Yamaha WX5?

[sax_fan]

Not sure if this is the place for this post, but it seemed closest. Is anyone familiar with the Yamaha WX5 wind controller? Any opinions? I had heard that for a horn player it is great matched with the Yamaha VL-70m module.

I was wondering if it is easy to learn to use and whether it is used as a replacement for a keyboard controller or just an addition by those who have one (or something similar like the WX7 or 11 or EWI.

Thanks.

[SonicAlbert]

I used to own a WX5, and it's a pretty great piece of hardware. However, as a keyboard player I found it hard to learn. If you play sax, clarinet, or flute you'll have a lot easier time learning it. I eventually ended up selling mine to a wind player, and he loves it.

[sax_fan]

Originally Posted by SonicAlbert

I used to own a WX5, and it's a pretty great piece of hardware. However, as a keyboard player I found it hard to learn. If you play sax, clarinet, or flute you'll have a lot easier time learning it. I eventually ended up selling mine to a wind player, and he loves it.

Thanks for the info. Since I play woodwinds, I was hoping the learning curve wouldn't be that great, but I imagine there IS a different way of approaching it than an acoustic instrument.

Perhaps that will be my next purchase. I'm just not sure whether I want to go for that or for a new keyboard and/or sound module. Given that keyboard isn't my main instrument and I've got a small midi controller and an old 61 key synth, maybe it makes sense to go with the wind controller and see if I can swing a new sound module or soft synth as well for some updated sounds. Then, eventually, I can replace the synth with something that's got an 88 key weighted action.

No matter what I decide, the real challenge is going to be trying to find time to learn the new equipment, practice my horns, continue to learn my software AND go to work

[SonicAlbert]

If you already play woodwinds I can't imagine the WX5 would be that hard to learn. The fingerings are the same. The main adjustments would be getting used to the octave shift key, the mouthpiece a little bit, and smoothly playing the keys so you don't send extra little midi notes between the notes you inted to play. But seriously, as a woodwind player this would all come quite quickly for you. I highly doubt it would take too much time to get up to speed on it.

If you do any kind or gigging for hire or recording, the WX5 and a couple modules programmed for it would be a great thing for you.

I thought the hardware was brilliantly designed, quite impressive. The only problem for me was the learning curve, being a keyboard player. I also played cello for years, and french horn, but unfortunately that doesn't help with the WX5!

[sax_fan]

Originally Posted by SonicAlbert

If you do any kind or gigging for hire or recording, the WX5 and a couple modules programmed for it would be a great thing for you.

I used to do quite a bit of gigging, but I moved and my new day job has really gotten in the way! Recently, it has pretty much been an after hours kind of thing, but it still sounds like a great device. Additionally, you never know when I might start getting out again!

"I also played cello for years, and french horn, but unfortunately that doesn't help with the WX5!"

If you played some french horn, have you seen this?

http://www.patchmanmusic.com/mdt.html

A bit pricey, but it might work better for you.