Toontrack has released its 70th EZX expansion pack: the New Orleans EZX by
drummer Terence Higgins (Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Dirty Dozen Brass Band) and
multi-award-winning engineer/producer/mixer Misha Kachkachishvili (Jon Batiste,
Ziggy Modeliste, Smokey Robinson).
The New Orleans EZX was sampled by Higgins and recorded at Esplanade Studios,
one of the hubs of today’s New Orleans recording circuit. The main recording room
in Studio A alone boasts a staggering 315 sq m space with ceilings up to 8 m high.
Naturally, the ambience is awe-inspiring. For this recording, however, the drums
were partially sectioned off using gobos to create a lively yet viscerally close feel.
The EZX includes two separate libraries, Traditional and Artist, each featuring a
range of instruments carefully selected by Higgins.
The first fully hones in on the historical and includes a turn-of-the-century kit straight
from the archives of the New Orleans Jazz Museum, complete with a unique set of
crashes as well as a pair of rare “sock” foot cymbals – an early 20th century
precursor to the modern-day hi-hat. In addition, two extra bass drums – one of which
came straight off the stage at Preservation Hall, two rare snares – one of which is an
antique parade drum, and a carefully selected set of percussion pieces pivotal to the
New Orleans lineage are included. These cover a washboard, two cowbells, a bottle,
a pandeiro drum as well as a handmade wood-and-metal “junk” hi-hat providing a
characteristically swampy sound.
The Artist portion of the library features kits that are modern in comparison, all
inspired by the sounds from the 1950s onward.
All in all, the EZX includes five authentic-sounding kits, each representing its own
defining mile marker in the evolution of the inimitable New Orleans sound.
The expansion pack is available now for download
Toontrack releases New Orleans EZX
