Changing the sound on your Akai EWI 5000 involves either direct navigation using the instrument's controls or deeper customization via the dedicated sound editor software. This allows you to quickly switch between built-in patches for performance or craft unique sounds.
Changing Sounds Directly on the EWI 5000
The Akai EWI 5000 comes pre-loaded with a diverse range of high-quality sounds, allowing you to switch instruments on the fly using the device's intuitive controls. This method is ideal for live performance or quick practice sessions.
Step-by-Step On-Device Navigation
To change sounds directly on your EWI 5000:
- Power On: Ensure your EWI 5000 is powered on and connected to your amplifier or headphones.
- Locate Navigation Buttons: Identify the navigation buttons or a scroll wheel on the EWI 5000, typically located near the display. These are used to browse through the internal sound library.
- Browse Presets: Use the "Program Up/Down" buttons (or equivalent scroll function) to cycle through the available sounds. For instance, you can scroll past an instrument like Pan Flute to find other sounds such as a Harmonica or Jazz Flute. Continue pressing down until you reach your desired sound. Some users might navigate to a specific preset number, like scrolling down until you reach preset number ten.
- Confirm Selection: The EWI 5000's display will show the name of the currently selected sound. Once you stop scrolling, that sound will be active for play.
This method offers immediate feedback and allows for quick instrument changes during a performance, giving you versatility without needing external software.
Customizing Sounds with the EWI5000 Sound Editor
For in-depth sound design, the EWI5000 Sound Editor software provides comprehensive control over every aspect of the instrument's sound engine. This is where you can truly make the EWI 5000 your own.
Using the EWI5000 Sound Editor Software
The EWI5000 Sound Editor is a powerful tool for manipulating, creating, and organizing your EWI's sound library.
- Download and Install: Visit the official Akai Professional website to download and install the latest EWI5000 Sound Editor software for your computer. You can typically find it on the product page under the 'Downloads' or 'Support' section.
- Connect EWI 5000: Connect your EWI 5000 to your computer using a standard USB cable. Ensure the EWI is powered on.
- Launch Software: Open the EWI5000 Sound Editor application on your computer. It should automatically detect your connected EWI 5000.
- Edit and Design Sounds: Within the software, you can:
- Browse existing patches and modify them.
- Adjust parameters like oscillator waveforms, filters, envelopes, effects (reverb, chorus, delay), and mixing levels.
- Layer multiple sounds together for rich, complex tones.
- Create entirely new patches from scratch.
- Save and Transfer: Once you've created or modified a sound, save it within the software. You can then transfer these custom sounds directly to the EWI 5000's internal memory, replacing or adding to the existing presets. The software allows you to manage the order and location of your custom patches.
Benefits of Using the Sound Editor:
- Deep Customization: Access to every sound parameter for precise sculpting.
- Organization: Easily manage, rename, and reorder your sound presets.
- Backup: Create backups of your entire sound library.
- Expandability: Load new sound libraries or user-created patches.
Tips for Sound Management
- Organize Presets: Keep a logical order for your most-used sounds on the EWI itself, perhaps grouping similar instruments together.
- Backup Regularly: Use the Sound Editor to back up your custom patches to your computer to prevent loss.
- Experiment: Don't be afraid to tweak parameters in the Sound Editor. Small changes can lead to entirely new sonic possibilities.
By utilizing both the EWI 5000's on-board controls and the comprehensive Sound Editor software, you have complete control over your instrument's voice.
