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[Robert Shaplo]

Chord inversions are an integral part of song composition, why anyone would argue against their use is hard to understand. As it stands now, EZKeys does not properly handle user selected chord inversions, and as such I simply requested it be corrected.

That said, if you don’t like this feature, then simply don’t use it.

[Robert Shaplo]

Henrik Ekblom wrote:

If you use Use Browser MIDI to add other MIDI to the current chords, the changed inversion and octave isn’t kept.

I don’t see the point of having inversion and/or octave if the software throws out any changes you have made then there after.  However since you have added ‘keeping user changes made’ as a feature request I suppose it’s a moot point.

I believe an EZKeys 2 is long overdue, I do hope Toontrack feels the same.   Thank you for your help.

 

 

[Robert Shaplo]

Henrik Ekblom wrote:

These controls are affecting the MIDI that’s currently on track, and won’t be applied to the next MIDI you drag to the track.

 

Not clear what you meant by ‘won’t be applied to the next MIDI you drag to the track’.

The four chords you saw were all present when I activated ‘use browser midi’ , nothing was added or dragged  to the track after the fact. So they were all ‘currently on track’ as you said when I applied use browser midi.

This even happens with just one chord.  I dropped the octave of the C (below) then applied ‘use browser midi’ which then returned the chord back to the original octave it was in.  So it’s not a matter of keeping settings for additional chords added after the fact. It happens to all current and added chords as well.  TY

 

[Robert Shaplo]

Using ‘Edit Play Style’ will exponentially add to the three given ‘variations’ you mentioned.  This of course may or may not be what you’re looking for, but it will give you more to work with.  I do agree though, the content is rather limited.

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Thanked by: Jim Harris

[Robert Shaplo]

Steve McNamara wrote:

Robert wrote:

For myself I write mostly Prog Rock (Yes, ELP, Rush, King Crimson, Floyd, ect) and EZKeys can not produce the ideas I have in my mind, and I knew that going in. So why did I purchase it… it is, with it’s Circle of Fifths to me an outstanding learning and writing tool . One can actually hear how chord progressions fit together. (how does that dim7 sound resolving back to the I chord). Or, want to solo over Lydian, Dorian, Phrygian ? ….set your progression and play away. Tritone Chord Substitution ? …No problem. Not to mention most of the sounds are very well done.

That’s a great selection of artists to have as influences as you compose, and one thing I’ve tried in the past is to find online midi of, e.g., a prog rock piano or organ/synth part of a song, bring it into EZKeys, choose a key and then use “randomize chords” to change things all around. You can get some fantastic prog chord progressions. Or input a large blocks of the same chord and use “randomize” as well. Then use midi packs (such as the 70s Prog Midi) to begin fashioning different styles.

If this helps, great.

Steve

Thanks Steve, I haven’t tried the randomize chords feature yet. I’m wondering if it works diatonically within the given key ?  Though I suppose you could go back in and alter further if need be.

Interestingly I’m noticing quite a few people are reverse engineering their music, meaning they’re taking a pre-existing midi chord progression (online) and then using EZKeys to alter it in one form or another. That or laying out a few chord blocks in EZKeys and using a pre-existing ‘performance’ to create a section or phrase. That method though doesn’t work for me, as I usually write my sections on either guitar or keys. For example, if you wrote the main section to Roundabout Em, F#m, G, as ‘your’ idea, there would be no way EZKeys could reproduce that exact phrase. You couldn’t find a midi file online exactly like that, since it is an original musical idea. Nor would laying out the chords in blocks and then trying to find a ‘performance’ in EZKeys work. By it’s very nature an ‘original’ idea doesn’t exist. So, by using EZKeys you have to accept that you can not use your own original compositions.  You could place the three blocks (Em, F#m, G) in EZKeys and search for a performance, but it will not be true to your original idea. It seems a matter of Originality vs. Performance, whereas EZKeys is strong on performance but weak on originality.

However I have found a good compromise, at least for me. I combine two software apps, which gives me a true original piece with a descent performance. I first score the piece in notation software (MuseScore is free) then move the midi over to EZKeys using the ‘humanize’ feature which softens the rigidity of notation software. The end result is not a real performance from a proficient keyboardist but is at least true to the original idea I wrote. Depends on what is important to you I suppose. 

I’ll just add that I’d like to see EZKeys move in the direction of EZDrms which is far more feature rich, such as ‘edit play style’.

[Robert Shaplo]

Scott wrote:

I’ve had the greatest success when I’m writing songs asks using EZkeys when I input my own chord progressions into the EZkeys Song Track and use the Use Browser MIDI function to find a suitable MIDI performance. Being no keyboard player at all, I’ve added keys to songs that would never have had keys in them without hiring a player.

Thank you for joining in Scott.

I believe that depends on exactly what you’re looking for and your expectations.   If one has an exact idea of what they want, they probably won’t find it with EZKeys. However if they want a more generic cliche’ performance then EZKeys may be the way to go. For example we’ll say this is the song I’m writing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdfqgiUiqWI

Now, I want the Keys to play EXACTLY what is in the video, that is what I hear in my mind. And that you can not find in EZKeys. You will either have to play the part yourself, or settle for something entirely different or possibly ‘close enough’. But certainly not what you had originally intended for that part. Thereby altering your song to fit the software you’re using.

Now on the other hand, if you write more cliche’ music then you are more likely to find what you’re looking for. For example if you write songs along the lines of “Rock & Roll” – Led Zeppelin, I’m sure there’s more than enough in EZKeys to suit your needs.

So as I said, it depends on what your needs and expectations are.  And if you’re willing to alter your song to fit the software. That is the key point.  I am not willing to do that, as I probably spent hours/days writing the part. And what would be the point ?  Either you’re the songwriter or you’re not.  Though it must be said, this is not the fault of the software. It’s just the reality of this type of application.

For myself I write mostly Prog Rock (Yes, ELP, Rush, King Crimson, Floyd, ect) and EZKeys can not produce the ideas I have in my mind,  and I knew that going in.   So why did I purchase it… it is, with it’s Circle of Fifths to me an outstanding learning and writing tool . One can actually hear how chord progressions fit together. (how does that dim7 sound resolving back to the I chord).  Or, want to solo over Lydian, Dorian, Phrygian ?  ….set your progression and play away.  Tritone Chord Substitution ?  …No problem.   Not to mention most of the sounds are very well done.

 

BTW, this is in no way a criticism of anyone’s preferences, style or abilities (I know how forum posts can be misconstrued).  There have been many great songs written by great artists using cliche’ that EZKeys could easily handle. Chuck Berry, Beatles, Beach Boys and even Led Zep and Queen got a lot of mileage out of cliche’.  And I wish I had a fraction of their talent. It just comes down to what your needs are.

[Robert Shaplo]

joe wrote:

The Singer Songwriter Pack comes with 10 songs.

Each song has 5 parts. Each part has 4 variations.

That is a total of 200 MIDI files. I don’t think that 200 MIDI files means too few possibilities.

I would have to disagree, as I find the TT midi packs to be very limited and generic in nature. Certainly TT could do better. Why stop at 10 songs ?  Why stop at a few styles ? Expanding the number and styles would imho benefit both TT in sales, and us the end users in creative output. Though I suppose since TT is, in my opinion an excellent innovative company I hold them to a much higher standard. And expect more.

However that said, EZKeys is an outstanding innovative songwriting tool that adds much to the creative process. Though it is sadly held back by a lack of midi files. An unmatched high speed racing car, held back by a lack of gas as it were.  Though, simply recording your own bar or two of midi data quickly remedies this. Which is how I use EZKeys, to great effect.

Though you have to ask how could EZKeys and EZD2 not be generic in nature. Has any here found any of the midi files exactly what they needed for their original work ? I haven’t.  That is an impossibility, and not anything to do with TT or their products. Think of any professional recording and find that exact pattern or beat in any TT midi file. You won’t.  Original by it’s very nature is not generic. TT has excellent products, but they have to be put in perspective.

That said thank you for your effort in setting up your YouTube Channel and being an active helpful member of the community. As you said, “we can help each other”.  Yes you’re absolutely right.

 

 

[Robert Shaplo]

Thank you Henrik.  I did eventually find it last night and corrected the problem.

[Robert Shaplo]

Thank you for your response John.  I went into the folder (Win 10) and removed a few midi files as a test. I then ran EZD2 and did a tap2find search. The files that I removed still showed up in the search results but had a yellow triangle next to them. So I’m assuming they are still ‘listed’ in EZD2, even though I removed them from their folder.   Is there a way to remove them so EZD doesn’t think they are still there ?

And no, I didn’t touch any Toontrack MIDI, only my own added MIDI files.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Robert Shaplo]

@Olof said:
Thanks. Hit F5 in Product Manager now to refresh what downloads are available. I’ve added the MIDI update to Small Upright. Does that change anything for “Download/Install Updates”? If it still says you should install 32-bit and 64-bit, instead open details and download/install “MIDI update”.  

Thank you, I believe that corrected the situation. I downloaded and installed the MIDI update and it went from “Not up to date” to ‘ready to use’.
I attached two screen shots ( Downloads & Installation Info), please look them over to confirm if everything is correct.

I thank you for your time and help, and can see why Toontrack is so highly regarded as a top company that stands by it’s products !

[Robert Shaplo]

@Olof said:
Aha, and you say that the update it suggests you should install is “EZkeys Player”, both 32-bit and 64-bit? Could you select the Downloads tab (to the left of Installation Info) and post a screenshot of that section, please?  

I believe so, reading from that section it says… ‘EZKeys Small Upright Piano for Windows’. If that is in fact considered the “EZkeys Player” ?
Hopefully the screenshot will clear that up.

Thank you….

[Robert Shaplo]

@Olof said:
In Product Manager for EZkeys, click “Show Details” and then “Installation Info”. Which component is not version 1.2.4 there?  

Olof,

The first two components. Sound Library is 1.0.0 and Core MIDI is 1.1.0.
Core MIDI also shows an ‘Available Update’ of 1.2.0 while Sound Library and the rest are ‘dashed’ out.

All the other components are version 1.2.4.

Thank you….

[Author]

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