u-he

hakey · Post by **hakey** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 10:29 am

LFO8 wrote:Erm.. That's Diva. Don't try to fit Zebra into that paradigm.

Erm... Wha...?

Go back a page and reread from here:

Urs wrote:the idea of a u-he style EDM synth sounds increasingly tempting.

Bronto Scorpio · Post by **Bronto Scorpio** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:59 pm

Another small, but very important thing about the possible "EDM" synth: The filters should open completely! Most of Zebras filters cut away a significant amount of high frequencies even at the highest setting. The Xcite filter is currently the best choice to keep those high freqs. For many EDM sounds the top octaves are very important imo.

Cheers
Dennis

hakey · Post by **hakey** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 3:57 pm

I'd be careful about making an overt association with the EDM moniker.

It's not a label that provokes a universally positive reaction - for many it's just the opposite.

3*s · Post by **3*s** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 4:07 pm

Why does a synth have to be an "EDM" synth or not an EDM synth? Can't we just have one that can do classic EDM sounds and more, ie a "really good synth?"

LFO8 · Post by **LFO8** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 4:24 pm

A good synth is a good synth period. Any person can choose to the uttilize it for any kind of music he/she likes.

hakey · Post by **hakey** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 4:28 pm

3*s wrote:Can't we just have one that can do classic EDM sounds and more, ie a "really good synth?"

Pretty much my point.

Linking a synth (which will surely be capable of a wide range of non-genre-specific sounds) to a genre, particularly using a label as divisive as EDM, seems a guaranteed way to alienate potential customers.

Urs · Post by **Urs** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:34 pm

Well, I labeled it "EDM synth" because we get so many requests to make one. Of course it would be a synth that could be used for anything.

Nevertheless, while it's tempting I haven't got the headspace to discuss the topic in depth

Echoes in the Attic · Post by **Echoes in the Attic** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 7:19 pm

Has there ever been a request to have a global disable of effects in Zebra? Actually I wish there was just a global disable of send effects because I always want to use my own reverb (and sometimes delay). So the first thing I'll do is disable the reverb of a given patch. Would be great to be able to globally disable the effects when switching presets. However insert effects like modulation are often very much integral to the patch so those would be good to leave on. That's why I'm thinking in terms of send effects.

Has this been discussed? At least for Zebra 3 maybe?

3*s · Post by **3*s** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 7:53 pm

I feel like Zebra is the perfect platform to add the features that constitute an "EDM" synth (basically flexible unison and distortion), while also being as hugely flexible as it already is. Who knows, maybe someone who buys it to create supersaw patches will discover some of the other features and create a new unique variation that is the next big thing.

hakey · Post by **hakey** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:54 pm

3*s wrote:I feel like Zebra is the perfect platform to add the features that constitute an "EDM" synth (basically flexible unison and distortion)

Not if the features included, say, a single screen skeuomorphic UI, or a stripped down fixed architecture.

Urs · Post by **Urs** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:57 pm

Echoes in the Attic wrote:Has there ever been a request to have a global disable of effects in Zebra?

Zebra has had an FX Bypass button since, hmmm, version 2.5.0? It's next to the Fx Grid and it's an "instance parameter", meaning it's not changed when you browse presets.

It might not be in alternative skins though.

hakey · Post by **hakey** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:57 pm

...going on Sylenth, an "EDM" synth is a factory bank full of pastiches of well known house and techno sounds and an unintimidating - "it looks like a real synth" - interface, bolted to a pretty basic sound engine?

Echoes in the Attic · Post by **Echoes in the Attic** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:07 pm

Urs wrote:
Echoes in the Attic wrote:Has there ever been a request to have a global disable of effects in Zebra?
Zebra has had an FX Bypass button since, hmmm, version 2.5.0? It's next to the Fx Grid and it's an "instance parameter", meaning it's not changed when you browse presets.

It might not be in alternative skins though.

Ah yes, but I still think it would be great to be able to only bypass reverb, just because the other insert effects in Zebra are often so useful to the patch.

cheers

Urs · Post by **Urs** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:18 pm

hakey wrote:...going on Sylenth, an "EDM" synth is a factory bank full of pastiches of well known house and techno sounds and an unintimidating - "it looks like a real synth" - interface, bolted to a pretty basic sound engine?

Well, giving Sylenth a closer look, it's the right tool for that certain kind of (layered?) sound that some people need.

The sound engine is far from basic in terms of DSP. Sylenth has had truely self oscillating filters long before I did (they need some input though, hehe), and the CPU efficiency vs. quality of oscillators is hard to beat. Most of all, the parameter ranges are cleverly thought out. It's a concept that has an admirably "complete" approach.

While the factory sounds are all "been there done that", they're also all *spot on*. None of them is "not quite there".

It's a really good product. It may not be our cup of tea, but I understand why many people like it.

The challenge of making a synth like that is the challenge of making it better in each of those aspects. Which is kind of deemed to fail. Which makes it an ever bigger challenge.

3*s · Post by **3*s** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:19 pm

hakey wrote:
3*s wrote:I feel like Zebra is the perfect platform to add the features that constitute an "EDM" synth (basically flexible unison and distortion)
Not if the features included, say, a single screen skeuomorphic UI, or a stripped down fixed architecture.

Indeed I was speaking more of sound generation features rather than aesthetic and workflow. I got Zebra specifically because the workflow is awesome and encourages creativity.

Also I think assuming superficialities and simplification are a requirement of a synth that is good for edm is a bit cynical. "EDM producer" doesn't entail being mentally retarded. I'll bet a lot of people looking for the bread and butter edm sounds would also love zebra's workflow.

u-he

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