- Publisher: Toontrack
- Product: EZkeys 2
- Release: V.R
- Version: 2.1.2
- Format: AU, VST3, SAL, AAX*
- Requirements: Windows 7 or higher, macOS 10.10 or higher
Your creative journey with EZkeys 2 is about to become even smoother, more intuitive, and robust. We’re thrilled to announce the release of EZkeys 2 v2.1.2, a significant free update packed with workflow enhancements, new features, critical bug fixes, and an important step towards future compatibility.
Crucially, please note that EZkeys 2 version 2.1.2 is required for the support of all new EZkeys sound expansions (EKXs) released from Q2 2025 onwards. Updating today ensures your EZkeys 2 environment is ready for the exciting new sounds on the horizon.
What’s New and Improved in EZkeys 2 v2.1.2?
This update touches nearly every aspect of EZkeys 2, refining its powerful features and addressing user feedback to deliver an even more polished experience.
1. Enhanced Visuals & User Interface:
- New 50% GUI Scale: For users seeking a more compact interface, especially on smaller screens or within complex DAW sessions, a new “50%” option has been added to the GUI scaling, offering greater layout flexibility.
- Universal Instrument Panel (Keys Tab): The helpful Instrument Panel, displaying Sustain, Sostenuto, and Soft pedal status, is now available in all EZkeys libraries (for those that didn’t already feature one), providing consistent visual feedback for your performance articulations.
2. Streamlined Songwriting & Composition (Song Track):
- Intuitive Time Signature Editing: The Time Signature editor now features convenient right-click menus on time signature blocks for quicker adjustments.
- Clearer Follow Host Logic: The tempo button is now intelligently disabled when “Follow Host” is active, preventing accidental tempo changes within EZkeys when slaved to your DAW.
- Enhanced Chord Wheel Functionality:
- The plus and minus buttons for Inversion are now enabled even when Automatic mode is on; clicking them seamlessly switches to Manual mode.
- When multiple chords are selected, changing the Inversion now applies the same relative number of steps to each chord, maintaining harmonic relationships during batch edits.
- You can now directly enter complex b9#9 chords using text input in the chord wheel, speeding up the creation of sophisticated harmonies.
3. Smarter Groove Interaction & Editing:
- Refined Grooves Tab Filtering: The logic for selecting filters has been updated. Notably, clicking an already selected filter will deselect it if it’s the only one chosen in its column. If multiple filters are active, clicking one will make it the sole selected filter, simplifying navigation and refinement of your groove searches.
- Improved Auto Swing Resolution (Grid Editor): The “Auto” function for Swing Resolution in the Grid Editor now analyzes the overall resolution of the selected MIDI notes, rather than defaulting to the smallest resolution found, resulting in more musically appropriate swing application.
- Efficient Tool Switching (Grid Editor): Mac users can now use Cmd-Alt, and Windows users Alt, to temporarily switch to the other editing tool in the Grid Editor, streamlining the editing process without constant tool reselection.
4. Bandmate Enhancements:
- Helpful “Standard Groove” Addition: In certain cases, a new “standard groove” option will now appear at the top of Bandmate search results, offering a quick, foundational starting point.
- Expanded Accessibility: We’ve continued our commitment to accessibility. In the Grooves tab, the filter columns and the result rows are now accessible, improving navigation for users relying on assistive technologies. On Mac, VoiceOver will now provide more descriptive feedback for editable labels.
5. Instrument-Specific Refinements:
- String Machine EKX Expression Control: When the String Machine EKX is loaded, all velocity controls are now intelligently replaced with expression controls (similar to the Session Organ EKX), offering more nuanced dynamic shaping appropriate for sustained string sounds.
6. Mac Installation Update:
- On macOS, deleting a plug-in (AU, VST, AAX) or the standalone application from your disk and then running the EZkeys 2 software installer will no longer deselect it by default on the “Customize” page. To prevent a specific plug-in format from being installed, you will now need to run the uninstaller first, and then deselect the format in the installer. This change aims to prevent accidental uninstallation of desired formats during updates.
Comprehensive Bug Fixes for Peak Performance & Stability
Version 2.1.2 also brings an extensive list of bug fixes, addressing a wide array of reported issues to ensure EZkeys 2 runs more smoothly and reliably than ever before. These fixes span across the entire application, from general UI behavior to deep audio engine functions.
Key Areas of Improvement:
- General Stability & UI:
- Resolved issues with mouse cursor behavior in Apple hosts on Apple silicon Macs.
- Fixed potential crashes related to very large GUI window sizes on Mac and when switching to larger GUI scales in Pro Tools.
- Ensured MIDI Learn controls display correct values when the plugin window is reopened.
- Improved recording of effect knob automation (parameter curves) in DAWs using Touch or Latch mode.
- Corrected behavior of the preset modification asterisk.
- Audio Engine:
- Eliminated cracks and pops when using hosts (like Cubase) that send negative sample positions during playback start.
- Song Track Reliability:
- Numerous fixes for chord analysis, bass note placement, and how notes interact with chord changes.
- Addressed issues with MIDI syncing when dragged under chords or pasted onto existing grooves, especially with syncopated chords.
- Resolved potential note overlaps or movements when moving or splitting chords.
- Fixed chord preview playback when closing the chord wheel and issues with dragging chords from the wheel.
- Corrected “m13” chord text entry.
- Improved behavior of “Adjust Notes to Scale” with “Replace MIDI” or “Suggest Chords.”
- Addressed various recording bugs related to loop areas, minimized song track, and overlapping MIDI blocks, including ensuring note-offs are added correctly.
- Fixed “Select Containing Folder in Grooves” functionality across different systems.
- Ensured MIDI import dialog correctly offers the time signature import option.
- Edit Play Style Precision:
- Fixed octave control potentially leaving notes ringing between chords.
- Ensured correct initial expression values when adding Expression via Edit Play Style in Session Organ or String Machine.
- Grooves Tab Functionality:
- Prevented excluding a folder from disabling all filters.
- Corrected the order of suggested words in the search field.
- Ensured proper CC value setting during MIDI file previews.
- Tap2Find Accuracy:
- Ensured “note off” messages are correctly applied when a key is held at the end of a Tap2Find recording loop.
- Grid Editor Enhancements:
- The chord wheel can now be opened in a detached Grid Editor.
- Corrected triplet display when loading projects with triplet resolution.
- Improved graphical representation for the Length slider.
- Fixed the “Exclude” feature in the Select menu.
- Resolved issues with duplicating muted notes and prevented re-humanization of notes duplicated with Alt/Ctrl-drag.
- Fixed tooltip behavior in CC and pitch editors and note graphic updates.
- Ensured the Grid Editor expands correctly when Follow Host extends the song track length.
- Bandmate Performance:
- Alphabetized the genre list (with exceptions for common genres at the top).
- Fixed issues where changing velocity could unintentionally alter other parameters.
- Enabled double-click to reset Velocity and Swing knobs.
- Ensured Auto-Inversion and Adjust Notes to Scale are applied correctly when adding chords with the Chord Tool or changing the key.
- Improved positioning when dragging Bandmate output grooves to the song track.
- Corrected audio waveform drawing at high zoom levels.
- Fixed a potential crash when deleting all chords under source audio/MIDI and then attempting to drag it.
- Accessibility:
- On Mac, improved VoiceOver feedback for editable labels.
- Using main tab buttons no longer shifts keyboard focus unexpectedly.
This comprehensive attention to detail means a more stable, predictable, and enjoyable creative environment for all EZkeys 2 users.
Future-Proof Your Music: The Path to New Sounds
As Toontrack continues to develop innovative and inspiring sound expansions (EKXs) for EZkeys 2, maintaining compatibility is key. Version 2.1.2 is a mandatory update to support all new EKXs scheduled for release from the second quarter of 2025 onwards. By updating now, you ensure seamless integration with future sounds, keeping your creative palette fresh and expansive.
Who Should Update?
If you are an EZkeys 2 user, this update is highly recommended. It’s free, enhances functionality, improves stability significantly, and prepares your system for upcoming sound expansions.
Get Your Update Today!
Don’t miss out on these valuable improvements and essential compatibility updates. Elevate your EZkeys 2 experience to the next level. Download EZkeys 2 v2.1.2 now!