Toontrack have announced that in May they will be releasing EZkeys 2, the long-awaited refresh of the Swedish developer’s popular keyboard virtual instrument. For those in need of some easy ivory action, we have the details on the re-boot that holds quite a few surprises…
Toontrack are known for creations such as EZdrummer 3, and EZbass, and EZkeys, with the latter recently becoming the oldest in the trio following the drummer’s third change of image and chops in 2022. Sensing a need to bring their venerable keyboard player into shape as well, today sees Toontrack’s release of EZkeys 2. This brings some truly innovative features as seen on other EZ lines, as well as a brand new instrument, and a change to the way users can access different sounds for their productions.
Toontrack EZkeys 2
Toontrack describe their new creation:
A melody, a chord sequence or a riff - every great song ever written started with a basic idea. Whether you open EZkeys with a blank slate or a finished track at hand, EZkeys was designed to be the new go-to staple in your creative toolset.
Key Features:
Bandmate Inspired by its drummer, Toontrack bring this innovative feature to EZkeys 2. Get chords and grooves based on your own audio or MIDI. Chords can be played in on guitar for EZkeys 2 to play along like a real player, for example.
Onboard grid editor With humanization, scale matching, timing features and more.
Tap2Find Get grooves based on the rhythm and notes you input.
An all-new grand piano Recorded using a wide range of microphones and ambiences.
An all-new MIDI library covering different playing styles and music genres.
New Expandable Instrument In keeping with other EZ instruments, software includes a core instrument and sound library which will be expandable with EKX add-ons.
Fully resizable and scalable interface
Mix-ready presets For a broad range of styles and sounds.
The Piano
Fazioli F212 grand piano.
Recorded using a Neve 8068 64 channel console.
Adjustable hammer release and pedal noise controls.
Recorded at Riksmixningsverket Studio in Stockholm, Sweden.
Captured using spot mics on hammers and strings.
Pedals: Sustain, Una Corda (soft pedal) and Sostenuto.
Approx. 4 GB of multi-sampled sounds.
Overhead and two secondary room ambiences.
Adjustable MIDI controller velocity response.
The MIDI
Full MIDI content from the legacy version is also included. This library adds another 800+ MIDI files covering anything from pop and rock to jazz, Latin, funk and blues.
Approx. 1,400 individually played MIDI files.
Performed by professional piano player.
Separate folders for riffs, arpeggios and ostinatos.
Styles/genres include ballads, pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz and more.
3/4, 4/4, 6/8 in straight and/or swing feel.
Song part categorization.
Pricing & Availability
Toontrack say EZkeys 2 will be released 16th May and right now, they are giving existing EZkeys users the chance to pre-order the upgrade at the special discounted price of $79 (normally $99).
In addition, any new customer who buys a regular version of any existing EZkeys instrument will get the EZkeys 2 upgrade included (accessible on release day via their Toontrack account/Product Manager).
For more details head over to Toontrack using the link below…