KVR Audio

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 5:52 pm

Tempting to buy for just $29:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EZKeysRE
https://www.jrrshop.com/toontrack-ezkey ... -electrics

braj · Post by **braj** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:05 pm

I already owned the Grand, I bought this last night, and am not trying to get my free expansion from Toontrack, I'm getting the Mellotron. I wonder how it compares to IK's Sampletron sounds, there isn't much editing facility with EZKeys but so far I find the instruments useful if not outstanding.

lingyai · Post by **lingyai** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:13 pm

That is a no brainer. EZKeys is way powerful and versatile. It has uses beyond the supplied midi libraries and soundsets (which are excellent btw). I've used it among other things to write progressions -- or import existing midi progressions -- restyle them, and send the midi out to drive a Kontakt guitar, for example. Sometimes the results are superb.

Also taught me loads about music theory -- in fact if I'd recommend it for any music theory for newbs, as it lets you (depending on your ear) create great-sounding stuff, learning and applying theory simultaneously. It lets you put the circle of fifths into practice straightaway, and so better appreciate what it's there for! Sorry to sound like a sock-puppet -- I assure you I'm not -- but it gives you game-changing basic music grammar and vocabulalry, without having to read music. (That, and the book "The Chord Wheel.") Here is something I did within the first hour of downloading it a few years ago, knowing nothin' about nothin'

https://soundcloud.com/st-josephs-socia ... ght-noodle

braj · Post by **braj** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:23 pm

They just added the Mellotron to my account, for $29 for three new instruments I'm pleased. It sounds good, it just can't be as flexible as Sampletron, which is understandable. One thing I really like about the EZKeys libraries is that switching between them in the player is very fast, I don't notice any load time, and it is nice to have more voices especially for stand alone mode where I am not revoicing the midi with another plugin.

lingyai · Post by **lingyai** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:28 pm

braj wrote:for $29 for three new instruments I'm pleased.

Eh? I have the basic grand, upright and mellotoons. I'd love three more for $29, but from what I see, only one, the retro grands, is available for $29 ... pray do tell bro!

braj · Post by **braj** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:32 pm

lingyai wrote:
braj wrote:for $29 for three new instruments I'm pleased.
Eh? I have the basic grand, upright and mellotoons. I'd love three more for $29, but from what I see, only one, the retro grands, is available for $29 ... pray do tell bro!

Sweetwater has a deal, buy one, get an expansion for free. So get the $29 Retro electrics which is on sale and you get any expansion free. It didn't add it to my account automatically, but Toontrack was as quick as I can expect and added the Mellotron to my account.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EZKeysRE

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:36 pm

With just 15 instruments the Mellotoon seems a little skimpy.

Are there variations of each instrument as in SampleTank maybe?

braj · Post by **braj** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:39 pm

Numanoid wrote:With just 15 instruments the Mellotoon seems a little skimpy.

Are there variations of each instrument as in SampleTank maybe?

There are 5 more 'mixed' presets. It isn't the most comprehensive package, I wouldn't buy it for the normal $89, but for free with the EPs, it is great.

braj · Post by **braj** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 7:55 pm

I thought this was an interesting review of Mellotoon. The way I'm going to use it is to give me quick Mellotron sounds that I can later replace if they aren't up to it, basically how I use its piano, the plugin is lighter than an instance of Sampletank in my DAW. I also just discovered the midi out which I've not used, it makes it more flexible for sure.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb15/a ... lotoon.htm

lingyai · Post by **lingyai** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 8:21 pm

Yeah, the midi out opens all kinds of doors

Here are some other pretty things ...

--Drag an existing midi file into its timeline. Firstly, the "humanize" option you see when you do so does a great job on a wide range of material.

-- If there is a chord progression in that midi file, EZKeys will do a pretty good job of detecting it, and displaying it in the usual EZKeys format, i.e. with the chord names, which you can then click and change.

-- And of course once its been recognised as a chord progression by EZKeys, you can apply any midi style in the browser to it using the "Use browser midi" feature.

-- Lastly, you are not limited to applying ToonTrack midi styles from the browser. Put any cool midi loop into your User Folder; it will then be visible / usable in the EZKeys browser like any other style in there. Opens Door to the Universe #2.

So it's also like having a lightweight sort-of version of Band in a Box in that, given a chord progression, you can create all manner of performances. Unlike Band in a Box, it's super easy to use.

Again, I know I sound like a fanboi ... it's just one hell of a tool.

bharris22 · Post by **bharris22** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 8:27 pm

braj wrote:
lingyai wrote:
braj wrote:for $29 for three new instruments I'm pleased.
Eh? I have the basic grand, upright and mellotoons. I'd love three more for $29, but from what I see, only one, the retro grands, is available for $29 ... pray do tell bro!
Sweetwater has a deal, buy one, get an expansion for free. So get the $29 Retro electrics which is on sale and you get any expansion free. It didn't add it to my account automatically, but Toontrack was as quick as I can expect and added the Mellotron to my account.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EZKeysRE

Maybe I'm missing something, but I still don't see the Buy One/Get One deal? I just see the $29 Retro Electrics in that link. Please help!

braj · Post by **braj** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 8:32 pm

bharris22 wrote:
braj wrote:
lingyai wrote:
braj wrote:for $29 for three new instruments I'm pleased.
Eh? I have the basic grand, upright and mellotoons. I'd love three more for $29, but from what I see, only one, the retro grands, is available for $29 ... pray do tell bro!
Sweetwater has a deal, buy one, get an expansion for free. So get the $29 Retro electrics which is on sale and you get any expansion free. It didn't add it to my account automatically, but Toontrack was as quick as I can expect and added the Mellotron to my account.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EZKeysRE
Maybe I'm missing something, but I still don't see the Buy One/Get One deal? I just see the $29 Retro Electrics in that link. Please help!

I think I got it 'by mistake' they took that down for Retro Electrics now, the free expansion is just for the other instruments now. I feel so special

bharris22 · Post by **bharris22** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 8:34 pm

Aargh! This just went from a no-brainer to a brainer for me. Gotta think about it now, but looks like I have a few days.

triggerthehorizon · Post by **triggerthehorizon** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 8:37 pm

Perhaps Toontrack let it slide for braj but they have since added this disclaimer on their site:

http://www.toontrack.com/black-friday/
"Purchases of EZkeys Retro Electrics will not include the ”free Sound Expansion” promo also available right now. Promotion void where prohibited".

braj · Post by **braj** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 8:38 pm

bharris22 wrote:Aargh! This just went from a no-brainer to a brainer for me. Gotta think about it now, but looks like I have a few days.

The Retro Electrics is still well worth it to get the songwriting tools. It is a real bargain, that is the real value in the full priced packages anyhow, the sounds are good enough but they are kind of incidental. I wouldn't pass this one up.

I use EzKeys with Nora to create a chord track, you don't even have to use the fancier midi patterns to get a lot of use with this guy, just planning out songs with very basic chords is helpful, enjoyable even.

Toontrack EZKeys!