Roland Aerophone Brisa Digital Wind Instrument

A wind controller with a flute layout

Before getting to the release, here’s some history. Wind controllers are synths (and/or synth controllers) you play by blowing into them like a traditional wind instrument. They first hit the mainstream in the late ’70s when Nyle Steiner introduce the EVI (Electric Valve Instrument) and EWI (Electric Wind Instrument).

Anyone who’s played one knows just how expressive they are.

Akai since took over the EWI line, and current versions are still available (the EWI 5000 is their flagship model). Yamaha came out with the WX7, a more sax-oriented instrument, in the ’80s, and there are still current iterations on the market. There has been any number of… dare one say… no, one dare not say “cheap”… derivative wind controllers along the way, along with others that fill various niches.

Roland didn’t start making wind controllers until a few years ago, with their Aerophone range. Aerophones are very serious instruments, most of them higher-end, with very credible onboard sounds – in fact one would have to say that’s their biggest strength vs. other wind controllers.

The Aerophone, EWI, and WX instruments are all designed so musicians who have learned – or are starting to learn – wind instruments can pick them up with minimal adjustment. One look at the pictures with this release will tell you that the Aerophone Brisa is played like a flute.

But like the other instruments, you can use other fingerings – recorder, Boehm, etc. Another innovation in the Brisa is that you shift octaves by blowing into two different breath sensors. For those of us who play wind controllers, this is very interesting.

And now without further ado, here’s Roland’s release:

Roland introduces Aerophone Brisa, the latest member of the company’s Aerophone family of digital wind instruments. Aerophone Brisa combines the design and key layout of a traditional flute with the modern benefits of the Aerophone series, including a diverse selection of onboard sounds and deep customization options. It also features a newly developed sound engine tailored for different wind instrument styles, with a special focus on the unique articulations and techniques used by flute players.

Introduced in 2016, Roland’s Aerophone series has opened a universe of creative possibilities for wind musicians, providing everything from premium sax-style instruments like Aerophone Pro to the entry-level Aerophone mini. Aerophone Brisa is an exciting evolution of the growing Roland Aerophone platform, offering a comfortable and friendly experience for flutists, players of other wind instruments, and beginners alike.

Aerophone Brisa features a stylish, lightweight design with a straight structure, responsive flute-style keys, and intuitive controls that make playing effortless and enjoyable. Roland’s latest advancements in natural wind expression are reflected in the new SuperNATURAL Winds sound engine, which delivers rich, inspiring tones that mirror the immediate response and dynamic control of acoustic instruments.

With 100 onboard tones, Aerophone Brisa is ready to fuel limitless creative journeys. The library includes flute family instruments such as concert and bass flutes, piccolos, and jazz flutes, along with saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, and other wind instruments. Also included are orchestral strings, world sounds like pan flute and shakuhachi, plus synthesizers and drum sounds for performing contemporary music styles.

Equipped with a newly developed dual breath sensor system, Aerophone Brisa provides natural wind control that will be familiar to all types of players. For flutists, the instrument introduces a unique way to shift octaves by directing their breath between two mouthpiece holes as they play. Flute and trumpet fingering modes are available, along with a special Brisa mode that’s ideal for saxophone and recorder players and anyone new to wind instruments.

Aerophone Brisa’s versatile digital engine allows players to add harmonies and drones, enriching solo and ensemble sessions with tonalities that typically require multiple musicians. There are many ways to control sounds in real time, including customizable thumb and S1/S2 buttons and an integrated motion sensor to apply vibrato, pitch bend, and other effects with simple body movements.

Aerophone Brisa features an onboard speaker, headphone jack, and rechargeable battery, allowing users to play anytime and anywhere. The USB-C port provides audio/MIDI communication with music production apps, and the headphone output can also be used to connect with a sound system for live performances. In addition, Bluetooth MIDI is available to send wireless MIDI data to Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Coming in Q4 2025, Aerophone Brisa Plus is a free companion app that extends the Aerophone Brisa experience with a smartphone or tablet. Players can save and recall favorite sounds, adjust instrument settings, and view notes and layouts with a convenient fingering display. The app also provides integrated access to Roland Cloud and a wide range of additional sounds beyond the factory presets.

Price: $1759.99 

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