Zebra 3 Public Beta (final beta)

[SamDi]

My feedback is:

Why is the amount of modules limited? Whats the reason to have only 4 filters available in the main grid instead I can instantiante filters until the CPU is burning? The same for the other modules also.
It feels pretty anachronistic for a today's semi-modular synth. Furthermore I would appreciate not be responsible to choose the (ID-)number of the filter. So why can't I say: "take a filter"? Why having to choose between 1,2,3 and 4 instead the program is counting for me? While in the main grid we have at least now some graphics in the Fx grid it's just a drop down box mess.

Second critic is: I would appreciate to have a full modulation matrix and drag&drop approach, instead having all the fields und the parameter knobs. It's very limitating, it's not needed anymore and makes the synth look crowded. What was a good idea in 2007 doesn't mean it's still needed in 2025.

[jtsterays]

My feedback is:

Why is the amount of modules limited? Whats the reason to have only 4 filters available in the main grid instead I can instantiante filters until the CPU is burning? The same for the other modules also.
It feels pretty anachronistic for a today's semi-modular synth. Furthermore I would appreciate not be responsible to choose the (ID-)number of the filter. So why can't I say: "take a filter"? Why having to choose between 1,2,3 and 4 instead the program is counting for me? While in the main grid we have at least now some graphics in the Fx grid it's just a drop down box mess.

Second critic is: I would appreciate to have a full modulation matrix and drag&drop approach, instead having all the fields und the parameter knobs. It's very limitating, it's not needed anymore and makes the synth look crowded. What was a good idea in 2007 doesn't mean it's still needed in 2025.

Limited amount because limitation push creativity. The IDs are there because the filters remember their settings even if deleted. Matrix, drag & drop are all there (bottom). Please spend a little bit more time with the synth.

[Urs]

Btw. happy to discuss making the drag'n'drop modulation more prominent, or moving it elsewhere or have not pop up... we have tried several things during development, and we kind if like it at the bottom, but if someone has a better idea... all ears!

[SamDi]

Limited amount because limitation push creativity. The IDs are there because the filters remember their settings even if deleted. Matrix, drag & drop are all there (bottom). Please spend a little bit more time with the synth.

1.) I don't know how it is about you, but I don't wanna take a semi-modular synth to get creativity pushed by limitation.
2.) Don't see the need of remembering settings of a once deleted filter. But see the need to just beeing able to get a filter module without having to select a number or getting limited.
3.) I am aware that the modulations are at the bottom. But this means the hybrid approach with having modualtion fields under the parameter knobs is not neccessary anymore. For what shall it be good? It's so naughties.Don't need to spend more time with the synth to come to this conclusion.

[jtsterays]

Btw. happy to discuss making the drag'n'drop modulation more prominent, or moving it elsewhere or have not pop up... we have tried several things during development, and we kind if like it at the bottom, but if someone has a better idea... all ears!

Pretty happy with the current setup, but I think you can try putting all of these (just envs & LFOs) to here, but vertical. Tucked in that gap. It will feel a bit more intuitive and obvious because they are right next to env1. And horizontal dragging is more comfortable than vertical, at least for me.

jvajvajpva.png

Also I just realized this is a drag spot, the square is quite hidden imo. Maybe just use the crosshair icon like when you're dragging instead.

gapgdapjgpadjg.png

Or you can go even cooler, how about you just remove that icon and make the all the empty grey part in the module a big drag point (even the modulator name is a drag point too) ? I think that's more elegance.

suremen.png

[Echoes in the Attic]

Limited amount because limitation push creativity. The IDs are there because the filters remember their settings even if deleted. Matrix, drag & drop are all there (bottom). Please spend a little bit more time with the synth.

1.) I don't know how it is about you, but I don't wanna take a semi-modular synth to get creativity pushed by limitation.
2.) Don't see the need of remembering settings of a once deleted filter. But see the need to just beeing able to get a filter module without having to select a number or getting limited.
3.) I am aware that the modulations are at the bottom. But this means the hybrid approach with having modualtion fields under the parameter knobs is not neccessary anymore. For what shall it be good? It's so naughties.Don't need to spend more time with the synth to come to this conclusion.

Is it really that annoying to have modules numbered? Seems useful to me.

[jtsterays]

Limited amount because limitation push creativity. The IDs are there because the filters remember their settings even if deleted. Matrix, drag & drop are all there (bottom). Please spend a little bit more time with the synth.

I don't know how it is about you, but I don't wanna take a semi-modular synth to get creativity pushed by limitation.

There are 2 more filters in the FX section, same exact filters, and 4 EQs (can change to resonator mode too, so bandpasses and HP/LP), Also more ways to have filter with all the spectral effects in the OSC FX, really unique sounds, and probably won't get noticed if there are infinite filter modules. Dont forget about other modules too, the comb & modal both have damping control which act like a lowpass modulated by a short decay env but sounds cooler than that. I think what we currently have right now is plenty.

[exmatproton]

Btw. happy to discuss making the drag'n'drop modulation more prominent, or moving it elsewhere or have not pop up... we have tried several things during development, and we kind if like it at the bottom, but if someone has a better idea... all ears!

Pretty happy with the current setup, but I think you can try putting all of these (just envs & LFOs) to here, but vertical. Tucked in that gap. It will feel a bit more intuitive and obvious because they are right next to env1. And horizontal dragging is more comfortable than vertical, at least for me.
jvajvajpva.png
Also I just realized this is a drag spot, the square is quite hidden imo. Maybe just use the crosshair icon like when you're dragging instead.
gapgdapjgpadjg.png
Or you can go even cooler, how about you just remove that icon and make the all the empty grey part in the module a big drag point (even the modulator name is a drag point too) ? I think that's more elegance.
suremen.png

yeah no..let's not do that. The layout works pretty cool already

[SamDi]

Is it really that annoying to have modules numbered? Seems useful to me.

No it's not annoying that they are numbered. It's annoying that they are not automatically numbered and I can just drag a module "filter" into the grid instead. And it's annoying that they are limited to 4.

There are 2 more filters in the FX section, same exact filters, and 4 EQs (can change to resonator mode too, so bandpasses and HP/LP),

but in the Fx section, they are not polyphonic I guess(?)

Also more ways to have filter with all the spectral effects in the OSC FX, really unique sounds, and probably won't get noticed if there are infinite filter modules. Dont forget about other modules too, the comb & modal both have damping control which act like a lowpass modulated by a short decay env but sounds cooler than that. I think what we currently have right now is plenty.

I understand, that you wanna say, that there are some workarounds to compensate the small amount of filters. But is it really not justified to state, that the small amount of modules feels limiting and I don't wanna mess around with workarounds? I mean in the main grid we have 48 slots and I personally hate it, when you have an idea or wanna mess around and then you run out of filters or EQs or distortion units.

[tq]

Very deep, this needs some serious exploration… it’s a synth lovers synth, and asks for being played. Can’t wait for MPE. Also, I like that it’s a synth with an opinion - not the usual 1000th emulation of some vintage gear… Congrats Urs and team!

And just a very simple one - I set CTRL A to D to CC14 to 17 in the settings, but the dials/controls in Zebra do not move when turning my encoders on the keyboard. I must miss something very basic here. Also dragged the CTRL via the green line to some elements, like the cutoff, but… nothing. Using a NI MK3 keyboard here.

[coroknight]

Is it really that annoying to have modules numbered? Seems useful to me.

No it's not annoying that they are numbered. It's annoying that they are not automatically numbered and I can just drag a module "filter" into the grid instead. And it's annoying that they are limited to 4.

There are 2 more filters in the FX section, same exact filters, and 4 EQs (can change to resonator mode too, so bandpasses and HP/LP),

but in the Fx section, they are not polyphonic I guess(?)

Also more ways to have filter with all the spectral effects in the OSC FX, really unique sounds, and probably won't get noticed if there are infinite filter modules. Dont forget about other modules too, the comb & modal both have damping control which act like a lowpass modulated by a short decay env but sounds cooler than that. I think what we currently have right now is plenty.

I understand, that you wanna say, that there are some workarounds to compensate the small amount of filters. But is it really not justified to state, that the small amount of modules feels limiting and I don't wanna mess around with workarounds? I mean in the main grid we have 48 slots and I personally hate it, when you have an idea or wanna mess around and then you run out of filters or EQs or distortion units.

You're encountering what I was encountering earlier. Very reasonable expectation of modern features that gets pushback by people who are emotionally invested and making irrational arguments to try and convince you that no you don't actually want nice things, it's good actually.

[jtsterays]

Is it really that annoying to have modules numbered? Seems useful to me.

No it's not annoying that they are numbered. It's annoying that they are not automatically numbered and I can just drag a module "filter" into the grid instead. And it's annoying that they are limited to 4.

There are 2 more filters in the FX section, same exact filters, and 4 EQs (can change to resonator mode too, so bandpasses and HP/LP),

but in the Fx section, they are not polyphonic I guess(?)

Also more ways to have filter with all the spectral effects in the OSC FX, really unique sounds, and probably won't get noticed if there are infinite filter modules. Dont forget about other modules too, the comb & modal both have damping control which act like a lowpass modulated by a short decay env but sounds cooler than that. I think what we currently have right now is plenty.

I understand, that you wanna say, that there are some workarounds to compensate the small amount of filters. But is it really not justified to state, that the small amount of modules feels limiting and I don't wanna mess around with workarounds? I mean in the main grid we have 48 slots and I personally hate it, when you have an idea or wanna mess around and then you run out of filters or EQs or distortion units.

You're encountering what I was encountering earlier. Very reasonable expectation of modern features that gets pushback by people who are emotionally invested and making irrational arguments to try and convince you that no you don't actually want nice things, it's good actually.

That's a wild assumption.

[Teksonik]

You're encountering what I was encountering earlier. Very reasonable expectation of modern features that gets pushback by people who are emotionally invested and making irrational arguments to try and convince you that no you don't actually want nice things, it's good actually.

If you're referring to me then you're way off base. Your "reasonable expectations" are not everyone's expectations and are just coming off as entitled whining because you didn't get the toys you wanted and you won't take the time to get your head around the workflow.

Your complaints were at least in part because you couldn't find a simple parameter option even though it was right in front of your face only a mouse click away. PEBCAK.

As for being emotionally involved, it's a synth not a pretty woman. I just happen to like the synth and feel your entitled whining about it when you clearly didn't spend enough time with the synth is unwarranted.

Is Zebra 3 perfect? Absolutely not but then nothing is and how we improvise, overcome, and adapt to conditions we find non-optimal defines who we are as artists.

Sounds like Urs is open to suggestions so there's no telling what things will be changed or added as the beta process progresses.

[Teksonik]

limitation push creativity

I will push back against that myth until the day they pry the synths out of my cold dead hands.

Limitations stifle creativity. Period, end of story.

The only thing limitations do are force you to compromise.

[Echoes in the Attic]

Is it really that annoying to have modules numbered? Seems useful to me.

No it's not annoying that they are numbered. It's annoying that they are not automatically numbered and I can just drag a module "filter" into the grid instead. And it's annoying that they are limited to 4.

There are 2 more filters in the FX section, same exact filters, and 4 EQs (can change to resonator mode too, so bandpasses and HP/LP),

but in the Fx section, they are not polyphonic I guess(?)

Also more ways to have filter with all the spectral effects in the OSC FX, really unique sounds, and probably won't get noticed if there are infinite filter modules. Dont forget about other modules too, the comb & modal both have damping control which act like a lowpass modulated by a short decay env but sounds cooler than that. I think what we currently have right now is plenty.

I understand, that you wanna say, that there are some workarounds to compensate the small amount of filters. But is it really not justified to state, that the small amount of modules feels limiting and I don't wanna mess around with workarounds? I mean in the main grid we have 48 slots and I personally hate it, when you have an idea or wanna mess around and then you run out of filters or EQs or distortion units.

You're encountering what I was encountering earlier. Very reasonable expectation of modern features that gets pushback by people who are emotionally invested and making irrational arguments to try and convince you that no you don't actually want nice things, it's good actually.

I’m not even planning to buy it. But I just don’t see the issue with module numbers and said what I thought. So maybe you’re imagining things.