EWILogicWind Controllers, Logic Pro and Sound Design
Programming sounds, building a live rig and getting your breath to mean something to a synth, from a player who has been doing it since the EWI 1000.
An EWI Player and Programmer Since the Mid 1980s
An EWI player and programmer since the EWI 1000 in the mid 1980's, I've spent countless hours programming sounds and playing the EWI live, in the studio, and on a multitude of projects over the years. I also happen to be an Apple Certified Logic Pro Trainer and I even spent a short stint teaching Logic and Mainstage for Apple.
From sound design and programming, integrating the EWI into your live rig, utilizing the power of Logic or Mainstage in live performance, or setting up and maintaining a Mainstage rig, I'm sure you'll find something useful here for your EWI explorations.
Enjoy the site and happy EWI-ing!
Start With the Environment, or Go Straight to the Sound
Here you can learn more about using the EWI, or most wind controllers, with Apple's flagship audio tool, Logic Pro. Nine tutorials, each with its video and every screenshot.
Building an EWI Environment in Logic
A step-by-step series on Logic Pro's Environment: MIDI channel strips and switches that give you live control of your EWI.
Beginning Steps for an EWI Environment
How the EWI talks MIDI, then your first two objects in Logic's Environment: a program-change reference and a Kill Vol switch.
Create a Volume to Modulation CC Transformer Switch
Remap breath-driven Volume (CC#7) to Modulation (CC#1) by changing one Transformer.
Create a Pitchbend Kill Switch
Let one sound bend with the pitch plates while a second one holds its pitch, a guitar-style double-stop effect.
Create a Range Limiting Environment Object
A note-range limiter built from one Transformer and two faders, using Logic's meta events.
Breath Control and Sound Design
Programming samplers so they respond to breath the way a wind instrument should.
Gear, Scripts and Ideas
A hardware favorite, a harmonic trick and the question of finding your own sound.
Dynasample Xpression
Why a wind-synth hardware unit became a studio companion for horn mockups.
Harmonic Rotator
A MIDI script that emulates the Oberheim Xpander's rotate mode, the harmonic trick behind Michael Brecker's sound.
Creating a Unique Identity on the EWI
What creates a musical identity on an instrument that sounds like nothing until you program it?
The First Environment, on Video
The three videos that go with Beginning Steps for an EWI Environment. Read the written tutorial.
The EWI, Played Live
Programming is only half of it. Here is what it sounds like in the hands of a player, improvising in front of a room.
A live improvised performance, recorded August 12, 2014.
Another live duo set with Glenn Alexander.
Sit Down With Your Rig
I also offer consultations and lessons via the web and in person in NYC: sound design and programming, building a live rig, or setting up and maintaining a Mainstage rig.
