Question 1

Do I have to start out with version 1 or can I start out with this #2...I do guitars...

Accepted Answer

We bought #2 and just started using it.  It shouldn't require you to install a prior version.  All the bells and whistles should also come with subsequent versions.  If it doesn't work for you, talk to the manufacturer because they should make #2 a complete package.  Good luck.

Question 2

Do you have to use the presets they have, or can you make your own beat from scratch?

Accepted Answer

Since you're asking about making your own beat, I'm guessing you're talking about Toontrack's midi patterns when you use the word "presets"- so that's how I'll try to answer.  EZD2 does not have a typical midi programming function or the like.  However, there are ways that you can create beats from scratch.  You can actually use your mouse to trigger hits on the graphic drum kit, and set EZD2 to record those hits.  Furthermore, you can record each kit piece one at a time, "layering" in the overall beat you're creating.  Or, if you have an external midi triggering device (keyboard, pads, electronic drums, whatever), you can set things up so EZD2 will record hits or beats you play from that device.  Once you have something recorded, you can then tell EZD2 to look for similar beats in it's library, and it will pull up a bunch of beats and tell you by percentage how well each of them matches your original beat.  Another way you can create a pattern, is to take a basic beat you "recorded in"  (or any other pattern in the EZD2 library), and have EZD2 edit the pattern kit piece by kit piece (snare, kick, tom, etc.) to create more or fewer hits, change velocity, pitch, etc.  You can import midi patterns from other non-Toontrack sources, I've got lots of 'em.  Lastly, most DAW's have some midi programming capability, and you can program a beat there, and then insert EZD2 as a plugin to play the sounds in the midi pattern on the DAW track.  It's all really too much to describe in an answer like this, but there are many very good youtube tutorial videos to check out that will show you what the program can do and how to do it.  I recommend you search youtube with the term "EZdrummer 2" and check some of these out, as there's nothing like demo's to show you what you need to know.  To summarize, EZD2 is not a midi programming program in the usual sense, but there's lots of other ways to create, alter, and import beat patterns for it to play the sounds back for you.  I don't find it much of an obstacle that EZD2 doesn't have the typical midi programming function.  Really, check out some youtube vidz, it will clarify a lot.  Toontrack has official tutorials and demos, and there are other vidz from other sources there that are really excellent as well.  Hope that helps, Michael.

Question 3

Is this a good program to trigger drums using a midi interface?  also, my module has a sd card slot.  can samples be saved and loaded?

Accepted Answer

With a little work configurating the program you can trigger e drums, to record you will need a DAW, the samples can not be saved in your module

Question 4

I have SD-2. EZ drummer came with it. Will this upgrade be compatible with my EZ Drummer version, that came with my SD-2?

Accepted Answer

By "compatible", I'm guessing you mean qualifying for an upgrade price rather than software to software compatibility.  That having been said, I've never heard of such a SD2 with included EZ bundle, and can't find any reference to it- so I can't answer definitively because I don't know what version of EZD that would have been that came with your SD2 buy.  However, if that included EZdrummer was a full version (not a "lite", etc.), I'd expect it would be upgradeable to EZ2 for the lower price, vs. the higher cost of buying EZdrummer2 as a first EZ purchase.  (Assuming that you registered it and activated it just as all the Toontrack programs I know of require.)  If it was an EZdrummer Lite version, probably not going to work out that way.  Maybe go to your Toontrack account and check your products, and perhaps you'll find something there that will tell you.  The products you own will indicate whether updates (not the same as upgrades) are available, and maybe it will indicate something about your EZdrummer qualifying for the upgrade.  Certainly this is true for the EZX's I own, and now, also for SD2.  (Version 2.4.0 of SD is now available to make it work properly with EZ2 and any EZX's updated for EZ2.  These updates are free, by the way- though the EZ2 upGRADE is not.)  Good luck finding that info with your version of EZD.  Otherwise, easy enough to sign in and message Toontrack for a verdict directly.  However, the price difference between the upgrade and the non-upgrade version is only about $50 last time I saw it.  For me, the extra $50 would have been money well spent, regardless.  EZ2 has many more features and much more control than the first version had, and has lots more in the way of easily operable adjustments to be made to sounds and midi patterns- and this has really improved the degree to which the program inspires creativity for me and speeds up my mixes.  It also makes constructing more convincing and variable patterns easier and quicker.  The SD2 I also own is a deep and intense program, but it really bogs me down in stuff I'm not wanting to spend so much time on as a singer/guitar player/songwriter.  Even so, I very much care about making good, finished sounding compositions, and I don't feel that EZ2 lets me down in that respect.  I tend to get better drum tracks (sound and patterns) with EZ2 than I do with SD2, simply because I don't get as endlessly distracted with the infinite options available in SD2- taking immense amounts of time to explore and tweak, and ultimately sucking the life out of my music making while I spent too much time on tech and tweaking.  And while I find that entertaining, it's not the most productive way to spend my time as music maker.  Honestly, now that I have EZ2, I'd sell my SD2 if I could.  That was NOT true before I upgraded.Hope that something in the lengthy tome above is helpful.

Toontrack Ezdrummer2 Toontrac Drumming Software

Description

Have a Question? See What Others Asked

Reviews

Common Questions