{"id":5286,"date":"2026-04-11T17:32:55","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T17:32:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/?page_id=5286"},"modified":"2026-04-12T16:01:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T16:01:52","slug":"akai-ewi3020m-info-and-modifications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/?page_id=5286","title":{"rendered":"Akai EWI3020M Info and Modifications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Akai EWI3020M is an awesome dual VCO synthesizer module with a proper CEM 4 pole low pass filter and analogue VCA that was sold as a wind controller module but also has midi input and a very handy modulation matrix of sorts. Analogue sound, digital control, with two ADSRs and an LFO that can be routed in various ways to pitch, pulse width, filter cutoff, resonance and amplitude. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Akai EWI3020M Modifications\" width=\"525\" height=\"295\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/29UAufQIAoY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 3020M is not too different from one voice of an Akai VX600 or the two-voice EWI3000M but has a unique combiantion of aspects.  Like the VX600, it can make VCO2 frequency modulate VCO1 or (it&#8217;s either or, sadly) the filter cutoff, and like the EWV2000 (a model that uses CEM3394 IC like you know them from Doepfer&#8217;s Dark Energy) it has some &#8220;reed&#8221; filter (actually a string and bassoon filter) set between the VCF\/VCA processor and a final VCA. This filter consists of a series of fixed cutoff bandpass filters that make the sound, yes, reeedier. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1785\" src=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2355-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5290\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4341855903181833;width:553px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2355-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2355-300x209.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Components <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392369-1024x450.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5291\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2.2755855665752267;width:562px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392369-1024x450.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392369-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392369-768x338.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392369-1536x675.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392369-2048x900.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"388\" src=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FILTER2_EWI-1024x388.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5289\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2.6392559960841897;width:562px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FILTER2_EWI-1024x388.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FILTER2_EWI-300x114.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FILTER2_EWI-768x291.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FILTER2_EWI-1536x581.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FILTER2_EWI-2048x775.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You get a CEM3374-based dual VCO and a MIX\/VCF\/VCA processor based on the CEM3378. A coupel of Misubishi VCAs serve as modulation VCAs and final sound VCA. Pitch info, envelopes, and LFO are digitallly generated, which involves some DAC and a couple of SSM-made  Sample and Hold ICs. Pretty sweet setup that is not unlike that of more conventional synths (for a comparison, check my <a href=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/?page_id=5270\">Akai EWI300M page<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\" style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"27090371539\" height=\"10000156681\" class=\"wp-image-5288\" style=\"width: 27090371539px;\" src=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392381-1024x378.jpg\" alt=\"eeee\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392381-1024x378.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392381-300x111.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392381-768x284.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392381-1536x567.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734375392381-2048x756.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Modifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>V\/Oct in for VCO1 \/2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use a volt repeater (positive op amp) for interfacing external CV, please!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ca. 1.5k at IC119, PIN7 for VCO1; ca. 1.5k at IC119, PIN12 for VCO2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">best use 1k resistor and 1k multi turn trimmer in series, and since this resistance is very low, best use voltage repeater (op-amp) at input, i.e. input socket &gt; 1k resistor &gt; voltage repeater &gt; trimmer.  This works nicely in parallel with the internal midi converter. Yet, if you use the 3020m entirely without midi, you might find the tonal range of the VCOs two octaves or so too high, so best plan for coarse tuning pots as well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>VCF Frequency CV Input<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At ca. 47k you get a V\/Oct response.&nbsp;And: use a volt repeater (positive op amp) for interfacing external CV, please! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>VCA CV input<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again, use a volt repeater (positive op amp) for interfacing external CV, please! I find a 33k resistor between your input socket and IC148, PIN11 works best.&nbsp;If you want CV over the FM\/FFM VCA as well, use 33k resistor at IC148, PIN4.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>FM Modulation altered<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/moreFM_tri_ewi3020m.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More details soon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Filter modifications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Basically, you can do the same amazing thing like on the Oberheim Xpander\/Matrix12, where you tap the individual filter poles and mix and match them for different filter types. On my unit, I rewired teh IC switch for the static &#8220;string and bassoon&#8221; filter thing, which is located between main VCF and final VCA, so you can select three different filter types. More are, of course possible, but this way, I can save each filter response with a sound patch. Neat! Here&#8217;s waht some different band passes and 12db\/6db low passes sound like:     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Bandpass_mod_2.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/screamo_ewi.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What you need to do is to tap the indidual pole caps of the VCF and amplify them (quite a bit); then mix them. Details on this soon! <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"833\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734526421951-833x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5301\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.8134877230038094;width:450px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734526421951-833x1024.jpg 833w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734526421951-244x300.jpg 244w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734526421951-768x944.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734526421951-1249x1536.jpg 1249w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734526421951-1666x2048.jpg 1666w, https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1734526421951.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s some noodling with different mods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ewiemods_round1.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\"><strong>Part Inventory<\/strong><\/h2><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">Since there isn&#8217;t any schematic of the EWI3020M freely available, I list the analogue signal path side of things here (excluding the SH-ics), in case anyone needs details for troubleshooting or the like.<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">IC119 (CEM3374) DUAL VCO; A = VCO1, B=VCO2<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">IC122 (BU4066BC): VCO 1 and 2 Wave form selector (TRI, SAW)<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">IC120 (NJM4558): VCO PW Comparator; IC120-A = PULSE VCO1, IC120B = PULSE VCO2<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">External PWM input possible via -IN of each half via 10k-15K resistor for -5\/+5V input; works only when PW is selected as waveform<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">Waveform Switching: VCO1 TRI (IC119, Pin5) directly to IC122, PIN1. Switch out (IC122, PIN2) to R182 (18K). VCO1 SAW (IC119, Pin2) via R173 (4.7k) to IC122, PIN4. Switch out (IC122, PIN3) to R183 (18K). R182 and R182 tied together, fed through C165 and R188 (22k) to IC125, PIn15. VCO2 TRI to IC122, Pin11 directly. Switch out (pin10) to R185 (12k). VCO2 SAW (IC119, PIN17) via R177 (4.7k) to IC122, PIN8. Switch OUT (Pin9) to R186 (18k). R185 and R186 tied together, fed through C106 and R190 (22k) to IC125, PIn16.<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">IC125 (CEM3378): VCO MIxer, VCF, Level VCA; internal VCA is only used for general volume\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">setting (final VCA is after Filter2). 3378 VCA out to OPA buffer (IC 181-B) to 4053 multiplexer IC146, Pin2.\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">Filter2: some 14 NJM4558 in DIL package for creating a static \u201cstring\u201d and \u201creed\u201d filter<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">IC146 (BU4\u00df53BC): Filter2 selector that leads via R309 to final VCA (see EWV2000 schematics)<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">IC148 (M5206P) &#8211; dual VCA; A = FFM VCA (saw wave from VCO2); B = Final VCA<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">EXTERNAL VCA CV: 0V to +5V via 1k resistor and zener diode clipping overhead voltages<\/p><p style=\"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;\">IC127 (BU4053BC) = FM\/FFM selector (+ EXT in in lieu of VCO1 signal)\u00a0<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Akai EWI3020M is an awesome dual VCO synthesizer module with a proper CEM 4 pole low pass filter and analogue VCA that was sold as a wind controller module but also has midi input and a very handy modulation matrix of sorts. Analogue sound, digital control, with two ADSRs and an LFO that can &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maffez.com\/?page_id=5286\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Akai EWI3020M Info and Modifications&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5286","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5286"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5286\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5341,"href":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5286\/revisions\/5341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}