hello all,
 
new to Music Creator 6 Touch and the Akai EWI USB...so far, I've been able to use the EWI by inserting a track for the Cakewalk Sound Center and utilizing the instruments within it...is it possible to bring the EWI into Music Creator while running the Garritan Aria software that came with the EWI? I've tried several times, reviewed the tutorials, searched the forum but must not have understood how to set it up properly...any advice is welcomed, thanks in advance!
 
 

From the documentation I found here http://www.akaipro.com/product/ewiusb#downloads the software supplied with the controller is a standalone product. It does not come as a plug-in that a host like MC6 can load. You can record a wav using the Custom Garritan Aria Player and import it into MC6. There may be a plug-in from Garritan that can use the sample files supplied with the EWI, I do not know.
 

thanks very much for your response, I will try that!

If the EWI is a controller and plugs in USB as it does appear to be..... you can use it to control any of the synths that are plug ins and are available to MC6.
 
If Aria ...as a stand alone application ... has a metronome, simply set the tempo to the correct BPM and record it as you follow the beat..... import the wave into MC6.  
 
It's a pain that Aria doesn't work as a plug in.... however, there are other Garritan products that do..... GPO is one.
 
If you are patient and check the cakewalk store on a regular basis..... at least once a week or twice...... you will see that they run something on special almost all the time..... I picked up GPO for $20 way back..... that was a no brainer deal.
 
http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/category.aspx?categoryID=39&cat=39
 
Currently, GPO is paired with DimLE for $50... not a bad price considering it's normally $100.... 50% off.
 
Plus, anything you buy in the cake store will work with it's DAW's...

Another option would be the Cakewalk Sound Center: Winds, Brass & Percussion Expansion Pack by DSF currently on sale at the CW Store http://www.store.cakewalk...=10-DSWB1.00-20E 

guitarhacker & scook,
 
thanks for your responses! i will look into your suggestions...just started with music software and the possibilities are incredible!

You can certainly spend some money with this hobby..... I thought I would start simple....and to some extent... my setup is still fairly simple, but the money that was spent to buy this or that... because I "NEED" it.... well I did, really....!!  However, that "investment" in good gear and really nice plug ins was worth it because the music I write sounds really good (at least to me) as a result.....
 
It's called G.A.S.  or.. gear acquisition syndrome. Some get it worse than others....and it can be highly contagious.

LOL! yes, absolutely...with so many offerings to choose from at the cakewalk store alone, getting into the first phase of G.A.S. - reading and comparing product literature :-)

Well, Guitarhacker and Scook have given you some good ideas.
But I have some questions for you, flyHI.
The EWI is an interesting choice for a first MIDI controller. Is your primary instrument woodwind/reed?
If so, does the EWI feel natural/intuitive to you?
The reason I ask is that I have long maintained that getting into the mindset of playing an instrument is a big part of getting softsynths or sampled instruments to sound convincing. For instance, when playing a string part on my keyboard controller, I try to think and move as if I am playing a violin or cello. I'm told it's somewhat amusing to watch.
The main reason I got my e-drums was to have a MIDI controller that played like drums.
So, what's it like playing a wind controller?
It looks like a very cool and intriguing instrument.

Hi RobertB
Oddly enough, my primary instrument was French horn :-) it has been years since playing and I have truly missed it...so, I first thought to try something new like saxophone but remembering how the "beginning" was, I don't have a convenient soundproof place to practice...by accident, I came across the EWI while researching saxophones and thought maybe it would be a good way to start to learn a (two-handed) fingering methodology as well as try other voices at the same time without disturbing the neighborhood...and, not be too concerned about the mechanics of embouchure at first...your question is better suited toward someone w/ prior woodwind experience but it does feel as what I would have generally expected, except maybe for a slight lag...I was trying to find a way to use Garritan Aria in MC6 as it seems there is more of a lag without it...been browsing thru this forum and perhaps what I need to do is experiment more with the settings and, of course, develop better technique...
 
Absolutely believe what you mentioned about mindset and that each instrument has a "form factor" that transfers to synths...in looking at the items scook and guitarhacker mentioned above, I see that at least one of products has a French horn voice and that makes me really curious :-) While doing research before finding MC6, I came across a clip of a French horn voice and it was absolutely incredible...
 
and, speaking of G.A.S., a mini keyboard is on the way to also experiment with and compare w/ a wind controller