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