocker mahalo for responding... i had checked the cables, even tried different ones and different amp... seems now i may have figured it out...
tho i never messed with the covered control panel, it seems somehow the breath sensor had gotten off somehow, and i was able to readjust...
forest greenwald the sensitivity if the mouthpiece is too high.
Oh my gosh I would love this. But it's so expensive... Heeew😥
never shoot a video into a bright window because everything becomes silhouette in front of it so if you can please correct that so we could see the details in your videos it would be to your advantage to your viewers.
There ist a German Expression for this called Klugscheisser
Is it possible to transpose the instrument?
Yes. Easily
COMO FAÇO PARA ADQUIRIR ESSE ESTRUMENTO
Amazing video, Marwan! You convinced me to buy an EWI, but as a sax player, would you recommend that I buy a 4000S or 5000?
I personally am now totally convinced of the flexible 5000. I can move freely on stage as it is wireless, only if you choose Midi out you will be wired.
+Marwan Hassan thank you! Oh and should I buy an extra mouthpiece along with the EWI?
+Dingusaurus
I am using mine since 2 years. u can take it of and clean it.
what you urgently need is a case with a sidebag for the wireless device.
Too bad you cant find the Yamaha WX5, with the VL70m, The Tenor Sax on that is inspiering, EWI Sax.......sounds cheap.!
There are smaller and cheaper
I love the sound of natural instruments much more. An electric flute was not an option for me. Electrical system does not live.
Well I love natural instruments too, in fact I have published several book son how to play and build various flutes and own the most popular German online shop for Shakuhachi, Dizi, Nay and other flutes.
But let me tell you, the EWI 5000 is just incredible great.
I gave up after 6 minutes, not interesting to see someone change a battery. what a waste of time :(
+Tom Veldhuizen
Wat voor en dome opmerking