Akai EWI5000 User manual

Quickstart Guide
English ( 3 – 5 )
Guía de inicio rápido
Español ( 6 – 8 )
Guide d'utilisation rapide
Français ( 9 – 11 )
Guida rapida
Italiano ( 12 – 14 )
Schnellstart-Anleitung
Deutsch ( 15 – 17 )
Appendix
English ( 18 – 19 )

3
Quickstart Guide (English)
Introduction
Box Contents
EWI 5000 Neck Strap
USB Wireless Receiver EWI 5000 Editor Software (download)
USB Cable Quickstart Guide
USB Power Adapter Safety and Warranty Manual
Support
For the latest information about this product (system requirements, compatibility information,
etc.) and product registration, visit akaipro.com/ewi5000. (We recommend downloading the
full EWI 5000 User Guide and sound editor software from the website, too.)
For additional product support, visit akaipro.com/support.
Getting Started
Important
Before operating the EWI 5000, please note the following:
Do not bite the mouthpiece too hard—this can damage the vibrato sensor. Use the
mouthpiece cover after using or while carrying the EWI 5000.
Always touch the grounding plate and octave rollers when playing. These are
sensors which use the performer's body as the ground.
Keep the mouthpiece clean before, during, and after using the EWI 5000. You can clean
its outer surface with disinfectant alcohol.
1. Power the EWI 5000
The EWI 5000 has an internal rechargeable battery. Charge it by using the included USB cable
to connect the EWI 5000's USB port to one of the following:
the included USB power adapter, connected to a power source
an available USB port on your computer, powered on
When the battery power is low, an LED on the Program/Data Display will blink to indicate that
you should charge the battery.
When you are finished playing, power off the EWI 5000 to preserve its battery life.
2. Hold the EWI 5000 Properly
1. Secure the neck strap to the EWI 5000's neck strap mount.
2. Place the strap around your neck and hold the EWI 5000 in the
same way you would hold a saxophone or clarinet, with the
instrument vertically right in front of you.
3. When playing, place your left thumb on the octave rollers in the
back, and place your right thumb on the grounding plate between
the pitch bend plates. This will ensure the best possible conductivity
and performance of the instrument.

4
3. Connect
To play EWI 5000 audio wirelessly:
1. Use the included USB cable to connect the USB
wireless receiver to your computer.
2. Press the EWI 5000's Power Button to power it on.
3. Press the USB wireless receiver's Pair Button.
4. Set the EWI 5000's Wireless Switch to On. It will
then "connect" to the USB wireless receiver. The
USB wireless receiver will send the EWI 5000's
audio to your computer and to its Line Outs. (The
USB wireless receiver's Line Outs will not play any
signal from your computer.)
To play EWI 5000 audio through an external amplifier,
audio interface, etc.:
1. Use a standard 1/4" (6.35mm) cable to connect the
EWI 5000's Line Out to the line-level input of your
keyboard amplifier, audio interface, etc.
2. Press the EWI 5000's Power Button to power it on.
3. Set the EWI 5000's Wireless Switch to Off. The
EWI 5000 will then send audio to your keyboard
amplifier, audio interface, etc. when you play.
To play EWI 5000 audio through headphones:
1. Connect standard 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo headphones
to EWI 5000's Phones jack.
2. Press the EWI 5000's Power Button to power it on.
3. Set the EWI 5000's Wireless Switch to Off. The
EWI 5000 will then send audio to your headphones
when you play.
To play EWI 5000 as a wired MIDI controller:
1. Use the included USB cable to connect the EWI
5000's USB port to your computer.
2. Press the EWI 5000's Power Button to power it on.
3. Set the EWI 5000's Wireless Switch to Off. The
EWI 5000 will then send MIDI data to your computer
via USB when you play. (It will not send any audio.)
LINE OUT
PAIRED/POWER
L R
Amplifier
Amplifier
or

5
4. Play!
Hold the mouthpiece gently between your lips with your teeth, and exhale so your breath
passes through both sides of your mouth. The EWI 5000 detects this wind pressure with the
breath sensor and expresses the change in sound volume and character, depending on how
you blow. (It should not take much breath to activate the instrument.)
Tips:
There is a vibrato sensor in the mouthpiece. You can produce a vibrato effect by gently
biting the mouthpiece, which will bend the pitch down each time you bite, but do not bite
too hard.
You can create small bursts of air by tonguing the mouthpiece for even more expressive
control.
Note Keys: The note keys are sensors that let you produce sound with only a light touch. The
EWI 5000 has multiple fingering options, so it can feel familiar to saxophonists, flutists, etc.
You can adjust the position of the three lowest keys by loosening the screws that hold each of
them in place.
Octave Rollers: Place your left thumb between any two octave
rollers (and over the grounding plate) on the EWI 5000's back
panel. Slide your thumb up or down across the octave rollers to
shift its octave range up or down. While playing, keep your left
thumb in contact with the octave rollers. The position between
the two knurled octave rollers indicates the standard pitch.
Glide Plate: While playing a note, move your thumb across the
octave rollers (without rolling them) while touching the glide plate
on their right side to create a "glide" effect. This will smoothly and
continuously slide the pitch up or down—a technique known as
portamento.
Pitch Bend Plates: Touch your thumb to either of these plates to
move the pitch of the note you are playing up or down. Touch the
upper plate to bend the pitch upward or the lower plate to bend
the pitch downward. Before you get accustomed to using these
plates, you may produce unexpected sounds by touching them
accidentally. You can adjust the position of each plate by
loosening its screw.
Important: If the EWI 5000's note keys, octave rollers, pitch bend plates, or glide plates are
not very responsive, it could be because you are playing with dry hands (the EWI 5000 works
by using the body's capacitance). If this happens, you can use a very small amount of non-
greasy hand lotion to improve the connection between your hands and the keys.
Pitch-Bend
Up
Pitch-Bend
Down
Standard
Pitch
Glide
Plate

6
Features
1. Mouthpiece: Hold the mouthpiece
gently in between your lips with your
teeth and exhale into it (like a traditional
wind instrument). You can produce a
vibrato effect by gently biting the
mouthpiece while blowing into it, but
do not bite too hard.
2. Note Keys: Press these keys in
different combinations while blowing
into the mouthpiece to determine the
note. You can adjust the position of the
three lowest note keys by loosening
their screws.
3. Hold Button: Press this button to enter
Hold Mode. While in Performance
Mode (the default), press this button to
move to the next-highest Program.
While in Setup Mode, press this button
to increase the value.
4. Octave Button: Press this button to
enter Octave Mode. While in
Performance Mode (the default), press
this button to move to the next-lowest
Program. While in Setup Mode, press
this button to decrease the value.
5. Parameter Knobs: These eight knobs
control the settings of the current
Program's basic characteristics. (See
the Sound Parameter Adjustment
section for more information.)
6. Program/Data Display: Shows the
Program number or the setting value.
7. Setup Button: Press this button to
enter Setup Mode. Its LED will light up
when you are in Setup Mode.
8. Trans (Transpose) Button: Press this
button to activate or deactivate the
transposition function. Its LED will light
up when transposition is activated. To
adjust the transposition value, press
and hold this button and press the Hold
Button to increase it or the Octave
Button to decrease it.
9. Grounding Plate: Always keep your
right thumb on this plate while playing.
10. Octave Rollers: Move your thumbs up
or down over these rollers to shift the
note keys' range up to four octaves in
either direction. Always touch these
octave rollers while playing.
FILTER
BITE SEMI
FINE REVERB
CHORUS
SETUP
FX
BANK
USER
ON
OFF
MIDI OUT
PHONES
WIRELESS POWER
PRESET SAVE
LEVEL
TRANS.
LFO
BREATH
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
13
14
15 16
17
19 20
21 22
23
18
10
9

7
11. Glide Plate: Touch this plate while playing a note to produce a "glide" effect, which
smoothly and continuously slides the pitch up or down—a technique known as
portamento.
12. Neck Strap Clip: Connect the included neck strap here.
13. Program Button: Without touching any note keys, touch this button to display the
current Program (internal sound) in the Program/Data Display. You can then press the
Hold Button to move to the next Program or press the Octave Button to move to the
previous Program.
14. Pitch Bend Plates: Touch the upper or lower plate while playing a note to raise or lower
its pitch, respectively. You can adjust the position of these plates by loosening their
screws.
15. FX (Effects) Button: Press this button to show the overall Reverb level in the
Program/Data Display. You can then press the Hold Button to increase the level or press
the Octave Button to decrease the level.
16. Level Button: Press this button to show the Main Output level in the Program/Data
Display. You can then press the Hold Button to increase the level or press the Octave
Button to decrease the level.
17. Bank Button: Press this button to switch between the bank of Factory Programs and the
bank of User Programs. The Program/Data Display will show the current Program
number.
18. Save Button: Press this button to save the current settings to the current User Program.
19. Wireless Switch: Selects whether or not the EWI 5000 is connected to the USB wireless
receiver. The USB wireless receiver must be connected to your computer for the EWI
5000 to connect to it. When the connection is made, the USB wireless receiver's
Paired/Power LED will light up. If the connection is lost, reset it by pressing the USB
wireless receiver's Pair Button.
20. Power: Press this button to power the EWI 5000 on or off.
21. MIDI Out: Use a standard five-pin MIDI cable to connect this port to an external sound
module's MIDI In port, allowing you to use the EWI 5000 as a MIDI controller for that
sound module.
22. Phones: Connect headphones (optional, sold separately) here with a stereo 1/8" cable.
23. Line Output: Use a 1/4" TRS cable to connect this output to the input of a keyboard
amplifier, audio interface, speaker system, etc.
24. USB Port: Use a standard USB cable to connect this port to an available USB port on
your computer. USB audio will be sent from the EWI 5000 to your computer over this
connection. This connection will power the EWI 5000 and charge its battery.

8
Advanced Functions
Sound Parameter Adjustment
The EWI 5000's sound engine is powered by SONiVOX sounds and is
sample-based rather than synth-based. You can adjust each sound to
your preference by using (1) the included sound editor software and/or (2)
EWI 5000's eight parameter knobs (remove the cover above the
Program/Data Display to expose the knobs).
The eight parameter knobs control the settings of the current Program's basic characteristics:
Filter Adjusts the filter cutoff frequency.
Breath Adjusts the breath sensitivity (how much the force of your
breath affects the sound).
Bite Adjusts the bite sensitivity (how much biting the mouthpiece
affects the sound).
Semi Adjusts the tuning by semitones (half-steps).
Fine Adjusts the tuning by fractions of a semitone.
Reverb Adjusts the amount of reverb applied to the sound.
Chorus Adjusts the amount of chorus applied to the sound.
LFO Adjusts the amount (amplitude or depth) of the low-frequency
oscillator.
If you like the adjustments you have made and want to save them into the preset, press the
Save Button.
You can make further adjustments to even more parameters by using the EWI 5000 sound
editor software. Go to akaipro.com/ewi5000 to download the latest version and learn how to
use it.
Sensor Adjustment
The breath, glide, and pitch bend sensors have been set to optimal values at the factory, but
we recommend adjusting them to your preference to get the most out of your performance.
To adjust a sensor, press the Setup Button to enter Setup Mode. The Program/Data Display
will indicate the sensor being adjusted. Press the Hold Button to increase the value or the
Octave Button to decrease the value.
Pitch Bend Up
Pitch Bend Down
Glide
Breath
FILTER
BITE SEMI
FINE REVERB
CHORUS LFO
BREATH

9
Fingering Modes
The EWI 5000 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 EWI 5000
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. Use
the Hold Button or Octave Button to select any of the following options:
EI (standard EWI fingering): This is the standard fingering system for the EWI 5000.
This is based on the fingering of conventional woodwind instruments.
SA (saxophone fingering): This fingering closely represents the fingerings of a
standard saxophone. (In this mode, the EWI will ignore fingers that are two notes
below the highest note.)
FL (flute fingering): This fingering closely represents the fingerings of a standard C
flute. There are, however, a couple new fingerings that flutists will have to familiarize
themselves with to properly adapt their performance to the EWI 5000.
Ob (oboe fingering): This fingering closely represents the fingerings of a standard
oboe.
Ev (EVI fingering): EVI stands for electric valve instrument. This fingering may be
useful to players who wish to use fingerings closer to those of a brass instrument.
Er (EVI fingering with reversed octave rollers): This fingering most closely duplicates
the movement of the left wrist on an actual EVI. We recommend this mode for
experienced EVI players.
4. Press the Setup Button. The EWI 5000 will return to Play Mode.
Learn More
This Quickstart Guide is meant to outline the basic features of the EWI 5000 so you can start
playing immediately. Visit akaipro.com/ewi5000 and download the full EWI 5000 User Guide
to learn more about:
Selecting and assigning internal sounds (with the Program Key)
Using and assigning functions to the Octave Button, Hold Button, and Pitch Bend
Plates
Adjusting the main volume, Program volumes, and effects volumes
Transposition and tuning
Editing the internal sounds with your computer
Using the EWI 5000 as a MIDI controller
The User Guide also contains other tables and charts you may find helpful:
Fingering charts
MIDI implementation charts
Menu structure (as shown in the Program/Data Display)
Technical specifications
Troubleshooting

18
Appendix
MIDI Implementation Chart
Manufacturer: Akai Professional Model: EWI 5000 Version: 1.00 Date: 2013.12.05
Transmit/Export Recognize/Import Remarks
1. Basic Information
MIDI channels 1-16 1-16
Note numbers 047-075 N
Program change N N
Bank Select response? (Yes/No)
If yes, list banks utilized in remarks column N N
Modes supported: Mode 1: Omni-On, Poly (Yes/No)
Mode 2: Omni-On, Mono (Yes/No)
Mode 3: Omni-Off, Poly (Yes/No)
Mode 4: Omni-Off, Mono (Yes/No)
Multi Mode (Yes/No)
N N
Note-On Velocity (Yes/No) Y N
Note-Off Velocity (Yes/No) N N
Channel Aftertouch (Yes/No) Y N
Poly (Key) Aftertouch (Yes/No) Y N
Pitch Bend (Yes/No) Y N
Active Sensing (Yes/No) N N
System Reset (Yes/No) Y Y
Tune Request (Yes/No) N N
Universal System Exclusive:
Sample Dump Standard (Yes/No)
Device Inquiry (Yes/No)
File Dump (Yes/No)
MIDI Tuning (Yes/No)
Master Volume (Yes/No)
Master Balance (Yes/No)
Notation Information (Yes/No)
Turn GM1 System On (Yes/No)
Turn GM2 System On (Yes/No)
Turn GM System Off (Yes/No)
DLS-1 (Yes/No)
File Reference (Yes/No)
Controller Destination (Yes/No)
Key-based Instrument Ctrl (Yes/No)
Master Fine/Coarse Tune (Yes/No)
Other Universal System Exclusive
Y Y Used for software
configuration
Manufacturer or Non-Commercial System Exclusive Y Y Used for software
configuration
NRPNs (Yes/No) Y Y Used for software
configuration
RPN 00 (Pitch Bend Sensitivity) (Yes/No)
RPN 01 (Channel Fine Tune) (Yes/No)
RPN 02 (Channel Coarse Tune) (Yes/No)
RPN 03 (Tuning Program Select) (Yes/No)
RPN 04 (Tuning Bank Select) (Yes/No)
RPN 05 (Modulation Depth Range) (Yes/No)
N N
2. MIDI Timing and Synchronization
MIDI Clock (Yes/No) N N
Song Position Pointer (Yes/No) N N
Song Select (Yes/No) N N
Start (Yes/No)
Continue (Yes/No)
Stop (Yes/No)
N N
MIDI Time Code (Yes/No) N N
MIDI Machine Control (Yes/No) N N
MIDI Show Control (Yes/No)
If yes, MSC Level supported N N
3. Extensions Compatibility
General MIDI compatible? (Level(s)/No)
Is GM default power-up mode? (Level/No) N N
DLS compatible? (Levels(s)/No)
(DLS File Type(s)/No) N N
Standard MIDI Files (Type(s)/No) N N
XMF Files (Type(s)/No) N N
SP-MIDI compatible? (Yes/No) N N

19
Technical Specifications
MIDI Output Channels Over USB 1
Note Keys 13
Octave Rollers 2 mobile, 2 fixed; 5-octave range
Plates 2 ground, 2 pitch bend
Terminals 1 slave connector (MIDI over USB)
Accessories
USB cable
Neck strap
Quickstart Guide
Safety and Warranty Manual
Power USB bus-powered
Dimensions
(width x depth x height)
23.1" x 2.75" x 2.75"
587 mm x 70 mm x 70 mm
Weight 1.3 lbs
0.59 kg
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Note Regarding the Declaration of Conformity
Allgemeinhinweis zur Konformitätserklärung: Hiermit erklären wir, daß sich das
Gerät EWI 5000 in Übereinstimmung mit den grundlegenden Anforderungen der
europäischen Richtlinie 1999/5/EG befindet. Die vollständige EG
Konformitätserklärung kann unter folgender Adresse angefordert werden:
inMusic GmbH
Halskestrasse 16-18
D – 47877 Willich
GERMANY
Trademarks and Licenses
Akai Professional and EWI are trademarks of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and
other countries.
SONiVOX is a trademark of SONiVOX, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
All other product or company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.

FCCstatementinUser’sManual(forclassB)
FederalCommunicationCommissionInterferenceStatement

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.Theselimitsaredesignedtoprovidereasonableprotectionagainstharmful
interferenceinaresidentialinstallation.Thisequipmentgenerates,usesandcanradiateradiofrequency
energyand,ifnotinstalledandusedinaccordancewiththeInstructions,maycauseharmfulinterferenceto
radiocommunications.However,thereisnoguaranteethatinterferencewillnotoccurinaparticular
installation.Ifthisequipmentdoescauseharmfulinterferencetoradioortelevisionreception,whichcanbe
determinedbyturningtheequipmentoffandon,theuserisencouragedtotrytocorrecttheinterference
byoneormoreofthefollowingmeasures:
‐Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna.
‐Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandreceiver.
‐Connecttheequipmentintoanoutletonacircuitdifferentfromthattowhichthereceiverisconnected.
‐Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp.

FCCCaution:
1.ThisdevicecomplieswithPart15oftheFCCrules/IndustryCanadalicence‐exemptRSSstandard(s).
Operationissubjecttothefollowingtwoconditions:
(1)Thisdevicemaynotcauseharmfulinterference,and
(2)Thisdevicemustacceptanyinterferencereceived,includinginterferencethatmaycauseundesired
operation.

2.Thisdeviceanditsantenna(s)mustnotbeco‐locatedoroperatinginconjunctionwithanyotherantenna
ortransmitter.

3.Changesormodificationstothisunitnotexpresslyapprovedbythepartyresponsibleforcompliance
couldvoidtheuserauthoritytooperatetheequipment.


IMPORTANTNOTE:(ForMobileDeviceConfiguration)
FCCRadiationExposureStatement:
ThisequipmentcomplieswithFCCradiationexposurelimitssetforthforanuncontrolled
environment.







akaipro.com
Manual Version 1.0