Features new high resolution breath and lip sensors, 16 key layout for sax compatibility, and MIDI Out onboard. This item is not returnable.
126 People rated this product : 8 out of 10
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10 People wrote reviews |
Read all Yamaha WX5 Next Generation Wind MIDI Controller reviews... |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 10 out of 10
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I couldn't pass this one up. I'd always wanted an EWI, and when I suddenly discovered the new WX5 (and had the pocket change to spring for one)...I jumped on it.
It didn't take long to get the basic feel for the instrument. The octave keys are the most challenging adjustment for a sax player, but as others have observed are quite playable with practice. It does take some crispy clean technique to get over the octaves without a glitch. The particular patch you're using, along with the style of music, may make this more or less noticable. For example, if you're trying to play a sweet, soft piano passage, a slight miss could destroy the performance, while that same glitch could actually enhance a screaming metal guitar lick.
One of my pet peeves about electronic wind instruments has always been the people who think it should sound like a sax. If I want to play sax, I will pick up my saxophone and play. Why in blazes would I want to synthesize a sound when I can play the real thing? I don't care if my synth has a good sax sound, it will never be as good as the genuine article.
With that in mind, it's easy to recognize the REAL power of a wind controller. I can produce nearly any sound you can imagine with a good synth and my WX5, and furthermore can mold that sound into MUSIC.
I've only had my WX5 a relatively short while and performed just a couple times with it, but each time the audience loved it. When I first pulled it out, they really didn't know what to think. But when I rolled off a smoking, wailing guitar solo, they really ate it up (once they all stopped looking around to figure out which guitar player was playing).
That example is fairly "gimmicky"...something I hate to admit and rarely resort to...but effective. More serious use of the WX5 is infinitely possible not only for thoughtful soloing, but for backing up the rest of the band. Strings, horn sections, choirs, vibes, even percussion...can all help fill out a small band. Is your bass player a no-show? You'll be the hero of the night when you whip out your WX5 and fill in on "virtual" bass guitar (don't laugh, it's really very doable)!
I'm eagerly looking forward to improving my technique and learning the ins and outs of performing with my WX5. Beyond that, however, I'm also a composer and have my own home studio. This thing is a -fantastic- tool for that purpose!
I play many different instruments, but sax has always been my strong point. Now, I don't have to spend hours learning a riff on keys or guitar that I could whip out in minutes on sax. I pick up my WX5, dial up the sound I want, and go to town. I've even used it to lay down bass tracks when I was too lazy to program them or search through hundreds of loops for just the right line.
The synth I go back to time and again for use with my WX5 is the Roland JV-1010. I love this synth (see my review on it). I haven't tried the Yamaha synth they recommend for the WX5 (I forget the model)...and I'd very much like to get one...but for the "best bang for the buck" the JV-1010 is a big contender. Lots of great sounds, many of which translate to the WX5 wonderfully.
If you've ever dreamed of playing screaming lead guitar but couldn't bend a string with a vice grip....GET the JV-1010. I promise, the guitars on this thing will blow you away (and they've blown my audiences away, as well, not to mention a couple lead guitar players who will never be quite the same.)
Heheheh. But I digress.
If you've ever been interested in a wind controller, this is the one. It has all the trimmings of a pro instrument. When you get one, take the time to carefully adjust the sensitivity controls to your taste. You must adjust wind pressure and response, lip sensitivity, etc., to truly bring the instrument to life. There is a learning curve and it may take you awhile to get things "just so" (and you may have to readjust every now and then), but setting it up right will make all the difference between a "toy" and a truly performance-quality instrument.
The WX5 has lots of control options. On the fly, you can select some interesting effects such as portamento (a favorite for ripping synth leads), holding one note while playing others on top of it, setting two-note intervals to play simple chords (like fifths, thirds, sevenths, whatever), etc. It's a little awkward reaching down to the button to turn such effects on, but learnable.
It's best to use the supplied next strap with the WX5. It may seem silly since the instrument is so light, but you'll see what I mean when you go reaching for the pitch bender (played with the right thumb) or the above mentioned "effect" switch (again the right thumb). The strap keeps the instrument supported so your fingers can make the stretches needed for those special features. To be honest, I forgot to wear the strap last time I performed with it, and my performance lacked the degree of confidence it might otherwise have had.
Overall, the WX5 is truly a performance-quality instrument. In the right hands, there is no limit to its expression. I've researched other models of wind controllers, and the WX5 beats most of them. With the possible exception of the "Synthaphone," this is the best of its kind.
- Heather Haze
Submitted: 7/24/2001
Style of Music: All kinds
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 10 out of 10
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Feature:
Accessories supplied are strap(kinda cheap, buy a nice strap if you want to use a strap - it's a very light instrument and you don't really need a strap), silicone mouthpiece grease, soft case, manual, and WX cable. The Manual is very well written but the fingering chart is a little difficult to understand. I have actually made a fingering chart that helped me tremendoulsy and will gladly share it with anyone who asks. E-mail me at eddie_d1964@yahoo.com and I will send it to you.
As for features I "wish it had" I must say I really wanted it to look better! The black and silver plastic just looks so much like a toy and not at all like the professional musical instrument that it truly is. This is why I now offer skin kits. What a difference! If you want to see the skins I make go to www.egraphicworld.com/WX5.htm and you'll see what I mean. Other than the black and gray toyish appearance the overall shape is nice and the mechanical keys have a great feel.
Quality:
Very well built although it's plastic. I do wish Yamaha offered a high end "pro" verion made from actual metal or brass. This instrument deserves to be built better and belongs in the traditional musical instrument family and ought to LOOK the part. Again, the skin kit goes a long way towards acheiving that look.
Value:
For what it does this is an AWESOME value.
Desirability:
10, yes, but ONLY with the skin kit applied :-)
Sound:
As far as "sound" goes, this instrument makes no sounds of it's own. It must be connected to a tone generator to produce a sound. The Yamaha VL70-m is by far the best module to use with this. I have tried the VL expansion card as well(PLG150) but it is pretty dificult to use and not very practical. The factory sounds on the VL70-m are not bad but there is a VERY nice custom chip made for this tone module called the Patchman Turbo Chip and in my opinion is the only way to go if you want truly professional instrument emulations. Go to www.patchmanmusic.com to hear samples of what it can do. AMAZING!
Ease of Use:
Setting it up is crucial to getting it to play as expressively as it is capable of playing. Go to www.nortonmusic.com/wx5.html for a VERY thorough guide to getting it setup correctly. Out of the box it's just not going to respond at it's best.
Support:
Never a problem.
Submitted: 10/4/2007
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1 of 1 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?
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Read all Yamaha WX5 Next Generation Wind MIDI Controller reviews...
Personal use items that are used at your mouth or in your ear cannot be returned once opened due to health laws. This includes all microphones, guitar talk boxes, ear plugs, and in-ear earphones. details
"Thank you oh so very much for your kind service and accommodation" - customer on November 25, 2008
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