Zebra2 Inconsistencies When Recreating Presets

[Dim Vision]

I've been learning to use Zebra2 by opening up two instances of the synth: one a reference preset, and the other INIT. I then recreate the reference preset from scratch in the second synth instance.

A problem I run into often is inconsistencies, usually relating to amplitude and brightness of oscillators. A simple example would be trying to recreate just the Osc 1 on the bass preset titled HS Bass One+. I've scoured the synth top to bottom trying to just get the Osc 1 to sound identical in both instances, but the reference preset is apparently 50% lower in volume. I've confirmed that it isn't something on my tracks in Ableton Live 9 Suite, nor does it appear to be a bug in the second instance of the synth since I've created it again in a new track and synth instance, and I don't think I've overlooked any parameter. The level knobs, Osc settings, and Env are identical.

In other cases I have observed oscillator FX such as Filter and Phase XFER producing inconsistent brightness across my two synth instances. I was not able to recreate the lead preset titled HS Tiled Plastifone perfectly either.

In all cases with Oscillators, I INIT the Osc then copy and paste the reference Osc in the correct mode. Not sure if this is relevant to mention, but it just seems like most of the time the problems seem to relate to the Oscillators.

Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this? I've used this learning technique in other synths such as Sylenth1, Spire, and Serum, and I can't really recall running into this problem. I could almost always recreate a preset identically if I matched the settings.

[Dim Vision]

I think I solved this. I didn't notice 2.3 and 2.5 modes. The reference presets were in 2.3, whereas I was working in 2.5 in the other. Setting them the same seems to have resolved it.

[bmrzycki]

Yep, the 2.3 -> 2.5 modes can be a bit confusing. There's a thread from 2009 that talks about the differences.

viewtopic.php?t=263686

[jandojando]

I think I solved this. I didn't notice 2.3 and 2.5 modes. The reference presets were in 2.3, whereas I was working in 2.5 in the other. Setting them the same seems to have resolved it.

A few years later, and I'm running into this exact same problem. But I'm not getting it right, also when I switch to 2.3 mode.

What I do is, I copy the OSC1 waveset from the HS Bass One+ preset, and I copy it into INIT OSC1, set to 2.5 and I've also tried 2.3.

I just can't seem the get the sound right, even when the wavesets look totally simular?

[jandojando]

removing the second oscillator makes it sound very simular though, in case anyone is trying to get this sound too

[Howard]

It sounds EXACTLY the same if you are careful about matching levels and modulation speeds/depths etc.. There are no inherent inconsistencies.

[jandojando]

Right, thanks. I'll give it an other try!

Just got confused of having copied the exact same values on any setting and not getting the sound, and got more confused by learning about the 2.3 --> 2.5 thing. Well most important is I got the basic idea of creating this type of bass sound by using this type of method

[Howard]

…copied the exact same values on any setting and not getting the sound

Check LFO 1 rate, LFO1 -> OSC Phase modulation depth, volumes etc.. If they are really all the same, the sound will be 100% the same.

[jandojando]

Now I know what the problem was, the value of OSC2 in the mixer is set to 0. It is there for the XY perform settings, now I get it!

That's what I had missed, so you are right

[chrisjordan1]

I believe I've figured it out. 2.3 and 2.5 modes were unnoticed by me. In one case, the reference settings were in 2.3, but I was working in 2.5. Setting them to the same value appears to have fixed the problem.