i'm in love....

[codef0x]

But admittedly,

1yr Synth Programming: Zebra2 [ver 2.0-2.1]

Might look kinda cool.

[musicall]

code great post.

i actually have read the entire manual...in some places i've read the manual multiple times. but often when i finish reading it i feel like i still don't grasp the concept fully. or i dont understand the explanation.

"
I mean, there isn't really such a thing as 'advanced' or not. It's whether or not you're able to come up with the sounds you want.
"

i don't really want to be able to come up with the sounds in my head...cuz generally i dont have any that specific in mind. its just everytime i sit down to zebra i want to be able to make something new and cool sounding, different sounding then the last patch i made.

"Do you know what FM is? Why does it sound "smooth"? What is self(+) mode? "
i dont fully understand these concepts.

i know what brilliance is and i more or less understand the mod matrix (i love it).

i have (i think) a pretty good basic understanding of synthesis, im not sure where i need to head at this point to increase my knowlesge.

in conclusion i've made a bunch of sounds on zebra that i really like...i just want to increase my knowledge ten fold and get way better.

thanks for ur thoughts!

[beej]

There's really three areas to work on:
- Synthesis fundamentals (knowing what the various types of synthesis do, how to use envelopes, filters, what various waveforms sound like, that kind of stuff)

- How to use Zebra (how to use the gui to access those synthesis fundamentals and Zebra features)

- Sound design tips, tricks and techniques (this is something you develop over time, and by deconstructing other people's patches)

There aren't really any shortcuts. So, brush up on your synthesis fundamentals first, then learn how to do them with Zebra. Take it a module at a time - load just one oscillator, and spend time making patches with only that oscillator. Experiment with waveforms, the different wave types, the oscillator effects, detuning with dual/quad modes.

When you're happy with those, move onto say the FM oscillator, and experiment with that. Then go for two FM oscillators and how they interact.

Then stick a simple waveform on one oscillator, add a filter, and play with those. Take it one module at a time until you familiarise yourself with what they do and how they work. (Osc, FM Osc, Comb Osc, Envelope, Filter, LFO, Mod matrix, arpeggiator, MSEG's).

By the time you've worked through all the modules and given each some time, you'll be fairly familiar with how to fundamentally use Zebra. Now it's time to start making your own sounds using a variety of modules, and deconstructing other sounds.

Hear a pad you like? Take a look at it and work out why it sounds like it does, what's doing the modulation, how it's has that nice thickness and texture. Then use those things you learn in your own patches.

[tboulette]

I'll just chime in to suggest this link for learning synthesis fundamentals:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm

A lot of material, but worth the effort (at least so far).

[musicall]

beej great post. im going to work on those things starting right now. and tb thanks for the link.