Sounds are built in; no external module required!

The EWI 4000S Wind Instrument by Akai is a big step forward in the development of MIDI controllers and synthesizer instruments. It offers customizable sax-style fingering with advanced controls and functions for expressive performance and makes a number of higher-end synth features available. For more information on fingering options, download the Fingering Chart PDF below.

Most significant is an onboard sound module so you no longer have to play tethered. By using MIDI and an optional wireless transceiver, you can move freely onstage and switch between stored programs from the instrument. Its internal sounds are based on a virtual analog synth sound module and are very responsive to nuances of your playing. Breath, vibrato, glide time, and bend width are easily adjusted to suit your musical style, and you can send multiple MIDI messages via breath for expression and aftertouch changes.

There is also an octave key and mode that automatically doubles below the note you play, a Hold Mode which sustains a note while you play around it. It has 2 oscillators with separate volume controls, and a voltage controlled filter that can go from 2 to 4 pole filters. The EWI 4000S improves breath noise emulation and also has sostenuto.

The EWI 4000S also has a sweep function that is more effective than typical envelope generators. By changing the force of your playing you can alter the sweep parameter to give dynamic shape to your sound.

To keep controls to a minimum, the EWI 4000S comes with a MAC/PC editor program on which to customize your sounds. You can store edited programs and recall settings instantly during performance.

Akai EWI4000S Electronic Wind Controller Features:

• Touch-sensitive keys
• Customizable sax-style fingering
• Preset sounds with 2 VCO + 2 VCF, dual-voice analog modeling
• 2-Digit 7-Segment LED program display
• Chorus, reverb, and deverb effects
• Octave roller
• Breath sensitivity for expressive dynamics
• Onboard analog-modeling synth sound module
• MIDI output
• PC and Mac editor software for internal sounds
• MIDI output for use with sound modules
• Lightweight and portable
• MIDI I/O
• Battery power (AA x 2) or optional AC adapter
• Includes 32MB CompactFlash card, power cable

It's the most powerful, playable controller yet in its price range. Get with the latest—order your EWI4000s right now.

Akai EWI4000S Electronic Wind Controller

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Average of 8 User Ratings

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Unbelievable expressiveness

Posted by DavidW from washington dc on Jul 21, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: performer composer

Reviewer's Play Style: jazz world

The AKAI EWI4000s is a great instrument for wind players. I bought mine almost two years ago and it is still in great shape and playing well. I've owned two other wind controllers (Yamaha WX11 and WX5) and the AKAI is superior one you get over the hangup of having real keys that move. I was very reluctant to try it at first because of this. I thought that not having keys would be too unnatural, but I was very surprised how it was not only easy to adjust to but helped clean up my technique on the real sax. The biggest thing is that not having keys that move means not having keys that wear or break off. The biggest fear I had with the Yamaha controllers was the flimsy plastic keys snapping off. My WX11 had one of the contacts for an oncatve key go bad. This is not a problem with the 4000s as there really are no moving parts, except the rollers. As for the built in synth, it's fine for what it does but I would recommend getting the patch library from Patchmanmusic.com. There are lots of patches with really make this thing sound good. I have mine midied up to several synths which respond to breath control and it works like a dream. This thing is great.

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SLaw

Posted by S.Law from Alexamdria Louisiana on May 12, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: recording performer

Reviewer's Play Style: Jazz, R&B and Gospel

After owning 2wx5 I was looking for a more durable instrument My ist WX5B lasted about a year before complicatios costly repairs I decided to purchase another WX5 Once again about a year of service before needing repairs The puechase of Akai EWI4000s major improvement well built If you can find one they are a perfect match with wind instruments true sounds reasonable price under $300.00 I receive a lot of complements on the real sounds. The EWI4000s is an awsome unit the perfect solution for someone like me a Keyboard and sax player, the best of both world a saxophone with keyboard functions

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EWI4000s (Waste of space)

Posted by DeanoTheSaxman from UK on Oct 22, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Semi pro sax player

Reviewer's Play Style: Veerything

Strengths:Inbuilt sound bank Weaknesses:Duplicated sounds ... Vyzex midi software frustrating .. constant sysex errors Posted 12 hours ago - Although the EWI4000s is the next gen of EWI with built in sound bank ... found it cheeky that every sound from 1 to 20 was doubled up in the sound bank module sounds 81 to 100 were the first 20 duplicated ... Problematic software Vyzex kept causing constant Sysex problems .. emailed Akai and they said this was usual??? .. 0bviously Akai still have a lot of gremlins to sort out here and the constant revision of the OS was a real concern to me ... Since the revision from OS 1 up to now 2.3 obviously they are still trying to sort problems out with this ... Eventually with OS problems and Midi problems and loads of discust at the price for this piece of crap the EWI went back for a full refund ... :-( Sad to see it go .. but was glad that My reliable WX5 still seemed far superior to the new EWI4000s ..... :-)

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Former Clarinet Player in Love!

Posted by Joe Reese from Illinois/Florida on Oct 8, 2008

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbist - 10+ years

Reviewer's Play Style: Classical/Jazz

Having played Clarinet for several years, I am very impressed with the EWI4000S. I have owned this EWI for almost one month and found the adjustment to the fingerings took about 10 days. The rollers are very effective, but nothing prepared me for this adjustment. That said, I love this instrument. Much more fun and expressive than a Clarinet. I was looking for a long-term hobby and am enjoying every minute. I highly recommend this instrument.

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Very good

Posted by Anonymous Musician from Worcester, MA on Nov 7, 2007

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: N/A

Reviewer's Play Style: N/A

Very good controller. Well made and very easy to play. The onboard snyth is convenient but the sounds are very synthy no real sounding stuff here at all. But that aside it is a great wind controller. I was a bit put off by the lack of any available case or stand for it however.

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Akai EWI4000S Electronic Wind Controller

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Akai EWI4000S Electronic Wind Controller

Read 9 Reviews