Akai EWI4000S Operator's Manual

Table of Contents

Chapter1: Introduction 1

FEATURE ............................................................................ 1

Part’s names and Functions ...............................................2

Top Panel .....................................................................2

Side / Rear Panel ..........................................................3

A: Program/Data Display part.......................................4

B: Glide Plate part.........................................................4

C: Bend Plate part ........................................................5

D: Power/MIDI/Audio Out part .....................................6

E: Cable Clutch part ......................................................6

Precautions .........................................................................7

How to install the Batteries ...........................................7

AC adapter.....................................................................7

Connections ....................................................................... 8

Connections from Line Out of the EWI4000s

to a Mixer or keyboard amplifier

Connections from Headphone Out

of the EWI4000s to the Headphones

Connections from Line out of the EWI4000s

to the wireless system .....................9

..............8

Removing the Cable Clutch .........................................9

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Chapter2: Basic Operation 10

About the EWI4000s ........................................................10

Basic Operations ...............................................................11

How to hold the EWI4000s........................................11

Operating the Note keys ............................................11

Octave Shift Rollers ...................................................11

Earth Plates .................................................................11

Mouthpiece ...............................................................12

Vibrato ........................................................................12

Tonguing .....................................................................12

Bend UP/DOWN ........................................................13

Glide ..........................................................................13

Hold and OCT buttons ..............................................13

Sensor Sensitivity Adjustment ....................................14

Adjusting the Breath Sensor ........................................15

Adjusting the Bend Effect ............................................16

Adjusting the Vibrato Effect .........................................17

Adjusting the Glide Effect ............................................17

Adjusting the Touch Sensor Sensitivity ........................18

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Table of Contents

Chapter3: Playing EWI4000s with Internal sounds 26

Selecting the Internal Sounds (Program) ......................... 20

Alternate way of Selecting the Program number ............ 23

Selecting the Internal Sounds (Program) ....................20

Assigning a Program number to the key note ............20

Recalling the Program number

assigned to a key note .........22

Program Up with the [HOLD] button ........................23

Program Down with the [OCT] button ......................24

Adjusting the Volumes for the Sound / Effect ..................25

Adjusting the Main Volume ......................................25

Adjusting the volume of each Program......................25

Adjusting the Reverb Volume ....................................26

Adjusting the Reverb effect volume of each program ....26

Adjusting the Delay effect volume of each program ......27

Adjusting the Chorus effect on/off on each program .....28

Octave Funtion (OCT button) ......................................... 29

Setting the Octave function to OCT button ...............29

Hold Funtion (OCT button) ............................................30

Setting the Hold function to HOLD button ...............30

Selecting “Time” or “Rate” on the Glide effect ...............31

Adjusting the Key Delay ...................................................32

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Transpose function ...........................................................33

Setting the Transpose function ...................................33

Tuning ...............................................................................34

Editing the internal sound by using the computer .......... 35

Chapter4: Using the EWI4000s as a MIDI Controller 36

About MIDI ...............................................................36

Using the EWI4000s as a

To use the EWI4000s as a MIDI Controller,

you will need the following

Connection ................................................................37

Setting of the external MIDI sound module

Setting of the EWI4000s ............................................38

Program Change ........................................................36

MIDI controller (Application) ...............39

Changing the MIDI Channel......................................39

Changing the Breath sensor output............................40

Setting the MIDI Velocity value...................................42

Changing the Vibrato Sensor output to another MIDI event

Octave function (OCT button) on MIDI Transmit ..........44

...............37

..................37

........43

Hold function (HOLD button) on MIDI Transmit .........44

Setting the Hold function ..........................................44

Selecting Portamento ON/OFF

while touching the Glide plate ..............45

Initialize to Factory Preset

............................................. 46

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Table of Contents

Specifications 47

EWI4000s Standard Fingering Charts ..............................48

MIDI Implementation Charts .......................................... 51

Trouble Shooting ..............................................................52

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

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 operations, etc. designed to show you how to

use the superior functions of the EWI4000s to its fullest extent.

FEATURES

• The EWI4000s is a controller that allows you to play the same way as you would play a

woodwind instrument such as the saxophone, clarinet, etc.

• Special sensors that detect the intensity of the breath and the pressures applied to the mouth-

piece make it possible to sensitively control the pitch, tone, and volume, allowing the

players’ emotions to be articulated directly.

• The EWI4000s includes touch plates that give you Pitch Bend or Glide effect easily, as

well as Octave Shift rollers that enable you to shift over an 8 octave range.

• The EWI4000s’ touch sensor keys allow you to perform quickly.

• The EWI4000s has an analog-modeling synthesizer with 2 VCOs and 2 VCFs inside.

• The EWI4000s is equipped with not only an internal sound module, but also with internal

effects such as Reverb, Delay, and Chorus. You can play the EWI4000s simply by connect-

ing an audio cable to an amplifier, without need for an external sound/FX module.

• The EWI4000s can be powered with batteries (4 AA batteries). If you use a wireless system

with it, you can play it without a cable.

• The EWI4000s allows you to change the instrument’s preset sound, the output level, and

the effect level.

• The EWI4000s can trigger an external MIDI sound module by connecting a MIDI cable to

the external device’s MIDI IN port.

• You can download free sound editing software for the EWI4000s from our web site (http:/

/www.akaipro.com.). This software allows you to edit the internal preset sounds and the

internal effect’s parameter.

• The EWI4000s has a headphone output, so you can practice with headphones, avoiding the

disturbance of others.

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Chapter1: Introduction

Parts’ Names and Functions

This chapter describes the name of each part and its function.

Top Panel

Hold Button: This button is used to

go into HOLD mode or works as the

Program Up function. Pressing this

button turns the LED on and enables

the specified function. It also works as

“+”(Increase) button in Setup mode.

MOUTH PIECE: Hold the tip

of the Mouthpiece and blow

to play-much like a traditional

woodwind instrument. There

is vibrato sensor in the Mouth-

piece. You can produce a vi-

brato effect by gently biting

the Mouthpiece. Do not bite

too hard.

Note Keys (with Touch Sensors):

These keys decide the note.

Octave Button : This button is

used to activate the OCTAVE mode

or works as the Program Down func-

tion. Pressing this button turns the

LED on and enables the specified

function. It also works as “

crease) button in Setup mode.

”(In-

The three low keys can be ad-

justed the finger position by

loosening its screw.

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Side / Rear Panel

A: Program/Data Display part

Sensors Adjustment, Program/

Data display, SETUP button,

TRANS button.

See on page 4.

B: Glide Plate part

Glide plate, Octave Shift Rollers,

Earth plate for left hand.

See on page 4.

C: Bend Plate part

Neck strap mount, Program key,

Bend Up Plate, Bend Down Plate,

Earth Plate for right hand, FX but-

ton, LEVEL button, Touch Sensor

Sensitivity Adjustment.

See page 5

D: Power/MIDI/Audio Out part

POWER Switch, DC IN jack, MIDI

IN /OUT jack, PHONES jack, LINE

OUT jack.

E: Cable Clutch part

See page 6

Cable Clutch, Battery case.

See page 6

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Chapter1: Introduction

A: Program/Data Display part

(1) Sensor Adjustment

There are 7 knobs for each Sensor Ad-

justment behind the Cover. See the

Sensor adjustment on page 14.

(2) Program/Data Display

It shows the Program number or the setting value.

(3) TRANS (Transpose) button

It selects the Transpose function ON/OFF. When the

transpose function is selected, the LED is lit up. You can

set the transpose value by using the [HOLD] or the [OCT]

button while pressing the [TRANS] button.

(4) SETUP button

Press this button to enter Setup mode. The LED is lit up

when you are in setup mode.

B: Glide Plate part

(1) Glide Plate (with a touch sensor)

Touching this plate produces a Glide effect ( smoothly

and continuously slides the pitch up or down:

Portamento)

(2) Octave Shift Rollers (with touch sensors)

They shift the basic range played by Note Keys over 8

octaves. Always touch these rollers while playing.

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

(3) Earth plate for left hand

Always keep either your thumb on the Earth plate while

playing.

C: Bend Plate part

(1) Neck strap Mount

Hang the EWI4000s on a Neck strap (included) to

make your playing easier.

(2) Program key (with a touch sensor)

It changes the Program (internal sound). By touch-

ing this key without touching any note keys, the se-

lected Program number is shown on the Program/

Data display, and then you can change the Program

number by using the [HOLD] or the [OCT] button.

(3) Bend Up Plate (with a touch sensor)

Touching this key raises the pitch. You can adjust

the position of the plate by loosening its screw.

(4) Bend Down Plate (with a touch sensor)

Touching this key lower the pitch. You can adjust

the position of the plate by loosening its screw.

(5) Earth Plate for right hand (with a touch sensor)

Always keep either your thumb on the Earth plate while playing

(6) FX (Effect) button

Pressing this button shows the overall Reverb level on the Program/Data display, and

then you can change the level by using the [HOLD] or the [OCT] button.

(7) LEVEL button

Pressing this button shows the Main Output level on the Program/Data display, and

then you can change the level by using the [HOLD] or the [OCT] button

(8) Touch Sensor Sensitivity Adjustment knob

Adjustment knob for Touch sensor keys. It is very important to set this correctly. See

page 18 to set this up properly.

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Chapter1: Introduction

D: Power/MIDI/Audio Out part

(1) Power Switch

Select the “BATT” while using the batteries, “DC”

while using the AC adaptor (MP-9, Optional). Se-

lect the “OFF” while the EWI4000s is not in use.

(2) DC IN jack

Plug the AC adaptor (MP-9, Optional) in here.

(3) MIDI IN jack

Plug a MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT of your Com-

puter for editing the internal Sounds with the Sound

Editor software

(4) MIDI OUT jack

Plug a MIDI cable from the MIDI IN of the external

sound module while the EWI4000s works as MIDI

Controller. Or plug a MIDI cable from the MIDI IN

of your Computer for editing the internal Sounds

with the Sound Editor software.

(5) PHONES jack (stereo mini jack)

Plug Head Phones in here

(6) LINE OUT jack

Plug an audio cable from the input of a Mixer or

Amplifier in here.

E: Cable Clutch part

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

(7) Cable Clutch

Place a cable such as an Audio or MIDI cable here,

by widening the cable clutch with your fingers.

(8) Battery Case Cover

By loosening its screw with a coin or screw driver,

the battery Case Cover can be removed.

Precautions

Before operating the EWI4000s, please be careful of the following:

• As there is a Vibrato sensor in the Mouthpiece, when you expert pressures on the mouth-

piece while playing, do not bite the mouthpiece too hard with your teeth, as this may

damage your EWI4000s. Use the Mouthpiece Cover after using or while carrying the

EWI4000s.

• Always touch the Earth Plate and Octave Shift Rollers when playing and editing sounds.

Each of touch sensors uses the performer’s body as the earth.

• It is important to keep the mouthpiece clean. The mouthpiece comes in direct contact with

the inside of the performer’s mouth, so take care to keep it clean before, during, and after

using the EWI4000s. You can clean its outer surface with disinfectant alcohol.

How to install the Batteries

Please use four (4) ALKALINE AA or re-chargeable AA

batteries only. Refer to the drawing for correct battery

installation.

Select “BATT.” on the Power Switch, when us-

ing batteries. For prolonged battery life, select

the “OFF” position on the Power Switch when

you’re finished playing.

In the event that battery power becomes low,

the dot on the LED of the Program/Data display

will start blinking. Change the batteries as soon as the dot on the LED starts blinking.

Install the batteries very carefully - paying close attention to the direction of them (+/

- sides as shown)

Remove the batteries when you are not going to be using your EWI4000s for an ex-

tended period time. Don’t use the different type batteries at the same time.

AC adaptor

You can also use the AC adaptor “MP-9 (Optional), instead of batteries.

Connect the “MP-9” to the “DC IN” jack of the EWI4000s and select “DC” on the

Power Switch.

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Chapter1: Introduction

Connections

Connection from Line Out of the EWI4000s to a mixer or keyboard amplifier.

LINE OUT

LINE IN

Connection from Headphone Out of the EWI4000s to the Headphones

PHONES

HeadphoneEWI4000s

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Connection from Line out of the EWI4000s to the wireless system

As the EWI4000s has an internal sound module, you can play it with a wireless system.

Removing the Cable Clutch

The Cable clutch can be removed as shown below when it interferes with using a

wireless system.

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Chapter2: Basic Operation

Chapter 2 Basic Operation

About the EWI4000s

The EWI4000s is a woodwind instrument MIDI type controller with an internal sound

module and built-in effects. It allows you to perform powerful expressions such as an

acoustic instrument and also produce the character of an electronic instrument with a

wide sound and various sound 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. In order to play the EWI4000s better, you should learn all of

its functions. For example, breath power varies, from player to player, but you can

adjust the Breath Sense sensitivity to accommodate.

After turning the EWI4000s on, it will be in “PLAY” mode. When you wish to adjust

each Sensor’s sensitivity or adjust MIDI settings, you can change to the “SET UP”

mode by pressing the [SETUP] button.

The EWI4000s has two modes: “PLAY” and “SET UP”. Once you set each Sensor as

you wish, you use the “PLAY” mode for your performance.

Please take some time to read the Basic Operation before trying to play the EWI4000s.

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

Basic Operation

First, this explains the basic operation and adjustment of the EWI4000s.

How to hold the EWI4000s

Hold the EWI4000s the same way as you would hold a

saxophone or clarinet.

The EWI4000s uses Note keys with Touch sensors.

It is very useful for playing very fast passages, but it

is different from the key action that is used on an

ordinary wind instrument. Be sure to use the neck

strap for moving your finger freely.

Operating the Note keys

The Note keys with touch sensors allow you to produce sound with just a light touch.

Basically, the same fingering as that for a saxophone or clarinet can be used. Please refer

to the “EWI4000s Standard Fingering Charts” on page 48 for details. You can also cus-

tomize the EWI4000s, designing your own unique fingerings that could not exist on an

acoustic sound instrument.

Octave Shift Rollers

Place your left thumb on the back side of the

EWI4000s, between any two rollers. While playing,

you must keep your left thumb touching the position

between two rollers. The position between the two

knurled rollers will give you standard pitch.

Earth Plates

There are two earth plates for right and left hand. Always

keep either of your thumbs on the Earth Plate while playing.

EWI4000s Operator’s Manual rev 1.0

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