Tempted by EzKeys2

GtrString said:

EZ Keys 1/2 is great if you don’t play keys. Not much value in the sounds, though, neither the stock library nor the expansions. But you will want all the MIDI packs you can afford, as that hugely increases the flexibility of it. So go for the midi for sure.

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Absolutely agreed. EZKeys is best viewed as a composing tool rather than a virtual instrument. The engine itself and the MIDI packs are the real stars of the show. And the ability to use the resulting MIDI with any other virtual instrument kind of makes buying the instrument expansions less of a value add.

If you have a bit of a mad scientist streak (like I do), it can be really fun to use EZKeys1/2 to create MIDI parts, and then use the resulting MIDI with a percussion virtual instrument. The resulting randomness can be inspiring, and you can always edit the MIDI.

GtrString said:

EZ Keys 1/2 is great if you don’t play keys. Not much value in the sounds, though, neither the stock library nor the expansions. But you will want all the MIDI packs you can afford, as that hugely increases the flexibility of it. So go for the midi for sure.

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Boought It on sale with the ezx expandsion of the synth, but still didn't used much. Got also some midi expansion on sale and that seems good so far!

I wonder... If I create my own midi piano riff, can I load it into ezkeys and manipulate it changing the chords, inversions and so on?? That would be another level!

bosone said:

Boought It on sale with the ezx expandsion of the synth, but still didn't used much. Got also some midi expansion on sale and that seems good so far!

I wonder... If I create my own midi piano riff, can I load it into ezkeys and manipulate it changing the chords, inversions and so on?? That would be another level!

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I think you can import midi, but I haven’t tried it. I’m not as proficient on keys, so it would not be any easier for me.

GtrString said:

EZ Keys 1/2 is great if you don’t play keys. Not much value in the sounds, though, neither the stock library nor the expansions. But you will want all the MIDI packs you can afford, as that hugely increases the flexibility of it. So go for the midi for sure.

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Yes, the sound..., but with MIDI out you can directly hear the sound of other libraries, I think that's great!
But especially for me as a mediocre piano player, not a beginner, it seems to be the ideal tool because I know exactly where and when I need to change certain "grooves" to suit my needs.

GtrString said:

I think you can import midi, but I haven’t tried it. I’m not as proficient on keys, so it would not be any easier for me.

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You can import MIDI!
I often get MIDI files from musescore and edit them in EZkeys
The best way is to create a folder in your file system and have that folder appear as a "Linked Folder" in EZkeys

I think the best deal in Toontrack is the 6-pack, which you can often find discounted at online stores.

The EZKey pianos are very good, but I have better, so I never used the one that came with it, let alone buying more.

I stopped using EZKeys because it finally occurred to me that I play piano pretty decently and I can work faster without it. Eureka! (It’s different with guitars, because I would need to bust out the guitar, mic it, etc.)

I agree with the guy who said it is fun to drag EZKeys MIDI onto other kinds of instruments and have all kinds of fun happy accidents. Try it with vocals!

I have EZK1 and really like using it. Its great for figuring out and experimenting with chord progressions. I also quite like the hybrid keys and cinematic keys sounds. really cool and sounding sampled instrument.

GtrString said:

EZ Keys 1/2 is great if you don’t play keys. Not much value in the sounds, though, neither the stock library nor the expansions. But you will want all the MIDI packs you can afford, as that hugely increases the flexibility of it. So go for the midi for sure.

Click to expand...

Ezkeys 2 is much more than ezkeys1 was, though. I am a piano player (no virtuoso) and I find a lot of inspiration in trying out stuff within the program. For that I find it helps to have some more sounds than the stock library. I have small upright, vintage electric and mellotoon. All pretty useful in their own way. I only buy when there is sale though, preferably a weekend sale or a deal per day sale, which usually offer the largest discounts.

ezdrummer 3 and ezbass are also excellent programs. Toontrack has been on a roll these last couple of years.

There are actually always some sound expansions and midi packs on offer on knobcloud.
Here is the current link:
https://knobcloud.com/search?search_key=ezkeys
I hope I'm not breaking any forum rules by doing this. In this case, I would of course delete my post immediately

Jay F. said:

There are actually always some sound expansions and midi packs on offer on knobcloud.
Here is the current link:
https://knobcloud.com/search?search_key=ezkeys
I hope I'm not breaking any forum rules by doing this. In this case, I would of course delete my post immediately

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Frequently there are Toontrack stuff in the For Sale section here at ViControl also. Make sure to scroll through that section. One of the best here!

GtrString said:

Frequently there are Toontrack stuff in the For Sale section here at ViControl also. Make sure to scroll through that section. One of the best here!

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Do you mean the Deals, deals, deals Tier2 section for private offers, or any other sections?
I've never looked for private offers on Vi

Just saw ezkeys 2 at lower price than what I paid on


:(

Reviving this thread, the recent Hammond Organ EKX looks really nice: https://www.toontrack.com/product/session-organ-ekx/

So, I'm wondering - if I'm not necessarily going to use a ton of the songwriting tools in EK2, but more just the sounds, is it a big waste? The GB specs of the expansions seem much smaller than many other keyboards I already own, so wondering if the sampling quality is good, or if that's not really what they're optimizing for.

Also, anyone tried the new EKX?

dyross said:

Reviving this thread, the recent Hammond Organ EKX looks really nice: https://www.toontrack.com/product/session-organ-ekx/

So, I'm wondering - if I'm not necessarily going to use a ton of the songwriting tools in EK2, but more just the sounds, is it a big waste? The GB specs of the expansions seem much smaller than many other keyboards I already own, so wondering if the sampling quality is good, or if that's not really what they're optimizing for.

Also, anyone tried the new EKX?

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I think that although this is a new sampled one, the IK multimedia ToneWheel or UAD Waterfall are somehow the top in that area, IJ's on sale get's very cheap, UAD will depend. But there's a bunch around and when OG Rhodes came to play, not everyone was excited to get it, because you have a huge bunch of Rhodes in the VIsphere, they even went on sale very quickly.

So yes, but unless you don't have one that convinces you (Sampletekk has, NAtive Instrument Has the Session Organs) the list is big and it's just a marketing a presentation difference.

dyross said:

Reviving this thread, the recent Hammond Organ EKX looks really nice: https://www.toontrack.com/product/session-organ-ekx/

So, I'm wondering - if I'm not necessarily going to use a ton of the songwriting tools in EK2, but more just the sounds, is it a big waste? The GB specs of the expansions seem much smaller than many other keyboards I already own, so wondering if the sampling quality is good, or if that's not really what they're optimizing for.

Also, anyone tried the new EKX?

Click to expand...

In my opinion, the sounds of all EZkeys instruments are at best ok (I haven't tested the new session organ yet).
But I own almost all MIDI packs and use the incredibly good songwriting features of EZkeys.
I then immediately hear my compositions via MIDI out with the sounds of my “good” piano and synth libraries (EZkeys muted!)

By the way, my favorite tonewheel organ is actually the free CollaB3 from Sampleson, together with the IK-Multimedia Leslie

Jay F. said:

In my opinion, the sounds of all EZkeys instruments are at best ok (I haven't tested the new session organ yet).
But I own almost all MIDI packs and use the incredibly good songwriting features of EZkeys.
I then immediately hear my compositions via MIDI out with the sounds of my “good” piano and synth libraries (EZkeys muted!)

Click to expand...

This is the way.

I am a fan, just so you know my perspective.

I think the sound of the newest ezk’s is excellent. They also come with good, versatile presets. I also find that they are easy to fit in a mix. It all comes down to what you want yo do with it. Mocking up an Eric Satie piece? I’d probably choose another piano. Writing a pop/rock/funk song? Ezk’s won’t dissapoint. I haven’t bought the organ yet as I am pretty satisfied with the Hammr from sounddust. Still, the demo’s sound great and some day I will buy it, if only to have a broad pallet of sound when working with ezkeys2.

if you like the sounds, go for it. i personally quite like the hybrid harp and cinematic one i have,

I didn't used ezkeys a lot but it's very interesting

I placed the Hammond in some of my songs, mostly heavy or rock ones
Having a virtual hammondisit would be a great addition!
I will look at it

I'm not looking for the most realistic Hammond sound, and in any case you can direct ezkeys midi output to another vsti...