Any EZbass users here?

[alexis]

Hi,

I just bought EZbass, and having gone through some vids, I know how to import MIDI tracks for keys to have EZbass generate a bass track; and also how to import a MIDI track for percussion/drums for EZbass to do the same.

But I have a project with MIDI/audio of the keyboards and percussion/drums playing together, and I'd like EZbass to listen to that combo and generate a track based on the two playing together. I haven't figured out how to present the combo keys+perc/drums to EZbass - is that possible? Or do I have to choose between using either/or (keys, percussion/drums)?

Thanks!

[alexis]

Just to give follow up here: after asking on the EZbass Toontrack forum and trying more myself, it looks like it might not be possible to have EZbass "sit in" on a session with a keyboard and drums.

That's a pity!

I have to say however that the "tap to find" feature gives results that when modified by hand sound very nice for an initial run. I'm very happy at this point

[The Elf]

It seems easier to me to just write a bass line!

[alexis]

It seems easier to me to just write a bass line!

Alas, not for me!

There are gobs of very cool sounding articulations that are available in EZbass that I'd have much more difficulty figuring out how to apply otherwise.

Also, there are many included MIDI patterns I enjoy having as suggestions for starting points in writing the bass line - very handy.

[The Elf]

Fair enough. To each their own.

But given that what have doesn't work, maybe now is the time to develop your own ideas and skills? No longer would you be tied to a piece of software.

[BWC]

Yep, I'd prefer to spend my time and effort learning a new skill, rather than learning to use a new crutch.

Everyone wants "quick and easy" and then they wonder where the magic's gone.

[alexis]

Good points all!

I find I can learn a lot about different instruments from these programs. I don't know diddly about how to play a bass, or a sax, etc. But when I open the programs and see how accomplished musicians play, and how that translates to software (articulations, phrasing, etc.) it opens my eyes to how I might create my own music.

So, IMO at least, it's much more than a "crutch".

(Should also add: EZbass caught my eye in an SOS review that gave it top marks: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/to ... ass?page=2 )

[Kwackman]

There's a workaround that MIGHT help?

I use Cubase to "draw" the bass parts in the piano key MIDI editor, using EZ Bass as a soft synth. For straight forward stuff it works great.
If I wanted to use one of the articulations in a pattern, then it's a bit more convoluted.
I copy the MIDI part into the EZBass piano roll editor, making sure it's at the same bar. Then select the note you want to change to, e'g' a harmonic and use the drop down menu to add the effect to the note. If you look in the EZBass edit screen you'll see extra "notes" where the effect is. Check that it sounds as you expected! You could leave it in the EZBass edit window at that and it'll be fine, but I prefer to copy the now amended midi part back into Cubase midi edit page.
Those extra bits that aded the harmonic could be added to other notes without having to go back to the EZBass editor.
Noe: Don't have a MIDI part playing from the Cubase midi editor AND the EZBass midi editor at the same time! Mute (or delete) one of them.

Reading back- that sounds horrendously complicated!
It's not, I could do it quicker than it takes to read those dodgy instructions above!
Anyway, if it works for you, great. If not- back to the drawing board!

[Drew Stephenson]

Yep, I'd prefer to spend my time and effort learning a new skill, rather than learning to use a new crutch.

I'm not sure that's really valid. I use EZKeys frequently, it would take years, and I mean years of lessons and practice to get something remotely close out of my fingers. There are other ways I want to spend my time in the service of the music I'm trying to create.

[BWC]

I find I can learn a lot about different instruments from these programs.

...

So, IMO at least, it's much more than a "crutch".

Crutches, like anything else, can be used for things other than intended, of course. If you find it useful as a learning tool, or a source of inspiration, cool. Just be careful not to lean on it too much.

[alexis]

There's a workaround that MIGHT help?

I use Cubase to "draw" the bass parts in the piano key MIDI editor, using EZ Bass as a soft synth. For straight forward stuff it works great.
If I wanted to use one of the articulations in a pattern, then it's a bit more convoluted.
I copy the MIDI part into the EZBass piano roll editor, making sure it's at the same bar. Then select the note you want to change to, e'g' a harmonic and use the drop down menu to add the effect to the note. If you look in the EZBass edit screen you'll see extra "notes" where the effect is. Check that it sounds as you expected! You could leave it in the EZBass edit window at that and it'll be fine, but I prefer to copy the now amended midi part back into Cubase midi edit page.
Those extra bits that aded the harmonic could be added to other notes without having to go back to the EZBass editor.
Noe: Don't have a MIDI part playing from the Cubase midi editor AND the EZBass midi editor at the same time! Mute (or delete) one of them.

Reading back- that sounds horrendously complicated!
It's not, I could do it quicker than it takes to read those dodgy instructions above!
Anyway, if it works for you, great. If not- back to the drawing board!

Thanks for that, Kwackman!

I believe I kind of know where you're pointing there ... will check it out!

[BWC]

Yep, I'd prefer to spend my time and effort learning a new skill, rather than learning to use a new crutch.

I'm not sure that's really valid. I use EZKeys frequently, it would take years, and I mean years of lessons and practice to get something remotely close out of my fingers. There are other ways I want to spend my time in the service of the music I'm trying to create.

OK, so you'd make a different choice with your time, doesn't make mine any less valid. I would enjoy (and have enjoyed) years and years of lessons and practice. Journey or destination? You've been awfully focused on "finishing" lately , not that there's anything wrong with that (enjoyed your blog series ), but I'm, personally, not convinced that "finishing" is all it's cracked up to be. To take it to an extreme, I'd rather have an unfinished masterpiece than a finished piece of crap. IMO, there's a bit too much of the latter out there to wade through already.

My issue with this sort of software is that...

Everyone wants "quick and easy" and then they wonder where the magic's gone.

You've seen the questions that come in, people looking in all the wrong places for what's gone missing from modern music compared to the last century. Personally, I think it's the humanity that's gone missing* and auto-generating parts doesn't seem likely to help with that.

*...in a number of different ways. Last time I said it was in the context of "over-correction".

[Drew Stephenson]

I know where you're coming from but I don't think it's really a big issue and I think it's less binary than you appear to be suggesting.

[BWC]

Didn't mean to suggest that anything is binary, or a big issue, just speaking my mind. Always amazes me how people read unintended things into my words.
Seems clear to me, but...

[Drew Stephenson]

I'd put that down to a reader problem then.

I do enjoy the practising, learning and developing side of things, but I am not one of those natural musicians who can just turn their hand to anything. So I seek out a helping hand here and there. And I suspect that the EZkeys parts that I've used are by far the most 'musical' part of anything of mine that they feature in.
I'm really not sure that there is anything 'missing' from modern music, I think we're going through a phase of simpler compositions, but these things have always waxed and waned.

[amanise]

I did give some careful thought to whether I wanted to take up EZD3 as I really enjoyed 'gridding out' my old 808 samples. It wasn't until I saw what was possible I appreciated how terrifyingly good these things are. I'm now enjoying having a world class drummer to work with for the first time ever. That's as far as I want to go though - I've decided. I will NEVER be bale to play the drums, but I can sort of play a keyboard, know where all the notes and scales and chords are and all that. Plus I enjoy using an instrument I can't play very well. Same with Bass. I can get by - but am no bass player really, if you listen to what I do. It's more like a low down lead role sometimes. But I like my bass and enjoy that. Singing? Who knows - but I've come to enjoy that too. I won't be looking for anything to transform my voice into Rod Stuart. It's all challenge, and challenge is good. Luckily, none of these (bar vox) is especially exposed in the kind of music I make - they're all just bricks in the wall. Hopefully I get them to glue together strongly enough for the whole thing to hold up.