u-he

mkastrup · Post by **mkastrup** » Tue May 08, 2007 1:47 am

Here is a link to the finished product:

http://www.u-he.com/zebra/index.php?item=oldskool

Below: The making of the soundset

Zebra Oldskool Volume 2

NOTE: Look further down for demos on the creation of Z2 Oldskool Vol1

Its been nearly 6 months since the first step into the fold happend. Why carry on for so long ? Well the answer is that i am a persistant bastard who wont leave until i discovered whats to be found. If i cant share what i find it makes no meaning to me and it will be completely pointless. Some say that a painting tells you more than 1.000 words, i feel the same about music. So people, dont sit on it, let it out no matter what it is as long as it means something to you. Dont be scared of what people might say, fact is, theres ALWAYS one around who will appreciate what your doing. No person in the world is able to please everyone, remember that and stay focused

To all of you who have been following this project, i salute you

Thank you for keeping me alert and focused

/Michael

This is the initial thread which i update from time to time with the posted demos progress.

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_TamingTheBeast.mp3
Trying to tame a rogue setup

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_OnePatchEnsemble.mp3
Getting the most from one patch.

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_HappyZebra.mp3
You either hate this or love it, most hate it

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_MakingOfSakamoto_01.mp3
From idea to finished raw sketch.

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_MakingOfSakamoto_02.mp3
From raw sketch to almost done.

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_NewAge.mp3
New Age like thing with bell, flutes and stuff.

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_DX_EPiano.mp3
Emulating a typical DX E-Piano

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_SymphonicFX.mp3
Darker FX side of Zebra and some symphonic touch.

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_HarmonizerChoir.mp3
Just as it says, a kinda of Harmonizer Choir.

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_BoogieDown.mp3
Just for fun while trying out new drums. (Vol 1+2 sounds)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_RhythmicLFOPads.mp3
Using LFO to create rhythmic pattern.

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_Challenge_01.mp3
My 303ish bid on the Z2-Virus Challenge Thread (no limiter)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_Challenge_03.mp3
My Trance ARP bid on the Z2-Virus Challenge Thread (no limiter)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_Bassline.mp3
A dirty bassline

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_VintageHybrid.mp3
Back to oldskool after a trip into the 90's

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_Minimalism.mp3
7 Mins of Electronic Minimalism with 1 Patch (for old timers)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_18bass1formularAP.mp3
18 slightly different SEQ Basses based on 1 filter formular (dub drums = Stylus RMX)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_MoroderBass.mp3
Basses the Moroder style (Used EQ on final mix and Stereo Expander and Brass,Clap and Clav from Vol 1)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_SwingMuzak.mp3
Checking Ride cymbal and drums with Muzak (Organ + Brass from Vol 1)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_Singularity.mp3
1 Patch Minimalism the Drone Zone & Cryosleep way

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_Percussion.mp3
Various Drums & Percussion

All demos you hear is Zebra created unless noted (incl. FX, Rev, Delays etc) the final mix has been run thru a limiter, typical Kjaerhus MPL-1 Pro SE

Zebra in mix situations ------------------------------------

From here on in the next 6 demos i try to set up Zebra mix with external gear in Cubase. Its not a supermix but give an extra touch of a reality mix.

Reverbs used: Variverb, Artsacoustic
Comp/Limiter/EQ used: Sonalksis & Kjaerhus
Amp & misc eff: Samplitude FX Bundle

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_ProgressiveRock.mp3
Just fooling around with Vol 1+2 (EQ+StereoExp+Ext Reverb on final out)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_MixCaseB.mp3
Trying to mix something Vol 1+2 (Lots of external fx used)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_KoolZebra.mp3
Trying to mix some more Vol 1+2 + Howards Brass Horns (Lots of ext. FX used.)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_Discover.mp3
Trying to mix even more Vol 1+2 (ext. Rev,EQ used.)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_Rockon.mp3
Using Zebra as source for Amp sims (Ext. rev and eq and Amp sims)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Z2_World.mp3
Zebra World music (ext. rev and eq used)

Thats about it for now

/Michael

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

THIS IS WHERE THE OLDSKOOL VOLUME 1 INITIAL THREAD STARTED!

Since i'm not the quickest guy around when it comes to patch making i thought it might be an idea i kept 1 thread alive instead of spamming other threads with my progress.

First of all it was Howard that inspired me to pick up patch making for Zebra, i know there are many brilliant patch makers around but my heart belongs to oldskool synthesis and the closest person to deliver this is Howard. Second, if one person can get into a sound designers head then its Urs with his way of percieving the mechanics behind sound creating.

Ok so where do i fit in ? Well since i'm oldskool my self i will do all i can to re-create sounds that have followed me all these years. In short i hope to make it a trip back to 70-80's so it wont be any trance/techno stuff from my side, besides Zebra is already covered in this genre by capable people.

I have no idea how and where it will end, it might turn into a commecial project and then again it might not, all depends on how much time i can put into it.

The general idea behind posting MP3 examples is to encourage others to pick up Zebra and come up with something all of us always can use, inspiration. At the same time the examples have a purpose of showing what Zebra can do although the project is not finished. All this is already happening on various levels, Zircon with his contribution, beej with his, Howard with his and many more. Each one with a different approach to sculpt Zebra into something we all come to love. So here i am trying to do my part

Ok enough talking:

Here is a list of examples so far...

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_Jazzy_01.mp3
Jazzy (WET/DRY) (01:10)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_ARP_Fun_01.mp3
Arp Fun (WET) (00:58)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_Oldskool_02.mp3
Oldskool Sequencing (WET/DRY) (01:36)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_Oldskool_04.mp3
8 Various Patches. (DRY) (03:43)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_Oldskool_05.mp3
9 Various Patches, mostly Organ Ambient. (DRY) (03:17)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_Oldskool_07.mp3
8 Live Feel Patches, (DRY) (05:52)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_Oldskool_08.mp3
5 Movie Style Patches, (DRY) (02:23)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_Oldskool_10.mp3
4 Oldies but goodies, (DRY) (00:55)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_Oldskool_11.mp3
The competition piece (DRY) (01:30)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_Oldskool_15.mp3
S L O W pads (DRY) (06:22)

http://www.xsynth.com/demos/Zebra_Oldskool_16.mp3
POLY's (DRY) (03:47)

WET = Refers to using Artacoustic Reverb on the mix.
DRY = Refers to Zebra all internal with or without a limiter.

Thats it for now

(Heyyy whats the ETA on this soundset then ?) Well i would lie if i said very soon, i hope to get it ready for summer.

/Michael

zircon · Post by **zircon** » Tue May 08, 2007 2:30 am

Sounds great!!! The first demo is very reminiscent of Paul Hardcastle, the smooth jazz legend. I actually made a couple patches similar to some used in it because I like that "warm" sound so much. But you are covering way more ground than my paltry few, so I can't wait until this is done.

JerGoertz · Post by **JerGoertz** » Tue May 08, 2007 2:34 am

Sounds great, this is yet more temptation for me to get Zebra2!

Maybe I can squeeze it into my impoverished finances somehow.

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Tue May 08, 2007 5:43 am

I am constantly impressed by the versatility of Zebra2. Fantastic sound quality and what a range of sounds possible!

Great stuff as usual... looking forward to your set of presets

pschelfh · Post by **pschelfh** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:07 am

I'm impressed Michael ! You have some very subtle changes going on in every sound, so I can believe that it will take some time and effort to make a complete bank with these great sounds.
It promises to be a hot summer !

Peter.

Gucky · Post by **Gucky** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:14 am

I am impressed too. I hope you will release the soundset soon.
I want to buy it.

Howard · Post by **Howard** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:38 am

mkastrup wrote:... i hope to make it a trip back to 70-80's ... So here i am trying to do my part ... i hope to get it ready for summer.

Great news. I knew you'd get hooked on Zebra2, Michael!

BTW: I'm particularly fond of the 70's "Canterbury Scene" so, as soon as the MSEG bug is fixed, I'll be doing a few classic "character" organs a la Dave Stewart (Egg, Hatfield and the North, National Health, Bruford) and Mike Rattledge (Soft Machine). May also have to seriously attempt a Leslie cabinet emulation

- wanna give it a go too, Mike?

Urs · Post by **Urs** » Tue May 08, 2007 9:10 am

Sweet!!!

twolegstoneworks · Post by **twolegstoneworks** » Tue May 08, 2007 9:50 am

Sounds promising - I love oldskool

beej · Post by **beej** » Tue May 08, 2007 11:04 am

Howard wrote:BTW: I'm particularly fond of the 70's "Canterbury Scene"

Interestingly enough, Canterbury is my home town, and some years ago, when I were a wee nipper, me and my songwriting partner went round to the house of the two main guys in Caravan to schlep some demos and get advice from them (I can't remember the connection now, I think the parents of the other guy knew them somehow.)

Real nice guys, and it was my first chance to see what a real mixing desk and 24-track tape machine looked like. My home studio is those days was slightly less impressive - typical Atari/Creator MIDI setup, a few cheap and cheerful MIDI stuff, Fostext 4-track etc. If only I'd had half the tools back then that I have now - but then everyone says that, don't they..?

Spitfire31 · Post by **Spitfire31** » Tue May 08, 2007 11:39 am

This sounds VERY good to my old ears. None of that trancy stuff drenched in endless delays, thank you very much

Ready with my VISA whenever you are...

/Joey

mkastrup · Post by **mkastrup** » Tue May 08, 2007 3:53 pm

zircon wrote:Sounds great!!! The first demo is very reminiscent of Paul Hardcastle, the smooth jazz legend.

Like that comparison, wonder if Howard can pull a magic smooth guitar out of his sleeve

JerGoertz wrote:Sounds great, this is yet more temptation for me to get Zebra2!

Imagine this was hardware and one day the production stopped, shiver.... But this is the digital domain so i'm sure Zebra will be there when you are ready

pdxindy wrote: Great stuff as usual... looking forward to your set of presets

Thx pdxindy

pschelfh wrote: It promises to be a hot summer ! Peter.

Hi Peter, perhaps a summer with subtle changes in the weather

Gucky wrote:I am impressed too. I hope you will release the soundset soon.
I want to buy it.

Howard wrote:May also have to seriously attempt a Leslie cabinet emulation - wanna give it a go too, Mike?

There is no chance in h... i try for a Leslie before the free LFO running is present. Tried it on the Reason platform and it was a modular LFO hell

, well i'm sure it can be done somehow but i'm afraid of what will happen if you decide to try the organ in another tempo than it was made for. Instead i'm going to try for a DX Rhodes or Wurly thing which is less dependent on LFO.

Urs wrote:Sweet!!!

No, your sweet

Giving us this tool

metal wrote:Sounds promising - I love oldskool

I think its pronounced LÅVE

(Danish insider joke)

beej wrote:If only I'd had half the tools back then that I have now - but then everyone says that, don't they..?

I for one do

/Michael

spaceman · Post by **spaceman** » Tue May 08, 2007 4:13 pm

that's the kind of presets I like

djsubject · Post by **djsubject** » Tue May 08, 2007 9:06 pm

they sound good Michael!!

mkastrup · Post by **mkastrup** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:22 pm

djsubject wrote:they sound good Michael!!

spaceman wrote:that's the kind of presets I like

u-he

KVR Audio

Zebra Oldskool Project