The strong line-up of shakers extends from small egg shakers to large shekere, maracas and full-bodied models. They are highly authentic, sure, but may not be applicable to many settings outside of the Latin realm. But this does mean that separating these instruments requires some MIDI-based surgery, which may make them less useable as a result. In this regard, Toontrack do not disappoint, which can make for some truly Latin-packed performances. The drum instrument is typically played in an incredibly stylised manner that makes use of its sides and rims, as well as an accompanying cowbell or clave.
Where the percussion construct breaks rank slightly is with the timbale. While the congas sound deep and rich, the bongos are crisp and colourful, and the cajón provides low thumps and high-end slaps. Two ambient signals provide basic room reverberation but with a fairly tight room decay that suits the instrumentation. The sampled instrumental elements are pretty dry, with the onboard mixer providing instrument level control for each. In line with other Toontrack libraries, it’s possible to build entire songs within EZDrummer but, for the ultimate in editing ease, we favour the drag-and-drop approach, with MIDI editing at the DAW level. Latin American music typically features busy rhythmic patterns but these packages feature enough variety that it’s not difficult to find suitable grooves that allow for easy editing. In a three-conga formation with the ability to switch between three models of conga, the included MIDI content allows you to specify between single, two and three-note conga patterns. Many of these elements are typically played simultaneously in band scenarios but there are degrees of isolation here that allow instruments and grooves to be used away from their Latin American origins. Boasting 17 flavours of hand-percussion instrument, this Cuban complement contains all the classic instruments you’re likely to find in Latin music.
Some of the EZX packs move away from the more conventional kit-based form, which is also the case for the Latin Cuban Percussion package. Moreover, these expansion packs may also be used with the more advanced Superior Drummer package.
There’s no shortage of choice with these packs, each of which covers different idioms of global contemporary music. However, it’s the ability to expand EZDrummer’s sonic characteristics and MIDI performance capabilities via the EZX expansion packs that is the concept’s greatest strength. Toontrack’s entry level EZDrummer features superb-sounding drums in a plug-in and standalone format, accompanied by MIDI-based grooves that extend from basic pop styles to virtuosic performances. The Swedish team’s latest EZDrummer expansion packs make light work of such subtleties, letting you master Latin rhythms from the comfort of your DAW.
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