MEET YOUR NEW DRUMM DRUMMER ER
OPERATION MANUAL
Mac, OS X and Audio Units are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technology AG. RTAS and AAX are trademarks of Avid Corp. Overloud is a trademark of Almateq srl. All other trademarks held by their respective owners.
This manual is copyr ight Toontrack Music AB. No duplication or copying permitted without written permission.
Ef fe fe ct ct s p ow ow er er ed ed b y O ve ve rlrl ou ou d
T hi hi s p ro ro du du ct ct u se se s: s:
Mac, OS X and Audio Units are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technology AG. RTAS and AAX are trademarks of Avid Corp. Overloud is a trademark of Almateq srl. All other trademarks held by their respective owners.
This manual is copyr ight Toontrack Music AB. No duplication or copying permitted without written permission.
Ef fe fe ct ct s p ow ow er er ed ed b y O ve ve rlrl ou ou d
T hi hi s p ro ro du du ct ct u se se s: s:
TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION INSTALLATION
3 4 5
System requireme nts
5
Installing EZdrumme r 2 on your PC
5
Installing EZdrumme r 2 on your Mac
5
Adding a groove to the Song Track Track
18
RECORDING
18
Quick tutorial
18
Saving/opening a project
19
THE SONG TRACK
20
Elements of the Song Track
20
Adding fills Show in Browser The Replace function
USER MIDI Showing/hiding
32 33 33
34 34
Adding User MIDI
35
USING THE MIXER
35
Setting the Song Position
21
6
Start playback at bar 1 or 0
22
About using EZdrum mer 2
6
Zooming
22
The channel strips
35
Launching the standalone
6
Song Block operations
22
Selecting channels
36
Authorizing EZdr ummer 2 online
7
Copy-pasting instrument parts
25
Using the Effects
36
Authorizing EZdr ummer 2 offline
7
Expor ting MIDI/audio
26
Resetting values
37
Using MIDI controllers
37
Using multiple outputs
38
GETTING STARTED
OVERVIEW Drums tab
8
EDIT PLAY STYL E
26
Instrument Volume vs Microphone Volume
35
8
Opening
Browser tab
8
Closing
27 27
SETTINGS
38 38
Search tab
8
Selecting instruments
27
General
38 38
Mixer tab
9
Undo/Redo
27 27
MIDI libraries
39 39
The Song Track Main menu Options menus Tooltips Context menus
LIBRARY PRESETS
9
Add/Remove Hits
27
MIDI events
9
Adjusting velocit y
28
E-drums
40
Adding percussi on
28
Sound engine
40
10 10
Cut MIDI
29
10
Remove MIDI
29
Copying MIDI to other instruments
29
11
Selecting
11
Saving a Librar y User Preset
11
CONSTRUCTING CUSTOM KITS Instrument Propertie s
SELECTING A GROOVE Using the Browser tab
26 26
12 12
14 14
Using the Search tab
15
Using Tap2Find
17
The Power Hand instrument Opening Hit Changing instrument articulati on Quantizing individ ual instruments
THE SONG CREATOR Showing/hiding
29 30 30 30
31 31
Specify ing a source MIDI file
31
Using Song Structures
32
Saving a User Song Structure
32
Audio/MIDI setup (standa lone) Metronome settings (standalone)
SHORTCUTS
40 41
42
Song Track
42
Edit Play Style
42
Browser/User MIDI
42
Search/Song Creator
42
Mixer
42
Knobs and faders
42
INDEX
43
INTRODUCTION EZdrummer 2 is the second generation of the world’s number one drum production tool.
The Modern Modern and and Vintage Vintage core core libraries were recorded at the legendary British Grove studios
With ground-breaking songwriting features and intuitive sound-shaping options, it will let
in London by Grammy award-winning engineer Chuck Ainlay. Through combination of these
you finish an entire drum track without ever leaving the program.
three consoles, the drum recordings and percussion provide the user with a production arsenal ready to take on any musical genre or recording style.
With two separate drum libraries containing five individual drum kits and a host of extra kicks and snares, EZdrummer 2 i s much more than a sound-generating virtual instrument,
By including a number of effect chain presets, we have taken out the complicated part of
it’s an indispensable songwriting tool. EZdrummer 2 introduces several new features that
mixing drums. The presets included cover anything from classic rock to disco and modern
make finding and working with your MIDI grooves fast, easy and more intuitive than ever.
metal, so you can instantly call up a starting point for your song and continue to customize it into something completely new with each effect chain’s unique set of parameters.
EZdrummer 2 utilizes the latest and most advanced sound engine technology coupled with a vast and fully-featured content. This means significantly faster loading times, more individual hits per sample layer, real-time sample rate conversion and multiple hits emulation for smoother sequenced hits. In short, great sound.
Finally, EZdrummer 2 breathes new life into the existing Toontrack EZdrummer Line. All previously released EZdrummer expansion libraries can take advantage of the new features. This means all-new grap hics, optimized per formance, and a selection of all-new custom designed presets that make use of the wide range of effects in the EZdrummer 2 mixer.
The EZdrummer 2 Modern library was was recorded using a state-of-the-art Neve 88 R console and the classic EMI TG to deliver the thick and robust sound necessary for modern drum production. The EZdrummer 2 Vintage library, however, library, however, is a completely
We hope you enjoy using EZdrummer 2 and find it an indispensable songwriting tool. Thank you for your support and purch ase!
separate recording that was made using the extremely rare EMI REDD.51 console, which is widely known for its characteristic, saturated sound.
THE STUD IO
THE ENGI NEE R
INSTALLATION SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
INSTALLING EZDRUMMER 2 ON YOUR PC
• Windows 7 or newer, Pentium 4 or Athlon processor with 2 GB RAM.
Run the Installer included with the DVD or electronic download and follow the instructions.
(32- and 64-bit hosts are supported) • OS X 10.6 or later, Intel-based Mac with 2 GB RAM. (32- and 64-bit hosts are supported) • AU, VST, AAX or RTAS host application and professional sound card recommended
Please make sure to read the additional instructions included in the Read me file as it may contain important information not available at the time this manual was assembled. Please ensure you can authenticate as administrator before proceeding. The installer wil l attempt to install the EZdrumm er plug-in in the appropr iate location for the currently installed host program. You should, however, verify that this is the case and perform a custom installation to change the destination if it is not adequate for your host program (see your host manual for details). If this is your first EZdrummer product, it is important that you decide where you would like the sound libraries to be stored. This decision will apply to all expansion libraries you may wish to install in the future so please take a moment to decide the most appropriate location for the long term storage of your sounds. If you change the location of your sound libraries after installation, EZdrummer 2 will ask for the new path. However, the sound libraries cannot be split up in different locations – they have to be in the same place.
INSTALLING EZDRUMMER 2 ON YOUR MAC Run the Installer included with the DVD or electronic download and follow the instructions. Please ensure you can authenticate as administrator before proceeding. The EZdrummer p lug-in will be insta lled in the default locati on for your operating system and should not be moved to remain available to all users and programs. If this is your first EZdrummer product, it is important that you decide where you would like the sound libraries to be stored. This decision will apply to all expansion libraries you may wish to install in the future so please take a moment to decide the most appropriate location for the long term storage of your sounds. If you change the location of your sound libraries after installation, EZdrummer 2 will ask for the new path. However, the sound libraries cannot be split up in different locations – they have to be in the same place. THE ROOM
GETTING STARTED ABOUT USING EZDRUMMER 2 EZdrummer 2 is primarily designed as an instrument plug-in to be used in a compatible host
LAUNCHING THE STANDALONE At the tim e of insta llati on, the EZ drum mer 2 i nstall er wil l have pl aced th e stand alone
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Instrument plug-ins are basically extensions of the host
application on your hard drive and provided a desktop shortcut (Windows only). Mac users
application.
will find the application in a folder named “Toontrack” located inside the main Applications folder. Drag it to the dock for easy access.
As a plug-in, EZdrumm er 2 can be used in several dif ferent ways: After launching the program, you should e nsure that your system is configured for basic • As a pure sound source, taking advantage of the pristine quality and mixing control of the recorded instruments but using the MIDI sequencing facilities of the host application. • As a sound source and groove generator, using the supplied MIDI grooves as a basis for the drum track but still using your host application sequencer. • Or you can utilize the the powerful built-in Song Track features in EZdrummer 2 to create your drum track by using it as a “slave” device where the EZdrummer 2 transport follows the host device. You can at any time transfer the contents of the drum track to the host application to continue working on it. As EZdrumme r 2 can also function 100% as a “standalone” device without any need for a host application, you can create drum tracks quickly and intuitively and later connect them to a host program. For information how to use plug-ins in a specific host appl ication, please refer to the operation manual provided with that host.
audio and MIDI playback. Please refer to “Audio/MIDI setup (standalone)” on page 40.
AUTHORIZING EZDRUMMER 2 ONLINE
AUTHORIZING EZDRUMMER 2 OFFLINE
Upon the first time you launch EZdrummer 2 from within your host appli cation (or the
Upon the first time you launch EZdrummer 2 from within your host application (or the
standalone EZdrummer application), you will be presented with an authorization screen.
standalone EZdrummer application), you will be presented with an authorization screen.
If your computer is connected to the Internet, simply follow the instructions presented
If your computer is not connected to the Internet, click the Of fline button and follow
to you:
the instructions presented to you:
1. Copy the computer ID to a text file or write it down. 2. Using a differ ent computer or a smart phone, go to http://www.toontrack.com/register. If you do not yet have a Toontrack account you must create one before moving on. 1. Type your Toontrack login and password. If you do not yet have a Toontrack account,
After registering your prod uct, type your computer ID and a shor t description for your
click Create Account and follow the instructions. Otherwise simply click “Log In and
computer for easy identification at a later date. This can be anything you like, for example
Continue”.
‘Studio B computer’.
2. Type or paste in the serial number found on the DVD packaging or paper/electronic
3. After generating the authorization code at the Toontrack site, like in the step-by-step
receipt for your purchase. The serial number starts with ‘EZxx’ followed by 4 groups
instructions outlined on the website, you will need to download a file containing the
of digits and/or capital letters.
authorization code. Download this to a USB stick or a similar transferable memory
3. Add a suitable description for your computer. This can be anything you like, for example ‘Studio B computer’. 4. Cl ick Authorize.
device. 4. In EZdrummer 2, load this file by using the Select button on the Offline authorizati on screen. 5. Cl ick Authorize.
You should receive a message telling you that your EZdr ummer product has been authorized successfully. Should the authorization process fail for whatever reason, please review the authorization FAQ located at http://www.toontrack.com/faq
You should rece ive a mes sage tell ing you that you r EZdr ummer p roduct ha s been authorized successfully. Should the authorization process fail for whatever reason, please review the authorization FAQ located at http://www.toontrack.com/faq
If you are still unable to authorize your Toontrack product, please use the support contact link embedded in the FAQ, making sure to specify your serial number and
If you are still unabl e to authorize your Toontrack product, please use the suppor t
the computer ID found on the Offline screen (see the directions on opposite page).
contact link embedded in the FAQ, making sure to specify your serial number and your computer ID.
OVERVIEW EZdrummer 2 uses a single-window, fixed-size interface comprising four main view modes,
BROWSER TAB
or “tabs”. You use the buttons at the top of the window to switch between tabs. Always present at the bottom of the window is the Song Track. Here follows a brief description of the main elements of EZdrummer 2.
DRUMS TAB
This is where you can browse for grooves from all your i nstalled EZd rummer lib raries. From a selected library, you can select a category, each with grooves in various time signatures and playing styles. Here you can also save and access your own MIDI files.
SEARCH TAB This is the main window where you can audi tion and tweak the individ ual components in the selected sound library. EZdrummer 2 ships with two sound libraries; Modern and Vintage, and an assortment of presets for each. Both libraries can be customized by selecting different drums for each position – see “Instrument Properties” on page 12. This gives you 5 drumkits in total plus 3 percussion slots.
EZdrummer 2 ships with a generous selection of grooves, covering a wide range of musical styles and time signatures, for both drums and the included percussion instruments. When inspiration strikes, however, you need to be able to find the per fect groove fast and efficiently. The Search tab is designe d to give you the ability to communicate with the software and let EZdrummer 2 present you with the perfect selection of grooves as fast as possible.
MIXER TAB
Edit Play Style A powerful feature of the Song Track is Edit Play Style. It allows you to add percussi on, change articulation, copy MIDI between kit instruments, add hits to instruments or remove hits, and much more.
The Mixer tab allows you to control the overall bala nce of the selected Librar y Preset. Amongst other things, it allows you to tweak levels, mute or solo indi vidual channel s, adjust effects and set output routing. The number of channels in the Mixer is dynamic and varies with the selected Preset.
Song Creator
THE SONG TRACK
The Song Track allows you to assemble your grooves into a song structure. The grooves can be cut to any desired length, copied along the Track , deleted or tagged as a specific Song Part.
The Song Creator can be used to create a complete drum track based on a groove.
MAIN MENU The main menu is accessed f rom the top right corner and contains vari ous settings and information.
TOOLTIPS Most items and parameters will show a tooltip when you hover over it with the mouse cursor.
CONTEXT MENUS OPTIONS MENUS The Song Track and the Browser, Search and Mixer tabs eac h has an options menu that contains items specific to the selected tab or the Song Track.
Right-clicking controls and other items will bring up a context menu with various options for the selected control/item. If you are using a Mac and don’t have a right mouse button, you can use ctrl-click as an alternative.
LIBRARY PRESETS SELECTING
SAVING A LIBRARY USER PRESET
A Library Pr eset consists of a drumkit together with asso ciated mixer settings that inclu de
If you’ve made modifications to a preset, EZdrummer 2 will display a star (*) next to the name
effects. The sound library of EZdrummer 2 features both a modern and a vintage setup as
of the preset in the orange library preset disp lay. If you wish to save this preset for use in other
well as a percussion selection.
projects, it can be saved as a Library User Preset. This is also done using the Preset selector.
At the top of the EZdrummer 2 interface, the Library Preset selector allows you to load any
Click the Preset selector and make the desired selection from the drop-down menu. The
of the installed presets. Click the preset selector and make the desired selection from the drop-
selected Library Preset will appear in bold below the Sound Library name in the orange
down menu. The orange library/preset selector will always display the sound library that is
Library display.
currently loaded with the selected library preset name below.
A Library Us er Preset will be avail able for any project. To load a saved Librar y User Preset, select it from the Preset menu – User Presets submenu. Note that selecting a Library Preset not only makes changes to the individual drums, but it also changes available channels in the mixer and the unique effect controls that make up the Preset. Library Presets are built from a complex network of sends, busses, channels and sound processors that are merged into a few simple-to-use controls.
CONSTRUCTING CUSTOM KITS INSTRUMENT PROPERTIES EZdrummer 2 features an Instrument Properties window accessible directly from the Drums
• You can audition the selected instrument at any velocity level by clicking horizontally in the preview pad at the bottom of the window.
tab where you can, amongst other things, switch what instrument sample is used for a given position. This means you can build your own custom kit directly in EZdrummer 2 and later save it either as a Library User Preset or a Kit User Preset. To set properties for an instrument, proceed as fol lows: 1. Click on the Drums tab. 2. Click the arrow button for the instrument you wish to set properties for (or alternativel y right-click the instrument).
• The overall volume and pitch for the selected instrument can also be adjusted using the respective knobs. • Clicking the Details button opens a side window where you can view and audition all articulations for the selected kit instrument. In addition, the MIDI Note numbers or Key names for the articulations are shown (you switch between Key or Note using the button in the top right corner). At the bottom of the Details window, the Note number or Key name of any incoming MIDI is shown.
• At the top you have a library selector where you can select between librari es installed on your system. • Below is a list of all drums available for the instrument in the selected library. Clicking on one selects it. There are Previous/Next arrow buttons which also can be used to switch between instruments.
• The Kits button opens a menu where you can select between the Kit Presets available for the current Library Preset.
About Kit Us er Presets Via the Kits menu you can save the modified ki t as a Kit User Preset: • Select “Save As...” from the Kits menu. This opens a save dialog where you can enter a name for the Preset.
By using this general method for other instruments, you can build your own custom kit and
A saved User Kit Preset can be used wi th other Library Pre sets.
then lastly save it as a Library User Preset (see “Saving a Library User Preset” on page 11 ),
The following appli es:
or you can save it as a Kit User Preset – see below.
• To recall a User Kit Preset, select “User Presets” from the Kits menu and select the saved Preset from the submenu. • If a User Kit Preset was originally saved when the “Modern” library was loaded you can only access it when the “Modern” library is loaded. • A Library Preset always overrides a Kit Preset. When you change the Library Preset this will change the Kit as well as the Mixer settings. You can however load the saved Kit User Preset after changing the Library Preset (given it belongs to same Library as stated in the point above).
SELECTING A GROOVE There are several methods you can use to find the right groove. Depend ing on the situa-
Preview Original Tempo
tion, you might be looking for something very specific or merely be searching for inspiration.
If “Preview Original Tempo” is activated, this means that when you audition a selected
Whatever the situation, EZdrummer 2 will provide a quick and easy way to help you along.
groove, it will play back in the tempo it was recorded at, not the tempo set in EZdrummer 2 or in your host program.
USING THE BROWSER TAB
Tempo factor Both the Browser and Search tabs let you preview grooves in a variety of different tempo alterations. In the tempo drop-down menu, you can select between 1/2 tempo, normal 1x tempo, and 2x (double) tempo. Having this option in the Browser allows you to preview all grooves at an alteration of the tempo before they are dragged to the Song Track or to your host application. If a change is made to the tempo of a MIDI groove, EZdrummer 2 will display a star (*) to the left of the name of the groove and a header will appear at the top of the Browser section, providing the option to “Reset” the tempo and other changed parameters. The Browser tab is divi ded into columns where you can browse (from lef t to right) a main Library, a Style/Time Signature category, a groove folder for the selected category and lastly
It is also possible to select 2/3x and 3/2x tempo. 2/3x slows the tempo of a groove by 1/3
a Play Variation groove, which can be auditioned.
so that a 4/4 groove could be used in a 6/8 time signature song. 3/2 speeds up the tempo by a factor of 1.5.
For the Modern/Vintage library, the grooves are organized in folders relating to what Song Part they belong to (Intro/Verse/Chorus, etc.). This is an important part of the Song Creator
It’s important to mention that the 2/3x and 3/2x options simply slow down or speed up the
function, which is described in a separate chapter.
chosen MIDI file, they do not change the performance. A practical way to demonstrate how these alterations work is to slow down a 4/4 file using the 2/3 option, then drag this file to
After selecting a groove, you can audition it by usi ng the Preview function.
the song track and engage the metronome. With the metronome on, you will hear how 6/8 can be counted over a 4/4 groove that has been slowed down appropriately. Any changes in tempo that are previewed in the Browser or Se arch tab are applied to the groove once it has been dragged and dropped to the EZdrummer 2 Song Track or a MIDI track in your recording application. Note that changes in tempo do not effect the master version of the EZdrummer 2 MIDI library, they only apply to the copied MIDI groove that has been dragged from the Browser or Search tab.
Velocity sli der
USING THE SEARCH TAB
The velocity sli der will incr ease or decrease the global vel ocity of any MIDI file in the Browser or Search tab. Changes in velocity that are previewed in the Browser or Search tab are applied globally to all MIDI grooves in the Browser or Search tab. Just as with the tempo transformations, MIDI grooves retain any velocity changes when dragged and dropped to the EZdrummer 2 Song Track or a MIDI track in your recording application. Note that changes in velocity do not effect the master version of your MIDI library, they only apply to the copied MIDI groove that has been dragged from the Browser or Search tab.
Switching between Browser states
Just as in the Browser tab, the tempo transforming options are available in the Search tab. Accordng to what you select all grooves will play back at 1/2 tempo, 1x (normal) tempo, 2x (double) tempo, 2/3x tempo, or 3/2x tempo. This allows you to preview any groove in any one of the tempo transformations before you drag it to the Song Track or your host app lication. When a tempo transformation is active a header is shown above the indi vidual grooves, noting the tempo change and providing the option to reset the tempo transformation. The tempo transformation will apply to any groove that is dragged from EZdr ummer 2 to the Song Track or your host.
You can use the arrow buttons in the top left corner to switch between previous Browser states. This works much like most Undo/Redo functions and memorizes multiple steps.
The Search tab allows you to specify a numb er of search criteri a to quickly find a suitable groove. The top half of the Search tab is divided into the Tap2Find function and MIDI drop zone to the left and a number of filter columns relating to the specifics of the grooves. The lower half is where searc h results are listed. When you first open the Search tab, all available grooves are shown in the result list. Activating one or more filters wil l affect the search result in the lower hal f of the window.
Adding custom MI DI There are two differ ent ways to add custom MIDI to the Browser: 1. If you already have folders with MIDI that are sorted to your liking, you can “mount” those folders in the Browser. To do this, select “Manage MIDI Libraries...” from the Browser options menu in the top right of the Browser window. That will open the Settings dialog, where the button “Add Folder to User Libraries...” allows you to select a MIDI folder to add. See ”MIDI libraries” on page 39 for more information about this. 2. MIDI created from within EZdrummer 2 can easily be saved and accessed in the User MIDI section. See “Adding User MIDI” on page 34.
In this example, three filters have been selected; a MIDI Library (Modern/Vintage) and 4/4 and 6/8 time signatures.
• In any column, you can select more than one option. The search results can be previewed
MIDI drop zone
by selecting a groove and clicking the Play button to the left. You can delete all filters
If you find a groove you like, you can use the MIDI drop zone of the Search tab to find similar
from a column by clicking the orange box above it. To remove all filters, click the orange
grooves. Simply select and drag a groove from the onto the drop zone. The search result
Total filters box.
will now list matching grooves in your installed libraries, sorted by how well they match.
• You can also exclude any category by clicking the arrow button to the right of the column item. In the example below “Ending” is being excluded. Excluded categories are shown in red.
Web Shop MIDI EZdrummer 2 will also let you search and preview matches among the entire groove library of packs commercially available from the Toontrack web shop. To do this, simply engage the Show Web Shop MIDI button above the Tap2Find and filtering area.
The Star column The leftmost “Star” colu mn in the search result window is used to mark groove s you find • In the search results window, clicking on a column header changes how the results are
useful for the project or wish to check out further. If you go through many results simply tick
sorted. Clicking once on the Name column header will sort the results alphabetically.
the star for grooves you are interested in. You can then later click the Star column header to
Clicking it again will reverse the sorting order. Clicking it a third time removes alphabeti-
display only the marked files.
cal sorting. • You can modify which colums are shown by right-clicking a column header or by using the Search Options menu.
USING TAP2FIND The Tap2Find feature allows you to tap in your desired rhythm direc tly into the interface, or
1. Using the Quantize menu, you can also change the quantize value applied to the recorded notes while the loop is playing.
by using a connected MIDI controller. EZdrummer 2 will then automatically quantize your performance and display all the similar grooves in the MIDI library, taking a loose idea to a concrete selection of professionally played grooves in a matter of seconds. 1. If necessary, set a Time Signature in the transport controls. 2. Click the Tap2Find button to open its window. Here the selected drum kit is shown together with a Tempo knob, a Quantize drop-down menu and a beat display. The metronome is on and a 2-bar record loop is active. By default, Quantize is on and set to 1/8-notes but by using the menu, this can be freely changed.
2. When you are done, click “Show Results”. The Tap2Find window will close and display the search results. The rhythm you just recorded is now shown in the MIDI drop zone. The results are sorted acc ording to the closeness of the match. Clicking a result all ows you to preview it.
3. Tap the desired rhythm, either by clicking on the instruments or by using a MIDI controller. Everything you play will be added to the loop so you can record one drum at a time for each pass of the loop. If you make a mistake, you can either erase the whole recording by clicking the orange X button to the right of the beat display to restart, or you can erase any individual drum by using the drop-down menu below it.
3. You can also use the context menu (right-click) to use any selected MIDI groove from the Browser or Search tabs as reference in Tap2Find. This can also be done by dragging a
RECORDING
MIDI file onto the MIDI drop zone.
QUICK TUTORIAL The following descri bes one way of using the Song Track in EZdrum mer 2 to record a user groove. Editing in the Song Track is described in a separate chapter – see “The Song Track” on page 20. Note that this tutorial is based on using EZdrummer 2 in standalone mode. User grooves can of course be recorded live directly in EZdrummer 2 either by using edrums or some other MIDI controller. Another method you can use is to loop record and build up a groove gradually. In this tutorial, the latter method is described. The following descri ption also assumes that you start wi th an empty Song Track. To record a groove from scratch, proceed as follows: 1. The first thing to do is to set a suitable tempo (and possibly a tim e signature). Set the tempo according to what you feel is right using the Tempo slider. You can also use the button connected to the Tempo slider to “tap” in the tempo you have in mind or click in
ADDING A GROOVE TO THE SONG TRACK
the Tempo field and type in a value directly.
From the Browser or the Search tab you can add a groove directly to the Song Track by drag and drop. A Song Block is created and will automatically snap to the closest bar grid position.
2. Activate Click on the transport panel. This means that you will hear a metronome when the recording starts. Note that this feature is only available when EZdrummer 2 is used in standalone mode.
Once you have added a groove to the Song Track, the tempo and time signature is automatically set to the inherent tempo/time signature of the groove. This only applies to the first groove added. The tempo is of course still freely adjustable and you can add grooves with different inherent tempos, although these will adapt to the set song tempo. You can use the same general method to continue to add grooves and build a complete drum track. See “The Song Track” on page 20 for more detailed explanations. Or you can use the powerful Song Creator feature to instantly create a complete drum song structure – see “The Song Creator” on page 31 .
3. Set a loop range where the groove should be recorded . To do this, press the mouse button in the Time Line of the Song Track and drag horizontally to select a number of bars. In this example a 4-bar loop i s set. Specifying a loop range automatically activates looping in the Song Track.
4. Click the Record button so that it lights up and the Play button starts flashing.
• You can also quantize individ ual instruments using Edit Play Style – see “Quantizing individual instruments” on page 30. Once you are done recording, you can save the groove as a User MIDI file for use in other EZdrummer 2 projects if you like. See “User MIDI” on page 34.
5. Start playback to activate recording. The metronome click indicates where the downbeat is.
SAVING/OPENING A PROJECT
EZdrummer 2 will now record every note you play, merging notes for each pass of the loop,
Saving a project saves everything in one go. Any changes you have made to the Library
and a Song Block is created on the track. Record one drum at a time if you like.
Preset and any arrangement/editing made in the Song Track will be saved with the project. To save a project, you can use standard proce dure “Save” or “Save As” from the File menu
If you make a mistake, just stop recording and do one of the following:
(standalone only), or you can use the main menu in the top right corner.
• Erase the recording by using the Undo button and start over.
• If the groove is nearly right but the timing is off, use the Quantize function. Select the Song Block you just recorded by clicking on it and then select Quantize from the Track Options menu and a suitable quantize value from the submenu. The notes will now be quantized according to the chosen value. Quantize is also available from the context
Project files are saved with the extension “.ezdp”.
menu (right-click the Song Block). To open a project, select “Open” from the File menu (standalone only) or “Load Proj ect...” from the main menu and navigate to the folder where you saved the project. If you use EZdrummer 2 as a plug-in, everything is saved inside the project that you save in your host program. However, you can still use the main menu in EZdrummer 2 to save/load EZdrummer 2 projects separately, independent of host programs.
THE SONG TRACK This chapter descr ibes basic Song Track functions and procedur es. Two important Song
Tempo slider and tap tempo button
Track features, Edit Play Style (see “Edit Play Style” on page 26 ) and Song Creator (see “The Song Creator” on page 31) are described in separate chapters.
ELEMENTS OF THE SONG TRACK Track area
Click once on the tempo value to bring out the tempo slider and the tap tempo button. Double-clicking the tempo field allows you to type in a BPM value directly.
Time Signature Here you can set a time signature for the song by using the drop-down menu. This is where your added /recorded grooves are shown as Song Blocks and can be worked with in various ways. At the top, the Time Line shows the position in bars. The Time Line also shows any looped region of the Song Track. The playhead shows the current song posi tion as a line across the Song Track. You can drag the handle to change the song position. When moving blocks, they will snap to the closest bar grid position. The grid resolution is linked to the Zoom level; zooming in will increase the resolution.
Track Overview Directly below the Song Track is the Track Overview, which shows the Song Blocks on the track as miniature strips along with a scroll bar handle that represents the area currently in view.
Click button
The scroll bar can be used to change which pa rt of the song is shown along the Time Line by dragging the handle. If you drag the edges of the scroll bar handle, you can also zoom the Song Track in or out.
The Click button turns the metronome click on or off. This is onl y present in standalon e mode. When EZdrummer 2 is used as a plug-in you instead use the metronome in the host
Transport controls
application.
Follow Host button
The main transpor t controls are, from left to right: Loop On/Off, Stop song playback, Play/ Pause song Playback, Record. You can enter recording mode while playing back, but if you click the Record button in stop mode, recording will start after you click Play.
This replaces the Cli ck button when EZdrumm er 2 is used as a plug-in in a host applic ation. When activated, the EZdrummer 2 transport will follow the host and adjust the tempo accordingly.
If you copy the contents of the Song Track to a track in your host program, Follow Host
Volume slider
should be deactivated. Otherwise, each note would be triggered twice, once by the host application and again by EZdrummer 2.
Undo/Redo buttons This can be used to change the overall volume of EZdr ummer 2.
MIDI indicators These indicate any incoming or outgoing MID I activity.
These buttons allow you to undo or redo any operation per formed in the Song Track or in Edit Play Style, in any number of steps. By pointing the mouse cursor on these buttons a tooltip is shown, specifying exactly what action will be undone or redone.
Arrow/Split tools
Song Creator Show/Hide button
This is used to open the Song Creator window – see “The Song Creator” on page 31 . The default Arrow tool is used for most actions, such as sel ecting, moving or resizi ng Song Blocks. The Split tool is used for splitting a Song Block into smaller blocks.
Track Options menu
SETTING THE SONG POSITION To set from where in the song playback or recording will comm ence, click in the grid area below the Time Line. The playhead will move to the position where you click. You can also drag the handle of the playhead.
When you stop playback/recording, the song position will automatically move back to where the playback/recording was started. Clicking Stop a second time sets the position to the beginning of the track (or to the beginning of the loop area, if active). If you click Play while playing back, the song position pointer will pause exactly where it is.
This menu is used to perform various operations on selected Song Blocks or the track as a whole.
START PLAYBACK AT BAR 1 OR 0 Further, right-clicking the grid area where the playback head is located allows you to select the starting bar of the timeline, either bar 1 or 0. The bar number change is only visual, created for the purpose of matching the DAW’s starting number (0 or 1). This option can also be selected from the Track Options menu.
ZOOMING You can zoom the Song Track view in or out using the Zoom buttons.
You can select all blocks by choosing “Select Al l” from the Track Options menu.
Moving To move a block, simply c lick-hold and drag it to where you wish to place it.
You can also zoom using a mouse scroll wheel in the track area or by dragging the edges of the Track Overview scroll bar handle. Note that the zoom level also affects the Song Track grid resolution and thus where Song Blocks may be positioned. With maximum zoom, each bar or measure will be split into 8 divisions, if a 4/4 time signature is used.
SONG BLOCK OPERATIONS Selecting Most Song Track operations affect selected Song Blocks. Clicking on a block selects it,
• When you are moving a block, it will snap to the closest bar grid position. Note that the zoom level determines the grid resolution. • Several selected blocks can be moved in the same way.
which is indicated by a highlighted name. • If the starting point of a block is placed partly over another block, the underlying block will be resized by the overlapping block. If the starting point is placed before the starting point of a underlying block, the moved block will be resized. See “Resizing” on page 24.
Removing To select more than one block, press Shift and cli ck. If you use this method to select a block not adjacent to the first, all blocks in-between will also be selected. You can also use Ctrl (Win)/ Cmd (Mac) to select non-adjacent block s. Another way to select multiple bl ocks is to draw a selection rectangle. Cli ck and hold in an empty area of the track and drag the rectangle over the blocks you wish to select and release the mouse button.
To remove a selected block, right-click to open the context menu and select “Remove”. Remove is also available from the Track Options menu.
Remove Notes
Looping A loop range can be set for selected block (s) by selecting “Set Loop Area” from the context menu or the Track Options menu. Alternatively, you can click-hold and drag in the Time Line to set a region to be looped. Looping is enabled automatically when a range is set. To deactivate looping, click the Loop button or just click in the Loop area.
If you open the Track Options menu and then the Track submenu, you have the option to select “Always Loop Selected”. If activated, any selected Song Block(s) will automatically be This function is availa ble from the context menu or Track Options menu and can be used to
looped.
remove the notes of individual instruments from selected blocks.
Merging Using Copy To copy a selected block to the clipboard, open the context menu and select “Copy”. You can also press Alt (Win)/Option (Mac) and drag a bl ock to copy (duplicate) it directly on the track without using the clipboard.
Using Paste To paste the copied MIDI, ri ght-click in the track where you wish the copied bl ock to appear and select Paste. On the Paste submenu, you have the option of pasting the entire contents of the clipboard (All), or any separate instrument from the copied block. Separate instruments can be merged into other blocks – see “Copy-pasting instrument parts” on page 25.
The Merge function, availabl e from the context and Track Options menus, allows you to merge two (or more) adjacent selected blocks to create a single block.
Splitting
Changing tempo
By selecting the Split Song Block tool, you can split a single block into two. The block does
Right-clicking on a song block also gives the option to change the tempo of the groove after it
not have to be selected for Split to be used. The bar grid determines the position of the split.
has been positioned on the Song Track. These are the same tempo alteration options that are
A keyboard shortcut for this tool is to use Ctrl + Alt (Wi n)/Cmd + Option (M ac).
available in the Browser and Search tabs. They are available in the right-click menu to give you the option to change the tempo of a groove after the groove has been dragged and dropped to the Song Track. These tempo options can also be found in the Track Options menu.
Muting You can mute any song block or all of the song blocks on the time line by sel ecting them,
Resizing A block can be resized. Move the mouse pointer over the lef t or right edge of a block so that
right-clicking, and then selecting mute or it can also be accomplished by turning off “Follow Host”. This is a useful option if you prefer to build your drum sequence on the Song Track in EZdrummer 2 and then drag it to your host once it’s completed. Muting the song blocks in
the pointer changes to a Resize symbol. Click and drag to resize the block. A block cannot
EZdrummer 2 allows you to keep a reference copy of the entire sequence in case any addi-
be extended beyond its original length.
tional changes in EZdrummer 2 are desired at a later time. It also avoids sending a duplicate version of the MIDI sequence to the EZdrummer 2 sound engine.
Song Part tagging When adding a groove to the Song Track, EZdrummer 2 tries to determine what type of groove it is (verse/chorus, etc.) This is based upon an internal database or the folder structure the groove is found in. To change the type of a selected Song Block, use the context menu and select Song Part.
Show Straight/Show Triplets This Track Option is found on the Track submenu. It sets whether to show a straight or triplet A resized block is i ndicated by a “flap” at the lower corner of the block. Resize d blocks can
grid in the Time Line. A triplet grid divides every bar into three instead of two at normal
always be restored back to the original length by using the same method. Any overlapping
zoom resolution and using a 4/4 time signature. Switching between these modes will not
blocks will automatically be resized.
alter the position of any blocks on the track.
Quantizing Quantize is an important function for correcting timing errors in user-recorded grooves. To apply the function, you basically sele ct the block(s) you wish to quantize, right-click and select Quantize plus a value from the context menu. Quantize is also available from the Track Options menu. Obviously, EZdrumme r 2 grooves or grooves from other MIDI packs do not need to be quantized (or in fact shouldn’t be, as this could destroy the feel of the grooves). Quantizing affects all instruments in a Song Block if applied in this way. However, by using Edit Play Style, you can quantize separate instruments – see “Quantizing individual instruments” on page 30 .
COPY-PASTING INSTRUMENT PART S A neat way to create custom grooves and generally experim ent is to copy instrument MIDI
Let’s say you wish to add a single cymbal crescendo swell from the library to the last bar of the Pre Chorus, to build up tension towards the chorus:
parts from one groove and paste them into another.
1. As you’re not sure exactly what cymbal swell to use, open the Search tab.
1. Select a Song Block (or any groove in the library – in the Browser or Search tabs or in
2. In the Search tab, select Cymbal Swell in the Play Style column. Now all cymbal swells
the Song Creator) and open the context menu by right-clicking the file. 2. Select “Copy” from the menu. 3. Right-click a block in the track and select Paste. 4. From the Paste submenu, select one of the instruments.
in the library are shown in the result list so you can audition them. As the song in this example is in 4/4, select this filter option in the Search tab as well, to exclude other time signatures. 3. As you want the swell to cover one bar, you can click the Bars column head er so that all results are sorted according to number of bars, to further ease finding the right swell.
The following appli es: • If the selected instrument is present in the block you paste into, it will be replaced by the copied part. • If the selected instrument isn’t present in the block you paste into, the copied part will be merged into the block. You can also copy MIDI from one instrument to another using Edit Play Styl e – see “Copying MIDI to other instruments” on page 29 .
4. When you have found a suitable swell to use, right-click it and select Copy from the context menu. The next step is to paste the copied cymbal swell to merge it into the Pre Chorus bl ock on the Song Track. However, if we would do so at this stage, the 1-bar cymbal swell would be added 8 times across the 8-bar Pre Chorus block, which isn’t what we want. The solution is to first split the block. 1. Select the Split Song Block tool and split the block 1 bar from the end. Alternatively, use
Example: Adding a cymbal swel Let’s look at a practical example that illustrates how copy-paste and other Song Track functions can interact. In this example, we’ll use two 8-bar Song Blocks on the Song Track, a Pre Chorus and a Chorus.
the key command Ctrl + Alt (Win)/Cmd + Option (Mac).
2. Select the Arrow tool (not necessar y if you used the key command) and right-click the newly created block and select Paste. Although the swell is only one instrument, you have
EDIT PLAY STYLE
to use the instrument option when pasting (not “All” as this will create a separate block). Edit Play Style is a powerful feature that can be used to modify how individual instruments in grooves added to the Song Track play back. Any single instrument or the whole kit can be affected by Edit Play Style. Using this feature, you can amongst other things: • Control the number and intensity of hits in real time. • Change the velocity. 3. Now the swell is added to the end of the Pre Chorus. If you want, you can use the Merge function (see “Merging” on page 23) to join the split blocks together again.
• Add percussion. • Change the leading instrument (Power Hand). • Change articulati on for instruments.
EXPORTING MIDI/AUDIO You can export the Song Track as a MIDI or audio (.wav) file for use in other programs. This is done from the Track Options – Track submenu.
• Quantize individ ual instruments.
OPENING To open Edit Play Style for a block, double-cl ick it or click the arrow button in the top left corner of the Song Block. Edit Play Style is also available from both the Track Options and context menus.
When either of these menu items is selected, a standard Save As dialog opens, allowing you to select a location and a name for the exported file. When exporting audio you also have the choice of selecting Export bit depth (16-bit or 24-bit).
The feature is primar ily intended to be appli ed to single blocks to create variation, but it is entirely possible to use Edit Play Style for several selected blocks, either by selecting them in the Song Track after you opened Edit Play Style or by using the menu items or the arrow
button to open the window. Double-clicking, however, will always open Edit Play Style for the single block you double-click. When the Edit Play Style window is open, recording is not possible.
CLOSING
UNDO/REDO
To close the Edit Play Style window, click the X in the upper right corner. Any action perform ed using Edit Play Styl e can be undone/redone using the Song Track Undo/Redo buttons.
ADD/REMOVE HITS Edit Play Style allows you to dynamically add to or lessen the number of hits played in a groove for all or individual instruments. This feature utilizes a smart algorithm that calculates the probabiliti es of where a real dr ummer would add or remove hits in a groove. In other words, it does not arbitrarily add or subtract hits but uses information gathered from thousands
SELECTING INSTRUMENTS As with Song Track operations, most functions affect only what is cur rently selected. When you open the Edit Play Style window, all instruments used in the selected block(s) are by default highlighted with an orange outline, and instruments not used are greyed out. Clicking an instrument will select it and deselect all others. You can also click the “Selected” button to open a menu where all instruments are listed and the instruments used in the groove are marked with a green square. Select one or choose one of the grouped options “All Playing Drums”, “All Toms” or “All Crashes”.
of real drum performances to change the groove while keeping a natural feel. Proceed as follows: 1. Select the instrument you wish to change the number of hits for. • Note that you can also use this feature to add hits for instruments not used in the original groove. 2. Start song playback so you can hear the results directly. • If you want to listen to only the selected instrume nt(s), click the Solo Selected button. 3. Use the Amount knob to either remove hits (turn counter-clockwise) or add hits (turn clockwise).
In the Song Block, notes belonging to the selected instrument(s) are also highlighted for better visual feedback of your actions to the individual notes (or hits).
• To reset the Amount to its original value, use the drop-down menu to the right of the Amount knob. (You can also press Cmd (Mac)/C trl (Win) and cli ck on the knob to reset.)
2. Start playback to hear the results. Depending on the nature of the groove (time signature, style, etc.), an appropriate percussion groove is already selected for the instrument. The percussion par t is also added to the Song Block and is highlighted. 3. By using the Amount knob, you can now switch between different percussi on grooves from the percussion library for the selected percussion instrument.
ADJUSTING VELOCITY You can change the velocity levels for notes in a groove. 1. Select the instrument you wish to adjust velocity for. 2. Start playback to hear the results. 3. Use the Velocity knob to raise or lower the velocity values for the notes played. The relative balance between velocity values in the groove will be retained.
ADDING PERCUSSION When your song needs that extra rhythmic touch, adding percussion can do just the trick. In Edit Play Style, you have three percussion pads: One Shot (claps/snaps/cowbell), Shaker/ Maracas and Tambourine, each with an On/Off button, which activates or deactivates the percussion for the respective pad. To add percussion, proceed as follows: 1. Activate the percussion pad you wish to use by clicking the On/Off button in the upper left corner of the pad. This will also automatically select the pad.
• From the Drums tab, you can make changes regarding what percussion instrument or variation each pad plays, by clicking the arrow to open the Instrument Properties window.
CUT MIDI This will cut all notes from one or several selected instruments and move them to the clipboard. 1. Select the instrument(s) you wish to cut MIDI from. 2. Right-click a selected instrument and select Cut MIDI from the context menu.
COPYING MIDI TO OT HER INSTRUMENTS You can copy notes from a selected instr ument (or from several instrum ent and paste them onto another instrument using Edit Play Style: 1. Select the instrument and right-click it to open the context menu. 2. Select “Copy MIDI” from the menu to copy the notes to the clipboard.
REMOVE MIDI
3. Right-click on another instrument in the kit and from the Paste submenu, select the instrument you copied. The instrument you paste notes to can be any kit instrument,
This command can be used to remove all notes played by one or seve ral instruments. “Remove MIDI” will not place anything in the clipboard but will reduce the number of hits
even one that was not used in the original block. Any notes previously played by the instrument you paste to will be replaced by the copied notes.
to zero. You can later use the Amount knob to restore the removed hits. • If you use this method to copy and paste within the same Song Block, you will have 1. Select the instrument(s) you wish to remove MIDI from. 2. Right-click a selected instrument and select “remove MIDI” from the context menu.
two instruments playing the same notes which maybe isn’t what you want. In that case instead use “Cut MIDI” from the context menu in step 2.
THE POWER HAND INSTRUMENT All EZdrum mer 2 grooves have a Power Hand instrument assigne d and Song Blocks on the Song Track are also automatically named after what instrument the Power Hand is. Power Hand defines the leading instrument the groove is driven by. In most cases this will be a hi-hat or a ride cymbal.
However, you can change the Power Hand instrument to any other kit instrument by simply dragging the Power Hand handle to any other kit instrument.
CHANGING INSTRUMENT ARTICUL ATION Edit Play Style allows you to set what articulation any kit instrument plays: • For the Opening Hit and Power Hand, articulation is available directly from a menu opened by clicking the handle.
It works as follows: • Any MIDI notes that the original Power Hand instrument played will now be played by the new instrument. • If the new Power Hand instrument was already playing notes in the Song Block, these will be merged with the notes played by the original Power Hand instrument. • For other instruments it is set from the context menu. This only works when a single
OPENING HIT The Opening Hit adds a singl e hit to the beginning of the Song Block. Just like the Power Hand, the Opening Hit can be moved to any instrument in the drum kit by dragging the handle. You can activate or deactivate it by clicking the On/Off button.
instrument is selected.
QUANTIZING INDIVIDUAL INSTRUMENTS You can quantize notes played by individual instr uments using Edit Play Sty le: 1. Select the instrument(s) you wish to quantize. 2. Right-click to open the context menu and select a value from the Quantize submenu.
THE SONG CREATOR The Song Creator enables you to create a complete drum track base d on one groove with just a few mouse clicks.
SHOWING/HIDING To open the Song Creator window, click the Song Creator button below the Song Track. The Song Creator window opens as an extension of the Song Track.
To hide the window, click the down arrow in the upper right corner.
SPECIFYING A SOURCE MIDI FILE The Song Creator works by analyzi ng a given groove, or Source MIDI, and, based on that, instantly presents groove variations categorized into song parts. To specify which groove to use as Source MIDI, you can drag it to the MIDI drop zone from the Song Track, Browser or Search tabs. It is also possible to right-click any MIDI file and choose “Use with Song Creator”. When you have specified a source file you will be presented with groove variations divided into columns sorted by Song Par t (Intro, Verse, Chorus etc.), all based on the selected groove. You can audition any groove by selecting it in the Song Creator. If it’s suitable, drag it to the Song Track. Using this method you can quickly build up a complete drum track.
USING SONG STRUCTURES Instead of dragging groove by groove from the Song Creator columns to the Song Track,
When you save a User Song Structure you can enter a name. You can later rename it by using the context menu.
you can complete an entire drum track even more quickly by using Song Structures. Several premade Song Structures are available from the list on the left in the Song Creator window.
The User Song Structure will now be avail able in other projects. These are based on commonly us ed song structures where A, B and C repre sent verse, chorus and bridge, respectively. Additional song elements such as intro, ending and pre chorus may also be part of a structure. You can load a Song Structure to the Song Track by using the context menu or by simply dragging it onto the Song Track.
ADDING FILLS Fills suited to the selected groove are available in a separate column. For example, let’s say you have an eight-bar verse leading up to a pre chorus and you want to add a fill on the last bar.
SAVING A USER SONG STRUCTURE If you have built a complete drum track, for example by having dragged grooves from the Song Creator columns to the Song Track, you can save its structure as a User Song Structure by using the Song Structures menu. Note that no MIDI is saved by this function, only the order and lengths of the song elements. The structure can then be used with any Source MIDI file to create new songs.
Simply drag it to the track and drop it at the end of the verse. The verse Song Block will be automatically resized to make room for the fill.
SHOW IN BROWSER This context menu item will reveal a ny selected Song Part vari ation in the Browser. This is helpful for quickly finding more play variations in the same style.
THE REPLACE FUNCTION The Song Creator allows you to replace all Song Blocks of a certain category (Verse/Chorus, etc.) with another groove. • Open the context menu for the Song Part variation you wish to use and select “Replace All (selected Song Par t) on Track”.
If there’s already a gap between the Song Blocks, the fill will automatically be resized to fit the gap.
From the same context menu, you can also choose to replace blocks that are selected on the track. In both cases, if the selected Song Part variation is shorter or longer than a block it replaces, it will be automatically resized to fit the song structure.
USER MIDI Your recorded or edited grooves may be saved as User M IDI for use in other projects or in
ADDING USER MIDI
other programs. The grooves will be saved as separate MIDI files on your hard drive, accessible directly from within EZdrummer 2 in any project or from Finder/Explorer.
To save a Song Block as a User MIDI file, sim ply drag it to the User MIDI pane. It wil l now be available from within any project and also available as a MIDI file on your computer drive.
SHOWING/HIDING User MIDI is available from the Browser tab. To show User MIDI, click the Show/Hide button in the top right corner.
The User MIDI area is sh own as a separate pane in the Browser. To hide User MIDI, use the same button (now in the upper left corner of the pane).
To find a User MIDI file in Finder/Expl orer, right-click the file to open the context menu and select “Show in Finder” (Mac)/“Show in Explorer” (Windows).
The User MIDI pane is divided into an upper and a lower area, separated by a movable divider. The upper area contains the mai n User MIDI folder, which is always pre sent, although subfolders can be added. The l ower area shows the contents of a selected folder – the MIDI files.
You can also add a MIDI file to User MIDI by right-clicking a file and choosing “Add to User MIDI”.
Adding Folders The “Add Folder” item on the User MIDI context menu will c reate a subfolder within the User MIDI folder. You can have any number of nested folders (i.e., folders within folders) within the structure. To add Song Blocks to a subfolder, drag them to the folder from the Song Track. Alternativel y, first select the subfolder and then use “Add to User MIDI” from the Song Block context menu.
USING THE MIXER In the Mixer tab you have – depending on the selected Library Preset – a set number of channels with various standard controls and pre-configured effects. The channels are basically a representation of what was used during recording and subsequent mixing down as the Library Presets was created. The Mixer allows control over microphone volume, pan, solo and mute as well as the specially tailored effects. Each Library Preset has of course been carefully balanced to sound as good as possible, but feel free to experiment. You can save any changes made in the Mixer with the project or you can save your own Library User Presets, available for any project. See “Saving a Library User Preset” on page 11.
INSTRUMENT VOLUME VS MICROPHONE VOLUME You can also add MIDI files from Finder/E xplorer: • Locate the file in Finder/Explorer and simply drag it to the User MIDI area.
In the Mixer you have a number of channels. Some channels allow you to adjust the microphone volume for specific instruments such as Kick, Snare, Percussion or Hi-Hat. Other channels control the relative volume of the whole kit as picked up by microphones such as Overhead (OH) or Room Ambience (Amb). Instrument Volume, found in Instrument Properties ( see page 12 ), is the volume that the specific Instrument is played with, that is, the relative level of the sound that the instrument will produce in all microphones. Microphone Volume, found here in the Mixer, is the volume that a specific microphone will produce, that is, the relative level of sound that all instruments will produce in that microphone.
THE CHANNEL STRIPS A channel in the mixer can be either s tereo or mono. The available controls for a chan nel are (from the top down) as follows:
Pan Pan sets the position in the left-right stereo field for the instrument/mic configured to a channel. For stereo channels you have two pan sliders which are normally set to hard left and right to preserve the stereo picture. On the Mixer Options menu you have two items that relate to pan: “Drummer Perspective” and “Audience Perspective”. These items simply determine if instruments panned left or right are heard from the drummer’s perspective or
from the front of the kit. For mixing drums, the drummer perspective is generally more common and this is also the default.
Solo/Mute buttons Solo (S) will solo the channel, which means that all other channels are silenced. Several channels can be soloed at the same time. Mute (M) will silence the channel. Again, several channels can be muted.
USING THE EFFECTS Every Library Preset has its own set of effects and effect parameters. Examples of effects are delay, reverb, EQ, mic bleed, compression and tape drive. (Make sure the Song Creator window is hidden to enable you to see the effects.) To find out what an effect parameter gover ns, move the cursor over the control to bring up the tooltip.
Volume fader This sets the volume for the channel. The set volume is shown below the fader. You can also click in this field to type in a numerical value (in dB).
Output channel This opens a menu where you can select the output channel . By default, this is set to 1 (main stereo output). See “Using multiple outputs” on page 38 .
You can also find out which channels are affected by a parameter by cl icking the control. Affected channels wi ll be highlighted in the mixer.
SELECTING CHANNELS You can select a channel by clicking anyw here in it where there is no control, for example on the name. By holding Ctrl (Win)/Cmd (Mac), you can select several channels. Shift-click also works to select a range of channels. Selected channels will be “grouped” so that moving the volume fader for one channel will also move the fader for other selected channels, while retaining the relative balance between them.
In a Library Preset, effects are “hard-wired” to specific channels and you cannot remove or add effects, but you can usuall y change to what degree an effect is used and also set other Apart from the volume fad er, also Solo/Mute status and output channel are “grouped” for selected channels. Clicking on a selected channel again deselects it (and all other channels that were selected).
parameters.
Some terms may need explaining. “Bleed” or “Mic Bleed ” refers to to what degree a specific microphone channel picks up other instruments in the kit, which in turn changes the overall sound. “Tape Drive” is a saturation effect emulating how the sound changes the harder the recording level is pushed when recording on analog tape.
RESETTING VALUES To reset the original value for a parameter in the Preset, press Ctr l (Win)/Cmd (Mac) and click on the parameter. To reset all mixer settings for a Preset, select “Reset Mixer” from the Mixer menu.
3. Select an appropriate button, knob or fader on the control surface and press/turn/move it. The selected parameter is now controlled from the MIDI control surface. • The “MIDI Learn Reversed” context menu item simply reverses the polarity of the control, i.e., if you assign to control a mixer volume fader with a knob using MIDI Learn Reversed, turning the knob clockwise will lower the volume rather than raise it.
Removing To remove an assignment of a MIDI controller, select “Remove” from the context menu.
USING MIDI CONTROLLERS You can use a MIDI control surface to control the various Mixer para meters (as well as the transport controls). This assumes that you have a MIDI keyboard or control surface with assignable controls ready and properly set up. Typically, MIDI control surface s have various buttons, knobs and/or sli ders which can be assigned to control parameters in another device via MIDI. Buttons are used to switch between two values (Off/On) and knobs and faders are used to control linear values like volume.
Assigning To assign a knob, slider or button on your MIDI control surfac e to control a Mixer parameter, proceed as follows: 1. Right-click the Mixer parameter that you wish to control. 2. From the context menu, select “MIDI Learn”. When you release the mouse button, the parameter will be highlighted and the rest of the Mixer window will be greyed out.
Saving User MIDI Learn Presets By using the same general method, you can to assign controllers for all parameters you wish to remote control from the MIDI device and lastly save these assignments as a MIDI Learn Preset from the context menu. Once saved, it will be selectable from the “User Presets” submenu.
USING MULTIPLE OUTPUTS EZdrummer 2 routes into your host on one stereo track by default. You can, however, route any Mixer channel to any of the 16 available stereo outputs of EZdrummer 2.
SETTINGS Most of the settings for the EZdrummer 2 plug-in are available in the Settings dialog. You can open the dialog via the main menu by selecting any of the items from the Settings
As a starting point, click the output sel ector and select “Multic hannel”.
submenu. Each of those items corresponds to a tab in the dialog.
GENERAL
This will route the channels to approp riate outputs for the current Librar y Preset, grouping certain channels together and assigning others to separate outputs. Your host application has to be set up accordingly to capture these separ ate outputs. See the manual of your host application for details. The Multichannel pr eset is only a suggestion and you are free to assign channel s to the output of your choice by selecting the appropriate entry in the output menu for each of the individual channels.
Knob mode Here you can choose how you would like knob controls to behave, whether you want to change their value by dragging vertically or by using circular movements. The default is to use the same mode that the host application uses for its knobs.
Host stops The setting “Stop All on Host Stop” determines whether MI DI previewing in E Zdrummer 2 should stop whenever the transport in your host application stops.
MIDI LIBRARIES
What happens if a library that is included in Search is modified later on, for example by having files added or removed? Well, the only library that can be modified from within EZdrummer 2 is User MIDI and such changes are automatically and immediately reflected in Search. Any external changes, though, either to User MIDI, third-party libraries or User Libraries, will not be known to the search engine. To force a re-scan of a MIDI library that has been modified outside of EZdrummer 2, right-click it and select “Sync File Changes”.
By default, only original Toontrack MIDI libraries are included in the Search tab. If you have
MIDI EVENTS
other collections of MIDI files that you would like for example Tap2Find to show matching
MIDI In Channel
results from, it is possible to configure that here. There are three types of MIDI libraries that
From this drop-down menu you can select which MIDI channel EZdrummer 2 should listen
can be shown in the list view:
to. A reason for wanting to select a specific channel could be that you have several MIDI devices connected but want only one of them to trigger the drums in EZdrummer 2. In that
• User MIDI. This “library” consists of all MIDI files that you have added to the User MIDI pane in the Browser (see “Adding User MIDI” on page 34 ).
case, you would have to configure that device to use a unique MIDI output channel and then select the same channel number here.
• Third-par ty MIDI libraries. These are folders that are found next to the Toontrack MIDI libraries on disk. Some third-party MIDI manufacturers provide installers that put their
MIDI Out
libraries there.
EZdrummer 2 includes a MIDI Out function, whereby it is possible to route the MIDI to your
• User Libraries. You can add your own structured MIDI folders (or third-party MIDI libraries that are not installed among the Toontrack MIDI) to the Browser by using the “Add Folder to User Libraries...” button on this Settings page. The selected folder will then become accessible from the Browser under “User Libraries”.
host application in order to trigger the sounds of another virtual instrument, for example Superior Drummer. Using this function, you can use the powerful writing tools of EZdrummer 2 and try different drum sounds, on-the-fly, without the need to drag the Song Blocks to your host after each tweak. To direct the MIDI information out of EZdrummer 2, tick the checkbox “Enab le MIDI Out”
To make any of these MIDI libra ries availab le to the search functions in EZdrumm er 2, tick
and press OK. You will then need to route the signal to a track inside your DAW where
the respective checkboxes in the “Include in Search” column. Remember to click the OK
Superior Drummer or another third-party sampler is instantiated. Please refer to your host
button when you are done.
application’s operation manual for instructions. Note that the MIDI Out function is not supported by every host and is not available in the EZdrummer 2 standalone. MIDI Out is also disabled when Web Shop MIDI is auditioned.
MIDI Program Change
SOUND ENGINE
If “Allow MIDI Program Change” is checked, EZdrummer 2 will change Sound Library or
Humanize
Library Preset according to any incoming “Program Change” MIDI messages.
What makes a groove sound natural as opposed to mechanical? A very important factor is that a groove played by a real drummer has natural variations in how each hit is played. The opposite is the “machine gun” effect where every hit is the same. This is where the Humanize feature come s in. Humanize will subtl y vary each hit. This is not merely random but is controlled by several different processes in the background to ensure that the most appropriate sample is used in a given situation. Humanize emulates the natural variations a real drummer would use. Important to note is that Humanize will not affect the timing of the groove in any way. All EZX s ound librari es have built-in settings governing how Humani ze should affect each instrument and articulation. If “EZX Optimized (Default)” is selected, the instruments will use these settings. “On” means that the Humanize mechanism is on for all instruments, ignoring the settings in the EZX sound library.
E-DRUMS If you are using e-drums, you will need to set them up to trigger the right sounds.
If “Off” is selected, all hits with the same velocity on a drum will sound exactly the same, which can cause the “machine gun” effect.
• From the MIDI Mapping menu, select the manufacturer of your e-drums. If your manufacturer isn’t listed, select “Other” or try the other manufacturers on the list to see what works best. • You can also select a pedal correction cur ve for the hi-hat. Check them out to see what
AUDIO/MIDI SETUP (STANDALONE) The Audio/MIDI Setup dia log can be opened from the Settings menu in the menu bar of the EZdrummer standalone application.
feels the most natural for your playing style.
On the Audio Device panel, select the proper device type and output device from the dropdown menus. Windows users will also have access to the ASIO Control Panel to select the buffer size. If you are not using an ASIO device, you can select the buffer size in the drop-down menu below the device selection menu. Generally, the lower the buffer size, the lower the latency, but a low buffer size also puts more demand on your computer. If set too low, you may experience audio stutters or glitches. In such a case, simply increase the buffer size.
Note that only ASIO (Windows) and Core Audio (Mac) audio interfaces wil l guarantee optimum performance for low latency real-time triggering. The MIDI Device pane l is used to select your MIDI inter face. If several ports/devi ces are available, tick the appropriate port to activate it.
METRONOME SETTINGS (STANDALONE) Metronome Settings can be opened from the Settings menu in the menu bar of the EZdrummer standalone application. Here you can customize how the Metronome plays back in various ways. You can, for example, set what sounds to use for the first and other beats and adjust the click volume for both.
SHORTCUTS The following key commands and cli ck operations are availa ble in EZdrum mer 2:
SONG TRACK
SEARCH/SONG CREATOR Alt+click (Win)
Play MIDI once
Double-click MIDI file
Split Song Block Option+Cmd+click (Mac) Duplicate block(s)
Ctrl (Win)/Option (Mac)+drag
Select all blo cks between two selected blocks
Shift+click two non-adja cent blocks
MIXER
Select multiple blocks
Ctrl (Win)/Cmd (Mac)+click
Select multiple channels
Ctrl (Win)/Cmd (Mac)+click channels
Open Edit Play Style
Double-click Song Block
Select all channels between selected channels
Shift+click two channels
Play/pause playback
Double-click Time Line
Select all channels
Double-click any channel
EDIT PLAY STYLE
KNOBS AND FADERS Ctrl (Win)/Cmd (Mac)+click drums
Reset to default value
Ctrl (Win)/Cmd (Mac)+click
Shift+click multiple drums
Fine-tune values
Shift+drag
Select multiple drums
Ctrl (Win)/Cmd (Mac)+double-click any drum Select all playing drums Shift+double-click any drum
BROWSER/USER MIDI Select multiple files
Ctrl (Win)/Cmd (Mac)+click files
Sel ect a l fi le s b et wee n se le cted fi le s
Sh if t+ cl ic k t wo fil es
Play MIDI once
Double-click MIDI file
