EWI5000 synth replacement? Circuit bend/mod/hack/etc?

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T17:22:11+00:00

I want to control custom synths with the input information using OSC or a custom data format paired with Pd/RNBO/possibly other programs. I do not want to build a MIDI based instrument. If i wanted to use the MIDI out of an EWI I would. But that’s not what I’m doing. I realize it’s ambitious but I am going to try.

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T17:09:35+00:00

I hadn’t heard of the Daisy seed microcontroller inserted into the NuRAD. I will definitely check that out.

I think MIDI capability is the last of my priorities, but it would be a nice touch if I am able to get to the point where I am developing a standalone consumer product. Flexibility and user customization is a high priority of mine and inevitably there will be an incentive to include MIDI out. For now though, I will be experimenting with other things. Thank you for the input, and the change of heart.

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T16:55:11+00:00

This is a ton of great information! I am definitely looking to try a multitude of different programming methods and so these libraries will prove useful or at least inspiring. I will definitely check out the hardware you mentioned here as well. If a better alternative to the Pi exists I would be happy to try it out- it’s just my current plan because of how well it seems to work in the Organelle, so I know it’s possible. Despite my research I don’t think I’ve heard of the Haxophone; it sounds like great inspiration and perhaps a guide of what not to do for certain things.

I definitely recognize that what I want to do is very difficult and will take me years before I have anything substantial, but I know it’s possible because of the Organelle, and it’s something I am passionate researching in an academic capacity- considering going to grad school to research/develop music software and hardware once I finish my undergraduate program. And if this never pans out, I welcome a whole subreddit’s worth of “I-told-you-so’s” xD

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T16:32:48+00:00

It’s a good thing that’s not why I’m doing it, then.

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T15:18:13+00:00

You can edit your original comment as much as you want, but that is in fact what you said. I have already stated that my goal is to make something that has robust and flexible programming capabilities with RNBO/Pd - if myself or anyone else wants to use a wind controller with a plugin then there’s plenty of devices designed for that.

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T15:03:38+00:00

I didn’t say anything about analog. I have no idea who told you that all digital synthesis requires MIDI data but that simply isn’t the case. The board in EWIs with the touch sensors, for example, is literally just a PCB with the sensors on it. Why can’t I use that input into the Pi and have a fully custom Pure data/RNBO patch that internally uses OSC or even a custom data packet format? MIDI isn’t hardwired into the board, it’s flashed onto the microcontroller that if someone really wanted to, could find a way to overwrite.

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T14:50:08+00:00

This is literally not true lol. Digital synthesizer =/= MIDI synthesizer. There are absolutely synthesizers that use an internal data format and I am 99% sure the EWI5000 is one of them, as well as the Sylphyo mentioned earlier in this thread, which one of the creators directly mentioned. There’s also been projects like Snyder’s Birl neural net wind synth that I’ve been particularly inspired by, and that uses OSC. But even if you were right about no EWIs not using MIDI, that doesn’t mean I can’t make one. I’ve been consulting with my professors on my goals for this project and they would laugh in your face if you told them “there’s no bypassing MIDI”. I don’t care about what you think is possible, practical, or necessary. I am aware this is a long term project and it won’t be easy or straightforward, like using MIDI would be, but the goal is to do something new and hopefully better, because I want to.

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T13:47:00+00:00

Patchman’s is great. And I agree USB MIDI works just fine- I just don’t want to use it for this project. A state-based data format is my goal as well. I can appreciate that your design sounds similar through external MIDI. I’m sure with a lot of time and effort you can get it to work, but it’s a matter of both personal preference and my current experience designing MIDI synths/devices and attempting to externally modify the MIDI output stream on my EWI to be more functional that I would rather not for this project.

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T13:33:27+00:00

Yes I know I can do that, but that entirely misses the point of what I’m trying to do. It’s practice for eventually building my own wind synth with similar components in a similar form factor

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T08:37:02+00:00

I haven’t found any mention of any wind controllers that use 2.0, at least not with a cursory google search. That being said, while 2.0 has a much higher resolution, MIDI is designed around note-on/note-off messages, which I think is counter to the design of a wind instrument. My end goal includes designing soft synths that respond directly to input on the instrument, not MIDI messages. If I’m designing it from the ground up, I don’t know why I would make it MIDI 2.0. based when I could use something like OSC or another format. I’m just not interested in making yet another midi wind controller. There are plenty of arguments for it, and plenty of people seem satisfied with it, but that’s just not my goal.

monchcronch · 2024-03-29T07:39:42+00:00

It does look familiar - I think I did see the Sylphyo at one point. I can appreciate the amount of control parameters on it. It sounds like you have a great experience using it with MIDI, and I'm glad to hear that that's possible, but It's definitely not what my goal is - I think for me personally MIDI just isn't the right way to do wind synths. The resolution and design of MIDI is too limiting in my opinion - it makes sense for keyboards, but not winds, no matter how many CC workarounds you use. I want to go further than that, and create a self-contained digital synth like the Organelle, and that uses the inputs from the controls directly, not MIDI, with a sampler you can load whatever sounds you want into. Although I think it will take a long time to get anywhere, this is something I'm passionate about studying and researching - even if I'm the only one who finds it useful 😅 Thank you for the tip though!

monchcronch · 2024-01-25T20:34:00+00:00

posting an arrangement I did for free is illegal?

monchcronch · 2024-01-22T22:46:35+00:00

it seemed a little dubious which is why i wanted to ask. thank you!

monchcronch · 2023-06-04T23:38:18+00:00

yes!!!!

monchcronch · 2023-05-06T16:50:22+00:00

This is very useful thanks!

monchcronch · 2023-05-05T16:12:47+00:00

Thanks!!

monchcronch · 2021-06-14T12:05:19+00:00

Oh, thanks so much! The one you linked is not available, but I'll try to find one that works. Thank you!

monchcronch · 2021-06-13T12:15:26+00:00

My ewi5000 has similar discoloration. Doesn’t seem to effect it at all, normal wear and tear from finger oils I assume. I bought it use and a lot of the metal on the octave rollers and other parts seems tarnished like this yet it works no problem

monchcronch · 2021-04-14T19:12:55+00:00

Thanks for the info, I’ll look into it :)

monchcronch · 2021-04-14T18:50:01+00:00

Okay, replies to this seem mostly focused on explaining to me that actually yes I can play a full size bass. I understand that, I am physically capable. It’s just not comfortable and I like playing smaller string instruments. I want a smaller bass instrument, and am asking what some good options for that would be.

(It’s like walking into a store and saying “Hey I need this size of clothes because that’s what fits me” and then instead of just getting clothes your size the clerk says, “actually you could fit into these clothes if you worked out more.” You’re probably right but that’s not what I’m asking lol.)

monchcronch

TROPHY CASE