Why touch sensors and not real buttons?

Real buttons break. And they're noisy. They're also slow. Touch sensors detect your finger movement the instant it touches the key (or leaves the key), allowing you to play faster.

I play Sax. How long does it take to learn to play the Vindor?

1 second to find the on/off switch, and 3 seconds to place your hands and no time to start playing. The Vindor ES has button placement and function identical to a traditional Sax. While the Vindor ES doesn't have all the keys that you find on a traditional Sax, it does have all the essential ones used by beginning and intermediate players.

Can it do Clarinet, Flute or other fingering?

Yes. The Vindor ES comes with Sax, Clarinet, Recorder, Trumpet and Flute built-in. In addition, The software can upload a number of alternative fingerings, including Oboe and French Horn. You can see all fingerings on our Fingering page. If you would like to make your own custom fingering, visit our custom finger page for details: Custom Fingering.

Can I connect it to a MIDI device with the round DIN connector?

The Vindor ES2 supports an accessory that will connect directly the an older MIDI round DIN connector. The ES1 does not support this accessory. We follow the MIDI association standard TRS found here: https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/trs-specification-adopted-and-released. Generally, this type of adapter is compatible with the following vendors: Akai, Korg, Line-6, Littlebits, Make Noise, MPC Studio, MPX,8 Electribe, SQ-1, Mobilizer, 0-Cast.

What does the USB connector do?

The ES1 has a micro-USB connector. The ES2 has a USB-C connector. It provides these functions:

• Connect to a host computer, phone or tablet for MIDI.
• Provide an external Audio device so you can mix the computer’s sound output with your own playing.
• Provide a simulated microphone so that the Vindor ES’s sounds can be mixed by a DAW, processed or recorded.
Charge the internal battery.

Is it really easier to learn to play? Why?

The ES has fewer keys and buttons than a traditional sax. It includes just the essential ones used by beginning and intermediate players so it is less confusing and intimidating.

The ES has a standard mouthpiece but you don't need to learn how to vibrate the reed, which is the source of much frustration for beginners. Instead, the Vindor analyzes changes in air pressure to determine how to play the note. This means you start playing good tones, and are in tune right away. Even though it doesn't use the reed, it a real mouthpiece, so students get used to the feel of the reed and can practice tonguing and modulating air flow. This makes the transition to a real instrument very intuitive.

How does the Vindor compare to the Roland, Yamaha or Akai wind controllers?

• The Roland, Yamaha and Akai are complex instruments that are aimed primarily at professional players. The Vindor is easy enough for beginners and intermediate players, while still capable enough for professionals. Because of this, the Vindor is much more affordable, saving you up to $400 or more.
• With our motion sensitive pitch bending, the Vindor ES has the most intuitive way to adjust pitch. Simply rotate the Vindor and tilt up and down or push the pitch bending button and move the instrument up and down to change the pitch.
• The Vindor ES is designed to be very lightweight and does not require the use of a neck strap.
• Unlike Yamaha and Roland, the Vindor ES uses touch sensors for its keys to increase durability, lower cost, and increase playing speed.
• The Vindor ES includes its own proprietary synthesizer engine influenced by classic mono-synths. It also has a sample player.
• The Vindor ES has a rechargeable battery.
• It has a speaker placed closer to the player’s ears so it can be played without amplification.
• The Vindor is the least expensive. While other options cost upwards of $800, some of which also require a separately sold sound module, the Vindor ES includes everything you need to perform right out of the box at a fraction of the cost.

Why is it so much smaller and lighter than other options?

The Vindor ES takes advantage of the latest integrated micro-controllers and sensors that dramatically reduce size and cost. It is designed to fit in a backpack and be lightweight to avoid tiring out young players.

Can I connect to an iPhone or iPad?

Yes. The Vindor supports Core MIDI and thus is compatible with most synthesizers available on iOS. See our iPhone and iPad page for more details.

Can I connect to a guitar amplifier or effects pedals?

Yes. The Vindor ES has both headphone and guitar amp jacks. The jacks can dynamically sense the type of device connected to send the appropriate signals for a headphone, or an amplifier, or a line-level receiver. It should sound fine on any effects pedals you use. Because you can alter the type of waves generated (through configuration software), you can also create special effects without pedals, or use special waveforms that enhance the effects of pedals.

How does the SD card work?

The SD card allows the Vindor ES to play samples. See SD Card page for more details.