Toontrack Music EZmix 2: Updated Mixing Plugin Announced

[Grahamdwc]

Time+Space has announced the imminent release of Toontrack EZmix 2, the most up to date version of the effect plugin featuring more mix-ready effect chains, a revised user interface, new signal chain content, and more.

Through a wider variety of features, EZmix 2 continues to build on the same fundamental idea, which Toontrack describes like this: having mix-ready effect chains designed by audio professionals only one click away, making mixing music not only easy and incredibly fast, but offering results second to none.

The new and improved version of EZmix comes with a revised interface, guitar amp and cab simulation, and new effects and signal chain content. You can use EZmix 2 to put together a professional, release-ready mix quickly and efficiently.

More than 300 professionally designed audio processing settings make it "EZ" to mix drums, bass, guitar, vocals, and pianos or add that final touch to your master. EZmix 2 provides the tools to get the perfect sound for every instrument mix situation, stay in the creative "zone" and not worry about the technical aspects of producing a great mix, save plugin and CPU resources by only using one plugin instead of many, and get just the right mix using only one instance of EZmix 2 instead of countless plugins and routings on a channel.

The plugin can be expanded with Toontrack's selection of optional EZmix Packs created by various producers and engineers for different musical genres and mixing situations.

Toontrack and Time+Space anticipate EZmix 2 being released on February 7, 2012 for €139 EUR (approximately $178). If you have already purchased and registered the original EZmix, you can upgrade to EZmix 2 at a significantly lower price.

Link : http://www.toontrack.com/index.asp?

[skiltrip]

I demo'd the first one. It was interesting, and I definitely liked it, but I couldn't see dropping the 70 bucks on it. This one looks to be even more expensive. Not sure where they're going with this. Version 1 made sense with it's price point and who it was targeted for.

[twoifbysea]

Originally Posted by skiltrip

I demo'd the first one. It was interesting, and I definitely liked it, but I couldn't see dropping the 70 bucks on it. This one looks to be even more expensive. Not sure where they're going with this. Version 1 made sense with it's price point and who it was targeted for.

I bought the first one. Not sure why though, I've never actually used it on a mix. This new version looks like it may be more of a tweakable effects chain rather then being so preset based.

[skiltrip]

Originally Posted by twoifbysea

I bought the first one. Not sure why though, I've never actually used it on a mix. This new version looks like it may be more of a tweakable effects chain rather then being so preset based.

When I was demo-ing it, I did use it once. The preset I picked happen to work very well, so I left it. But it's honestly not like I couldn't have done the same thing with 2-3 different plugins, probably would have taken me an extra 6-9 minutes of experimentation though. I think this is where the value is. But I could have easily wasted time if I DIDN'T find a preset that did what I wanted. So it can work either way.

For $39, I'd probably buy it. But a new version at well over $100, I can't see how it'll appeal more to people. Those that hate the idea of EZmix will continue to hate it with version2, but now it's more money, so they'll be less likely to buy it because of curiosity (I bet version 1 got a lot of curiosity sales).

[Red Black]

Originally Posted by skiltrip

I demo'd the first one. It was interesting, and I definitely liked it, but I couldn't see dropping the 70 bucks on it. This one looks to be even more expensive. Not sure where they're going with this. Version 1 made sense with it's price point and who it was targeted for.

Agreed! I recommended the first one to a few singer/songwriters I work with because it was cheap and simple . . . this is heading into Waves Big Knob territory for me; too expensive for hobbyists, too limiting for professionals . . . no man's land basically :]

[andrewj]

Hmmm... I think these EZMix pluggies are interesting for experimentation and for trying out things you would not use normally. For the creative playing yround the stuff has it's place and in the times of MP3 the soundquality should satisfy the needs.

Not to say it is crappy, but I am sure a combination of hardware reverb, hardware eqing, compression, FX, stompboxes and or some good software "specialists" (I am talking about one job plugins!) will do a better or at least more controllable job.

[Tesla Coil]

I don't understand how EZmix is any different than the Waves Maserati or JJP plugins... Its exactly the same concept... not too many people complain about those?

EZmix is very useful and it makes its way onto at least a few channels in every mix.

[rhythmtech]

Originally Posted by Tesla Coil

I don't understand how EZmix is any different than the Waves Maserati or JJP plugins... Its exactly the same concept... not too many people complain about those?

read around the forum a bit. there was a lot more bitching about them when they were announced!

[skira]

Originally Posted by Grahamdwc

Toontrack and Time+Space anticipate EZmix 2 being released on February 7, 2012 for €139 EUR (approximately $178). If you have already purchased and registered the original EZmix, you can upgrade to EZmix 2 at a significantly lower price.

Just checked the website: the EZmix 2 upgrade will be available on Feb 7th, and the upgrade price will be $49:

http://www.toontrack.com/products.asp?item=143

And you can still get the original EZmix now for $69.

[Lenzo]

I"m thinking the $179 price tag was raised so they could start offering it half off like the expansion kits.
L.

[skira]

I have to say that I like the current EZmix. I already owned EZdrummer and for $80 on ebay I snagged EZmix, a couple of EZmix expansion packs (Electronic and Pop/Rock), as well as Beatstation. For a newbie like me the results are superior to anything I could get on my own right now. (Oh, and I like Beatstation a LOT.)

[RobFlemingMusic]

Don't have EZMix but am definitely looking forward to using this product! An interesting detail about the trailer for EZMix2 ... I did the music for it! It's a song of mine called Highway 21. Check it out @ Toontrack.com or on YouTube: EZmix 2: Multi-Effect Mixing Tool - YouTube

Enjoy!

[Grahamdwc]

Originally Posted by RobFlemingMusic

Don't have EZMix but am definitely looking forward to using this product! An interesting detail about the trailer for EZMix2 ... I did the music for it! It's a song of mine called Highway 21. Check it out @ Toontrack.com or on YouTube: EZmix 2: Multi-Effect Mixing Tool - YouTube

Enjoy!

Nice one, well done Rob..

Graham

[RobFlemingMusic]

Thanks Graham!

[skira]

Originally Posted by RobFlemingMusic

Don't have EZMix but am definitely looking forward to using this product! An interesting detail about the trailer for EZMix2 ... I did the music for it! It's a song of mine called Highway 21.

Congrats Rob!
Struck me as 'Joshua Tree'-ish, yes?

[DAWgEAR]

Originally Posted by RobFlemingMusic

Don't have EZMix but am definitely looking forward to using this product ... I did the music for it!

You wrote the song and someone else recorded and/or mixed it using EZ Mix 2?

I hope so, otherwise it appears that the music used in the video was not made using the product.

[joe_04_04]

https://www.toontrack.com/tv.asp?cha...ESC&item=183#2

P.S. - Dont kill the messenger.

[John Suitcase]

I saw this ad in TapeOP and was very curious!

I imagine that it's like a bunch of presets in one plug-in, with minimal room for customization. Probably a good fit for the GarageBand crowd, but I doubt it'll displace any pro mixers!

[Papanate]

Originally Posted by joe_04_04

https://www.toontrack.com/tv.asp?cha...ESC&item=183#2

P.S. - Dont kill the messenger.

I think it's an excellent construction/songwriters tool/hobby helper. And Toontrack sells it that way IMO of course.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by John Suitcase

Probably a good fit for the GarageBand crowd, but I doubt it'll displace any pro mixers!

It's not aiming to replace pro mixers.
It's a simple tool. Most like a multi-fx box with minimal editing.
Pro mixers aren't averse to multi-fx right?

[John Suitcase]

Originally Posted by chrisso

It's not aiming to replace pro mixers.
It's a simple tool. Most like a multi-fx box with minimal editing.
Pro mixers aren't averse to multi-fx right?

That's what I was trying to say ;-)

I imagine it'd be a cool thing to mess around with, and great for people wanting to get something listenable during the writing phase.

I'm curious to see how much it allows one to tweak the input signal, before processing. Even a DI from a guitar or bass will have a good bit of variation, and of course, every vocalist/mic is quite different. Drums could be pretty consistent if you're using EZ drummer, I suppose!

[Ben Logan]

Not a far cry from using Presets on our Waves or UAD plugs, for example. I use them. This could provide some good starting points. Tweak with other plugs to taste.

[John Suitcase]

I have the impression it'll be like using presets, except that rather than just a compressor for instance, it'll be an entire chain (eq>comp>reverb/delay>etc.) But with that much processing, I'll be surprised if there's a lot of tweaking possible.

Interesting, though!

[TRA]

I'm definitely not against this product or using presets. The talent isn't necessarily in knowing how to tweak the gear, but finding the sounds that work together. What's the difference if you are twisting knobs or auditioning presets if the end result comes out the same in the end?

[Grahamdwc]

...

[John Suitcase]

Originally Posted by TRA

I'm definitely not against this product or using presets. The talent isn't necessarily in knowing how to tweak the gear, but finding the sounds that work together. What's the difference if you are twisting knobs or auditioning presets if the end result comes out the same in the end?

Presets are a great starting point, especially when learning apiece of gear/plug-in. But they almost always need some tweaking in my experience. And not just changing the input gain.

Not to say that this product isn't good for someone at home doing demo's etc, but to be a pro, the talent is in knowing what will sound good, and how to tweak settings to get there, not in randomly hitting presets til it sounds good. (Not to say that randomness has no place, you do sometimes find neat ideas you hadn't considered, but again, they usually need some reworking to actually fit the song.)

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by John Suitcase

Not to say that this product isn't good for someone at home doing demo's etc, but to be a pro, the talent is in knowing what will sound good, and how to tweak settings to get there, not in randomly hitting presets til it sounds good. (Not to say that randomness has no place, you do sometimes find neat ideas you hadn't considered, but again, they usually need some reworking to actually fit the song.)

You keep making a lot of sense, then spoil it with generalizations on 'pros'.

I don't know EZmix 2, but I've used the original a bit.
The original you are right is about pre-sets consisting of chains with limited tweakability.
But yes, you can tweak the pre-sets, it's just limited.
I don't think EZmix 1 was aimed at replacing a channel strip, or a dedicated reverb or delay. I often used it as i was completing a mix and had one or two sounds that just weren't working.
Sometimes throwing an EZmix compression pre-set on there created some magic, or a bit crusher with backwards reverb pre-set. It's cherry on top type stuff, not the guts of your mix.
With EZmix 2 they've obviously listened to customer feedback and allowed more flexibility.... tweakability. Also, a lot of the pre-release promotion is about amp modeling, so no doubt they are hoping EZmix 2 is used more in the body of your work than a quick pre-set fixer upper.

[yxshawn]

I think it will be a dummer helper. aber, € 139? sehr teuer

[John Suitcase]

Originally Posted by chrisso

You keep making a lot of sense, then spoil it with generalizations on 'pros'.

I don't know EZmix 2, but I've used the original a bit.
The original you are right is about pre-sets consisting of chains with limited tweakability.
But yes, you can tweak the pre-sets, it's just limited.
I don't think EZmix 1 was aimed at replacing a channel strip, or a dedicated reverb or delay. I often used it as i was completing a mix and had one or two sounds that just weren't working.
Sometimes throwing an EZmix compression pre-set on there created some magic, or a bit crusher with backwards reverb pre-set. It's cherry on top type stuff, not the guts of your mix.
With EZmix 2 they've obviously listened to customer feedback and allowed more flexibility.... tweakability. Also, a lot of the pre-release promotion is about amp modeling, so no doubt they are hoping EZmix 2 is used more in the body of your work than a quick pre-set fixer upper.

In that context, I agree with you. It can be helpful to use something like this in a search for ideas, to get something to work that isn't working, etc.

My comments were more in regards to using something like this to do a mix, using it on the kick, the snare, the bass, the vocals, AND the guitars, etc.

With this and EZ Drummer, you could probably put together a nice sounding demo. I don't think you'd get something fantastic, but it's pretty close to all you'd need to get something at least listenable.

[bortraws]

I Think I'll wait for Superior Mix 2 where all the individual effects are tweakable as well. Oh wait, I already have that with all my plugins

Ha, it might be a nice idea to have all the individual effects available inside one plugin. A bit like Reason but then inside your daw instead of in a stand-alone application.

But seriously, EZMix 2 could be an interesting inspiration tool though. Trying out different sounds on the fly and see what comes out of it.

It's not the plugin for going after a sound that you already have in your head. Unless you know all the sounds of the presets in EZ Mix by heart. As another poster already said, you might end up spending more time trying to find the right preset in EZ Mix then when you'd pick a couple of good plugins or outboard gear and created it from scratch. I'm a tweak head anyway, I like to tweak.