A piano library better than EZ Keys?

[wendylanders]

Hello Everybody!

I got feedback from a screener that I could do better with my piano samples. I'm using EZ Keys, which I like a lot. The screener did not like the effect I used. It wasn't just the plain vanilla recording, but it wasn't an "out there" special effect either. I know to record a line of the song live, so listeners can focus on the live part. I'm using gobs of articulations. I have problems using the pedal in EZ Keys, but have put enough slur marks in the midi so that the notes connect. But the screener was pretty clear that he/she thought there was a better sample library for piano out there somewhere. What sample library would he/she be obliquely referring to? Anyone know? Or it really just a question of getting better at using EZ Keys?

The first part of the song is on my website if you want to hear it so that you will know what I'm talking about. http://www.wendylanders.com It's on the website player, Dieting after She Died piano theme.

Thanks,

Wendy Landers

[waveheavy]

I got to agree, the effect I don't think is right for that piece. If the piano was just serving like a background in a wider instrumentated piece it might work, but not as a solo piece. If you wanted a tremolo effect, probably would have been better to use a Rhodes patch for example. That kind of tremolo effect you used just doesn't sound natural on an acoustic piano.

Take some time to listen to some real pianos on YouTube at highest audio rate. You should hear a fullness of the sustained notes when they ring, and the softness of the hammers when played softly, and clarity with the high notes. Hard to describe the sound. There's just volumes of overtones present with a good sounding piano.

Keyscape
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slYbmxaBo-I

Vintage D by Best Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9hbgN-wDBE

Hans Zimmer Piano
https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/ ... mer-piano/

[markhimley]

+1 for Keyscape by Spectrasonics. IMHO it is the best sounding piano library out there - and there are 36 different instruments, from acoustic pianos to Rhodes, electric keyboards, toy pianos, celeste, wurlitzers, etc. Absolutely fantastic sounding - I've actually had people ask me where I recorded my pianos when using Keyscape. Can't recommend it enough!

[wendylanders]

THANK YOU!

[WeWillWriteUaSong]

I also love EZ Keys and use it most of the time. My other favorite piano that sounds just spectacular is Alicia's Keys for Kontakt. I would use this all the time but honestly I use EZKeys a little more cuz of the super quick loading time haha. I also have Addictive Keys which is very very nice as well. I love the freedom and customiz'ability of the addictive products.

[Kolstad]

I dunno, EZ Keys are pretty good and certainly pro level. It's actually made by Sampletekk.
For the track, though, it sounded thin and the tremolo fx made it sound digital, so I'd suggest to play the melody an octave lover, so you get more bass, and without the tremolo. The "live" patch with the grand piano in EZ Keys is pretty real sounding, beause it also have a little room on, which make it sound more like you'd expect to hear a piano in a room.

I also have Keyscape, and it certainly is good. It is also quite demanding on your computer and you'll need an SSD to run it smoothly, but if that is not an issue, it's great, imo. Hovever, I still use EZ Keys for some things. It's not either/or, it's both/and.

[wendylanders]

Thanks for the detail, Kolstad.

EZ Keys are sold as background, so having a different piano library to go with them as foreground makes sense.

I gotta get a new computer, it's time, so I will keep the SSD card in mind while I'm looking.

Best!

Wendy

[Len911]

I know to record a line of the song live, so listeners can focus on the live part. I'm using gobs of articulations. I have problems using the pedal in EZ Keys, but have put enough slur marks in the midi so that the notes connect.

After listening, I'd say this is your primary problem, and the effect isn't so great as well, but I don't think it is the sampling quality itself.

I don't think you are taking advantage of the "EZ Keys" concept. They have various midi paks with different styles, and song sections, so basically all you have to do is a 1 finger melody with all the soul you can muster, and enter the chords. The only midi you should be adjusting is the melody.

[wendylanders]

Thanks for listening!

I've got the jazz midi and it really didn't fit what I was trying to do. EZ Keys doesn't really have a classical midi pack, although some of the other midi packs could be modified to fit. EZ Drummer doesn't have a classical drummer pack either, which would have been good on this piece. I was looking for a timpani for a while.

I'm also paranoid about my room reverb, although why I don't know. The last time I recorded something on my own, the screener liked it slightly better than this one. Which is good to know. I could just break down and record it in two tracks. That might be the easiest solution.

Over the next few weeks, I will be redoing the piece. I will be sure to post it for comparison.

Many thanks!

Wendy

[Len911]

I've got the jazz midi and it really didn't fit what I was trying to do. EZ Keys doesn't really have a classical midi pack, although some of the other midi packs could be modified to fit.

Classical isn't really a style, more about arpeggios and counter point composing perhaps.
An arpeggiator might be more useful. Basically you place the notes of a chord on your midi track, insert the arpeggiator, and create midi patterns and sequences. Your daw probably has one included. There are third party ones as well, with varying degrees of clunkiness and/or ease of use, probably many have presets and can tweek to make exactly what you want.

This is an example, this particular one is no longer available, but it has a couple demonstrations of a "classical piano" preset, to give you an idea of what an arpeggiator is.
https://youtu.be/7PM8p2UfmwE