Meet Rodney Atkins.

How did you first discover your passion for music?
– I’ve always loved music. My parents had a small record collection when I was a kid. I listened to everything. It was mostly Ray Charles, Charlie Daniels, Haggard, Charlie Rich, The Allman Brothers, Elvis, Glen Campbell, Willie and Waylon, etc. I couldn’t get enough of those songs. I couldn’t play the guitar yet, but I had them all memorized.

You have had an amazing career. Is there a defining moment in the start if it that you know was pivotal in getting to where you are now? Like a song, a meeting or a serendipity moment that put you on the map or steered you in a specific direction?
– Honestly I feel like every time I have followed my heart and taken a leap of faith something great has happened. I’ve only told this story once or twice. I had resolved to just writing songs and never really performing in front of people early in my career. The first time I was ever on Music Row to take a meeting with a publisher, I actually ran into Merle Haggard. He saw that I was obviously lost and trying to figure out where I was going. He asked me if he could help and said “This is the building you’re looking for son. Let me get the door for you.” Then he said “Twenty years from now when your a big singer-songwriter star, you tell ‘em the Hag opened your first door. ” After all my second guessing, I walked into that meeting and they asked me what my aspirations were. I told him,”Merle Haggard says I’m a singer-songwriter.” I never looked back.

How did you cross paths with Toontrack and what product was first introduced to you?
– I had been attempting to work with MIDI to get songwriting ideas recorded more quickly. I only play guitar, but I had a couple of songs that I knew were piano songs. I was writing with Blake Bollinger and Ben Stennis and they were the first guys to tell mention EZkeys. I came home that afternoon, downloaded a demo and had my first song recorded by 9 pm. And trust me, I know nothing about piano.

Tell us how Toontrack’s products help in your creative process and how you use them on a regular basis!
– EZkeys is so inspiring as you hear your songs come to life. One of the biggest game changers is EZmix 2. I track all my own vocals at home and use the EZmix 2 vocal and mastering presets for tracking. I love not have having to dig around for EQs. I get to sing instead of engineer. My time is so much more productive.

Looking forward, what’s next on your agenda?
– Brand new music is being finished as we speak. I feel like I’m writing the best songs of my career thanks to you guys.

Lots of our users are aspiring songwriters or artists – often both. If you could hand down one piece of advice to anyone looking to get ahead in the Nashville scene or country music business, what would it be?
– Keep writing to find your own voice. I know most people say you should write about how you feel, but I disagree. I think it’s best to write about how you want to feel. That’s ultimately what your trying to achieve with an audience. To make them relate to and feel the emotion in your song. I think it’s crucial to be as autonomous as possible. That’s exactly what Toontrack provides.


BUSSES AND SENDS.

Quick video on how to work with buses and sends in Superior Drummer 2.

LEARN THE SUPERIOR DRUMMER BASICS.

New to Superior Drummer 2 or want to learn more? Loads of tutorial content on our Superior Line page!

WRITING SONGS WITH EZKEYS: EP. 4

In the final episode in this series of four videos, we use a new instance of EZkeys combined with an EZmix 2 preset to create a lo-fi sounding intro to our song.

MEET AARON ESHUIS: SONGWRITER.

We headed out to Nashville to chat with Aaron Eshuis about Superior Drummer 2 and what getting cuts by Rascal Flatts means to an up-and-coming songwriter.

NICLAS LUNDIN & EZKEYS: PT.2

Songwriter Niclas Lundin shares some more of his tips and favorite features of EZkeys!

RIKARD FROM – IMPROVISATION.

Watch amazing piano player Rikard From in action using the EZkeys Studio Grand!

WRITE CUSTOM PIECES.

This quick video shows you how to build custom piano and drum parts using the features of EZkeys and EZdrummer 2.

EZKEYS CUSTOMER JUKEBOX, WEEK 2.

Check the second playlist of songs by you – featuring EZkeys!

BRIAN MAILLARD – PLAYTHROUGH.

Watch the amazing Brian Maillard in this guitar playthrough! Drums heard are EZdrummer 2 with the Progressive EZX.

WRITING SONGS WITH EZKEYS: EP. 3.

In the third episode, we use multiple instances of EZkeys on our chorus to add an epic feel as well as a melody line.

EZKEYS CUSTOMER JUKEBOX WEEK 1.

Check the first playlist of songs by you – featuring EZkeys!

GET IN THE GROOVE WITH EZKEYS.

Our friends over at Groove3 have just launched a massive series of videos centered around writing songs with EZkeys. Check the first two episodes free here.

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