Wind Synth.

[shezza]

Hi All, I am in the market for a wind synth (Electronic Wind Instrument)
The only two that are available are the Yamaha WX5/VL70M
or the Akai EWI400S. First, Has anyone any experience of these
Second, Does anyone know why the Yamaha Fails to meet the requirements of the European standards. (The reason it is no longer available in the UK). And Third, if I decided on the Yamaha
can someone recommend a USA retailer.......................Pete.

[JohnG]

Hi Shezza,

Re WX5/VL70M. I have a small amount of experience with the WX5 and using it via MIDI to play a PLG100-VL card in an MU1000. I looked at the Akai one and was just put off by it's looks for a start so decided to try the WX5 first. It was also of course more likely to be compatible with the VL. The instrument seems to be well made and IMO handles well. The thumb rest is adjustable as are almost all of the other controls on it. Of course it isn't a sax or a flute and the keys feel rather light if you're used to the real thing. But I found I became familiar with it reasonably quickly. (My background is with oboe and flute.) I'm still a relative novice with it though but have decided to persevere.

It does need some setting up though and this is not trivial. If you're reasonably technical it's not too bad. If not find a retailer who will do the set up for you. Embouchure pressure, wind pressure etc.

You'll find you can pick up the WX5/VL70m pair quite cheaply from Japan via eBay but there is also a specialist site in the States that makes new ROM sound sets for the VL70m that are allegedly amazingly good. They are here: www.patchmanmusic.com/yamaha.html but I don't know about their export policy.

As regards availability in Europe is it that they aren't approved or is it that Yamaha have given up on the European market for this product? They seem to have withdrawn all European support for things XG as well. Dunno.

Hope that helps a little,
Best regards,
JohnG.


Added later. There's a review here of the WX5.
www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul98/articles/yamwx5.html
and there are three articles on the same site about the "VL70m" just use that to do a "quick search".
I find that I've a copy of the original 3rd article on SoS CD with the diagram if you need it.
And one last one, if you'd like to get some idea of the PLG150-vl the vl70m's little brother try a visit here and play the 6meg mp3 demo. I think you'll be amazed.
www.yamahasynth.com/products/plg150vl/demosong.html

[JohnG]

Hi Pete,

I read a while back that you bought an EWI wind controller (no laughing from people at the back of the class please!). I wonder how you are getting on with it? I bought a 2nd hand WX5 which turned out to be faulty and I sent it back. I've just ordered a new EWI4000s (awaiting delivery from Thomann) and wondered how you'd got on with yours. Did you find a sound module for it? The Yamaha VL70m is supposed to be the bees knees for expressive controllers. Did you join the Yahoo wind controllers forum? Any news and hints and tips would be welcome.
Best regards,
JohnG.

[shezza]

Hi JohnG, Did you get your wind synth? how are you getting on with it? After buying several sound modules I have since sold them and purchased a Technics Kn7000 and put the EWI into that and hey presto fantastic sounds with complete control over all midi channels so I can have up to 19 diferent instruments sounding at once if I wish to. Also it handles the breath control perfecly.And with the large display screen I can see exactly which instruments I have picked.

[JohnG]

Hi Shezza,

Yep, finally succumbed to an Akai EWI4000s. Brilliant!

Love the little inbuilt synth, lets you practise in complete privacy with earphones. I'll probably succumb to the Patchman upgrades soon.

After playing oboe and flute (many. MANY years ago!) it is taking a little time to get used to the touch sensitive keys. Also I keep curling my lips around my teeth (oboe embouchure) without thinking, but I'm gradually getting used to that to. I like the "bite" to invoke vibrato.

I've found a Yamaha VL70m on eBay locally which I'm going to buy and I've finally figured out how to play the three PLG cards in my MU128. Having a DX7, a Prophet 5 emulation and a VA synth all available is going to be terrific fun.

But first I've got to get my "chops" together again! Mucho practice needed.
How are you doing with yours?
JohnG.

P.S. I must take a look at that KN7000.

[shezza]

It's good to hear that you are getting on with your EWI,
I'm getting on ok too, I find the learning curve a little steeper than the WX5 but I find each time I pick it up something gets easier. Regarding the Technics Kn7000 I find that the sounds are so realistic that every time I go through them, the whole practice session becomes very inspirational and I don't want to put it down.
.....................Pete

[JohnG]

Inspirational is what one needs to get on with practising.
What a pity Technics seems to have pulled out of this market! Although I see that the KN7000 is still selling for highish prices on eBay. Hmmm, another grand after just buying the EWI and a VL70, nah, it aint gonna happen for a while.

What carrying case did you get for yours? I got an alto sax soft case from Thomann as well as one of their special padded neck straps. Very pleased with both.

JohnG.

[shezza]

Hi johnG, I've not got fixed up with a case yet but it sounds like you have the Protec case, which is the one every one seems to go for, I think you are right to stick with the VL70 as you seem happy with it. But if in the future you feel that you want to play more instruments at one time be carefull with your chioce of keyboards because most will only let you play one instrument
and are very restrictive with midi, unlike the Technics that has no restrictions whatsoever, It's a pity Panasonic was not happy with the amount of profit they were making on them!

[JohnG]

Hi Shezza,
Not sure it is Protec it has Précieux on the label. here it is:
www.thomann.de/gb/precieux_rb_26025_sopransax_bag_gerade.htm
A lot cheaper than the Protec ones and maybe not as robust, but just fine to keep it in around the house until I'm ready to "take it out"!
I've put the KN7000 down on my list of "like to haves". Who knows, maybe in a year's time!
All the best,
JohnG.