Workflow, Modulation Overview

[Gert Wilden]

Hi u-he,

There's already been quite a bit posted about the Zebra 3 GUI.
Generally, I find the workflow quite good and familiar, as I've worked extensively with Zebra 2 and Hive.
Modulation assignments are quick and easy using the pips.

However, it's considerably more difficult to get an overview of the modulation structure once the connections are established.
You only have the matrix row for this. While you can look everything up there and sort by source or destination, it's not particularly clear. It's a very long horizontal column, and you have to literally read through everything. A more intuitive visualization is still missing.

Two things would make a big difference for me here:

1) A popup on the target parameter that lists which modulators are routed to it when I right-click. Along with the ability to tweak the respective value directly from there.
And/or the number of modulators in the matrix row might be reduced to the modulators routed to it when I right-click a parameter.

2) A consistent color code with colors for the individual modulation types such as Env, LFO, MSEG, etc.
Both in the matrix row and in the modulation rows on the target parameter.
If you're thinking, "Wait a minute, I know that from Pigments," you're very well observed!
Despite its equally extensive range of functions and modulation options, it's much easier to navigate there.

Another idea: Since it's called a "matrix" and is indeed a matrix, why not a matrix-style display, similar to EMS, Eagen, and others, but dynamically, based on the modules used?

Something different:

Please: bring back the X-Y macros.
Nobody wants to be limited to playing the sounds of this incredibly flexible synth using only these four controllers.
Besides, the old X-Y macros, which were actually perfectly implemented in the Zebra 2, had the advantage of starting from a defined center position, allowing you to limit the control range in both directions to your desired sweet spots.
With a hardware controller that has center detents (like a Launch Control), you could tweak parameters from the center position without unwanted jumps.
It's even better with endless encoders.

This virtual keyboard however, that's now in the Performance line might be nice to have, but nobody's actually playing it seriously yet.

[muki]

1) A popup on the target parameter that lists which modulators are routed to it when I right-

+1

[Urs]

Here's where I am this weekend:





We won't be able to post a new beta this year, but I'm sure we'll have this feature early next year.

[Urs]

^^for some reason the video does not show... weird... maybe later... now it does

[muki]

Here's where I am this weekend:

yes! super!

actually...no! not super...
for years i was able to resist buying zebra
ACE was nice for patching, hive easy and fast to programm, repro sounds great
as does diva, zebraCM became freeware
i was happy
that was all i needed...

but now?
us...poor...starving musicians asking for a feature
and what is the answer?
instead of a "yeah...maybe in 30 years...or so..."
we get a: "look what i was doing this weekend...."
arrgh

now i have to buy this monster....



thanks!

[bhinton]

Video is super clear and this helps tremendously, Urs, thanks!