Tim ZurowskiFirst I will start by saying that EZ Drummer 2 is my first experience with VSTi and any drum software. I do however have many years experience in studio and computer recording. So I hope you guys don’t mind my initial questions and comments.
1) The whole purchase and download process was extremely confusing and very difficult to work through. I purchased from Kelly’s Computers in Canada and they told me to create an account at Toontrack and it would guide me to the download for EZ Drummer 2 (ED2). Well it did not. After much frustration, I eventually looked in My Account (which took me a long time to figure out) and it listed only one product available with the product key Kelly’s gave me. Well that product download was for EZ Drummer (not 2). I had no idea it was not ED2 and installed it. I could not find it in my host software (Samplitude ProX) and no way of knowing that it was not ED2. So I then looked back in my Toontrack account and saw that it now listed three products for me available to download, of which one was ED2 Upgrade. I had no idea that the purchase of ED2 was an upgrade purchase and that ED was required first. I was led to believe that I was purchasing a new stand alone product ED2 and that ED would never be involved. So I uninstalled ED and reinstalled ED2, which seemed to work. This whole process was a nightmare for me and had me wishing I never purchased. It definitely needs to be simplified with much clearer and complete instructions!
2) Next was the install process. They say you can set where you want the drum samples stored, and it did come up with that option during the install process. However, it was not clear about how to select which of the three choices at install first. So I chose the first option for installation of the program expecting that I would have the option to go back and install the samples where I wanted. Well that does not work. The install process is very unclear as to what you do with those first three install choices. There needs to be a very clear and defined process for those three choices. As it is I have no idea where the samples were stored and no idea how to move them to my larger drives where I keep all my samples.
3) In my Account it lists three products for me. One being ED, which I did not purchase and says “update available” and “authorized”. Next it lists ED2 which just says “unauthorized”. I have no idea why it says “unauthorized” as it is installed and working on my system? What do I have to do to authorize ED2 and why do I have to authorize it? I paid for ED2, not ED, yet I was given product keys for both of them. Very confusing this is?? Next there is a product called Pop/Rock EZX. No explanation what it is or what to do with it, but I downloaded it anyway and tried to install it. it only gave me the option to install it is in the Win 7 32 bit folder and I am using and want everything as 64 bit. What is this product and why can’t it install as a 64 bit app?
4) Now some comments about ED2. I know you guys probably love this product, but for me as a new user, I have to say I was expecting A LOT MORE! I will say the drum and percussion samples are excellent, but it stops there for me. All the drum patterns, loops and grooves are way too basic and simple. Basically they all sound like any drum machine patterns. I was expecting and hoping for way more intricate, detailed and technically talented drummer grooves. I thought the idea was to have the worlds greatest drummers at your fingertips. You know stuff like Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd, Terry Bozzio, etc. etc. etc. would do when playing their best. Why do they advertise that they use these great drummers for the program and then just give you simple grooves and patterns. I am used to recording real drummers and am not really expecting to have to do many hours of mid drum manipulation to make the grooves and patterns more intricate for what I want to do. So how do I get better grooves and patterns? Do I have to now pay big bucks to get midi patterns of that quality? If so, where are they and how to I sample them to know what I am getting?
5) Now the expansion kits and midi kits. Do the Sample expansion kits include midi patterns and if so is there any way to hear them before you purchase. Or at least get a written description or list of what they are and how intricate they are? Where are the brushes? I thought there was a brushes kit? I would like a jazz kit that includes as many brush grooves and patterns as possible. My style is mostly jazz fusion with a lot of funk and some rock and blues. What would you guys say are the must have kits for these genres?
Lastly, I could not find a more appropriate forum here for this post. If there is a better place to post this please let me know or move it there.
Much appreciated
Tim
First I will start by saying that EZ Drummer 2 is my first experience with VSTi and any drum software. I do however have many years experience in studio and computer recording. So I hope you guys don’t mind my initial questions and comments.
1) The whole purchase and download process was extremely confusing and very difficult to work through. I purchased from Kelly’s Computers in Canada and they told me to create an account at Toontrack and it would guide me to the download for EZ Drummer 2 (ED2). Well it did not. After much frustration, I eventually looked in My Account (which took me a long time to figure out) and it listed only one product available with the product key Kelly’s gave me. Well that product download was for EZ Drummer (not 2). I had no idea it was not ED2 and installed it. I could not find it in my host software (Samplitude ProX) and no way of knowing that it was not ED2. So I then looked back in my Toontrack account and saw that it now listed three products for me available to download, of which one was ED2 Upgrade. I had no idea that the purchase of ED2 was an upgrade purchase and that ED was required first. I was led to believe that I was purchasing a new stand alone product ED2 and that ED would never be involved. So I uninstalled ED and reinstalled ED2, which seemed to work. This whole process was a nightmare for me and had me wishing I never purchased. It definitely needs to be simplified with much clearer and complete instructions!
2) Next was the install process. They say you can set where you want the drum samples stored, and it did come up with that option during the install process. However, it was not clear about how to select which of the three choices at install first. So I chose the first option for installation of the program expecting that I would have the option to go back and install the samples where I wanted. Well that does not work. The install process is very unclear as to what you do with those first three install choices. There needs to be a very clear and defined process for those three choices. As it is I have no idea where the samples were stored and no idea how to move them to my larger drives where I keep all my samples.
3) In my Account it lists three products for me. One being ED, which I did not purchase and says “update available” and “authorized”. Next it lists ED2 which just says “unauthorized”. I have no idea why it says “unauthorized” as it is installed and working on my system? What do I have to do to authorize ED2 and why do I have to authorize it? I paid for ED2, not ED, yet I was given product keys for both of them. Very confusing this is?? Next there is a product called Pop/Rock EZX. No explanation what it is or what to do with it, but I downloaded it anyway and tried to install it. it only gave me the option to install it is in the Win 7 32 bit folder and I am using and want everything as 64 bit. What is this product and why can’t it install as a 64 bit app?
4) Now some comments about ED2. I know you guys probably love this product, but for me as a new user, I have to say I was expecting A LOT MORE! I will say the drum and percussion samples are excellent, but it stops there for me. All the drum patterns, loops and grooves are way too basic and simple. Basically they all sound like any drum machine patterns. I was expecting and hoping for way more intricate, detailed and technically talented drummer grooves. I thought the idea was to have the worlds greatest drummers at your fingertips. You know stuff like Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd, Terry Bozzio, etc. etc. etc. would do when playing their best. Why do they advertise that they use these great drummers for the program and then just give you simple grooves and patterns. I am used to recording real drummers and am not really expecting to have to do many hours of mid drum manipulation to make the grooves and patterns more intricate for what I want to do. So how do I get better grooves and patterns? Do I have to now pay big bucks to get midi patterns of that quality? If so, where are they and how to I sample them to know what I am getting?
5) Now the expansion kits and midi kits. Do the Sample expansion kits include midi patterns and if so is there any way to hear them before you purchase. Or at least get a written description or list of what they are and how intricate they are? Where are the brushes? I thought there was a brushes kit? I would like a jazz kit that includes as many brush grooves and patterns as possible. My style is mostly jazz fusion with a lot of funk and some rock and blues. What would you guys say are the must have kits for these genres?
Lastly, I could not find a more appropriate forum here for this post. If there is a better place to post this please let me know or move it there.
Much appreciated
Tim
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