Yamaha WX5 Next Generation Wind MIDI Controller

Features new high resolution breath and lip sensors, 16 key layout for sax compatibility, and MIDI Out onboard. This item is not returnable.

Item: YAMWX5

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Yamaha WX5 Next Generation Wind MIDI Controller reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

126 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

10 People wrote reviews

Read all Yamaha WX5 Next Generation Wind MIDI Controller reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"Good control, very expressive."

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

"Amazing instrument!"

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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Read all Yamaha WX5 Next Generation Wind MIDI Controller reviews...

iconPersonal 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

About This Product!
Description
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From Our Catalog
Extraordinary Playability and Versatility
The Yamaha WX5 Wind MIDI Controller takes wind MIDI control to new levels of performance and playability. With precise, responsive wind and lip sensors, a choice of single-reed or recorder type mouthpieces, and a range of fingering modes, the WX5 makes expressive wind control more accessible than ever before. The WX5 gives experienced wind players a new medium and vastly expanded sonic possibilities in a familiar format, playable enough for beginners.

Expressive Controls
The WX5 provides expressive control and nuances that are simply not available with keyboards or other MIDI controllers. Although it is ideal for use with just about any MIDI tone generator or synthesizer, combined with a state-of-the-art tone generator such as the Yamaha VL70m Virtual Acoustic Tone Generator, the WX5 is capable of expressive depth and tonal subtlety that rivals the finest acoustic instruments.

Most Advanced
The Yamaha WX5 Wind MIDI Controller is simply the most advanced, most versatile, most playable, and most expressive MIDI controller of its kind.

If You Already Play a Wind Instrument...
The WX5 is your key to vastly expanded expression and musical scope. You'll be able to use familiar fingering and techniques to play an unlimited range of new sounds. Play the WX5 like a saxophone, for example, but sound like a trombone, piano, electric guitar, bass ... literally any sound that gives you the musical effect you want. Why leave this type of sonic versatility to the keyboard players?

If You've Never Played a Wind Instrument Before...
The WX5 is easy to learn. You can choose a fingering that you're most comfortable with right from the beginning. And, unlike an acoustic wind instrument, it doesn't take months of practice just to get a decent tone. The reedless recorder type mouthpiece supplied in addition to the saxophone type mouthpiece makes playing even easier. An extensive range of customizable parameters lets you set up the WX5 to play the way you want it to.The WX5 can open the door to a whole new world of expression.

Play Any MIDI Tone Generator
MIDI, the Music Instrument Digital Interface, is the standard used by virtually every modern MIDI tone generator or other electronic music device available from any manufacturer. Since the WX5 is a 100% MIDI-compatible controller, it can be used to play any MIDI tone generator on the market today - starting with the extensive lineup available from Yamaha.

Use the WX5 with the Yamaha VL70-m or MU Series Tone Generators
The Yamaha VL70m Virtual Acoustic Tone generator is a perfect match for the WX5. Although a mono tone generator, its advanced computer-modeling technology delivers some of the most realistic and expressive wind-instrument sounds available in any tone generator system. The MU-Series XG tone generators are also an excellent choice. But you're in no way limited: choose the MIDI tone generator that provides the type of sound you want.

High-Resolution Wind and Lip Sensors with Precision Calibration Controls
The WX5 translates the player's breath and lip pressure to MIDI data via high-resolution wind and lip sensors that can be precisely calibrated to match individual playing characteristics. If you normally play sax, for example, you can set up the WX5 so that it plays almost exactly the same as your acoustic instrument. That way you can switch back and forth between instruments without even having to think about adjusting your style.

A Choice of Fingering Modes
Whether you're an experienced wind instrument player or a beginner, one of the WX5's 4 selectable fingering modes will provide optimum playability for you. The "Saxophone (c)" mode, in particular, allows the same type of alternate fingerings that sax players use to add subtle variety and expression to their sound.

Saxophone (a) Fingering Mode
Basically the same as saxophone fingering, except that the fingering remains the same in all octaves, and thus easy to learn.

Saxophone (b) Fingering Mode
This mode is similar to Saxophone (a), but with additional trill key functions to facilitate rapid passages. This fingering is similar to that on the WX5's predecessor, the Yamaha WX11 Wind MIDI Controller.

Flute Fingering Mode
Similar to flute fingering, this mode is ideal for players who are familiar with flute fingering. Rather that continuous pitch bend in response to lip pressure, the pitch jumps up one octave when lip pressure is applied simulating the "overblow" octave shift on an acoustic flute.

Saxophone (c) Fingering Mode
A variation of the Saxophone (a) fingering mode, this mode allows saxophone-type alternate fingerings. Although alternate fingerings produce the same note, they produce slight variations in pitch and timbre which can be used for musical effect.

WX5 and VL70-m Virtual Acoustic Tone Generator
WX5 and VL70m Acoustic Tone Generator: The perfect match: extraordinarily realistic and expressive wind instrument sounds, as well as direct connection via the WX cable without the need for batteries or an AC Adaptor.

WX5 and MIDI Tone Generator
Basic but very versatile, this is the type of setup you'll use with any MIDI tone generator of your choice.

WX5 with the MFC10 Foot Controller
With the MFC10 Foot Controller you can switch voices, control volume or other parameters, and generally change setups via foot control without interrupting your performance.

WX5 and QY70 or QY700 Music Sequencer
The WX5 can be connected to an integrated sequencer/tone generator unit such as the Yamaha QY70 or QY700 to allow convenient recording and playback of MIDI data.

Comprehensive Setup Capability and Versatile Realtime Control
In additon to connectors, calibration controls, and setup switches, the "thumb side" of the WX5 offers a range of controls and features, which are not available on conventional acoustic instruments.

Sensor Gain Controls
These 4 controls adjust the gain and zero point of the wind and lip sensors for optimum playability.

Octave Keys
These keys allow you to shift the pitch of the instrument up or down by one, two, or three octaves while playing.

Setup Button
Used in conjunction with other WX5 control buttons, the Setup Button allows software wind gain, octave transpose, and other settings to be changed while playing.

Pitch Bend Wheel
Like the pitch bend wheel on keyboard synthesizers, the WX5 pitch bend wheel can be used to produce smooth pitch bends.

Key Hold Button
The Key Hold button controls any of the 4 assignable key hold functions.

Program Change Button
Used in conjunction with the instrument's keys, the Program Change button can be used to transmit MIDI program changes and bank numbers to the connected MIDI tone generator in order to change voices directly from the WX5.

MIDI Out Connector
When not using the WX cable, this connector is used to directly connect the WX5 to a MIDI tone generator via a standard MIDI cable.

WX Out Connector
This connector allows the WX5 to be directly connected to compatible Yamaha tone generators (such as the VL70m) via the supplied WX cable.

Customize the WX5 for Your Playing Requirements - Dip Switches 1 - 3
The WX5 has 16 DIP switches which allow it to be customized to meed your individual playing requirements.
1) Velocity: determines whether the key-on velocity (i.e. the attack of each note) will be fixed or controlled by wind pressure;
2) Wind Sensor to MIDI data: specifies the type of MIDI data which the WX5 wind data will be transmitted;
3) Wind Curve: determines the relationship between breath pressure and the output MIDI volume data

Dip Switches 4 - 6
4) Tight Lip/Loose Lip Mode: selects the Tight Lip or Loose Lip playing mode;
5) Lip Data Range: determines the range of data which can be produced via lip control - "Normal" or "Wide";
6) Lip Data: specifies the type of MIDI data which the WX5 lip data will be transmitted - "Pitch Bend" or "Modulation"

Dip Switches 7 - 10
7) Lip + Control Change Data: determines whether or not MIDI control change number #18 will be added to the lip data transmitted by the WX5; 8) Transpose: sets the "key" of the WX5: i.e. the actual pitch played when all keys are closed - "C2," "Bb1," or "Eb2."
9) Fingering: specifies the WX5 fingering mode - "Saxophone (a)," "Saxophone (b)," "Saxophone (c)," or "Flute";
10) Fast Response: sets the speed at which the WX5 will respond when a note is played.

Dip Switches 11 - 12
11) High D/D# Key Assign: determines whether the high D and D# keys will be used normally as playing keys, or to transmit control change data; 12) Pitch Bend to MIDI Data: determines the initial power-on Pitch Bend Wheel control mode.

Technical Info

Controls
Note keys (16 keys including assignable high keys (2), Octave Change Keys (4) (Control range: 7 octave), Pitch Bend wheel, Setup Switch, Hold Switch (Key Hold/Sustain/Portament), Program Change Switch, Power On/Off Switch
Rotary Controls: WIND ZERO, WIND GAIN, LIP GAIN, LIP ZERO

Transpose:
Key Transpose: C2,Bb1,Eb; Octave Transpose: 5 step (-2/-1/0+1/+2)
Fingering Saxophone (a), Saxophone (b), Saxophone (c), Flute
Dip Switches Velicoty:On/Off; Wind Data: CC#2 (Breath Controller), CC#7 (Volume), CC#11 (Expression); Wind Curve: Normal/Hard; Lip Mode: Tight Lip/Loose Lip; Lip Range: Normal/Wide; Lip Data: Pitch bend/Modulation wheel; Lip+ CC#18 (Gen3): On/Off; Transpose: C2/Bb1/Eb2; Fingering: Saxophone (a,b,c), Flute; Fast Response: On/Off; High D,D# key assign: On (D:CC#81, D#: CC#80)/Off; Pitch Bend Data: Pitch bend Up and Pitch bend Down/Modulation wheel and Pitch bend Down/CC#16 (Gen1) and CC#17(Gen2) Bright Up/ Down

Sensors: Wind Sensor, Lip Sensor

LED: Red LED x 2 (WIND Monitor, LIP ZERO Monitor)

MIDI Transmit Channel: 10 - 16 channel

Connections
MIDI Out connector, WX Out connector (Power and MIDI Out), DC in Jack
Power Suppy UM-4, AAA, R03 x 6, PA3B AC Adapter, WX Out Connector (from compatible Yamaha Tone Generators or BT7 MIDI/Power Pack)

Dimensions (L x W x D): 611 x 62 x 70 mm

Included: Mouthpiece Saxophone Type Mouthpiece (attached), Mouthpiece Cap (attached), Recorder type Mouthpiece
Soft Case
WX Cable
Strap
Recorder Cream
Takes wind control to new levels of performance and playability with the expressive nuances of breath and familiar fingering! WX and MIDI outputs.

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