Electronic Wind Instruments

• Modern electronic wind instruments can control VST instruments. Hiroshi Watanabe/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  An Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) is a synthesizer designed for woodwind players. Electronic wind instruments give woodwind players control over electronic sounds, while providing a similar level of expressiveness as an acoustic instrument. The EWI was the brainchild of Nyle Steiner in the 1970s. Akai Professional owns the names "Electronic Wind Instrument" and "EWI," so the term "wind controller" is used to describe competing products from Yamaha, Casio and Synthophone.

Akai Professional

• Akai Professional has two electronic wind instruments on the market: the EWI 4000s and the EWI USB. The 4000s is the first in the industry to have a built-in sound module, allowing you to plug a wireless MIDI or audio module into the base so that you can move around the stage freely. It has highly-sensitive breath response, with additional controllers for pitch bend, vibrato and glide. WindSynth.net calls it "an outstanding, professional instrument for any serious wind controller player." The EWI USB is a relatively affordable, user-friendly wind controller. Because it uses a USB connection, you can plug it straight into your computer and play the included software synth.

Yamaha

• Yamaha produces one wind controller: the WX5, which it claims "makes expressive wind control more accessible than ever before." It is suitable for experienced players, who will appreciate the expanded sonic possibilities, but is easy enough for beginners. Older Yamaha electronic wind instruments include the WX7 and WX11, both of which were popular when in production and are now available on the second-hand market. The WX family has saxophone-friendly fingering, so learning to play these instruments is easy.

Casio

• Casio has ceased production of its electronic wind instruments, but they are available on the second-hand market. Casio models include the DH-100 and DH-200, as well as the DH-500 and DH-800, which were available only in Japan. These instruments have lightweight keys that click a lot, and none of the DH line comes with a reed bender or other controller. According to WindSynth.net, these electronic wind instruments are suitable only for beginners, not for professional use.

Synthophone

• The Synthophone is an advanced wind controller built inside an actual saxophone, which provides a familiar experience for the player. This electronic wind instrument is at the higher end of wind controllers, and has many customizable options, including customized fingerings. As of 2010, a new Synthophone could cost up to $5,000 -- $2,500 for the instrument itself, and another $2,500 for the electronics and programming.