Need advice on choosing 6-pack titles…

[Kip Count]

I wish there was somewhere where people gave reviews of the different EZmix preset packs, but I haven’t found anything. Just ordered the 6-pack from AudioDeluxe, and I’m deciding what to get. Most of what I do is rock, from indie (think Indie Folk, the genre that EZX aims for) up to pop-punk, power-pop type stuff. I’m not into recording metal type stuff, so the metal packs are pretty much off my list.

Here’s my list of possibilities…

Core: Seems like a no brainer, but is it? Getting a little bit of everything is usually a good thing, but I looked over the detailed list of presets and it doesn’t look at all that interesting, but maybe that’s the point. It’s just a general sprinkle of presets.

Vocal Toolbox: I think I’m pretty sold on this one. I mean, how can you go wrong with a ton of vocal presets?

Amps: Again, this is one of those I feel you can’t go wrong with. Though honestly, I have a LOT of amp plugins, but I usually only use 2, maybe three. Scuffham S-Gear is my goto amp plugin. For bass I usually turn to Studio Devil VBA. I also have Kuassa Creme which is incredible for high-gain metal type stuff, but I don’t usually do that kind of music anyway. I also have Waves GTR3 (which I really do not like anymore). So yeah, I feel like I already have amps covered, but I was a bit impressed with the amps in the stock presets. And I love the really quick and easy way of auditioning preset in EZmix. It really lends to the creative process. So though I do have a lot of amp options already, I feel this may still prove useful.

Henderson: I respect this guy and his work immensely, so I feel like this one is already locked into my list.

Mastering: At first glance, I was skeptical of this one. I had that kneejerk reaction in regard to the art of mastering, and that how dare anyone reduce it to some quick setting plugin, blah blah blah. But looking back, I’ve had plenty of projects that I tried mastering myself, and got OK results. But just OK. But those OK results really did take me a good amount of time. So my attitude has changed on this. I think the EZmix preset workflow is a terrific way to try out different mastering situations on my mixes. So I pretty much have this one locked in as well.

Dirt: On this one, at first glance, I was sold. But the more I think about it, how much dirt do you need, especially if you really aren’t working in that particular genre? I happen to love that Refused, International Noise Conspiracy sound, I just don’t actually play or work on that type of material that often (but I didn’t say never). I have plenty of distortion at my disposal, from the stock EZmix stuff, to stock DAW distortion plugins, to all my amp plugins. I’m curious to hear from anyone who has this how much versatility it really brings to the table when working outside of it’s targeted genre.

Songwriter’s: I’m turned off by the EZmix 1 packs for some reason. Maybe just feeling like they aren’t as capable as EZmix 2 pack because they don’t take advantage of all the plugin has to offer. Maybe that thinking is wrong though. I definitely am a songwriter. So in title alone, it fits me perfectly. I’m just wondering if the selection wouldn’t be better spent on one of the other signature producer packs. Ainley comes to mind, but again, it’s an EZmix 1 pack. Just undecided on this one. Would love to hear opinions.

So that’s 7 I’m considering. I’m open to suggestions on the other producer packs or others I haven’t mentioned, like Alternative, Rock, Modern Pop, etc. I’m really not into anything that gears itself toward metal, but I’m open to everything from mellow Indie (Shins, Fleet Foxes) to Hard Rock / Pop-Punk (Foo Fighers, Green Day).

Double thanks in advance to anyone who took the time to read this!

Mac Mini M1 | Studio One 6 | PreSonus 68c | EZD3

Topic

[Kip Count]

I know this topic is way more interesting to me than anyone else, so if no one responds, I won’t be shocked. 🙂

So far, I got Henderson & Amps.

I’m pretty happy with both. Amps has something for everyone, and I found a lot of mid-gain rock stuff that I really love. Henderson didn’t disappoint at all. I love the Beetle Bass and Lennon vocal presets. I fired up the Lennon vocal preset and couldn’t help but start belting out Instant Karma and Watching the Wheels. Good stuff.

My next four I’ve narrowed down to Mastering, Vocal Toolbox, Dorfsman, Core and Songwriter’s. I realize one of them has to be cut from the team. I’m thinking Songwriter’s. It is the old school EZmix 1 pack after all. I definitely feel like the last spot is a duel between Core and Songwriter’s. I think Dorfsman has a lock on spot number 3, Mastering definitely has a lock. Vocal Toolbox I’m not dead set on, but it’s probably going to make the team.

Down to Core and Songwriter’s. Decisions, decisions.

Mac Mini M1 | Studio One 6 | PreSonus 68c | EZD3

[Jason Hood]

I see you got Ezykeys, songwriters got more piano than most.
I got core, dirt, alt. rock, electronic, staub, dorfsman, rock, modern pop rock, songwriters, metal essentials, git gods,mastering.
They’re all good. I don;t do metal, but even the 2 metal ones get used here and there, especially when stacking instances.
Its a rippa plug. Looking to get another 6 (Amps,Vocals,Drums,Henderson,Needham),
If i was starting from scratch….Vocal Drum toolkits, Amps, Mastering, as a start ing point
Cores good, haven’t used it much but there’s great tools like virtual sub kick that i know will get a run down the track, the tape echos nice and hey rack tom resized.
Dorfsman got good drums and amps, but if you got Hendo and Amps, your amps should be covered. Bench staub as well, although its all killer no filler, maybe some bombast in your pop-punk
Dirt I really dig to ruin those pretty samples. Spliff kick on the TMF>Skog>LooseStone preset, fiji crack on the snare. Should have a bounce of that kicken round. Awesome for sexy busted ass drum sounds, nice vocals as well.
They’re all good. Miles Macpherson rock, Dark ethereal spreader, transient confuser, HPF/LPF +degrader, loud crisp and moist, killer stuff
Your probably right to stick to post v2.0 sets for now, value wise. I think the task specific sets give you best value to accumulate a solid foundation.
Whitten put us onto electronic, man, use it for percussive one shots/loops or get crazy out of context with it, good for working up modern club sounds.
Alt rock got tidy vocals some of the spacial ones go awesome on stacked backing harmonies

Decisions, decisons dude.

[Kip Count]

I just ordered another 6-pack. I’m addicted.

My planned list was Songwriter’s, Rock, Staub, Ainlay, Alternative, and Metal Gtr Gods.

But now you got me thinking about Electronic. I don’t even think I’ve listened to the pack, as I just don’t do that kind of music. Going to listen to it now.

Modern Pop didn’t really sound like my cup of tea from the demos, Needham seemed a little boring and non-specific, and it is one of the older EZM1 packs.
Dirt, I want to like it, but still on the fence. I don’t need extreme dirt, only a little dirt, and a lot of the other packs seem to have plenty of dirty presets.

To sum it up… Songwriter’s, Alternative, and Metal Guitar Gods is a lock. (Like I said I don’t really create metal, but I grew up a metal kids, and if anything, I think it’ll be fun as hell to use this to play for enjoyment if nothing else).

The other three spots are being fought for by Rock, Staub, Dirt, and Ainlay. One of ’em has to go. Who’s it gonna be?

Mac Mini M1 | Studio One 6 | PreSonus 68c | EZD3

[Jason Hood]

The Needham ones a tough one, some nice chains in the demos, but whats what.
Maybe save one slot for the release on the 28th

[Kip Count]

That, sir, is a very good call. I’m definitely going to leave one open. Thanks!

Mac Mini M1 | Studio One 6 | PreSonus 68c | EZD3

[Jason Hood]

Latest update adds “support for new effects”, given that the update is required for all post update releases, I’m sure the imminent release will take advantage of this . Will have to order at least one 6 pack. Would like two so i can bank some for the future, put the wife will be unimpressed.
Amps, Vocals, Drums, Hendo, new release,+ 1 spare.

[Kip Count]

Looks like the new one is Lead Vocals.

Not as exciting as I’d hoped, but it will definitely make it’s way into my new 6-pack.

Looks like… Lead Vocals, Dirt, Alternative, Songwriter’s, Metal Guitar Gods, and Ainlay.

Mac Mini M1 | Studio One 6 | PreSonus 68c | EZD3

[Juicy]

Good Man , exactly what i picked except i went for mastering and not songwriter’s and the old vox tool box

[Kip Count]

ORIGINAL: juicy

Good Man , exactly what i picked except i went for mastering and not songwriter’s and the old vox tool box

This is my 2nd 6-pack actually. My first wave was Vocal Toolbox, Henderson, Dorfsman, Mastering, Core, and Amps.

I think I’m pretty well covered now. 😉

Mac Mini M1 | Studio One 6 | PreSonus 68c | EZD3

[Greg]

I have one serial left from my last 6 pack – just picked up the lead vocals

I am between amps and drum toolbox.

Amp wise already I have GTR3, Ampltibue, Guitar Rig, Scuffham s-gear, and mark 2 bass!

I have all the ez mix packs except for electronic, all the metal packs, dirt, amps and drum toolbox.

Intel 13900K, Windows 11 , Cubase Pro 13.0.30, Studio One 6.2.1.64495, 64GB RAM, UA Apollo x4 and UA Apollo X8 Thunderbolt,, 64 sample buffer size, Radeon 570, 42″ 4k monitor

MIDI controller: Roland A-37, Jamstik Studio, MCU Pro + expander
Drum Brain: Yamaha DTX 900, RHH135 hihat, 2 crash and 1 ride cymbal, 4 toms.

[Kip Count]

ORIGINAL: gmontano

I have one serial left from my last 6 pack – just picked up the lead vocals

I am between amps and drum toolbox.

Amp wise already I have GTR3, Ampltibue, Guitar Rig, Scuffham s-gear, and mark 2 bass!

I have all the ez mix packs except for electronic, all the metal packs, dirt, amps and drum toolbox.

I have GTR3, never use it anymore. I thought it was great when I got it years ago, but currently, I don’t even have it installed on my new setup.
I had Amplitube, liked it, but always found it noisy. I didn’t like the interface either. All in all, I was happy to see it go.
I have Scuffham S-Gear and I love it. It definitely excels on clean and lightly broken up tones. The interface is a little busy, which I don’t like, but I deal. It’s definitely one of the greatest bargains in the amp sim world.

As much as I love Scuffham, I still use EZmix all the time. I think EZmix does a superb job with a lot of their amp emulations, especially for higher gain rock stuff.

I’d pick Amps over Drums, but I’m extremely biased because I don’t deal with live drums so much.

Mac Mini M1 | Studio One 6 | PreSonus 68c | EZD3

[Greg]

Thanks for the reply. I even forgot I have brainworx rockrack as well!

Intel 13900K, Windows 11 , Cubase Pro 13.0.30, Studio One 6.2.1.64495, 64GB RAM, UA Apollo x4 and UA Apollo X8 Thunderbolt,, 64 sample buffer size, Radeon 570, 42″ 4k monitor

MIDI controller: Roland A-37, Jamstik Studio, MCU Pro + expander
Drum Brain: Yamaha DTX 900, RHH135 hihat, 2 crash and 1 ride cymbal, 4 toms.

[Kip Count]

ORIGINAL: gmontano

Thanks for the reply. I even forgot I have brainworx rockrack as well!

No problem. After mentioning drums, you got me thinking about the Drums expansion. I was just working on something, feeding EZdrummer Americana into some EZmix drum presets and having a blast doing it.

So now I’m stuck again. I want 7.

Songwriter’s
Alternative
Dirt
Ainlay
Lead Vocals
Drums
Metal Guitar Gods

Ones gotta go. I’m thinking it’s between Ainlay and Dirt.

Mac Mini M1 | Studio One 6 | PreSonus 68c | EZD3

[Author]

Replies