A marimba, a xylophone, MIDI and presets - all in one expansion for EZkeys 2.
As obvious in soundtracks and classical arrangements as in anything from pop and rock to hip-hip and all thinkable offshoots of electronic dance music, the marimba and the xylophone are the uncontested big two in the family of wooden melodic percussive instruments. The dark, rich, full, earthy and plucky sound of the marimba is as ideal for arpeggios and leads in an EDM track as it is for a dramatic segue in a film. Equally, the more accentuated, bright and dry tone of the xylophone is an amazing and piercingly effective melodic voice in any context it's used.
Recorded to cater to anything from full-scale classical compositions to any general songwriting needs, both instruments were captured at the famed 330 square meter main hall at Galaxy Studios using an array of different microphones. In addition to a generous selection of close mics positioned to pick up the immediate attack and body of each instrument, several mics were positioned around them for complete surround sound compatibility in up to 5.0 systems. In addition, the marimba was also recorded in the smaller Studio 1 room to offer an even more intimate take on the same instrument.
Aside from the instruments, this EKX also includes a basic library of MIDI unique to the product as well as a broad collection of presets showcasing the sounds and microphone options in anything from the scaled-down to the monumentally big.
Be it for classical, acoustic or electronic - if you're looking for the quintessential melodic percussion instruments that can be seamlessly applied in virtually any musical narrative, this EKX is for you.
- Features a marimba and a xylophone
- Captured at the Galaxy Studios in Belgium
- Marimba recorded in two different room ambiences (hall and studio)
- Ready for mixes in stereo up to 5.0 surround
- Comes with mix-ready presets for different configurations, microphone setups and sounds
- Includes a MIDI library unique to the product
- This EKX requires EZkeys 2.
- Note: The MIDI included with this EKX is unique and not related to any existing or yet-to-be-released EZkeys MIDI pack.
THE MARIMBA.
Brand: Yamaha YM 5100A | Recorded in: Hall and Studio 1 | Recorded with: wool/yarn/cord-wrapped mallets (soft to hard)
With its mellow, woody, dark and utterly engulfing tone, the marimba represents a unique expression that fits just as well in classical compositions as in pop and rock. Simply put, a timeless instrument with an iconic tone.
THE XYLOPHONE.
Brand: Yamaha YX 500R | Recorded in: Hall | Recorded with: wool/yarn/cord-wrapped mallets (soft to hard)
It may look like a spitting image of the marimba, but - rest assured - it has its own and completely unique voice. With a harder wood in its bars and an overall higher and more narrow range, the xylophone is its perfect counterpart.
ONE HALL TO RULE THEM ALL
Immaculate acoustics in utter silence.
With its 330 square meter room and eight meter ceiling height, the main hall at Galaxy Studios in Belgium was the ideal location for capturing these instruments with a surround setup of microphones. In addition to having immaculate acoustic qualities, the entire studio complex is built on springs to ensure that any outside interference is literally nonexistent. In fact, with only 14 dBA of environmental noise, this room is the most quiet recording space of this size in the world.
THE MICS & THE ROOMS.
In addition to the carefully positioned close mics intended to pick up the attack and direct total presence of the instruments, this sound library was recorded using eleven additional room microphones set up in a surround configuration. This will enable you to use these instruments way beyond the conventional.
The microphone setup is identical between the Hall and Studio 1 rooms.
1. Sonodore RCM-402
2. Neumann U67
3. Neumann U87
4. Neumann U87
5. Neumann M49
6. Neumann M150
7. Royer R121
8. Schoeps CCM 2S
9. Schoeps MK-4
10. Schoeps MK-4
THE PRESETS.
THE MIDI.
As always, the profound set of features in EZkeys 2 designed for tailoring MIDI to fit your needs will let you expand on these basic ideas and take them to whatever musical space your songs call for.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.
- 7.5 GB free disk space (plus 7.5 GB for download), 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- A working EZkeys 2.0.5 (or above) installation.
No Downloads Available