Toontrack EKX: Melodic Percussion - Wood

Orchestral Gems

A marimba, a xylophone, MIDI and presets - all in one expansion for EZkeys 2.

As obvious in soundtracks and classical arrangements as in anything from pop and rock to hip-hip and all thinkable offshoots of electronic dance music, the marimba and the xylophone are the uncontested big two in the family of wooden melodic percussive instruments.

The dark, rich, full, earthy and plucky sound of the marimba is as ideal for arpeggios and leads in an EDM track as it is for a dramatic segue in a film.

Equally, the more accentuated, bright and dry tone of the xylophone is an amazing and piercingly effective melodic voice in any context it's used.

Recorded to cater to anything from full-scale classical compositions to any general songwriting needs, both instruments were captured at the famed 330 square meter main hall at Galaxy Studios using an array of different microphones.

In addition to a generous selection of close mics positioned to pick up the immediate attack and body of each instrument, several mics were positioned around them for complete surround sound compatibility in up to 5.0 systems.

In addition, the marimba was also recorded in the smaller Studio 1 room to offer an even more intimate take on the same instrument.

Aside from the instruments, this EKX also includes a basic library of MIDI unique to the product as well as a broad collection of presets showcasing the sounds and microphone options in anything from the scaled-down to the monumentally big.

Be it for classical, acoustic or electronic - if you're looking for the quintessential melodic percussion instruments that can be seamlessly applied in virtually any musical narrative, this EKX is for you.

Features

• Marimba and xylophone
• Captured at the Galaxy Studios in Belgium
• Marimba recorded in two different room ambiences (hall and studio)
• Ready for mixes in stereo up to 5.0 surround
• Comes with mix-ready presets for different configurations, microphone setups and sounds
• Includes a MIDI library unique to the product

The Marimba

With its mellow, woody, dark and utterly engulfing tone, the marimba represents a unique expression that fits just as well in classical compositions as in pop and rock.

Simply put, a timeless instrument with an iconic tone.

The Xylophone

It may look like a spitting image of the marimba, but - rest assured - it has its own and completely unique voice.

With a harder wood in its bars and an overall higher and more narrow range, the xylophone is its perfect counterpart.

One Hall To Rule Them All

Immaculate acoustics in utter silence.

With its 330 square meter room and eight meter ceiling height, the main hall at Galaxy Studios in Belgium was the ideal location for capturing these instruments with a surround setup of microphones.

In addition to having immaculate acoustic qualities, the entire studio complex is built on springs to ensure that any outside interference is literally nonexistent.

In fact, with only 14 dBA of environmental noise, this room is the most quiet recording space of this size in the world.

The Mics & The Rooms

In addition to the carefully positioned close mics intended to pick up the attack and direct total presence of the instruments, this sound library was recorded using eleven additional room microphones set up in a surround configuration.

This will enable you to use these instruments way beyond the conventional.

The Presets

Both instruments have their own bespoke selection of mix-ready presets.

Each preset opens up its own set of controls for microphones and effects.

With these, you can easily alter, tweak or fine-tune the sound to perfectly suit your mix.

Should you wish to route an instrument to your DAW for further processing, use any of the various Multi-Out out presets.

In addition to offering unsaturated takes of each instrument, these settings will distribute all stereo microphones in each recorded configuration of the instrument to its own channels and allow you to mix in up to 5.0 surround.

The MIDI

This EKX includes its own unique collection of song parts and phrases inspired by popular music genres commonly associated with the instruments.

Close to all "song" folders contain one corresponding section each for the marimba and the xylophone, allowing you to arrange custom ensemble pieces where both instruments play together.

As always, the profound set of features in EZkeys 2 designed for tailoring MIDI to fit your needs will let you expand on these basic ideas and take them to whatever musical space your songs call for.