I haven't posted about something like this in a lotta years.
Back about 18 years ago, I owned a bevy of electronic instruments: Roland D-50 synth, Roland D-5 synth, Roland U110 sample module, Yamaha FB01 synth module ... and a Yamaha WX11 wind controller (you can read about the WX7, the "improved" version of the WX11, here).
Now, I have often said that the best kind of sax would be one that's one piece and has Resoblade "pads" (or an equivalent) -- plus one that's designed in such a way that the intonation is more-or-less perfect. That's kinda the definition of a wind controller, with the bonus of being able to play multiple instruments without havening to learn a new fingering.
However, even if I used my sample module, the sound wasn't that great. Perfect intonation, of course, but samples didn't sound ... that real.
The WX11 also didn't work quite how I wanted. For instance, if I wanted to finger a G, I didn't HAVE to finger it as 123 (which is simular on sax, clarinet and other woodwinds). I could just finger 3. Which meant that if my fingers were a tad slow, unexpected notes would sound.
Yamaha now has the ... interesting looking ... WX5 (which is 10 years old). Akai has the EWI4000s (which is 3 years old).
So, anyone play these newer controllers with newer samplers/synths? What have your experiences been? What's the best new setup?
Back about 18 years ago, I owned a bevy of electronic instruments: Roland D-50 synth, Roland D-5 synth, Roland U110 sample module, Yamaha FB01 synth module ... and a Yamaha WX11 wind controller (you can read about the WX7, the "improved" version of the WX11, here).
Now, I have often said that the best kind of sax would be one that's one piece and has Resoblade "pads" (or an equivalent) -- plus one that's designed in such a way that the intonation is more-or-less perfect. That's kinda the definition of a wind controller, with the bonus of being able to play multiple instruments without havening to learn a new fingering.
However, even if I used my sample module, the sound wasn't that great. Perfect intonation, of course, but samples didn't sound ... that real.
The WX11 also didn't work quite how I wanted. For instance, if I wanted to finger a G, I didn't HAVE to finger it as 123 (which is simular on sax, clarinet and other woodwinds). I could just finger 3. Which meant that if my fingers were a tad slow, unexpected notes would sound.
Yamaha now has the ... interesting looking ... WX5 (which is 10 years old). Akai has the EWI4000s (which is 3 years old).
So, anyone play these newer controllers with newer samplers/synths? What have your experiences been? What's the best new setup?