I went to Sweetwater and grabbed the Dream Machine package for $29 along with two MIDI packs for $10 each (Drama and Hooks & Chords).
I downloaded and installed the whole thing and I can see this is going to be quite a lot of fun! As much as I like the keys that came with I look forward to a sale on a piano so I can use this with basic piano sounds though.
Thanks to Dan for starting this thread and turning me on to EZKeys as well as answering my questions.
Thanks to Floyd for patiently answering my questions in perfect detail.
Thanks to Pipeline for always helping with tech tips to get the most out of these tools.
Thanks to Mario for being a resident MIDI supporter and expert for those of us who know nothing about it.
...However, the ToonTrack website also offers +++ EZmix2 +++ for $39 US. If, like me, you're not an experienced mixer this is a fantastic deal. The EZmix2 plug-in does a couple of things that greatly help beginners. First it puts together an effects chain appropriate to the instrument, vocalist, buss or to master. Second each effects chain has two rotary controls that can be used to fine tune the settings to your taste.
Sale prices are available at the ToonTracks website until December 02.
Thanks Jim, I got EZMix 2 and the Mastering pack, and got out of there quick before I saw anything else.
Sweetwater has the Dream Machine package for $29 US. The same package on the ToonTrack website is $39 US.
It's $36 on the toontrack site actually, not $39.
I'm hoping they will offer some of the EZDrummer midi expansion packs on sale at some point, so far not. Most of the EZX sound expansion packages are on sale however, I picked up Southern Soul and will probably get at least one more before the sale is over.
...I look forward to a sale on a piano so I can use this with basic piano sounds though.
Toontracks has traditionally done a "12 Days to Christmas Sale". There has always been an EZKeys offer then (I got all of mine then)...and at least one more MIDI pack...
I am actually not a personal fan of the e-pianos and the synths. I once won a free version of IK Multimedia Syntronic just by entering the contest (can't win if you don't enter). So I have a boat load of vintage sounding synths at my disposal.
For EZKeys I have the Grand for pure piano and several of the e-pianos - all from sales over the years. I also have the "String Machine" which I picked up years back. And I pick up most of the midi packs when ever they drop below $10.
But now I have just realize this current sale is the "Dream Machine". I thought this was the "Sting machine". [Who makes this stuff up?] I don't have this one. And here I am telling you folks this is a no brainer and I have not even considered buying it since I thought I had it. So I spent some time listening to the String machine - ya more e-piano, but, come on it is less than $30. That is well below my pain threshold. So I have put it in my Shopping cart over at Sweetwater and will likely pull the trigger later today.
They are RealPlaying as well as a sample set. The Guitars and Bass will follow the BB Chord Output midi. The Drums are RealPlaying also and have a sample set as well.
Man, what a bunch of great deals. I only picked up their free player last summer but it put me on their mailing list. I just checked out the link I got this morning and there's some tasty stuff at these prices. With all the positive comments I just may pull the trigger on everything and figure it out later. Hey, it's a hobby, right?
I'm hoping they will offer some of the EZDrummer midi expansion packs on sale at some point, so far not. Most of the EZX sound expansion packages are on sale however, I picked up Southern Soul and will probably get at least one more before the sale is over.
Today they added a few EZD2 midi expansion packs for sale, 66% off. I'm going to pick up a couple of them.
Also two of the EZX sound expansions at 75% off (the rest are also on sale for 40% off). Need to audition them first to see if they are something I would use.
Sweetwater has the Dream Machine package for $29 US. The same package on the ToonTrack website is $39 US.
However, the ToonTrack website also offers +++ EZmix2 +++ for $39 US. If, like me, you're not an experienced mixer this is a fantastic deal. The EZmix2 plug-in does a couple of things that greatly help beginners. First it puts together an effects chain appropriate to the instrument, vocalist, buss or to master. Second each effects chain has two rotary controls that can be used to fine tune the settings to your taste.
Sale prices are available at the ToonTracks website until December 02.
Thanks Jim and Pipeline. This sounds great. One Q: Will it work with RealBand? Mike
I just tried it and it seems to work ok. The Mastering one you can load on the master in the mixer then load one on each track. To have all the VST windows open you can use PluginFlipFlop Free if you have JBridge or MiniHost Free You just load FlipFlop or MiniHost then load EZMix in them.
Thanks Pipeline. If this product is half as good as the website makes out it will be a great help. I think I will head there now. Yes, it is a bit warm today. Where are you from? Cheers, Mike
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[Who makes this stuff up?] I don't have this one. And here I am telling you folks this is a no brainer and I have not even considered buying it since I thought I had it. 
So I spent some time listening to the String machine - ya more e-piano, but, come on it is less than $30. That is well below my pain threshold. So I have put it in my Shopping cart over at Sweetwater and will likely pull the trigger later today.
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