Wind Controller Repairs at Patchman Music

Wind Controller &
Wind Synth
Repair Service

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We are the Wind Controller Experts!

Looking to buy a Casio DH-100 or DH-200 and accessories?
We maintain a stock of used Casio DH Horns and accessories. All Casio horns are tested, cleaned, & "de-squealed" by the wind controller experts.
Click here for details

Looking to buy a NEW Yamaha WX Wind Controller or accessories?
Click here for details

Looking for synth soundbanks to use with your wind controller?
Click here for details

We BUY USED wind controllers IN ANY CONDITION! Email Matt or call us for details.
Click here for a list of what we are looking for.

Wind Controller Repairs and Mods

Patchman Music is THE place to go for professional wind controller repairs. We specialize in wind controller sales and we can fix them!

Our Wind Controller Tech can repair almost ANY wind controller!

In addition to our wind synth and wind controller sales, sound design support, and factory authorized Akai and Yamaha wind controller repairs, Patchman Music also repairs most other wind controllers and wind controller related synths and accessories. Unlike others that might dabble at this as a hobby, we are dedicated FULL TIME wind controller professionals. Patchman Music is also THE repair center for all Akai EWI warranty repairs within the USA. Our wind controller tech, Matt Traum, has extensive experience playing, customizing, and repairing wind controllers and wind controller related synths and accessories. Matt's previous clients include wind controller pros such as Bob Mintzer (Yellowjackets), Mike Metheny, Richie Havens, and Bobby Read (Bruce Hornsby). Why trust your wind controller to a keyboard guy or hobbyist who has never even seen a wind controller before?! We actually play and understand wind controllers and do the job right. We are also a factory authorized repair center for Yamaha and Akai wind controller gear and related items.

When Akai Corp and EWI/EVI inventor Nyle Steiner sends their wind controller repairs to Patchman Music, you can entrust us with your instrument!

We have extensive experience with all Wind Controllers including...

Akai wind controllers including the Akai EWI4000s, EWI1000, EVI1000, EWI3000, EWI3020
Akai wind controller synth modules including the Akai EWV2000, EWI3000, EWI3020-m, and EWI3030-m
Casio Digital Horns/Saxes including the Casio DH-100, DH-200, DH-500, DH-800. Yes we can fix that nasty squeal and anything else! Yes we can fix that dead breath sensor!
Crumar EVI Controller. We are the world's leading Crumar EVI specialists!
Marshall Morrison Instruments MDT trumpet wind controller
Steiner EVI, Steiner-Parker EVI wind controllers including the MIDI EVI and MIDI EWI
Yamaha wind controllers including the Yamaha WX7, WX11, WX5, EW20 (WindJamm'r)
Yamaha synth modules including the Yamaha VL70-m, VL1-m, WT11, TX81Z, VL1-m, TG55, and more
For Lyricon Repairs click here
Many others...

Patchman Music maintains one of the largest inventories of wind controller parts in the world. Because of this, we can fix wind synths that others simply cannot. Please understand that occasionally parts are no longer available for older wind controllers. In such cases, we may even offer to buy unrepairable wind controllers for parts.

"Matt Traum is THE cat as far as EWI related activity. He knows the instrument in terms of capability and repair, and is one heck of a programmer. I'm using versions of his sounds now. Anyone interested in exploring the EWI and EVI must check out Patchman Music."

Bob Mintzer, Sax & EWI virtuoso with The Yellowjackets

"Bravo! Many thanks, Matt. [My Akai EVI1000 / EWV2000] is playing beautifully. Good job. I am just as impressed with the excellent repair service at Patchman Music as I am with your beautiful website. My EVI now has new life! Thanks for everything."

Mike Metheny, Trumpet, Crumar EVI, Akai EVI1000 / EWV2000, Jazz Educator

Folk Rock Legend Richie Havens Comments...

"YO MATT, I wanted to thank you for adding another ten years to my life :) :) :) <- 3 smiles... You did a great job on my DH-100.... YAY. I really do appreciate what you've done. It's good to know where you are... just in case.... Stay Well Matt.... A friend, Richie Havens"

Richie Havens, Legendary Folk Rock Artist (Woodstock, etc...)

Here are just a few of the wind controller services offered...

Factory Authorized Yamaha and Akai Repair Center. Patchman Music does factory authorized repairs on Yamaha and Akai wind controller gear and related items. We are also an authorized dealer for Yamaha and Akai. We specialize in Yamaha and Akai wind controller gear. When Akai Corp and EWI/EVI inventor Nyle Steiner sends their wind controller repairs to Patchman Music, you can entrust us with your instrument!

Casio DH-100, DH-200, DH-500, DH800, Squeal Fix. Is your Casio Digital Horn squeeling like a pig? We can fix it for good as well as get the rest of the horn in top playing condition! Complete details are here.

Casio DH-100, DH-200, DH-500, DH800, Dead Breath Sensor Fix. Is your Casio Digital Horn breath sesnor dead? We can fix it!

Backup Battery Replacement. Are your user patches scrambled? Has your EWI module all of the sudden become non-operational? We can fix that. We offer a backup battery replacement service. Most times this is a rather complicated procedure that should only be done by professionals. For example, in the Akai EWI modules replacing the backup battery requires nearly a complete disassembly of the unit as well as very careful soldering. We can usually install a battery clip for much easier future battery replacement by the user.

Wind Controller Calibration. Often times, folks new to the wind controller will start adjusting their instrument incorrectly and put it into unplayable condition. We can get you back on track quickly.

OS Updates. Got an older unit that is running an outdated OS version? We can update most wind controller synth modules to the latest OS.

MIDI EVI Wireless MIDI Mod. Yes! We can modify your MIDI EVI to be a fully self-contained wireless MIDI wind controller! You too can own one of the world's first truly self-contained wireless MIDI wind controllers. A transmitter is installed in the area where the 9 volt battery normally is. The battery is moved outside the body and it is now in the canister area. The antenna is inside the body so there is virtually no sign of the added wireless capabilities from the outside! Everything is powered from a single 9 volt battery, one single power switch, and no extra wires. It is incredible to have this freedom. Here is a picture of Matt Traum's modified Wireless MIDI EVI. The MIDI wireless receiver (not shown) is about the size of a deck of cards. (Note that this photo shows an additional custom mod with a clear wraparound panel. There are 4 blue LEDs inside which provides an inner glow. This EVI also has Matt's Embouchure Sensor installed.) Click here for more info on the MidiJet Pro Wireless MIDI System.

EWI4000s Noisy Headphone Jack Mod. Got a noisy squealing headphone jack on your EWI4000s? We can completely silence that with our proprietary circuit mod developed in our wind controller lab.

EWI / EVI Roller Service. Getting lots of glitches when using the EWI / EVI rollers? We can make your rollers better than new with our proprietary techniques we have developed in our wind controller lab.

EWI / EVI Mouthpiece Replacement and Adjustment. Is the bite sensor in your EWI / EVI not feeling right or does the mouthpiece need to be replaced? We can fix it professionally.

EWI / EVI / WX DH Breath Sensor Replacement. Is your EWI / EVI / WX / DH breath sensor not responding like it used to? We can install a new one in most models.

WX5, WX7, WX11, EWI Breath and Bite Sensor Calibration. We sell a lot of WXs and EWIs and we have NEVER received a factory fresh WX / EWI that was properly calibrated from the factory! This is why we hand calibrate EACH AND EVERY NEW WX and EWI we sell before it leaves our shop. If you are having trouble doing reliable pitchbending, vibrato, and tonguing with your Yamaha WX or Akai EWI, give us a call. Our calibration procedure includes an electronic as well as a physical calibration that makes all the difference in the world. Enjoy your WX / EWI fully the way it was designed and have an expert set it up today.

WX5, WX7, WX11 Bite Sensor Repair. Is your WX Bite Sensor no longer responding? We can fix that.

WX11 Key Switch Replacements. Are some of the notes on your WX11 sticking or not responding reliably (or at all) to your fingers? We can make your WX11 play like new.

WX5, WX7, WX11 Octave Key Switch Replacement. If your WX Octave keys are feeling sluggish or non-responsive, or the switch has broken, that is no problem for Patchman Music's Wind Controller repair shop.

VL70-m Radio Interference Fix. Hearing some cool licks from your VL70-m but they're not coming from you? We can fix radio signal interference on the your VL70-m once and for all.

Jack and Connector Replacement. We can fix broken output jacks and other connectors on your gear.

Noisy Knobs. We can fix that.

EWI3000m Module CV Outs Mod. We can add CV outs to your Akai EWI3000m module. Adds Control Voltage output jacks for Bend CV, Bite CV, Breath CV, Vibrato CV, Pitch Octave CV, Pitch Finger CV, and Pitch Combined CV.

Steiner / Crumar EVI Overhaul. Has your Crumar seen better days? Our repair tech, Matt Traum, is a leading authority and performer on the Crumar EVI. Matt can get this wonderful instrument back into top playing condition. If needed, we can replace the power cord, calibrate the synth, clean the pots, check the switches and octave canister, replace chips and components, update the power supply, etc... Contact Matt to discuss the possibilities.

Steiner / Crumar EVI Bend Sensor Mod. Finally- bend sensors for the Crumar! This is the single most desirable thing that was not built into the Crumar. We can add bend sensors to your Crumar EVI transforming it into a truly professional fully expressive wind controller. Click here for a photo of this mod. (This photo also shows the "Connecting Cable Mod" and the "Transpose Switch Mod".)

Steiner / Crumar EVI Transpose Switch Mod. We can add a dedicated 3 position transpose switch right on your Crumar EVI horn for instant transposition to Bb, C, or Eb. Great for reading parts and scores for differently pitched instruments. Actually you can specifiy which 3 intervals you would like! Perhaps you would like C, C#, and 1 octave up? Or C, Bb, and 1 Octave down? Click here for a photo of this mod. The transpose switch is covering the letter "i" in the Steiner logo.

Steiner / Crumar EVI Octave Transpose Switch Mod. We can add a dedicated three position transpose switch to your Crumar EVI synth for instant overall octave transposition. Click here for a photo of this mod. The transpose switch is covering the letter "i" in the Steiner logo.

Steiner / Crumar EVI CV Outs Mod. We can add three dedicated 1/4" output jacks to your Crumar EVI synth for control voltage (CV) signals for pitch, vibrato (pitchbend) sensor, and breath sensor.

Steiner / Crumar EVI Connecting Cable Mod. Having trouble with shorts or intermittant connections with the EVI connecting cable? We can replace the short and bulky hardwired connecting cable with a new REMOVABLE and DISCONNECTABLE cable and new connector jacks. Now you can connect a cable of any length to your EVI for full freedom of movement. Also you can swap Crumar EVI controllers very easily if needed. Click here and here for photos of this mod.

Steiner / Crumar Breath Sensor/Power LED Mod. We can modify the Crumar's power LED to change colors when you blow! The color gradually crossfades from red to green as you blow harder into the EVI. Pretty cool!

Steiner / Crumar Power LED Mod. We can replace that boring red power on indicator LED with an exciting cool new blue one of the 21st century. Other colors are available as well. Click here for a photo of this mod. (This photo also shows the "Breath Sensor LED Mod").

Steiner / Crumar Breath Sensor LED Mod. We can install a second LED to indicate breath level. This LED gets brighter as you blow harded into the EVI. Other colors are available as well. Click here for a photo of this mod. (This photo also shows the blue "Power LED Mod").

Steiner / Crumar Power Supply Rebuild. We can rebuild the power supply in your Crumar EVI with new and more modern components. Since the Crumar is going on 25 years old, it's not a bad idea to do this before serious damage occurs to its hard to find chips and other components.

Steiner / Crumar EVI AC Power Cord Replacement. If your power cord is looking old, we can replace it.

Steiner EVI, Steiner-Parker EVI Repairs. Patchman Music is one of the only places in the world that knows these complicated and unique instruments and can get them working properly.

TOA D3 Mixer Repairs. This is our favorite wind controller mixer. We recommend it for our wind controller clients and we support it! We can fix your TOA D3 mixer. We have original replacement parts in stock for these rare but excellent mixers.

Many Other Services Are Offered. Email Matt with the grisly details of your ailing gear for an estimate.

What We Charge

The cost of repairs and mods varies with the job to be done. The minimum charge for the repair shop is $75 plus shipping back to you. This non-refundable $75 minimum charge includes the initial evaluation / first hour of shop time. Additional shop time is $75 per hour. The customer is also responsible for the cost of parts as well as the cost of the return shipping which generally ranges from $25 to $40. We generally use, and strongly recommend, FedEx for shipping. Ohio residents will be charged appropriate Ohio sales tax.

The average repair takes about two hours. Total repair charges generally range in the area of $100 to $200 (plus the cost of parts if needed). Turnaround time is extremely quick- usually a matter of only a few days- unless we need to order parts. Obviously, if we need to order parts the delay can be significantly longer.

There is always a chance that your item cannot be repaired or that it simply is not practical to proceed to repair it due to cost or availability of parts. In such cases, we will let you know and you can decide the next step. We buy unrepairable wind controllers for our parts inventory and using used but fully functioning parts may be an option.

Payment is required in full before we ship the item back to you. Payment is required before we ship item back via personal check, cashier's check, or money order ONLY. Credit cards are not accepted for repairs. If paying by personal check, we must hold items one week to allow the check to clear. Please make checks and money orders payable to "Matt Traum". There is $35 fee for checks returned for non-sufficient funds.

Repairs Are For US Customers Only- No Exceptions

Assuming you are a US customer, we can have a look at the item. (If you are outside the US, you will need to find a repair person in your country or have a contact in the US handle the transaction for you.)

Since we are WIND CONTROLLER PROFESSIONALS, we are able to fix gear very quickly. Almost all repairs are completed within a day or two of when the gear was received! So payment via a money order will allow us to send the item back to you faster than payment via a personal check.

Unlike the hobbyists or part-timers that dabble in this area, Patchman Music is a dedicated full-time professional wind controller business. Patchman Music specializes in wind controllers and can do most repairs on most wind controllers. We have worked on numerous wind controllers and have a huge stock of wind controller parts- many being no longer available anywhere else.

If you wish to continue, please send the item well padded and insured with signature required so that you know the item arrived safely. Also include a note _specifically_ describing the problems, how we can reproduce the problem, and what you want us to do. Please include your complete name and address and phone number in the box.

How To Proceed

If you would like Patchman Music to repair your gear, first email or call Matt to discuss the problem. After the repair has been discussed and you want to proceed with the repair, please pack the item very well so the unit gets to us in one piece, ship the item insured. We recommend FedEx for shipping. Be sure to include your full address and phone number inside the box. Also be sure a signature is required so that you know the item arrived here safely.

Shipping...

We recommend that you pad the item very well when you pack it and send ONLY the necessary items (don't send batteries or AC adaptors or cables unless they could be part of the problem). Ship to the address below via an insured and trackable method with signature required. This is for your own protection and will eliminate the possibility of any unpleasant surprises for either party.

Ship To...

PATCHMAN MUSIC
9535 Greystone Parkway
Brecksville, OH 44141

(440) 740-1288

Overseas Inquiries...

Patchman Music does NOT ship hardware outside the US. NO EXCEPTIONS (as always, we do ship any of our software products anywhere in the world). If you are outside the USA and you wish to have us repair your gear, you will need to have a contact in the US completely handle the transaction for you. Please do not ask us to make an exception.

Customer Comments...

"Matt Traum is THE cat as far as EWI related activity. He knows the instrument in terms of capability and repair, and is one heck of a programmer. I'm using versions of his sounds now. Anyone interested in exploring the EWI and EVI must check out Patchman Music." - Bob Mintzer Sax and EWI with The Yellowjackets

"Matt has been THE indispensible resource in my efforts to get my wind controller scene going, from knowing all about the options available, stocking and selling much of it, programming really usable sounds, to going beyond the call of duty repairing my MIDI harmonizer, mid-tour, and generally being a great advocate and cheerleader for anyone interested in wind controllers. Fortunately my WX5 has had no troubles, but I'm sure if it did, Patchman music can deal with all of it." - Bobby Read -WX5 / Sax with Bruce Hornsby

"Matt at Patchman can do excellent repair work on an EWI and EVI - in fact he is my first choice for where to send my wind controller gear for repair and he is quite good at it. He gets my highest recommendation." - Steve Anderson, IWSA President and Founding Member, EVI Virtuoso, The EVI Zone

"Bravo! Many thanks, Matt. [My Akai EVI1000 / EWV2000] is playing beautifully. Good job. I am just as impressed with the excellent repair service at Patchman Music as I am with your beautiful website. My EVI now has new life! Thanks for everything." - Mike Metheny,Trumpet, Crumar EVI, Akai EVI1000 , Jazz Educator

"YO MATT, I wanted to thank you for adding another ten years to my life :) :) :) <- 3 smiles... You did a great job on my DH-100.... YAY. I really do appreciate what you've done. It's good to know where you are... just in case.... Stay Well Matt.... A friend, Richie Havens" - Richie Havens, Legendary Folk Rock Artist (Woodstock, etc...)

"I received my Crumar EVI back today, and, as usual, your repair and modification work exceeded my expectations! The cable mod is superb and I love the new benders and the multi-color breath indicator light. The Crumar will definitely see action once again! Thanks again for the professional service and quality repair work. Patchman Music is my first choice for all wind controller repair needs, and I recommend your services without hesitation to fellow wind controller players. I have always received great service from Patchman Music. In essence, you are the 'Emilio Lyons' of wind controller repair! Keep up the great work." - Steve Anderson, IWSA President and Founding Member, EVI Virtuoso, The EVI Zone

"Matt, it arrived today! I just got thru hooking both of the WX7's to my VL70-M. In a word, 'WOW!' Thank you ao much for doing what you do! I am so glad there is someone like you that provides service and customer support for this great instrument... again, thank you so much!!!"

"Hi Matt, thanks for fixing my old Crumar EVI so well. I'm taking a trip to Costa Rica this Thursday and decided to take it with me." - Rolando Gingras

"Matt, My WX11 and WX5 arrived back here on Saturday the 3rd. What a quick turnaround! Thanks for fixing my horns!! The WX11 is, indeed, like new, with the key replacements (or whatever you call it) and the new reed. And the WX5 is back in working order. So now I have TWO horns, rather than more like 2 'half-horns' a couple of weeks ago. It's great playing them through the Patchman VL70, and I'm looking forward to showing them off tomorrow at a Dixieland gig (clarinet, tenor sax, and trombone, most likely). Anyway, thanks again for your excellent, and rapid, service. I'll be sure to recommend you, and to call on you again if anything else comes up."

"Matt, that's impressive. I have never sent anything in for repair that was returned so quick. I have been in construction since I was 10 years old, many tools repaired during the last 37 years. Also I have played sax since I was in 5th grade. Never has anything I have sent in been repaired and returned so quick. Thanks again."

"Matt, Thanks for the amazingly fast/excellent service. The EWI was delivered 3 days ahead of schedule and works beautifully. It was a total of exactly 1 week from the discovery of a problem to having it back in my hands working better than before. I will not consider going anywhere else for any future wind controller needs. Thanks again."

"Hi Matt, I had to drop a note to let you know the EWI feels great and performs great too. The EWI4000s works Great and better than when I got it. No more glitching rollers and the headphone mod works well too. Thanks again. Now if I can start getting some extra work, gigs and such, I can think about getting a backup instrument as well as a chip for my other VL70 and the TX802 sounds for my TX802. Take care."

"Matt, the Crumar EVI arrived safely on Friday afternoon. I got to play with it Saturday and I'm very happy with the work you did on it. They are fun little instruments as you know and people love them. Take care."

"Hi Matt... got the EWI the other day. It arrived in great shape and works much better-- after you undid all the damage that I had done! Thanks again for taking the time during the holiday to work on it and for the great work."

"Hey Matt, It is already here! All I can say is 'incredible'. Thanks for the great service and now I am already thinking about the VL70-m. Thanks again!"

"Matt, Just wanted to let you know that my WX-5 got back in plenty of time, and the modification is working out great. Thanks for your great service."

"Matt, thank you for repairing my WT11- I can't believe you got it going!!! So many local Yamaha repair shops just could not FIX it!! They told me to give up and buy the VL70-m tone generator. Well, you made my day- thank you again and again!!!"

"Matt, everything works great. Thank you so much for supporting us EVI players. I no longer feel like I am out here in the sticks all alone. No one around here has even seen an EVI let alone knows how to fix it. Thanks Again!!!!!"

"Hey, thanks for the great job. It sounds better than ever, at least as good as the day I got it as a present 15 or so years ago."

"I sent my WX5 to Matt at Patchman and he fixed it in a day and sent it back. Great service. I haven't had a problem since I got it back."

"Hi Matt. I just wanted to drop you a line and say thanks for the fine repair job to my WX5. Thanks Again"

"Outstanding service on my EVI wind controller. Matt fixed it right and in record time! He's the only repair person I would trust with my wind controller."

"Got the Horn back today. It's great to be able to play it again. Thanks so much and also for the quick return."

"Matt, I got the Casio DH-100 today. It's in beautiful condition. When I got rid of my previous one, I had become used to the rickety shape it had fallen into. This one plays like new... tight buttons, very responsive. It's good to be playing one of them again. Thanks for the great service!"

"Matt, I got my DH-100 today, and it plays like brand new. I had not heard that wonderful sound in such a long time. It is wonderful to be able to play it again. Thank you so very much for being able to fix my little horn, and doing it in such a timely fashion. I greatly appreciate it."

"Hey Matt - Horn received. Thanks a lot for making it work again - I missed it!"

"Thanks a ton Matt for all you did for me and my MIDI EVI. I look forward to sending my other EVI to you for a 'physical' and breath block rebuild! Regards."

"Hi Matt, received my DH-200 after it was repaired by you. I am now a happy man. Thank you."

"Matt, received the DH-100 case; I didn't know it was going to be like brand new! It's very cool, thanks."

"Thank you very much for being so prompt with the shipping of the electric horn to my brother. He called me yesterday playing a song over the phone. I have not heard him so happy in a very long time."