I just don’t get it.

[rgarber]

(update 3/22) PLEASE NOTE: This thread took part over a...

(update 3/22) PLEASE NOTE: This thread took part over a couple of days and in subsequent posts, if you read down to my last posts you’ll see I learned something about EZ Keys that I get it now. If you’re undecided about EZ Keys like I was, you might want to read my 3/22 post where it discusses the Split tool which is not discussed in any detail in the manual, that I could find. I get it now. 🙂

My copy of EZ Keys is running fine. No problem there. My dilemma is I don’t get the point of the package. It’s coming across to me more like a Loop splicing tool where I’m limited to mixing and matching pre-played piano splices with some ability to change chords where needed. And I can import midi’s and all, that’s pretty easy. But where does the song development part come in at? Since I bought EZ Keys I reckon I’m stuck with it but even at that, I just don’t see where for someone familiar with writing software, where this program even has a purpose.

I’ve read the manual and it’s pretty short. Nothing against that but am I missing something? I gather I just can’t type in chords at will, right? And worse, I can’t apply the midi patterns to my own set of chords if the chord changes don’t match where I would want my changes to take place unless I find a pattern that matches my own, right? I did import a midi with no problems but I couldn’t figure out how to merge their playing prowess with the chords I desired.

If this stuff can be done, then great, but I can’t see how to do it without butchering the pre-made stuff first and I just wonder how long does it take to do that especially with a complex chord change. I also didn’t see where I could set markers so I could know where I’m at in the song either.

Trust me, after shelling out the bucks for EZ Keys, I’m not in the mood for venting. What I can’t see is how to use the program in a serious situation. Possibly working with very small clips and building a new song in a DAW, maybe?? I’m worried that to get any use out of EZ Keys that it will mean lots of workarounds and shoot, I got this other program, Band In The Box – and to get what I want to do with it, I got to do workarounds with it. I had hoped the way I understood the video promoting EZ Keys that this software would be an awesome if not only a song development platform but also a song accompaniment package as well.

I’m just totally lost with this package in that I think it’s just a Loop-like tool where you work with pre-set recordings and mix and match. No offense to the Loopers, just trying to understand what I bought (verses what I thought I was getting).

Rich

(update 3/22) PLEASE NOTE: This thread took part over a couple of days and in subsequent posts, if you read down to my last posts you’ll see I learned something about EZ Keys that I get it now. If you’re undecided about EZ Keys like I was, you might want to read my 3/22 post where it discusses the Split tool which is not discussed in any detail in the manual, that I could find. I get it now. 🙂

My copy of EZ Keys is running fine. No problem there. My dilemma is I don’t get the point of the package. It’s coming across to me more like a Loop splicing tool where I’m limited to mixing and matching pre-played piano splices with some ability to change chords where needed. And I can import midi’s and all, that’s pretty easy. But where does the song development part come in at? Since I bought EZ Keys I reckon I’m stuck with it but even at that, I just don’t see where for someone familiar with writing software, where this program even has a purpose.

I’ve read the manual and it’s pretty short. Nothing against that but am I missing something? I gather I just can’t type in chords at will, right? And worse, I can’t apply the midi patterns to my own set of chords if the chord changes don’t match where I would want my changes to take place unless I find a pattern that matches my own, right? I did import a midi with no problems but I couldn’t figure out how to merge their playing prowess with the chords I desired.

If this stuff can be done, then great, but I can’t see how to do it without butchering the pre-made stuff first and I just wonder how long does it take to do that especially with a complex chord change. I also didn’t see where I could set markers so I could know where I’m at in the song either.

Trust me, after shelling out the bucks for EZ Keys, I’m not in the mood for venting. What I can’t see is how to use the program in a serious situation. Possibly working with very small clips and building a new song in a DAW, maybe?? I’m worried that to get any use out of EZ Keys that it will mean lots of workarounds and shoot, I got this other program, Band In The Box – and to get what I want to do with it, I got to do workarounds with it. I had hoped the way I understood the video promoting EZ Keys that this software would be an awesome if not only a song development platform but also a song accompaniment package as well.

I’m just totally lost with this package in that I think it’s just a Loop-like tool where you work with pre-set recordings and mix and match. No offense to the Loopers, just trying to understand what I bought (verses what I thought I was getting).

Rich

Topic

[Juicy]

Re Genre & Midi Naming ,
Hate to say it but Yes I hope as TT bolt on more midi ,they do get the naming of midi more generalised so its not split up across different packs and players like we have in the drums but more
musical driven nomenclature.I’m not saying that would be easy to do but i hope they can come up with a great way to handle it.

[John]

I am curious. I was considering purchase of EZ Keys, being a long time user of TT products. However, this thread puts me off a bit. If one of the shortcoming is a too-small MIDI library, why was a new supplemental library of MIDI files just introduced for an additional $30? Shouldn’t it be folded in to the product as a free upgrade, to help make the product more attractive to us that are still on the fence? How about a buy EZ keys and get the MIDI pack free? I am curious. AND cheap!

[Jay Coover]

Here’s a tip. Go to audiodeluxe.com and get EZKeys. Once you get it in your basket it will show as $115 US. Come back to toontrack and get the MIDI add-on for $30 US. You’ve just spent $145.

5 bucks less than you can get EZKeys alone for anywhere else.

Buy yourself a cheap bottle of wine and stop the whining. (I’m cheap too) Mostly those complaining seem to want EZKeys to write complete songs for them without doing any MIDI editing. An exaggeration, but not far off. It will improve, but is a great version 1.0.

Cheers,
me

SD 2.3 NY vol 2/Metal Foundry/C & V/Roots 1 & 2/Music City Latin Percussion/Funkmasters/The Classic/Jazz/Pop!/#1 Hits/Electronic/Twisted/Claustrophobic EZKeys 1.1 with all the trimmings

[jerry Jaborek]

ORIGINAL: John Baker

I am curious. I was considering purchase of EZ Keys, being a long time user of TT products. However, this thread puts me off a bit. If one of the shortcoming is a too-small MIDI library, why was a new supplemental library of MIDI files just introduced for an additional $30? Shouldn’t it be folded in to the product as a free upgrade, to help make the product more attractive to us that are still on the fence? How about a buy EZ keys and get the MIDI pack free? I am curious. AND cheap!

That was my biggest gripe with the product. The “extensive library” was not at all what I was expecting. The new Pop Rock expansion also uses the description “extensive library”. Even at $29.00, I need to see what that library is in reality. I too think they should have added this new expansion in as a free patch.

John, EZK is not a bad product, it’s just under par with the rest of TT products.

[Jay Coover]

ORIGINAL: jerjabs
John, EZK is not a bad product, it’s just under par with the rest of TT products.

Some of us disagree. Look at the progression:
1. Drumkit from Hell
2. DFH Superior
3. EZDrummer
4. Superior Drummer 2

Toontrack has utilized much of what they have already learned to create something completely new. There is no precedent for EZKeys from any company. It’s a version 1 product and it has much of the maturity of something on par with EZDrummer, which is essentially a version 3 product for Toontrack, and has the added benefit of having had years for add-ons to be developed.

EZKeys is pretty damned cool.

SD 2.3 NY vol 2/Metal Foundry/C & V/Roots 1 & 2/Music City Latin Percussion/Funkmasters/The Classic/Jazz/Pop!/#1 Hits/Electronic/Twisted/Claustrophobic EZKeys 1.1 with all the trimmings

[jerry Jaborek]

The fact that there was no precedent set should not give a free pass to…………… Oh never mind.

[jerry Jaborek]

Can anyone who bought the new Pop / Rock expansion please elaborate on how many new patterns you get? Thanks!

[Mark Cohen]

I like EZKeys. It helped me to provide piano tracks in 2 recent song recordings in double quick time, neither of which I could have hoped to have programmed as quickly without it sounding “stiff”, let alone played live. All I added in was a small MIDI part from a MIDI download, quickly changed the chords and did a small amount of editing on Logic. I used two of the country patterns even though I don’t normally do country style songs. They turned out pretty well I thought.

I think EZK is a relatviely inexpensive tool for songwriting/piano backing tracks. Also, by looking at the MIDI track in a DAW you can learn a lot about how the piano is played by a professional to help with programming your own accents, grace notes etc and adding or subtracting notes, amending velocities etc which can mean the production of a more individual track.

I really think everyone expects too much these days. No amount of add-ons will make your songs sound more interesting or better. Like any tool it is there to be used/abused creatively. You only have to look through musical history for some great examples; Sun Records recordings, Joe Meek’s productions, Jimi Hendrix and a Fuzz tone pedal, Beach Boys/Beatles recordings – all using archaic gear by today’s standards. So with the greatest respect and no ill will intended, stop complaining, experiment and get producing!

BTW, if anyone is at all interested I will upload these recordings somewhere, which were all done as a test and a bit of fun!

[John]

@jerjabs:
You get 12 Songs in different styles and Tempo with 4 Variations each of Intro, Verse, Pre Chorus, Chorus and Bridge. Plus a few Minor and Major Ballad Chords variations.

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[ChazC]

ORIGINAL: John
You get 12 Songs in different styles and Tempo with 4 Variations each of Intro, Verse, Pre Chorus, Chorus and Bridge. Plus a few Minor and Major Ballad Chords variations.

How hard is it to actually list that up on a details page for the pack?! Did you learn nothing from the complaints from EZMix pack customers?

[jerry Jaborek]

ORIGINAL: John

@jerjabs:
You get 12 Songs in different styles and Tempo with 4 Variations each of Intro, Verse, Pre Chorus, Chorus and Bridge. Plus a few Minor and Major Ballad Chords variations.

Thanks John for the reply. From the Pop / Rock demo video, the piano style is kinda that Midwest Bob Segar bar rock vibe.

http://www.toontrack.com/tv.asp?channel=products&item=195

Are the other pattern styles similar to that, and are there any that are styles taken from other famous songs like the Walking in Memphis / Home sweet home?

Thanks again.

[Tom]

ORIGINAL: ChazC

ORIGINAL: John
You get 12 Songs in different styles and Tempo with 4 Variations each of Intro, Verse, Pre Chorus, Chorus and Bridge. Plus a few Minor and Major Ballad Chords variations.

How hard is it to actually list that up on a details page for the pack?! Did you learn nothing from the complaints from EZMix pack customers?

+1

And while you are at it, improving info for customers, please, fix the links in your advertising email. They always take me to a dead end. So I have to go Toontrack.com and search for the new product myself. It’s been like that for a couple of years I guess.

[John]

tombuur, what do you mean? I just backtracked some of the latest emails and didn’t have any problems with the links. And I am more than 400 miles from the HQ so I am not following links on any intranet, this is via dial-up and fiber.
What happens exactly? Hopefully the webmaster can shed some light on it if you describe the error.

BR,
John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[Cygnus64]

The links work fine for me.

[Brad]

ORIGINAL: John

tombuur, what do you mean? I just backtracked some of the latest emails and didn’t have any problems with the links. And I am more than 400 miles from the HQ so I am not following links on any intranet, this is via dial-up and fiber.
What happens exactly? Hopefully the webmaster can shed some light on it if you describe the error.

BR,
John

I have followed up on 20 links from emails ranging from 2008 to the last one (OK yeah, say it, slow day… right?) anyway… I haven’t found a dead link yet. Can your post up what you are seeing (including the URL you get to?)

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