u-he

SaviorNeeded · Post by **SaviorNeeded** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:34 pm

beej wrote:Oh, the expiry thing - the current version works the same as the regular demo - after 10 minutes or so the midi notes you play are at random pitches. That's it.

Well, THAT explains what happened last night!

I'm a hard sell--but Z2 is a must-have for me, so asap I'll join the family.

Tom

beej · Post by **beej** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:35 pm

Urs wrote:I really didn't expect that sometimes people would stuff so many modules into one single patch

Hey, well, when you're in a sweet shop, you wanna try out *all* the candy...

basic channel · Post by **basic channel** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:41 pm

I see ehat you mean about some of the patches...took my PC through the roof on a few (some pads and ambient patches, as usual...)

However many others are pretty modest in terms of cpu.

I'm very tempted by the preorder - but still not sure what it would offer me over and above the squillions of other (mostly underused) VSTi's I have (Reaktor 5, Absynth 3, z3ta+, Rhino 2, Korg Legacy, Wusik etc. etc.).

Aesthetically pleasing GUI mind you.

I think I need to play with it some more

BC

Jeremy_NSL · Post by **Jeremy_NSL** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:46 pm

I think you can safely sell most of your synth gear after you buy Z2. Seriously.

cptgone · Post by **cptgone** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:48 pm

beej wrote:physically modelled oscillators

any info on those? can't find any at the Z2page

beej · Post by **beej** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:53 pm

I can't make up your mind for you, because I too think there are too many (good) synths on the market. For me, it comes down to two things - the sounds it comes with, and how it responds to your own tweakings.

For a complex synth, Zebra really is a joy to program, compared to other things - and I've programmed *a lot* of synths over the years. Plus if you are not into programming, the XY pads can give you a lot of mileage (you can think of them as performance tools and/or "easy edit" pages).

I find Zebra is one of the few synths I can get to sound organic fairly easy - lots of small movement that add some chaotic behaviour and life, and this is one of the things I currently am looking for in synthesised sounds - and yet that chaos is much easier to control than, say, Logic's Sculpture, which can be difficult to tame.

Plus you will be able to run audio through Z2 as well, which offers some nice mangling potential. You already have some great tools though, and if they are underused - why? Not enough time? Difficult to program? Not enough inspiring sounds?

Maybe Z2 would be worth it to you, depending on your tastes and requirements, or maybe not. Only you can tell.

Oh, plus us Zebra users are a nice little community too - one of the only communities in KvR that doesn't constantly bitch about our tools...

(much

)

(Only reason I haven't upgraded yet is to save Urs the work generating a serial, he's got too much to do as it is... hehe)

beej · Post by **beej** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:55 pm

cptgone wrote:
beej wrote:physically modelled oscillators
any info on those? can't find any at the Z2page

They are the 'Comb Filter" modules. You can also feed oscillators into them and modulate the combs. Lots of weird and organic stuff in there, I love them. Oh, and the simple FM oscillators I have found surprisingly good too...

Jeremy_NSL · Post by **Jeremy_NSL** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:59 pm

cptgone wrote:
beej wrote:physically modelled oscillators
any info on those? can't find any at the Z2page

There isn't really such an osc by itself.

Rather Z2 does phys-mod stuff by routing any of its sounds though its excellent comb filters. So you could run 4 oscillators through a series of 2 comb filters and get some really crazy, bizarre timbres. Or alternatively you can use just the internal 'PreFill' parameter of the Combs to inject a noise impulse into them.

I wouldn't say this aspect of Z2 is particularly easy to program, but with practice you can get some excellent plucked strings, orchestral strings, ethnic strings, flutes, really insane fx etc. I haven't been able to come up with any brass stuff, but probably other more talented designers have accomplished something

cptgone · Post by **cptgone** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:01 pm

are you saying you can use comb filters as oscillators?

basic channel · Post by **basic channel** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:05 pm

beej wrote:I can't make up your mind for you, because I too think there are too many (good) synths on the market. For me, it comes down to two things - the sounds it comes with, and how it responds to your own tweakings.

You already have some great tools though, and if they are underused - why? Not enough time? Difficult to program? Not enough inspiring sounds?

thanks again

Underused because:

- more money than sense...I'm a cash strapped developers wet dream
- have very little time to actually sit down and learn how to use, what are often very complicated tools (demanding job, 2 small children etc.)
- as an extension of 2, am still learning how to use the numerous hosts I have

I guess I need to get more focused...

BC

PS I always seem to have a glass of red wine in me hand

cptgone · Post by **cptgone** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:10 pm

Jeremy_NSL wrote:There isn't really such an osc by itself.

Rather Z2 does phys-mod stuff by routing any of its sounds though its excellent comb filters.

I see. Comb filters are cool. Like Basic Channel, I'm trying to resist the pre-order offer. I know, I should try the demo... But I'm a little afraid to

That Grid feature sure looks cool. I'm sure Zebra2 is gonna be a top VSTi.

beej · Post by **beej** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:11 pm

cptgone wrote:are you saying you can use comb filters as oscillators?

Add one comb to the grid, turn up the "prefill" knob, and play with the other knobs.

See, it's an oscillator module

Feed in other oscillators, or modulate the parameters for more options.

beej · Post by **beej** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:15 pm

basic channel wrote:Underused because:
- more money than sense...I'm a cash strapped developers wet dream

Hehe - I definitely have more sense than money - and I *still* bought it

basic channel wrote:- have very little time to actually sit down and learn how to use, what are often very complicated tools (demanding job, 2 small children etc.)
- as an extension of 2, am still learning how to use the numerous hosts I have

In which case (sorry Urs), is another synth really that necessary? Is it gonna fill an unused gap that you need? Or.. well sod it, if you got the money, why not..?

basic channel wrote:PS I always seem to have a glass of red wine in me hand

Don't worry, it doesn't show (much)

cptgone · Post by **cptgone** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:24 pm

beej wrote:
cptgone wrote:are you saying you can use comb filters as oscillators?
Add one comb to the grid, turn up the "prefill" knob, and play with the other knobs.

See, it's an oscillator module

Feed in other oscillators, or modulate the parameters for more options.

OK, OK, I'll try the demo (my credit card is suspiciously watching my every move I make as I type this

one of these days it's gonna bite me, I'm sure)

basic channel · Post by **basic channel** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:25 pm

beej wrote:
In which case (sorry Urs), is another synth really that necessary? Is it gonna fill an unused gap that you need? Or.. well sod it, if you got the money, why not..?

Don't get me wrong - I take my music very seriously. I'm a BIG electronica fan (my nickname and sig should give it away...)

And no, I don't really need Zebra 2 but I'm really enjoying playing around with it and..and..I can afford to get my lad the scooter he wants and treat myself so, sod it, I'm sold.

Got yourself another frequent visitor to this forum

BC

u-he

KVR Audio

Zebra 2 looks very interesting...