Comparison of Similar Existing Products

Akai EWI series

 

• Manufactured by Akai Professional. 
• Series of wind controllers aimed at professional or home musicians, likely adults.
• Resembles a flute or recorder, with a breath-sensing mouthpiece at one end and flute-like keys used to change the pitch.
• Functionality ranges from being a simple USB controller (requiring an external computer to perform the synthesis) to fully synthesized, high quality sounds built into the instrument on the higher-end models. 
• Has wireless connectivity for onstage use; no built-in loudspeaker on any EWI model.
• Price ranges from $300-$800 retail depending on the model.

Like the DUbone, it incorporates a wind controller, but the key (pitch control) system is much more complicated and less intuitive than our trombone-like continuous controller design. 

Yamaha WX5

 

• Manufactured by Yamaha.
• Marketed at adult musicians and professionals.  
• USB wind controller, remarkably similar to the Akai EWI USB model in both form and function.
• Shaped like a traditional wind instrument with a more classical design aesthetic than the Akai.
• Controller that performs no synthesis.
• Price is around $700 retail. 

Note that we were unable to find a wind-sensing instrument currently being marketed to children, like we are intending for the DUbone.

Otamatone

• Manufactured by Otamatone. 
• Simple audio frequency oscillator controlled by a resistive ribbon. Player slides their finger along the ribbon to control the pitch.
• Produces a harmonic-rich tone from a small speaker.
• Speaker enclosed in a deformable acoustically resonant chamber, which can be squeezed and manipulated to change the tone of the sound produced.
• Whimsically shaped like a musical eighth note, with a “face” on the dot of the note, its “mouth” forming the resonant cavity for the speaker.
• Controls provided for volume and pitch range selection.
• Cost $40, directly from the manufacturer.

While it is not a wind controller like the DUbone, this toy is designed to appeal to children and places simplicity and ease of use over professional features.  Unlike the aforementioned professional instruments, the Otamatone and DUbone designs both run on batteries and feature built-in loudspeakers to allow children to make noises without external hardware or power connections.