Toontrack EZ Keys Singer-Songwriter EKX Expansion

This EKX expansion for EZkeys 2 was specifically designed with the singer-songwriter in mind. Featuring a piano carefully selected for its soft, earthy and delicate timbre, it’s the optimal choice for an instrument that doesn’t stand in the way, eat up space or does anything but add to what ultimately makes or breaks a song: the words and the melodies.

The instrument, a meticulously maintained, tuned and captured Schimmel* upright piano from the 1970s, was recorded through a Neve 8068 console at the renowned RMV Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. With rustic ceiling beams, both wood and stone wall surfaces as well as a soft hardwood floor that acts like a cushioning membrane, the RMV room is ideal for capturing acoustic instruments. To showcase the entire tonal scope of this classic piano, it was recorded using three pairs of stereo microphones placed in different positions around the instrument and the room. Aside from the piano itself, a broad selection of mix-ready presets as well as a basic collection of MIDI are included.

In a genre where often less is better, the more vital each component of a song is. If you are looking for acoustic perfection, a timeless timbre and the ultimate creative companion for your yet-unwritten acoustic pop, folk and singer-songwriter tracks, this EKX is it.

• A meticulously maintained, tuned and captured upright piano from the 1970s
• A dark, earthy, warm and elegant timbre – perfect for singer-songwriter, acoustic pop and folk songs
• Recorded in 2023 at Riksmixningsverket (RMV Studio), Stockholm, Sweden
• Three different microphone configurations recorded
• Includes a selection of mix-ready presets inspired by a broad definition of the genre
• Comes with a basic library of MIDI unique to the product

THE INSTRUMENT.

The embodiment of quality and craftsmanship.

Brand: Schimmel
Model: Fortissimo Model 8
Era: 1970s
Based on a core motto of “quality will prevail,” founder Wilhelm Schimmel started building meticulously crafted top-tier pianos out of his factory in Leipzig already back in 1885. Even if much has changed since then, the fundamental value of this still-family-owned classic German brand remains untarnished. To this day, a Schimmel piano is synonymous with an unforgettable tone, a remarkable playability and the very embodiment of craftsmanship. In fact, it is the most awarded brand of pianos of German manufacture in the world.

With its earthy, mild and warm timbre but still remarkably characterful tone even when played at the very bottom of the velocity range, this is the epitome of an instrument for any scaled-down arrangements or songs that call for soft, distinguished, dark and beautifully singing tones.

THE PRESETS.

From dark and mellow to distinct and bright.

Offering anything from the absolute in mellowness to the distinct, bright and articulate, the preset library showcases the sonic scope of this piano in a remarkable way. As always, each preset includes its own unique set of sound-altering parameters. Of course, with these controls you can easily tweak or fine-tune each setting to perfectly suit your mix.

THE MICS & THE AMBIENCES.

1. Piano hammers/front: AKG 414 (stereo pair). To capture a “player’s perspective” of sorts, the mics were placed facing the hammers and strings at the front of the piano.

2. Back of the piano: U47 FET (stereo pair). These classic studio staple mics were aimed at the back of the piano and present a nice contrast to the more distinct-sounding mics positioned at the front of it.

3. Iso booth window glass: Thuresson CM402 (stereo pair). To create an interesting diffusion bouncing back from the hard-surface glass, these mics were placed behind the piano and pointed to the iso booth window.

THE MIDI.

Instant inspiration – at your fingertips!

This EKX includes a basic selection of song parts and phrases inspired by the singer-songwriter, acoustic pop and folk genres. By utilising the extensive framework of songwriting features in EZKeys 2, these midi files will be the perfect starting points to craft your own songs from.