I need help choosing six EZmix expansion packs.

[Ames Alch]

Hi, Gang.
I just purchased a slew of Toontrack products including EZDrummer 2, a few expansion packs, as well as the EZMix 2 six pack bundle. I’ve installed EZMix and now have to decide which six EZMix packs to get.
I record mostly Pop and guitar oriented Rock ‘n Roll and use IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube 3 software for all my guitar and bass processing, so I don’t really need any amplifier emulation in my EZMix packs. I mostly looking for good individual track processing as well as good mastering tools, as well as good vocal processing.

So far I’ve come up with the following list (the first ones are the ones I’m leaning towards very heavily where is the second part of our ones I’m on the fence with):

Mark Needham EZMix Pack
Peter Henderson EZMix Pack
Chuck Ainlay EZMix Pack
Mastering EZMix Pack
Randy Staub EZMix Pack

Core Expansion EZMix Pack
Songwriters Tools EZMix Pack
Lead Vocals EZMix Pack
Vocal Toolbox EZMix Pack
The Mix Toolbox EZMix Pack
Bass Toolbox EZMix Pack

As I said, the first five are the ones that seemed the most appropriate to me after listening to all of the examples, but I’m not absolutely married to them. The second part of the list all contain presets that could be very useful but I’m just not sure which ones would be the most appropriate and I’m not sure how much overlapping they may contain.

Between the Lead Vocals EZMix Pack and Vocal Toolbox EZMix Pack, which do you folks think will cover the most ground for vocals in the styles that I play?

As for the Core Expansion EZMix Pack, Songwriters Tools EZMix Pack, and The Mix Toolbox EZMix Pack, which do you think covers the most ground in terms of basic, every day mixing needs?

The Bass Toolbox EZMix Pack is something I chose simply because getting a great based on is always very important to me and I find it to be one of the hardest things to achieve. However, this pack does have a lot of the amp emulation so it’s pretty low on the totem pole.

I really appreciate any and all input as I’ve got to make these choices count. Thanks a lot!

Topic

[Michael]

“Between the Lead Vocals EZMix Pack and Vocal Toolbox EZMix Pack, which do you folks think will cover the most ground for vocals in the styles that I play?”

Vocal Tool box has more all around vocal presets (i.e. Lead vocals, Choirs, Vocal effects, Voice over…) where as the Lead Vocal pack is just that… Lead vocals.

“As for the Core Expansion EZMix Pack, Songwriters Tools EZMix Pack, and The Mix Toolbox EZMix Pack, which do you think covers the most ground in terms of basic, every day mixing needs?”

This is a tough one… either would be good. I suggest that you look on the product pages and then browse through the presets that are included in the packs to see which one you may feel benefits you more. All of the preset names and types are listed here:

http://www.toontrack.com/product/core-expansion-ezmix-pack/

http://www.toontrack.com/product/songwriters-tools-ezmix-pack/

“The Bass Toolbox EZMix Pack is something I chose simply because getting a great based on is always very important to me and I find it to be one of the hardest things to achieve. However, this pack does have a lot of the amp emulation so it’s pretty low on the totem pole.”

Yes, but the amp sounds are great!

Michael Sanfilipp - Toontrack
Technical Marketing Coordinator

[Ames Alch]

Thanks for the input, Michael! I’m going to spend some more time combing over the pages and presets tonight to try and narrow down my choices. I suppose the bright side is that no matter what I end up choosing, I’ll be sitting on A LOT of great fx!

BTW, concerning the first five I chose, do you agree with those?

Thanks!

[Ames Alch]

I finally chose! I went with these six packs:

Mark Needham EZMix Pack
Peter Henderson EZMix Pack
Chuck Ainlay EZMix Pack
Mastering EZMix Pack
Randy Staub EZMix Pack
Songwriters Tools EZMix Pack

The last choice was neck and neck between the Songwriters Tools EZMix Pack and the Lead Vocals EZMix Pack, but looking at the presets on the other packs I chose, I realized I had a very good amount of vocal presets, and the Songwriters Tools EZMix Pack had a lot of good versatility. Plus, at only $49, I can always grab another pack or two if I find myself in a pinch. That being said, between what I have now (and lots of cool outboard gear thanks to IKM’s T-Racks Deluxe mastering bundle), I think I should be good to go for quite a while!

[Les Barker]

It’s always some fun when acquiring new packs. I don;t have any of the Packs you have bought, so keen to know your thoughts, especially the vocals in the producer packs.

[Ames Alch]

@Barksy said:

It’s always some fun when acquiring new packs. I don;t have any of the Packs you have bought, so keen to know your thoughts, especially the vocals in the producer packs.

Thanks, Man. Which packs did you choose and why? What are your favorite aspects of them?

[Les Barker]

I have Metal Amps. Amps and Classic Amps to soothe my GAS for guitar tone. They are very good, plenty of options.

I have Vocal & Lead Vocal for much the same reasons. Don’t always use them but sometimes they do fit the song and/or work well alongside other plugs. I really haven’t explored these in great depth yet.

I also have Metal Guitar Gods, mainly for Devin Townsend sounds. I am probably a little disappointed in these, there isn’t many Devin presets compared to others, but still, they may all get their use sometime down the track.

[Ames Alch]

@Barksy said:

I have Metal Amps. Amps and Classic Amps to soothe my GAS for guitar tone. They are very good, plenty of options.

I have Vocal & Lead Vocal for much the same reasons. Don’t always use them but sometimes they do fit the song and/or work well alongside other plugs. I really haven’t explored these in great depth yet.

I also have Metal Guitar Gods, mainly for Devin Townsend sounds. I am probably a little disappointed in these, there isn’t many Devin presets compared to others, but still, they may all get their use sometime down the track.

Sounds very cool, Barksy. Are you using EZDrummer 2, as well? On the chance you’re not, download the demo and prepare to fall in love.

I’m interested in trying some of the amp models that came with the packs I got and comparing them to the Amplitube software I use. Certainly no intention of talking anything away from TT (I wouldn’t be at all surprised if TT is working in something similar as we speak), but AT3 is incredible for realistic guitar and bass sims.

[Author]

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