User Guide English
Table of Contents Introduction................................................................................................................................. 4 About the EWI5000 ................................................................................................................. 4 Support ................................................................................................................................... 4 Getting Started ..........................................................
Assigning Controls ................................................................................................................ 26 MIDI Channel ................................................................................................................... 26 Hold Button ..................................................................................................................... 27 Interval Button ................................................................................................
Introduction About the EWI5000 EWI5000, the latest addition to the EWI series, combines innovative instrument design, wireless connectivity, and a sound library by SONiVOX to create the most expressive and versatile wind instrument available to today's musicians. Building upon the legacy of the original Electronic Wind Instrument, Akai Professional created EWI5000 with the same objective in mind—deliver unprecedented musical expression to wind players everywhere.
Getting Started Important Before operating the EWI5000, please note the following: • Do not bite the mouthpiece too hard—this can damage the vibrato sensor. Use the mouthpiece cover after using or while carrying the EWI5000. • Always touch the grounding plate and octave rollers when playing. These are sensors which use the performer's body as the ground. • Keep the mouthpiece clean before, during, and after using the EWI5000. You can clean its outer surface with disinfectant alcohol. 1.
3. Connect Important: The scenarios below are not mutually exclusive. The EWI5000 sends out audio from its Line Out, from its Phones jack, and wirelessly to the receiver (if it is paired) all at the same time. You can, for example, play EWI5000's audio wirelessly while also listening through the headphones.
To play EWI5000's audio through headphones: 1. Connect standard 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo headphones to EWI5000's Phones jack. 2. Press the EWI5000's Power Button to power it on. 3. Set the EWI5000's Wireless Switch to Off. To play EWI5000 as a "wired" MIDI controller: 1. Make sure EWI5000 is powered off. If it is not, press and hold the Power Button for a full second. 2. Use the included USB cable to connect the EWI5000's USB port to your computer. 3.
4. Play! Hold the mouthpiece gently between your lips with your teeth, and exhale so your breath passes through both sides of your mouth. The EWI5000 detects this wind pressure with the breath sensor and expresses the change in sound volume and character, depending on how you blow. (It should not take much breath to activate the instrument.) Tips: • There is a bite sensor in the mouthpiece.
Features 1. Mouthpiece: Hold the mouthpiece gently in between your lips with your teeth and exhale into it (like a traditional wind instrument). You can produce a vibrato effect by gently biting the mouthpiece while blowing into it, but do not bite too hard. 2. Note Keys: Press these keys in different combinations while blowing into the mouthpiece to determine the note. You can adjust the position of the three lowest note keys by loosening their screws. 3.
9. Grounding Plate: Always touch these plates while playing. 10. Octave Rollers: Move your thumb up or down over these rollers to shift the note keys' range. You can shift them up to four octaves higher or up to two octaves lower. Always touch these octave rollers while playing. 11. Glide Plate: Touch this plate while playing a note to produce a "glide" effect, which smoothly and continuously slides the pitch up or down—a technique known as portamento. 12.
24. Line Output: Use a 1/4" (6.35mm) TRS cable to connect this output to the input of a keyboard amplifier, audio interface, speaker system, etc. Important: The Line Out is a stereo output. If you are connecting to a mono input (like those on most keyboard amplifiers, audio interfaces, etc.), use a TS cable instead of a TRS cable. 25. USB Port: Use a standard USB cable to connect this port to an available USB port on your computer.
Advanced Functions The EWI5000 is a woodwind-instrument-type MIDI controller with an internal sound module and built-in effects. It allows you to perform with the articulation of an acoustic instrument but also with the character of an electronic instrument with a wide variety of sounds and tonal colorings. The EWI5000 has two modes: Performance Mode and Setup Mode. When you turn the EWI5000 on, it will be in Performance Mode.
FILTER Fine Primary: sets the EWI5000's tuning by fractions of a semitone. Secondary: no function. Reverb Primary: sets the amount of Reverb effect applied to the Program. BREATH BITE SEMI FINE REVERB CHORUS LFO Secondary: sets the room size of the Reverb effect applied to the Program. Chorus Primary: sets the amount of Chorus effect applied to the Program. Secondary: sets the depth of the Chorus effect applied to the Program.
Adjusting Sensors The EWI5000 has been given optimal default settings, but we recommend adjusting them to your preference to get the most out of your performance. You can customize these settings in Setup Mode. To enter Setup Mode, press the Setup Button. The display will indicate the current setting. Though adjusting the settings may seem complicated, you won't need to it every time you perform.
Breath Sensor The mouthpiece's breath sensor translates the strength of your breath into the volume and character of the note you're playing. It's important to set the sensor's sensitivity so it suits your playing style. Tip: If this is your first time using the EWI5000, you may want use a "lighter" breath sensor setting for easier blowing. With practice, you can set this control at a "heavier" setting for a more expressive performance. To adjust the breath sensor: 1.
• CC (Continuous Controller): The breath sensor will send a MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) message. If you select this, press the Trans Button to set additional message parameters: o En (Enable): This determines whether CC output is enabled or disabled. If you select this, press and hold the Trans Button, and press the Hold Button or Interval Button to turn it on (On) or off (OF). When it is on, a dot will appear in the display.
Bite Sensor The bite sensor controls the character of the vibrato effect you generate when you bite the mouthpiece while playing a note. Note: The vibrato effect is obtained by biting the mouthpiece many times rather than a single steady bite. To adjust the bite sensor: 1. Press and hold the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode. 2. Press the Hold Button or Interval Button to scroll through the options until bt (Bite Sensor) appears in the display. 3. Release the Setup Button.
• CC (Continuous Controller): Biting the mouthpiece will send a MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) message. If you select this, press the Trans Button to set additional message parameters: o En (Enable): This determines whether CC output is enabled or disabled. If you select this, press and hold the Trans Button, and press the Hold Button or Interval Button to turn it on (On) or off (OF). When it is on, a dot will appear in the display.
Pitch-Bend Plates When you touch either of the pitch-bend plates, the EWI5000 will bend the pitch of the note you are playing, allowing you to be more expressive with your performance. Alternatively, you can set the pitch-bend plates to send messages for other individual MIDI Continuous Controllers (CCs). Important: The overall change in pitch varies by how much of the plate your thumb is touching as well how it is touching the plate. Experiment with these settings for the best results.
Glide Plate The EWI5000's glide plate lets you use a glide effect called portamento to move between notes for greater expressiveness in your performance. Alternatively, you can set the glide plate to send messages for other individual MIDI Continuous Controllers (CCs). Important: Make sure PS is on if you want to use the portamento effect. The EWI5000's synth needs this setting to be enabled in order for portamento to work properly.
• Lt (Legato Time): The glide plate will send its messages using CC #104, which the EWI5000 uses for Legato Time. This is the time during which a note ends as a new note begins. Shorter times will result in more abrupt changes between notes, while longer times will result in more fluid changes that sound almost slurred. (This is different from portamento, though, as Legato Time does not shift the pitch of any notes.
Calibrating Sensors The EWI5000's sensors can be adjusted and assigned as described in the Adjusting Sensors chapter, but we recommend calibrating them, as well. Calibrating the sensors ensures their sensitivity and response fits your performance style the best.
Breath Sensor To calibrate the breath sensor: 1. Press and hold the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode. 2. Press the Hold Button or Interval Button to scroll through the options until CL (Calibration) appears in the display. 3. Release the Setup Button. The display will show the current sensor. Use the Hold Button or Interval Button to bS (Breath Sensor). 4. You can use the Chorus, LFO, and Reverb Parameter Knobs to adjust the sensor. You can also blow into the mouthpiece to test the setting.
Glide Plate To calibrate the glide plate: 1. Press and hold the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode. 2. Press the Hold Button or Interval Button to scroll through the options until CL (Calibration) appears in the display. 3. Release the Setup Button. The display will show the current sensor. Use the Hold Button or Interval Button to GL (Glide Plate). 4. You can use the Chorus, LFO, and Reverb Parameter Knobs to adjust the sensor. You can touch the glide plate to test the setting.
Pitch-Bend Plates To calibrate the pitch-bend plates: 1. Press and hold the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode. 2. Press the Hold Button or Interval Button to scroll through the options until CL (Calibration) appears in the display. 3. Release the Setup Button. The display will show the current sensor. Use the Hold Button or Interval Button to PU (Pitch-Bend Up Plate) or Pd (Pitch-Bend Down Plate). 4. You can use the Chorus, LFO, and Reverb Parameter Knobs to adjust the sensor.
Assigning Controls There are three important settings you should set for your EWI5000: the MIDI channel it will use to send its messages, the function of the Hold Button, and the function of the Interval Button. Additionally, you can assign the note keys to select specific Programs when you are touching the Program Button. This can make Program selection quick and easy. Click one of the settings below to skip to that part of the chapter.
Hold Button When you press the Hold Button, the EWI5000 will enter Hold Mode, which allows you to play and hold a note and then play another note or melody line over that held note. The held note will remain as long as you are playing a legato phrase. When you end the phrase or articulate a new phrase, the original held note will end, and the new note will then become the held note. To set the function of the Hold Button: 1. Press and hold the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode. 2.
• 4. CC (Continuous Controller): The Hold Button will send a MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) message. If you select this, press the Trans Button to set additional message parameters: o Cn (Controller Number): This is the CC number that will be sent when you press the Hold Button. Use the Hold Button or Interval Button to set the CC number (01–127; values over 99 will be shown as the last two digits with a dot between them). Match this number to the CC number of the parameter you want to control.
Interval Button When you press the Interval Button, the EWI5000 will enter Interval Mode, which will cause an additional note—at a particular interval—to sound above or below the fingered note, creating a harmonized sound. Important: While in Interval Mode, portamento messages from the glide plate will be disabled. To set the function of the Interval Button: 1. Press and hold the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode. 2.
• 4. CC (Continuous Controller): The Interval Button will send a MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) message. If you select this, press the Trans Button to set additional message parameters: o Cn (Controller Number): This is the CC number that will be sent when you press the Interval Button. Use the Hold Button or Interval Button to set the CC number (01–127; values over 99 will be shown as the last two digits with a dot between them). Match this number to the CC number of the parameter you want to control.
Managing Programs Programs are settings or presets stored in the EWI5000's internal memory. You can switch from one Program to another to change your sound and sensor settings instantly. There are two banks of Programs: the Preset Bank and the User Bank. In each bank, there are 100 Programs (00–99). By default, the two banks are identical, but you can overwrite User Programs with your own Programs, while the Preset Programs cannot be overwritten.
Using the Hold Button and/or Interval Button Note: You can use just the Hold Button, just the Interval Button, or both buttons to select Programs. In other words, these two buttons' functions can be independent of each other. 1. Make sure you are in the desired bank (Preset or User). If not, press the Bank Button to select it. 2.
In an External MIDI Sound Module or Software You can use the EWI5000 to send a MIDI Program Change message to a connected external MIDI sound module or to software on a connected computer. To do this, follow the same steps as described above. When you select a new Program on the EWI5000, it sends a MIDI Program Change message of the same number to your external sound module. In order to do this properly, configure the settings described below. 1. Press and hold the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode. 2.
Using Effects (FX) You can use the EWI5000's FX Menu to apply and edit three different effects to its audio output: Reverb, Chorus, and Delay. Important: Your EWI5000's audio output must be enabled to edit its effects. If you are using it as a MIDI controller only (its Preset LED or User LED is flashing), enable its audio output by pressing and holding the Power Button until its Preset LED or User LED is lit solid.
Chorus The Chorus effect modulates the pitch and a delay of the input signal, which are then added to the dry signal. In small amounts, this creates the illusion of multiple voices playing at once. To edit the Chorus effect: 1. Press and hold the FX Button, and then use the Hold Button and Interval Button to select ch (Chorus). 2. Release the FX Button. The effect level will appear in the display. 3. To set the effect level, use the Hold Button and Interval Button (00–99).
Fingering Modes The EWI5000 lets you select from different fingering modes to accommodate different styles of playing. To select a fingering mode: 1. Press and hold the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode. 2. Use the Hold Button or Interval Button to scroll through the options until Fn (Fingering) appears in the display. 3. Release the Setup Button. The display will show the current mode. Use the Hold Button or Interval Button to select any of the following options: 4.
Restoring Default Settings To return all of the EWI5000's settings to its factory defaults: 1. Disconnect the EWI5000 from your computer. 2. Power off the EWI5000 by pressing and holding the Power Button for a full second and then releasing it. 3. Press and hold the Setup Button, Trans Button, FX Button, and Level Button. 4. Power on the EWI5000 by pressing and holding the Power Button for a full second. 5. Release all buttons. Updating the Firmware The EWI5000's firmware is easy to update.
Appendix Fingering Charts K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 The above diagram shows how the note keys are referenced in the following charts for the various fingering modes: EWI Oboe Saxophone EVI Flute EVI Reversed Use your left hand to play K1–K6, and use your right hand to play K7–K13.
EWI 39
Saxophone 40
Flute * You can press K8, K9, or K10—or any combination of those note keys—to play this A#. ** This is the only non-flute fingering that flute players will need to learn.
Oboe 42
EVI EVI Reversed The EVI Reversed fingering is identical to the EVI fingering, but the octave rollers are reversed.
Menu Structures This chapter outlines the structure of menus and submenus you can access on the EWI5000. The menus, settings, and values will be shown in the EWI5000's display. These overviews of the menus may help you familiarize yourself with navigating the various controls.
Menus Values bS (Breath Sensor) vo (Volume) OF (Off) Lr (Low-Resolution) Hr (High-Resolution) EP (Expression) OF (Off) Lr (Low-Resolution) Hr (High-Resolution) PP (Aftertouch) On, Off CP (Channel Pressure) On, Off br (Breath) OF (Off) Lr (Low-Resolution) Hr (High-Resolution) CC (Continuous Controller) En (Enable) On, OF (Off) Cn (Controller Number) 00-127 nb (No Breath) 00-127 br (Breath) 00-127 LV (Lock Velocity) On (01-127), Off Ct (Capture Delay) 01-10 CS (Constant Output) On, Off bt
Menus Values GL (Glide Plate) Pt (Portamento Time) En (Enable) On, OF (Off) dU (Data-Up) 00-127 dP (Data-Press) 00-127 On, Off PS (Portamento Switch) Lt (Legato Time) En (Enable) On, OF (Off) dU (Data-Up) 00-127 dP (Data-Press) 00-127 En (Enable) On, OF (Off) Cn (Controller Number) 00-127 dU (Data-Up) 00-127 dP (Data-Press) 00-127 CC (Continuous Controller) PU (Pitch-Bend Up) On (-63 to +63), Off Pb (Pitch-Bend) CC (Continuous Controller) En (Enable) On, OF (Off) Cn (Controller Num
Menus Values CL (Calibration) dL (Key Delay) Sensitivity (Chorus Knob) 00-99 bS (Breath Sensor) Sensitivity (Chorus Knob) 00-99 Dynamic Range (LFO Knob) 00-99 GL (Glide Plate) PU (Pitch-Bend Up Plate) Rate of Change (Reverb Knob) 00-99 Sensitivity (Chorus Knob) 00-99 Dynamic Range (LFO Knob) 00-99 Rate of Change (Reverb Knob) 00-99 Sensitivity (Chorus Knob) 00-99 Dynamic Range (LFO Knob) 00-99 Rate of Change (Reverb Knob) Pd (Pitch-Bend Down Plate) Sensitivity (Chorus Knob) 00-99 00
Technical Specifications MIDI Output Channels Over USB 1 Note Keys 13 note keys Octave Rollers 8 rollers; 7-octave range Plates 2 pitch-bend 1 glide plate 2 ground Inputs / Outputs 1 USB port 1 5-pin DIN MIDI output 1 1/4" (6.35mm) TRS line output 1 1/8" (3.5mm) TRS headphone output Power Rechargable lithium-ion battery (included; charges via USB) Dimensions EWI5000: (width x depth x height) 2.4" x 26.6" x 1.7" 6.1 cm x 67.6 cm x 4.3 cm Wireless Receiver: 2.4" x 4.8" x 3.6" 6.1 cm x 12.
akaipro.com Manual Version 1.
