Chris WilsonI didn’t see a search function for the forum so not sure if this was asked at some point, but I’m having issues with exporting the MIDI file and then importing it into Digital Performer 9. The first main issue is that when I import the MIDI into DP the start of the midi file is missing (meaning the first chord disappears) and in some cases the end of what appear to be chunks of MIDI data (it looks like EZKeys exports the file in sections/chunks) also disappear. This results in gaps in the MIDI that while possible to fix (by manually replicating the part) will be horribly time consuming. The other main issue is that the timing of the file is off throughout the entire song – meaning, different sections are off different amounts. So, you can’t simply drag the entire file into time (which is a pain in the ass anyhow because you have to figure out where the MIDI starts without having the first chord) but instead have to go section by section.
My question is whether I’m doing something wrong (I created the MIDI file by using the Export Song as Midi File command)?
The issue of timing and losing the first chord is just as bad if I drag the MIDI part into a MIDI track within Digital Performer. The first chord disappears and the MIDI part is off timing anyhow (it appears to be off by 1/2 a bar plus – meaning I have to independently move the imported MIDI a smidge earlier than 1/2 a bar to have everything line up).
I’d also like to know whether this is a known issue. Using this program is awesome until you want to export the MIDI. It’s unusable in it’s current iteration with this set of bugs. It basically means you’re limited to using the sounds within EZKeys (which are not bad, but not what I’m looking for and I already have the keyboard sound I want in Kontact).
Thank you for any assistance.
jazzmandanYou have confirmed that this is only occurring with Digital Performer 9, right? Cause what you described ain’t happening in Reaper.
Hope this off-comment helps.
Chris WilsonI only work in DP so don’t have any way of confirming whether it’s happening with other programs. Good to hear it’s not happening in Reaper. I wonder what might be the difference between the two programs?
JohnI have never had any problems with exporting MIDI from EZKeys directly into my Studio One Pro, as soon as I drag the MIDI from the EZKeys plug-in over to a blank space on the Studio One track area, it instantly creates a MIDI track for the instrument – I’ve never missed a beat… sorry for the pun… so it looks as though it’s specific to your DP9 – I’d recommend check with any forums on DP9 to see if anyone else has the same issue.
I’ve found that EZKeys is just an excellent product and can use it as a totally stand-alone composing tool as well as a totally integrated plug-in in Studio One that works back and forth in MIDI really nicely. I hope you can find a resolution to this issue, Chris – it sure doesn’t sound as though you’re doing anything wrong – drag and drop is all it should take, and nothing should be chopped off in the process. Please keep us posted here as you continue working on the issue.
best of luck –
John D.
using both CW Sonar and Studio One 4 DAW; Win 10 OS; commercial audio loops as well as MIDI, EZDrummer and EZKeys; Presonus Studio 2/6 I/F; Nectar2 Production Ste; iZotope Ozone for mastering.
Chris WilsonGood to know, John. I’m starting to suspect the issue is DP9 specific and will send an email to the folks at MOTU. They’ve been very helpful in the past. I’ll get back to folks if I figure out what the problem is. Like you, I’ve found EZKeys to be an amazing product with this one little issue. Fingers crossed that MOTU has some answers.
JohnHi Chris,
what you are experiencing is not a general issue, it does indeed work as intended in other hosts, so I hope you get some info from the MOTU crew.
BR,
John
John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor
Nicholas DiFabbioSimilar issues for me with DP9.52.
2019 8 core imac/Mojave
Just purchased ez keys, (2/28/20) Song track plays great along with host (DP) then the export is badly out of time and extended larger than original file. Tried both dragging and exporting, yet the rendered WAVE file is correct. Need to edit the midi file in DP. Editing functions in Toontrack not nearly good enough to create a polished result.
latest version of EZkeys as of 2/28/20
Thanks
Chris WilsonSOLUTION! Here’s how I am now able to get MIDI data from EZ Keys into DP 9 without issue (other than I have to live record the MIDI and select the entire track and move it a smidge down the time-line…given that I have to do that with audio files made from MIDI it’s not too surprising and not a big deal):
So, still no option to drag and drop, but this is a very good second option, unless you’re making a cover of YES’ Tales From Topographic Oceans in which case you’ll have to wait 25 minutes while your track plays and the MIDI gets recorded from EZ Keys to DP. 🙂
jazzmandanThere is a bit of a trick to dragging and dropping the midi files from Reaper to EZkeys and then back again. You have to hold down the Ctrl\Alt keys at the same time. Took a long while to learn that.
Charlotte McMillanThe first main issue is that when I import the MIDI into DP the start of the midi file is missing (meaning the first chord disappears) and in some cases the end of what appear to be chunks of MIDI data (it looks like EZKeys exports the file in sections/chunks) also disappear. This results in gaps in the MIDI that while possible to fix (by manually replicating the part) will be horribly time consuming. The other main issue is that the timing of the file is off throughout the entire song – meaning, different sections are off different amounts. So, you can’t simply drag the entire file into time
Chris: I have had this very same problem for at least two years now. I’m now on DP 10.11 and the most current version of EZKeys (1.3.0) and EZD2 (2.1.8). When I drag and drop from the arrange window in either EZKeys or EZDrummer2 to DP, the midi ends up garbled at the beginning: sometimes notes are missing or very elongated, the whole pattern might be pushed off by a fraction of a measure, and/or the whole pattern might also be stretched beyond its original length… I’ve filed support tickets with Toontrack, who ultimately told me that it is a known issue and just shrugged their shoulders. I also corresponded with MOTU about this; they said they couldn’t duplicate the problem, but the tech person was using a demo version of EZD which was not the same version I had. This is. SO. FRUSTRATING. I feel it is Toontrack’s responsibility to make sure this product works in all the major DAWs, of which DP is one.
There is a clumsy workaround. In EZKeys, you can drag the file from the arrange window into the Favorites window, and from there drag it into the DAW, and it seems to leave the midi intact. Of course, EZDrummer does not have a Favorites window, so sometimes I’ll open up EZKeys merely to use the Favorites window: I edit a pattern in EZD, then drag from there to the Favorites window in EZKeys, and from there drag it into DP. It’s time consuming and annoying to have to open an instrument which uses up memory merely to shuttle midi to my DAW.
I’m a huge fan of Toontrack products and have been using them for a long time. I would love to get into EZBass, but if the arrangement window is going to give me this same exasperating problem, I won’t purchase it.
Toontrack – please help.
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