ZPC #5 poll

[xh3rv]

Thanks for expressing interest! These poll options are possible themes for this and probably some future contests. Of course suggestions are welcome, and any option will probably be made more specific if it's used (especially regarding number of modules or XYs etc.)

If anyone has any minor / major points about how these contests have been run, please feel free to post or let me know via PM. Hakey did a great job of with the first contests and has handed it off to us to keep going, so let's make it work and make it fun!

I'll post the proper contest thread on Saturday, there's occasionally a few tweaks or clarifications needed so an officially final declaration of theme etc. on Monday. Urs has announced that there is a special prize for this one, which is great because my idea (win an actual Zebra) wasn't going to work out I bet Urs's will sound and smell better anyway.

[elxsound]

Hakey, hats off to you man. Great job keeping things going, especially considering all the changes to each contest for various reasons... no doubt a tough project, but all the work really was appreciated.

xh3rv... again, welcome! I just added my vote, but look forward to any of these.

[hakey]

Maybe Urs could sticky this? (And unsticky the two PC4 threads)

[sinzero]

Anything but a patch (any Zebra patching resources other than a patch - oscillators, MSEGs etc.)

please explain this one

thx!

[Debby747]

I would welcome another contest inviting us with lesser astonishing patch creating abilities. That's why I voted for the "2 OSC + 1 XMF" option.

While it will be fun for me to try to achieve something usable,
I am also looking forward to get new jaw-dropping lessons from advanced users.

[xh3rv]

The one thing with the 2 osc + 1 xmf theme is, it's a lot different if people don't use Zebra v2.5. It should really be done when everyone is using the expanded functionality of the v2.5 XMF. So I guess if anyone can't use 2.5 as it is now, please post.

I'm thinking limiting FX to 3 modules also would help that way (with an exception for EQ and compression, since they can be more corrective than creative).

[e] Thanks for the sticky!

[hakey]

I voted for the XMF thing for the same reasons as Debby - I like the restricted themes FWIW, I think that it would be even better if it was an XMF plus just one other module (of any kind) with unrestricted effects.

And +1 for using 2.5

[kodama]

I voted for the XMF thing for the same reasons as Debby - I like the restricted themes FWIW, I think that it would be even better if it was an XMF plus just one other module (of any kind) with unrestricted effects.

And +1 for using 2.5

+1 on both accounts, except I would say one effect max...

[xh3rv]

I voted for the XMF thing for the same reasons as Debby - I like the restricted themes FWIW, I think that it would be even better if it was an XMF plus just one other module (of any kind) with unrestricted effects.

And +1 for using 2.5

Maybe XMF + one or two sound generating modules of any kind? Nothing about a second sound source makes a patch better by default, and one sound source is just as valid as two. Given that the XMF has a sidechain though I feel like we'd be ignoring that if it were limited to one sound source.

Instead of number of FX, maybe it'd be better to just ask people to not go overboard on this one? Overuse of FX is a distraction from the theme but dynamics, space, frequency response are all pretty fundamental considerations when designing a patch and I feel like too strict of a limit could turn people off.

E.g. I think it'd be kind of wrong for the challenge to do something uninspired on the synth grid, and then use all the filters and shapers plus a sideband and phaser as the primary tools for shaping the sound. But something like a LP filter and a compressor in the FX grid might help a bass stay strong and tame it down in the upper frequencies, more corrective than creative stuff. A chorus and a reverb is really not overboard for a pad, etc.

Anything but a patch (any Zebra patching resources other than a patch - oscillators, MSEGs etc.)

please explain this one

thx!

I think we'd want submissions of a few OSC or a category of MSEG presets, also Zebrify can have presets. As an example, say I had a 'sub-bass' oscillator with several appropriate waveforms, a filter OSC FX, etc. - something like that could be useful for layering in a bass sound.

This theme might not be a good fit for a competition, it would have to be recycled a bit. These sorts of content very nice to have though, they are definitely important to Zebra.

[blurk]

So I guess if anyone can't use 2.5 as it is now, please post.

I'm still planning on holding off upgrading as there still appear to be some issues (like this) and because of the "don't mess with projects already in progress" issues that I've discussed before.

[elxsound]

So I guess if anyone can't use 2.5 as it is now, please post.

I'm still planning on holding off upgrading as there still appear to be some issues (like this) and because of the "don't mess with projects already in progress" issues that I've discussed before.

But all that says is simply that the new version hasn't corrected anything from the 2.3 version... so might not be a best example (but I still understand the worry).

Also, apparently you can install the 2.5 version in a separate folder, which leaves your 2.3 version intact and therefore won't brake any current projects.

At this point I believe anything created in 2.3 will sound the same in 2.5. It just won't sound good if you create a patch in 2.3 mode and then open in the actual 2.3 version (just listen to the disaster of my patch entry for last contest).


Don't get me wrong... I'm certainly not pressuring you to add 2.5 at all. I have no interest in installing 2.31 again in a different folder so I don't blame you if you don't want to do the same for 2.5. I also don't know if I'll even have time for another contest, (although I've found chipping away a little each day at a patch can be almost therapeutic), but simply adding my 2 cents (which I'm never short on) and stating a preference for making this a 2.5 contest.

For all we know, Urs might just hammer out the last of the bugs before the end of the contest and at that point it wouldn't even make sense for another 2.3 contest. Maybe that's wishful thinking, but still it's worth considering.

Now if A.C.E. turns out to be the prize, then you can count me in for sure... I'll even install 2.3 again just to get a crack at using what looks to be a beauty.

[Urs]

I think that you should move on to 2.5 with the contest. There have been some installation issues here or there (mostly notably with double installs on Mac) but other than that no flaw/issue/bug on 2.5 isn't also present in 2.3. To the contrary, 2.5 fixes a lot of flaws/issues/bugs from 2.3

Now if A.C.E. turns out to be the prize, then you can count me in for sure... I'll even install 2.3 again just to get a crack at using what looks to be a beauty.

A little beauty she is, and you can put Any Cable Everywhere

[autodafe]

Now if A.C.E. turns out to be the prize, then you can count me in for sure...

what's that??

[Urs]

Now if A.C.E. turns out to be the prize, then you can count me in for sure...

what's that??

Like that alpha of Bazille, A.C.E. is a precursor to Berlin Modular... a nice little synth, conceptually between ARP 2600, MS-20 and SH-07, filling the gap between low cost synths and extraordinary sonic capabilities. Not promising anything though. It's still in alpha, too but I've planned to release it early in December.

[autodafe]

OK, clearer now!