KVR Audio

ere2learn · Post by **ere2learn** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:31 pm

They both great sounding,but i'd go with Zebra,you can get those lovely one key chords with those 4 VCO & 4 FMO,plus its great for everything else bass,pads,percussion & leads,the sound bank is not great for house,but learn to roll your own presets and Zebra will do it for house,no problem

Serum sounds great but is heavy on cpu,I don't mind bouncing down but when you cant even the play the chord to bounce down its a pain

Shiosan · Post by **Shiosan** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:38 pm

zvenx wrote:
Shiosan wrote:
Neither really uses samples..and generally sampling/samples technology use much less cpu....I assume you mean wavetables which are in sense related, but not the same thing and zebra actually also can use wavetables although not as flexible as Serum. But yes it isn't just your computer that Serum kills the cpu.

rsp

Guess you'll need Deadmau5 like computer to use full power of Serum...

Shiosan · Post by **Shiosan** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:42 pm

Should I get a Zebra from Uhe or from here at KVR? What is dark zebra?

ere2learn · Post by **ere2learn** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:51 pm

Want to save money get it here,need it now go to u-he,

Dark Zerba is an expansion with the filters from Diva added plus a soundbank from Hans Zimmer plus upgrade to Zebra3 is free

ere2learn · Post by **ere2learn** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 10:54 pm

Apostate · Post by **Apostate** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 11:00 pm

I can't go without mentioning that close study of the Dark Zebra/HZ soundset (indeed, all of the Zebra presets and both free and commercial soundsets) can yield a vast amount of insight into the workings of the synth itself. I realize that goes for many synths, or even as a general rule, but with Zebra the payoff seemed far more monumental in terms of rewarding programming techniques.

I gained a ton of knowledge about using the MSEGs, Envelopes, Filters, everything just by paying close attention to how those presets were put together (several excellent ADSR tutorials didn't hurt either). Once my knowledge grew, I realized how great and expansive Zebra really is. I ended up selling most of my other synths after, I really just didn't need them anymore.

But that's just my experience.

keisuki · Post by **keisuki** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 11:06 pm

I've had both, now getting them again after selling them and realizing my mistake.

Serum can be a bit of a CPU killer but Steve's made a lot of optimizations in the latest updates, if I'm not using huge amounts of unison it's lighter than NI Massive (for me at least). He's also added a few cool features like resampling and new filter models among a bunch of other stuff. The demo version you get is the 1.0 release before any CPU improvements, at least last time I checked (not entirely sure about that). Making custom wavetables is a breeze, drag and drop audio, good effects and great filters.

Zebra has a different character (darker sound as you noted), there are two main filter types; VCF1-4 and XMF1-2 with a bunch of different models, as well as comb filters, FM, a bunch of other stuff (if you get the Dark Zebra as well you get Diva's amazing filters - really recommend it) - that's not even touching on the oscillator effects, insert effects or the modulation and performance options. The layout might not be as straightforward as other synths but it's quick to pick up.

They're both very versatile, but different flavors - I used them both for different things; Serum for leads and basses, Zebra for chords, plucks, drums and pads/atmospheric sounds. It sounds like you'd prefer Zebra better based on what you wrote.

V0RT3X · Post by **V0RT3X** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 11:14 pm

Buy both, they work together very well.

cron · Post by **cron** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 11:27 pm

Shiosan wrote:
zvenx wrote:For what you want to use it for, Zebra would have my vote.. Although I personally love love the GUI of Serum and the digitalness cleanness and crispness of its sound, because I find Zebra uses much less cpu, is more versatile and the genres you mention don't traditional call for the cutting brightness and edge type of sounds. Not to mention Zebra sounds fantastic in a very different way as well

rsp
yeah about the CPU, serum literally lagged my computer... Zebra made same or better sound with much less CPU usage. Maybe it's sample vs generated sound?

FWIW I think Serum still sounds great without oversampling engaged. I think it defaults to 2x, but 1x will do the job in most instances. I only notice any difference when doing audio rate modulation at very high frequencies, which isn't something I do in Serum particularly often as its audio rate modulation effects tend toward noise when you push them hard.

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Sun Oct 25, 2015 11:47 pm

Shiosan wrote:Zebra: Jesus, the sound. Holy smokes. It blasts into your ears. I thought Serum have amazing sound but man was I wrong. Zebra's "basic" saw sound is far clear to my ear. Not only that, I can go from square to saw, anywhere in between... its so flexible.
The only issue is that I got lost many times trying to find what I want. Where is the filter? I couldn't find it without reading all manuals and help from the internet... Of course, this isn't the most updated synth around, so the design and graphic won't be as crisp as others, which won't really matter... The default patches are very "generic" in opposition to Serum, I could say that many won't be in any use for me.
Again, though, its sound is amazing. It may be the best sounding soft synth so far.

Zebra has been consistently updated since it came out. The GUI is resizable in 10% increments. There is also a new GUI in the works that is more 'modern' (bright and distinct). There are also user created themes, some of which are radical re-imaginings of the layout.

Zebra is the best all around pure synth you can buy. By pure I mean no samples. Sounds great, cpu efficient, truly vast sonic landscape. Best music purchase I ever made.

One of the things that sets Zebra apart for me is how good it can sound with no fx at all. Lots of synths you turn off the fx and it is like ugh... Zebra can also make 'thin' sounds that still sound good and organic. The multi-channel semi-modular design allows one to add a lot of nuance in easily controllable ways.

No other synth has come close for me as far as being able to craft the exact sounds with the nuances I want. My other favorite synths are a bit more of try this and that and hit upon a sweet spot and save that as an interesting preset. Zebra is a tool of fine craftsmanship.

fischkopf · Post by **fischkopf** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 5:36 am

Shiosan wrote: The default patches are very "generic" in opposition to Serum, I could say that many won't be in any use for me.
Again, though, its sound is amazing. It may be the best sounding soft synth so far.

You call that "generic"?? I call it universal. They are applicable to a wide range of genres, while Serum's factory patches are far too EDM focused for my taste.

tristan- · Post by **tristan-** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:56 am

Both are amazing.
I don't think they're comparable though. Different beasts!

But on another note, Zebra 3 - WHEN???

pepelogu · Post by **pepelogu** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 9:14 am

If I had to choose between Zebra and Serum I would definitely go for... Spire.

Apostate · Post by **Apostate** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 9:28 am

fischkopf wrote:
Shiosan wrote: The default patches are very "generic" in opposition to Serum, I could say that many won't be in any use for me.
Again, though, its sound is amazing. It may be the best sounding soft synth so far.
You call that "generic"?? I call it universal. They are applicable to a wide range of genres, while Serum's factory patches are far too EDM focused for my taste.

Maybe it's just me, but the Zebra patches are outstanding, and a very good look into the synth's capabilities. Serum is just as you said, another in a WAY too long line of EDM-oriented synths. I like a little EDM myself, but I'm getting sick as hell of all the synths with a strong focus on that genre. It's so easy to make your own wobble, Reese, or ugly bass, a stack of presets geared toward that come across as pretty lame to me.

ATN69 · Post by **ATN69** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 9:39 am

Apostate wrote:
fischkopf wrote:
Shiosan wrote: The default patches are very "generic" in opposition to Serum, I could say that many won't be in any use for me.
Again, though, its sound is amazing. It may be the best sounding soft synth so far.
You call that "generic"?? I call it universal. They are applicable to a wide range of genres, while Serum's factory patches are far too EDM focused for my taste.
Maybe it's just me, but the Zebra patches are outstanding, and a very good look into the synth's capabilities. Serum is just as you said, another in a WAY too long line of EDM-oriented synths. I like a little EDM myself, but I'm getting sick as hell of all the synths with a strong focus on that genre. It's so easy to make your own wobble, Reese, or ugly bass, a stack of presets geared toward that come across as pretty lame to me.

I have both Serum and Zebra 2 and they are both great. I can agree that when it comes to presets there is a strong focus on EDM for all synth plugins, but I have made my own sounds in Serum and It is quite easy. Much easier than in Zebra. But if you have some knowledge and a lot of spare time you can do make miracles with Zebra.

Zebra vs Serum