So What the heck is a wind controller?

A wind controller is a device for creating music. It can be used anywhere that a midi keyboard can to control synthesizers (either softsynths or boxes) that are capable of responding to midi.

They typically look like a clarinet and are fingered like a saxophone or flute (some also support trumpet fingering).

They (usually) have the limitation of playing only one note at a time but, in exchange, they provide for very expressive playing by responding to breath pressure and bite (the latter using a reed-like arrangement)

Current models are available from Yamaha, AKAI, and Synthophone

Here are my three wind controllers. From top to bottom they are:

• Yamaha WX7
• Yamaha WX5
• AKAI EWI USB

The WX7 has been kicking around for many years and fell to the floor when one of our dogs wrapped its cable around their leg and ran away terrified of the monster that was pursuing her.

It took a while, but this link helped me repair it to the point that it could be used.

Wanting something more current and stable, I bought the EWI USB and then, finally, the WX5