As well as being packed with helpful writing tools, Toontrack’s EZKeys 2 covers a huge range of sounds thanks to its ever-growing collection of EKX expansion packs. The latest addition to the range has just been announced, and as well as bringing a new piano to the range, it also includes a selection of synth and effects layers.
Modern Pop Piano EKX captures the sound of a Grotrian-Steinweg upright, an instrument renowned for its clear and refined tone. The recording sessions took place at Riksmixingsverket studio in Stockholm, Sweden, with engineer Linn Fijal employing an enviable collection of microphones from the likes of Neumann, Shure, Thuresson, Coles, DPA and AKG. What sets it apart from many of its siblings, though, is the inclusion of processed samples designed for more experimental productions and sound-design tasks. Toontrack have taken the core recordings that make up the instrument, applied some granular and time-stretching effects, and then resampled them using a selection of analogue and digital outboard processors.
The resulting sounds are divided into three categories: Natural, Processed and Experimental. As its name suggests, the Natural category provides a variety of acoustic piano sounds captured from different microphone positions with sparingly used effects; Processed then introduces layered sounds, many of which include non-natural reverbs and effects, while Experimental offers a set of saturated, warped sounds that blend the piano samples with a range of effects and synth textures.
As with all of Toontrack’s expansions, Modern Pop Piano EKX includes a collection of MIDI parts that are unique to the product, and tailored to the instrument it captures.
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