Founded in 1855, SCHIRMER & SON has defined musical quality through craftsmanship from the very first instrument it created. For more than 170 years, this German heritage piano brand has focused on one core pursuit. It is dedicated to achieving the pure, authentic sound of music. Today, a new chapter begins. SCHIRMER & SON officially enters the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) world. They bring together classical craftsmanship and modern electronic technology in a completely new way.
Recognized worldwide as a high-quality, performance-grade piano brand, SCHIRMER & SON has always stayed true to its philosophy. The company believes masterful craftsmanship should serve honest musical expression. Now, that same philosophy is at the heart of our EWI development, delivering a truly next-generation playing experience.
At the core of the SCHIRMER & SON EWI is our self-developed 2nd-generation extended harmonic imaging sound engine. It is designed to faithfully capture and reconstruct the full, rich character of acoustic instruments. The goal is simple yet ambitious. It aims to let an electronic wind instrument sound as close to the real thing as possible. Additionally, it should respond like a real instrument.
In terms of sound and functionality, the SCHIRMER & SON EWI offers over 100 high-quality instrument voices. These range from warm, expressive saxophones and airy, elegant flutes. They extend to modern, experimental electronic textures. It comfortably covers classical, jazz, and pop genres. This is powered by a high-speed audio processing chipset. The chipset drives the entire EWI series with confident, musical performance.
At the hardware core, a 4-channel 24-bit / 56-bit DSP architecture provides robust, hardware-accelerated processing. Inside, you’ll find large-capacity, high-speed data and effects buffers, fast program code caching, multi-channel DMA for rapid data transfer, plus additional DSP acceleration memory. On top of this foundation, the EWI integrates a full set of modern features:
- Bluetooth MIDI for wireless connection to mobile devices, tablets or computers and DAWs,
- built-in Wi-Fi with OTA firmware updates, so your sounds and functions can keep evolving over time,
- basic voice control for hands-free access to key operations,
- and switchable left- and right-handed playing modes to suit different playing habits.
A silent headphone mode lets you practice freely in shared spaces, while the lightweight body and up to 6 hours of battery life (UP TO 6 HOURS) keep you playing wherever inspiration strikes.
To address the common challenges faced by traditional wind beginners, SCHIRMER & SON EWI introduces several targeted breakthroughs. There is no need for years of intensive breath training: the high-precision breath sensor can detect airflow as subtle as approximately 0.5–5 L/min, allowing most beginners to play simple melodies smoothly in just a couple of weeks. The instrument also supports up to four fingering systems. It is equipped with highly responsive touch-sensitive metal keys. These features enable both newcomers and experienced acoustic wind players to adapt quickly. They can express their musical ideas accurately.
We craft grand pianos by hand in our German workshops. We also develop our new EWI line. SCHIRMER & SON has stayed committed to one simple belief: music should be easier to reach. You may be a professional performer exploring new sonic territory. Or you could be a music enthusiast looking for an easier way to start. Even urban players in need of a silent practice solution will find their own voice in this cross-over instrument.
A century of heritage is not about holding on to the past;
innovation across categories is about bringing music to more people.
The SCHIRMER & SON EWI is now open for pre-order — a musical gift that blends classic craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, waiting to help you write your next chapter. Let every breath you play become a meeting point between precision and inspiration.
Want to know more? Click here.
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