Zebra 3 feature suggestions

[biscuitdough]

It could easily remain vaporware. It was probably ready to release soon after they started teasing screens shots a couple years ago, but they wanted to hold off for Z2 sales to slump so that the $30 upgrade to Z3 and patch non-compatibility would combine to give Z2 sales a shot in the arm.

Two years or so later, the "do everything" synth would have to catch up to Avenger in terms of doing everything, and it might be easier to start from scratch.

I'm not saying this is definitely the case, but suspicion that it may never be released is justified.

[dermage]

It could easily remain vaporware. It was probably ready to release soon after they started teasing screens shots a couple years ago, but they wanted to hold off for Z2 sales to slump so that the $30 upgrade to Z3 and patch non-compatibility would combine to give Z2 sales a shot in the arm.

Two years or so later, the "do everything" synth would have to catch up to Avenger in terms of doing everything, and it might be easier to start from scratch.

I'm not saying this is definitely the case, but suspicion that it may never be released is justified.

You clearly don't know U-HE.
What you said may be true for other industry heavyweights, but Urs always communicated very transparently and if you've read the posts back then, you should know that it was a mockup of parts of the interfaces. I'm sure they will release it when it's done in their eyes, as any good artist who knows when the art/the product is finished.

[biscuitdough]

It could easily remain vaporware. It was probably ready to release soon after they started teasing screens shots a couple years ago, but they wanted to hold off for Z2 sales to slump so that the $30 upgrade to Z3 and patch non-compatibility would combine to give Z2 sales a shot in the arm.

Two years or so later, the "do everything" synth would have to catch up to Avenger in terms of doing everything, and it might be easier to start from scratch.

I'm not saying this is definitely the case, but suspicion that it may never be released is justified.

You clearly don't know U-HE.
What you said may be true for other industry heavyweights, but Urs always communicated very transparently and if you've read the posts back then, you should know that it was a mockup of parts of the interfaces. I'm sure they will release it when it's done in their eyes, as any good artist who knows when the art/the product is finished.

u-he does seem to be a really consistent, transparent and ethical company. It's still a business though, and those teasers were accompanied by a release date that was, at the time, in the near future. I don't think the screen shots were just mockups.

[dermage]

It could easily remain vaporware. It was probably ready to release soon after they started teasing screens shots a couple years ago, but they wanted to hold off for Z2 sales to slump so that the $30 upgrade to Z3 and patch non-compatibility would combine to give Z2 sales a shot in the arm.

Two years or so later, the "do everything" synth would have to catch up to Avenger in terms of doing everything, and it might be easier to start from scratch.

I'm not saying this is definitely the case, but suspicion that it may never be released is justified.

You clearly don't know U-HE.
What you said may be true for other industry heavyweights, but Urs always communicated very transparently and if you've read the posts back then, you should know that it was a mockup of parts of the interfaces. I'm sure they will release it when it's done in their eyes, as any good artist who knows when the art/the product is finished.

u-he does seem to be a really consistent, transparent and ethical company. It's still a business though, and those teasers were accompanied by a release date that was, at the time, in the near future. I don't think the screen shots were just mockups.

That's a valid point, although it looks more like they are not satisfied with the product yet. Also the Screenshots were only modules, not the full synth. I did not have the impression it's nearing completion.

[EvilDragon]

I don't think the screen shots were just mockups.

Well, they were

[biscuitdough]

I don't think the screen shots were just mockups.

Well, they were

"The most common use of mockups in software development is to create user interfaces that show the end user what the software will look like without having to build the software or the underlying functionality. Software UI mockups can range from very simple hand drawn screen layouts, through realistic bitmaps, to semi functional user interfaces developed in a software development tool." (wikipedia)

If they hadn't designed any software at the time, that would explain the delay. If that's the case they made a huge mistake announcing a release date so early. I was just assuming they had, you know, released several successful synths before and wouldn't do that.

[digitalboytn]

I think that unlike the Big X,u-he want to at least get Zebra 3 to the beta stage before they release it

Take your time boys and don't be seduced by the private equity cash

[dermage]

I don't think the screen shots were just mockups.

Well, they were

"The most common use of mockups in software development is to create user interfaces that show the end user what the software will look like without having to build the software or the underlying functionality. Software UI mockups can range from very simple hand drawn screen layouts, through realistic bitmaps, to semi functional user interfaces developed in a software development tool." (wikipedia)

If they hadn't designed any software at the time, that would explain the delay. If that's the case they made a huge mistake announcing a release date so early. I was just assuming they had, you know, released several successful synths before and wouldn't do that.

They have of course, and I'm pretty sure with that, a lot of code done already which will power Z3. In modern software development code is re-used in several components (e.g. synths, effects, vst loading etc.).
So Z3 is no complete rewrite, but utilizes several components from their framework. Of course the single VST/AU is not yet done, which glues and integrates all these components. But as I said, I'm sure they already have done a lot of components which will be used. And most certainly Urs et al have a testbed plugin where they test these already for sound and usability, but without a beautiful GUI. At least that's how I and many others work in development.

So the next months until next year, they will work on the main component, to bring all these together and maybe at SuperBooth 2020 we will see a beta?!

[omiroad]

I think the thread got derailed.

"Zebra 3 feature suggestions"

[pdxindy]

If they hadn't designed any software at the time, that would explain the delay. If that's the case they made a huge mistake announcing a release date so early. I was just assuming they had, you know, released several successful synths before and wouldn't do that.

There was never a 'release date' announced. Urs sometimes gives hopeful estimates of when he would like to see something released. And that is an ongoing process and frequently qualified with 'it could well be different' statements.

I can understand someone reading a single comment out of context could be confused. But as someone who has followed this forum since Zebra 2 was released, there has never been a point where I had the impression Zebra 3 was close. Comments such as 'if all goes well there might be a public beta next year' indicate to me that it is far away.

When other projects have taken priority, that has been clearly stated. Likewise when there has been some change to an OS that then requires a bunch of under the hood work for the framework for all the plugins, that is also mentioned.

Urs type of communication is open and iterative, like a flexible, developing conversation. A window into the company that few companies provide. I believe many users welcome that type of conversation.

I disagree with your characterization that a mistake has been made. In fact there is no problem at all. Zebra 3 will get here when it gets here. In the meantime, Zebra 2 has continued to be developed and supported. By common standard, Zebra 2 could easily be called Zebra 4 with all the improvements and new features added over the years...

[Urs]

Yeah, hmm. I can't recall ever posting a release date. I do recall saying though that updating all our plugins to full Unicode support (and VST3, and ...) was a rough trip, one which we had to finance with new releases. And which is still ongoing, and which has to finish before we can fully concentrate on Z3. Mind you, we're now more than half way through this process.

But yes, loads of things have already been developed. They just don't manifest in teaser videos or other marketing materials.

[digitalboytn]

But yes, loads of things have already been developed. They just don't manifest in teaser videos or other marketing materials.

Very diplomatic Urs...

You couldn't be tempted to release a video of a spikey object spinning on a orbit so tight that there's not enough centrifugal force to release anything substantial from it's core ?

Those clowns in the marketing departments have a lot to answer for,but they have to justify their large salaries and their vaulted positions within the hierarchies...

I've barely scratched the surface of Zebra 2,so I'm in no rush to add anything more to the mix at this stage...

Like I said,take your time boys and don't be tempted by the injection of private equity funds...

That private equity cash can be a real ball crusher

[mtelesha]

And which is still ongoing, and which has to finish before we can fully concentrate on Z3. Mind you, we're now more than half way through this process.

But yes, loads of things have already been developed. They just don't manifest in teaser videos or other marketing materials.

Urs, I own almost every instrument you make due to your business practices and just plain old awesome tools for making cool sounds. Take your time I think Zebra 2 is still super competitive to all the competition and the pads sounds between Diva and Zebra 2 are second to none.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Frankly, I'm fed up and I WON'T be buying Zebra3!

...I'll be getting it for free (as a Z2+Dark Zebra owner). Which is generous. So I can wait. I guess I'm not fed up. Not about this anyway.

[lovelights]

I could wait 10 years for an upgrade, the Zebra 2.8 is in my humble opinion a superb Synth. don't fix something already working fantastic. When Z3 is out people will ask when Z4 is coming, its a never-ending story for better tech. Zebra 2.8 is still a massive synth and VERY up to date wich, you can explore and learn from every day. ( Of cause I am looking forward to Zebra 3 a lot )

Z3 Suggestions: It could be cool with a smart randomization parameter button for each module in the upcoming Z3 like there is in Melda Productions MPowersynth. Also, a wider UI so you could see all or more modules without scrolling up and down.