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[Robert Shaplo]

Glenn Stanton wrote:

i wish i had more budget to get MORE MIDI packs. however, i use EZK (and EZB) to act as another musician with their input to my ideas around a song progression. and since i focus a lot on arrangement, i’ll divide up the songs even if they have similar progression across parts, and using the replace MIDI to find something which i think will perform in that section like i think another musician might interpret it.

so, for example, in a “quieter” section where i need less going on so the vocal or solo can be highlighted (later), then i’ll find MIDI grooves which essentially “back off” while keeping the general feel (and one reason i like the song groupings because i can generally find something – either full on (or can be tweaked) to do the “performance”. sometimes getting things to fit though may also involve using several genres across instruments and sections, as well as instrument selection.

so, i’m looking forward to more 50% off sales on MIDI packs 🙂 as well as it would be nice to have some more time signatures (hint hint).

cheers!

Reply To: Inherent problem I find with EZKeys version: 2.0.4
Operating system: Windows 11

• This post was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Glenn Stanton.

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You might want to also consider creating your own midi packs which would be closer to what you’re song(s) call for.  If not very good at keys, play it in half speed and speed it up accordingly as George Martin did for ‘In My Life’.

 

[Robert Shaplo]

Shootie wrote:

Heavy Hitter Hang Out on this thread!

Robert, it’s great you’re identifying your problem. EZKeys has tools to help you solve it though. You just need to keep grinding for experience. An example that has yet to be mentioned…

If a midi file is playing a melody, it is hard to call that your own… for sure! But the vibe is there. Turn on Highlight Keys in the Grid Editor to the key your playing in, and nudge some notes up or down the scale and bam, you have your own melody that was inspired by the prefab midi.

As to your original question at face value. There are folders in EZK2, Organ EKX (and maybe a few more) that have, pads, riffs, ostinatos, and arpeggios. This combined with Edit Play Style, Suggest Chords, and the above mentioned Highlight Keys allows you to produce this midi so much that is does not resemble itself anymore.

I really like the quality of TT midi, but that doesn’t stop me from using 3rd party midi and TT products have great integration for it.

Hey Shootie, thanks for the response.  That’s an interesting take, I will definitely give it a try.

I believe what would suit me better is EZBass – Audio Tracker. Whereas I can play in the parts via guitar audio, convert to midi and have EZK2 play it back.  I don’t have EZB and don’t know if it can handle chords… probably not.  Though that’s easily handled in the editor.  Or even better… learn to play keyboards !!

Here’s a good example of  EZBass @ 6:20 min

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Qu2qyebww

 

I think a mix of EZB Audio Tracker for the Rick Wakeman-esque keyboard flourishes and playing in the chord parts my self via MIDI controller would best suit my needs.   One might say that EZK2 wasn’t the right purchase to make, though I’d disagree in that the Sound Expansions are killer and worth the price of admission.

Speaking of your YouTube channel – see what I did there – if you find the time this would be a great tutorial to make.   BTW, your channel is excellent and on my play list.

Thanks….

 

 

Reply To: Inherent problem I find with EZKeys version: 2.0.4
Operating system: Windows 10

[Robert Shaplo]

I was hoping to get closer to what my idea(s) are, but find EZK2 seems to often pull in a different direction.  Therefore I find it easier to take just some parts of what EZK2 produces and then record the rest in myself .   I’m hoping that by EZK3 TT may bring us closer to achieving that.  Nonetheless EZK2 is a brilliant piece of software.

I’ll just add, as Scott had said:

” the ‘Replace MIDI‘ function of EZKeys2 allows the user to apply the playing style(s) and groove(s) found in the app’s MIDI Groove Libraries to their entered chord sequences.”

I believe if I add to my library, meaning creating my own MIDI grooves that might broaden my options and bring it closer to my personal style of playing.  Even though TT has a large library there are only a limited amount of MIDI packs that suit my style.

 

 

 

[Robert Shaplo]

Bear-Faced Cow wrote:

I would have to disagree. The MIDI is not a weak point. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The fact that I can wrap a MIDI groove around a progression that I write is a pretty powerful feature. Not to mention that it could sound like anything unlike the original groove progression. Scott’s methodology is but one way of making the MIDI your own. There are also tools such as Suggest Chords, the Circle of Fifths, and let ‘s not forget Bandmate. So many ways for a non-keyboardist to get a progression down and then attach a style (which is pretty much what you are doing with a groove against your own progression).

Just because there are a bunch of grooves associated with the song, which is really nothing more than a collection of grooves. In this case, it doesn’t mean that you are locked into using only the grooves in that song. Mix and match. I am off and finding myself borrowing from different songs. You can even start with the basic sequence such as an ostinato or break up a song with it.

The only real limits in this case are the ones you are applying.

jord

It seems to me, and please correct me if I’m wrong, that irregardless of how many iterations you go through EZK2 is still giving you the progression.  Which is brilliant, and why I bought both 1&2.  However I often write, by first hearing an idea in my mind and then bringing it out with my guitar(s).   I don’t see how this can be accomplished with EZK2.  It seems to me that EZK will give you the progression, and you then have to follow that… not the other way around.  If I’m wrong, then produce the Intro I just posted above and tell us how you did it.

 

 

Reply To: Inherent problem I find with EZKeys version: 2.0.4
Operating system: Windows 10

[Robert Shaplo]

Great, thanks for responding guys.  OK, let’s put this to the test.   Here’s my ‘original’ idea, this is the Inrto I’m hearing in my mind. How do I get this exact Intro from concept to reality using EZKeys ?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K9S1jF5IY4&list=OLAK5uy_m1ei-Hb9h7_bSX0Tnxq79l_Wxa7QeMcCs&index=19

[Robert Shaplo]

Petter wrote:

BEST ANSWER

Sorry, there was an issue with the code. It has now been fixed by our web development team. Please try again now.

Thank you Petter. It is working fine now.

• This post was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by Robert Shaplo.

[Robert Shaplo]

Scott wrote:

What is expected from a coupon code? I believe the EZkeys Black Friday sale is for:
EZKEYS 2 – FREE EXPANSION INCLUDED.
Buy a regular version of EZkeys 2, get one (1) EKX included

No the offer is for 20% off an upgrade to EZK2  Not  EZKEYS 2 – FREE EXPANSION INCLUDED.
Buy a regular version of EZkeys 2, get one (1) EKX included .

 

Here is the offer take from the email I received.

EZkeys 2 Upgrade offer | Get 20% off your upgrade | Black Friday week limited-time offer

Upgrade to EZkeys 2 during our Black Friday week sale and get up to 20% off the upgrade pricing.*

Coupon code:   B0EE3FCD9AD5980F4FBD

[Robert Shaplo]

Thanks Kelly, that’s a good idea. I’ll give it a try.

What a great sound, I very much like how it sits in the mix.

[Robert Shaplo]

Yes, I thought as much judging by the image, though it sounds very different to me.  Dampened or modified somewhat.

How do you think they went about getting that sound ?   And which variation of Modern do you think they’re using ?  Sounds closest to Dry Rock to me.

• This post was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by Robert Shaplo.

[Robert Shaplo]

Scott wrote:

If you already own EZD2, and you purchase EZD3, you will automatically be given the EZD2 Core Library EZX. You will not need to purchase it again (since you have EZD2).

Sounds great Scott,  thank you !

[Robert Shaplo]

Shootie wrote:

I did only a “rough” count a while back, and I think 1000 is a good guess. I would think maybe more. I think the EZD2 content is well worth the price of an EZX.

Didn’t realize it was that many, thanks.

Yea that will be a definite buy, the libraries and midi are well worth it.

[Robert Shaplo]

Thanks guys.   Since I haven’t upgraded to EZD3 yet I wasn’t aware the original EZD2 content wasn’t included in EZD3.  I just assumed it was.

That said, when I do upgrade the EZD2 EZX will be a definite purchase.  Great drum sounds.

Shootie, you mentioned “It’s 2 Libraries and 1000+ midi files in that EXZ”  were there really 1000+ midi files included in EZD2 ?

I don’t recall that many. I’ll have to look again.

Thanks again guys….

[Robert Shaplo]

John wrote:

Hi, MIDI is just MIDI, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. From what I know it is possible to load an old EZX in EZdrummer 3 and use its MIDI, it just won’t be optimised for EZdrummer 3; old fixed graphics, tagging, etc. BR, John John Rammelt – Toontrack Technical Advisor

Unless I misunderstood John, I thought he said User MIDI wouldn’t be a concern.

Since my question was….

The TT Midi Packs are to be updated to work with EZD3, but what of the USER MIDI LIBRARIES. I have a large collection of User Midi Files, some I’ve made myself, some I picked up from 3rd party freeware that work perfectly with EZD2. Will these also work with EZD3 since they will not be ‘updated’ ? Or will we lose all our User Midi Libraries ?

 

I’d like TT to clarify this point…

 

[Robert Shaplo]

Thanks John, I thought as much. But wanted to make sure before I signed on to EZD3.

I do hope TT is working on EZKeys 2 as well  !!

 

Looking forward to EZD3 !!

[Robert Shaplo]

As I read here someone suggested that they give a trial/demo for a day or so so as to decide if that particular EZMix pack works for your situation.

It’s very hard to tell by the short audio demos on their website, since most are not actually very well done.  That’s why I asked for opinions, since there is no way to really tell which are worth the money and which are not.

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