Looks like a good deal, even with the $60 membership added. Thanks!
Does not appear to be in stock at the 2 closest stores, so I’ll just put in an online order. I have no doubt this is the right model for me. The process of learning how to use my breath for articulation and ornamentation, plus whatever fingering is recommended in the lesson app, will occupy enough of my time.
I think this bundle was an online only deal. It was shipped from Canada and took 10 days for mine to arrive. This time it’s saying 10-15. Great thing about Costco is 100% guaranteed return to any local store for full refund if not satisfied in 90 days. In this case not necessary but generally makes shopping with them stress free.
Has anyone had a particularly great experience with or researched which amp is best for an instrument like Aerophone?
I imagine a keyboard synth but never needed to have or explore one. I have a great collection of monitors in my studio and office but would really like a great portable solution.
Something with superb sound that is small enough to grab and set in any room I’m in. Easy and durable to travel with. Yet powerful enough to also sound great outside; at the beach or on a boat.
Battery power, great sound, portability.
Would guitar amps also be in play?
Not unless you want them to colour the sound at which point just run a multi effects pedal like an HX Stomp into the amp.
I don’t have experience as I play with headphones at home but you’d want something with a flat/wide range and guitar amps won’t cut it.
In a pinch though you could use the crappy speakers on the Aerophone.
It’s nice to have for reference but i need something portable that captures every beautiful Zencore detail.
Nice impromptu mood setter with the lady, vibe enhancer when company is over, jam session when other musical friends drop by, etc.
I’m thinking a small 15-30W amp with 2-3 inputs would suffice. Pedals are definitely on the menu now. That’ll probably get pricey.
I’ve seen some really cool stuff over in the ‘Setups’ thread.
I’ve used an Electro Voice ZXA-1 as an amp for my electric violin. It’s really a PA speaker, though, with a +4 dB line input. I used a small mixer just to have a hot enough output for the ZXA-1. Main benefit of the ZXA-1 is it’s small and only weighs 20 lbs.
I later got a Line 6 Stagesource L2t, which is also a powered speaker, but has Smart Speaker modes for use with acoustic guitar, electric guitar, reference/PA, etc. It also has instrument input with input gain knob.
But either of the above might be overkill if you’re just looking for a 15-30W amp. Patchman has some suggestions here, under “Which amplifier…”
https://www.patchmanmusic.com/WindControllerFAQ.html
I watched this before ordering the AE-20W from Costco. I’ll find out for myself how easily that saliva collector cap falls off, then figure out a hack for that if needed.
Posted about a month after he posted the “what I hate” video 
You don’t need the cap and I find it better without it as it’s a little more freeblowing.
Wait, so you just let your saliva drip onto the floor?
Congrats!
I also havent found a need to use the cap. However, if you’re blowing longer than 20 minutes you’ll definitely get drippage from the mouthpiece.
Unfortunately this makes the goofy cheap tennis wrist band around the neck necessary to prevent moisture from getting into the speaker. Or, you can get a silicone replacement mouthpiece from Amazon which solves the issue and eliminates the need for the wrist band.
I haven’t found a sound difference between the two mouthpieces but the soft silicon is better on your teeth and lip.
Thanks, I’ll look into that.
I’ll try without the cap for a bit. But, just letting my saliva drip on the floor is a non-starter.
It’s a separate thing really. There are two points of drippage. mouthpiece and bottom tip.
The mouthpiece which is definitely saliva from blowing and will happen regardless of what you do. The silicone mouthpiece just keeps it trapped inside. After an hour I typically turn it upside down and pour it out.lol. After every session I wash mouthpiece out. I’m a germophobe.
As for the bottom. I believe that to be more breath condensation then anything but it’s not like it pours out. I get a few unnoticeable drops so I don’t use the cap for it.
In the video review he was talking about the spit catch at the bottom of the instrument. Maybe I’ll eventually be as brave as you guys and just take the spit catch off… but don’t hold your breath.
I appreciate the mention of keeping moisture out of the onboard speaker.
So all acoustic wind instruments just drip out the bottom.
I don’t do this but I blow as hard as i can while tilting it around until the moisture comes out while holding a rag at the bottom and then I leave it in a stand to dry after every session.
Yeah I’ve seen some horn players just let their instrument drip or even outright empty their spit valves… onto the carpet at a lounge, or the stage floor at an auditorium… or anywhere that’s not their own house it seems.
Doesn’t mean I have to copy them though.
Woodwinds don’t have a spit valve, only brass has that.
I better watch out for those woodwind players. They’re obviously the sneaky type.
Yeah I was just saying the woodwinds have no choice but to let it drip as there’s no valve.
At any rate you’ll figure out what works for you.
huh, I accidentally deleted my post about brass players. Just as well.
Or the forum software is scrambling the order of posts.
But yeah, I got my eye on those sneaky woodwind players with their nasty habits
Oh one thing that he probably wasn’t aware of but you can setup any alternate fingerings you want so if there’s one you want you setup a custom fingering.