Mix Module - Problem with 'Pan Mono'-Mode

[Simon-Claudius]

Hello board members !

I just bought Zebra a few days ago and I'm now working my way through the documentation. First of all: I love the synth to bits. It's so well designed. Also the amount of features is just crazy. I'm really, really impressed by the engineering and programming. And it sound lovely ! Urs did an amazing job in my opinion!

But while I was reading the manual recreating all the examples a problem occurred. When I tried to Mix two stereo signals to one mono signal with the mix module using the 'Pan Mono' mode, I could not obtain proper results.
I did as follows: I generated a signal using an oscillator in lane 1 and a noise signal in lane 2. I panned one of the signals to the left and the other one to the right.
Then, I inserted a mix module in lane 1 (after the OSC). I set the input to 'same' and the side chain to '2'. Of course, I muted lane 2's output signal.
As I was told in the manual I then set the the mix to 100% (= 100) but I didn't get a mono signal. I think that it is a mistake on my part and that I misunderstood how that particular mode of the module works.

I'd be very grateful if someone explained to me once more how the mixer actually operates and how I merge two stereo signals of two different lanes two one mono signal.

Oh: Of course I have the newest version of Zebra. My host is Logic Pro.

Thank you very much!
Simon-Claudius

[Howard]

But while I was reading the manual recreating all the examples a problem occurred. When I tried to Mix two stereo signals to one mono signal with the mix module using the 'Pan Mono' mode, I could not obtain proper results. I did as follows: I generated a signal using an oscillator in lane 1 and a noise signal in lane 2. I panned one of the signals to the left and the other one to the right.
Then, I inserted a mix module in lane 1 (after the OSC). I set the input to 'same' and the side chain to '2'. Of course, I muted lane 2's output signal.
As I was told in the manual I then set the the mix to 100% (= 100) but I didn't get a mono signal. I think that it is a mistake on my part and that I misunderstood how that particular mode of the module works.

From the manual: "The Mixer module can also reduce the stereo width of just one signal: Select 'Pan Mono' mode and move the Mix knob - at maximum, the output is 100% mono." That "just one signal" is actually the sidechain input only. Thanks, Simon... I'll improve the info in the manual first, then get back here

[Simon-Claudius]

Thanks, Simon... I'll improve the info in the manual first, then get back here Smile

You're welcome !

I actually was wondering about that particular sentence in the manual ("just one signal") and wether I understood it the right way. Maybe adding that the sidechain input is the one that is transformed into mono would be good. But I'm sure you had something similar in mind !
It's correct that the 'mix' knob simply determines the amount of sidechain sinal vs. input signal, right? And 'pan' merely affects the sidechain input. Those are the things that I "found out" myself (wasn't much to find out, go figure ) and that I didn't get right away reading the manual. Just as a suggestion if you want to change it.

Thank you very much !

[Howard]

Just as a suggestion if you want to change it.

Already changed to reflect what you wrote . The updated manual will be included in the next minor Z2 version - it's not really worth the trouble until then!

[Simon-Claudius]

Thanks a lot, Howard !


Having read the envelope generator section of the manual, I have another suggestion. This might not be necessary for some people, but I think it's quite interesting and might be a nice addition to the documentation:

When it comes to the different shapes of the envelope curves I think it'd be great to have some additional diagrams that show the reader what concave and convex actually means and how it looks for that matter. Also some examples on how it will sound or how the different attributes can be used in sound design would be very helpful in my opinion. It's funny, because that's actually something that I'm still having trouble with while creating my own small synths (in the course of my uni degree I started learning synthesiser programming about 9 months ago). Actually, Zebra and the documentation are great sources to learn from !

Maybe it's overkill - and it is merely a suggestion, but i'd be interested in what you think !

Take care!