Sound Editor

User Guide
English

Manual Version 1.0

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................. 4
About the EWI5000 Sound Editor ........................................................................................ 4
System Requirements and Product Support ..................................................................... 4
Installation ............................................................................................................................. 5

Windows .......................................................................................................................... 5

Mac OS X ......................................................................................................................... 5
Overview ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Graphical Interface ............................................................................................................... 6
Operation .................................................................................................................................... 7
Using the Controls ................................................................................................................ 7
Modes .................................................................................................................................... 8
Program Management .......................................................................................................... 9
Selecting Programs ........................................................................................................... 9
Saving Programs ............................................................................................................. 10
2

Control Panel ....................................................................................................................... 11

Main Page........................................................................................................................ 11
Amp Controls .............................................................................................................................. 11
Pitch Controls ............................................................................................................................. 12
Filter Controls.............................................................................................................................. 13
LFO Controls ............................................................................................................................... 14
Envelope Controls ....................................................................................................................... 15

Effects Page .................................................................................................................... 17

Reverb......................................................................................................................................... 17
Chorus ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Delay ........................................................................................................................................... 19

Settings Page .................................................................................................................. 20

Channel / Key Delay .................................................................................................................... 21
Fingering ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Hold ............................................................................................................................................ 23
Interval ........................................................................................................................................ 25
Glide............................................................................................................................................ 27
Pitch Up and Pitch Down ............................................................................................................ 29
Breath ......................................................................................................................................... 30
Bite.............................................................................................................................................. 32
Firmware Update ........................................................................................................................ 33

Trademarks and Licenses ....................................................................................................... 34

Introduction
About the EWI5000 Sound Editor
Expand your creative capabilities with the EWI5000 Sound Editor software. This custom

software editor is a powerful platform for manipulating EWI5000's sound library on your Mac
or PC. Connect EWI5000 to your computer via USB; call up any instrument from the library;
and use the filter, two LFOs, pan knob, tune control, and multiple envelopes to tweak it into
something entirely new. Then, store your edits directly on your EWI5000 for a customized
instrument library that's ready to perform whenever you are.

System Requirements and Product Support

For complete system requirements, compatibility information, and product registration, visit
akaipro.com/ewi5000.
For additional support, visit akaipro.com/support.

Installation
Windows
1.

Double-click the .exe installer file you downloaded.

2.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Mac OS X
1.

Double-click the .pkg installer file you downloaded.

2.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Overview
Graphical Interface
Program
Management

Control Panel

The EWI5000 Sound Editor has a straightforward user interface that can be broken down into
two main sections. The Program Management section is always visible. The Control Panel
changes depending on what you have selected.
Program Management: The buttons in this section let you select or save the Preset Bank or
User Bank, switch EWI5000 between Synth Mode or Controller Mode. See Operation >
Program Management to learn more about Programs. See Operation > Modes to learn more
about EWI5000's modes.
Control Panel: Click the Main, Effects, or Settings button to select which page you are
viewing. On the Main Page, use the virtual controls in this section to make adjustments to your
EWI5000's synth parameters. On the Effects Page, use the virtual controls in this section to
apply and adjust effects. On the Settings Page, use the virtual controls in this section to
configure EWI5000's settings. See Operation > Control Panel to learn more.
6

Operation
Using the Controls
Here is how to use EWI5000 Sound Editor's controls:
Sliders: Click and drag sliders up or down (or left or right) to
set them. The slider's value will appear next to it.

Knobs: Click and drag knobs clockwise or counterclockwise to

set them. The knob's value will appear next to it.

Buttons: Click buttons to select the page or command or to

switch it between its various setting.

Checkboxes: Click inside a checkbox to select its option.

Fields: Click a field to open its drop-down menu, and then click
the desired option in the menu.
7

Modes
You can use your EWI5000 in two different modes: Synth Mode or Controller Mode.
Synth Mode lets you use EWI5000 without software; the sounds are
generated by its internal synth engine. You can access the editor's the
Main page to make adjustments to your EWI5000's synth parameters or
the Effects Page to apply and adjust effects.

Controller Mode lets you use EWI5000 (while connected to your

computer via USB) as a hardware MIDI controller for your music software
or external synthesizer module. While in this mode, you can view only the
Settings page.

To select the mode, click the Mode button at the (next to the EWI5000 logo) to switch
between Synth Mode and Controller Mode.

Program Management
While in Synth Mode, you can access your EWI5000's Programs to edit them and save them
for later use.

Selecting Programs
To select a Program:
1.

Click the Preset Bank button or User Bank button

to select whether you want a Preset Program or a
User Program, respectively.

2.

Click the field with the current Program name, and

then select a Program from the drop-down menu
that appears.

Saving Programs
Important: All Programs are saved to the User Bank.
To save a Program:
1.

Click the Save button next to the User Bank button.

2.

In the window that appears, click the drop-down menu, and then
select the Program number to which you want to save the current
Program settings.

3.

To save the Program, click OK.

To cancel the operation, click Cancel.

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Control Panel
While in Synth Mode, you can use the Control Panel to edit your Programs and save them for
later use. Each area of the Control Panel is described below.
To save your changes, please see Program Management > Saving Programs.

Main Page
The controls described in the following sections are
available when viewing the Main Page.

Amp Controls
Volume: Use this slider to raise or lower the Program's volume.
Important: This is different from EWI5000's Level Button, which
affects the volume of all Programs.
Pan: Use this knob to set the Program's panning in the stereo field.
Reverb: Use this slider to set the Program's Reverb Send level (the
same as on the Effects page). You can also set this by using
EWI5000's Reverb Knob.
Chorus: Use this slider to set the Program's Chorus Send level (the
same as on the Effects page). You can also set this by using
EWI5000's Chorus Knob.
Delay: Use this slider to set the Program's Delay Send level (the same
as on the Effects page). You can also set this by pressing and holding
EWI5000's Trans Button while turning its Bite Knob.
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Pitch Controls
Tuning: Use this slider to set the Program's tuning (-1200 to +1200
cents).
Important: This is different from EWI5000's Semi Knob and Fine
knob, which affect the tuning of all Programs.
Env 2: Use this knob to set how much Envelope 2 (Env2) will
modulate the pitch or tuning of the patch (-1200 to +1200 cents).

Note: There are 100 cents in one semitone and 1200 cents in an
octave.
LFO1 CC Amount

CC1: Use this knob to set the LFO1 depth according to the CC1 (mod wheel) values sent
from EWI5000.
Note: EWI5000 must be set to send CC1 modulation messages to hear this.

Breath: Use this knob to set how much Breath control affects the LFO1 depth. The more
air you blow into the mouthpiece, the more you will hear the effect.

LFO 2 CC Amount

CC1: Use this knob to set the LFO2 depth according to the CC1 (mod wheel) values sent
from EWI5000.
Note: EWI5000 must be set to send CC1 modulation messages to hear this.

Breath: Use this knob to set how much Breath control affects the LFO2 depth. The more
air you blow into the mouthpiece, the more you will hear the effect.

12

Filter Controls
Cutoff: Use this slider to set the cutoff frequency of the filter
effect assigned to the Program. The filter's range is -100% to
+100%, which corresponds to a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Resonance: Use this slider to set the resonance amount of the
filter.
Env 2: Use this knob to set how much Envelope 2 modulates the
filter's cutoff frequency.
Breath: Use this knob to set how much EWI5000's breath
sensor modulates the filter's cutoff frequency. Its range is -100%
to +100%. At positive values, the filter will open more as you
blow harder into the mouthpiece. At negative values, the filter
will close as you blow harder into the mouthpiece.
Note: This knob has this effects only when EWI5000's breath
sensor is set to send breath messages (CC #2).
Key: Use this knob to set how much the filter affects the audio.
Its range is -100% to +100%. At positive values, the filter's
effect is less intense. At negative values, the filter's effect is
more intense.

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LFO Controls
LFO1
Freq: Use this knob to set the rate at which LFO1 modulates. Its
range is -100% (very slow) to +100% (very fast).
Delay: Use this knob to set how much time occurs before the
LFO affects the audio. Its range is 10ms to 10.0s.
Amp: Use this slider to set the amplitude depth for LFO1.
Filter: Use this slider to set the depth of the filter's cutoff
frequency for LFO1. The filter LFO is bipolar, which lets you
modulate its cutoff positively or negatively.
LFO2
Freq: Use this knob to set the rate at which the LFO2
modulates. Its range is -100% (very slow) to +100% (very fast).
Delay: Use this knob to set how much time occurs before the
LFO affects the audio. Its range is 10ms to 10.0s.
Pitch: Use this knob to set the range of pitch modulation for
LFO2.

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Envelope Controls
Amp Envelope
Delay: Use this knob to set the amount of time
before the note starts.
Attack: Use this knob to set how much time it
takes for the note's amplitude to ascend to the
Program's volume level.
Hold: Use this knob to set how long the note will sound at the Program's maximum amplitude
(the Program's volume) before moving to the Decay stage of the envelope.
Decay: Use this knob to set how much time it takes for the note's amplitude to descend to the
level of the Sustain parameter.
Sustain: Use this knob to set the audio level of the note that the Decay stage will descend to.
Note: EWI5000 does not use the Release stage of a traditional synth envelope.
Key > Decay: Use this knob set how much the Decay value modulates based on the note
being played. The lower the note, the shorter the Decay time will be. The higher the note, the
longer the Decay time will be.
Key > Hold: Use this knob to set how much the Hold value modulates based on the note
being played. The lower the note, the shorter the Hold time will be. The higher the note, the
longer the Hold time will be.

15

Envelope 2
Important: Envelope 2's settings have
identical functions to those of the Amp
Envelope, but Envelope 2 modulates the
tuning and filter cutoff frequency. (See the
Pitch Controls and Filter Controls sections
to learn more about how to adjust the
amount of modulation.)
Delay: Use this knob to set the amount of time before the envelope starts.
Attack: Use this knob to set how much time it takes for the pitch or filter cutoff to ascend to
the level of the Program's tuning or filter cutoff.
Hold: Use this knob to set how long the pitch or filter cutoff will remain at the level of the
Program's tuning or filter cutoff before moving to the Decay stage of the envelope.
Decay: Use this knob to set how much time it takes for the pitch or filter cutoff to descend to
the level of the Sustain parameter.
Sustain: Use this knob to set the pitch or filter cutoff that the Decay stage will descend to.
Note: EWI5000 does not use the Release stage of a traditional synth envelope.
Key > Decay: Use this knob set how much the Decay value modulates based on the pitch or
filter cutoff. The lower the note, the shorter the Decay time will be. The higher the note, the
longer the Decay time will be.
Key > Hold: Use this knob to set how much the Hold value modulates based on the pitch or
filter cutoff. The lower the note, the shorter the Hold time will be. The higher the note, the
longer the Hold time will be.
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Effects Page
Reverb
Reverb is a spatial effect, simulating the nuanced reverberation of sound in the space of a
particular room.
Amt (Amount): Use this slider to set the Program's Reverb
Send level (the same as on the Main page). You can also set
this by using EWI5000's Reverb Knob.
Wet: Use this knob to raise or lower the blend between the
"wet" (effected) and "dry" (unaffected) signal. 0% is all dry,
and 100% is all wet, while 50% is an equal mix of both.
Damp: Use this knob to adjust absorption of higher
frequencies as the reverbating sound decays over the time.
Width: Use this knob to adjust the width of the stereo image
generated by the reverb.
Room Size: Use this knob to set the size of the room that the
reverb will simulate.

17

Chorus
The Chorus section lets you apply chorus to the sound, which modulates the pitch and a
delay of the input signal, which are then added to the dry signal. In small amounts, this creates
the illusion of multiple voices playing at once.
Amt (Amount): Use this slider to set the Program's Chorus
Send level (the same as on the Main page). You can also set
this by using EWI5000's Chorus Knob.
Rate: Use this knob to adjust the rate of the chorus effect. Its
range is 1.0 Hz to 3.0 Hz.
Depth: Use this knob to adjust the depth or intensity of the
chorus effect.
Tip: To produce more pronounced "shimmering" and "watery"
sounds, set this knob to higher values.

18

Delay
The Delay effect produces an echo of the original signal for a specified period of time.
Amount: Use this slider to set the Program's Delay Send level
(the same as on the Main page). You can also set this by
pressing and holding EWI5000's Trans Button while turning its
Bite Knob.
Delay: Use this knob to adjust the rate of the delay effect. Its
range is 0.1 ms to 742.9 ms.
Feedback: Use this knob to adjust how much of the effect's
signal is routed back into the effect again.

19

Settings Page

The Settings Page lets you configure your EWI5000 to your preference. The settings you can
edit are identical to those of your EWI5000's Setup Mode (which you can access by pressing
and holding its Setup Button).
The following sections describe each tab of the Settings Page.

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Channel / Key Delay

Channel: Click this field, and then select the MIDI channel you want
EWI5000 to send its messages over (1 16).
Key Delay: Use this slider to set how responsive EWI5000's note keys
are to your touch (0 20). Depending on your playing style, a too-high
or too-low setting may cause you to produce occasional, unexpected
sounds. Adjusting this value can help you play more smoothly.
At lower values, EWI5000 will be more responsive, allowing you to play
multiple notes in quick succession. We recommend lower values in
general as it makes it easier to play faster phrases and "runs."
At higher values, EWI5000 will ignore rapid changes in note fingerings.
We recommend higher values for beginning players to prevent
unintentional note changes.
Auto-Tune Button Sensitivity: Click this button to calibrate the
sensitivity of EWI5000's note keys. In the window that appears, click
OK to continue (after making sure you are not touching any of
EWI5000's note keys!), or click Cancel to cancel the operation.

21

Fingering
The EWI5000's different fingering modes
accommodate different styles of playing.
Click a checkbox to select the finginering
mode you want.

EWI

This is the standard fingering for the EWI5000, based on the fingering of
conventional woodwind instruments.

Saxophone

This fingering resembles that of a standard saxophone. In this mode, the EWI
will ignore fingers that are two notes below the highest note.

Flute

This fingering resembles that of a standard C flute, although flutists will have
to familiarize themselves with a couple new fingerings to properly adapt their
performance to the EWI5000.

Oboe

This fingering resembles that of a standard oboe.

EVI

EVI stands for electric valve instrument. This fingering may be useful to
players who wish to use fingerings closer to those of a brass instrument.

EVI Reversed This fingering most closely resembles the movement of the left wrist on an
actual EVI (recommended mostly for experienced EVI players). The octave
rollers are reversed in this fingering mode.

22

Hold
When you press EWI5000's Hold Button,
the EWI5000 will enter or exit Hold Mode,
which allows you to play and hold a note
and then play another note or melody line
over that held note. Use the Hold tab to
determine how EWI5000's Hold Mode
works.

Off: Select this checkbox to disable the Hold Button.

Legato: Select this checkbox if you want be able to activate Hold Mode by pressing the Hold
Button at any time. The first note you play after pressing the Hold Button will be held out even
as you play different notes after that. Starting a new phrase will result in a new held note.
Select the Latch checkbox if you want the Hold Button to be a toggle button (each press
activates or deactivates Hold Mode), or deselect it if you want it to be momentary (pressing
and holding it activates Hold Mode, and releasing it deactivates it).
Non-Legato: Select this checkbox if you want be able to activate Hold Mode by pressing and
holding the Hold Button after playing a note. The last note you played before pressing the
Hold Button will be held out even as you play different notes after that. Release the held note
by releasing the Hold Button.
Select Latch if you want the Hold Button to be a toggle button (each press activates or
deactivates Hold Mode), or deselect it if you want it to be momentary (pressing and holding it
activates Hold Mode, and releasing it deactivates it).

23

Program Change Up: Select this checkbox to set the Hold Button to select the next-highest
Program when you press it.
CC (Continuous Controller): Select this checkbox to set Hold Button to transmit MIDI
Continuous Controller (CC) data:

CC Number: Use this slider to set the CC number the Hold Button will send.

Release: Use this slider to set the CC value the Hold Button will send when you release it
(depending on whether or not Latch is selected below).

Press: Use this slider to set the CC value the Hold Button will send when you press it
(depending on whether or not Latch is selected below).

Latch: Select the Latch checkbox if you want the Hold Button to be a toggle button
(each press alternates between sending a Press CC value and sending a Release CC
value), or deselect it if you want it to be momentary (pressing and holding it sends a
Press CC value, and releasing it sends a Release CC value).

24

Interval
When you press EWI5000's Interval
Button, the EWI5000 will enter or exit
Interval Mode, which allows you to play
a second note at a specified interval
from the note you are currently playing.
Use the Interval tab to determine how
EWI5000's Interval Mode works.

Off: Select this checkbox to disable the Interval Button.

Fixed: Select this checkbox to use a single fixed interval, and use the slider to set the interval.
Its range is -12 semitones to +12 semitones.
Real Time: Select this checkbox to enable you to determine the interval by playing two notes
after you press the Interval Button. The interval between those two notes will become the
interval.
Program Change Down: Select this checkbox to set the Interval Button to select the nextlowest Program when you press it.

25

CC (Continuous Controller): Select this checkbox to set Interval Button to transmit MIDI
Continuous Controller (CC) data:

CC Number: Use this slider to set the CC number the Interval Button will send when you
press it.

Release: Use this slider to set the CC value the Interval Button will send when you
release it (depending on whether or not Latch is selected below).

Press: Use this slider to set the CC value the Interval Button will send when you press it
(depending on whether or not Latch is selected below).

Latch: Select the Latch checkbox if you want the Interval Button to be a toggle button
(each press alternates between sending a Press CC value and sending a Release CC
value), or deselect it if you want it to be momentary (pressing and holding it sends a
Press CC value, and releasing it sends a Release CC value).

26

Glide

While playing a note, moving your thumb across the octave rollers (without rolling them) while
touching the glide plate on their right side to create a "glide" effect. This will smoothly and
continuously slide the pitch up or downa technique known as portamento. Use the Glide tab
to determine how the glide plate works.
Legato Time: Enable this to control legato time on an external synth module (i.e., using
EWI5000 in Controller Mode).

Release: Use this slider to set the CC value the glide plate will send when you are barely
touching it.

Press: Use this slider to set the CC value the glide plate will send when you are touching
it fully.

27

Portamento: You can set the glide plate to use portamento to move between notes for greater
expressiveness in your performance.

Release: Use this slider to set the CC value the glide plate will send when you are barely
touching it.

Press: Use this slider to set the CC value the glide plate will send when you are touching
it fully.

Pedal Switch (CC65): Select this checkbox to set the glide plate to send CC #65
(Portamento On/Off). Some modules may need this message to enable or disable
portamento, though the EWI5000 and most modules do not need this.

CC (Continuous Controller): You can set the glide plate to transmit other MIDI Continuous
Controller (CC) data.

CC Number: Use this slider to set the CC number the glide plate will send.

Release: Use this slider to set the CC value the glide plate will send when you are barely
touching it.

Press: Use this slider to set the CC value the glide plate will send when you are touching
it fully.

28

Pitch Up and Pitch Down

While playing a note, touching your thumb
to the Pitch-Bend Up or Pitch-Bend Down
plate shifts the note's pitch up or down.
Use the Pitch Up and Pitch Down tabs to
determine how EWI5000's Pitch-Bend Up
and Pitch-Bend Down plates work. Each
page has identical available parameters.

Sensitivity: Use this slider to set the sensitivity of the Pitch-Bend plate.
CC (Continuous Controller): You can set the Pitch-Bend plate to send a MIDI CC message.

CC Number: Use this slider to set the CC number the Pitch-Bend plate will send when
you touch it.

Release: Use this slider to set the CC value the Pitch-Bend plate will send when you stop
touching it.

Press: Use this slider to set the CC value the Pitch-Bend plate will send when you touch
it.

29

Breath

Use the Breath tab to determine how EWI5000's breath sensor works.
Important: The Low Resolution and High Resolution options for the Breath, Volume, and
Expression settings here affect the EWI5000's MIDI output only (over its USB Port and MIDI
Out). These settings do not affect how EWI5000 sends these messages to its internal synth.
Breath:
Off: Select this checkbox to disable the breath sensor from sending breath messages.
Low Resolution: Select this checkbox to let the breath sensor send breath messages at
a low resolution (one CC message).
High Resolution: Select this checkbox to let the breath sensor send breath messages at
a high resolution (two CC messages).
Volume:
Off: Select this checkbox to disable the breath sensor from sending volume messages.
Low Resolution: Select this checkbox to let the breath sensor send volume messages at
a low resolution (one CC message).
High Resolution: Select this checkbox to let the breath sensor send volume messages at
a high resolution (two CC messages).
30

Expression:

Off: Select this checkbox to disable the breath sensor from sending expression
messages.

Low Resolution: Select this checkbox to let the breath sensor send expression
messages at a low resolution (one CC message).

High Resolution: Select this checkbox to let the breath sensor send expression
messages at a high resolution (two CC messages).

Aftertouch: Select this checkbox to let the breath sensor send aftertouch (also known as
channel pressure) messages.
Lock Velocity: Select this checkbox to set the breath sensor to send a fixed initial velocity
value. Use the slider to set the value (0 127).
Constant Output: Select this checkbox to set the breath sensor to send a fixed velocity value
for as long as a note is held, regardless of how your breath's force changes during the note.
Use the slider to set the value (0 127).
CC Send: You can set the breath sensor to send a MIDI CC message.

CC Number: Use this slider to set the CC number the breath sensor will send.

No Breath: Use this slider to set the CC value the breath sensor will send when you stop
blowing into the mouthpiece.

Breath: Use this slider to set the maximum CC value it will send when you blow into the
mouthpiece.

31

Bite
Use the Bite tab to determine how
EWI5000's bite sensor works.

Filter: Select this checkbox if you want the bite sensor to function like that of the Akai
Professional EWI4000. When the checkbox is deselected, the bite sensor causes the note's
pitch to bend linearly, proportional to the force of your bite.
Pitch Bend Range: Select this checkbox to allow the bite sensor to bend the pitch of the note
being played (similar to how biting down on a reed while playing a reed instrument affects its
pitch). Use the slider to set the value (-63 to +63 semitones).
Breath Range: Select this checkbox to set the bite sensor to affect the breath information.
Use the slider to set the value (-99 to +99 semitones).
CC Send: You can set the bite sensor to send a MIDI CC message.

CC Number: Use this slider to set the CC number the bite sensor will send.

Bite Min: Use this slider to set the lowest CC value the bite sensor will send.

Bite Max: Use this slider to set the highest CC value the bite sensor will send.
32

Firmware Update
On all tabs, your EWI5000's firmware version is
shown in the lower-right corner of the window.
Click the Update button to send a firmware update
file (if you have downloaded one) to the EWI5000.
Visit akaipro.com/ewi5000 to check for available
EWI5000 firmware updates.

33

Trademarks and Licenses

Akai Professional is a trademark of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other
countries.
Mac and OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other
countries.
All other product or company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.

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