u-he @ Superbooth 25 - Zebra 3, Uhbik 2, Cen2rion, CVilization

[Urs]

With the amount of complexities of all the Osc types and modulations in Z3, I feel like it could recreate almost any sounds if the user was capable enough. Did you ever thought about doing something similar to Synplant 2 AI genopatch? IIRC that synth only has 2 osc and it did quite a good job at recreating, now imagine Z3.

I think Synplant works so well *because* it has only 2 oscillators. It's not a limitation, it's an advantage.

I'm fascinated by AI, but training and running an AI on a 2000+ parameter synth would be a nightmare. Magnus did the right thing with Synplant, but we'd be stupid to expect to be able to pull off something similar for Zebra. We'd have to work within vast constraints, like different templates for different types of sounds, and then the outcome might be far from the best one possible. I'm afraid, the best sounds from Zebra will be made by humans. For a many good years to come.

[Shiek927]

I'm afraid, the best sounds from Zebra will be made by humans. For a many good years to come.

You say that as if it were a bad thing . Maybe im a bit old school for a millennial, but im not quite ready for a world in which AI does everything for me and there's no growth, exploration, fun, that comes from learning and doing something yourself.

[jtsterays]

With the amount of complexities of all the Osc types and modulations in Z3, I feel like it could recreate almost any sounds if the user was capable enough. Did you ever thought about doing something similar to Synplant 2 AI genopatch? IIRC that synth only has 2 osc and it did quite a good job at recreating, now imagine Z3.

I think Synplant works so well *because* it has only 2 oscillators. It's not a limitation, it's an advantage.

I'm fascinated by AI, but training and running an AI on a 2000+ parameter synth would be a nightmare. Magnus did the right thing with Synplant, but we'd be stupid to expect to be able to pull off something similar for Zebra. We'd have to work within vast constraints, like different templates for different types of sounds, and then the outcome might be far from the best one possible. I'm afraid, the best sounds from Zebra will be made by humans. For a many good years to come.

Fully agreed on the last part. My main reason for this request is for educational purposes, not beating humans. Would be crazy to see though, maybe 10 more years.

[Shabdahbriah]

[...] Did you ever thought about doing something similar to Synplant 2 AI genopatch? IIRC that synth only has 2 osc and it did quite a good job at recreating, now imagine Z3.

I think Synplant works so well *because* it has only 2 oscillators. It's not a limitation, it's an advantage.

Precisely! One of the most fun/stimulating/interesting beta-testing experiences I've had in the past several years, also.

[jtsterays]

What's spice in the LFO? Can I predict the holy war with that?

[Urs]

What's spice in the LFO? Can I predict the holy war with that?

Like the envelope, the LFO has modifiers to change some things. "Spice" controls the phase by default, but it can also change the curvature of the fade-in, create wobbles or add noise.

It's a bit of a theme in Zebra 3 that some modules have a selection of optional modifiers. This helps to reduce clutter in the UI, and it yet keeps some modules simple.

[wilx]

This all looks/sounds great!

One very small suggestion - I like the look of the Z3 UI, but there's one thing that stands out. Or rather, doesn't! I feel like the most important aspect of any control should be the most contrasty - the thing that you're most likely to need to see at a glance should be easy to discern, and in most of the controls that's exactly how the UI is designed.

In the envelope panels, the most important at-a-glance broad level controls are the ADSR positions, which are currently dull grey against dull grey. I'd like to suggest brightening them to the same level as the other light grey elements, just to make it more obvious at a glance what the envelope looks like - as per this mockup...

ZebEnv.jpg

[jtsterays]

What's spice in the LFO? Can I predict the holy war with that?

Like the envelope, the LFO has modifiers to change some things. "Spice" controls the phase by default, but it can also change the curvature of the fade-in, create wobbles or add noise.

It's a bit of a theme in Zebra 3 that some modules have a selection of optional modifiers. This helps to reduce clutter in the UI, and it yet keeps some modules simple.

I see, that's really cool actually. But why just 1 spice knob only? A combination of all of them could be interesting tho?

[Urs]

What's spice in the LFO? Can I predict the holy war with that?

Like the envelope, the LFO has modifiers to change some things. "Spice" controls the phase by default, but it can also change the curvature of the fade-in, create wobbles or add noise.

It's a bit of a theme in Zebra 3 that some modules have a selection of optional modifiers. This helps to reduce clutter in the UI, and it yet keeps some modules simple.

I see, that's really cool actually. But why just 1 spice knob only? A combination of all of them could be interesting tho?

In most cases one won't combine any of those. E.g. phase control gets useless with chaotic behaviour, and chaotic behaviour defies discernible fade curves.

But if one needs to absolutely get this kind of control, there are ways around it by combining modulations. So the options in the LFOs are just shortcuts to useful things that are possible anyway, but require more setup work.

[Urs]

In the envelope panels, the most important at-a-glance broad level controls are the ADSR positions, which are currently dull grey against dull grey. I'd like to suggest brightening them to the same level as the other light grey elements, just to make it more obvious at a glance what the envelope looks like - as per this mockup...

Yep, thank you, passed that on.

[Fannon]

Just a small observation:

2025-05-07 18_28_35-u-he @ Superbooth 25 - Zebra 3, Uhbik 2, Cen2rion, CVilization - u-he Forum - KV.png

Here it starts with Amp Control, then Pan Control and then Volume mod. If you start with Pan Control, the Amp control could share the Volume mod (or is both just the volume?). Then it would be consistent (and a bit more condense) with the places where the mod is usually below the control it relates to, e.g. like here:

2025-05-07 18_30_38-u-he @ Superbooth 25 - Zebra 3, Uhbik 2, Cen2rion, CVilization - u-he Forum - KV.png

Or did I misunderstood and Amp Control is something different than Volume?

[Urs]

Or did I misunderstood and Amp Control is something different than Volume?

Yes and no. Envelope 1 here is the source of contour of the channel. It also determines when the note ends on that channel. Like, your VCA envelope.

Pan and Volume are like a mixer behind that, where you place that channel in your mix. The Volume control has a modulation source below it, which is consistent with all directly associated modulations in Zebra 3. That modulation can be anything.

[Fannon]

Ok, understood - now it seems obvious

[neuromod]

edit: meh, i'm tired of my own opinions

[coroknight]

Interesting, is the Uhbik Compressor related to Presswerk in any way?