Roland Aerophone AE-20 The review
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- Опубліковано 13 лип 2024
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Chapters.
0:00 Intro
1:00 Physical details
2:00 Fingering options
3:00 Performance controls
5:15 The Screen
6:00 Connections, Batteries, Speakers
8:28 The case and accessories
9:00 Breath and bite sensors
10:55 Keywork
12:35 Sound engines
15:26 Roland Cloud - Sound libraries
17:51 Editor/Librarian app
19:05 Lesson app
21:41 Is this the one for you?
Further details on the Roland AE-20
The Roland Aerophone AE-20 main page
www.roland.com/uk/products/ae...
The Roland AE-20 documentation page
www.roland.com/uk/products/ae...
Alistair, as always a well considered thoughtful review and a pleasure to watch. I did go for the AE-30 and do not have any regrets at the moment. So much to learn however, so I will be watching your informative videos very closely, now for the 10th time !!! Anyways, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the enormous effort you have put into these workshops.
You are very welcome.
Grazie mille x i consigli. Volevo sapere più approfondire a editare un suono e salvalo nello strumento, quando lo strumento va in tilt come è successo a me praticante nn sono riuscito a resettare lo strumento anche togliendo le batterie. Volevo sapere se esiste un modo di stoccaggio. Grazie
Best overview ever. Thanks so much 👍 great Chanel and you invested a lot of work in it.
Thank you for the in-depth and clear review. The decision is made.
Thanks for this Two videos, that’s helps me to decide! I just bought it!! Thank you again! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Thanks
Excellent video! I'm a lifelong piano player that dabbled with a tenor for a bit. I think I can play one of these kinda quickly to play on my Saturday night gig! Thanks for great info!
I bought the mini last month as a beginner and am enjoying it so much that I think I will upgrade to the 20. I should have gone straight to this. Your videos are great, thank you
Many thanks.
Thank you. Your videos are very helpful. I've pulled the trigger on one of these to be able to play in my flat without annoying my neighbours. My Yanagisawa alto rarely gets taken out because I worry so much about bugging my neighbours, and if you don't play sax every day ... you don't play sax. Looking forward to getting back in the groove on the AE-20.
Thanks for helping me decide ❤ I'm completely novice in wind instruments and this type of instrument makes me exited to start with as synths lover
Thanks so much for your review…very helpful and truly informative.
Thank you 😊
Thanks for this video. I had already decided to get an AE-20, but it is good to get support for the decision.
I hope you enjoy it.
La ringrazio per le sue spiegazioni, anche sulle differenze tra i vari aerophon, ho acquistato un aerophon ae 20 sono rimasta colpita dai suoni , sono una polistrumentista , le sue recensioni mi hanno aiutato a scegliere l' aerophone giusto per me .
I just got my AE 20 open box and I'm impressed. I had an old synth that I refused to play because the fingerings were so foreign. I'm looking forward to putting hours on this!
Very good review, many thanks!
Thanks for this very useful video. I’ve have an ewi5000 and only really use the pop brass in octaves that sounds great, but sometimes when playing live it occasionally changes pitch or produces a kind of initialised sound. Never sorted that bug. I have a Fantom synth and use the Roland Cloud, so I think this AE20 is a no brainer. Will probably get some use out of lots of other sounds inc blues harp, flute and trumpet etc.😊
Great video as usual Alistair.
Many thanks.
Thanks for all your reviews. You are a great teacher and your knowledge is perfect. I am hopefully going to the 20 because the pro is just too pricey. Cheers from Canada
I hope you enjoy it.
A wonderful demo. I play the aerophone pro. Thanks Alistair for the review
Thanks 🙏
Alistair, thanks for sharing! I have already got Roland Aerophone Go for years. It’s right time to try Aerophone 20 in consideration of its function and pricing level.
Good choice!
Looking forward to your direct comparison between the AE20 and the AE30. Thanks as always for your wonderful videos.
Thanks for watching.
Nice! Looking forward to your comparison with both the Pro and the 10. 😎👍🏼
You and me both!
Thank you for presenting this very informative video. I am currently playing an AE-10. Subsequent to watching your recent Zenology videos (many times), I tried the free version of Camelot, was impressed and then purchased Camelot Pro for my PC. By the way, I did credit you for introducing me to Camelot when I contacted Audio Modelling during my purchase. They had some very kind words to say about you. I added a Roland Cloud subscription to feed those many sounds into my set list in Camelot. I am very much on the learning curve of setting up the AE-10 and tweaking Zenology Pro parameters to get the expression that I want from each sound. The Midi bite control is giving me some problems at the moment. Hopefully by the time that the AE-20 is available to purchase, I will have determined if I can properly configure the software to be reliable when performing live, or whether a hardware solution (AE-20) will be the best choice. Thanks again for the guidance in getting the best from these wonderful instruments.
Thanks very much for watching and I’m glad to see you enjoyed the Zenology Pro videos.
I've had the aerophone 05 for 2 days and am already wanting to upgrade to the areophone 20. I didn't realize how much I would love to play it and how much potential it has to use in performances. thanks for all your expertise and sharing your knowledge.
You are very welcome.
So pleased you’ve got the bug.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful and detailed presentation. It makes me feel much more comfortable with my purchase yesterday of a new AE-20. I bought it sight unseen, after a more than 50 year layoff from sax and oboe. Sadly, I'll have to wait for another month or so to get it. Like all other consumer electronic products using ARM chips at their core supply-chain issues are causing major delays.
In the meantime I'll have to settle for this and other tidbits on the Internet that I think of collectively as "AeroPorn". Once I've had mine for a bit I'll check back in with my experience as an old wind player returning to the fold after a a five decade hiatus.
I would like to see something about using it for production in conjunction with a DAW.
Lol AEROPORN
Thank you Alistair. I like the price of the 20 but I still love my 30. I use the thumb pad and the motion control more than I thought I would. You do a great job with these videos. Keep them coming please!!!
Many thanks Gino.
Yep, I couldn't live without the thumb pad or motion sensors - so great for controlling external analogue synths!
@@unclemick-synths Hi Mick, I am thinking of buying a ae-20 mainly for its affordability. Can I get round it not having a thumb pad. I am mostly interested in Acoustic Modelling with SWAM and Kontakt.
@@NicholasSladenDew you likely won't miss it in that use. I greatly prefer synthetic sounds so I use the thumb pad and motion sensors to change the sound during the performance. On the rare occasions I play the natural sounds I don't use the thumb pad because it's for things like the "growl" effect which doesn't float my boat. Check out Alistair's AE-30 videos but I don't think you'd need the thumb pad enough to justify the extra cost.
@@unclemick-synths Thank you so much for taking the time to write your helpful response to my question.
Excellent video. Very informative on the ae20. Unfortunately I’ve programmed my ae10 to suit all of my professional needs. But the thing that will influence me to buy the ae20 is the Bluetooth feature.
It’s a shame there’s no way to convert the AE-10 sounds and settings over to the AE-20. However I found the transition very easy and along the way you would get a huge new library of better sounds and control.
Very good this video.
Great review, thanks a lot
You are very welcome. 🙏
I thought it was only the pro that could upload new sounds. Glad to hear can do on the AE20.
Va thalaiva i was waiting for you after the release of this instrument
Thanks 🙏
Thank you very much for your instructive pleasant video. Convinced. This week i expect my aerophone ae 20. I'm a saxophone player for many years. But my ears can not stand the loud noise of my saxophones enymore. So expect/hope with this instrument en a small amplifier i stil can make music. Thanks.
Really appreciate your coverage of these instruments. I have been playing wind synths since I took a prototype akai ewi to Dave Sanborn for him to give it a try when I worked for Akai. I switched to Roland with the Ae 30 because I felt that Roland was putting more research into wind synth performance capabilities than akai seemed to be. I have thoroughly enjoyed the switch, though for the life of me I can’t understand who they listened to when they were designing the physical key function, the noise is horrible, especially coming from an akai, lol. I am glad to hear that they are listening to their customer base and addressing the mechanical noise issue. As to those who wish to blather on about saxophones having key noise. I have played over 50 years on sax, clarinet and flute and I have really good repair folks who can keep those noises to an absolute minimum. Classical playing on any acoustic instrument does not promote finger technique that includes key noise as a positive unless it is for current avant-garde and contemporary performance techniques that call for it on purpose. Excellent review and thanks again for providing a great knowledge base for those of us who love these instruments.
Thanks for watching. Interesting to read your story and glad you are enjoying the Aerophone.
@@isax.academy looks like I left off a rather important word regarding classical playing technique .. the word “ not” as pertains to promoting good finger technique and key noise, lol. Majored in music, probably should have paid more attention to my english classes😏
@@sibelinof I had a bad habit of slapping the keys on my sax so the key noise reminds me to be more precise with my fingers! Seriously though I don't find the key noise that bad. Even if the keys were silent I still couldn't practice with headphones on in the same room as my wife due to the annoying sound of huffing and puffing! 😀
Great review. I love my Ae10 - and this looks even better. Be a while till I can afford to splash out on a new toy though.
Thanks 🙏
Thanks Alistair!
Thanks Phil.
Many thanks for your well-produced videos. They are SO helpful and because of these I bought the Aerophone Mini a few years ago but am thinking of upgrading to the AE20. One question though which I couldn't find in the manual, are you able to edit the keys as with the Mini?
This is really useful for difficult keys (although some would say cheating!).
Thanks again.
Yes indeed. 😀
That harmonica patch is pretty amazing, sounds like Stevie :)
For those interested, AE20 has just been stocked in various shops ! I am between AE30 and AE20. Price is not the problem here. Looking for something that will keep me excited. I will probably wait for more Alistair Parnell Videos.
Have you found online shops with the item stocked available for immediate shipping? I haven't seen anything aside from Sweetwater and Kraft Music, but they've had preorder links up since this product was announced. BTW, I'm in the US.
Thanks for watching. Hopefully my latest video has helped you.
I read some mixed reviews on the key spacing layout on this on. So picked up the AE-10R and am liking it so far. I used to have an AE-05 which I didn’t like as much, and the sounds on that both internal and the app weren’t very good.
Everyone is used to slightly different key layout. It just takes a few days to get used to it like anything.
Another very informative tutorial, thank you Alistair; I can't wait for my '20' to arrive. However, I think it a little disappointing to hear Roland are dropping the '10' as, for me, it still sits easily in their overall DWI range. As it has been out for a fair while now, and 'assuming' Roland have recouped their R&D costs, perhaps they could drop the cost a bit to maintain it's sales? After all from the '05' at around £450 up to the '20' around £860 that is a huge leap in most people's pockets. As you said the '05' will suit those recreational players but there is then no choice for players who want to progress (or are simply 'better' to begin with) without, almost, doubling their cost. But, hey, who am I to question a mega-successful company like Roland?!!!
I think the AE-10 will probably be available for some time yet. Its just I suspect they won't manufacture any more. At the rate they are going theres bound to be more models to come.
This is my list of the best VST for wind controller,,, Reveal Spire, Xfer Records Serum, U-he Diva, Spectrasonics Omnisphere, Arturia Pigments 3, Zebra 2 U-HE, Massive X Native Instruments, NEXUS2 REFX.... .
Thanks for sharing this. I guess it all very much depends on what sort of music you’re into.
hello Alistair very informative video… after 25 years playing saxophone I had a heart attack in 2013 that prevented me from continuing to play professionally, I just returned the ewi5000 because I did not like it I am waiting to buy this instrument that I will use in my studio as a tool until to compose electronic music I bought my first wind controller in 1987 the Yamaha wx7 greetings from Italy….
I hope you really enjoy it.
Thank you for the excellent review! Have you heard any opinions from flute players using this instrument. I'm wondering if the flute fingering setting is really the same as an actual flute. Also, how comfortable does it feel to play? Does it feel awkward for a flute player?
Hey Alistair, another great video/tutorial, as usual. Wondering if the 20 has more of the fantom sounds then the 30? Thanks much
I don’t think so, although ZEN-Core sounds can be added of course.
The other thing to remember is the AE-10 at launch only had 40 sounds and ended up with way more than that.
Alistair, thank you for such a comprehensive review of this instrument. As a sax player I've been researching 'electronic' alternatives to help me practice quietly and having watched this review several times, I have ruled out the Yamaha YDS-150 as I feel this instrument offers so much more versatility. I'd love to know the tune you play at 5:38? Best wishes!
Thanks for another great review, Alistair - it covers all the essentials very clearly.
I have an ae10 which I like and wonder if it's worth upgrading to the ae20. I understand that while the ae10 and ae20 use different sound generators for synthesized sounds, they both use supernatural for acoustic sounds. Does that mean sax, trumpet, violin, etc. will sound the same on ae10 and ae20?
Good question. The issue here is that sounds of acoustic instruments is a subjective thing. In my opinion they sound a little better on the AE-20 and perhaps equally important ‘feel’ better. That make me play them better.
Great video Alistair and sounds like something I definitely want to try. Wondering if I can set the octave key to only do two octaves rather than all of them. I tried the AE-10 once and returned it because of the problem with accidently going to upper or lower octaves and finding it hard to control that. Is this possible to modify with the AE-20?
Thanks
Yes indeed and it is also possible on the AE-10.
Excellent video! Please do compare the AE-10 as well if you don’t mind ☺️!
Sorry. The video got too long to include the AE-10.
@@isax.academy no worries at all! I appreciate all the videos you’ve done for us.
Hi again... I love your solo and the sound of your backing tracks.... by the way, where did you find the backing tracks?
I make most of my own backing tracks
I have an AE-10 Aerophone. My main instrument is the saxophone. How different are the fingerings on the AE-20 from the regular saxophone ?
Thanks for the review, this is one of the few that's actually even mentioned the breath sensor and bite sensor. Is this capable of doing MIDI over bluetooth? Or is it limited to audio only over BT?
MIDI over Bluetooth is possible and works quite well although some players will prefer USB for the extra speed.
You can’t SEND audio over Bluetooth from the Aerophone to a speaker or PA. The latency gets unplayable.
Hi Alistair! Thank's for you tuto, very useful and well done. I got a AE-30 and I wonder if there is enough difference with the AE-20 and if it is worth buying it.
Hi. See the video I uploaded today
Very insightful review. One question, does this come with a spit cup similar to Aerophone Pro?
Thanks for watching. Yes it does come with the water basin as Roland call it. 😊
Great video. I use UA-cam for backing tracks/reading music. I assume it works well with reading and listening to that while playing - but is it possible to play this while live streaming to something like youtube, tiktok etc while playing/watching backing track please? (I'm wondering if I would need a mixer/interface)?
I think it's possible. You could connect something like an iPhone via Bluetooth audio to send the backing track from UA-cam to the Aerophone. Then the output from the Aerophone would play the backing track and your playing via the audio out.
cannot decided betweeen Ae-20 or Ae-30 :D they are pretty close. I do have the Ae-5 and wish to upgrade at some point.
Thanks for the video. Very informative. How would you describe the Aerophone compared to the YDS 150? I really like that the Aerophone has a bite sensor and more on the back. So you can also add more variation to the instrument. The YDS is very synthie and mechanic. Of course this can also just be me, being an absolute beginner! :D
Hi there. They are very different instruments. The lack of bite sensor on the Yamaha for me, puts it into a different category. The Roland is a fully fledged wind synth the Yamaha is more of a practice tool just for sax fingering.
Thanks Alistair, Great teaching.
Are all the sounds in the video internal to the ae-20?
Yes. All the lead sounds are directly from the AE-20 straight onto the video. No processing. Sorry, I should have made that clear. I always forget something.
@@isax.academy thanks, i finally bought ae20, i wait for it to arrive. I'm in love with the sound you used for Steps Ahead's song "in a Sentimental Mood". could you say how i can do it? you played on a backing track, where can I find it? thank you
Thank you for the video. What is the instrument scene you used at time 21:11?
Not totally sure. It could be Sentimental Lead or CR hard lead. Problem is I tend to tweak the presets to my own taste.
Alistair when you do your comparison video between the AE10, 20, and 30 would you touch on the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of the octave buttons? I love my AE10 a lot, but the octave buttons continue to be a bit of a challenge navigating. Thank you kindly.
Yes this is often raised. The octave keys on AE-30 and AE-20 are better in my opinion. They are still going to take practice and are always going to be one of the difficult parts of technique for anyone learning a wind synth. I have various ways I get round them. Sometimes customised fingering, sometimes just down to thumb placement.
Just got the AE20 like it a lot. I have a question about the flute sound. It is pitched an octave above and I wonder why that is and how can I change this and not keep having to change it every time I turn on the instrument.
In the menu there is a setting for changing the octave of the current scene.
Set it how you want and then save it to a User Scene. Then whenever you select that User Scene the pitch will be where you saved it.
It’s actually best have all your most used sounds saved as User Scenes and select those as you play rather than use the Preset Scenes. Think of the presets as a starting place.
It appears that the strap hook on the back of the AE-20 is very close to the control buttons that are located on either side of it. Does this interfere with operating the buttons when the neck strap is hooked on?
I guess this will ultimately depend on the strap you use but I’ve never had any problem at all with the sling interfering with the buttons.
Hmm. Wonder if Roland is going to come out with ae15 (ie., ae20 with just supernatural sounds and Bluetooth). I live my ae10 but wish it had Bluetooth.
Thank you, for your very informative video, Alistair. I do share your enthusiasm for the Aerophones in some ways. They are ergonomically superior, and very 'open-ended', which appeals to a creative person. However, the instrument invariably sounds like a synthesizer! What if one doesn't like the cold, disembodied, outer space sound of a synthesizer? The Aerophone may have sax fingering, but totally lacks the warmth and full-bodied sonority of the sax. I wonder if this is an inherent technical limitation due to lack of computing power, or whether it reflects the taste the Roland engineers. Does anybody experiment with creating natural sounds more close the human voice or an acoustic instrument?
Hi. Thanks for your comment. My own feeling is that the aim of these instruments absolutely should be to create new sounds. I personally very much enjoy the expressive qualities and endless possibilities of the synth sounds. I have played the saxophone for more than 40 years and would not expect an electronic instrument to totally mimic that instrument and in a way I’d rather it didn’t. A pianist who plays the acoustic piano would use a synth to create new sounds, not to replace their Steinway grand.
Specifically looking at the saxophone I think the biggest issue is, what does a saxophone sound like? It’s well known that the acoustic saxophone responds to the player’s oral cavity as well as articulation, dynamic shape. Then there’s the different mouthpieces, ligatures and reeds. Have a list to John Coltrane then a classical player like Eugene Rousseau. Which sounds would you call the sound of a saxophone? It’s really tricky to please everyone when it comes to the sound of the saxophone and trying to recreate all of that electronically is impossible at present.
The Aerophone does have a large number of acoustic sounding instrument on board and I use them regularly. Usually in combination with other instruments. I think as things stand we will always be able to tell what’s real and what’s ‘fake’. I think the wider point is its obviously a vey subjective thing and ultimately for me its all about the player and the music and not about the instrument.
Good ! Salam iz Almaty !
Good morning, I would like to know if the Aerophone AE 01 is sensitive when connected by midi, if the mediated sound comes out with the same dynamic sensitivity as the direct one? Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I'm not 100% sure I understand your question, but if you are asking does the MIDI out send breath?dynamic information then yes it does
@@isax.academy E ao enviar o som produzido no note, ou modulo de som, sai com a mesma dinamica de respiração feita no instrumento, certo?
thanx for the video 🙂
how dos the Aerophone handle intonation?
Is the pitch always in tune when playing a note or can/must the intonation be controlled by the player?
For better ear training and developing my inner hearing would prefer to be able control the intonation by myself without any help of the insttument.
Is that possible with the aerophone?
Hi. Yes that’s possible, and it’s how I play. You have to set up a ‘centre’ zone effectively with the options in the menu but you can certainly set it to sax mode where you have to be aware of where the centre pitch is.
Thank you 🙂
Are the built in speakers as good or better than the AE 10?
Also are the supernatural sounds on the ae10 to be found on ae20?
Need to know.
Thanks
I’d say the speakers in the AE-20 are a little better but the by far the main difference is the feel and shape of the 20 is way better. That makes a huge difference to anything you play on it.
There are many more super natural sounds. In some cases they are not quite the same as the AE-10 and I have heard some people say they prefer a few on the 10. Having said that those same folks tend to change their minds after having a 20 for a while.
The synth of course is way better in the 20.
Hi Alistair,
Thank you so much for your videos. You are a godsend. I am trying to chose between the ae-20 and the ae-30. I am more interested in the the most realistic sampled sounds of instruments such as those with SWAM and KONTAKT as supposed to synth sounds. Would I lose anything important by going for the less expensive ae-20. I am a fairly new Sax player. Thank you.
I really don’t think so. The AE-20 is a great option for you.
Thanks. I’ll follow your good advice.
Hi Alistair,I have the AE20 and absolutely love it but I'm going crazy trying to engage the
"Super Natural" sound say for trumpet,flute,sax etc,etc....can you therefore show me how
too bearing in mind that I'm an ancient pensioner.....Thanks.
Hi. So some sounds are called super natural. They are mostly the orchestral instruments. All you need to do is select say the trumpet and you are playing a super natural sound. No secret. 🤫
Hey Alistair, do you know if the SaxRax Aerophone AE-10 stand would also work with the AE-20.
Thanks,
Alex
Sort of. I’m using it at the moment. You need to put it in keys first or the sling hook gets in the way.
I’m looking at slightly modifying it. If I can lower the bottom bracket slightly and possibly drill out a groove for the sling hook it would be perfect.
@@isax.academy Thanks Alistair for the quick response. I was hoping modifications weren't needed. Any other ideas that would work well with the AE-20?
Love Alistair's videos! Got an AE-20 yesterday. Someone knows what's the sound at 12:18? Sounds amazing...
I’m pretty sure it’s P2-22. Heard it all.
@@isax.academy Thanks so much! If it is Heard it all, it must have been edited. In your video, the sound has an airy quality that I love, but that's not the case on my Aerophone, sadly.
Will your upcoming Advanced Aerophone course cover the Editor app in detail? I'd love to be able to modify the sounds as I have not quite find one that I really like but there's so many options, I wouldn't even know where to start...
I’ve had the AE-10 for about six months and will soon upgrade to the 20. I wonder if there are more optional Tenor Sax sounds than the 10 has. I’d like to tweak the sax to sound as close to real as possible. I realize a real sax has an analog sound which would be difficult to duplicate without live samples in waves. I work with backing tracks so it can’t appear like I’m playing a toy. I’m hoping the 20 is an upgrade in sound. Thank You, I really have enjoyed your videos.
This is always so subjective. For me the SN sounds are better on AE-20 but also ‘feel’ better and respond much better because of improved breath and bite sensors.
I fully agree with Alistair, the bite and breath sensor on the AE-20 makes a big difference with the AE-10, much more precise and sensitive, more easy to set up as well. This is just great to be able to make such adjustments for you needs and that works accordingly.
Is it possible to further reduce volume? Even when the volume is set to 1, the sound level can still be grating when wearing headphones. It can be mitigated by blowing more softly, but was wondering if there is way to further calibrate volume. Please let me know if there is a better place to ask. Thank you!
Hi. Could it be that you are confusing the different volume settings?
I don’t have my Aerophone just now but aren’t there separate controls for headphones out and system volume out?
Which Aerophone are you using?
@@isax.academy Am using the ae-20. Volume knob mode is set to Speaker & Output. When the knob is set to zero there is no sound. When set to one, I still find it a bit loud. A secondary issue is that when piping in backing tracks via blue tooth, I can't balance the synth volume with the backing track volume. For instance, I can further reduce the backing track volume with my external device, but there is nothing I can do with the synth volume apart from increase it.
Do you advice me to wait for the YAMAHA YDS-150 to come out? I am looking for a close feel of a physical saxophone? Nervertheless, this AE-20 looks like same fingerings
Hi I have just bought the AE-30 and I have been playing with it for 1 day, so early response. I have been playing the YDS-150 for a year now. The YDS-150 is good, the Tenor Sax sound is great program 04 however, there is no bite sensor. This is very very frustrating as you can not put expression into your playing. This was the principle reason I went for the AE-30. Tbh I would have settled on the AE-20 but I got a good deal on the AE-30 and it was in the Roland dealer's hand in the UK. There is a lot to learn and my initial preference was for the sax like keys of the Yamaha. However that seems to be no problem at all on this new instrument.
You really need to try them both so you can make an informed decision. For me the Roland is a complete wind synth with so much more control and many more features.
Thank you Alistair so informative video ! Great explanations ! Now I do own an Akai EWI-USB that I used with a DAW using SWAMM Saxophones, which have a great ans true sax sounds. Now I have trouble with the EWI because of the fixed contacts and octave rollers which are way too sensitive. I am interested in great sounds and REAL SAXOPHONE KEY, which I did have for 30 years on a real sax, you know ! Can you elaborate on the difference on the fingering of the two as I wish you wold have been more elaborate, please ! 🎷🎷🎷
Hi. Do you mean the difference between the Akai and Aerophone or Saxophone and Aerophone?
The Aerophone and saxophone fingerings are very similar. Some people find they miss a shortcut fingering here and there but these and be programmed into the Aerophone.
@@isax.academy Thanks so much for your reply ! To put it short, if you are a sax player, which is better/easier to play with ease with: Akai EWI or Aerophone ? I have trouble with the rollers and contact key as I get undesired sounds/notes, not much patience, ans this is getting discouraging.Need advice 🙂!
Hi Don, which DAW are you using with Swam Saxophone?
@@NicholasSladenDew Presently using Garage Band, the sound is very good, used to have Logic Pro but never purchased after MacOS migration... Garage Band, discovers the Audio Units easy, just select and play.
Dear Alistair, once again thank you very much for your report on the AE-20. I’m the lucky owner of a AE-10, but I started to feel a bit restricted with the setting, so I bought a AE-20. This is so much easier to work with this one and the app that belongs to it is great, the ZEN core sounds also are fabulous. BUT : I’m so disappointed about the key noise, that is worse than the AE-10, especially the C D F keys. Do you think that it is on every AE-20 like this or is it possible that mine has a problem and that I should send it back?
That’s strange you only have a problem with certain notes. Have you tried pressing those same keys but just with the index finger? I just wonder if you might be a little heavier on certain keys? I think there is a bit of adjusting from the saxophone feel.
@@isax.academy these 3 keys are definitely more clicking than the others, I normaly play saxophone, maybe I have to adjust the way I press them…But now that I can enjoy it on my home studio, I just put the sound a bit louder and I forget about the key noise!! Thank you for you help, you are very fast on answering.
Can you input notes in to Sibelius with the Aerophone 20?
Yes indeed. See the video I did on the Aerophone GO and notation software. It works the same way.
Never have I seen a shop that would allow testing of an EWI. going back to the YX-7.
Ah, that’s odd. I’ve certainly been in quite a few throughout Europe which would let customers try. The problem is there’s usually nobody on the staff that can accurately advise customers.
Nice Metheny cover!
Thanks Will.
i got one. sometimes the keys get stuck and play incorrect notes
Aeroophone ae 10 playing solid hours daily 15 months.
Going to buy the ae 20.
Is it a big improvement?
Absolutely. 😊
I’ve got some more advanced questions. Firstly, I’m a sax player with a bachelors in music production who also dabbles in synths. I’m weighing between AE-30 and AE-20 because of the MIDI options. Do the internal sounds offer any analog-like synth controls like LFO, resonance, cutoff, envelope, etc? Do the internal FX - namely delay - have an option to receive tempo over MIDI input for beat-matching the delay? If I pair the AE-20 with an iPad and have MIDI pedals controlling some of these parameters similar to a dual oscillator analog synth I’d be much more inclined to save the 30% of the price and buy pedal controls over MIDI. I’m assuming most of this is a no, and I’d need to utilize the MIDI output and let the iPad or DAW (or MIDI connected analog synth) be the synthesis engine while said pedals control that synthesizer instead of the built-in synth.
I’m not sure I understand your question re the iPad and pedal but the answer to everything else is yes. The onboard sound engine is very powerful and the editor app will absolutely give you access to LFO, resonance, cut off etc.
It sounds like you have a bit more research to do. I have covered much of this in my other videos. The stuff I did on Zenology Pro is all available on the internal synth. Plus the internal sound engine can effectively run 4 Zenology Pro sounds at the same time.
You’ll also find all the detail you need by going to the Roland Aerophone support pages and download the manual and parameter guide.
Hope that helps.
@@isax.academy Thank you sir! I was envisioning AE-20 would require Bluetooth MIDI to an iPad/DAW and then maybe wired MIDI pedals to the iPad/DAW controlling either the Aerophone synth, or perhaps MainStage virtual instruments for these parameters. Since the AE-30 has onboard MIDI I/O it seems like it may work better directly with external MIDI controllers so that an intermediate like an iPad or DAW aren’t required to negotiate the I/O.
I use the Aerophone itself to control MainStage. Both for the sounds and even changing patches. I always feel the fewer devices one uses the cleaner the setup. Less chance for problems! Don’t forget the great and bite sensor can be set to send multiple CC messages so I’m not sure you’d need an additional pedal. The Pro and MainStage is exactly the setup I use.
@@isax.academy This is exactly where I’m going to start. I found an incredible deal on an Aerophone Pro that should arrive Wednesday! Thank you so much for your insights. These kinds of exchanges are what keep me faithful that the internet is still useful! LOL. I’m going to dig in to the manual and figure out what CC message options I’ve got from the mouthpiece. I’m also going to dig in on what I can achieve (if anything) with my Korg Prologue 16. It’s capable of some fantastic sounds that I think could be awesome with a wind controller. Thanks again for your engagement.
If the AE-10 were still priced at around $900, then yes it would be hard to see why you wouldn't just spring for the AE-20 at only a hundred dollars more. But now that the AE-10 has come down in price to $700, that changes the picture somewhat. I should also point out the AE-20 (or the the Yamaha YDS-150 for that matter) isn't available on Amazon at the present time, and what with Covid and supply chain issues, it's unclear when you'll actually be able to get your hands on an AE-20.
Looks like the AE-20 is quite widely a available now and is certainly worth the extra over the AE10 in my opinion.
@@isax.academy Thanks for taking the time to reply to my comment. You're probably right that the AE-20 is a good choice for most people thinking about buying an EWI. I have several reasons for sticking to my AE-10, which I'm guessing only apply to a very small percentage of users. With batteries installed, the instrument can be quite heavy and even with a neck strap can be hard to support for long periods of time. It turns out that the AE-10 is exactly the right length for me to support on my knee, thus solving the weight problem.The AE-20 is several inches longer, so that's a deal breaker for me. Also, the main reason I bought the AE-10 was to use it to play orchestral instruments in a community band or orchestra. Many such groups often have a hard time finding peeple to cover instruments such as the bassoon, oboe, and french horn. So the AE-10 allows me to be something of a utility player where I am able fill in for these instruments. And finally, I use my AE-10 as a MIDI controller connected to a iPad which is loaded with Audio Modeling apps. So I don't have a need for many of the features available on the AE-20. I'm guessing that there aren't that many other people out there that fit into my category, but for me, the AE-10 checks all the boxes,
Sorry to bother you, Alistair, but I also need your advice on this one : when I was using my AE-10 with my iPad and the SWAM app, I just put the input on Aerophone default, and it would just work. But with my AE-20 it doesn’t work, what shall I do? The same problem is when trying to use it as an input for my iMac and Logic Pro, no reaction at all….I’d be so gratefull to you if you have a solution to my problem. Many thanks for your great job! Philippe
Firstly. Are you using usb or Bluetooth?
@@isax.academy USB C
For my iMac, I just installed the driver so it should work with my DAW, I’ll check. Many thanks for your help! But with my AE-10 I didn’t need any driver….
@@isax.academy Just to let you know that once I installed the driver on my iMac, my DAW and my SWAM engine are working just perfectly, I’m so happy now, this is so much fun, many thanks for trying to help me! I still cannot make it work with my iPad, but I’m sure I’ll find a solution. Congratulations for your great job.
Glad it’s working.
With the ipad it will only send MIDI. It audio. Also when using the ipad set the USB driver to Generic on the Aerophone. Remember to restart the Aerophone for the settings to change.
Haha. I just sent an email regarding this and the UA-cam gremlins popped your video up! I love how Google watches and leads us along. It’s beyond an invasion of privacy and evil but I’m glad for your video. My question is should I get a Pro or 20? I want to add the sound kits so I can get bassoon and clarinet. I play piano, organ, flute, oboe and have taught,composed, and arranged. What is the difference in options and capabilities between 20 and pro? And I have child size petite ladies hands. Thanks for all your videos!
Hi there.
That’s not a question I can answer for you I’m afraid. It’s a matter of personal preference. What I would say is many folks buy the AE-30 and perhaps don’t really use all the features or know how to use the instrument properly.
This video might help you decide.
Comparing the Roland Aerophone Pro and AE-20
ua-cam.com/video/0DPpDUoiDCw/v-deo.html
After a month and a half with my Aerophone I feel the need to mention my one serious gripe, and a second less serious one.
1) In this day and age it seems unconscionable to me that a professional level, >$1000 instrument should require 6 NI-MH batteries and no other type, and provide an AC adapter with a length that does not allow for anything but playing right at a power outlet, and that that AC adapter will not charge the batteries which, BTW, are not included. That is totally bush league, and I cannot recall the last time I saw such an arrangement. It is not rocket science nor is it very pricey to add a charging function once the AC adapter is included. Every $10 rechargable toy includes such. And offer an extension for the adapter to allow some movement while playing on wall current, and/or a belt pack to allow a reasonable play time while in motion.
2) We are directed to inspect the reed each time we use it (duh!), and to replace the entire mouthpiece if the reed is damaged. This is despite the fact that the included plastic reed is held on by a screw. This forces us to buy a $50 mouthpiece just in case of a damaged reed, ot risk being S.O.L. on a gig.
That said, those are my only gripes, other than personal preference things like prefering a slightly less concave key top.
Hi Alistair, thanks for the great videos, can you confirm the following;
1. Does the AE-20 actually support the Wave expansion packs, as is the case with the AE-30? I'm hoping it may just be an omission on the spec sheet as opposed to an actual difference.
2. When do you think you'll have the comparison video ready, I'm super interested in your thoughts on the AE-10 vs AE-20 vs AE-30
3. Are the Wave expansion packs worth the difference in the cost hike to an AE-30 if the AE-20 does not support them
Thanks!
I’m a bit confused about how a wave expansion pack differed from other sound packs.
Comparison video is up now. It explains the wave expansions very clearly.
is it possible to charge it with usb power bank ?
I think I’ve seen some folks power it from a power bank. The Aerophone uses rechargeable AA batteries.
I would suggest if you use a USB power bank you could void the warranty.
GREAT NEWS!
Thanks
I just got one and I’m having troubles with the E-flat key on the right hand. It is not physically stuck but it sounds like it is. Does anyone have the same issue?
Hi. I’ve not come across this problem before. Is it getting any better?
@@isax.academy I found the problem and it is essentially linked to how sensitive the keys are. In this case, my right ring finger was barely touching the alt F-sharp key in a particularly fast E-flat/D/E-flat phrase. On a regular sax (I play alto and tenor) that light touch would never happen because of the position of the key and also because it wouldn’t be strong enough to open the F-sharp. I saw that there’s a firmware update that fixes some of these unintended notes so maybe that will work for me and I won’t have to adjust my technique so much!
Other than that I found it to be a great product! I would add a feature or two on the menu options (e.g. transpose only applies for system and not scene, I would allow more flexible transposing options) and overall menu navigation, but these are minor issues.
Just to make sure you know the transpose can be set to system or scene.
There is a choice in the menu.
Can you play into Sibelius notation software with the USB C cable? That is the main reason I would like one. Brass and string sounds and synth sounds. I would love to be able to use my sax technique instead of a keyboard to input notes for writing lessons for my students and arrangements.
Absolutely. Have a look at this video. It uses the Aerophone GO but the set up is the same.
ua-cam.com/video/QcIWWsprKpk/v-deo.html
Do you think that with this Aerophone, I could use it as my first entry level saxophone learning instrument to help me fingering exercise easier by concentrate and develop my fingers? Then later on I can play the real saxophone to develop my voice and embouchure?
I’m first and foremost a saxophonist so I’d always say if you want to learn saxophone get a sax.
However, the Aerophone can be an excellent learning instrument given you much more opportunity for ‘silent’ practice in addition to a huge library of sounds and options.
What really matters is how much you practice and if this instrument inspires you to play then go for it.
Does the AE-30 have better speakers than the AE-20?
I think they are identical.
@@isax.academy Thanks. Very informative video. The AE-20 looks like the sweet spot for a novice like me.
Is this good for beginners?
Yes it is.
It seems that th AE-20 will not work as a midi controller with Mac OS 10.13. Anyone can confirm this? Thanks a lot.
Hi. I’ve never had this problem or heard of anyone with the issue. Am I ask, how are you trying to connect? USB or Bluetooth?
@@isax.academy Dear Alistair, thank you so much for replying to me. I ordered the AE-20 last Friday from Thomann and I should receive it this coming Wednesday. In the mean time I have been watching your videos and reading the user manual. I read that in order to use it as a midi controller the usb driver has to be installed. Then I went to Roland support and found that the driver version is for os 10.14 or newer. That is why I asked about it. The AE-30 has a driver for os 10.13.
Did you get this sorted?
@@isax.academy Dear Alistair, I received the AE-20 two days ago. I can report that under Mac OX 10.13, without installing any driver, when the USB cable is connected from the AE-20 to the Mac, one cannot get this audio device on Mac/System/Sound, neither on Logic Pro X. I got a hold of a Mac running OX 10.15, installed the driver and it works fine as an audio card. I hope this is helpful to others seeking for this question/answered. All the best!!!
Apologies Alistair for having a moan on your channel but I feel I need to warn other potential purchasers of this anomaly. I have now had my AE20 for two weeks and have just learnt, (with NO help from Roland UK btw!) that the Pro App will not work with my Samsung Galaxy Tablet S5e - which I bough SPECIFICALLY to download the AE10 app a couple of years ago and had NO probs with; it worked perfectly well. I bought the AE20 to increase my tone choices and internal set-ups but I am now left with a choice of either returning my AE20, or, buying an iPad of some description at another cost of £400+. (NO, I don't own a smartphone!!) This is VERY poor of Roland and they should make it absolutely clear, up front, what devices the Pro app will connect with; from what I can glean (and it is very difficult finding any information on Roland website) this app will only work with iPhones or iPads, unless someone tells me I am incorrect?🤬😡🤬😡🤬
Hi. The helpful guys on the iSax Facebook group are suggesting a rather strange solution.
Evidently you need to make sure that the GPS is turned on on the tablet. I know it’s sounds very odd but give it go and let me know if it works.
@@isax.academy SUCCESS!!! Thank You, Alistair, so much for taking the time and trouble to look into this problem. My GPS was turned off, I turned it on and, Hey Presto, my 20 now talks to my Samsung Galaxy tablet. Who on earth would of thought that these two devices would need their GPS turned on to find each other all of, erm, 2cm apart!!! Whichever genius from you group Alistair thought of this please pass on my grateful thanks; as a) they have now got my devices paired up and b) saved me £sss by not having to buy a new tablet! Thank You again; although it has been gently pointed out to me that I have now got to learn how to use the App!!
🤣😱🤣!!
Really pleased we got it resolved and thanks for letting us know.
I just need to see sounds... "trumpet" - bcs this is only one thing that is very hard to sample.
Have a look at the Audio Modeling Trumpet. It works great with the Aerophone.
accommodating for disability... celebrating diversity of expression... this instrument is woke af
just ordered mine and i sure wish it wat max 22 inches long so we can put it in a carry on bag, i fly out of te country and dont trust baggage claim in the philippines