Hello, I’m Shuko.
In my previous post, I introduced many great points about digital wind instruments (electronic saxophones).
There are several types of digital wind instruments, so this time, I’ll be explaining their features and how to choose the right one!
I hope this helps those who are unsure about which one to pick.
Types of Digital Wind Instruments (Electronic Saxophones)
There are various types of digital wind instruments.
The three I will introduce are the most well-known and frequently compared.
AKAI EWI
Since its release in 1987, EWI has been synonymous with wind synthesizers.
It is also known for being used by saxophonists from T-SQUARE.
Produced by AKAI Professional, the currently available models are:
- EWI 5000J
- EWI SOLO
You can check out the official EWI website here.
YAMAHA Digital Saxophone
Released in 2019, this digital saxophone is designed based on Yamaha’s acoustic saxophones.
It features an integrated bell (the round, open part where the sound comes out).
The sound from the speaker resonates through the bell, providing a more realistic playing experience.
The currently available models are:
- YDS-150
- YDS-120
You can check out the official YAMAHA Digital Saxophone website here.
Roland Aerophone
Roland Corporation, headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, began releasing the Aerophone series in 2016.
This digital wind instrument (electronic saxophone) allows players to enjoy a wide variety of sounds—not only saxophones but also flutes, clarinets, trumpets, and other woodwind and brass instruments.
Additionally, it features violin and cello sounds, synthesizers, and even traditional instruments like the erhu and shakuhachi.
The currently available models are:
- AE-01 Aerophone mini
- AE-05 Aerophone GO
- AE-20 Aerophone (AE-20SC, AE-20W White) SC is a Shimamura Music exclusive model
- AE-30 Aerophone Pro
The first Aerophone model, AE-10, was discontinued in 2022.
You can check out the official Aerophone website here.
Who Actually Uses Digital Wind Instruments?
From what I’ve heard at music schools and seen on the internet and YouTube, many users already have experience playing acoustic saxophones.
Saxophone players are more familiar with digital wind instruments (electronic saxophones).
They often purchase them for home practice or for expressions that aren’t possible on acoustic instruments, such as playing other instrument sounds.
They also use them for MIDI integration and other digital applications.
On the other hand, people who play other instruments sometimes say that they’re seeing the Aerophone for the first time.
This makes me feel that digital wind instruments still have low general recognition.
That’s why I want to share more about how beginners can also enjoy them to the fullest!
Four Tips to Choose
Purpose and Features
If you primarily want to use it as a synthesizer, EWI is a great option.
If you’re looking for a digital alternative to a saxophone, YAMAHA is the way to go.
And if you want to enjoy a variety of tones, Aerophone is the best choice—this is my general take on it.
For a detailed comparison of each model’s specifications, I highly recommend checking out Shimamura Music’s website (in Japanese), as they provide a very clear overview.
Their model comparisons are also easy to understand.
Mouthpiece and Key Structure Differences
The mouthpiece and key structure differ between models.
EWI and YAMAHA YDS-120 have a recorder-style mouthpiece, while YAMAHA YDS-150 and Aerophone use a reed-style mouthpiece.
In terms of key mechanisms:
- EWI uses a touch sensor system.
- Aerophone uses button-style keys.
- YAMAHA adopts a lever system, similar to an acoustic saxophone.
Price
While specs are important, price is also a key factor.
For reference, here are the selling prices on Shimamura Music online store.
Of course, you can also purchase these instruments from other music stores, Amazon, and other online shops.
Some retailers even offer bundle sets that include instructional books and stands.
Compare the specs and your budget carefully before making a decision!
| EWI 5000J | ￥98,800 |
| EWI SOLO | ￥59,800 |
| YAMAHA YDS 150 | ￥95,700 |
| YAMAHA YDS 120 | ￥59,400 |
| AE – 01（Aerophone mini） | ￥41,800 |
| AE – 05（Aerophone GO） | ￥62,700 |
| AE – 20（Aerophone） | ￥107,800 |
| AE -30（Aerophone Pro） | ￥184,800 |
Appearance
When I first saw the Aerophone, I thought, “Wow, this looks so cool!” and honestly, I chose it purely for its appearance.
The AE-20 had just been released (January 2022), and many people were reviewing it on YouTube.
Since it’s not a cheap purchase, I spent a lot of time researching through various websites and videos.
Out of everything I watched, two videos stood out as the deciding factor for me.
The first is by saxophone player Mana Arakawa, from her channel “Mana Arakawa’s KimaMana Sax“.
She posted a review video on the AE-20, where she confidently stated, “If you’re thinking about starting an instrument, this is a great buy!”
That really gave me the final push I needed.
Her excitement was contagious, and it made me think, “I want to try this too!”
The second video is by Takahiro Yoshida, a saxophone instructor at Shimamura Music’s Kawasaki Le Front store.
He performed the Detective Conan Main Theme on the Aerophone, and it made me think, “It would be amazing to play like this! It must feel so great!”
Summary
I introduced some of the most well-known digital wind instruments (electronic saxophones).
These instruments are enjoyable even for beginners!
If you’re unsure which one to choose, picking based on appearance is totally valid!
Loving how your instrument looks can make practice even more exciting and fun.
Thank you for reading until the end!
