Toontrack EZdrummer 218: A Review of the Latest Version of the Popular Drum Software
Toontrack EZdrummer 218: A Comprehensive Review
If you are looking for a professional and easy-to-use drum software that can help you create realistic and customized drum tracks for your music production, you might want to check out Toontrack EZdrummer 218. This is the latest version of the popular EZdrummer series, which has been praised by many musicians and sound engineers for its sound quality, versatility, and user-friendliness. In this article, we will review Toontrack EZdrummer 218 in detail, covering its features, benefits, system requirements, installation, usage, comparison, pricing, customer support, and more. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of whether Toontrack EZdrummer 218 is the right drum software for you.
Toontrack EZdrummer 218 STANDALONE VSTi RTAS AAX X86 X64
Download Zip: https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgohhs.com%2F2uliPi&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw3OzxkkmfYFD_5B0dvuZOd8
What is Toontrack EZdrummer 218?
Toontrack EZdrummer 218 is a virtual drum sampler that allows you to create realistic and customized drum tracks for your music production. It is designed to erase any technical barrier between you and your creativity, and introduces several groundbreaking features for quick and easy songwriting. With Toontrack EZdrummer 218, you can go from initial rhythmic idea to finished, mixed, and customized drum track without ever leaving the program. You can also choose from thousands of high-quality drum sounds, grooves, and presets that are included in the software or available as expansion packs.
Features and benefits of Toontrack EZdrummer 218
Some of the main features and benefits of Toontrack EZdrummer 218 are:
Tap2Find: This feature allows you to tap your rhythm on your keyboard or MIDI controller, and EZdrummer 2 will match it with the closest groove in its library. You can then browse through the results and tweak them to your liking.
Song Creator: This feature allows you to drag and drop a groove from the browser or Tap2Find into the song track, and EZdrummer 2 will generate a complete song structure based on that groove. You can then edit the song structure, change the tempo, add fills, transitions, variations, and more.
Edit Play Style: This feature allows you to change the performance of any groove in real time. You can adjust the power hand, velocity, amount of hits, complexity, timing, swing, and more. You can also use the built-in effects and mixer to shape the sound of each drum.
Mixer: This feature allows you to mix your drum tracks with ease. You can choose from various presets that are tailored for different genres and styles. You can also adjust the volume, pan, mute, solo, send effects, bus effects, bleed control, microphone settings, and more for each drum.
Drum Library: This feature allows you to access thousands of high-quality drum sounds that are recorded with multiple microphones in various studios. You can choose from two default kits that are included in the software (Modern and Vintage), or expand your library with the many expansion packs that are available for purchase. You can also customize your own kits by dragging and dropping any drum from any kit, or importing your own samples.
Groove Library: This feature allows you to access thousands of professionally played MIDI grooves that are organized by genre, style, tempo, time signature, and feel. You can also create your own grooves by recording, editing, or importing MIDI files.
Search Browser: This feature allows you to find the perfect groove, kit, or preset for your song. You can search by keywords, filters, categories, or tags. You can also use the Tap2Find feature to search by tapping your rhythm.
Track Transformer: This feature allows you to transform any groove into something completely new and different. You can use the preset buttons to change the feel, complexity, timing, or swing of any groove. You can also use the Amount slider to control the intensity of the transformation.
Audio Engine: This feature allows you to enjoy the high-quality sound and performance of Toontrack EZdrummer 218. The software uses a 64-bit audio engine that supports multi-core processing, sample rate conversion, latency compensation, offline rendering, and more.
As you can see, Toontrack EZdrummer 218 is packed with features and benefits that can help you create realistic and customized drum tracks for your music production. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, you will find Toontrack EZdrummer 218 easy to use and fun to work with.
How to install and use Toontrack EZdrummer 218?
Toontrack EZdrummer 218 is a standalone application that can also be used as a plugin in any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that supports VSTi, RTAS, AAX, or AU formats. You can install and use Toontrack EZdrummer 218 on both Windows and Mac computers. Here are the steps to install and use Toontrack EZdrummer 218:
Installation steps for Toontrack EZdrummer 218
Download the software: You can download Toontrack EZdrummer 218 from the official website of Toontrack. You will need to create an account and register your product with your serial number. You will also need to download the Toontrack Product Manager application, which will help you manage your downloads, updates, and expansions.
Install the software: You can run the installer file that you downloaded and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to choose the destination folder for the software and the library files. You will also need to authorize your product with your serial number and your Toontrack account.
Launch the software: You can launch Toontrack EZdrummer 218 as a standalone application or as a plugin in your DAW. You will see the main interface of the software, which consists of four main sections: Browser, Drums, Mixer, and Song Track. You can switch between these sections by clicking on their icons at the top of the interface.
User interface and workflow of Toontrack EZdrummer 218
The user interface and workflow of Toontrack EZdrummer 218 are designed to be intuitive and efficient. Here are some of the main features and functions of each section:
Browser
The Browser section allows you to browse through the drum kits, grooves, presets, projects, and expansions that are available in Toontrack EZdrummer 218. You can use the Search Browser to find what you are looking for by keywords, filters, categories, or tags. You can also use the Tap2Find feature to tap your rhythm on your keyboard or MIDI controller and find matching grooves in the library. You can drag and drop any kit, groove, preset, or project from the Browser into the Drums or Song Track sections.
Drums
The Drums section allows you to view and edit the drum kit that you have selected from the Browser. You can see each drum in detail and adjust its parameters such as volume, pan, pitch, envelope, microphone settings, effects, and more. You can also customize your own kit by dragging and dropping any drum from any kit or importing your own samples. You can save your custom kit as a preset for future use.
Mixer
The Mixer section allows you to mix your drum tracks with ease. You can see each drum channel and its corresponding microphone channel in separate faders. You can adjust the volume, pan, mute, solo, send effects, bus effects, bleed control, and more for each channel. You can also choose from various presets that are tailored for different genres and styles. You can save your custom mix as a preset for future use.
Song Track
The Song Track section allows you to create and edit your drum track in a timeline view. You can drag and drop any groove from the Browser or Tap2Find into the Song Track and arrange them in a sequence. You can also use the Song Creator feature to generate a complete song structure based on a single groove. You can edit the song structure, change the tempo, add fills, transitions, variations, and more. You can also use the Edit Play Style feature to change the performance of any groove in real time. You can also use the Track Transformer feature to transform any groove into something completely new and different. You can export your drum track as a MIDI or audio file for further processing in your DAW.
As you can see, Toontrack EZdrummer 218 has a user-friendly interface and workflow that can help you create realistic and customized drum tracks for your music production. You can experiment with different kits, grooves, presets, and effects to find the perfect sound for your song.
How does Toontrack EZdrummer 218 compare to other drum software?
Toontrack EZdrummer 218 is one of the most popular and widely used drum software in the market. It has many advantages over other drum software, but it also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of. Here are some of the pros and cons of Toontrack EZdrummer 218:
Pros and cons of Toontrack EZdrummer 218
Pros
Cons
High-quality sound and performance
Easy to use and fun to work with
Versatile and customizable
Innovative and creative features
Large and diverse library of sounds, grooves, and presets
Compatible with most DAWs and formats
Affordable and value for money
Requires a lot of disk space and RAM
May not work well with older or slower computers
May not have some advanced features that other drum software have
May not suit some genres or styles that require more complex or exotic drums
May require additional purchases of expansion packs to access more sounds and grooves
May have some bugs or glitches that need to be fixed
As you can see, Toontrack EZdrummer 218 has more pros than cons, and most of the cons are not major issues that can affect your music production. However, you should also consider your own needs, preferences, budget, and expectations before deciding whether Toontrack EZdrummer 218 is the right drum software for you.
Alternatives to Toontrack EZdrummer 218
If you are not satisfied with Toontrack EZdrummer 218 or want to explore other options, there are many other drum software that you can try. Some of the most popular and reputable alternatives to Toontrack EZdrummer 218 are:
BFD3 by FXpansion: This is a powerful and realistic drum software that offers a huge library of sounds, grooves, presets, effects, and more. It has a detailed and flexible interface that allows you to customize every aspect of your drum track. It also has some advanced features such as drum synthesis, modulation, automation, groove editing, and more.
Addictive Drums 2 by XLN Audio: This is a versatile and easy-to-use drum software that offers a wide range of sounds, grooves, presets, effects, and more. It has a simple and intuitive interface that allows you to create professional-sounding drum tracks in minutes. It also has some unique features such as beat transformation, tone designer, cloud sync, and more.
Superior Drummer 3 by Toontrack: This is the flagship product of Toontrack and the successor of EZdrummer 2. It is a comprehensive and advanced drum software that offers a massive library of sounds, grooves, presets, effects, and more. It has a sophisticated and flexible interface that allows you to control every aspect of your drum track. It also has some groundbreaking features such as drum replacement, surround sound, MIDI mapping, e-drum support, and more.
Steven Slate Drums 5 by Steven Slate Drums: This is a realistic and dynamic drum software that offers a large library of sounds, grooves, presets, effects, and more. It has a sleek and modern interface that allows you to create natural-sounding drum tracks with ease. It also has some innovative features such as drum augmentation, velocity layers, one-shot samples, and more.
Battery 4 by Native Instruments: This is a powerful and creative drum software that offers a diverse library of sounds, grooves, presets, effects, and more. It has a colorful and intuitive interface that allows you to create expressive and customized drum tracks with ease. It also has some features such as cell matrix, sample slicing, modulation, automation, and more.
As you can see, there are many other drum software that you can try besides Toontrack EZdrummer 218. Each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses, and you should compare them carefully before making your final decision.
Where to buy and download Toontrack EZdrummer 218?
If you are interested in buying and downloading Toontrack EZdrummer 218, you can do so from the official website of Toontrack. You can also find Toontrack EZdrummer 218 in various online stores and platforms that sell music software. Here are some of the details that you should know about the pricing and customer support of Toontrack EZdrummer 218:
Pricing and discounts of Toontrack EZdrummer 218
The regular price of Toontrack EZdrummer 218 is $149 USD. However, you can often find discounts and promotions on the official website of Toontrack or other online stores and platforms that sell music software. For example, you can get Toontrack EZdrummer 218 for $99 USD during the Black Friday sale or the Summer Sale. You can also get Toontrack EZdrummer 218 for free if you buy any expansion pack from the official website of Toontrack. You can also upgrade from EZdrummer 2 to EZdrummer 218 for $49 USD.
Customer support and feedback of Toontrack EZdrummer 218
Toontrack is known for its excellent customer support and feedback. You can contact them via email, phone, or chat if you have any questions or issues regarding Toontrack EZdrummer 218 or any other product. You can also find helpful resources such as manuals, tutorials, videos, forums, FAQs, and more on the official website of Toontrack. You can also join the community of Toontrack users and share your ideas, feedback, tips, and tricks with other musicians and sound engineers.
Conclusion
To conclude, Toontrack EZdrummer 218 is a professional and easy-to-use drum software that can help you create realistic and customized drum tracks for your music production. It has many features and benefits that make it one of the most popular and widely used drum software in the market. It is compatible with most DAWs and formats, and it has a large and diverse library of sounds, grooves, presets, and more. It also has a user-friendly interface and workflow that can help you create professional-sounding drum tracks in minutes. However, Toontrack EZdrummer 218 also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of, such as its high disk space and RAM requirements, its lack of some advanced features, and its need for additional purchases of expansion packs. You should also compare Toontrack EZdrummer 218 with other drum software before making your final decision. Toontrack EZdrummer 218 is available for purchase and download from the official website of Toontrack or other online stores and platforms that sell music software. You can also enjoy the excellent customer support and feedback from Toontrack and its community of users. If you are looking for a professional and easy-to-use drum software that can help you create realistic and customized drum tracks for your music production, you might want to check out Toontrack EZdrummer 218.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Toontrack EZdrummer 218:
Q: What is the difference between EZdrummer 2 and EZdrummer 218?
A: EZdrummer 218 is the latest version of the EZdrummer series, which has some improvements and new features over EZdrummer 2. Some of the main differences are:
EZdrummer 218 has a 64-bit audio engine that supports multi-core processing, sample rate conversion, latency compensation, offline rendering, and more.
EZdrummer 218 has a new Track Transformer feature that allows you to transform any groove into something completely new and different.
EZdrummer 218 has a new Drum Library feature that allows you to access thousands of high-quality drum sounds that are recorded with multiple microphones in various studios.
EZdrummer 218 has a new Search Browser feature that allows you to find the perfect groove, kit, or preset for your song.
EZdrummer 218 has a new User Interface that is more modern and sleek.
Q: How many expansion packs are available for Toontrack EZdrummer 218?
A: There are over 40 expansion packs available for Toontrack EZdrummer 218, which cover various genres, styles, eras, artists, and regions. Some of the most popular expansion packs are:
Metal Machine EZX
Pop/Rock EZX
Jazz EZX
Hip Hop! EZX
Reggae EZX
Americana EZX
Nashville EZX
Latin Percussion EZX
Electronic EZX
Rock Solid EZX
Q: Can I use Toontrack EZdrummer 218 with my electronic drum kit?
A: Yes, you can use Toontrack EZdrummer 218 with your electronic drum kit. You just need to connect your electronic drum kit to your computer via MIDI or USB, and then assign the MIDI notes to the corresponding drums in Toontrack EZdrummer 218. You can also use the MIDI mapping feature to customize the mapping according to your preferences.
Q: Can I import my own samples into Toontrack EZdrummer 218?
A: Yes, you can import your own samples into Toontrack EZdrummer 218. You just need to drag and drop your samples into the Drums section, and then adjust their parameters as you wish. You can also save your custom kit as a preset for future use.
Q: Can I export my drum track as a MIDI or audio file from Toontrack EZdrummer 218?
A: Yes, you can export your drum track as a MIDI or audio file from Toontrack EZdrummer 218. You just need to click on the Export button in the Song Track section, and then choose the format, quality, destination, and name of your file. You can also export individual drums or channels as separate files if you want. dcd2dc6462