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[Whitten]

Yes, for the record I’d be happy to see EZdrummer go 24 bit. I’d also be happy to see ‘The Classic’ developed as an SDX.
But…….

ORIGINAL: Oli P
The lowest denominator as in the “non drum guys” setting the standard for what is excellence…and your attention to detail in sampling these drums clearly isn’t justified as just aiming for that target audience.

The EZX is to electronic drumming as X-factor is to the music industry….the tolerable version of something that could be excellent

I just think this is a real misrepresentation of the reality……
At the recording sessions we really pushed the EZX envelope in terms of detail and articulations.
We all slogged our guts out in post production. I personally toiled over three weeks editing midi over Christmas and New Year. There’s no way I’d do that at this stage in my career if I thought “this is one huge compromise”.
To be perfectly honest, as I was editing the midi, which replicates well known recordings I’ve done over 25 years, I never thought ‘The Classic’ was lowest denominator. In fact I specifically remember thinking it sounded as good, if not better than C&V. The cymbals and snare drums in particular sparkle. I didn’t have to make changes in my midi drumming to cater for lack of detail in ‘The Classic’. Quite the opposite, it just sounded right straight away. I just did not feel I was working on a sub-par product that could have been better.
Yes, it could be 24 bit and include more bleed options, but it’s a cheaper product than an SDX. In my view there is not compromise on the basic sound quality, just some flexibility.
Peter and I always aim high and ‘The Classic’ is no different.
I edited my own video a week ago, and had some control over the content in the official Toontrack video. The stuff I talk about – the amazing drums and the vintage Helios console relates specifically to the final product; EZX The Classic. The videos are based on the final product that I’ve signed off on, as has Peter and the Toontrack team. There is no truth that I’m raving about the gear, knowing the poor people who buy the end product are being short changed, or sold a compromised product which doesn’t reflect the quality of the studio, the drums and all the people involved.
If you actually haven’t sat down with the product you can’t say it’s not as good as it could be.

[Whitten]

ORIGINAL: juicy
we didnt even Air Australian Idol 2010

DOH, I meant X-Factor all along. Sorry.
Confused by all these reality talent shows, none of which i watch.

[Whitten]

ORIGINAL: Oli P
I don’t buy into the argument that the lowest denominator should be the standard…and I know you don’t do either
I can understand the argument that Toontrack needs to make money…thus making it a political decision.

I don’t accept for a minute this EZX represents ‘the lowest denominator’. You claim to know what I think, but actually I like the EZX expansions I have (Electronic, Jazz, Vintage).

I think the discussion is getting a little too crazy.
‘The Classic’ is an EZX and that’s about it for now.

[Whitten]

ORIGINAL: juicy
They asked about but already use it ,is that right. ?

No, they were looking for software drums to buy.

Idol is being run on an Oily rag these days .Believe me the crew and staff budgets slashed,
funny you mention this,all my friends were in the original band when they could afford two guitar players.

Australian Idol?

Should we ditch SD2 in favour these amazing 16 bit wonders now ,No ?

I’m happy you would have bought an SDX version.
No one would be happier to continue the project and release it as an SDX than me.
It is what it is for now.

[Whitten]

Is your failure the installation or the authorization?
Sounds from your post like it has installed, but you are unable to effectively authorize it (the final stage).

[Whitten]

ORIGINAL: juicy

In reply to EZ being used by pros >
That was more true a few years back but i don’t think you could actually prove it today as easily as just saying it.

You have no proof of that.
I just did a tour in Australia with one of the country’s top studio guitarists, and a keyboard player who’s an up and coming pro and was working at the time programming all the backing music for Australian Idol (mega tv ratings).
Both asked me about EZdrummer and never mentioned Superior.
They work to fast deadlines, and don’t want to add levels of new technical skills just to put together a professionally acceptable drum track.
The ease, speed and quality of EZdrummer (and EZX’s) appealed to them both. And quite honestly the price.
I was surprised I admit. I thought they would be all over Superior. But as drumming isn’t their domain, they just wanted realistic, quality drum tracks that were quick to realise.

Why on earth imply that SD2 is lacking and could be improved by using its less “superior” EZY product.

Who’s implying anything.
EZdrummer and it’s expansions is a legitimate tool. It’s the most popular Toontrack product so why not service those customers with good quality, fresh sounds from time to time.
I take it neither you or Oli P own ‘EZX: The CLassic’, so it’s getting kind of ridiculous you guys slamming it on the basis of quality when you have absolutely no idea how great (or bad) it actually sounds!

[Whitten]

Maybe there’s need for a debate about EZdrummer as a 16bit or 24bit platform?
For me, having a relatively inexpensive drum software solution in Toontrack’s product line-up is a complete no brainer.
I love the fact it’s compatible with Superior too and use some EZX’s within Superior all the time.

You’re kind of damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
You can release something like The Classic in SDX and EZX packages at the same time and have people claim you’re doubling your income with the same recordings, or you can make some SDX’s and EZX’s as stand alone products, seemingly upsetting which ever user feels left out.

[Whitten]

ORIGINAL: Oli P
It gets a bit hollow to keep going on about how pros use EZ drummer…

It’s just a simple fact, but hey facts are unimportant right?

ORIGINAL: Oli P
Reality is that Toontrack has gone more towards the toy marked since the invention of the EZ line…and no doubt that it is far more profitable for them and you.

‘Toy’ is a very over the top description. Many pros are using EZdrummer and it’s expansions. If you want to call it a toy you can, but again…. facts?
You haven’t seen my contract and as such you can’t comment on what’s ‘profitable’ for me. I’d be happy for The Classic to appear as a Superior SDX, but that isn’t my decision to make. In the meantime, I’ve read countless posts on various forums about the high price of Superior, BFD and similar. So I’m very happy to offer something reasonably priced to all those people. Something that’s as good as we can make it, and not an after thought in the process of releasing an SDX.

ORIGINAL: Oli P
Take it more as a compliment that power users really would like to have your pack in its full resolution.

Yes, I’m happy about that. It isn’t in my domain to make those kind of decisions.
In the meantime, I regularly read complaints that Toontrack repackage sessions between EZdrummer and Superior rather than release new material.
So here’s brand new material (my first for 6 years) that was specifically designed for the many EZdrummer users, and packs as many kit pieces and articulations into the product as is technically possible.
That’s really the story right there.

[Whitten]

I’m personally running Logic at 96k, 24 bit.

Just saying……EZdrummer and the expansions are used by pros (some I know personally).
So it’s not factually correct to say Toontrack aren’t offering anything ‘fresh’ for ‘pros’ until ‘deep in 2011’.

That’s all.
I do take your personal preferences as perfectly valid.

[Whitten]

There’s a rivet ride in C&V I think? McCartney tour ride, although I think there were only one or two rivets in there when we sampled it.

[Whitten]

You actually predicted ‘deep into 2011’ for ‘pro users’.
To which I would repeat, pro’s are using EZX’s.
At the time (November) you also joined in the collective whinge that EZX’s are repackaged SDX’s or vise versa. Saying you wanted something fresh.
Well here’s some fresh sounds that aren’t an SDX teaser, or repackaged in any way.

[Whitten]

[Whitten]

BTW, I tried your thing of moving the snare side mic in a bit and it does sound good.

[Whitten]

Peter said he set the default panning to where he thought it should be – – but you can do whatever sounds good to you.

[Whitten]

‘Four Mic’ is a bit of a favourite. It’s so simple and straight forward you can just get on and make music.

[Author]

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