The Ultimate Guide to Alt-Rock EZX v1.0.0 (SOUNDBANK): Features, Sounds, and Tips

Alt-Rock EZX v1.0.0 (SOUNDBANK) - A Review

If you are looking for a collection of drums that captures the sound and feel of alternative rock, you might want to check out Alt-Rock EZX v1.0.0 (SOUNDBANK). This product is a collaboration between Toontrack and Steve Albini, one of the most influential producers in rock history. In this review, we will take a closer look at what Alt-Rock EZX has to offer, how to use it, and why you should consider adding it to your arsenal.

Alt-Rock EZX v1.0.0 (SOUNDBANK)

What is Alt-Rock EZX?

Alt-Rock EZX is an expansion pack for Toontrack's EZdrummer 2 and Superior Drummer 3, two of the most popular drum software on the market. It features drums recorded by Steve Albini at his own studio, Electrical Audio, in Chicago. Steve Albini has worked on seminal albums by bands like Nirvana, Pixies, PJ Harvey, and many more. He is known for his raw and organic approach to recording drums, using minimal processing and natural room ambience.

A brief introduction to the product and its features

Alt-Rock EZX gives you access to two full kits and cymbal setups, as well as five additional snares, two kicks, and five cymbals. You also get five percussion instruments, including two Ludwig timpani drums. The drums were recorded using Steve's signature method of mic placement, which involves using only three microphones for each kit: one overhead, one kick, and one snare. This results in a balanced and natural sound that preserves the dynamics and character of each drum.

Alt-Rock EZX also comes with a selection of MIDI drum grooves inspired by alt-rock music. You can use these grooves as they are or tweak them to suit your needs. You can also create your own grooves using the built-in editor or import your own MIDI files. The grooves cover a wide range of tempos and styles, from soft to loud, from simple to complex.

The recording process and the studio

One of the main selling points of Alt-Rock EZX is the recording process and the studio where it was done. Steve Albini built Electrical Audio from scratch, designing every aspect of it to suit his vision. The studio has two main rooms: A and B. Room A is larger and more live-sounding, while Room B is smaller and more controlled. Both rooms have a unique sound that adds depth and character to the drums.

Steve Albini also used his own custom-made equipment to record the drums, such as preamps, compressors, equalizers, and tape machines. He also used vintage microphones from brands like Neumann, AKG, Sennheiser, Shure, and Electro-Voice. He recorded the drums on analog tape at 15 ips (inches per second), which gives them a warm and punchy sound.

The drum kits and cymbals included

Alt-Rock EZX includes two main drum kits: a Ludwig Club Date kit from the 1960s and a DW Collector's Series kit from the 2000s. Both kits have a distinct sound that suits different styles of music. The Ludwig kit has a more vintage vibe, with a dry and crisp tone. The DW kit has a more modern feel, with a bright and clear sound.

The cymbals included are from Zildjian, Sabian, Paiste, Meinl, Istanbul Agop, Bosphorus, UFIP, Wuhan, Dream Cymbals & Gongs, and Spizzichino. They range from hi-hats to rides to crashes to splashes to chinas. They have different sizes, weights, and finishes that affect their sound.

The additional snares are from Ludwig (Black Beauty), Slingerland (Radio King), Pearl (Free Floating Brass), DW (Collector's Series Maple), and Tama (Starclassic Maple). The additional kicks are from Ludwig (26" x 14") and DW (22" x 18"). The additional cymbals are from Zildjian (A Custom Projection Crash), Sabian (HHX Evolution Crash), Paiste (2002 Crash), Meinl (Byzance Dark Crash), and Istanbul Agop (Traditional Dark Crash).

How to use Alt-Rock EZX?

Alt-Rock EZX is easy to use with either EZdrummer 2 or Superior Drummer 3. You just need to install it on your computer and load it in your host software. You can then browse through the presets or create your own sounds.

Installation and compatibility

To install Alt-Rock EZX, you need to download it from Toontrack's website or use a physical installer if you bought it on DVD. You also need to authorize it using Toontrack Product Manager or an offline authorization file. You need about 2.6 GB of free disk space for Alt-Rock EZX.

Alt-Rock EZX is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. It works as a standalone application or as a plugin in any VST, AU or AAX compatible host software. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

MIDI grooves and customization options

Alt-Rock EZX comes with over 400 MIDI grooves that you can drag-and-drop into your host software or play using an external MIDI controller. You can also edit them using the built-in grid editor or import your own MIDI files.

You can customize each drum sound by adjusting parameters like volume, panning, pitch, envelope, damping, and microphone bleed. You can also swap drums within each kit or between kits using the mixer view. You can also add effects like reverb, compression, EQ, distortion, and delay using the built-in effects rack or use external effects plugins.

Mixing and effects

Alt-Rock EZX gives you full control over the mixing process using the mixer view. You can adjust the levels, panning, and routing of each microphone channel as well as apply effects. You can also use presets created by Steve Albini or other Toontrack engineers that match different styles of music.

You can also use the built-in effects rack to add more flavor to your drum sounds. You can choose from over 20 effects modules that cover everything from reverb to distortion. You can also use external effects plugins if you prefer.

Why choose Alt-Rock EZX?

Alt-Rock EZX is a great choice for anyone who wants to create authentic-sounding alt-rock drum tracks with ease. It offers many benefits that make it stand out from other products on the market.

The benefits of using this product

• You get access to drums recorded by one of the most influential producers in rock history, Steve Albini, who has worked on albums by Nirvana, Pixies, PJ Harvey, and many more.

• You get access to drums recorded at Electrical Audio, one of the most renowned studios in the world, built and designed by Steve Albini himself.

• You get access to two full kits and cymbal setups as well as several additional instruments and percussion pieces, all crafted to perfection.

• You get access to over 400 MIDI grooves inspired by alt-rock music that cover a wide range of tempos and styles.

You get access Here is the continuation of the article. The sound quality and versatility

Alt-Rock EZX delivers a superb sound quality that reflects Steve Albini's expertise and vision. The drums sound natural, organic, and dynamic, with a lot of character and depth. The room ambience adds a nice sense of space and realism, without being too overpowering or muddy. The drums also respond well to different playing styles and velocities, giving you a lot of expression and nuance.

Alt-Rock EZX is also very versatile, as it can be used for a wide range of genres and styles, not just alt-rock. You can easily tweak the sounds to suit your preferences and needs, using the built-in mixer and effects. You can also mix and match different kit parts and cymbals to create your own custom kits. Whether you want a big, loud, and aggressive sound or a soft, subtle, and melodic sound, Alt-Rock EZX can deliver it.

The value for money and customer support

Alt-Rock EZX is a great value for money, as it offers a lot of content and features for a reasonable price. You get two full kits and cymbal setups, plus several additional instruments and percussion pieces, all recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio. You also get over 400 MIDI grooves inspired by alt-rock music, plus presets created by Steve Albini and other Toontrack engineers. You also get access to Toontrack's excellent customer support, which is always ready to help you with any issues or questions you might have.

Conclusion

Alt-Rock EZX is a must-have for fans of Steve Albini's iconic drum sound, as well as anyone who wants to create authentic-sounding alt-rock drum tracks with ease. It offers a superb sound quality, a great versatility, and a great value for money. It is easy to use with either EZdrummer 2 or Superior Drummer 3, and it works well with any host software that supports VST, AU or AAX plugins. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, and it supports both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

If you are looking for a collection of drums that captures the sound and feel of alternative rock, you should definitely check out Alt-Rock EZX. It is one of the best products on the market for this genre, and it will not disappoint you.

FAQs

What are the system requirements for Alt-Rock EZX?

To use Alt-Rock EZX, you need either EZdrummer 2 or Superior Drummer 3 installed on your computer. You also need about 2.6 GB of free disk space for Alt-Rock EZX. The minimum system requirements are:

• Windows: Windows 7 or newer (32-bit or 64-bit), Pentium 4 or Athlon processor with 2 GB RAM.

• Mac: Mac OS X 10.6 or higher (32-bit or 64-bit), Intel-based Mac with 2 GB RAM.

How much disk space does Alt-Rock EZX take up?

Alt-Rock EZX takes up about 2.6 GB of disk space when installed.

Can I use Alt-Rock EZX with other drum software?

No, Alt-Rock EZX can only be used with either EZdrummer 2 or Superior Drummer 3.

What genres of music can I create with Alt-Rock EZX?

Alt-Rock EZX is designed for alternative rock music, but it can also be used for other genres and styles that require similar drum sounds. For example, you can use Alt-Rock EZX for indie rock, grunge, shoegaze, noise pop, post-rock, punk rock, hard rock, metal, pop rock, etc.

Where can I buy Alt-Rock EZX?

You can buy Alt-Rock EZX from Toontrack's website or from authorized dealers online or offline.