I've still not identified the primary chip in the EWI, though I SUSPECT it is something like a PIC18F4550 or other PIC controller. Three analog inputs and 17 switches are not exactly rocket science these days, nor is MIDI output. This was not a suprise to me as from an electronics standpoint there is little need for a USB version of the EWI to be much more complex than your average USB game controller. Three single layer circuit boards, only one of those boards having any "meaningful" componants on it the heart of which being to very small surface mount IC's. Personally I've found that cleaning the keys with a 50% watered down solution of pine-sol clears up the patina without damaging the metal, though it can cause some discoloration.Īs I determined during dissassembly the internals of the EWI USB are remarkably simple.
#Akai ewi usb dimensions skin#
Most players agree that skin lotion alleviates most of the "dryness" issues, though I've found the chemicals in them can cause issues with the keys themselves. This has the advantage of no moving parts increasing the life of the device, though excessively dry skin or air, as well as oil buildup on the keys can cause issues. When you touch the actual keys or rollers, you complete an electrical circuit through your body tripping a "keypress". What does electroconductive mean? There is a grounding plate that sits under your right thumb, and a second one (that is semi-optional to touch) next to the "octave rollers". The use of electroconductive keys is radically different from most midi controllers. Further on this page you will find a review of the device itself and a copy of the specifications as stated by Akai. To the left you will find a list of links containing pictures of the inside of the device, reverse-engineered NRPN and System Exclusive data, and other information that is either not provided by Akai, or corrections to their documentation. I'm leaving this here so that the next person searching for that will see it.The technical documentation that comes with the EWI USB is a bit on the sparse side, and naturally there is little information about what is going on under the hood. The second track will simply be a normal MIDI track with the "Oxygen 49 MIDI in" as the "in" and the Dimension Strings as the "out". The correct options for the filter are "Filter Target: Type is" "Condition: Equal" "Parameter 1: Note" add that line in the uppermost box, all you need to do then is to change the Mode to "Filter" in the bottom and check the box number 1 saying "Active Module". In the "out" for the track, use the Dimension Strings. The secret is to use the "EWI-USB" in the "in" for the track instead of the "All MIDI Inputs", the filter will then only apply on the selected track using the selected Input. You only need to do this on one track, the second one will simply be a normal MIDI track. The trick is to use two separate tracks, one for the EWI and one for the Keyboard, keep in mind that both will need to be selected for playing and recording!įor those who don't know, the Input Transformer/Filter is the squiggly line with an arrow on the button that is on the top right of your MIDI track's options (Where you can choose a VST, tweak the volume and pan, etc.) This will need to be set to LOCAL. I did it using an Oxygen 49 and an EWI USB. Just in case you haven't been able to solve the problem yet and for the internets' sake, I will explain the correct procedure using the filter option in Input Transformer in Cubase.