Akai EWI5000 User Manual
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Akai EWI5000 User Manual

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Summary of Contents for Akai EWI5000

  • Page 1 User Guide English...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    About the EWI5000 ......................... 4 Support ........................... 4 Getting Started ........................... 5 Important..........................5 1. Power the EWI5000 ......................5 2. Hold the EWI5000 Properly ....................5 3. Connect ..........................6 4. Play! ............................ 8 Features ............................9 Advanced Functions......................... 12 Adjusting Sound Parameters ....................
  • Page 3 Assigning Controls ........................ 26 MIDI Channel ........................26 Hold Button ........................27 Interval Button ......................... 29 Managing Programs ......................31 Selecting Programs ......................31 Using the Program Button ................... 31 Using the Hold Button and/or Interval Button .............. 32 Using the Note Keys ....................32 In an External MIDI Sound Module or Software ............

  • Page 4: Introduction

    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.

  • Page 5: Getting Started

    Keep the mouthpiece clean before, during, and after using the EWI5000. You can clean its outer surface with disinfectant alcohol. 1. Power the EWI5000 The EWI5000 is powered by a rechargeable battery. Please note the following about using it: • Installation: Use a standard Phillips-head screwdriver (not included) to remove the EWI5000's battery compartment cover below the Phones output, install the battery, and re-secure the cover.

  • Page 6: Connect

    You can, for example, play EWI5000's audio wirelessly while also listening through the headphones. The exception is when the EWI5000 is connected to your computer and being used as a MIDI controller (the fourth scenario in this section): it will send MIDI messages to your computer but not send any audio.
  • Page 7 Set the EWI5000's Wireless Switch to Off. To play EWI5000 as a "wired" MIDI controller: Make sure EWI5000 is powered off. If it is not, press and hold the Power Button for a full second. Use the included USB cable to connect the EWI5000's USB port to your computer.

  • Page 8: 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.

  • Page 9: Features

    While in Setup Mode, use this button to move "down" by one value or setting. Parameter Knobs: These eight knobs control some of the basic characteristics of LEVEL either the Program or the EWI5000 itself. BANK PRESET SAVE USER Display: Shows the Program number or the...
  • Page 10 Pair Button and then pressing the EWI5000's Power Button once. 20. Power: Press and hold this button for a full second to power the EWI5000 on or off. 21. MIDI Out: Use a standard five-pin MIDI cable to connect this port to an external sound module's MIDI In port, allowing you to use the EWI5000 as a MIDI controller for that sound module.
  • Page 11 TRS cable. 25. USB Port: Use a standard USB cable to connect this port to an available USB port on your computer. This connection will power the EWI5000 and charge its battery as well as send MIDI messages to your computer.

  • Page 12: Advanced Functions

    The EWI5000 has two modes: Performance Mode and Setup Mode. When you turn the EWI5000 on, it will be in Performance Mode. Press the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode where you can adjust the sensors' sensitivity or MIDI settings. To return to Performance Mode, press the Setup Button until the display is blank.
  • Page 13 Save Button. Important: When saving, only the settings that apply to the Program will be saved. Settings that apply to the EWI5000 will affect all Programs because they affect the sensors and tuning of the EWI5000 hardware itself. Tip: To further customize your sound, use the EWI5000 sound editor software to adjust even more Program parameters, and use the parameters knobs' additional functions to adjust the EWI5000's sensors.

  • Page 14: Adjusting Sensors

    Mode. Note Delay (Note Keys) The Note Delay function adjusts the response of the note keys. The EWI5000's note key response is preset to accommodate rapid changes in fingerings, but you may occasionally produce unexpected sounds, depending on your playing style. In this case, you may find that you can play more smoothly by adjusting the Note Delay.

  • Page 15: Breath Sensor

    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.
  • Page 16 Important: We recommend setting En to off (OF) before changing this parameter to prevent accidentally muting the EWI5000's output while moving through CC #7 (Volume). nb (No Breath): The value that will be sent with the CC message when you are not blowing into the mouthpiece.

  • Page 17: Bite Sensor

    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: Press and hold the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode.
  • Page 18 Important: We recommend setting En to off (OF) before changing this parameter to prevent accidentally muting the EWI5000's output while moving through CC #7 (Volume). nb (Not Biting): The value that will be sent with the CC message when you are not biting the mouthpiece.

  • Page 19: Pitch-Bend Plates

    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).

  • Page 20: Glide Plate

    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.
  • Page 21 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.

  • Page 22: Calibrating Sensors

    Tip: It may be useful to test the sensitivity of any of the sensors with a constant breath output. You can set the EWI5000 to do this at any time during calibration by setting the Breath Parameter Knob to a high setting so that a dot appears in the display.

  • Page 23: Breath Sensor

    The Setup Button LED will light up when the EWI5000 detects your breath in the mouthpiece. The Trans Button LED will light up when the breath sensor is at its maximum value.

  • Page 24: Glide Plate

    The Setup Button LED will light up when the EWI5000 detects you are touching the glide plate. The Trans Button LED will light up when the glide plate is at its maximum value.

  • Page 25: Pitch-Bend Plates

    The Setup Button LED will light up when the EWI5000 detects you are touching the pitch-bend plate. The Trans Button LED will light up when the pitch-bend plate is at its maximum value.

  • Page 26: Assigning Controls

    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.

  • Page 27: Hold Button

    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.
  • Page 28 • 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: Cn (Controller Number): This is the CC number that will be sent when you press the Hold Button.

  • Page 29: Interval Button

    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.
  • Page 30 • 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: Cn (Controller Number): This is the CC number that will be sent when you press the Interval Button.

  • Page 31: Managing Programs

    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).

  • Page 32: Using The Hold Button And/Or Interval Button

    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. Make sure you are in the desired bank (Preset or User). If not, press the Bank Button to select it.

  • Page 33: In An External Midi Sound Module Or Software

    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.

  • Page 34: Using Effects (Fx)

    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.

  • Page 35: Chorus

    Release the FX Button. The effect level will appear in the display. To set the effect level, use the Hold Button and Interval Button (00–99). Tip: You can also set the effect level by pressing and holding EWI5000's Trans Button while turning the Bite Parameter Knob.

  • Page 36: Fingering Modes

    Fingering Modes The EWI5000 lets you select from different fingering modes to accommodate different styles of playing. To select a fingering mode: Press and hold the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode. Use the Hold Button or Interval Button to scroll through the options until Fn (Fingering) appears in the display.

  • Page 37: Restoring Default Settings

    To return all of the EWI5000's settings to its factory defaults: Disconnect the EWI5000 from your computer. Power off the EWI5000 by pressing and holding the Power Button for a full second and then releasing it. Press and hold the Setup Button, Trans Button, FX Button, and Level Button.

  • Page 38: Appendix

    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: Oboe Saxophone Flute EVI Reversed Use your left hand to play K1–K6, and use your right hand to play K7–K13.

  • Page 40: Saxophone

    Saxophone...

  • Page 41: Flute

    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.

  • Page 42: Oboe

    Oboe...

  • Page 43: Evi

    EVI Reversed The EVI Reversed fingering is identical to the fingering, but the octave rollers are reversed.

  • Page 44: Menu Structures

    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.
  • Page 45 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 On, Off CP (Channel Pressure) br (Breath) OF (Off) Lr (Low-Resolution) Hr (High-Resolution) CC (Continuous Controller) En (Enable) On, OF (Off) 00-127...
  • Page 46 Menus Values GL (Glide Plate) Pt (Portamento Time) En (Enable) On, OF (Off) dU (Data-Up) 00-127 00-127 dP (Data-Press) On, Off PS (Portamento Switch) Lt (Legato Time) En (Enable) On, OF (Off) dU (Data-Up) 00-127 dP (Data-Press) 00-127 CC (Continuous Controller) En (Enable) On, OF (Off) Cn (Controller Number)

  • Page 47: Fx (Effects)

    Menus Values CL (Calibration) 00-99 dL (Key Delay) Sensitivity (Chorus Knob) bS (Breath Sensor) Sensitivity (Chorus Knob) 00-99 Dynamic Range (LFO Knob) 00-99 00-99 Rate of Change (Reverb Knob) 00-99 GL (Glide Plate) Sensitivity (Chorus Knob) Dynamic Range (LFO Knob) 00-99 Rate of Change (Reverb Knob) 00-99...

  • Page 48: Technical Specifications

    Specifications are subject to change without notice. Trademarks and Licenses Akai Professional and EWI are trademarks of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Phillips is a registered trademark of the Phillips Screw Company in the United States and other countries.
  • Page 49 akaipro.com Manual Version 1.0...

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