Zebra ENV & MSEG

[Autobot]

Hi everybody,

I have two questions to the Zebra experts

First, I'm interested to rebuild the envelopes of ARP2600 AR and EMS Synth AKS Trapezoid - what would be you're approach to create those envelopes?

Second, what is the best way to use the MSEG as VCA envelopes? "Wire" every module volume to MSEG and setting VCA to gate seems long winded.

Thanks and happy holidays

[drzhnn]

Looks like a fun holiday project

Never did it myself, but if I needed to, I'd start with sampling the original hardware for later analysis. I'd run high frequency test tones at different levels through the envelope generator at various states. After that, in audio editor, I'd inspect the recorded material and check for any difference in envelope behavior depending on the level of the test signal, and so on.

Second, what is the best way to use the MSEG as VCA envelopes? "Wire" every module volume to MSEG and setting VCA to gate seems long winded.

I'm afraid setting Zebra's VCA to gate won't work for what you're trying to do. The gate will close the moment you release the key, cutting off the release section on your MSEG. So you still need to use generic envelope as main VCA. But if you change its mode to linear, timebase to 16sX, attack to 0, sustain and release to 100, this should give enough room for your MSEG experiments. And then you can 'wire' module's volume to MSEG and start replicating the envelope of your hardware.