u-he

nel · Post by **nel** » Mon May 13, 2013 3:39 pm

Hi, I'm new to the forum, I got zebra last month and first I have to say I love it. My question is: I have seen in some hardware synths that have a "hold" or "latch" setting that basically make a note or a chord to be held once you hit the respective key(s) and the note(s) keep playing until you hit another key, and so on... Since I'm looking forward to make zebra part of my live setup, this option will make a great tool because I play the guitar so I'm planning on doing both. Is there a way I can achieve that with Zebra?

I'm running: Logic pro 8 / M-audio Axiom 61

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question but I'm not a synth or keyboard player, I'm a guitar player trying to expand my music creation possibilities and I love synth sounds (also I can say that after getting zebra I'm hooked

)

Thank you in advance for your replies.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Mon May 13, 2013 4:38 pm

Unfortunately I don't think Zebra has a latch play mode.

Howard · Post by **Howard** » Mon May 13, 2013 7:44 pm

Plug a toogle switch into the sustain pedal socket on your MIDI keyboard/controller?

nel · Post by **nel** » Mon May 13, 2013 7:56 pm

That sounds like a good workaround, I'll try that. Thanks a lot

zington · Post by **zington** » Tue May 14, 2013 12:23 am

If you have access to a MIDI controller with an extra knob/slider, try programming it to send MIDI CC 64 with a any data value from 64-127. CC 64 with data value 0-63 to disable sustain.
cheers

WolfKay · Post by **WolfKay** » Tue May 14, 2013 12:26 pm

Sure, but these are just workarounds...
Imo the only real solution is for Urs to implement a dedicated "Hold" button.
This feature is essential when you want to focus on the timbre of a sound, or when you work on long evolving sounds and textures. And, of course, while using arpeggiator and sequencer programming.
Therefore, this option should be managed by the plug-in itself, not by an external device.
It would be great if such a "Hold" button was added to all U-He synths.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Tue May 14, 2013 12:55 pm

If you don't have a sustain pedal, you're missing out on a lot. "Hold" button on the interface? Oh come on. Just use the freaking pedal.

nel · Post by **nel** » Tue May 14, 2013 12:56 pm

WolfKay wrote:Sure, but these are just workarounds...
Imo the only real solution is for Urs to implement a dedicated "Hold" button.
This feature is essential when you want to focus on the timbre of a sound, or when you work on long evolving sounds and textures. And, of course, while using arpeggiator and sequencer programming.
Therefore, this option should be managed by the plug-in itself, not by an external device.
It would be great if such a "Hold" button was added to all U-He synths.

I completely agree with you, Zebra is such a powerful synth and in a live situation I think the hold option is essential for performance, freeing your hands to be more flexible in real time.

I tried using the sustain pedal and it works, but not in the way a true hold option would, the problem is that when pressing a different key or chord it is just adds to the the sound of the previous one(s) when it should eliminate it, so in order for you to do this you have to trigger the pedal to kill the previous notes, but you end up out of sync and it's somehow challenging… like you said, just a workaround, not a real solution.

I hope the next version/updates will add this option.

Thanks for your replies!

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Tue May 14, 2013 12:58 pm

nel wrote:I tried using the sustain pedal and it works, but not in the way a true hold option would, the problem is that when pressing a different key or chord it is just adds to the the sound of the previous one(s) when it should eliminate it, so in order for you to do this you have to trigger the pedal to kill the previous notes, but you end up out of sync and it's somehow challenging… like you said, just a workaround, not a real solution.

That's how sustain pedals work - they free your hands, you use your foot.

And they have been the staple of live performers for centuries now.

So, just learn how to use the sustain pedal properly - release the pedal just before you change the chord, then press it again. It's totally possible to stay in sync, just needs a bit of practice.

nel · Post by **nel** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:19 pm

EvilDragon wrote:That's how sustain pedals work - they free your hands, you use your foot. And they have been the staple of live performers for centuries now.

So, just learn how to use the sustain pedal properly - release the pedal just before you change the chord, then press it again. It's totally possible to stay in sync, just needs a bit of practice.

I Understand that's how sustain pedals work, but my goal is not using the sustain pedal as such, besides it will be difficult for me to use it like a pro because I'm not a keyboard player, and I find very difficult believe that I will master the art of release and press the pedal on an arpeggio 1/8 at 120bpm and land exactly on time with the beat and then go back to my guitar to keep the grove on while in front of 50 people

So a "hold" option will be perfect in this case right? stress free! with awesome zebra sound

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:23 pm

120 BPM? Oh if you said 200 I might believe ya, but 120 is really easy.

Also, you might want to use a MIDI input quantize plugin to help you stay on time if you're that concerned about your timing.

nel · Post by **nel** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:29 pm

Sorry, not the best keyboardist in the world here, and not trying to be either.

Actually that MIDI input quantize plugin sounds like a good idea, do you know about one in specific I could use in Logic?

Thanks for your help!

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:43 pm

I would have hoped Logic might have one built into itself somewhere? I don't know, I use Reaper

Ch00rD · Post by **Ch00rD** » Tue May 14, 2013 2:06 pm

zington wrote:If you have access to a MIDI controller with an extra knob/slider, try programming it to send MIDI CC 64 with a any data value from 64-127. CC 64 with data value 0-63 to disable sustain.
cheers

Minor correction: for u-he plug-ins, the value range is 0 = off; 1-127 = on.

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Tue May 14, 2013 3:24 pm

nel wrote:
EvilDragon wrote:That's how sustain pedals work - they free your hands, you use your foot. And they have been the staple of live performers for centuries now.

So, just learn how to use the sustain pedal properly - release the pedal just before you change the chord, then press it again. It's totally possible to stay in sync, just needs a bit of practice.
I Understand that's how sustain pedals work, but my goal is not using the sustain pedal as such, besides it will be difficult for me to use it like a pro because I'm not a keyboard player, and I find very difficult believe that I will master the art of release and press the pedal on an arpeggio 1/8 at 120bpm and land exactly on time with the beat and then go back to my guitar to keep the grove on while in front of 50 people So a "hold" option will be perfect in this case right? stress free! with awesome zebra sound

use a 3rd party arpeggiator that has a hold function... Kirnu Cream for example

u-he

KVR Audio

"hold" option in zebra?