<P> The first widely played wind controller was the Lyricon from Computone which came about in the 1970s era of analog synthesizers . The Lyricon was based on the fingerings of the saxophone and used a similar mouthpiece . It set the standard for hardware - based wind controllers with a number of features that have been preserved in today 's MIDI wind controllers , including the ability to correctly interpret the expressive use of reed articulation , breath - controlled dynamics , and embouchure - controlled pitch variation . The Lyricon also expanded the playing range several octaves beyond the accustomed range for woodwind players . Tone generation on the Lyricon was limited to a dedicated analog synthesizer designed specifically to interpret various wired analog outputs from the instrument . Notable early recording artists on the Lyricon include Roland Kirk and Tom Scott . Third - party adaptations would later bring the Lyricon into the MIDI era . </P>
who is credited with designing the first wind controller for synthesizer control in the mid 1970s
Computone