Basic Operation; Maintenance & Care - Akai Professional EWI USB Guide D'utilisation Rapide

BASIC OPERATION

First, secure the neckstrap to the NECKSTRAP MOUNT on the EWI USB. Place it
around your neck and hold the EWI USB the same way you would hold a
saxophone or clarinet – with the instrument vertically right in front of you and with
your mouth on the MOUTHPIECE.
There are two GROUND PLATES on the back of the EWI USB (one for each hand).
Your thumbs should always be touching both of these plates to ensure the best
possible conductivity and performance of the instrument. Your left thumb should go
on top, on the OCTAVE ROLLERS in the back. Your right thumb should be closer
to the bottom, between the PITCH BEND PLATES.
Here is some essential information on how to play the EWI USB:
Mouthpiece
Hold the mouthpiece gently in between your lips with your teeth and exhale so your
breath is passed through both sides of your mouth. The EWI USB detects this wind pressure with the breath sensor
and expresses the change in sound volume and character, depending on how you blow. Not a lot of breath should be
required to activate the instrument.
Vibrato: 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. Do not bite too hard.
Tonguing: You can create small bursts of air by tonguing the mouthpiece for even more expressive control.
Note Keys
The note keys are actually touch sensors that let you produce
sound with only a light touch.
fingering options that can be set by the software (see
FINGERING CHARTS and the guide included in the software
DVD for more information). You can adjust the position of the
longer keys by loosening the screws that hold each of them in
place.
Octave Rollers
Place your left thumb on the back side of the EWI USB, between any two rollers (and over the GROUND PLATE). To
shift the EWI USB's octave range up or down, slide your thumb up or down across the rollers. Only the two in the
middle will roll. The ones on the top and bottom are fixed. Remove your thumb from the lowest roller to shift it down
an additional octave. Remove your thumb from the highest roller to shift it up an additional octave.
Pitch Bend Plates
By touching your thumb to either of these plates, you can move the pitch of the note you are playing up or down.
Touch the BEND-UP PLATE to raise the pitch or the BEND-DOWN PLATE to lower it.
MAINTENANCE & CARE
We've designed the EWI USB to be durable and easy to use, but regular cleaning and maintenance can ensure that it
stays in good condition – and that it will give you the best possible experience while playing it.
When not in use, keep the MOUTHPIECE dry and clean. You can clean the outer surface with
disinfectant alcohol or mild soap and dry it with a soft cloth. Or, you can remove the screw at the
top of the MOUTHPIECE, gently pull it off the body of the EWI USB, and wash just the mouthpiece
in the dishwasher.
The metal parts on the EWI USB are conductors, so keep them dry and clean to ensure they will
work properly whenever you use them.
PLATES, GROUND PLATES, and OCTAVE ROLLERS with a soft, dry cloth. (Over time, natural
oils from your hand may slightly tarnish these parts. This is normal and should not be a problem.)
Moisture gathered from blowing into the instrument empties out of the MOISTURE RELEASE
VALVE at the very bottom of the EWI USB. Be careful of where this end of the EWI USB is while
playing, and wipe it periodically with a soft, dry cloth.
The EWI USB has multiple
After playing, wipe the NOTE KEYS, PITCH BEND
3
A NOTE ABOUT KEY RESPONSE: If the
EWI USB's keys, rollers, or plates are not
very responsive, it could be because you
are playing with dry hands (the EWI USB
works by using the body's capacitance).
You may use a very small amount of non-
greasy hand lotion
connection between your hands and the
keys.
to improve the