issue15

EMUSIC-L Digest                                      Volume 68, Issue 15

This issue's topics: Wind controllers
	
	wind controllers (4 messages)

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Date:         Fri, 16 Sep 1994 18:28:18 -0500
From:         Macalester College Music Department 
Subject:      wind controllers

I am looking for a suitable wind controller for our EM studio. Can any one tell
me any of the following:

1.      Location and price of an *original* Yamaha wind controller, not the
second generation (or more?) version. I have been given to understand that the
response from the first version is still the best (and any comments on that?).
They have disappeared from stores, and I am hoping someone might know of a
"stash".

2.      Is anyone using the Yamaha Windjamm'r, and could you compare it to
anything else.

3.      Same general questions regarding the AKAI EWI 3000/3000M.

I realize these are quite different pieces of hardware, but certainly they can
be compared on some levels, in terms of what they seem best suited for, for
example. Clearly, the AKAI is a different cut from the Windjamm'r, and I
realize that.

Thanks in advance to the collective wisdom.

ed

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
+ Ed Forner                         Macalester College Music Department +
+ in%"forner@macalstr.edu"          voice (612) 696-6189                +
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

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Date:         Sun, 18 Sep 1994 22:25:59 CDT
From:         Charlie_Stokes@ORATQM.CFA.ILSTU.EDU
Subject:      Re: wind controllers

        Reply to:   RE>wind controllers
We have four wind controllers (two WX-7 and two WX-11) as part of our MIDI
studio and our Digital Arts Consort (chamber group that uses these plus
percussion controllers, guitar controllers, and Buchla Lightning).
I doubt that you will find a WX-7 available new and in warranty, as they
haven't made those in quite a while.  My players like the WX-11 just as
well and they have been more reliable (had a lot of repairs on one of the
WX-7's and my other one as a sticking pitch bend control which I hear is
common).    I own an Akai EVI which is the brass player's version of the
EWI you asked about.  The main problem with those instruments is that air
does not actually pass through them.  It senses air pressure but you have
to leak air around the mouthpiece in order to get any respiration while
playing.  It takes a lot to get used to.  The touch sensitive buttons are
not mechanical, and that bothers people too.  Rockin' and Rhythm in South
Bend Indiana still had some of the EWI's for sale about a year ago, so you
might try them if still interested.  We borrowed a Wind Jammer (Yamaha) for
a concert when one of out WX-7's quit a couple of years ago the day before
a concert.  The player got by with it but did not like the action as well
as the more expensive instruments.  I recall that the synth that was part
of it was hardly programmable.  I think it had a MIDI out, however.
Hope this helps.
-----------------
Charles Stokes               cfstokes@ilstu.edu
Illinois State University  309-438-7265 (voice mail)

>I am looking for a suitable wind controller for our EM studio. Can any one
>tell
>me any of the following:
>
>1.      Location and price of an *original* Yamaha wind controller, not
the
>second generation (or more?) version. I have been given to understand that
>the
>response from the first version is still the best (and any comments on
>that?).
>>They have disappeared from stores, and I am hoping someone might know of
a
"stash".

>2.      Is anyone using the Yamaha Windjamm'r, and could you compare it to
>anything else.

>3.      Same general questions regarding the AKAI EWI 3000/3000M.

>I realize these are quite different pieces of hardware, but certainly they
>can
>be compared on some levels, in terms of what they seem best suited for,
for
>example. Clearly, the AKAI is a different cut from the Windjamm'r, and I
>realize that.
>
>Thanks in advance to the collective wisdom.

ed
>
>>+---------------------------------------------------------------
>+ Ed Forner                         Macalester College Music Department +
>+ in%"forner@macalstr.edu"          voice (612) 696-6189                +
>+----------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------
Date:         Mon, 19 Sep 1994 09:09:06 -0400
From:         "Keith C. Perry" 
Subject:      Re: wind controllers

>I am looking for a suitable wind controller for our EM studio. Can any one tell
>me any of the following:
>
>1.      Location and price of an *original* Yamaha wind controller, not the
>second generation (or more?) version. I have been given to understand that the
>response from the first version is still the best (and any comments on that?).
>They have disappeared from stores, and I am hoping someone might know of a
>"stash".


hmmm, I was about to purchase the WX11 as a wind controller.  I think that
one is "second generation". It goes for about $400 dollars or so.  Would
you be talking about the WX7?


===+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+===
Keith C. Perry 800-836-4599                   /\ "To be or not to be...
Floor Supervisor / Senior Consultant          \/     THAT AIN'T A QUESTION"
Drexel University Office of Computing Services--|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
...

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Date:         Mon, 19 Sep 1994 22:46:56 -0500
From:         Macalester College Music Department 
Subject:      Re: wind controllers

To the list and Keith Perry

First, thanks to those of you who have sent information. I will try to
summarize soon for those interested. Keith, yes it is the WX7 I am after.
The general sentiment so far seems that it is still the best, no one wants to
sell theirs, and I am going to have a devil of a time finding one.

Help! Somewhere, there must be someone with a WX7 on the shelf, unused.
Even false leads at this point would be somewhat encouraging. Reply direct
email if you wish.

I am still interested in gathering opinions/experience comparing the Yamaha
WX7, WX11, Windjamm'r and AKAI1000, and AKAI3000/3000M. Ideally we need
something of use to both the jazz ensemble and students with woodwind
background working in the EM studio. Instrument formats with keys which need
only to be touched and not pressed like a normal key probably would not work
well in our context. Does this help anyone to help us?

Thanks again
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
+ Ed Forner                         Macalester College Music Department +
+ in%"forner@macalstr.edu"          voice (612) 696-6189                +
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

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