Akai EWI USB MIDI Wind Instrument Controller

Not exactly a new idea this - Yamaha had a WX instrument around 20 years ago and even Casio had a 'Digital Horn' for a while..!

However, what sets the Akai EWI USB apart is its direct USB connection - so no more mucking about with MIDI.

Not to mention the cheap price - historically, this sort of kit was ridiculously expensive or simply a toy - the EWI USB is certainly neither.

EWI stands for Electronic Wind Instrument, the whole idea being that wind players can now record straight to PC or MAC with the aid of the bundled software, which includes Garritan Aria Player software

This is what Akai have to say about their EWI USB:

EWI USB is an electronic wind instrument for musicians looking for an easy-to-play, easy-to-use controller. Akai Professional's decades of experience in wind and electronic music instruments are rolled into our most user friendly - and most affordable - EWI ever.

Akai Professional is the first name in electronic wind instruments. For over 20 years, Akai Professional has studied the art of playing saxophone, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and other traditional winds, and developed electronic wind instruments that enable wind players to enjoy the same expressive control as in an acoustic instrument. We designed EWI USB to give wind players the expressive musical capabilities previously found only in much more expensive instruments.

EWIs are the only choice for serious wind players looking to make music electronically. While EWI USB is easy and fun to use, it's also powerful, flexible, and most importantly reliable enough for use on stage and in the studio by professional musicians.

EWI USB is the most flexible EWI because it harnesses your computer to generate its sounds. Its USB interface means that all you need is nearly any Mac or PC and the included EWI USB software, and you're ready to practice, perform, create, and record with a full collection of wind instrument sounds. Aria Player software was produced specifically for use with EWI USB, providing wind players with an unprecedented level of expressive control.

Historically, electronic wind instruments have fallen into two different categories: high-end, professional instruments and toys. EWI USB breaks the price barrier, bringing professional quality, expressive control, and a studio-ready sound library to a price the professional-wind-instrument world has never seen.

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