zebra2

[spaceman]

aaaaah... I don't get the pops if I do it visa versa.. put KeyFol as modulator and envelope as via source

[Urs]

Oh... you're modulating Reverb parameters?

There are two pitfalls:

First, it can easily pop, because if you play a new note, the voice assigned to that note will "take over" the modulation of global parameters, such as the reverb stuff. Thus, although possible, these types of modulation must be considered carefully. In most cases a little tweaking helps.

Secondly, there's something unfinished in the preview version. This is a special adaptive algorithm that lets voice modulators (LFOs, Envs, MSEGs) continue to process when they modulate global parameters, even when the voice itself has already stopped playing. This stuff is a bit voodoo, so I've postponed it until everything is there. But as some esoteric modulators (ModMixer, KeyVelScaler, ModScaler, ArpMods) havn't made it until now, I didn't dare starting on voodoo stuff

Cheers,

Urs

[spaceman]

ah, ok

I get it working ok now with the settings I've got.. for more 'extreme' settings I might have to modulate a mixer instead then

nice to have options.. woohooo!!!

[Dunc]

Hi Urs

Sorry about the late post, being doing new house things all day.

I got the presets from Sascha Franck's post at the top of page 6 in this topic.

The presets do have the .fxp ending.
I created the folder within Windows explorer in the Zebra folder where the other preset folders reside. The even stranger thing is that, if I view the preset folders, there are no contents, i.e. no presets...huh!

Are the original presets built into the dll file ?

I'm baffled...

Dunc

[Urs]

Hi Urs

Sorry about the late post, being doing new house things all day.

I got the presets from Sascha Franck's post at the top of page 6 in this topic.

The presets do have the .fxp ending.
I created the folder within Windows explorer in the Zebra folder where the other preset folders reside. The even stranger thing is that, if I view the preset folders, there are no contents, i.e. no presets...huh!

Are the original presets built into the dll file ?

I'm baffled...

Dunc

Well, where exactly are you looking then?

Zebra loads its presets (all normal .fxp) from this directory:

C:\program files\u-he\Presets\Zebra2\

This is where it has installed all the presets from the uhe_data folder when you started it the first time.

It does so, because if it left them in the uhe_data folder and you store your own presets into it and I make an update available and you copy it all over the old one and the old uhe_data folder gets trashed, all the presets you have saved would be gone. That's why there is a "safe" location outside, and this is currently in C:\program files\u-he\ where all information is stored that should better survive updates.

One old time bug though: Directories within the preset structure must have a length of at least 4 letters if they shall be shown in the preset browser. Don't remember exactly why it does this, but I'll remove that limitation asap.

Cheers,

Urs

[Dunc]

Aha ! You have pointed to the problem.

When I unpacked the software I did as the readme file said to do and dragged the Zebra folder to my VST plugin folder (which is C:\VST).

Being the _uckwit I am, I did not know that Zebra creates a DATA folder in the programs folder when it starts.

I now see the presets...much joy unto the heavens. Thanks for your help.

One thing that may perhaps help clarify things for the future, i.e. me in the future. Could you put something into the Readme Text, saying that Zebra creates the Data folder when it starts up and where to find it.

I know that this has been my problem but, as they say, for every 25 people doing things correctly there is always one dumbass that breaks it..

Thanks again Urs.

Dunc

[Urs]

One thing that may perhaps help clarify things for the future, i.e. me in the future. Could you put something into the Readme Text, saying that Zebra creates the Data folder when it starts up and where to find it.

Dude, that's totally my fault

I have this info in all my other plugs (well, Filterscape and the magazine freebees). Just Monday, you know, it was kinda hell of a day... I announced availablility of the preview somewhen in the evening hours, and arrgh... so much stuff to do... I was actually happy that I managed *some* sort of a readme...

Glad it works for you now!

Cheers,

Urs

[pd]

Just got zebra 2 demo. Yes its good. I like some presets. But in my opinion it cant touch VAZ Modular sound (well at least i was thinking that it will )

Hmmm, isn't VAZ intended to be analog sounding? Zebra definately isn't. Thus if you are searching for analogesque sounds in Z2, it isn't for you. If you're searching for sculpturesque sounds, or for DX/PPG/Ensoniq style sounds, then you might want to check out Z2.

Cheers,

Urs

I don't know Urs. I think you might be selling yourself short here.

I spent about an hour with the Vaz Mod demo alongside Zebra 2. I used the "xy synth" patch on Vaz Mod and started with the "AmbienTB303XY" synth on Z2. After turning off the effects and turning the OSC1 poly to single, I was able to get the same kind of sound by playing with the filters and a few other things.

I think it sounds about the same. Perhaps, that was a bad patch to choose on Vaz Mod but, Z2 sounded just as analog to me.

Note that I do think Vaz Mod is a great synth and it will remain on my shopping list but I just think that zebra is more analog sounding than what the presets show.

Regards, Phil.

[Urs]

I just think that zebra is more analog sounding than what the presets show.

This is certainly true.

I got a first bunch of presets-in-the-worx from smoo, who also did that little bank for the Filterscapes. That stuff is surprisingly close to the real thing!

Nevertheless, although it's pretty easy to come up with fresh sounds in Z2, going into the realm of analog simulation requires some training IMHO. You have to know the filter characteristics and how they depend on the oscillator volume, you have to experiment / get comfortable with the variable slope envelopes and you have to check out how to make waveforms sound analog.

I find, a good trick for analog feeling is the "Odd for Even" effect in the Osc FX tab. Use it on a plain sawtooth and turn it left, say, half way down. That way you emphasize even harmonics and the overall impression is more mellow. While this has nothing to do with the way analog works, you instantly get that arpy mood...

For a bit more low end, simply add an FMO on a free channel. In the "more FMO" tab in the bottom, turn its volume down a bit for the higher notes. It might also be nice to tune the FMO one octave lower. This again has nothing to do with analog stuff. But I think it contributes to the analog feeling

Cheers,

Urs

[pd]

Thanks for the tips! Zebra is a very flexible beast.

Phil.

[beej]

Urs - might be a nice idea when Zebra is finally out to have a Zeb tricks and tips section on your site, with these kinds of tips and techniques.

Or even with a little front end that allows users to submit tips as well - tips they have found out or seen on places like KvR etc.

Would be a nice thing to raid for inspiration ;D

[Urs]

Urs - might be a nice idea when Zebra is finally out to have a Zeb tricks and tips section on your site, with these kinds of tips and techniques.

Or even with a little front end that allows users to submit tips as well - tips they have found out or seen on places like KvR etc.

Would be a nice thing to raid for inspiration ;D

Yep! - I'm thinking of a Wiki maybe. Or a yahoo group... the Absynth Mailing List looks like a good thing. I guess Zebra deserves such, too!

Urs

[Sascha Franck]

Yep! - I'm thinking of a Wiki maybe. Or a yahoo group... the Absynth Mailing List looks like a good thing. I guess Zebra deserves such, too!

A mailing list would be fine indeed.
Yet, a dedicated sticky forum wouldn't be all that bad either.

[spaceman]

Thanks for the tips! Zebra is a very flexible beast.

Phil.

it's not as flexible as my G2 though..

Urs!!! can you make it as flexible as my G2?
..and make it sound like a 303 and a minimoog?

well?

[Urs]

it's not as flexible as my G2 though..

Urs!!! can you make it as flexible as my G2?
..and make it sound like a 303 and a minimoog?

Hmmm, last time I saw a G2, it was pretty solid. I couldn't fold it, nor bend it in any way. It's made out of strong plastic, not out of rubber or anything flexible.

Have you bathed it in resolvent ot thinner to make it flexible?

Urs