- Setting up external hardware<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- Navigating EZDrummer 2<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Loading samples and kits<\/a><\/strong>
- Import MIDI loops<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Create and arrange songs<\/a><\/strong>
- Arranging songs<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Setup and navigation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Toontrack\u2019s EZDrummer 2 is a virtual drum instrument that you can use either on its own or as a plug-in within your DAW. After registering and installing the software, you can launch the desktop app or load it as a virtual instrument track. All of the functions remain the same, both as a plug-in inside a DAW and standalone mode. If you just want to practice some music or need to get a quick arrangement down, use standalone mode to save some time. If you\u2019re planning on recording, though, consider using it as a virtual instrument within your DAW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>Setting up external hardware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re using an external audio interface, electronic drum set or an external MIDI controller, now is a great time to set them up. This way, you won\u2019t have to make any changes to settings or presets in the future. Make sure that the audio settings and MIDI hardware settings match those of your gear. First, you\u2019ll need to connect it to your computer<\/a> then enable and configure the hardware <\/a>within EZDrummer 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>Navigating EZDrummer 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are four tabs on the main window of EZDrummer 2: Drums<\/strong>, Browser<\/strong>, Search<\/strong>, and Mixer<\/strong>. When you first open the program, a drum kit is already preloaded and ready for you to play. If you want to load a loop or change levels to individual drums, you\u2019ll need to use the tabs to get to the correct spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Drums<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The Drums<\/strong> tab is where you can preview and change drum kits and individual drum samples. You can also adjust settings such as the volume and pitch of the drums and cymbals from here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Browser<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The Browser<\/strong> tab is where you\u2019ll locate libraries, preview, and add MIDI loops to your song. To select a loop, select the EZdrummer library where the loop is, then select the variation. To preview the loop, press the Play<\/strong> button next to it. To add that loop to your song, drag it from the Browser window down to the track section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Search<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
In the Search tab, you can search and sort MIDI loops by library, genre, type (like a fill or beat), style, and time signature. If you click Tap 2 Find<\/strong>, you can play a drum beat, then EZDrummer 2 will list loops and fills which match yours most. Alternatively, you can click and drag a MIDI loop into the MIDI drop zone<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mixer<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
In the Mixer<\/strong> tab, you can adjust the levels and panning of each drum, work with effects such as reverb and compression, and make any output routing changes. Toontrack included many mixing presets, including built-in effects and preset levels and panning for each drum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s Multichannel?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re changing the output routing, you\u2019ll notice a Multichannel<\/strong> option. With Multichannel enabled, it will allow you to route drums to individual audio tracks within your DAW. This is particularly useful during the mixing process since you\u2019ll have complete control over the levels and effects of each drum and cymbals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nLoading samples and kits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are a few ways you can load a drum kit within EZDrummer 2. You can either load a preset kit and change individual samples or create your own from scratch. You can also load mixing presets to help you find the right sound. Follow these steps to load a drum sample or kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Changing a sample<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
- Right-click a drum or cymbal and select a sample. <\/li>
- If you want to use a sample from another EZDrummer library, click the orange drop-down box within the sample window, then select the library where the sample resides.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Preset drum kits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
- Right-click any drum or cymbal within the Drum<\/strong> tab.<\/li>
- Navigate to the Kit<\/strong> dropdown box, then select a preset kit.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Creating a kit from scratch<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
- Right-click any drum or cymbal within the Drum<\/strong> tab.<\/li>
- Navigate to the Kit<\/strong> dropdown box, then select Empty Kit<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Load the samples of your choice by right-clicking the drum or cymbal.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Saving and loading custom kits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Once you\u2019ve built a drum kit you like, you can save it as a preset for future projects. Click the Kit<\/strong> dropdown box, then click Save As<\/strong>. To load the custom kit, navigate to Kits >User kits<\/strong> within the Kit<\/strong> dropdown box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Import MIDI loops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have custom MIDI drum beats, you can import them into EZDrummer. The process is straightforward, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Click Browser<\/strong>, click the three horizontal lines, then select Manage MIDI Libraries<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Click Add Folder to User Libraries<\/strong>, navigate to the folder where your MIDI files are stored, then click Select Folder<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Make sure Include In Search<\/strong> is checked, then click OK<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nCreate and arrange songs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The bottom portion of the EZDrummer 2 window is for creating and arranging songs. From here, you can drag and drop preset MIDI loops from the Browser<\/strong> or Search<\/strong> window, record MIDI, and arrange your songs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Recording in Standalone mode.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recording tracks<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
You can record your own tracks within EZDrummer 2 by clicking the Record button, then pressing the Play<\/strong> button. Check out our guide on recording in EZdrummer 2<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using preset loops<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Navigate to the Browser<\/strong> or Search<\/strong> tab, locate the loop you want to use, then drag it into the Song track section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do I load preset loops in my DAW?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re using EZDrummer 2 within a DAW, you can drag and drop a loop from the Browser<\/strong> or Search<\/strong> window onto the EZDrummer virtual instrument track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arranging songs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re writing a song and need to create an arrangement, you have a few options available. The Song Creator feature has preset song arrangements that are useful if you need to record an idea quickly. You can also build your own arrangement and save it to Song Creator for later use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Click Add Folder to User Libraries<\/strong>, navigate to the folder where your MIDI files are stored, then click Select Folder<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Navigate to the Kit<\/strong> dropdown box, then select Empty Kit<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Navigate to the Kit<\/strong> dropdown box, then select a preset kit.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Right-click any drum or cymbal within the Drum<\/strong> tab.<\/li>
- Create and arrange songs<\/a><\/strong>
- Navigating EZDrummer 2<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
![\"Song](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/02\/Song-creator.png\")
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