The Akai EWI1000 and EVI1000 are innovative electronic wind and valve instruments, respectively, designed to offer musicians a new level of expressive control. These instruments are paired with the Akai EWV2000 sound module, which serves as the central processing unit for generating and shaping their unique sounds.
Function Description:
The Akai EWI1000 (Electric Wind Instrument) is a wind-type controller that emulates the fingering of a saxophone while incorporating Akai's proprietary EWI fingering system. It allows musicians to control pitch, tone, and volume through breath and lip pressure, similar to traditional wind instruments. The EWI1000 is designed for expressive performance, enabling effects like vibrato, growl/wow-wow, tremolo, and PWM through nuanced pressure changes.
The Akai EVI1000 (Electric Valve Instrument) is a valve-type controller that mimics trumpet fingering, also integrating Akai's EWI fingering. Like the EWI1000, it uses breath and lip pressure to control various aspects of the sound. The EVI1000 features a unique "Vibrate Lever" for producing modulation effects such as vibrato, growl/wow-wow, tremolo, and PWM, offering a distinct expressive palette compared to the EWI.
Both instruments are essentially controllers that send performance data to the EWV2000 EWI/EVI Sound Module. This module is responsible for synthesizing the actual sounds based on the input from the instruments' sensors.
Important Technical Specifications:
Akai EWI1000 (Electric Wind Instrument):
- Type: Wind type controller using special sensors.
- Fingering: Saxophone fingering and EWI fingering.
- Sensors:
- NOTE KEY (TOUCH SENSE): Multiple touch-sensitive keys for note input.
- BREATH (AIR PRESSURE LEVEL): Measures breath intensity for pitch, tone, and volume control.
- LIP (PRESSURE LEVEL): Measures lip pressure for pitch, tone, volume, and expressive effects (vibrato, growl/wow-wow, tremolo, PWM).
- BEND UP PLATE (TOUCH SENSE): Touch-sensitive plate for raising pitch.
- BEND DOWN PLATE (TOUCH SENSE): Touch-sensitive plate for lowering pitch.
- GLIDE PLATE (TOUCH SENSE): Touch-sensitive plate for glide or portamento effects.
- OCTAVE SHIFT ROLLER (TOUCH SENSE): Allows shifting the basic note key range over 8 octaves.
- Control Range: 8 octaves.
- Sound Module: EWV2000 EWI Sound Module (external).
- External Dimensions: 560 (L) × 32 (W) × 79 (H) mm.
- Weight: 650 g.
Akai EVI1000 (Electric Valve Instrument):
- Type: Valve type controller using special sensors.
- Fingering: Trumpet fingering and EWI fingering.
- Sensors:
- NOTE KEY (TOUCH SENSE): Multiple touch-sensitive keys for note input.
- BREATH (AIR PRESSURE LEVEL): Measures breath intensity for pitch, tone, and volume control.
- LIP (PRESSURE LEVEL): Measures lip pressure for pitch, tone, volume, and glide/portamento effects.
- BEND UP PLATE (TOUCH SENSE): Touch-sensitive plate for raising pitch.
- BEND DOWN PLATE (TOUCH SENSE): Touch-sensitive plate for lowering pitch.
- VIBRATE LEVER (ELECTRIC): Lever for producing modulation effects (vibrato, growl/wow-wow, tremolo, PWM).
- OCTAVE SHIFT ROLLER (TOUCH SENSE): Allows shifting the basic note key range over 8 octaves.
- FIFTH DOWN KEY (TOUCH SENSE): An additional touch-sensitive key.
- Control Range: 8 octaves.
- Sound Module: EWV2000 EWI and EVI Sound Module (external).
- External Dimensions: 420 (L) × 70 (W) × 90 (H) mm.
- Weight: 650 g.
Usage Features:
Both the EWI1000 and EVI1000 are designed for intuitive and expressive play.
- Mouthpiece: Players hold the mouthpiece gently in their mouth and blow in. It's crucial not to bite the mouthpiece or suck air, as this can damage the instrument or lead to malfunction. Breath strength directly influences pitch, tone, and volume.
- Note Keys: These are touch-sensitive, requiring only a light touch to activate. The EWI1000 features saxophone-like fingering, while the EVI1000 uses trumpet-like fingering.
- Lip Pressure: Varying lip pressure on the mouthpiece allows for dynamic control over pitch, tone, and volume, as well as the introduction of vibrato, growl/wow-wow, tremolo, and PWM effects.
- Bend Plates: Both instruments include "Bend Up" and "Bend Down" plates, which, when touched along with the "Earth Plate" by the right thumb, allow for real-time pitch bending.
- Glide Plate (EWI1000): The EWI1000 features a "Glide Plate" for producing glide or portamento effects.
- Vibration Lever (EVI1000): The EVI1000 replaces the glide plate with a "Vibration Lever," which, when moved with the right thumb, generates vibrato and other modulation effects.
- Octave Shift Roller: A touch-sensitive roller allows players to quickly shift the instrument's basic note range across 8 octaves. The "standard" range is achieved by touching the "0" position with the left thumb. This roller must always be touched during play.
- Touch Plate Base Position Adjust Screw: This screw allows players to adjust the position of the touch plate base (which includes the bender and glide/vibration plates) for optimal comfort and playability with the right thumb.
- Sling Mount (EWI1000): The EWI1000 can be hung on an included strap for easier playing.
- Connectors: Both instruments connect to the EWV2000 sound module via a multi-cable.
Maintenance Features:
The manual provides essential guidelines for servicing and maintenance:
- Safety Instructions: Emphasizes replacing critical safety components only with specified parts and adhering to regulations for spurious radiation. It also highlights the importance of using specified internal wiring and insulating materials.
- Lithium Battery Precautions: If applicable, the manual warns that the lithium battery may explode if overheated and provides strict guidelines for replacement, including using the same make/type, correct polarity, avoiding short circuits, and not recharging or disposing of the battery in fire.
- Touch Sensor Sensitivity Adjustment: While factory-adjusted, the sensitivity of the touch sensors can be fine-tuned using a screwdriver if notes are not changing properly. This involves adjusting a screw on the touch plate base while monitoring the sound output and the BREATH ADJUST LED on the EWV2000.
- Key Control Voltage Adjustment: This advanced adjustment involves removing the bottom cover, connecting the instrument to the EWV2000, and using a digital voltmeter to measure and adjust specific voltages (VA-REF, KEY CV, OCT CV) on the main PCB. This ensures accurate pitch and octave control.
- Data Protection: A crucial caution advises saving all customer programming data to cassette tape before servicing to prevent loss or damage.
- Disassembly Procedures: Detailed instructions with illustrations are provided for removing the bottom cover and the main PCB for both the EWI1000 and EVI1000, facilitating access for repairs.
- Parts List: Comprehensive lists of principal parts, including recommended spare parts, are provided with reference numbers, part numbers, and descriptions to aid in ordering and replacement. This includes specific details for mechanism blocks and PC boards.
- Voltage Conversion: For certain models (E, V, B, S), a voltage selector switch on the bottom plate allows conversion between 220V and 240V, ensuring compatibility with different power supplies.
Overall, the Akai EWI1000 and EVI1000, coupled with the EWV2000 sound module, represent sophisticated electronic instruments designed for expressive musical performance, with detailed instructions provided for both usage and technical servicing.
To Next Page
Need help?
General
