An new electronic valve instrument (EVI) MIDI controller.

The NuEVI is based on, and features all the playing aspects of, the original Nyle Steiner MIDI EVI, including the slur sustain and interval/chord functionality. Taking the instrument further, an OLED display with a menu system for settings and sensor adjustments has been added, as well as USB MIDI in addition to the DIN MIDI, settings stored in non-volatile memory, built in battery meter, selectable breath curve, and a number of additional control options. A lip sensor (extra controller) for sending Modulation Wheel or Foot Pedal MIDI CC is also included. Another addition that has been made is a MIDI Rotator function based on Robby Kilgores MIDI Rotator.

Please note that the NuEVI is handmade by me in small batches. I am making them available through my company – Berglund Instruments. These new EVIs are built on demand for each person that orders them in the order of payment received. Current cost for the standard version NuEVI is $995 USD plus shipping/handling ($35 from Sweden). Sales within the EU will also have VAT (25%) on top of that. Payment in advance will be required in order to get into the building queue. Payments are made through PayPal or IBAN bank transfer.

I am producing these new EVIs in a small scale fashion. The EVIs are made available to interested parties on a first come, first serve basis. As you have contacted me previously, I am confirming that you are on my list of interested persons.

At the time of order/payment you may also add options to your build. Customization options/additions available at this time are:

  • dB (Darren Barrett) mouthpiece, based on the mouthpiece of the Crumar EVI (with the extra controller sensor moved to a place near the vibrato and pitch bend controls and portamento control sacrificed) $35 Mainly recommended for trumpet players using the “pucker” embouchure. There is also a trumpet style nozzle mouthpiece available. Contact me for more info about these options.
  • Wireless system for MIDI, with transmitter installed inside the NuEVI(modified PandaAudio midiBeam) $220 (Possible to install later, easy plug and play.)
  • Built in CV board (not in combination with wireless board, as these occupy the same space) with output jacks for 1V/oct in 8 octaves and breath CV (0 to 10V) $220 (this version also uses an AA battery holder to compensate increased power consumption)
  • PneuBite system. Closed system air pressure sensing bite sensor based on the Steiner Master’s Touch bite, but improved with pressure equalization valve. $130
  • Stainless steel rollers upgrade $30
  • Custom color combinations can also be discussed (cost mainly depending on expenses)

If you have previously bought a NuEVI, before the wireless system was introduced, I can offer an upgrade kit that is very simple to install. It is $220 shipped, and it comes with a bracket in a color matching your NuEVI. Just contact me if you are interested in this.

I will be contacting people in the order they contacted me, inviting them to place an order, through a separate “NuEVI order invitation” email, so keep your eye out for that one. At that time, you will have the opportunity to purchase a NuEVI and get into the current production queue. If you are no longer interested in obtaining a NuEVI, please let me know and I will remove you from the email list.

Technical information

The NuEVI features all the playing aspects of the original Nyle Steiner MIDI EVI, including the slur sustain and interval/chord functionality. Taking the instrument further, an OLED display with a menu system for settings and sensor adjustments has been added, as well as USB MIDI in addition to the DIN MIDI, settings stored in non-volatile memory, built in battery meter, selectable breath curve, and a number of additional control options. A lip sensor (extra controller) for sending Modulation Wheel or Foot Pedal MIDI CC is also included. Another addition that has been made is a MIDI Rotator function based on Robby Kilgores MIDI Rotator.

To get to know the NuEVI, I can higly recommend the tutorial video series by Mark Steiner (two videos so far)

More geeky tech info:

Power source: 3xAAA alkaline batteries or USB
Brains: PJRC Teensy 3.2 microcontroller dev board (Cortex M4)
USB: Micro USB jack, class compliant USB MIDI
Type of sensing: Capacitive, using built in Teensy cap touch sense and the MPR121 chip
Sensors: Touch keys and rollers, pitch bend pads (proportional), vibrato lever (for a nice, violin like, manual vibrato), breath sensor, bite sensor (for portamento control) and lip sensor (extra controller)
Breath sensor system: Closed (like the original Steiner EVIs), NXP MP3V5004GP piezoresistive transducer, 0 to 3.92 kPa
Body: Main body and canister from 3D printed PLA plastic, top and bottom sheets in transparent laser cut/etched acrylic
DIN MIDI: one MIDI OUT jack
CV output: 0 to 3.3V breath CV (digitally processed, approx 1ms interval updated 12 bit (4096 steps) through unused pin of DIN MIDI jack.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Pricing

EU Pricing

€1195 VAT incl. (€956 w. VAT excl.) – Base model

€1245 VAT incl. (€996 w. VAT excl.) – Base model+LiPo

€1445 VAT incl. (€1156 w. VAT excl.) – Wireless model

€1495 VAT incl. (€1196 w. VAT excl.) – Wireless model+Lipo

€1445 VAT incl. (€1156 w. VAT excl.) – CV model

€1495 VAT incl. (€1196 w. VAT excl.) – CV model+Lipo

USD Pricing

$1195 – Base model

$1245 – Base model+LiPo

$1445 – Wireless model

$1495 – Wireless model+LiPo

$1445 – CV model

$1495 – CV model+LiPo

$55 – +Ball Bearing Canister

$30 – +Stainless rollers


Color Options

NuEVI – Kind of Blue

NuEVI – Midnight Blue

NuEVI – Obsidian

NuEVI – Profondo Rosso

NuEVI – Purple Reign

NuEVI – Radioactive Green

NuEVI – Snow and Ice

NuEVI – Twilight