I hate to spread rumors, but Toontracks has an ad floating on Facebook of a new release coming on April 3 with a hint of "Piano keys". If its true, you heard it here first.
You are a real troublemaker...lol I have already spent about a zillion dollars on Toontracks!
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Hey Dan, You are a fan of Toon stuff. Can you please share if/how it can be integrated with BIAB? I have tried demo once, but could not get it right. Can it work similarly to Kontakt ( with transposable phrase instruments) using a BIAB chord track? Thanks.
Hey Dan, You are a fan of Toon stuff. Can you please share if/how it can be integrated with BIAB? I have tried demo once, but could not get it right. Can it work similarly to Kontakt ( with transposable phrase instruments) using a BIAB chord track? Thanks.
Misha, how did you miss my past history of videos introducing this software along side BIAB? I am aware that I tend to delete my old videos, so that may be the reason. But stay tuned, if this is indeed EZKeys 2.0, than I will go on a tear with new fresh material on this topic.
Keep in mind, EZKeys released circa 2012 and is still today at Version 1. So it suffers in regards to its ability to play well with other software (sound like some other software we know). That would be the biggest change expected in EZkeys 2.0.
So your question is good but your timing is bad. Lets see what happens...
Dan, "how did you miss my past history of videos introducing this software along side BIAB" Did you post it this year (the year of the Chord Track)?
To me, it is not so much about the software, but it's content and integration with BIAB. To my understanding their MIDI content is in a way similar to Super Midi tracks. I doubt that they will re-invent most of the content that has been added in past years, and I do get that things "might" change with 2.0 as far as integration. But in short, can their MIDI phrases "follow" BIAB Chord Track or all chording has to be programmed independently in the VST? (I am not talking about inversions)
"...but it's content and integration with BIAB". As I mentioned, I would not say these two packages integrate well together. However, both have excellent content. I agree, much like super midi tracks.
Yes, you can copy any track from BIAB and past into EZKeys and it will play it note for note. For that matter, you can insert EZkey.dll (VST2) as a VST inside of BIAB and the EZKeys instrument will play note for note.
Or, you copy the chord track and paste into EZKeys standalone, then you can use the EZKeys libraries to fully improvise over the tracks, just like Super Midi Tracks.
But the fact is, you really need a DAW to integrate them.
From what I understand, as it stands, it will play note for note if Toontrack is inserted as VST, but will not trigger and transpose its own phrases according to BIAB chord sheet? It will play just as a basic instrument. That's what I got when I tried fooling around with it if I remember it right...
I think you got it right the first time. EZ Keys is the one that desperately needs an upgrade and now that they've released EZ Drummer 3 and EZ Bass I'd bet EZ Keys is about to be upgraded!
No way Toontrack is converting to subscription; they're making money hand over fist with the add-on business.
... In full disclosure, some are saying the crytic message from ToonTracks is hinting that a Subscription Service will be launched on April 3.
They'd be better off announcing it on April 1st
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
From what I understand, as it stands, it will play note for note if Toontrack is inserted as VST, but will not trigger and transpose its own phrases according to BIAB chord sheet? It will play just as a basic instrument. That's what I got when I tried fooling around with it if I remember it right...
Misha, AFAIK that is correct. EZkeys VSTi in BiaB will only play what BiaB gives it.
But there is at least one workaround that I use, but you must have Presonus's Studio One Pro; this might work on the entry level Studio One but I know have it to test this.
Drag and Drop your BiaB tracks into Studio One (ST) and have ST extract the chords from the BiaB chord track to the ST chord track. Generate your EZKeys using one of their styles and don't worry about the EZKey chords. Drop the EZKey track into ST and have that track follow the ST chord track. All of the EZKey chords will be eliminated and replaced with the BiaB chords but using the EZKeys rhythms. That is it will play the same as in EZKeys but with BiaB chords. You may have to do a little editing but I have found that this works very well plus it is very easy to do in ST.
If I can help fell free to contact me.
Last edited by MarioD; 03/30/2303:25 PM.
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal". Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Mario, Thank you for chipping in. I am a Cakewalk dude.
I wonder... Some developers can amend things fast if they feel it's beneficial. Especially in early stages of release. Perhaps if it's not too tricky they can do something to V2.0 so it accepts a Chord Track from BIAB (and other software)
If v2 of Toontrack will not have that feature, perhaps people on this forum who prefer a smooth integration with BIAB should cook up a joint letter requesting this to happen?
P.S. I would be very interested in new Toontrack Keys if it would play friendly with BIAB. With partial regeneration + Chord Track, I spend much more time in BIAB than I used to, not having to jump between BIAB and DAW. Having another flavor, would definitely enrich BIAB experience.
Goodness Gratious, I do believe that actually worked! I can only figure that it works on the Utility tracks but not on the Legacy tracks. Cause that is what I see here at this time.
Put the chord chart on Utility #4. Then insert EZKeys to the VSTi slot for Utility Track #4 Save the midi on Utility #4 to desktop then copy pasted into EZKeys VST. Use EZKeys midi library to edit the midi Then play the track in BIAB and we now have EZKeys midi playing along inside BIAB in synch.
I did not think that was possible. In the past I had tried this on the legacy tracks with no success.
Not sure this will be a workflow changer for me since I prefer to get to the DAW as quick as possible, but for those who want to stay longer in the box...
Musocity seems to cracked it. I am tempted to download the demo, but will wait to see what will happen in 3 days.
Musocity, thanks! This is a good candidate video for Tips/Tricks Just narrate it, or use Dan's description. I don't think he would mind. It might be useful to current and future users who have, or considering Toontracks.
I guess the biggest downside, you will always have to Re-dragg Midi if you are changing things in BIAB. It seems, unlike Kontakt (guitar series), which can be triggered live, Toontrack writes whole Midi track prior to playback.
EZKeys is on Util 01 and I generated a chord track on util 02 and drag the name "Chords" into EZkeys (just make sure EZkeys is set to the same key as Biab)
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