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Toontrack Unveils Orchestral Grand EZX
Product Review: Toontrack Orchestral Grand EKX for EZKeys 2
I’ve recently had the pleasure of exploring the Orchestral Grand EKX, the newest expansion pack for Toontrack’s renowned EZKeys 2 software, and I’m excited to share my detailed thoughts on this product. Recorded at Belgium’s prestigious Galaxy Studios, this expansion features the celebrated Steinway D-274 grand piano, promising to deliver an impressively rich and dynamic sound suitable for a variety of production styles.
Key Features:
- Grand Piano Sample: The core of this expansion is the meticulously recorded Steinway D-274 grand piano, chosen for its exceptional sound qualities.
- Studio Quality Recording: Utilizes the acoustically tailored main hall of Galaxy Studios, where other famous Toontrack libraries have been captured.
- Multiple Microphone Positions: Includes close mics and eleven additional room mics to provide expansive mixing options.
- Mix-ready Presets: Wide range of presets from intimate settings to grand orchestral sounds, suitable for various musical contexts.
- Surround Sound Capabilities: Offers presets in multiple formats, including stereo and up to 5.0 surround sound.
- Extensive MIDI Library: Comes with a unique set of MIDI performances, optimized specifically for this instrument.
- Compatibility and Formats: Available for Windows (7 and above) and macOS (10.10 or higher); supports VST3, AU, and AAX.
Pros:
- High-Quality Samples: The sound quality of the Steinway D-274 is exceptional, capturing the nuanced dynamics of this iconic instrument.
- Versatile Sound Control: The detailed mic placements and macro controls provide extensive flexibility in sound shaping.
- Ready-to-Use Presets: Helps users quickly find the perfect tone for any project, significantly speeding up the production process.
- New MIDI Content: The included MIDI files are wonderfully crafted, offering inspirational compositions that are immediately usable.
- Easy Integration: Seamlessly integrates with EZKeys 2.1.0 and higher, ensuring a smooth workflow within different production environments.
Cons:
- Software Requirement: Requires users to have EZKeys 2.1.0, which could be an additional expense if not already owned.
- Price Point: At €89, it might be considered pricey for an expansion pack, although justified by the quality and exclusivity of the content.
- Resource Intensive: May demand significant system resources, particularly when using high-quality settings or multiple instances.
Customer Feedback:
Feedback from users has generally been overwhelmingly positive. Many praise the lifelike quality of the piano samples and the versatility of the sound that can be achieved through its various presets. Users are particularly impressed with the natural ambiance captured from Galaxy Studios, noting that it adds a realistic depth to the piano sounds. However, some have mentioned the need for a powerful setup to fully leverage the expansion without performance issues.
Final Thoughts:
The Toontrack Orchestral Grand EKX is a robust addition to any music producer’s toolkit, especially those utilizing EZKeys 2. The depth and realism of the recorded samples are top-notch, and the added MIDI libraries and flexible sound-shaping controls make this a particularly versatile tool for both composing and sound design. While the price might be a bit steep for some, the quality and potential of the Orchestral Grand EKX justify the investment for serious music professionals.
