Akai Ewi 5000 Wireless Wind Instrument

I must admit, the first time I unboxed the instrument, I was amazed at the build quality. It has some heft, the keys are properly and ergonomically placed and you know Akai really took their time to perfect this wind controller. But as a long time saxophone player, the first time I actually played some scales, I was quite disappointed - it didn't feel like a saxophone. I was beginning to regret my purchase and thought about exchanging it for the WX5. So I gave it a few more days. Days turned to weeks, and I am beginning to appreciate this instrument. Keep practicing those scales, breathing with the mouthpiece and you realize how this is such an amazing wind controller. I made a mistake thinking that this is a replacement for a saxophone in an apartment situation. In reality, you should think about how this instrument can be an extension to your musical endeavors. The possibilities you can do with the sounds and playability are endless. There are a few usable synths prebuilt, but I suggest using the Akai EWI 5000 Editor to really play and edit your sounds then save it to the user bank. Also there are synths out there that can be used if you plug the EWI as just a midi wind controller; unfortunately you can't upload other synth sounds into the controller. Definitely give it some time to get used to the instrument especially moving from one octave to another. Keep practicing and you'll appreciate that there's hardly any moving parts here. I was opposed at it first since horns have that tactile and key feedback. But with the touch sensitivity, it really felt I was playing an instrument from the future. Again, you just have to get used to it - think about when mobile phones shift from physical keyboards to the modern phones we have today. And here I am today still keeping my purchase and writing a review. I thank Akai for making a top-notch wind controller and continuing the support for the modern electronic wind musician.

I used this to wirelessly connect an Akai EWI 4000s to iOS synthesizer apps. The MD-BT01 has worked flawlessly.

I use this bag to carry all of the essentials in the field. It supports my JVC GY-5000, Wireless System, Shotgun Mic, Batteries, Tape Media, as well as the little things like gloves, clipboard etc.. I would highly recommend this to any serious professional that puts quality first.

Mixes instrument, voice and monitor all in one. I plan on using with wireless IEM also for greater control.

Awesome sounds from Akai to add to my library!

I'm gonna put it to you straight: I love this thing.Great things about it? Multiple fingering modes, two banks, rechargeable, wireless with ridiculously low latency (even when battery gets low) and a sound editor software that delivers. Having higher quality sounds compared to EWI4000s is great and being able to layer or octave those sounds without being hooked up to a computer is great for random creativity. For starters, it has a good sound that is actually adaptive to your style of play. I went through the whole of the sound bank and was pleased as I believe it's a true update. There will be uninformed haters out there that will say the sounds are not realistic or sound kazoo-like after listing to samples through a YouTube video, but what they're failing to realize is that it is an EWI, not a reed instrument; and, YouTube sound quality considering the source material and player isn't always that great. The EWI accomplishes everything it set out to and does not misrepresent what it can do in its instruction manual or marketing. I find that if I do a forceful brass hit or a strong blow using the saxophone sounds that there is a distinct difference in how the sound is presented and how it is carried. I find this ability built into the vast majority of sounds I use. These are the great things about the instrument.Areas in need of improvement? Let's see.. some thought that having a wireless MIDI ability would be useful, but honestly, I don't find this that important. Use a cord or acquire a wireless setup that you trust and believe in. Being able to load your own sounds? Get an iPad or a computer, VST library and software and use a cord. Again, I don't find this to be a hang-up. I owned the EWI4000s and did just fine with cords. I did fine then and I'll do fine now.All in all a great buy. Highly recommended. Highly responsive. Highly customizable. And a highly prized member of my instrument collection.

using it on my sb-5000 works good.

I use to connect Akai mpk-49 to audio interface

We operate a narrated tram ride, and the wind on our wireless headset, would cause the narration to go in and out, even with a foam wind protector on the mic. The windjammer has solved that problem. We have happy passengers again!

This Mic is really clear, picks up voice really nicely and with a wind-guard it's a great option vs. wireless mics.