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Arkaic · Post by **Arkaic** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:11 pm

Besides just playing around with it? I've read the manual, but that hasn't really helped me learn how to design a patch on my own or create a good sound. I understand most of the basics of synthesis, I just need to learn to "put together the pieces" if you will.

So, advice? Tips? Suggestions? Insults

?

(and from what I've gathered, there are no tutorials)

mkastrup · Post by **mkastrup** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:28 pm

Have you got the basics of zebralette ?

Provide or explain 3 examples of what your trying to achieve.

/Michael

advaya · Post by **advaya** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:29 pm

There is a soundset (not free though) called Transmission, which has a whole lot of patch 'templates'. They range from simple 1 osc setups, up to more complex stuff like 4OP FM and comb filtering.

On top of the templates, you also get a pretty nice set of presets that cover a wide range of sounds/styles.

It's a good soundset and study.

Cheers.

Arkaic · Post by **Arkaic** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:41 pm

mkastrup wrote:Have you got the basics of zebralette ?

Provide or explain 3 examples of what your trying to achieve.

/Michael

Well, to clarify, I know what each function of zebra does. The problem is, I don't know how to apply my knowledge and utilize each function to produce a sound that I'm looking for. I want to be able to think of a sound I want, and then go and create it in Zebra.

It's like:

Step 1: Use Zebra
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit!

I'm lost on step 2, how to use zebra to get the sound I want.

dacaumodo · Post by **dacaumodo** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:51 pm

Step two is called: "experimentation". Sorry I'm not trying to be a smartass, or to give you the usual useless advice 'try it for yourself', 'do what's good for you', etc. but I really think that experimentation is the missing link and there's not jumping that bit.

Take a piano. You know the notes, you may know some chord formations, even a few scales. How do you make music out of that? Experimentation. I think it's the same sort of thing with sound designing.

One good way (perhaps) would be to do some self-teaching 'reverse engineering', in the form of breaking down a preset. Take a preset that's relatively close to what you're aiming for, and strip it down/tweak it until it sounds the way you want it to. Hopefully, you'll learn a thing or two in the process.

This of course applies to any synth.

Please ignore this if it's not helpful.

mkastrup · Post by **mkastrup** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:53 pm

Arkaic wrote:
mkastrup wrote:Have you got the basics of zebralette ?

Provide or explain 3 examples of what your trying to achieve.

/Michael
Well, to clarify, I know what each function of zebra does. The problem is, I don't know how to apply my knowledge and utilize each function to produce a sound that I'm looking for. I want to be able to think of a sound I want, and then go and create it in Zebra.

It's like:

Step 1: Use Zebra
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit!

I'm lost on step 2, how to use zebra to get the sound I want.

Well if you know what each function do then it should be an easy task to make what you want to make

What i think is essential to knowing Zebra is you get familiar with the filters and learn how they react. Keep in mind that filters can be stacked to a different response, eg. LP 12 stacked with LP 12 provides a thicker filter (24 db).

Next thing is the oscillator FXs, how do each FX affect the current OSC setting. Try each FX with a sine, Saw, Square and additive waveform.

Next step would be learn to manipulate the filter and OSC FX's by ENV module and LFO's.

You still with me or are you wayyy passed these things ?

/Michael

advaya · Post by **advaya** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:00 pm

mkastrup wrote:You still with me or are you wayyy passed these things ?

you lost me at 'function do'

OK, OK... not funny...

mkastrup · Post by **mkastrup** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:09 pm

advaya wrote:
mkastrup wrote:You still with me or are you wayyy passed these things ?
you lost me at 'function do'

OK, OK... not funny...

Come on

you got to be more specific

Its very hard to judge where or which stage your at from the post you made.
It might seem obvious to you but believe me, i dont have a clue how to approach you on this thing unless you give me an clear indication of where you are besides some where between Use Zebra and Profit

I'm really trying to help.

EDIT lol lol sorry i mixed up these conversations... lol but ill keep the text just as a reminder for me to remember check WHO is writing what and where....

/Michael

advaya · Post by **advaya** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:15 pm

mkastrup wrote:Come on you got to be more specific

I was just kidding Michael. (it was just a small jab at the grammatical error there).

Not entirely useful in the context of this thread, but it did take my mind of my headache for a moment!

mkastrup · Post by **mkastrup** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:19 pm

advaya wrote:
mkastrup wrote:Come on you got to be more specific
I was just kidding Michael. (it was just a small jab at the grammatical error there).

Not entirely useful in the context of this thread, but it did take my mind of my headache for a moment!

Read my reply to the function do... my mistake i thought you were Arkaic. I mixed up your two names heh heh sorry

/Michael

advaya · Post by **advaya** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:27 pm

I'll bow out now... I really oughta do something semi-productive today.

Ciao.

tylenol · Post by **tylenol** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:54 pm

Arkaic wrote:I want to be able to think of a sound I want, and then go and create it in Zebra.

Well, I'm not really much beyond the stage you're at, but in my experience it doesn't work like this until you've actually already created a similar sound in some synth and have some idea of how to go about it in a practical way. So you won't get this ability without a lot of experimentation and patch deconstruction.

One related exercise that can be a interesting is to take a patch in some other synth and try to recreate it in zebra. This forces you to understand what's going on in a more practical way than patch deconstruction of zebra patches, which I sometimes find to be an intellectual exercise that doesn't translate into practical knowledge. Patch translation also seriously acquaints you with all the little details that are different between synths.

Also, once you've created a patch, try to find some interesting mappings for every single XY grid. I've started doing this and it not only makes me think harder about what tweaking all sorts of parameters can do, it makes me experiment with parts of zebra that I haven't really used. It also gives a way to tweak parameters experimentally while keeping a baseline sound that you can come back to.

lotus2035 · Post by **lotus2035** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:03 pm

What's the best way to become acquainted with Zebra?

A movie, some wining and dining and a late night "cup of coffee" in that order...should do the trick...

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:56 pm

Look at how the presets you like the sound of are created. Ones that have XY assignments, tweak those and listen to the changes, see what is being modulated, then you can understand the effect.

The easiest way to start is by tweaking existing presets rather than starting from scratch. Ten at some point you will be ready to create presets from scratch and actually end up going where you intended...

nononzenze · Post by **nononzenze** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:26 pm

I must admit it's not easy to master Zebra. What helps is to find a few examples how to create basic leads, pads, drums, strings, etc. You can get them from a magazine, book or forum. These setups are similar to all synths.
While getting used to these basic configurations, try adding different filters, effects, modulations, etc.
After a while you'll get the hang of it. It's not really different than any other synth if you can grab the basics.

good luck.