Collection: Electric Wind Instruments

Electric Wind Instruments: What to Know

Electric wind instruments translate breath control and fingering into MIDI data or internal synthesis. You get the physical feel of playing a wind instrument, embouchure, breath pressure, articulation, but with access to any sound you can imagine. Saxophone players, flute players, and clarinet players use these to perform with synth patches, orchestral samples, or custom soundscapes without switching to keys. They're common in electronic music production, live looping setups, and anywhere a wind player needs to control synthesizers or software instruments directly. The learning curve depends on your background: if you already play a wind instrument, you'll adapt quickly to the fingering systems.

What to Look For

Fingering system matters first. Some models use saxophone fingering, others use recorder or EWI-specific layouts. If you're coming from acoustic sax or clarinet, match the fingering to what you already know. MIDI implementation is critical: look for polyphonic aftertouch, breath CC mapping, and low latency over USB or 5-pin MIDI. Internal sounds vary widely, some units have basic presets, others include full synthesis engines with effects. If you plan to use external software or hardware synths, prioritize MIDI flexibility over onboard sounds. Build quality affects playability: check for responsive keys, adjustable bite sensor sensitivity, and a mouthpiece that feels natural. Battery power is useful for mobile setups. Wireless MIDI support lets you move freely on stage without cables.

Top Brands

Akai makes the EWI series, known for versatile MIDI control and onboard synthesis. Ashun Sound Machines offers the Hydrasynth Explorer EWI, combining wind control with their wavetable engine.

Shop Electric Wind Instruments at Blackout Audio

Electric wind instruments open up synthesis and sampling to players who think in breath and fingering, not keys and knobs. Pair one with a desktop synth, a laptop running soft synths, or a looper for real-time layering. These tools let you bring wind technique into any electronic music context without compromise. Browse our selection online, and reach out if you have questions about MIDI mapping or compatibility with your existing setup. Free shipping on orders over $199 across Canada.