Akai EWI Solo User Manual
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Akai EWI Solo User Manual

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User Guide
English
Manual Version 1.4

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Summary of Contents for Akai EWI Solo

  • Page 1 User Guide English Manual Version 1.4...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Saxophone..............23 Getting Started ............3 Flute ................24 Important ..............3 Oboe ................. 25 1. Power the EWI Solo ..........3 EVI ................26 2. Hold the EWI Solo ........... 3 EVI Reversed ............26 3. Connect ..............4 4.

  • Page 3: Introduction

    Introduction Thank you for purchasing the EWI Solo. At Akai Professional, we know how serious music is to you. That’s why we design our equipment with only one thing in mind—to make your performance the best it can be. Support For the latest information about this product (documentation, technical specifications, system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit akaipro.com.

  • Page 4: Connect

    Important: The scenarios below are not mutually exclusive. The EWI Solo can send out audio from its Line Out, from its Phones jack, and through the built-in speaker all at the same time. The exception is when the EWI Solo is connected to your computer and powered off (the third scenario in this section): it will send MIDI messages to your computer but not send any audio.

  • Page 5: Play

    Hold the mouthpiece gently between your lips with your teeth, and exhale so your breath passes through both sides of your mouth. The EWI Solo 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: •...

  • Page 6: Features

    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.
  • Page 7 Operation > Edit Mode for more information. For advanced editing, download the EWI Solo Editor Software at akaipro.com. 11. Save Button: Press this button to save the current program along with any changes to one of four Favorite lists, where you can quickly access your most-used programs.
  • Page 8 19. Power: Press and hold this button for a full second when EWI Solo is not connected to USB to power it on or off. A message will appear on the display to indicate the unit is powering off.

  • Page 9: Operation

    Program List, and holding a FAV button will select from the chosen Favorites list. 2. While still holding, touch one of the 14 keys and blow into the mouthpiece. EWI Solo will load from the first 14 programs in the selected list based on the key you are holding.

  • Page 10: Edit Mode

    Program. Important: When saving, only the settings that apply to the program will be saved. Settings that apply to the EWI Solo will affect all Programs because they affect the sensors and tuning of the EWI Solo hardware itself.

  • Page 11: Using Fx

    Delay. Important: Your EWI Solo's audio output must be enabled to edit its effects. If you are using it as a MIDI controller only (its Preset LED is flashing), enable its audio output by pressing and holding the Power Button until its Preset LED is lit solid.

  • Page 12: Delay

    Delay The Delay effect produces an echo of the original signal for a specified period of time. To add Delay to the Program: 1. Press the FX button. 2. Use the encoder to select Delay, and then press it to select. 3.

  • Page 13: Global Menu

    Global Menu The EWI Solo 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 Global Mode. To enter the Global Menu, press the Global button.
  • Page 14 It's important to set the sensor's sensitivity so it suits your playing style. Tip: If this is your first time using the EWI Solo, 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 15 K10 key will have no effect on notes but can still be touched to perform other key actions such as Direct Mode. Fine Tuning This determines the fine tuning of the EWI Solo (-100 – 0 – +100 cents). For coarse pitch tuning, use the Pitch Tuning setting in the Edit Menu.
  • Page 16 MIDI Continuous Controllers (CCs). Important: Make sure Portamento is selected as the Glide Plate mode if you want to use the portamento effect. The EWI Solo's synth needs this setting to be enabled in order for portamento to work properly.
  • Page 17 Pitch Bend Plate When you touch the pitch-bend plate, the EWI Solo 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 plate to send messages for other individual MIDI Continuous Controllers (CCs).
  • Page 18 Interval Button When you press the Interval Button, the EWI Solo 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 19: Other Functions

    1. Disconnect the EWI Solo from your computer. 2. Power off the EWI Solo by pressing and holding the Power button for a full second and then releasing it. 3. Press and hold the Program button, FX button, and Hold button.

  • Page 20: Updating The Firmware

    EWI Solo from your computer, and start again from Step 2. 5. Disconnect EWI Solo from your computer and make sure it is powered off. When you power it on again, you will be ready to play the EWI Solo with the latest firmware! If you need to manually update the software from the Editor: 1.

  • Page 21: Appendix

    Appendix Fingering Charts K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 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–K14.

  • Page 23: Saxophone

    Saxophone...

  • Page 24: Flute

    Flute * You can press K8, K9, or K11—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. † For these alternate fingerings, repeatedly tap the half-filled key to trill between the two notes listed.

  • Page 25: Oboe

    Oboe † For these alternate fingerings, repeatedly tap the half-filled key to trill between the two notes listed.

  • Page 26: Evi

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

  • Page 27: Menu Structure

    Menu Structure Global Menu Values Breath Sensor Offset Sens Learn Capture Delay Output Mode Breath CC Low, Hi Volume CC Low, Hi Expression CC Low, Hi Aftertouch Low, Hi Channel Pressure Low, Hi Custom CC Controller Number 0–127 No Breath 0–127 Breath 0–127...
  • Page 28 Global Menu (continued) Values Glide Plate Portamento Time CC Enable On, Off Time CC Data-Up 0–127 Time CC Data-Press 0–127 Switch Enable Off, On Legato Time Data-Up 0–127 Data-Press 0–127 Custom CC Controller Number 0–127 Data-Up 0–127 Data-Press 0–127 Pitch Bend Plate Pitch Bend -63 –...
  • Page 29 FX Menu Values Reverb Small Room Large Room Hall Custom Level 0–100 Damping 0–100 Room 0–100 Chorus Light Medium Heavy Custom Level 0–100 Rate 1–3 Hz Depth 0–100 Delay Short Mirror Long Custom Level 0–100 Time 0.0–742.9 ms Feedback 0–100...

  • Page 30: Program List

    Program List Number Name Number Name Alto Sax Accordion Tenor Sax Ocarina Baritone Sax Bagpipes Soprano Sax Recorder Jazz Flute Shakuhachi Jazz Clarinet Marimba * Bass Clarinet Xylophone * Trumpet Vibraphone * Dongxiao Steel Drums * Erhu Violin Retro Bass Viola Truth Cello...
  • Page 31 Number Name Number Name B3 Organ Thin * Feed Me B3 Pinball Wizard * Mono Brazz B3 Hard Attack * Brassy Synth B3 Classic * 80 Kick Sub Bass Rock Organ * Detuned Analog Saw Drawbar Organ * Saw Lead Classic Square Sine 80 Kick Classic Triangle...

  • Page 32: Technical Specifications

    Specifications are subject to change without notice. Trademarks & Licenses Akai Professional is a trademark of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. macOS is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

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