Toontrack Music has announced the immediate release of EZkeys Grand Piano – a plug-in and stand-alone piano instrument that combines "breathtaking" tonal qualities with creative songwriting tools. It features an extensive drag and drop MIDI library, a smart transpose functionality that allows the user to change chords and add harmonic color on the fly as well as introducing an intuitive interface with a streamlined workflow.

"EZkeys marks a major step in developing the scope of products in our EZ Line and for the creative music industry as a whole," said Erik Phersson, Toontrack Music's head of Software Development. "Combining pro-played drag and drop MIDI with smart songwriting features have up until now not been combined in a tonal instrument of this kind. EZkeys sets a new standard and we are beyond excited about the feedback from our pool of testers. We are confident that EZkeys will be an important songwriting and production tool for years to come."

When Toontrack released EZdrummer, it quickly became a success. The company's recently overhauled multi-effect mixing tool, EZmix 2, follows in its footsteps.

"The products in our EZ Line are all about erasing the boundaries between user and computer," said Henrik Kjellberg, co-founder and head of Content Development at Toontrack Music. "The success of these products prove that a large portion of the music community is looking for tools that are quick and easy to use, produce instant results and above all, inspire. Adding a piano instrument that has these characteristics was the obvious next big step for the company. EZkeys fills a wide-open slot in the software piano market."

EZkeys comes with a meticulously sampled Steinway and Sons model D grand piano, recorded in a world-class studio and using only the best of the best in vintage and modern recording gear.

"This recording is every bit as detailed as our drum sample libraries. It features sympathetic string resonance based on real samples, key and hammer noise as well as three foot pedals. Combined, this makes for unparalleled realism and playability, making it the performer's and top producer's instrument as much as the new gem in the songwriter's toolset," said Mattias Eklund, Toontrack Music's co-founder and head of Sound Design.

Pricing & Availability

Beginning March 13, 2012, EZkeys Grand Piano will be available worldwide in selected music retail stores and through online dealers as an instant download priced at €139 / $179.

It's compatible with 32- and 64-bit Windows and Mac OS X in stand-alone and VST, AU and RTAS instrument plug-in formats.