Questions about Zebra Structure

[Dunc]

Hi Urs (or anyone that can answer this)

Is it possible to get 2 oscillators that are side by side in the same row, differant columns, connected to the input of one filter ?

Been trying to do this and can't figure it. What does "same" apply to, in the input menu ?

Just trying to get my head round the possibilities.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.


Dunc

[Urs]

That's simple. Or not.

First off, some modules *add* to the chain, others *replace*.

Oscillators add. That means, stack 4 in one column and in the end you have the sum of all 4 oscs. Put a filter behind and all 4 oscs go through that filter.

Naturally, filters *replace*. Behind a filter you only have the filtered signal, but not the dry signal anymore.

A special case are FMOs. They typically replace, but the "FM self (+)" mode lets them add. In latter case, the FMO frequency modulates itself, hence doesn't take the input and thus doesn't have to replace it.

Now the inputs. Any module takes an input from any of the 4 channels. Regardless if it adds or replaces. Thus you can even use oscillators to easily split the signal chain, although they do not do anything to the input. They just mix it to the channel they reside on.

"Same" means, when you drag an osc or a filter from channel 2 to channel 4 it will automatically "switch" from input 2 to input 4. Makes it easier to drag stuff around.

Hope this makes it a bit more clear...

Cheers,

Urs

[Urs]

Addendum: Comb filters *replace*, but they have a "Dry" parameter. So they can do both, add *and* replace. Just like about anything that hangs out in the effects section.

[beej]

Thanks for that, I had the exact same "problem" as the initial poster

[Urs]

Thanks for that, I had the exact same "problem" as the initial poster

Heh

I hope it has become a bit more clear... it's not easy to explain...

The whole modularity concept is strictly digital. Stuff happens one after the other, left to right, top down. No circular routings.

On the other hand, the Grid is a perfect representation of what's really happening underneath: 4 (stereo) sample buffers. A module takes the samples from one buffer, does some stuff and writes it to another buffer. The buffer it reads from is determined by the input channel. The buffer it writes to is determined by its position in the Grid. If a modules reads from another buffer than it sits on, the buffer it reads from is not affected by the process. Thus the signal splits.

This is super simple, tech wise, it is optimal for digital processing / memory usage and I think it's even as simple to use... once one gets used to it.

Cheers,

Urs

[beej]

Yeah it's nice once you understand the concept, it's just initially not obvious because you don't expect an oscillator module to actually be a mixer module as well (ie mixing in the audio coming in from it's upstream line to the signal generated by itself

You see, the modern stuff is starting to be conceptually different from "tradiitional" synthesis so us old-timer's sometime scratch our heads at what is in essence very simple - just 'cos it "breaks" our habits. I think that's a good thing

[Dunc]

Hi Urs,

Sorry if I'm being a pain and I know I'm being stupid...
I still don't see how I can implement something like below. Without a module like a Filter having the ability to accept 2 or more inputs, how can I achieve this kind of connection like I've tried to show below.

Osc 1 Osc 2
||
| |
|________|
|
Filter
|
|

[Dunc]

Hi Urs,

Sorry if I'm being a pain and I know I'm being stupid...
I still don't see how I can implement something like below. Without a module like a Filter having the ability to accept 2 or more inputs, how can I achieve this kind of connection like I've tried to show below.

Osc 1....Osc 2
|________|
|
Filter
|
|

I can't quite get my head around the buffer explanation. Is there something I need to adjust on the Oscillator module to get it just pass an input through itself untouched ?

Dunc

[USB-Tech]

Correct me if I'm wrong but if the oscillators are "adding" modules, just instanciate two oscillators and you're done, I mean the result of their two signals will go into the filter located after...That's what I hear in Zebra...(can't wait for Zebra 3 though, being an old Starsky & Hutch fan )

[Urs]

Dunc,

try this:



This is the structure of Zebra 1.0 back in 2003

First you have OSC1. The OSC2 adds to that. So, after OSC2, you have OSC1 + OSC2 mixed together. Then Noise1 gets added.

So, when the signal reaches the filter, it's OSC1 + OSC2 + Noise1.

Cheers,

Urs

[Dunc]

I hear you USB-TECH + Urs.

So all I do is:

Osc 1
|
Osc 2
|
Filter

Ok. Sounds good but, can I split the signal after that so that they run in parallel and can be further processed differantly. I guess I am referring to a signal splitter of old.

Dunc

[Urs]

No need for signal splitters. Just set vcf2 (or whatever module starts a parallel chain) to Input1.

Urs

[Dunc]

Sorry if I'm being dumb with the questions. Hopefully it will help others too.
I guess I am adept at being dumb...

Dunc.

[Urs]

Sorry if I'm being dumb with the questions. Hopefully it will help others too.
I guess I am adept at being dumb...

No worries man! - This stuff is certainly different from how things use to be. But it's IMHO also pretty comfortable and easy once you get used to it

Cheers,

Urs

[pd]

Sorry if I'm being dumb with the questions. Hopefully it will help others too.
I guess I am adept at being dumb...

Dunc.

I'm glad you asked. I learned too.