REFERENCE MANUAL
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1. Before you operate the EWI4000s, read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean only with a dry cloth. 7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat register, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9.
WARNING: The EWI4000s is designed to be used in a standard household environment. Power requirements for electrical equipment vary from area to area. Please ensure that your AC adapter supplied meets the power requirements in your area. If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician or AKAI Professional dealer. FCC WARNING: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules.
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................4 FEATURES....................................................................................................................................................4 PARTS & FUNCTIONS ................................................................................................................................5 POWER ........................................
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION We greatly appreciate your purchase of the Akai Professional Electric Wind Instrument EWI4000s. The EWI4000s is an electric wind controller-equipped sound module. This manual includes detailed explanations of its functions, features, and operations and will show you how to use them to their fullest extent.
PARTS & FUNCTIONS TOP PANEL MOUTHPIECE – Hold the tip of the MOUTHPIECE and blow to play (like a traditional woodwind instrument). You can produce a vibrato effect by gently biting the MOUTHPIECE. Do not bite too hard. HOLD BUTTON – Press this to enter Hold Mode. This button also functions as a Program Up button. In this case, pressing it turns the LED on and enables the specified function. It also works as “+” (Increase) button in Adjust Mode.
SIDE / REAR PANEL PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY SECTION SENSOR ADJUSTMENT KNOBS PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY TRANS BUTTON SETUP BUTTON GLIDE PLATE SECTION GLIDE PLATE OCTAVE SHIFT ROLLERS GROUNDING PLATE BEND PLATE SECTION NECK STRAP MOUNT PROGRAM KEY PITCH BEND UP PLATE PITCH BEND DOWN PLATE GROUNDING PLATE FX BUTTON LEVEL BUTTON TOUCH SENSOR SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT KNOB POWER / MIDI / AUDIO OUT SECTION POWER SWITCH DC IN MIDI IN MIDI OUT PHONES LINE OUT CABLE CLUTCH SECTION CABLE CLUTCH BATTERY CASE COVER 6
Program / Data Display Section 1. SENSOR ADJUSTMENT KNOBS – These seven knobs adjust the sensors for breath, glide, bend, and vibrato. (See the Sensor adjustment section for more information.) 2. PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY – Shows the Program number or the setting value. 3. TRANS (Transpose) BUTTON – Turns the Transpose function on or off. The LED is lit if Transpose is on. You can set the transposition value by pressing the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON while holding the TRANS BUTTON down. 4.
Bend Plate Section 1. NECK STRAP MOUNT – Connect a neck strap (included) to this mount and to the EWI4000s. 2. PROGRAM KEY – Changes the Program (internal sound). If you touch this key without touching any NOTE KEYS, the selected Program number will be shown on the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY. You can then change the Program number by pressing the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON. 3. PITCH BEND UP PLATE – Touching this key raises the pitch of the note being played.
POWER Before operating the EWI4000s, please be careful of the following: y Do not bite the MOUTHPIECE too hard as this may damage the vibrato sensor. Use the mouthpiece cover after using or while carrying the EWI4000s. y Always touch the GROUNDING PLATE and OCTAVE SHIFT ROLLERS when playing and editing sounds. Each of touch sensors uses the performer’s body as the ground. y Keep the MOUTHPIECE clean before, during, and after using the EWI4000s.
CONNECTIONS Connection from Line Out of the EWI4000s to a mixer or keyboard amplifier Connection from Headphone Out of the EWI4000s to the Headphones Removing the Cable Clutch The CABLE CLUTCH can be removed (as shown here) if it interferes with using a wireless system.
CHAPTER 2: BASIC OPERATION ABOUT THE EWI4000s The EWI4000s 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 EWI4000s has an internal sound module and effects, so you can enjoy playing it simply by connecting the EWI4000s to an amplifier or headphones.
USING THE MOUTHPIECE Mouthpiece Hold the mouthpiece gently in your mouth with your teeth, and exhale so the breath is passed through both ends of your mouth. The EWI4000s detects this wind pressure with the breath sensor and expresses the change in sound volume and character. The EWI4000s unique breathing structure is designed so that very little breath is required to pass through the instrument. You can use various breathing techniques to sustain or shape notes for powerfully expressive performances.
Hold Button and Octave Button Pressing the HOLD BUTTON will engage or disengage the EWI4000s’s Hold Mode (see the HOLD MODE section) or serve as a Program Up button while in Play Mode. While in Adjust Mode, the HOLD BUTTON serves as a “+” (Increase) button. Pressing the OCTAVE BUTTON will let you engage or disengage the Octave function (see the OCTAVE FUNCTION section) or serve as a Program Down button while in Play Mode. While in Adjust Mode, the OCTAVE BUTTON serves as a “–” (Decrease) button.
Adjusting the Breath Sensor The 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 style of playing. 1. Set the “S” (Sensitivity) knob in the “BR” (Breath) section to the center position, and then turn the “A” (Adjust) knob clockwise. The “Breath” indicator should light up on the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY. If you turn the “A” (Adjust) knob counterclockwise, it should go off.
Adjusting the Vibrato Sensor By gently biting on the MOUTHPIECE, you can produce a vibrato effect. This section explains how to adjust the vibrato sensor. 1. Set the “A” (Adjust) knob in the “VB” (Vibrato) section to the center position. 2. While playing a long tone on the EWI4000s, bite the MOUTHPIECE lightly. The sensor is properly adjusted if you get the vibrato effect while biting the MOUTHPIECE. 3.
Adjusting the Touch Sensors The EWI4000s uses Touch Sensor keys, not mechanical switches. Typically, there is no need to adjust the Touch Sensor sensitivity because it is adjusted at the factory. If there are significant changes in temperature or humidity (or static electricity), though, the sensors may not respond correctly (e.g. the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY may show other numbers while in Play Mode instead of showing the correct Program number).
FINGERING MODES The EWI4000s offers several different fingering modes to accommodate different styles of playing. The following steps explain how to set or change the fingering mode of the EWI4000s to suit your needs. 1. Press and hold the SETUP BUTTON. 2. Press the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON to scroll through the options until “Fn” (Fingering) is shown in the PROGRAM DATA / DISPLAY. 3. Release the SETUP BUTTON. The PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY will display the current mode.
CHAPTER 3: INTERNAL SOUND PROGRAM KEY FUNCTIONS Selecting the Internal Sounds (Program Key) The EWI4000s has 100 internal preset sounds called Programs. You can switch between Programs by selecting Program numbers. 1. Without touching any NOTE KEYS, press and hold the PROGRAM KEY. The current Program number is displayed on the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY as you are touching the PROGRAM KEY. (If you release the PROGRAM KEY, the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY will return to its previous state.
Setting Program Change Preferences This section explains how to set the EWI4000s to access your program changes in various ways. 1. Press and hold the SETUP BUTTON. 2. Press the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON to scroll through the options until “PC” (Program Change) is shown in the PROGRAM DATA / DISPLAY. 3. Release the SETUP BUTTON. The PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY will display the current mode. Use the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON to select any of the following options: 4. a.
ALTERNATE WAY OF SELECTING THE PROGRAM NUMBER Selecting Programs is usually done by touching the PROGRAM KEY, but the EWI4000s also allows you to change Programs by pressing the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON with the following settings. It may be convenient when you need to change the Program number while playing a song. While doing this, the HOLD BUTTON and OCTAVE BUTTON will increase or decrease the Program number, instead of the entering Hold Mode or Octave Mode.
ADJUSTING THE VOLUMES Adjusting the Main Volume This procedure adjusts the EWI4000s’s main output volume value (01-30). 1. Press and hold the LEVEL BUTTON. The current volume value will be shown on the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY. 2. While holding the LEVEL BUTTON, adjust the volume by pressing the HOLD BUTTON (which increases the volume value) or OCTAVE BUTTON (which decreases the volume value).
Adjusting the Reverb Effect Volume of Each Program This procedure adjusts the volume of the Reverb effect for each Program individually, as opposed to the overall Reverb effect volume. The Reverb effect volume of each program is stored in the EWI4000s. 1. Select the program whose Reverb effect volume you want to adjust. 2. While holding the FX BUTTON, press the SETUP BUTTON. While pressing both these buttons, “rb” will be shown in the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY. 3. Release both buttons.
OCTAVE BUTTON FUNCTIONS By assigning the Octave function to the OCTAVE BUTTON and pressing it, you will add a note one octave lower the one you are currently playing. Assigning Functions to the Octave Button 1. Press and hold the SETUP BUTTON. 2. Press the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON to scroll through the options until “Oc” is shown in the PROGRAM DATA / DISPLAY. 3. Release the SETUP BUTTON. The PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY will display the current mode.
Setting the Octave Button’s Continuous Controller Preferences When you choose to use the OCTAVE BUTTON to send Continuous Controller (CC) data, you will need to set your preferences to determine what data you send. 1. When you assign “CC” as the OCTAVE BUTTON’s function, the LEDs under the SETUP BUTTON and TRANS BUTTON will flash. Press and hold the TRANS BUTTON. 2. While holding down the TRANS BUTTON, use the HOLD BUTTON and OCTAVE BUTTON to toggle between the following options: a.
Assigning Functions to the Hold Button 1. Press and hold the SETUP BUTTON. 2. Press the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON to scroll through the options until “Ho” is shown in the PROGRAM DATA / DISPLAY. 3. Release the SETUP BUTTON. The PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY will display the current mode. Use the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON to select any of the following options: a. “OF” (Off): The HOLD BUTTON will have no affect if you press it while you are playing. b.
3. When you have selected the parameter you want to edit, release the TRANS BUTTON. 4. You will see the value for that parameter in the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY. Press the HOLD BUTTON (which increases the value) or OCTAVE BUTTON (which decreases the value). 5. Press and hold the TRANS BUTTON to return to the menu in Step #2. From here, you may repeat the process and edit other parameters. 6. To exit this menu, press the SETUP BUTTON.
b. 4. “CC” (Continuous Controller): Press the TRANS BUTTON to enable the transmission of MIDI CC data whenever you touch the GLIDE PLATE. A dot LED will light up on the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY to indicate this function is enabled. Press the TRANS BUTTON again to disable it. You can adjust the CC number by holding down the TRANS BUTTON and pressing the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON to decrease or increase the number, respectively.
TRANSPOSE FUNCTION (TRANS BUTTON) The Transpose function allows you to play the EWI4000s in a transposed key. If you use the Transpose function, the standard “C” position will be transposed to the note you have defined with this setting. (When the EWI4000s is set to the key of C, the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY will be blank, as shown below.) Pressing the TRANS BUTTON will turn the Transpose function on or off. While holding the TRANS BUTTON, the current transposition will be shown on the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY.
CHAPTER 4: USING THE EWI4000s AS A MIDI CONTROLLER Because the EWI4000s has internal sounds and effects, you can play it on its own, but you can also it as MIDI controller for an external MIDI sound module/synth. ABOUT MIDI MIDI is a standard for transferring the performance data between electronic instruments regardless of the manufacturer. Devices are connected using a 5-pin MIDI cable.
USING THE EWI4000s AS A MIDI CONTROLLER (APPLICATION) Changing the MIDI Channel This section explains how to set the MIDI OUT channel of the EWI4000s. 1. Press and hold the SETUP BUTTON. 2. Select “CH” (Channel) by pressing the HOLD BUTTON. 3. Release the SETUP BUTTON. The current MIDI channel number will be shown on the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY. 4. Select the MIDI channel number you want by pressing the HOLD BUTTON (which increases the value) or OCTAVE BUTTON (which decreases the value). 5.
Setting the MIDI Velocity Value If “vE” is selected as the Breath Sensor output, the EWI4000s will transmit the MIDI Velocity data, which is controlled by your breath strength. If “vE” is not selected, the EWI4000s will a fixed MIDI Velocity value. You can set a fixed MIDI Velocity as follows: 1. Press and hold the SETUP BUTTON. 2. Select “vE” (Velocity) by pressing the HOLD BUTTON. 3. Release the SETUP BUTTON. The current MIDI Velocity value will be shown on the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY.
Setting the Hold Function (Hold Button) on MIDI Transmit The Hold function is available while the EWI4000s is being used as MIDI controller. The Hold function on MIDI Transmit is a little different than using the internal sound module. The Hold function is transmitted via MIDI in one of two ways, which you can select in the Adjust Mode: 1. Press and hold the SETUP BUTTON. “Ad” will be shown on the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY. 2. Select “Ho” (Hold) by pressing the HOLD BUTTON. 3. Release the SETUP BUTTON.
RESTORING THE FACTORY PRESETS By turning the EWI4000s on while holding the LEVEL, FX, SETUP, and TRANS BUTTONS, the EWI4000s, you can restore the EWI4000s’s factory preset configuration.
CHAPTER 5: MISCELLANEOUS NOTES This section contains various notes on the EWI4000s features and functions that may be helpful as you familiarize yourself with this unique instrument. EVI FINGERINGS The EVI (electric valve instrument) fingerings may be well suited for brass players or reed players who wish to experiment more with “brass-like” fingerings. This section explains some important points about how these fingerings work.
Basic EVI Fingerings Here are a few fingerings to get you started: y Place your left thumb between two OCTAVE SHIFT ROLLERS. C is played by touching only Keys 3 and 4. (Note that Keys 3 and 4 are normally held down at all times so because there are no “valve” keys held down, this is considered the “open” fingering.) y y y Now touch your left index finger to Key 1 and you have a G. y Now proceed to finger down to C#.
TROUBLESHOOTING EWI4000s produces no sound Check that the amplifier, mixer, headphones, etc. are properly connected to the EWI4000s. Refer to the CONNECTIONS section of this manual for more information. Check that the EWI4000s is powered on, and that the instrument’s batteries are correctly inserted, or that the AC adapter is properly connected to the wall outlet and the EWI4000s. Refer to the POWER section of this manual for more information.
CHAPTER 6: FINGERING CHARTS NOTE KEYS NOTE KEYS K1 K2 K5 K4 K3 K6 (LEFT HAND) NOTE KEYS K7 (RIGHT HAND) K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 OCTAVE SHIFT ROLLERS UP DOWN +4 +3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 The “0” position produces the standard pitch. The EWI4000s transmits MIDI note number information from its MIDI OUT terminal within the following ranges (in the table) depending on the combination of pressed NOTE KEYS and the position of the OCTAVE SHIFT ROLLERS.
EWI FINGERINGS 0 G alt.
SAXOPHONE FINGERINGS 0 alt. alt. alt. G alt. alt.
FLUTE FINGERINGS 0 alt. G alt. If any 1 or more of the K7, K8, or K9 keys are pressed, the note should stay . alt. This is the only non-flute fingering that flute players will need to get used to.
OBOE FINGERINGS 0 alt. alt. alt. G alt. alt. alt.
EVI FINGERINGS 0 42
MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART Manufacturer: Akai Professional Model: EWI4000s 1.
MENU STRUCTURE Below is the structure of menus and submenus that can be accessed on the EWI4000s and viewed in the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY. This “map” of the menus may help you familiarize yourself with navigating the EWI4000s’s various controls.
PARAMETER RANGE DEFAULTS HOLD OFF DEFAULT LEGATO NON-LEGATO SUSTAIN PRESET UP/INCREMENT CC #64 CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER CONTROLLER NUMBER 0-99 0-127 MIDI VALUE ON/OFF LATCHING OFF GLIDE DEFAULT RATE TIME PITCH BEND UP PITCH BEND ENABLE CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER ON/OFF ON 0-99 CC #48, DISABLED ON/OFF ON 0-99 CC #49, DISABLED PITCH BEND DOWN PITCH BEND ENABLE CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER KEY PROGRAM OFF DEFAULT OCTAVE ALL FINGERING DEFAULT EWI SAXOPHONE FLUTE OBOE EVI EVI REVERSED 45
PARAMETER RANGE DEFAULTS UPDATE CONTROL PROTOCOL * DEFAULT ON OFF * “CP” (Control Protocol) is set by default to “on,” which adds an extra check to the SysEx data. If you experience problems with SysEx communications, press and hold the SETUP BUTTON, press the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON until “CP” appears on the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY, then release the SETUP BUTTON. Press the HOLD BUTTON or OCTAVE BUTTON so the PROGRAM / DATA DISPLAY reads “OF,” then press the SETUP BUTTON again.
SPECIFICATIONS EWI4000s Type Wind-instrument type controller with sound module Fingerings EWI, saxophone, flute, oboe, EVI, and EVI reversed Sensors Note Keys: touch sensors Mouthpiece: air pressure level sensor Keys Sensor Adjustment Lip: pressure level sensor Bend Up/Down Plates: touch sensors Glide Plate: touch sensor Octave Shift Rollers: touch sensors Program Key: touch sensor LEVEL, FX, SETUP, TRANSPOSE, OCT, HOLD Breath Sense, Breath Adjustment, Bend Width, Bend Adjustment, Glide
